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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
Mesa County has jumped more than 50 places in an annual comparison of small metropolitan areas on gains in high-tech output and jobs. Mesa County ranks 131st overall in the Milken Institute Best-Performing Cities Index for 2018, up 56 places from last year. While Mesa County remains in the bottom half of small metro areas […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times The economic growth that’s occurred in Mesa County over the past two years might slow, but likely will continue, according to a college professor who tracks regional indicators. And while the energy and construction industries remain volatile, those sectors and their high wages should still play a leading role in […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times Robert Bray jokes he has a ready answer for when people invariably ask him to asess the performance of the local real estate market — an answer that works equally well in good times and bad. “Simply unbelievable,” he says. The chief executive officer of Bray Real Estate remains willing, […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times Regulations imposing stricter emission standards in California won’t work in Colorado, according to a representative from an automobile dealers association. If anything, the rules will have the effect of driving up the price of new cars while in turn keeping older cars on the road that emit more pollution, said […]