Engineering a partnership: New CMU building to also house center

Phil Castle, The Business Times Construction is scheduled for completion in about a year on a new building at Colorado Mesa University housing a growing engineering program as well as a math and science center. Speaking at a groundbreaking event, CMU President Tim Foster said the project constitutes a result of partnerships between CMU and […]

Index: Uncertainty curbs small business optimism

A monthly measure of optimism among small business owners has slipped as uncertainty has dampened expectations for improving economic conditions, earnings and sales. “Uncertainty seems to be the major enemy of economic progress, and the political climate is a major contributor to the high levels of uncertainty that we’ve seen,” said Bill Dunkelberg, chief economist […]

Real estate activity accelerates with big year-over-year gains

Phil Castle, The Business Times Real estate activity continues to increase in Mesa County with what one long-time executive described as “exceptional” year-over-year gains in sales and dollar volume reported in August. While the pace is expected to slow in the fall and winter, year-end numbers for 2016 will exceed 2015, said Robert Bray, chief […]

NFIB: Local lawmakers earn perfect scores in voting analysis

Three state lawmakers from Mesa County received perfect scores for their votes on business-related legislation, according to a small business advocacy organization. State Sen. Ray Scott and State Reps. Dan Thurlow and Yeulin Willett, all Republicans from Grand Junction, received 100 percent scores in a voting record compiled by the National Federation of Independent Business. […]

Sports commission bids on collegiate championships

A Grand Junction organization has submitted bids to bring a variety of collegiate sports championships to the area. The Greater Grand Junction Sports Commission announced it has submitted a total of 20 bids to the National Collegiate Athletic Association to bring various championships to local venues during upcoming seasons. “It’s no secret the Grand Valley […]

Foreign trade zone effort progresses

Phil Castle, The Business Times The administrators of two organizations have agreed to take the next step in efforts to establish a foreign trade zone in Mesa County. Diane Schwenke, president and chief executive officer of the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce, and Kristi Pollard, executive director of the Grand Junction Economic Partnership, will […]

Work ready: Program offers benefits to businesses and applicants

Work ready: Program offers benefits to businesses and applicants

Phil Castle, The Business Times Curtis Englehart works as a matchmaker of sorts in bringing together businesses looking for employees with people looking for jobs. Consequently, Englehart says he’s excited about the potential for a new process based on an analysis of the requirements and duties of a given job and knowledge and skills of […]

Labor report: Pace of U.S. job growth slows

Job growth continues in the United States, although the latest payroll gain came in below the monthly average for the past year. According to the Labor Department estimates, nonfarm payrolls increased 151,000 in August. That number fell short of what economists had forecast as well as the average monthly increase of 204,000 over the prior […]

Mesa County payroll estimates could be revised downward

Estimated payroll gains for Mesa County earlier this year could be revised downward a bit based on the latest analysis of labor records. The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment reported that estimated nonfarm payrolls for the first quarter could be revised downward in Mesa County and other areas of the state. While estimates could […]