Colorado ranks ninth among the 50 states in the latest census tracking the number of people employed in manufacturing and installing solar energy systems. While more than 3,600 people in the state worked in the sector in 2013, job growth has leveled off. “The sky’s the limit on solar power. But to get solar growing […]
A monthly index forecasting economic conditions in the United States continues to rise, signaling growth in the year ahead. The Conference Board reported that its Leading Economic Indicator advanced three-tenths of a percent to 99.5 in January. The index has increased 3.1 percent over the past six months. Separate measures of current and past economic […]
A statewide competition that attracts more than 1,200 athletes and their families will return to Grand Junction this summer. Special Olympics Colorado announced that it will bring its state summer games back to Colorado Mesa University on May 31 and June 1. “I know we were hoping for a return engagement this year, and I think […]
A program that for 15 years has promoted agricultural products from Colorado has joined forces with a new marketing effort promoting businesses. The Colorado Proud program will continue to promote food and agricultural products grown, raised or processed in the state. A new sister program dubbed byCOLORADO will help producers as well as nonagricultural businesses […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times How does a business loan fund promote economic development in Mesa County? Dean DiDario counts the ways. The fund just passed the $20 million milestone in total financing allocated since its inception since 1985. That money in turn has leveraged an additional $58 million in financing from traditional lenders, helped 390 […]
The Business Times Greg Lopez acknowledges that even a federal agency as large as the U.S. Small Business Administration can’t assure profitability for small business owners. “We don’t have the magic wand to make people successful.” But owners who work with the agency and avail themselves of its numerous programs are more likely to make […]
Kelly Sloan, The Business Times A proposed ballot measure that would enable local government jurisdictions to ban economic activities deemed to threaten health, safety or welfare has raised concerns over potentially far-reaching effects on Colorado businesses. “This issue is a job killer,” said Diane Schwenke, president and chief executive officer of the Grand Junction Area Chamber […]
Rob Griffin has been a builder most of his life. Through various jobs and his own ventures, Griffin has been involved with everything from apartment complexes to custom homes and even massive aquarium displays. The Grand Junction businessman takes on a far different task, though, as chairman of the Colorado Association of Home Builders executive […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times Stacy Swift believes franchises offer opportunities for a growing number of older Americans going into business for themselves. With a proven concept and system, franchises usually pose less risk than independent startups, Swift said. Moreover, franchises provide operational and managerial support to the owners who run them. “You’re in business for […]
A monthly index tracking optimism among small business owners continues to edge up on improving expectations for sales and hiring. A separate quarterly index tracking small business optimism has climbed to its highest level in five years. The National Federation of Independent Business reported that its Small Business Optimism Index edged up two-tenths of a […]