Kelly Sloan, The Business Times A group of business leaders, community groups and elected officials has called for a more cooperation and less regulation for energy development, an approached termed the “West Slope way.” “The West Slope way is about collaboration, cooperation and education,” said Mesa County Commissioner Rose Pugliese. Pugliese was among those who […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times Robust economic conditions are expected to continue in Colorado in 2015 with increased hiring, sales and construction activity. The only challenges could be labor shortages in some industry sectors and the effects of lower oil prices on energy production. “The prosperity continues,” says Richard Wobbekind, executive director of the Business […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times Higher tax collections, increasing real estate activity and more upbeat expectations for business conditions are among the signs pointing toward an improving economy in Mesa County in 2015, officials say. It’s no longer so much a question if growth will continue, but how much and how fast. “Overall, I’m cautiously […]
Colorado ranks among the 10 most entrepreneur-friendly states in the latest analysis of how policies affect small businesses. Colorado ranks ninth in the 2014 Small Business Policy Index compiled by the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council. The small business advocacy and research group takes into account a total of 42 tax, regulatory and government spending […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times Bonnie Petersen expects to continue to advocate for Western Colorado interests, but also narrow her focus, as the new executive director of the Associated Governments of Northwest Colorado. “I just think we can do some really good things for Western Colorado through AGNC,” Petersen said. Petersen plans to begin working […]
A monthly measure of hotel and motel stays in Grand Junction continues to reflect increased business for the local hospitality sector. According to the Grand Junction Visitor & Convention Bureau report for November, $108,813 in lodging taxes were collected. That’s an increase of 7.2 percent over the $101,476 collected for the same month last year. […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times Increasing tax collections continue to reflect what local officials describe as improving economic conditions. The City of Grand Junction reported a 5.1 percent increase in year-over-year sales and use tax collections in its November report. Mesa County reported a smaller gain at 1.4 percent. Since tax reports lag a month […]
A monthly measure of confidence among small business owners has moved closer to its historical average on more upbeat expectations for an improving economy and increased sales. The National Federation of Independent Business reported that its Small Business Optimism Index rose two points to 98.1 in November. That’s the highest reading since February 2007. The […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times Bonnie Petersen expects to continue to advocate for Western Colorado interests, but also narrow her focus, as the new executive director of the Associated Governments of Northwest Colorado. “I just think we can do some really good things for Western Colorado through AGNC,” Petersen said. Petersen plans to begin working […]
Hiring has accelerated in the United States with an estimated addition of 321,000 jobs in November, the biggest monthly gain in nearly three years. The national unemployment rate remained unchanged at 5.8 percent, the lowest level in more than six years. The November increase in nonfarm payrolls was the largest since January 2012 and exceeded […]