Grand Junction chamber awarded for development efforts

The Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce has once again earned recognition for its efforts to promote economic development. The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) presented the chamber a silver-level award as part of the annual Excellence in Economic Development awards program. With more than 5,000 members, the IEDC is the world’s largest organization serving […]

West Slope land conservation groups merge

Two organizations have merged to continue efforts to preserve open spaces and natural resources in Western Colorado. Colorado West Land Trust and Black Canyon Regional Land Trust announced the merger into a single legal entity. The Colorado West Land Trust will be headquartered in Grand Junction, but also operate an office in Montrose. “With the […]

Federal agencies streamline process for PPP loan forgiveness

A new form has been released to streamline the process for applying for forgiveness of loans of $50,000 or less issued through the Paycheck Protection Program. The U.S. Small Business Administration joined with the Treasury Department in announcing the action. SBA and Treasury also have eased burdens on lenders to enable them to process forgiveness […]

Collection reports: Sales tax up, lodging tax down

Tax collections continue to rise in the Grand Valley, one indicator of increasing retail sales activity. The City of Grand Junction reported a 1.4 percent increase in sales and use tax collections in September compared to the same month last year. Mesa County reported a 6.8 percent year-over-year gain. Meanwhile, though, city lodging tax collections, […]

Survey shows small business owners more optimistic

A measure of optimism among small business owners continues to increase on more upbeat expectations for an improving economy and higher earnings. The overall outlook remains unclear, though, because of the coronavirus pandemic, said Bill Dunkelberg, chief economist of the National Federation of Independent Business. “As parts of the country continue to open, small businesses […]

CMU laboratory now includes environmental chamber

Add a state-of-the-art environmental chamber to the equipment used at the Monfort Family Human Performance Laboratory at Colorado Mesa University. The chamber offers the ability to change a variety of conditions to understand how the human body functions in different environments. “There are all kinds of things we can do with this technology,” said Michael […]

Groups out to encourage random acts of kindness

Organizations and businesses in the Grand Valley have joined in an effort to encourage random acts of kindness as part of Mental Health Awareness Month in October. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) on the Western Slope, 2-1-1 and the Western Colorado Community Foundation are among those involved. “If we can engage our community […]

Taking the Plunge: Construction proceeds on trail

Construction continues on a trail that will take mountain bike riders and other users 34 miles between the top of the Grand Mesa and downtown Palisade. The Colorado Plateau Mountain Bike Trail Association (COPMOBA)  and nearly a dozen other organizations and government entities joined in a media event to offer an update on the Palisade […]

Play area at St. Mary’s about more than fun and games

Phil Castle, The Business Times Another play area has opened at SCL Health St Mary’s Hospital in Grand Junction, but the place isn’t strictly about fun and games. “It will provide a much-needed respite for patient families and help ease the stress of being in a hospital environment,” said Carmen Shipley, executive director of the […]

Variance in place despite increase in COVID-19 cases

Phil Castle, The Business Times Less stringent public health orders remain in place in Mesa County for now despite an increase in positive COVID-19 cases, according to a local official. The agency is working with state officials to maintain what’s called the “Protect Our Neighbors” phase of the variance, said Jeff Kuhr, executive director of […]