Colorado firm out to meet demand for rare earth elements

Phil Castle, The Business Times:  A Colorado-based company expects to soon open a revamped mining and processing facility that will help meet growing demand for the rare earth elements required to manufacture a profusion of high-tech products. The timing couldn’t be more important because China is expected to limit or even halt exports from what’s been […]

Colorado small business index edges upward

A monthly measure of economic conditions for small businesses in Colorado continues to edge upward, although flagging consumer confidence hinders bigger gains. “The most significant challenge facing the Colorado economy today is that it is part of a struggling national economy,” said Jeff Thredgold, a corporate economist who calculates the Vectra Bank Colorado Small Business […]

Government Web site venue for small business comments

A Western Colorado congressman expects a new online venue to offer small business owners an opportunity to comment on how the federal government helps or harms their operations. “It’s important that Congress hears directly from our country’s job creators on how government is impacting their small businesses,” said U.S. Rep. Scott Tipton. Tipton, a Republican […]

Presentation to offer information on conflict management and team building

The Book Cliff Chapter of the International Association of Administrative Professionals will host a presentation on conflict management and team building as part of its upcoming monthly meeting. The meeting is scheduled or 5:30 p.m. Oct. 19 at the DoubleTree Hotel, located at 743 Horizon Drive in Grand Junction. Marlin George, director of education at […]

Marketing firm plans Grand Valley seminar on media strategies

A marketing company has scheduled a free seminar to help business owners understand how traditional and social media strategies work together. Synergy Marketing Consultants has scheduled the two-hour seminar for 10 a.m. Oct. 19 at the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel, 765 Horizon Drive in Grand Junction. To register for or obtain more information about the […]

NFIB extends insurance program to Colorado

A small business advocacy group has extended a program offering workers’ compensation insurance to members to Colorado and seven other states. With the latest expansion, the National Federation of Independent Business now offers workers’ compensation coverage in 27 states through Employers Holdings. A nonprofit and nonpartisan organization, NFIB represents small businesses in Washington, D.C., and […]

Buy Local Week drawing promotes buy local effort

Phil Castle, The Business Times A new promotion will reward shoppers for patronizing Grand Valley businesses by awarding them prizes. At the same time, though, the promotion is part of an ongoing effort by the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce to bolster the economy by encouraging people to shop locally. “We want to get people […]

New Grand Junction store offers resale “resource” to families

Phil Castle, The Business Times Debra Eichhorst knows from personal experience that purchasing used clothing and toys can save money in raising children. Eichhorst now offers what she calls the same “resource” to other parents in opening a Once Upon a Child resale store in Grand Junction. What’s more, Eichhorst believes the timing couldn’t be better […]

SBA-backed lending volume hits new heights

Spurred in part by a first-quarter surge in activity, financing under loan programs backed by the U.S. Small Business Administration rose to a record level for the 2011 fiscal year. The federal agency reported backing 61,689 loans worth a combined $30.5 billion through its two largest programs during FY 2011, which ended Sept. 30. The […]