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 […]

Real estate trends mixed: sales up, dollar volume down

Phil Castle, The Business Times:  Individual real estate trends for Mesa County constitute something of a mixed bag. Sales remain ahead of last year, but the dollar volume of those sales lags behind. Meanwhile, property foreclosure activity slows. Considered together, Annette Miller sees a market that’s holding its own compared to several down years, but still […]

Palisade firm first to buy new data breach insurance

Phil Castle, The Business Times:  A Palisade information destruction company was the first in the nation to purchase a new type of insurance that extends coverage for data breaches to its clients. While the release of confidential financial or medical information remains rare, the effects of such breaches have become increasingly costly, said Scott Fasken, vice […]

Organization expanding small business loan program

A leading small business lending organization in Colorado has announced plans to expand the funding level and geographic scope of a financing program. “The expansion of Colorado Main Street Loans is a much-needed opportunity for small businesses in Colorado to thrive and help our economy recover,” said Mike O’Donnell, executive director of Colorado Lending Source. […]

Home energy audit rebates extended

Phil Castle,The Business Times:  Kristin Winn discovered it’s not only the big renovations that improve home energy efficiency, but also the little things. With a new roof, windows and siding, Winn believed less electricity and natural gas would be required to keep her 32-year-old Grand Junction home comfortable. But after participating in a project offering […]

Energy trade association: Regional leasing activity declining

Oil and natural gas leasing activity dropped significantly in Rocky Mountain states during the 2011 fiscal year, according to an analysis by an energy trade association of federal leasing statistics. The Western Energy Alliance reported that since 2008, lease parcels offered have dropped 70 percent, acreage 81 percent and revenue 44 percent. The Denver-based trade […]