The unemployment rate has dropped to its lowest level in the United States in nearly 50 years as payrolls keep growing. The jobless rate decreased two-tenths of a point to 3.6 percent and nonfarm payrolls increased 263,000 in April, according to the latest estimates from the Department of Labor. The unemployment rate now stands at […]
A monthly measure of optimism among small business owners has edged up on slightly more upbeat expectations for increased hiring and expanding operations. “Owners are growing their businesses and expect that they can sell more if they can produce more with additional employees,” said Bill Dunkelberg, chief economist of the National Federation of Independent Business. […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times Mesa County real estate transactions declined on a year-over-year basis in January, but a comparatively slow start to the new year isn’t expected to continue. “I’m not alarmed at that,” said Robert Bray, chief executive officer of Bray Real Estate in Grand Junction. A single month of information isn’t sufficient […]
A monthly measure of optimism among small business owners has slipped in part because of difficulty in finding qualified applicants to fill job openings. The National Federation of Independent Business reported its Small Business Optimism Index fell four-tenths of a point to 104.4 in December. That’s 4.4 points below the record high for the index […]
Mesa County tax collections, an indicator of sales activity, continue to increase. Mesa County reported a 7.8 percent increase in sales and use tax collections for November compared to the same month last year. Through November, year-to-date sales and use tax collections were up 9.1 percent over the same span in 2017. The latest numbers […]
A monthly measure of optimism among small business owners has retreated for a third straight month on less upbeat expectations for the economy and sales. The National Federation of Independent Business reported its Small Business Optimism Index fell 2.6 points to 104.8 in November, four points below a record high posted in August. Juanita Duggan, […]
While labor estimates likely will be revised downward statewide, payrolls are expected to edge up in Mesa County according to the latest results of a quarterly survey. Estimated nonfarm payrolls for Colorado are expected to be revised downward a tenth of a percent in April and four-tenths of a percent for May and June, according […]
A quarterly index based on the results of a survey of small business owners continues to reflect optimism, but also difficulty in finding qualified applicants for job openings. The MetLife & U.S. Chamber of Commerce Small Business Index slipped four-tenths of a point to 69.3 for the fourth quarter, a pause in the upward trend […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times Even as statistics reflect a steady labor market in Mesa County, Curtis Englehart gleans from first-hand observation what he considers gradual improvement. “It just seems like there’s a lot of confidence right now in the labor market,” said Englehart, director of the Mesa County Workforce Center in Grand Junction. According […]
A monthly measure of consumer confidence remains at it highest level in 18 years with expectations for continued growth into the new year. “Consumers do not foresee the economy losing steam anytime soon. Rather, they expect the strong pace of growth to carry over into early 2019,” said Lynn Franco, senior director of economic indicators […]