The pace of new businesses opening in Colorado continues to slow, but still should bolster job growth, according to the latest analysis of filings in the state. Corporations, nonprofits and other entities filed a total of 31,762 initial documents with the secretary of state’s office during the second quarter. That’s an increase of just six-tenths […]
Phil Castle, The Business Times While the pace of real estate sales in Mesa County so far this year continues to lag behind last year, industry observers say the latest numbers offer encouragement. “July felt good,” said Robert Bray, chief executive officer of Bray Real Estate in Grand Junction. While lower inventories and higher prices […]
A monthly measure of consumer confidence has rebounded on more upbeat assessments of business and labor conditions. The Conference Board reported its Consumer Confidence Index rose 11.4 points to 135.7 in July, the highest level this year. The gain more than offset a drop in June attributed to concerns about trade and tariffs. “Consumers are […]
Tax collections have increased in the Grand Valley, an indication of more activity in the retail and hospitality sectors. Combined sales and use tax collections for the City of Grand Junction edged up a half a percent in April. Mesa County reported a 6.7 percent increase. Lodging tax collections on hotel and motel stays in […]
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, […]