The latest results of a twice-annual survey conducted by the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce reflect a mixed outlook among members about economic and labor conditions. In assessing local conditions, 67 percent of those who responded to the fall 2012 survey viewed the local economy as weak or extremely weak — less than this […]
Construction is expected to soon begin on a new workforce center in Mesa County. The Mesa County Commissioners approved a $5.4 million contract with FCI Constructors to build a 32,000 square foot facility. The workforce center, a collaborative effort of the State of Colorado and Hilltop Community Resources, offers a range of services in helping […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times Donna Smith always looks for ways to build relationships and improve people’s lives, whether it’s working with other organizations to recruit employees or working with individuals to help them land a job. It’s an ongoing effort that’s earned Smith recognition as the Western Colorado Human Resource Association Professional of […]
Rich Wobbekind Economic recovery will continue in Mesa County in 2013 with growth in industries, wages and population, according to an annual forecast prepared at the University of Colorado. The statewide outlook is much the same, said Richard Wobbekind, executive director of the Business Research Division at the CU Leeds School of Business. “For the […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times: Thanks in part to gains in November, real estate sales in Mesa County have rebounded to their highest level since 2008. With a month left to go in 2012, real estate transactions already exceed year-end totals for the past three years. Moreover, the combined dollar volume of sales so far […]
A monthly index tracking business conditions in Colorado continues to seesaw, with the latest reading slipping on reported declines in new orders, sales and employment. What hasn’t changed is the forecast for growth in the months ahead. The Business Conditions Index fell nearly two points in November to 54.9. The index has alternated between increases […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times Glenn Vawter recalls a college field trip to Western Colorado during which a professor pointed out a rock formation and said oil shale development could solve the nation’s energy problems. More than 50 years later, Vawter remains convinced it’ll happen. “I’m still optimistic we’ll use this large resource someday.” The […]
A Hotchkiss company has received a nearly $8.7 million federal contract to clear trees in a national forest as part of efforts to combat a pine beetle epidemic in the region. Some of the wood that’s removed will serve as fuel for a power plant planned for Gypsum. West Range Reclamation won an $8.66 million […]
A monthly measure of consumer confidence has climbed to its highest level in nearly five years on increasingly upbeat expectations for improving business and labor conditions. The Conference Board reported that its Consumer Confidence Index advanced another six-tenths of a point in November to 73.7. That’s the highest reading since the CCI stood at 76.4 […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times Newly installed outdoor lights tap the power of the sun during the day to illuminate an automobile dealership through the night. The lights constitute a first for the Grand Junction company that installed them and also represent the increasingly diverse ways in which solar power can be used. Simplicity Solar […]