Job growth continues in the United States with the addition of more than 200,000 new positions to payrolls. The monthly unemployment rate held steady at 5 percent, the lowest level in more than seven years. Nonfarm payrolls increased 211,000 in November, according to the latest Labor Department estimates. Moreover, initial estimates for job gains in […]
Colorado ranks 18th among the 50 states in the latest results of an annual analysis of how taxes affect businesses. Colorado moved up two spots in the State Business Tax Climate Index for 2016 on the strength of comparatively low corporate and individual income tax rates. The Tax Foundation — a nonprofit, nonpartisan tax research […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times The real estate market has performed even better this year than Robert Bray initially had expected. The chief executive officer of Bray Real Estate in Grand Junction couldn’t be happier to have been proven wrong. “I’m OK on that.” With a month left to go, the number of real estate […]
A monthly measure of consumer confidence in the United States has retreated for a second straight month on less upbeat expectations for the labor market. The Conference Board reported that its Consumer Confidence Index dropped nearly nine points to 90.4 for November. The index has retreated almost 13 points over the past two months. “The […]
The Downtown Development Authority in Grand Junction will resume the search for a director after a contract with a newly hired executive was terminated after less than two months on the job. The DDA board of directors announced in a news release it ended a contract with John Schneiger effective Dec. 4. Schneiger was hired […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times The monthly unemployment rate continues to slip in Mesa County as more people find seasonal work for the holidays. The local labor force continues to shrink nonetheless with slowing in the energy sector that’s followed slumping prices. Initial claims for unemployment insurance are up even as overall labor demand has […]
A monthly index forecasting economic performance in the United States has increased, signaling continued growth into next year. The Conference Board reported that its Leading Economic Index rose six-tenths of a percent to 124.1 in October. Separate measures of current and past economic performance also increased. “Despite lackluster third quarter growth, the economic outlook now […]
A new campaign seeks to recruit businesses and individuals, including former residents, to Mesa County by touting a welcoming business environment along with a family friendly community with outdoor recreational opportunities. The Grand Junction Economic Partnership has launched a video as well as a Web site in support of an effort titled “The Grand Valley […]
Kelly Sloan, The Business Times Business and property owners attending a meeting to discuss new fees assessed by the Grand Valley Drainage District expressed anger and concern. They also suggested a change in district leadership could be in order. The Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce hosted the meeting to enable business owners to hear […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times A total of nearly $18.3 million worth of loans were issued in Mesa County during the last fiscal year under two federal programs backing small business lending. The latest total is more than triple the combined dollar volume of lending the previous fiscal year under the U.S. Small Business Administration […]