The leading lender for U.S. Small Business Administration programs in Colorado reports an increase in activity during the first quarter of the 2011 fiscal year compared to the same quarter last year. Wells Fargo reported that it issued 86 loans worth a combined $35 million in Colorado through the SBA 7(a) loan guarantee program. That […]
An interim Mesa County administrator has recommended that the commissioners hire a permanent administrator, but also change their involvement with county departments. “I believe the county administrator position is a vital link in the county’s current structure. But I also recommend developing a mechanism to create a more direct link between the county’s elected officials […]
A Grand Junction solar power sales and installation company has completed the installation of a new solar system at its office and warehouse complex. Simplicity Solar completed the 15.58 kilowatt photovoltaic solar system at its facility at 747 W. White Ave. The system is expected to generate 23,555 kilowatts of electricity a year. Alan Deslongchamp, […]
A monthly index tracking labor trends has advanced for a fourth straight month, signalling accelerating job growth. The Conference Board reported that its Employment Trends Index (ETI) rose two-tenths to 100.5. The index has climbed 7 percent over the last year. “We expect larger numbers of jobs to be added back into the economy in […]
The U.S. unemployment rate has dropped again, but payroll gains remain modest. According to the latest Labor Department estimates, the national jobless rate dropped four-tenths to 9 percent in January, but nonfarm payrolls grew only 36,000. While the unemployment rate has retreated eight-tenths of a percent since hitting 9.8 percent in November, the decrease is […]
A monthly measure of optimism among small business owners advanced in January, but owners remain less than upbeat in their plans to spend money on capital projects and hire employees. The National Federation of Independent Business reported that its Index of Small Business Optimism rose 1.5 points to 94.1. The index is based on the […]
The latest results of an annual membership survey conducted by the National Federation of Independent Business in Colorado offer some insights into what small business owners want when it comes to five select issues. The NFIB uses the survey results to determine its lobbying positions on state and national issues. Here’s what members said they […]
Who knows better than business owners and managers what opportunities exist for growth — and what challenges persist to hobble that growth? Fortunately, business owners and managers are expected to play a big role in writing an economic development plan for Mesa County both in terms of responding to an online survey and sharing their […]
There are people out there who thought that once ObamaCare was signed into law last March, the debate was over. Thankfully, that’s not been the case. With big changes at the ballot box in November, debate and action regarding the new health care law has been rekindled. The U.S. House of Representatives voted to repeal […]
Two former print advertising consultants run a growing Grand Junction business offering advertising through a medium of a far different sort — a network of flat screen televisions that serve as indoor digital signs. Dave Vogt and Jim Montoya operate Local Focus Digital Media. After a year in business, Local Focus has expanded with flat […]