Small business group opposes local energy controls

A small business advocacy group opposes any proposals that would give local governments more control over energy development in Colorado. “Colorado already has the most stringent oversight of oil and gas production of any state in the nation,” said Tony Gagliardi, Colorado state director for the National Federation of Independent Business. “So when someone wants […]

New parish hall expected to serve community

St. Joseph’s Catholic Church has broken ground on a new parish hall in downtown Grand Junction that’s expected to serve not only the Catholic community, but also the wider community. “It’s really for the wider community, and that’s why we’re excited about this,” said the Rev. Edmundo Valera, pastor at St. Joseph’s. The former parish […]

Colorado and Denver tourism set records

A record 27.1 million vacationers visited Colorado in 2013, according to the  latest results of an annual study of tourism in the state. That total constituted a 5 percent increase over the previous year, Longwoods International reported in a study commissioned by Visit Denver, the convention and visitors bureau. Denver also set records for tourism […]

CMU accepting applications for online nursing degree program

Colorado Mesa University has begun accepting applications for a new nursing degree program that will be offered online starting in August. The registered nurse to bachelor of science in nursing program is designed to prepare nurses who’ve met state licensing requirements to practice as professionals, pursue graduate education and assume leadership positions in the health […]

Downtown business district up for renewal

Phil Castle, The Business Times The role of a business improvement district in promoting downtown Grand Junction will be reviewed as efforts proceed to renew the district. The district imposes an assessment on commercial property downtown to fund advertising, special events and other promotions.  Business and property owners are encouraged to join in a process of […]

Confidence index rebounds to six-year high

A monthly measure of consumer confidence has rebounded to its highest level in more than six years as the outlook for business and labor conditions continues to improve. The Conference Board reported that its Consumer Confidence Index jumped three points to 85.2 in June. The latest reading is the highest reading since January 2008, when […]

Long-awaited West Slope economic summit set

Phil Castle, The Business Times A long-awaited meeting with Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper to talk face-to-face about ways to improve the economy in Western Colorado finally has been scheduled. “We are very pleased that the governor is coming over,” said Bonnie Petersen, executive director of Club 20 based in Grand Junction. The group of businesses, governments […]

Mesa County jobless rate down, but so is labor pool

Phil CastleThe Business Times The monthly unemployment rate in Mesa County has dropped to its lowest level in more than five years, but there are far fewer people in the local work force. The latest labor estimates, although encouraging, still offer mixed economic news, said Suzie Miller, business services manager at the Mesa County Workforce […]