Tax collections drop, but year-end total still tops 2011

Phil Castle,  The Business Times Sales tax collections for Mesa County and the City of Grand Junction lag well behind last year in the latest monthly reports. Still, overall collections reported for 2012 topped 2011. It’s a situation that’s prompted local officials to project continued increases for 2013, but remain on the lookout for a […]

Economic development group half way to $1.5 million fund-raising goal

Economic development group half way to $1.5 million fund-raising goal

Phil Castle, The Business Times The Grand Junction Economic Partnership kicks off its latest fund-raising effort already half way toward its goal of raising $1.5 million in financial support for the economic development organization. But GJEP leaders say it’s going to take a collaborative effort among local businesses over the coming year to achieve success […]

Growing beer business on tap in Fruita

Growing beer business on tap in Fruita

Phil Castle, The Business Times  A growing business in Fruita offers a unique combination for craft beer connoisseurs: a place in which they can not only purchase supplies to brew beer, but also purchase beer on tap in the very next room. Kettles Homebrew Supply has expanded with the opening of Copper Club Brewing Co. […]

Lodging taxes dip, but year-end total still tops 2011

Lodging tax collections have dipped on a year-over-year basis for the first time in 16 months, but continue to reflect increased business overall for hotels and motels in Grand Junction. According to the Grand Junction Visitor & Convention Bureau report for December, $64,431 in lodging taxes were collected, 6.7 percent less than the report for […]

Group outlines progress toward economic development goals

Phil Castle, The Business Times A broad coalition of business organizations, government entities and academic institutions has made progress toward achieving three economic development goals for Mesa County, officials from the coalition say. Even as a committee reviews energy innovation projects for possible funding, a team of “first responders” helps struggling businesses stay in business. […]

State of the State Address draws mixed reviews from Grand Junction legislators

Kelly Sloan, The Business Times Gov. John Hickenlooper’s latest State of the State Address drew mixed reviews from three Republican legislators from Grand Junction. State Rep. Ray Scott called the speech “heavy on appeal, light on substance.” “Instead of giving businesses the opportunities they need to expand and grow, the governor and the Democrats are […]

Hickenlooper: Economy improving, but more work needed

Kelly Sloan, The Business Times While economic prospects for Colorado have improved, Gov. John Hickenlooper believes efforts must continue to promote business, entrepreneurship and job growth in the state. Bipartisan efforts also will be needed in the Colorado Legislature to avoid other problems, among them the recurrence of the devastating wildfires and a mass shooting […]

Colorado panel approves new groundwater rules for drilling

The Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission has approved new groundwater protection rules for oil and natural gas drilling in the state. The new rules require operators sample nearby water wells both before and after drilling activities as a way to provide assurance water supplies aren’t affected by energy development and identify potential problems in […]

Health plans provider earns top workplace wellness award

A Grand Junction-based health plans provider has earned additional recognition for its workplace wellness programs. The Wellness Councils of America has named Rocky Mountain Health Plans a Platinum Well Workplace. “We are honored to receive WELCOA’s Platinum Workplace designation,” said Steve ErkenBrack, chief executive office of Rocky Mountain Health Plans. “At Rocky Mountain Health Plans, […]

Real estate investors group offers education, networking

Phil Castle, The Business Times The Mesa County real estate market continues to offer opportunities to investors who are prepared to act quickly. And a year-old group continues to offer help to those investors in hosting educational presentations and fostering networking connections. “I think it’s been really good,” said Doug Van Etten, a broker associate […]