Real deals add up to growing dollar volume

Phil Castle, The Business Times While low housing inventories slowed sales, the dollar volume of real estate transactions climbed in Mesa County in 2019 to its highest level in more than a decade. “We still ended up with a very healthy year,” said Annette Miller, a senior vice president at Heritage Title Co. in Grand […]

Small Business Optimism Index slips

A monthly measure of optimism among small business owners has slipped, but still finished 2019 at an historically high level that bodes well for 2020. “December marked the end of another banner year for the small business economy as owners took full advantage of strong consumer spending and federal tax and regulatory relief. 2020 is […]

U.S. labor market growing, but slowing

U.S. payrolls continue to grow, but at a slowing pace. Nonfarm payrolls increased 145,000 in December as the unemployment rate held steady at 3.5 percent, according to the latest Labor Department estimates. The latest monthly payroll gain was the smallest since May and brings total gains for 2019 to 2.1 million. That’s down from 2.7 […]

Conference to offer insights into marketing and communications

Phil Castle, The Business Times Dusti Reimer listened to what participants at the inaugural Initiate Conference had to say about the event. That’s so she could incorporate requests — and compliments — into organizing a second conference she hopes will prove even more beneficial for marketing, communications, and business professionals. The upcoming conference in Grand […]

2019 another good year for residential real estate

Phil Castle, The Business Times Despite some slowing attributed in part to low inventories, 2019 ended as another good year for the residential real estate market in Mesa County. “We’re reaching more of a normalcy in the marketplace,” said Robert Bray, chief executive officer of Bray Real Estate in Grand Junction. Bray expects more of […]

Bank president brings upbeat outlook to chamber role

Bank president brings upbeat outlook to chamber role

Phil Castle, The Business Times Vance Wagner never tires of working in banking because of what the industry makes possible for customers, whether that’s starting a business, buying a home or sending children to college. “Every day is an opportunity to change somebody’s life for the better,” says Wagner, regional president of ANB Bank in […]

Mountain bike manufacturer relocating to Fruita

A mountain bike manufacturer has announced plans to relocate its operations to Fruita. Canfield Bikes is in the process of purchasing property in Fruita that will house a workshop, offices and retail and warehouse space with room to accommodate growth. “The bike community is so amazing, and I’ve made so many friends here. I can’t […]

Survey: Colorado business leaders more confident heading into 2020

A measure of confidence among Colorado business leaders has rebounded heading into a new year, although uncertainty persists. “These results reflect the real business successes we’re seeing with the general uncertainty business owners feel going into the new year,” said Richard Wobbekind, executive director of the research division of the Leeds School of Business at […]