Kimberly Williams has joined Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction as executive director of marketing. Williams manages marketing, public relations and publication projects for CMU. She succeeds Rick Taggart, a former corporate executive who had served as director of marketing since 2010. Taggart retired, although he plans to continue to teach at the university. Williams […]
A monthly index forecasting economic performance in the United States continues to increase, signaling growth through the holiday season and into next year. The Conference Board reported that its Leading Economic Index rose nine-tenths of a percent to 105.2 in October. The index has increased 4 percent over the past six months, a faster pace […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times The answers to four questions posed to members of a small business advocacy organization in Colorado will once again help determine how the group lobbies on state and national issues. The questions deal with a range of issues, including paid sick leave, unemployment benefits, federal spending and wage discrimination. The […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times A locally published magazine has expanded its operation by selling locally produced products. The effort constitutes an extension of a brand that celebrates the local lifestyle, said Krystyn Hartman, publisher of Grand Valley Magazine. “It’s an obvious extension of our magazine brand,” Hartman said. “Every product has a story, and […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times As difficult as it is for him to believe, Lee Mathis acknowledges reluctantly that not everyone likes cheesecake. That’s why Mathis continues to expand the product line of his operation beyond the decadent gourmet cheesecakes for which his company initially was named. First it was savory appetizer cheesecake spreads. Now […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times A total of nearly $5.2 million worth of loans were issued in Mesa County during the last fiscal year under two federal programs designed to bolster small business access to financing. Lending levels under the U.S. Small Business Administration 7(a) and 504 programs remain below prerecession levels. But as business […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times The parent company of two automotive dealerships plans to purchase at least $180,000 worth of gift cards for downtown Grand Junction businesses as part of a promotion to both entice customers and bolster the local economy. “We’re excited about it. It’ll be a nice little stimulus for downtown,” said Aaron […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times Diane Schwenke has high hopes for what really could be the most wonderful time of the year for Grand Valley businesses. Local sales tax collections, a key indicator of retail activity, continue to increase. Moreover, consumers have regained a level of confidence that helps to drive sales. Those indicators and […]
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 October, $136,486 in lodging taxes were collected. That’s a 2.2 percent increase over the $133,556 in collections reported for the same month last […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times The increasing pace of sales tax collections in the Grand Valley has bolstered increasingly optimistic assessments for improving economic conditions as well as more upbeat projections for next year. “It looks like things may be looking up a little bit,” said Jodi Romero, financial operations director for the City of […]