Hurd mentality: give back

Hurd mentality: give back

Phil Castle, The Business Times        Jeffrey Hurd expects to draw upon a lot of his experiences during his upcoming term as chairman of the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, including his work as a lawyer. But Hurd brings another perspective to the role: He worked for the chamber […]

Real estate firm an entrepreneurial dream come true

Phil Castle, The Business Times Two months after opening a real estate firm in a building with her name on the sign out front, Amy Rogers sometimes struggles to realize her entrepreneurial dream has come true. “It’s almost like I have to pinch myself.” At the same time, though, Roger said she’s not about to […]

Despite slip, lodging tax collections outpace last year

While lodging tax collections slipped in Grand Junction in November, they continue to outpace last year and signal increased business for the local hospitality sector. The Grand Junction Visitor & Convention Bureau reported that $117,055 in lodging taxes were collected in November. That’s $2,658 or about 2.2 percent less than what was collected during the […]

Damaging wine grape pest confirmed in Mesa County

Officials with the Colorado Department of Agriculture and Colorado State University are working with a vineyard owner to contain and eradicate the pest even as surveying continues to assess the scope of the infestation. “Hopefully, we’ve caught this quickly enough to protect Colorado’s grape crop,” said Laura Pottorff, a nursery and phytosanitary program manager with […]

DDA allocates funds for downtown police

Two Grand Junction police officers will be deployed downtown next year as part of a collaborative effort to increase the police presence there. The Downtown Development Authority board of directors voted to divert a portion of sales tax revenues to pay for two officers who’ll be dedicated to working downtown. The downtown officers are expected […]

Discounted bus passes available to veterans

Grand Valley Transit has implemented a program offering a 50 percent discount to veterans on all fixed-route passes for local bus service. The program is a collaborative effort of Grand Valley Transit as well as Mesa County Veteran Services provided through Aging and Disability Resources of Colorado and the regional office of Veterans Affairs in […]

Former deputy ag secretary among Colorado forum speakers

A former deputy secretary of agriculture is among the featured speakers scheduled to appear at an upcoming agricultural forum in Colorado. The Governor’s Forum of Colorado Agriculture also will feature presentations by Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, Colorado State University President Tony Frank and Colorado Commissioner of Agriculture Don Brown. Krysta Harden, a former deputy secretary […]

Tax collection slump at an end? Trend could be changing

Phil Castle, The Business Times A change in sales tax collections in Mesa County has one official more hopeful what’s been a downward trend for the key economic indicator has reversed course. “I do believe we’re moving in the right direction,” said Jodi Romero, financial operations director for the City of Grand Junction. The city reported […]

Mesa County jobless rate trending down

Phil Castle, The Business Times The monthly unemployment rate in Mesa County has retreated to its lowest level in more than two years, raising hopes for even better labor conditions in 2017. “I think we’re definitely on the right track,” said Curtis Englehart, director of the Mesa County Workforce Center in Grand Junction. According to […]

Small Business Optimism Index rises after election

A monthly measure of optimism among small business owners has topped its long-term average for only the third time since 2007 on more upbeat expectations following the election of Donald Trump as president. The National Federation of Independent Business reported that its Small Business Optimism Index rose 3.5 points to 98.4 in November, just above […]