Help available to those affected by dementia

Phil Castle, The Business Times Joni Karp knows from personal experience the toll dementia takes not only on people afflicted with the disease, but also the people who care for them. Karp has worked in facilities and provided in-home care. Moreover, she cared for her mother. Patients need services that accommodate their individual needs and […]

Program intended to improve workforce development by degrees

Phil Castle, The Business Times Given the challenges of recruiting qualified employees, Jessica Smith says she’s eager to join in efforts to help fill the workforce pipeline in Mesa County. Smith, vice president of human resources at Reynolds Polymer Technology, was among those participating in a news conference announcing a program enabling students to simultaneously […]

“Connector” focusing on tech sector

“Connector” focusing on tech sector

Phil Castle, The Business Times Mara Hardy has worked for most of her career at the intersections of different interests, pulling together people with dissimilar backgrounds, agendas and objectives for collaborative endeavors. It’s not surprising, then, Hardy describes her latest role as business development manager at the Grand Junction Economic Partnership as “connector.” In focusing […]

Grand Valley tax collections on the rise

Bolstered in part by holiday sales, tax collections continue to increase in the Grand Valley. The City of Grand Junction reported a 7 percent increase in sales and use tax collections in January. Mesa County reported a 5.2 percent increase. January collections reflect December sales. Lodging tax collections, a measure of hotel and motel stays […]

Mesa County real estate sales slowing

Phil Castle, The Business Times Real estate sales continue to slow in Mesa County on a year-over-year basis in part because of the comparison with what was a fast start for the market in 2018, but also because of what could turn into something of a correction in 2019. “It’s a combination of both of […]

Consumer Confidence Index rebounds

A monthly measure of consumer confidence has rebounded on more upbeat assessments of business and labor conditions as well as more optimistic expectations. The Conference Board reported its Consumer Confidence Index rose 9.7 points to 131.4 in February, reversing three months of declines. “Looking ahead, consumers expect the economy to continue expanding,” said Lynn Franco, […]

Leading index signals slowing growth

A monthly index forecasting economic conditions in the United States has edged down, signaling what could be slowing growth in the months ahead. The Conference Board reported its Leading Economic Index (LEI) edged down a tenth of a point in January to 111.3. Separate measures of current and past conditions increased. “In January, the strengths […]

Dillard’s coming to Mesa Mall

One of the largest fashion retailers in the United States plans to open a location at the Mesa Mall in Grand Junction. A newly constructed Dillard’s will open at a site formerly occupied by Sears. “Mesa Mall is excited to expand its lineup of first-in-market retailers with the addition of Dillard’s,” said Paul Peterson, general […]

Study: CMU contributes $468.7 million to regional economy

Phil Castle, The Business Times As Colorado Mesa University continues to grow, so do the effects of CMU on the Western Colorado economy. The latest results of an economic impact study estimate the total direct and indirect effects of the university reaches nearly $469 million. CMU President Tim Foster hailed the numbers at a media […]