Phil Castle, The Business Times John Hickenlooper believes efforts to promote economic development in Colorado have paid off in many ways, among them historically low unemployment rates. Although Mesa County hasn’t yet recovered from the recession to the same extent as the Front Range, the Colorado governor sees improvement as well as the potential for […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times Water plays an essential role in the Grand Valley economy whether its used for irrigation, recreation or, in the case of recruiting businesses to the area, attraction. “Water is the lifeblood of our state and our community,” says Kristi Pollard, executive director of the Grand Junction Economic Partnership economic development […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times The monthly unemployment rate in Mesa County has dropped to its lowest level in nine years as hiring increases across a broader range of industry sectors. While the labor force remains well below the peak levels of the boom that preceded the bust, other indicators reflect market improvement, said Curtis […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times Year-over-year increases in tax collections have local government officials more optimistic about a key economic indicator and source of revenue. “I think some things are working to our favor,” said Jodi Romero, financial operations director for the City of Grand Junction. Eleanor Thomas, Mesa County budget manager, agreed. “I hope […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times If Tony Gagliardi were a teacher assigning a grade, he’d give the Colorado Legislature a B- for its latest session. The state director of the National Federation of Independent Business said he was pleased with passage of measures increasing the exemption for personal property tax paid by businesses and creating […]
When Americans take a hike or engage in other increasingly popular outdoor recreational pursuits, one result is ringing cash registers, according to an analysis by a trade association for the outdoor industry. Outdoor recreation accounts for $887 billion in annual consumer spending and supports 7.6 million jobs in the United States, according to report from […]
Visitors to the Colorado National Monument near Grand Junction spent more than $24.5 million in 2016, in turn contributing to a total economic affect that topped $30 million, according to the latest results of an annual analysis conducted by the National Park Service. The economic effects of visits to national parks, monuments and other National […]
Mesa County Libraries offers adults an opportunity to earn high school diplomas while also receiving career training. “Earning a high school diploma is a life-changing achievement,” said James Price, head of literacy services for Mesa County Libraries. “By offering Career Online High School, we’re empowering Mesa County residents to seek new opportunities and transform their […]
More police officers will take to downtown Grand Junction streets this summer as part of changes in patrols in the business district. Volunteer ambassadors also will be on hand to assist visitors under a new program. Two Grand Junction police officers will be deployed downtown as part of a collaborative effort between the Grand Junction […]
An annual presentation will offer information about the Colorado River, including a discussion of why businesses should care about water on the West Slope. The Mesa County State of the River meeting is set for May 15 at the Avalon Theater, 645 Main St. in Grand Junction. The event is free and open to the […]