Late spring and early summer offer a bounty of colorful art in the Grand Valley. From the natural art of blooming plants to human-made sculptures and collector’s items, gardens across the valley provide a refreshing break from the daily routine. Early June marked the 20th anniversary of the Grand Valley Garden Tour, an opportunity to […]
The Blue Band Wagon campaign in Mesa County celebrated its first anniversary with public fanfare and support from businesses and local media. Similar to campaigns across the country that encourage people to buy products in the communities in which they live, the effort launched by the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce seeks to circulate […]
When it comes to creating a strong business climate and increasing the output of goods and services, communities envy the 35- to 65-year-old age group. Colorado has an advantage over many states in that it’s attracted young people in the 20- to 40-year-old range over the past few decades, feeding into the group that generally […]
Business owners in Colorado who’ve had at least one claim for unemployment insurance benefits filed against them face an unexpected bill in July. The bill from the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) purportedly will help the state make interest payments on funds the state borrowed from the federal government last year to pay […]
Nearly three-quarters of the way through the 2011 fiscal year, a total of 20 loans worth a collective $4 million has been approved in Mesa County through two programs backed by the U.S. Small Business Administration. Those who work with SBA programs say lending activity has picked up, especially among larger businesses taking advantage of […]
Do you remember what prompted you to go into business for yourself? Have you stayed true to that initial vision? Do you even have a vision for your business? Challenging economic times require a clearly defined company vision and a well thought out strategy to achieve that vision. Successful business owners and executives understand that […]
Although I’m relatively new to the U.S. Small Business Administration, I’m not new to the issues facing small businesses. I operated a family owned office furniture store in Fargo, N.D., for more than 30 years. While the business survived the recession, it continues to face many challenges, including access to capital. The recent economic downturn […]
The federal government purchases more than $115 billion worth of goods and services each year from small business prime contractors. By law, the government must buy no less than 23 percent from small businesses. To be successful in federal contracting, you need to keep up with the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR). For more information, log on […]
Starting a business during turbulent economic times poses an extremely challenging task. Experience shows that startup business owners have a better chance of succeeding if they follow a few critical steps. By studying why startup businesses fail, it’s possible to establish creative and innovative ways for entrepreneurs to avoid pitfalls. Research conducted by the U.S. […]
The U.S. Small Business Administration 504 loan program — one designed to finance the purchase, improvement or construction of a commercial building — has become somewhat of a bread and butter loan program for small business expansion as it’s considered a win-win-win for all three parties involved. The loan structure for a 504 is commonly […]