Grand Junction takes economic development to new level

Phil Castle, The Business Times Tim Moore oversees a new and what he considers more proactive effort to encourage economic development in Grand Junction. “I think the city is engaging at a new level with the business community,” said Moore, deputy city manager of the City of Grand Junction and leader of a new economic development […]

Confidence index: consumers more upbeat

A monthly measure of consumer confidence has increased on more upbeat assessments of business and labor conditions. The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index rose 1.3 points to 83 in May. Components of the index tracking consumer sentiments about current conditions as well as their expectations for the near future both increased. “Consumer confidence improved slightly […]

Leading index forecasts U.S. growth

An index forecasting economic performance in the United States continues to rise, signaling growth in the months ahead. The Conference Board Leading Economic Index rose four-tenths of a percent to 101.4 in April. The index has climbed 2.9 percent over the past six months. Separate measures of present and past performance also increased in April. […]

State lawmakers review good and bad of session

Kelly Sloan, The Business Times Two state lawmakers discussed their victories and shared their frustrations about the latest legislative session during an annual review organized by the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce. State Rep. Ray Scott and State Sen. Steve King, both Republicans from Grand Junction, offered their takes on the session at the legislative […]

Energy trade group predicates park support on protections

Kelly Sloan, The Business Times The West Slope Colorado Oil and Gas Association could withdraw its support for a proposal to change the Colorado National Monument into a national park if protections for the energy industry and economy are stripped from federal legislation at any stage of the process. Susan Alvillar, president of WSCOGA, presented those […]

Wide divide presents obstacle to national park proposal

Kelly Sloan, The Business Times Sharp differences of opinion over a proposal to change Colorado National Monument into a national park surfaced again during a public hearing in Grand Junction. U.S. Rep Scott Tipton — who, along with U.S. Sen. Mark Udall, is considering federal legislature to create Red Rocks National Park — said comments at […]

Mesa County jobless rate, labor pool drop

Phil Castle, The Business Times The monthly unemployment rate in Mesa County continues to drop, but along with it a labor pool that’s drained to its lowest level in nearly eight years. With fewer people in the work force, employers could face more difficulty in finding qualified applicants for job openings, said Suzie Miller, business services […]

Lodging tax collections on the rise

A measure of local hotel and motel business has jumped with a more than 8 percent increase in lodging tax collections. According to a Grand Junction Visitor & Convention Bureau report for April, $86,022 in lodging taxes were collected. That’s an 8.1 percent increase over the $79,596 reported for the same month last year. Because […]

Upward sales tax trend offers encouragement

Phil Castle, The Business Times  Year-over-year increases in sales tax collections in the Grand Valley continue to offer encouragement retail activity has picked up and economic conditions are improving. “Overall, it looks good,” said Jodi Romero, financial operations director for the City of Grand Junction. Frank Whidden, deputy administrator for resource management at Mesa County, agreed. […]