By the time this edition of the Business Times arrives on my doorstep for distribution, significantly less than 100 percent of eligible voters in Mesa County will have decided two important issues. While that’s how the system works, it doesn’t mean the system works, especially when it comes to understanding the full complexity of these […]
Try to envision the ideal industry for the Grand Valley. It would be clean, create lots of jobs and bring in money from outside the area. Moreover, this industry would generate additional sales for other businesses that provide needed products and services. What comes to mind? Perhaps some sort of high-tech manufacturing? Maybe software development? […]
There’s good news to be heard from small businesses in the results of a survey conducted by Dun & Bradstreet and the Pepperdine Graziadio School of Business and Management. Indeed, the news is good largely across the board compared to a year earlier, except for demand for financing. A few of the positives include: “In […]
I know, I’m the Negative Nancy. Believe me, many friends have told me so over the past few months when addressing the ONLY way to fix a problem a government entity created is to throw more money at it. I mean, if you’ve ever seen them approach taxpayers with a different solution, please point me […]
Urban myths persist in many ways and forms. Many have to do with traffic, crime and what people really want out of their hometowns. In a three-year study by the Knight Foundation that focused on the connection of the emotional aspect between residents and their hometowns and examined factors related to loyalty and passionate feelings […]
I’m beginning to believe it isn’t worth saying much when it comes to our local government and schools. Particularly when it comes to disagreeing with some folks who’ve resorted to the guilt and shaming of people who aren’t in favor of approving the upcoming ballot measures, or worse, for folks who simply have questions. Put […]
As the chief organization tasked with job creation in Mesa County, the Grand Junction Economic Partnership (GJEP) is regularly asked how the community can support the creation of a vibrant, sustainable economy. The response is simple: support K-12 education. Delivering quality education is the foundation of every economic development effort. Without a concerted effort to […]
Business owners and managers in the Grand Valley long have been on the lookout for signs of an improving economy, an indication that what has been a stubbornly slow recovery has finally accelerated. Increasing tax collections, real estate sales and home construction activity have offered encouragement. But the most encouraging sign of all could be […]
Given their collectively big role in the economy, small businesses should benefit as much — if not more — than corporations from efforts to reform taxes. While debate has focused in part on corporate tax rates and the potential for lower rates to make U.S. firms more competitive in the global marketplace, there are other […]
Yeah, I’ll weigh in. But I’m glad there’ve been a few days of the ridiculous back and forth on Facebook and within the punditry for me to see just how certifiably insane this alleged “debate” has gotten. While I’m under no illusion this column will change anyone’s mind, I am also hesitant to write it […]