U.S. labor market kicks off 2023 with a bang

Payrolls increased more than 500,000 and the unemployment rate decreased to its lowest level in more than 50 years as 2023 began with an unexpected bang in the U.S. labor market. Nonfarm payrolls grew 517,000 and the jobless rate dropped to 3.4 percent in January, according to the latest numbers from the Bureau of Labor […]

Consumer Confidence Index retreats

A monthly measure of consumer confidence has dropped on less optimistic outlooks for business and labor conditions. The Conference Board reported its Consumer Confidence Index fell 1.9 points to 107.1 in January. A component of the index assessing current conditions advanced. But a component based on expectations retreated to a level that usually signals a […]

New business filings climb to record level in Colorado

Phil Castle, The Business Times A record number of new business filings bodes well for a Colorado economy otherwise expected to slow this year. The secretary of state’s office recorded 48,806 new entity filings in the fourth quarter of 2022 — a 37.2 percent year-over-year increase and the most ever for the fourth quarter. Another […]

Coming attraction: Marketing draws attention, and visitors, to Grand Junction

Coming attraction: Marketing draws attention, and visitors, to Grand Junction

Phil Castle, The Business Times Elizabeth Fogarty deems the inclusion of Grand Junction in an annual go-to list of global destinations published in the New York Times a significant milestone in local efforts to promote travel and tourism. “It’s considered PR gold in the travel industry.” But it’s only the latest media coverage to bring […]

Downtown florist shop next step for blooming business

Phil Castle, Business Times Sydney Garvey has sold flowers by subscription, at farmers markets and from her farm near Palisade. But she’s excited about soon selling flowers from yet another venue — a florist shop she’s about to open in downtown Grand Junction. “It’s, in my opinion, a perfect location.” Flowers by Garvey’s Gardens is […]

Rural mental health grants awarded

The Colorado Agricultural Commission has approved nearly $200,000 in funding for four projects through a new rural mental health grant program. “Farm and agricultural stress comes from so many different sources, yet there is a stigma around accessing services. Whether you’re dealing with the effects of climate change, anxiety and depression, struggling after deployment or […]

Acquisition adds to Mesa County conservation area

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management field office in Grand Junction joined with Western Rivers Conservancy to acquire land within a conservation area in Mesa County. Located on the Gunnison River within the Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area, the 26.32-acre acquisition is expected to protect resources for future generations. “This acquisition will benefit the public and […]

BLM plans Grand Junction meeting on solar plan

An upcoming meeting in Grand Junction will offer participants an opportunity to comment on solar energy development on U.S. Bureau of Land Management lands in the West. “The BLM is committed to expanding renewable energy development on public lands to help lead the nation into a clean energy future, enhance America’s energy security and provide […]

Survey results reflect support for Colorado ag industry

The results of a new survey reveal nearly unanimous support among Coloradans for the agriculture industry in the state. Fully 98 percent of those responding to a survey conducted by the Colorado Department of Agriculture and Colorado State University said the food and ag industry is important to economic development; farms, ranches and agriculture are […]