A number of monthly indicators offer encouragement the housing industry is rebounding in the United States. Housing starts and permitting activity have increased to their highest levels in more than four years and a measure of confidence among home builders has advanced to its strongest reading in more than six years. Median home prices have […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times: The monthly unemployment rate in Mesa County has dropped to its lowest level since early 2009 as the latest labor estimates include an increase in local payrolls of more than 1,000. The gain is tempered, though, by the announcement Choice Hotels International plans to close its Grand Junction call center […]
An index forecasting economic performance in the United States has seesawed back up as it continues to signal slow growth ahead. The Conference Board reported that its Leading Economic Index (LEI) rose six-tenths of a percent to 95.9 in September. The index dipped four-tenths of a percent in August and rose four-tenths of a percent […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times: Sales tax collections for Mesa County continue to trend downward, declining on a year-over-year basis for three consecutive months. Total collections so far in 2012 continue to outpace 2011, though, and are projected to come close to matching yearly gains posted before the county went through an economic boom and […]
After three years of cuts, the proposed budget for Mesa County for 2013 reflects more stable spending and service levels. “The county’s resources are still tight, but there are bright spots that give us cause for optimism,” said County Administrator Chantal Unfug. “We’re not out of the woods, but we are investing our resources in […]
Businesses that open or expand operations in Mesa County will be eligible for tax rebates under a new policy approved by the county commissioners. “We want to keep doing everything we can to make Mesa County more business friendly,” said County Commissioner Craig Meis. “Businesses that make a significant investment and bring new jobs to […]
A measure of hotel and motel stays in Grand Junction continues to reflect increased business compared to last year. According to the Grand Junction Visitor & Convention Bureau report for September, $141,389 in lodging taxes were collected. That’s an 8.4 percent increased over collections reported for the same month last year. For reports for January […]
A Web site that promotes the Grand Valley as a travel destination has been revamped to offer more resources to visitors considering trips to the area. In addition, an electronic book has been published to further promote what’s marketed as the Colorado Wine Country with its wineries and vineyards. The Grand Junction Visitor & Convention […]
Colorado residents paid $27 billion in insurance premiums during 2011, according to the latest findings in an annual report published by the Colorado Division of Insurance. “This report serves as a guide for consumers and insurance industry representatives to review the financial status and market share of companies selling insurance in Colorado,” said Jim Riesberg, […]
Lending activity reached record and near-record levels nationally during the 2012 fiscal year under two programs backed by the U.S. Small Business Administration. The SBA reported that nearly 54,000 loans worth a total of more than $30.2 billion were approved during FY 2012, which ended Sept. 30. Nearly half the dollar amount was approved under […]