Employment continues to slowly increase in the United States even as the unemployment rate has decreased to its lowest level in 16 years. According to Labor Department estimates for May, nonfarm payrolls grew 138,000 and the jobless rate slipped a tenth of a point to 4.3 percent. Initial estimates for payroll gains were revised downward […]
A monthly index forecasting economic conditions in the United States continues to signal growth in the months ahead. The Conference Board Leading Economic Index rose three-tenths of a percent to 126.9 in April. Separate measures of current and past economic performance also increased. “The recent trend in the U.S. LEI, led by the positive outlook […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times Year-over-year increases in tax collections have local government officials more optimistic about a key economic indicator and source of revenue. “I think some things are working to our favor,” said Jodi Romero, financial operations director for the City of Grand Junction. Eleanor Thomas, Mesa County budget manager, agreed. “I hope […]
The pace of job growth has rebounded in the United States with an estimated addition of more than 200,000 positions to payrolls in April. The unemployment rate edged down a tenth of a point to 4.4 percent, the lowest level since May 2007. According to the latest statistical snapshot from the Department of Labor, nonfarm […]
An index tracking optimism among small business owners remains at an historically high level, but that could change depending on what happens in Washington, D.C. The National Federation of Independent Business reported its Index of Small Business Optimism slipped two-tenths of a point in April. But at 104.5, the index remained at an historically high […]
Employment is expected to continue to grow in Colorado throughout 2017, based on the latest analysis of an increase in business filings in the state. Gains will be concentrated in urban areas, though, as rural areas continue to experience slow job growth. The Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado prepares quarterly reports […]
Colorado business leaders are more optimistic heading into the second quarter with more upbeat expectations for the economy, sales and hiring, according to the latest results of a statewide survey. “While both the state and national economies are on stable ground, business leaders are more optimistic about Colorado. I think they see the numbers of […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times While the Mesa County unemployment rate spiked again in January, increased hiring activity since then buoys the outlook for the coming year. “I’m still a little bit optimistic looking at our job orders,” said Curtis Englehart, director of the Mesa County Workforce Center in Grand Junction. According to the latest […]
Grand Junction home prices continue to increase, according to the latest results of an analysis conducted by a California research firm. Home prices rose three-tenths of a percent between November and December and 4.2 percent between December 2015 and December 2016, according to CoreLogic. The gains take into account such so-called distressed sales as foreclosure […]
A monthly measure of optimism among small business owners has jumped to its highest level since 2004 on more upbeat expectations for improving conditions. “We haven’t seen numbers like this in a long time. Small business is ready for a breakout, and that can only mean very good things for the U.S. economy,” said Juanita […]