Rising index signals U.S. growth ahead

A monthly index forecasting economic performance in the United States continues to rise, signaling growth in the second of the year. The Conference Board reported that its Leading Economic Index climbed another three-tenths of a percent to 102.2 in June. The latest monthly gain was the fifth in a row and brings the total increase […]

Guest ranch near DeBeque for sale for $35 million

A luxury guest ranch near DeBeque has been put up for sale for $35 million. Kessler Canyon includes a lodge, guesthouse, cabins and more than 23,000 acres of property that includes access to fishing and big game and upland bird hunting. Hall and Hall, a rural real estate firm that manages more than 1 million […]

Lodging tax stats reflect increased business

A monthly measure of hotel and motel stays continues to reflect increased business for the hospitality sector in the Grand Valley. According to a Grand Junction Visitor & Convention Bureau report for June, $149,765 in lodging taxes were collected. That’s a 6.8 percent increase over the $140,185 in collections reported for the same month last […]

Rising tax collections seen as encouraging indicator

Phil Castle, The Business Times Rising sales tax collections in Grand Junction and Mesa County indicate what local government officials see as improving economic conditions. Officials say they remain cautiously optimistic in their expectations for how long the trend will continue. “I think we are seeing an improvement,” said Jodi Romero, financial operations director for […]

Mesa County unemployment rate rises up on summer surge of job hunters

Phil Castle, The Business Times The monthly unemployment rate in Mesa County has risen along with a seasonal surge of high school and college students looking for summer jobs. But the increase in the jobless rate this year was smaller than in past years, offering encouragement labor market conditions are improving. “The best way to […]

Second travel center opens in Grand Junction

The second of two new travel centers has opened in Grand Junction, adding to the services offered travelers and truck drivers as well as residents. Located near exit 26 off Interstate Highway 70, the Pilot Flying J Travel Center offers 20 fueling lanes, a McDonald’s Restaurant and convenience store. “We’re thrilled that our new travel […]

Colorado economy — and payrolls — expected to grow

The Colorado economy — and payrolls — should continue to grow through the second half of 2014, according to a mid-year outlook prepared at the University of Colorado. “The growth for Colorado that we are forecasting for 2014 would make it the fourth-fastest growing state in the country,” said Richard Wobbekind, executive director of the […]

Survey: Small business owners less upbeat

A monthly measure of optimism among small business owners has dropped on less upbeat expectations for the economy, sales and earnings. The National Federation of Independent Business reported that its Small Business Optimism Index fell 1.6 points to 95 in June. The decline snapped a three-month string of increases that had pushed the index to […]

Hospice earns perfect score in survey

A Grand Junction-based organization that provides hospice and palliative care services in a six-county area of Western Colorado earned perfect marks during a recent onsite survey. “We are very excited to have received notice that no deficiencies were cited for our survey,” said Terri Walter, chief administrative officer and senior vice president of HopeWest. “It […]