A monthly measure of consumer confidence has rebounded on more optimistic assessments of current business and labor conditions. Expectations for the near future were less upbeat, however, as concerns mounted over higher gasoline prices and the war in Ukraine. “These headwinds are expected to persist in the short term and may potentially dampen confidence as […]
Tax collections, a measure of retail sales, continue to increase in Grand Junction and Mesa County on a year-over-year basis. The City of Grand Junction collected a total of nearly $5.3 million in sales and use taxes in February, a 14.9 percent increase over the same month last year. Mesa County collected a total of […]
The monthly unemployment rate spiked in Mesa County in January, but the labor force also grew to a level higher than any point over the past year. “It’s really good to start the year with the higher labor force,” said Curtis Englehart, director of the Mesa County Workforce Center in Grand Junction. With continued labor […]
A measure of optimism among small business owners continues to decline even as concerns mount over inflation, supply chain disruptions and labor shortages. “Inflation continues to be a problem on Main Street, leading more owners to raise selling prices again in February,” said Bill Dunkelberg, chief economist of the National Federation of Independent Business. “Supply […]
A measure of consumer confidence has retreated on less upbeat expectations for business and labor conditions. The Conference Board reported its Consumer Confidence Index fell 1.4 points to 113.8 in January. A component of the index tracking current conditions increased. But a component tracking the short-term outlook dropped. “Expectations about short-term growth prospects weakened, pointing […]
A measure of consumer confidence continues to increase on more upbeat expectations for business and labor conditions. The Conference Board reported its Consumer Confidence Index climbed to 115.8 in December. That’s a gain of 3.9 points over a reading that was revised upward for November. For December, a component of the index tracking current assessments […]
A measure of optimism among small business owners has edged up, but also reflects record-low expectations for improving conditions. “As the end of the year nears, the outlook for business conditions is not encouraging to small business owners as lawmakers propose additional mandates and tax increases,” said Bill Dunkelberg, chief economist of the National Federation […]
Hiring continues in the United States, but at a slower pace in November that was less than half the average monthly gain this year. Nonfarm payrolls increased 210,000 and the unemployment rate decreased four-tenths of a point to 4.2 percent, according to the latest estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The employment gain […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times The number of real estate transactions in Mesa County continues to trend down compared to what was a busier time last year. But higher prices and large commercial deals have propelled the year-to-date dollar volume past the $2 billion milestone. There are signs the market could return to more normal […]
A key measure of sales activity continues to increase in Grand Junction and Mesa County. The City of Grand Junction reported a 17.6 percent increase in sales tax collections in October compared to the same month a year ago. Mesa County reported an even larger proportional gain at 18.8 percent. City lodging tax collections, a […]