Wind powers surge in generation

Colorado ranks among the top 10 states for new wind power installations, part of a nationwide surge in electric generation from the renewable energy source. Wind power grew 28 percent in the United States in 2012 alone and became the top new source for electric generating capacity, according to the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), […]

Renewable projects proceeding on public lands — and waters

Renewable energy development proceeds on public lands, according to Interior Secretary Ken Salazar. Dozens of renewable energy projects have been authorized and an auction for commercial wind development along the Atlantic coast is planned for later this year, Salazar said in his keynote address at the recent Offshore Wind Power USA Conference in Boston.  “We […]

Survey: Grand Junction rental vacancies rise

Phil Castle, The Business Times Apartment vacancy rates in Grand Junction more than doubled during the fourth quarter of 2012 as winter weather discouraged potential tenants from looking for housing. But rental activity is expected to rebound with the coming spring. According to the latest results of a survey conducted for the Colorado Division of […]

Ups and downs bolster prospects for real estate market

Phil Castle, The Business Times Increasing real estate activity and decreasing foreclosure activity bode well for what’s expected to be continued recovery in the Grand Junction market in 2013. While just two months of statistics on real estate sales and foreclosure filings and sales don’t yet constitute a trend, the numbers offer an encouraging start […]

Colorado business index forecasts growth

A monthly index tracking business conditions in Colorado continues to increase on the strength of growth in the housing and manufacturing sectors. The Business Conditions Index rose more than four points in February to 58.9. With gains in the last two months, the index has climbed to its highest level since August. The index remains […]

Consumer confidence rebounds on more upbeat outlook

A monthly measure of consumer confidence has rebounded sharply on more upbeat assessments of business and labor conditions. The Conference Board reported that its Consumer Confidence Index surged more than 11 points to 69.6 in February. The gain follows a more than eight-point drop the month before. At this time last year, the index stood […]

Alpine Bank announces Front Range expansion

After 40 years of expanding its operations on the Western Slope, Alpine Bank has announced plans to extend those operations to the Front Range. Alpine Bank expects to open its first Front Range location in the third quarter of this year in the lower downtown area of Denver. Norm Franke takes over regional president of […]

Obama’s Interior nominee eyed cautiously by energy industry

Energy and business groups in western Colorado are cautiously optimistic about the President’s nominee for Interior Secretary, in these early stages of the process. Following Ken Salazar’s resignation in January, President Obama nominated Sally Jewell, the Chief Executive Officer of Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI), to head the Department of the Interior. The Department is responsible […]

Advertising firm Fruita chamber business of the year

An advertising company whose owner is active in business, civic and philanthropic activities has been selected as the Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce Business of the year. Merge2Media and owner Joel Kincaid were honored at the chamber’s annual banquet. Merge2Media offers a range of services related to advertising and graphic and website design. Kincaid started […]

U.S. bank names five-state division manager

A banker with nearly 40 years of experience has been named division manager for U.S. Bank community banking operations in Colorado and four other states. Wayne Hirsch will oversee community banking markets in Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming. He’ll continue to work out of his office in Billings, Mont. Regional presidents in the […]