Phil Castle, The Business Times Having worked closely with manufacturers in Northwest Pennsylvania in his previous job, John Flanagan hopes to do the same in Western Colorado in his new job as director of the Mesa County Workforce Center in Grand Junction. Flanagan knows from personal experience the opportunities manufacturers offer for high-paying careers as […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times While the monthly unemployment rate continues to retreat in Mesa County, the growing number of people receiving unemployment benefits tempers the outlook for the local labor market. The diverging trends reflect seasonal hiring for positions in retail sales, office administration and health care, but also layoffs in the energy sector […]
A monthly measure of local hotel and motel stays has increased by double-digit proportions for a third consecutive month. According to the Grand Junction Visitor & Convention Bureau report for September, $154,543 in lodging taxes were collected. That’s an increase of 10.4 percent over reported collections for the same month last year. September reports reflect […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times Sales and use tax collections continue to increase in the Grand Valley, buoyed in part by increased automotive and home improvement sales as well as purchases by visitors to the area. The City of Grand Junction and Mesa County both reported year-over-year gains in sales and use tax collections in […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times Three Western Colorado residents who’d never before met formed the winning team at an event that challenged participants to develop ideas for business startups. But all the participants were winners in the sense they learned about the startup process, met people and made connections that could lead to new businesses, […]
A monthly measure of confidence among small business owners has edged up on expectations of improving economic conditions and increased capital outlays and inventories. But at 96.1, the September reading of the Small Business Optimism Index compiled by the National Federation of Independent Business still remains below the long-term average of 98. The index rose […]
Federal agencies are now authorized to award sole-source contracts to eligible women-owned small businesses under a new rule issued by the U.S. Small Business Administration. The rule is designed to level the playing field for women-owned businesses competing for federal contracts. “Women-owned businesses are growing three times faster than their counterparts, yet the federal government has […]
Fees on professional and occupational licenses in Colorado will be reduced by a total of more than $2 million over the next two years, according to the state division that manages licensing. The Colorado Division of Professions and Occupations, a part of the Department of Regulatory Agencies, announced that it’s reducing or maintaining all of […]
Donations are now being accepted for an annual fall book sales that serves as a fund-raiser for the Friends of the Mesa County Libraries. Donations of books, DVDs, CDs ad VHS tapes may be dropped off at the depository at the First Congregational Church, 1425 N. Fifth St. in Grand Junction. The sale is set […]
Family Health West in Fruita has scheduled an event in conjunction with National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. On Oct. 22, the health care organization will encourage employees to wear pink as a reminder to get breast cancer screenings. “We are encouraging our employees to wear pink and compete for a prize,” said Angelina Salazar, director […]