The monthly unemployment rate in Mesa County jumped in January to nearly 12 percent. But local labor conditions have improved since then. “Everything is really not that dark and gloomy,” said Gilbert Lujan, supervisor of the Mesa County Workforce Center in Grand Junction. The number of job applicants registered at the center has declined even […]
Applications will be accepted through March 15 for an upcoming conference sponsored by Mesa State College and U.S. Sen. Mark Udall. The conference — set for June 15 to 17 in Washington, D.C. — will offer 100 Colorado residents a better understanding of the federal legislative process. “A healthy republic relies upon active, informed citizen […]
The last in a series of public hearings on redrawing congressional districts in Colorado is planned for Grand Junction. The hearing is set for 9 a.m. to noon March 19 at the Mesa State College Center, 1455 N. 12th St. “We’re are looking forward to hearing input from the public and making this process as […]
A measure proposed by a Grand Valley legislator was among the first of the session to be signed into law. House Bill 1022 passed the Legislature unanimously and was signed into law on March 1 by Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper. The bill will go into effect on Aug. 10, assuming the legislature adjourns as scheduled. […]
Spending during a portion of the important holiday shopping season in Grand Junction was up nearly 10 percent over last year, according to the latest sales and use tax collection report from the city. The tax report for January, which reflects spending in December, shows the city collected $5.02 million. That total is up 9.8 […]
Lodging tax collections for the City of Grand Junction follow the trend reflected in sales tax collections for the city and Mesa County — they’re rising compared to collections for the same months last year. “Things are better than they were last year,” said Barbara Bowman, director of sales and division manager for the Grand […]
Establishing a hub for energy research and development is among dozens of ideas proposed as part of efforts to draft an economic development plan for Mesa County. Business owners and managers participating in an online survey and two-hour planning session also suggested the creation and promotion of a community brand, more efforts to support existing […]
The latest results of a monthly index tracking optimism among small business owners reflect a more upbeat outlook, although not yet a robust economic recovery. The National Federation of Independent Business reported that its Index of Small Business Optimism rose four-tenths of a point in February to 94.5. “This is not a reading that characterizes […]
Real estate activity slowed in Mesa County during February with a decline not only in the number of sales, but also the dollar volume of those transactions. Nonetheless, some real estate agents report increases in listings, showings and even closings — what they consider hopeful signs conditions could be improving. Still, a substantial recovery depends […]
A monthly measure of labor trends keeps rising, forecasting continued job growth, albeit at a modest pace. The Conference Board reported that its Employment Trends Index (ETI) rose 1.6 points in February to 101.7. With gains in each of the last five months, the ETI has advanced more than 8 percent in the last year. […]