Tax collections remain ahead of 2010 pace

Sales and use tax collections, a key indicator of retail activity, remain well ahead of last year in Mesa County, according to the latest government reports. The City of Grand Junction reported collecting a total of more than $4.4 million in sales and use taxes in September, an increase of nearly 5.4 percent over the […]

Consumer Confidence Index retreats

A monthly measure of consumer confidence has retreated to recession-level readings on growing concerns about current and future business and labor conditions. The Conference Board reported that its Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) fell nearly seven points to 39.8 for October. “Consumer confidence is now back to levels last seen during the 2008-2009 recession,” said Lynn […]

Mesa County jobless rate retreats to a two-year low

Phil Castle, The Business Times:  The monthly unemployment rate in Mesa County has retreated to its lowest level in nearly two years even as labor demand continues to increase, particularly for energy and transportation jobs. “We definitely have seen more activity in the job market,” said Suzie Miller, an employment specialist with the Mesa County Workforce […]

The Coleman Fellows Selected for Entrepreneurial Coursework

Special to The Business Times The Coleman Foundation has awarded Colorado Mesa University a grant to fund three Faculty Entrepreneurship Fellowships. A faculty entrepreneurship fellow is someone who understands the importance of developing entrepreneurial skills in their students and developing lines of communication between business, sciences, arts, and career and technical education programs. The Fellows […]

Leading index signals slowing growth ahead

A monthly index forecasting economic performance in the United States continues to advance, but at a slowing pace that portends “sluggish” conditions. The Conference Board reported that its Leading Economic Index (LEI) rose two-tenths of a percent to 116.4 in September. While the LEI has gained 1.1 percent over the past three months, the pace of […]

Second Grand Valley Denny’s diner opens in Clifton

A second Denny’s restaurant has opened in the Grand Valley. The new restaurant is located at 3205 Interstate Highway 70 Business Loop in the Peach Tree Plaza shopping center in Clifton. Horizon Dining owns the restauant and employs about 85 people. The restaurant is open around the clock and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner in […]

Realtors install officers and present awards

Kevin Borman has been installed as chairman of the Grand Junction Area Realtor Association (GJARA). Borman, managing broker of Keller Williams Colorado West Realty, has worked as a Realtor in the Grand Junction area for 30 years. He’s been a member of GJARA for 14 years. “Kevin will be the right leader at the right […]

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 […]