A key measure of sales activity in the Grand Valley continues to increase, although the latest numbers don’t yet reflect the full effects of the coronavirus outbreak. The City of Grand Junction and Mesa County both reported year-over-year increases in sales tax collections in March. March reports reflect February sales. The city collected a total […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times Jon Maraschin has straightforward advice for business owners and managers considering whether or not to apply for federal loans intended to offer financial relief in the midst of the coronavirus outbreak. “If you’re in business and need the money, apply,” says Maraschin, executive director of the Business Incubator Center in […]
Colorado residents can support in a variety of ways the farmers and ranchers who continue to put food on their tables in the midst of the coronavirus outbreak, according to Kate Greenberg, Colorado Commissioner of Agriculture. “Thanks to our producers and workers across the state, our local food system is abundant, and our supply chains […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times Half of Grand Valley business owners and managers responding to a survey reported revenues have dropped anywhere from 25 percent to 50 percent or more as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. Diane Schwenke, president and chief executive officer of the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce, said she expects […]
A measure of optimism among small business owners posted the largest one-month drop in its 46-year history as the coronavirus outbreak affects their outlook for everything from the economy to sales to staffing. “It’s hard to say what the severity of the disruption will be, but we know they’re feeling the urgency,” said William Dunkelberg, […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times While 2020 has started well for the Mesa County real estate market, it remains to be seen how the year will end given the potential effects of the coronavirous outbreak. Robert Bray, chief executive officer of Bray Real Estate in Grand Junction, said he expects a strong recovery, but first […]
Nonfarm payrolls contracted 701,000 in the United States in March as the coronavirus outbreak affected restaurants, retailers and other businesses. The unemployment rate rose to 4.4 percent, a nine-tenths of a point increase that tied for the largest one-month gain since 1975. While the latest Labor Department estimates accounted for some of the effects of […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times Barbara Reynolds misses interacting with students at Nisley Elementary School in Grand Junction and time spent reading and offering encouragement to them. Reynolds remains grateful she won’t miss the stipend she receives for her work with the Foster Grandparent Program operated in Mesa County by St. Mary’s Medical Center. “It’ll […]
A monthly measure of consumer confidence has dropped on less upbeat expectations for business and labor conditions in the midst of the coronavirus outbreak. The intensity of the outbreak and volatility in financial markets has made business and labor prospects less certain, said Lynn Franco, senior director of economic indicators for the Conference Board. “March’s […]
Mesa County climbed another 50 spots in the latest comparison of how small metropolitan areas fare for growth in jobs, wages and high-tech output. Mesa County ranked 81st in the Milken Institute Best-Performing Cities Index for 2020, up from 131st in the 2018 ranking. The gain was the 13th largest among all metro areas evaluated […]