Phil Castle, The Business Times Dusti Reimer helps organize an annual conference because she believes it’s important to bring professional development to Western Colorado. It’s essential, too, to offer information about new trends and techniques and foster connections among participants. But Reimer also stages the Initiate Conference for yet another reason — for the fun […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times Sydney Elks relishes the opportunity to help those who help others — among them health care providers, social workers and law enforcement officers who sometimes struggle to cope with the stress they endure. Moreover, the benefits of teaching those Elks considers the best and brightest to develop resilience extends to […]
Christmas comes early. Almost every day, in fact, for a newspaper editor eager to report on Grand Valley business. Even more so given the things I get to do and the people with whom I’m privileged to work. Consider the last two weeks, for example. I attended an annual economic outlook luncheon and listened with […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times Even as the risk of recession hangs over the United States, the outlook for Mesa County appears brighter with several economic indicators pointing to improving conditions. A more diversified economy with corresponding shifts in employment also bodes well, said Rich Wobbekind, senior economist at the Leeds School of Business at […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times A federal agency backed more than $24 million in small business lending in Mesa County during 2022 fiscal year. The latest numbers were lower in Mesa County and statewide in 2022 than in a record-setting 2021. But they still constitute what Frances Padilla, Colorado director of the U.S. Small Business […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times Andrew Golike believes there’s no time quite like the present to serve as chairman of the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. It’s a pivotal moment, Golike says, with a new chamber president and renewed opportunity to assess operations and services. It’s also a good time, he […]
Phil Castle, Business Times The unemployment rate retreated in Mesa County in November as more people filled job openings. The seasonally unadjusted jobless rate fell two-tenths of a point to 3.6 percent, according to the latest estimates from the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment. “It’s a good trend we’re seeing,” said Lindsay Bullock, director […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times Employment is expected to continue to increase in Colorado in 2023, but at less than half the pace of 2022. Although the state boasts the second highest labor participation rate in the country, worker shortages likely will hamper employment growth, says Brian Lewandowski, executive director of the business research division […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times Mesa County is positioned for growth in 2023, according to the latest results of an annual business and economic forecast for the year ahead. The mostly upbeat outlook is based in part on a more diversified economy with expected gains in the energy, manufacturing and tourism sectors. Economic indicators also […]
Phil Castle, Business Times Real estate activity continues to slow in Mesa County as a combination of higher interest rates and prices make homes less affordable for prospective buyers. The story of the local market has changed, said Robert Bray, as mortgage interest rates and residential inventories have reversed roles. In nearly doubling, interest rates […]