Visitors to the Colorado National Monument near Grand Junction helped contribute $45 million to the local economy in 2015, according to the latest results of an annual analysis conducted by the National Park Service. The Colorado National Monument attracted 588,006 visitors who spent an estimated total of $36 million in communities near the park. That […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times Kristi Pollard believes it will take an army to bring about economic changes in Western Colorado. That makes an upcoming summit an enlistment opportunity. “I think we’re going to see some really good engagement by the business community,” says Pollard, executive director of the Grand Junction Economic Partnership, among the […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times Two proponents of a ballot measure that would implement a single-payer health care system in Colorado encourage business owners to consider the issue like they would any other decision affecting their operations: Do the math and compare costs. Increased taxes imposed under the plan to pay for universal health care […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times Keynote speakers at an upcoming economic summit in Western Colorado will address the benefits of embracing change as well as share a national perspective on the real estate market and what lessons learned in some markets might apply to the Western Slope. Frank Garay and Brian Stevens, hosts of a […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times Plans to construct a liquefied natural gas export facility on the Oregon coast and a pipeline to supply it proceed despite regulatory hurdles, according to officials from two companies involved in the projects. The end result of building the Jordan Cove terminal and Pacific Connector Gas Pipeline could be long-term […]
The latest analysis of new business filings in Colorado portends continued employment growth, albeit at a slower pace. A total of 29,680 new businesses registered with the secretary of state’s office during the first quarter, a 27.3 percent jump over the fourth quarter. The increase corresponds with what’s projected as a modest expansion in employment […]
A monthly index forecasting economic conditions in the United States continues to signal growth, albeit slow, in coming months. The Conference Board reported that its Leading Economic Index (LEI) edged up two-tenths of a percent to 123.4 in March. The gain reverses what had been three straight months of declines. “With the March gain, the […]
Commercial passenger traffic at the Grand Junction airport increased more than 7 percent during the first quarter of the year compared to the same span last year. According to the latest statistics from the Grand Junction Regional Airport Authority, 49,267 enplanements — passengers boarding regularly scheduled commercial flights — were reported during the first quarter […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times The unemployment rate in Mesa County has seesawed back up to its highest level of the year as layoffs mount in the energy industry and support businesses. While seasonal hiring in landscaping and construction could help in improving local labor conditions, big swings in the jobless rate aren’t anticipated in […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times It’s a busy time of year for Dustin McPhail. There are lawns to aerate, fertilize and mow. There are bushes to trim and yards to clean. And there are miles to go before McPhail can finally call it a day. But the owner of the Never McPhail aeration and lawn […]