Phil Castle, The Business Times: Even in the midst of the demolition, the remodeling and the other renovations under way at the Wayne Aspinall Federal Building and Courthouse in downtown Grand Junction, Jerry Burton hasn’t lost sight of the ultimate goal. “We’re still reaching for net zero,” says Burton, assistant project manager with the U.S. General […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times: Financing activity under federal small business loan programs held steady in Colorado through the first half of the year, according to numbers from a leading lending organization in the state. Colorado Lending Source was involved in issuing 121 loans through the first six months of the year, 10 more than the […]
Jon Maraschin has looked at business from both sides now, as both an entrepreneur and commercial banker. He knows from personal experience what it takes to get a venture up and running. But he also recognizes from a financial standpoint what businesses need to succeed. It’s a varied background Maraschin expects to draw upon repeatedly […]
Mike Moran, The Business Times The City of Grand Junction and Mesa County continue to report increased sales tax collections over last year, although lodging tax collections still lag behind. The city reported $4.42 million in sales and use tax collections in July, while the county reported $3.26 million in sales tax collections. Lodging tax […]
Phil Castle The Business Times Colorado and other western states offer an abundant supply of oil and natural gas could reduce dependence on foreign sources as well as create jobs and generate tax revenue. But government regulations and policies hinder development, according to a Denver-based trade association of more than 400 companies involved in energy […]
Phil Castle The Business Times While the National Federation of Independent Business challenges the constitutionality of federal health care legislation, the small business advocacy group also supports the development of a health benefits exchange in Colorado. Tony Gagliardi, state director of the NFIB in Colorado, said the exchange could offer lower insurance premiums to small […]
2011 has turned out far differently than what Doug May anticipated back in January. Forecasts for economic growth, albeit modest, have given way in the aftermath of extreme volatility in the financial markets to concerns about stock market declines and a return to recession. “The economy is much, much, much slower than I expected,” says […]
Commercial real estate avoided the fate many economists predicted in the wake of the Great Recession. With bond payments coming due for shopping malls and other major commercial properties — along with tighter lending regulations —owners of commercial properties were expected to file for foreclosure in massive numbers. So went the hypothesis. While it’s true […]
In the midst of dire predictions for large-scale commercial construction projects, the Grand Valley has been home to several landmark efforts. Some were recently completed. Others are scheduled for completion within the next 12 months. Beyond that, though, few are willing to predict how much activity will occur. “We are a long way from much […]
As large commercial construction projects wind down in the Grand Valley, people working on the front lines nervously join real estate agents, bankers and mortgage brokers in hoping that more large projects come on line beyond the middle of next year. Employment remains a concern across all industries, but the construction sector has been hit […]