Mesa County jobless rate retreats

Phil Castle, Business Times The unemployment rate retreated in Mesa County in November as more people filled job openings. The seasonally unadjusted jobless rate fell two-tenths of a point to 3.6 percent, according to the latest estimates from the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment. “It’s a good trend we’re seeing,”  said Lindsay Bullock, director […]

GOCO board approves $387,900 in Mesa County grants

Nearly $400,000 in grants will help fund natural resource stewardship, conservation and restoration efforts in Mesa County. The Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) Board of Directors awarded three grants worth a total of $387,900 for the projects. A $300,000 grant to Mesa County Public Health, part of the GOCO stewardship impact program, will support a four-member […]

Small Business Optimism Index rises

A measure of optimism among small business owners has increased on improving expectations for the economy, sales and profits. The National Federation of Independent Business reported its Small Business Optimism Index rose six-tenths of a point to 91.9 in November. The reading has remained below the 49-year average of 98 for 11 straight months, however. […]

Walmart grant to fund workforce efforts

A $500,000 grant will help fund efforts to develop the Colorado workforce. The  Colorado Workforce Development Council announced it received the grant from Walmart to support the Advancing Individual Ownership of Assets and Career Determination initiative. The initiative will help job seekers more easily define and share their professional qualifications online with employers, access better […]

Program promotes workforce initiatives

The initial application period will remain open through Jan. 24 for a new grant program designed to help Colorado communities expand workforce and talent development initiatives. Colorado Gov. Jared Polis and the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade announced the Opportunity Now Colorado program. “Our administration is committed to creating opportunities for Coloradans […]

New state economic development director to start Jan. 1

A woman who’s long served in various roles with Colorado Gov. Jared Polis has been named executive director of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade. Eve Lieberman is scheduled to start her new role Jan. 1. She’ll succeed Patrick Meyers, who will remain the state’s chief recovery officer. Lieberman serves as the […]

Construction under way on latest U.S. Highway 6 improvements

Construction is under way on improvements to U.S. Highway 6 in Clifton. The Colorado Department of Transportation and United Companies, the contractor on the project, have begun work on U.S. Highway 6 just west of the intersection with the Interstate Highway 70 Business Loop. The project will realign and update traffic patterns while adding two […]