Phil Castle, The Business Times A company plans exploratory drilling in the summer as part of efforts that could lead to the opening of a large underground coal mine that extends production in the North Fork Valley of Western Colorado. A nearby mining company has similar plans to modify federal leases and explore for additional reserves […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times: Monthly sales tax collections dropped more than 7 percent in Mesa County for November, ending a 14-month string of year-over-year increases. Sales and use tax collections also fell for the City of Grand Junction, although the decline was smaller. Still, year-to-date tax collections in the county and city remain well […]
A measure of confidence among small business owners has advanced for a third straight month on growing expectations for improving conditions and sales. The latest reading remains below the level reported in February, though, as well as average readings before the recession. “We should be encouraged, but cautiously so,” said Bill Dunkelberg, chief economist of […]
Mesa County will continue to cut spending for operations in 2012 to accommodate an expected decline in property tax revenues. Spending for capital projects will increase, however, along with an anticipated gain in sales tax revenues. The Mesa County commissioners approved general fund and capital budgets that total nearly $90.5 million for the coming year. […]
Four people have joined a new management team assembled to operate Powderhorn Mountain Resort in its first season under new ownership. Sam Williams has been hired as mountain operations manager, while Dave Smith has been hired as slope operations manager. Tricia Tittle is the new sales and communications manager and Steve Gould the new food […]
A monthly measure of economic conditions for small businesses in Colorado has slipped, although job growth has accelerated and financing costs remain low. The Vectra Bank Colorado Small Business Index (SBI) fell to 114.2 in November, down four-tenths from a revised 114.6 in October. With losses in six out of the last eight months, the […]
You might have read or heard that you need to replace about 80 percent of your preretirement income to maintain your standard of living in retirement. Although some research validates this guideline, consider that half of today’s retirees say their spending is higher or about the same as it was when they were working. The […]
The first in a series of public meetings officially kicks off the process of developing an updated city plan for the greater downtown area of Grand Junction. The Grand Junction Public Works and Planning Department has scheduled an initial open house for 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Dec. 8 in the Whitman Building at 248 S. […]
Colorado ranks fifth in the latest version of an annual comparison of business climates in the 50 states. Colorado ranks among the top states in four out of six criteria used to compile the Forbes magazine list of best states for business and careers. Colorado fares worse, though, in terms of the cost of doing […]
Colorado has joined in a growing federal initiative designed to curb the improper classification of employees as independent contractors. Ellen Golombek, executive director of the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, and Nancy J. Leppink, a deputy administrator who leads the U.S. Labor Department wage and hour division signed a memorandum of understanding on employee […]