Mesa County jobless rate rises

Phil Castle, The Business Times: The Mesa County unemployment rate has increased for the first time in six months, a gain seen more as a seasonal uptick than the beginning of an upward trend. “I think there’s an overall attitude of this is going to be a good year where we some some positive signs,” said […]

Public role sought in School Distict 51 budgeting

Phil Castle, The Business Times:  A series of public forums are planned for February as officials with Mesa County School District 51 continue to look for ways to cope with what’s expected to be declining revenues. An online survey also will be conducted even as District 51 staff and a budget advisory committee also meet. “We […]

Bank of America plans mortgage outreach event

Bank of America has scheduled a free mortgage outreach event for Grand Junction. The event is set for Jan. 19 to 21 at the DoubleTree by Hilton, 743 Horizon Drive. Appointments are available from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. each day. Bank of America customers can participate by calling toll-free (855) 201-7426 or registering online […]

Investment advisor offers more upbeat forecast for 2012

Phil Castle, The Business Times:  Doug May offers a decidedly more optimistic forecast of economic and financial conditions these days than just five months ago. “I’m actually pretty upbeat today,” said May, president and chief investment officer of May-Investments in Grand Junction. “When you look at the facts, there’s a lot to be upbeat about.” […]

Index reflects mixed outlook among CEOs

Business executives are more upbeat in their short-term outlooks, but remain subdued overall, according to the latest results of a quarterly survey. The Conference Board reported that its Measure of CEO Confidence advanced seven points in the fourth quarter of 2011. At 49, the latest reading continues to reflect more negative than positive responses, though. […]

Accounting firms announce merger plans

Eide Bailly, an accounting and business advisory firm that operates 19 offices in nine states, including an office in Grand Junction, has announced plans to merge with another firm. Pending regulatory approval, Eide Bailly and Wipfli plan to officially combine professional practices on June 1. The combined firm will be named EB Wipfli and operate […]

Vectra Bank economic forecast available online

For the first time, Vectra Bank Colorado will broaden participation in its popular economic forecast breakfast by broadcasting the event online. The breakfast, set for Jan. 18, will be streamed live from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. on the Web site at www.vectrabank.com. Registration and more information is available at www.vectrabank.com/webcast.jsp. Online participants will be […]

Williams separates functions into two stand-alone entities

An energy exploration, production and transportation corporation with operations in Western Colorado has completed the process of separating its business functions into two companies. Williams has spun off its exploration and production operations into a new corporation called WPX Energy. Williams now focuses on transportation operations, including processing, gathering and shipping natural gas. Both companies […]

State lawmakers: Regulatory relief on session agenda

Phil Castle, The Business Times Call them variations on a theme. Grand Valley lawmakers plan to propose a number of measures during the state legislative session that offer regulatory relief. Among the proposed bills from State Sen. Steve King, and State Reps. Laura Bradford and Ray Scott are efforts to postpone new state rules on […]