A monthly index forecasting economic conditions in the United States declined for an 11th straight month, signaling the risk of recession. The Conference Board reported its Leading Economic Index fell three-tenths of a percent to 110 in February. Separate measures of current and past conditions increased. While the leading index declined at slower pace in […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times No bouquet of flowers or luxuriant plant leaves Country Elegance without the finishing touch that’s become something of a signature for the Grand Junction florist. A tiny ladybug perches somewhere on a steam or leaf. It’s not a real insect, of course, but rather an indication of the attention to […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times Since she became only the second executive of HopeWest, Cassie Mitchell has persisted through nearly a year of changes. Not only in where she works and lives, but also labor shortages and regulatory changes. What hasn’t changed, Mitchell says, is the mission. “We’re here to meet the needs of the […]
Vance Wagner, a Grand Junction banking executive who’s served on the boards of a variety of business and philanthropic organizations, has received further recognition for his efforts. Mathias Mulumba, the founder of an organization that helps orphans and widows in Uganda, also was honored. The Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce named Wagner its Citizen […]
A $600,000 grant will help fund a project to revamp Reed Park in Fruita, including the addition of a skate and wheel park. A second, $87,000 grant will fund the development of a comprehensive plan for land conservation efforts in Western Colorado. The Great Outdoors Colorado board awarded the grants to the City of Fruita […]
Alpine Bank is celebrating the 20th year of “green team” efforts to save resources, promote the use of renewable energy and support other organizations involved with environmental sustainability. The celebration of the 20th anniversary of the green team coincides with the 50th anniversary of the founding of the bank. “We place a high value on […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times Seven candidates vying for election to the Grand Junction City Council emphasize the importance of everything from good infrastructure and streamlined regulation to public safety and especially affordable housing. The economic vitality of the city remains important as well to generate the funding needed to address problems. The candidates answered […]
A ground breaking ceremony celebrated the start of construction on a new performing arts center at Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction. CMU President John Marshall joined Doug and Jamee Simons, co-chairs of a fund-raising campaign for the project, at the event. CMU already has received $39 million in state funding for the project and […]
Tax collections, a measure of sales activity, continue to trend upward overall in Mesa County. Mesa County collected more than $3.4 million in sales taxes in February, an increase of nearly $106,000 and 3.2 percent over the same month a year ago. February collections reflect January sales. Mesa County tax collections on retail sales topped […]
Phil Castle, Business Times The monthly unemployment rate spiked again in Mesa County in January, but to a lower level that offers encouragement of improving labor conditions in the year ahead. More will be known when February numbers are released. There’s also a risk of recession that could affect the Mesa County market. “I think […]