Economic indicators almost always offer something of a mixed bag in reflecting encouraging and disappointing business trends, not to mention many points in between. In other words, they’re a collection of dissimilar items. Look up mixed bag in the dictionary, in fact, and it wouldn’t be surprising to read a reference to economic indicators. The […]
Given the prominent participation of natural gas exploration and production companies at the annual Energy Forum & Expo in Grand Junction, the speakers who deliver presentations there are a lot like ministers preaching to the choir. It’s easy to convince someone of something in which they already firmly believe. Nonetheless, presentations at the event always […]
While it’s yet to be determined whether or not the Colorado National Monument should become a national park, it’s difficult to argue the monument doesn’t merit serious consideration of that possibility. Whether it’s a first or 50th trip over Rimrock Drive, the scenic excursion never fails to evoke a sense of wonderment at the deep […]
Whenever the suggestion of higher taxes comes up in political debate, one important factor should be considered: the effects on businesses. The Tax Foundation — a nonprofit group based in Washington, D.C., that monitors government fiscal policy — puts numbers to this concept in its annual assessment of how taxes alter the business climates in […]
When do you suppose the last time the word “enthusiasm” was used to describe the economic outlook? No doubt well before the onset of the Great Recession and the painfully slow recovery that’s ensued. Nonetheless, Richard Wobbekind was practically gushing about the latest results of a quarterly index tracking confidence among business leaders in Colorado. […]
Not too many years ago, the staff here at the Business Times came to a very difficult decision. It was difficult because we were worried it would be seen as a step backward for the paper, particularly as others in print media were doing the same thing at the time. Regardless, we made the decision […]
There’s no mystery about what nearly all business owners and managers, especially those in retail, want for Christmas: more sales. But second on the list for most owners and managers likely is more certainty. They’d like to know with more assurance that slow, but steady, economic growth really will continue in 2012. They’d also like […]
The search for a silver lining in dark economic clouds goes on, particularly at a time of year when retailers gear up for the holiday shopping season and what they desperately hope really will be the most wonderful time of the year. Fortunately, the news isn’t all bad. For some trends, in fact, the news […]
Actor Alan Alda once offered a memorable observation of human behavior. In a commence address at Connecticut College, where his daughter was graduating, Alda said: “Deep in our hearts we know the best things said come last. People will talk for hours saying nothing much and then linger at the door with words that come […]
Everyone tired of the well-worn phrase “challenging economic times” probably won’t like much better the latest description of growth in business revenues and hiring that’s, in a word, “slow.” But that’s the adjective that keeps coming up when economists and business owners talk about the economy. It’s little wonder the recovery doesn’t feel like much […]