An index forecasting economic performance in the United States has dropped for a second time in three months, a signal the laggard pace of growth could slow even more. The Conference Board reported that its Leading Economic Index (LEI) fell three-tenths of a point to 95.6 in June as building permits and factory orders fell […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times: While sales tax collections in Mesa County continue to outpace last year, the latest report reflects the smallest monthly gain since November. The City of Grand Junction reported strong sales tax collections for the month, but a sharp drop in use tax collections. Overall, sales tax collections continue to exceed […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times: Business owners and managers face difficult decisions about health care coverage for their employees under sweeping federal legislation even as the clock starts ticking on implementing many provisions of the law. “Now’s the time to get educated,” said Ross Manson, a principal with an accounting and consulting firm that’s developed […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times After experiencing the largest proportional, year-over-year gains among metropolitan areas in Colorado in payrolls and housing prices, Grand Junction is poised to continue to outperform other areas of the state, according to an economist with Wells Fargo. The overall outlook for the state is less upbeat, however, with the prospect […]
A measure of confidence among business executives dropped during the second quarter on less upbeat assessments for current economic conditions as well as expectations for the next six months. The Conference Board reported that its Measure of CEO Confidence fell to 47, down 16 points from the first quarter. A reading below 50 reflects more […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times Theresa High owns and manages a business that essentially turns sunshine into products — more specifically apricots, cherries, peaches and wine grapes as well as an assortment of garden vegetables. So it only makes sense, High said, to harness the sun in other ways, including generating the electricity that powers […]
Colorado companies, including those with operations in the Grand Valley, have joined in relief efforts for the victims of wildfires that have destroyed hundreds of homes in the state. Wells Fargo & Co. has contributed $100,000 to support the relief efforts of the American Red Cross. In addition, Wells Fargo customers also can donate to […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times Depending on who you talk to, the Supreme Court ruling upholding federal health care legislation constitutes a disappointing decision that will impose one of the largest tax increases in U.S. history, a move that stabilizes the framework under which the health care system […]
The administrator of a program that offers tax credits designed to encourage businesses to open or expand in Mesa County has been appointed to a new tax force reviewing that effort statewide. Kjersti Hudson, administrator of the Mesa County Enterprise Zone program, is among 15 people appointed by Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper to the state […]
The Mesa County Planning Division expects to soon offer an online development review process designed to offer more speed and convenience as well as cut costs. “We expect the new process to result in time- and cost-savings for applicants and for our staff,” said Mesa County Commissioner Craig Meis. “This is another step toward offering […]