Phil Castle, The Business Times Jesse Lanci searched high and low for a product that would help him groom his mustache. The Grand Junction man finally found what he was looking for right under his nose in a product he developed himself. Now the inventive entrepreneur hopes to sell others on his all-natural mustache wax […]
The last monthly measure of consumer confidence before the holiday shopping season reflects a little less cheer, although expectations for increased sales persist. The Conference Board reported that its Consumer Confidence Index declined more than five points to 88.7 in November on less upbeat assessments of current business and labor conditions and less optimistic expectations […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times The monthly unemployment rate in Mesa County continues to retreat as increasingly confident employers step up hiring. “I think there’s a sense there’s a little more optimism among employers,” said Suzie Miller, manager of business services at the Mesa County Workforce Center in Grand Junction. According to the latest estimates […]
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 […]