Phil Castle, The Business Times When Rich Englehart started working for the City of Grand Junction 30 years ago, he never imaged he’d one day oversee the operations of the municipal government. He aspired to become parks and recreation director, not city manager. Over the course of his career, Englehart’s ambitions broadened as he realized […]
U.S. payrolls grew nearly 100,000 more in July than June, but the unemployment rate edged up a tenth of a percent nonetheless. According to the latest Labor Department estimates, nonfarm payrolls increased 163,000 in July with hiring in a number of industry sectors. The July gain exceeded by almost 100,000 the June gain, which was […]
With year-over-year increases in property foreclosure filings and sales, Mesa County continues to experience the highest foreclosure rate among metropolitan counties in Colorado. According to the latest statistics from the Colorado Division of Housing, Mesa County reported 140 foreclosure filings and 67 foreclosure sales in June. Compared to the same month last year, filings jumped […]
A monthly index tracking business conditions in Colorado has slumped to its lowest reading in nearly three years as severe drought conditions begin to take a toll on the state economy. The Business Conditions Index dropped nine points to 49.6 in July, the first time the reading has slipped below growth-neutral 50 since 2009. “With […]
A restaurant franchise that specializes in serving soups has announced plans to open a Grand Junction location. Zoup! Fresh Soup Co. is scheduled to open this fall in the Chinle Plaza at Seventh Street and North Avenue. Terry and Joya Piland, along with their daughter, Lacie Piland, own and operate the franchise. “We as a […]
Given increases in both the number of solar energy systems and businesses installing them in Mesa County, the outlook for the industry appears as bright as the sun from which a growing amount of electricity is produced. Financial incentives and technological advances — not to mention all that sunshine — are expected to drive additional […]
A measure of consumer confidence has increased on more upbeat expectations for improving business and labor conditions, ending a four-month decline. The Conference Board reported that its Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) rose more than three points in July to 65.9. A component of the CCI tracking consumers’ short-term outlook advanced, while a component of the […]
A collaborative effort among six Western Colorado counties to pool public and environmental health services has earned statewide recognition along with a $25,000 award. The West Central Public Health Partnership (WCPHP) received the Grantee Leadership Award and money from the Colorado Trust. Formed in 2006, the WCPHP pools the public and environmental health services of […]
The central branch of the Mesa County Library in downtown Grand Junction soon will relocate to temporary quarters to accommodate an expansion and improvement project. Materials, equipment and operations at the central branch of the library at 530 Grand Ave. will move to a building at 655 N. First St. that formerly housed Ashley Furniture. […]
Energy development, outdoor recreation, tourism and other activities on lands administered by the Department of the Interior contributed more than $14.4 billion to the Colorado economy during the 2011 fiscal year, according to new report from the federal agency. Nationwide, economic benefits totalled $385 billion. “The Interior Department has a uniquely diverse mission that benefits […]