Real estate sales continue to decline in Mesa County as higher interest rates make financing more expensive.
New awards scheduled for presentation in April will honor the memory of a Colorado Mesa University alumnus.
A $600,000 grant will help fund a project to revamp Reed Park in Fruita, including a new skate and wheel park.
Alpine Bank celebrates 20 years of “green team” efforts to save energy as well as promote sustainability.
The monthly jobless rate jumped in January in Mesa County, but not as high as the same month a year ago.
Spring — and proposed legislation — are in the air as measures affecting Colorado employers are debated.
No bouquet of flowers or luxuriant plant leaves Country Elegance without the finishing touch that’s become something of a signature for the Grand Junction florist. A tiny ladybug perches somewhere on a steam or leaf. It’s not a real insect, of course, but rather an indication of the attention to detail that goes into products and customer service.
Real estate sales continue to decline in Mesa County as higher interest rates make financing on home purchases less affordable.
For more on the award recipients, see page 16
Sandi Reynolds, the owner of the operation she started with her parents more than 20 years ago, attributes the longevity and success of the business to delivering quality products and services. “Our clients are our bosses.”
Community service remains important, too, Reynolds says. And Country Elegance contributes to a variety of organizations and causes.
Those efforts garnered Country Elegance the Small Business of the Year Award bestowed by the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce. The chamber presents businesses and individuals with annual awards recognizing their contributions.
Country Elegance Florist received the award for a business with less than 25 employees.
See FLORIST page 16
Sandi Reynolds owns Country Elegance Florist, an operation she launched with her parents in 2002. The Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce recently named the venture its latest Small Business of the Year.
Robert Bray
Year-over-year decreases in both transactions and dollar volume are all the more dramatic given what was a robust market in early 2022.
While the trend could continue, industry observers hold out hope real estate activity will pick up in the second half of 2023.
“We’re more on our way to a normal market,” said Robert Bray, chief executive officer of Bray & Co. in Grand Junction.
Since she became only the second executive of HopeWest, Cassie Mitchell has persisted through nearly a year of changes. Not only in where she works and lives, but also labor shortages and regulatory changes.
What hasn’t changed, Mitchell says, is the mission of the organization. “We’re here to meet the needs of the community.”
HopeWest meets those needs, she says, through a range of services across a sprawling region that includes not only Mesa County, but also four other Western Slope counties. HopeWest provides hospice and palliative care through an in-patient center in Grand Junction as well as offices in four other communities. The organization offers additional services through its Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE).
Based in part on efforts that serve an average of 2,500 people a year, HopeWest received the Business of the Year Award from the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce.
Mitchell says the award validates the way HopeWest is woven into the community, including the business community.
See MISSION page 14
Annette YoungAnnette Young, the administrative coordinator at Heritage Title Co. in Grand Junction, said it’s less a matter of demand as it is interest rates and affordability.
Young said 212 real estate transactions worth a total of $83 million were reported in Mesa County in February. Compared to the same month last year, transactions fell 36.9 percent.
Dollar volume dropped 40.7 percent despite six large transactions worth a total of $11 million. They included the sale of an industrial and manufacturing building on 8 acres for $2.6 million and two residences for more than $2 million each.
For the first two months of 2023, 426 transactions worth a combined $176 million were reported. Compared to the same span in 2022, transactions decreased 40.2 percent and dollar volume declined 41.9 percent.
Young said year-over-year comparisons won’t be meaningful until later in the year. Besides, the market has changed, she said. “We’re in the market we’re in.”
Higher interest rates on mortgages combined with higher home prices have pushed some prospective buyers out of the market, she said.
Moreover, existing homeowners with mortgages with low interest rates are reluctant to sell given the prospect of higher interest rates.
In the midst of change, mission remains a constant driving force for latest Business of the YearCassie Mitchell serves as only the second president and chief executive officer of HopeWest, which the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce honored as its latest Business of the Year.
Seven candidates vying for election to the Grand Junction City Council emphasize the importance of everything from good infrastructure and streamlined regulation to public safety and especially affordable housing.
The economic vitality of the city remains important as well to generate the funding needed to address problems.
The candidates answered a range of issues about business and the economy during a forum hosted by the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce.
A total of nine candidates will appear on the mail ballots for upcoming municipal election. Ballots must be returned by 7 p.m. April 4.
Voters also will decide on a referred measure asking if the city should raise sales and use tax rates to finance the construction of a community recreation center at Matchett Park.
Four council seats will be determined in the election. District A pits Cody Kennedy, Jamie Porta and Sandra Weckerly. District B pits Michael Deuel, Greg Haitz and Jason Nguyen. Scott Beilfuss and Diane Schwenke seek an at-large seat. Anna Stout is unopposed for a second term in District C.
Porta and Deuel didn’t participate in chamber forum.
The remaining candidates cited in opening statements their credentials, including experience in operating businesses.
Kennedy retired after 17 years as a Grand Junction police officer, which he said gives him insights into addressing what he said is a shortage in public safety staffing. He and his wife also operate a rental homes business.
Weckerly owns several businesses, including the newly opened Mama Ree’s Pizza & Brewhouse. She serves on the Grand Junction Planning Commission and as vice chairman of the chamber board of directors. She said business leaders are needed on the city council.
Haitz runs a chiropractic practice and serves on the Mesa County Planning Commission. He said he brings conservative values to his bid, but also his desire for a vibrant economy.
Nguyen works as a site manager for the U.S. Department of Energy. He said he’s used to managing what he said are effective government programs.
Stout works as executive director of the Roice Hurst Humane Society. She was elected to the city council in 2019 and served as mayor pro tem and mayor.
A retired sales representative and small business owner, Beilfuss is active in community issues and politics. He’s a member of chamber legislative committee. He said he’ll represent not only to
businesses, but also workers and what he said is an aging population.
Schwenke retired last fall after serving more than 30 years as president and chief executive officer of the chamber.
Asked about the role of local government in economic development, Kennedy said he’d incentivize the attraction of businesses offering high-paying jobs while also streamlining regulatory processes.
Weckerly said it’s important for the city to provide core services, but not compete with the private sector.
Haitz said it’s sometimes more important for local government to “get out of the way” and work with the Grand Junction Economic Partnership and Business Incubator Center to support economic development. Bringing in businesses that pay higher wages would help in addressing affordability issues, he said.
Stout said the city outsources economic development efforts to economic development partners. But it’s also important to pursue policies that increase the quality of life.
Nguyen said local governments must offer regulatory predictability, and policies should actually achieve goals.
Schwenke said the city should provide a foundation in good infrastructure, then support organizations with expertise in economic development. It’s important for the city to also support Colorado Mesa University as well as the tourism industry.
The availability of more affordable housing is important as well, most of the candidates said.
Beilfuss termed it a crisis. “We need to work fast and hard on the issue.”
Nguyen said more affordable housing could constitute a proverbial “rising tide” that would help in attracting more businesses and workers. It would help, too, to promote alternative forms of mobility so people were less dependent on automobiles for transportation.
In addition to apartments, Schwenke said more starter homes are needed to provide work force housing and help businesses attract and retain employees.
Weckerly said affordable housing should be determined by the market, not mandates. Lower city fees would help.
The candidates said the city shouldn’t compete with business. But several candidates said the city also must look at the the most effective use of taxes.
The candidates were asked to identify their top priorities to protect economic vitality. But Stout said she couldn’t given the importance not only of infrastructure and housing, but also quality of life. “We’re juggling many balls at all times.”
Schwenke said economic vitality is required, though, to generate the tax funding that enables the city to address problems.
The Business Times
New awards scheduled for presentation in April will honor the memory of a Colorado Mesa University alumnus.
The CMU Alumni Association will bestow the Doug Sortor Maverick Spirit Award to an alumnus or alumna who supports CMU and Western Colorado Community College. The Honorary Maverick Alumni Award will be presented to a supporter who didn’t attend or graduate from CMU or WCCC.
Nominations will be accepted through April 1 for two more awards — the Young Alumni Who’s Who Award and Distinguished Alumni Award.
Dusti Reimer, president of the CMU Alumni Association board of directors, said the Doug Sortor Maverick Spirit Award honors a man who long served as a role model for students and alumni. “Doug was like the ultimate champion of CMU.”
A native of Grand Junction, Sortor attended and played football for what was at that time Mesa College. He graduated in 1980. He subsequently worked as an executive with United Parcel Service and then Strive, a Grand Junction-based organization that provides a range of services to children and adults with intellectual and developmental challenges.
Sortor served as president of the CMU Alumni Association and received the Distinguished Alumni Award in 2021. He died in August after being hit by a car while riding his bicycle. He was 67.
Reimer said Sortor insisted board members learn the CMU fight song and led the board in rousing renditions.
Nomination forms for the Young Alumni Who’s Who and Distinguished Alumni awards are available from the website at www.supportingcmu.com/ alumni/our-alumni.
He also attended CMU events, dressed in Maverick gear and promoted the university whenever opportunities arose, Reimer said. “He always made you feel so proud to go to CMU like Doug did.”
The Doug Sortor Maverick Spirit Award and Honorary Maverick Alumni Award will be presented as part of the Maverick Days festivities in April.
The Sortor Award will go to an individual or individuals who attended or graduated from CMU or WCCC. The selection criteria will include character; service and support of CMU, WCCC and its students, faculty and staff; and enthusiasm for promoting CMU and WCCC.
The criteria for the Honorary Maverick Alumni Award is the same, but will honor an individual or individuals who aren’t alumni. “There are a lot of people who give back to the university,” Reimer said.
The Young Alumni Who’s Who Award honors graduates under the age of 40 who’ve demonstrated a high level of accomplishment early in their careers and a commitment to CMU through volunteering, leadership and other contributions. The award will be presented at the annual alumni meeting in July.
The Distinguished Alumni Award, the highest honor the alumni association bestows, recognizes professional achievement, service and commitment to CMU. The award will be presented this fall as part of homecoming festivities.
The City of Grand Junction has scheduled its annual spring cleanup program program for April 3 to 15.
The free program offers residents an opportunity to dispose of yard waste and unusable household items.
For residents north of North Avenue, pickup is scheduled to start at 6:30 a.m. April 3. For residents south of North Avenue, including those in the Orchard Mesa and Redlands areas, pickup is scheduled to start at 6:30 a.m. April 10.
Residents should pile yard waste and other items against the street gutter in front of their homes, but at least 3 feet away from buildings, fences, mailboxes and cars. Residents also are encouraged to donate or recycle unwanted items.
For more information about the spring cleanup program, including a list of what’s not allowed, call 256-4111 or visit the website at gjcity.org/springcleanup.
A ground breaking ceremony celebrated the start of construction on a new performing arts center at Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction.
CMU President John Marshall joined Doug and Jamee Simons, co-chairs of a fund-raising campaign for the project, at the event.
CMU already has received $39 million in state funding for the project and expects to invest $5 million in the effort.
Robin Brown, vice president of development and chief executive officer of the CMU Foundation, said the iconic project will expose students to theater and music in new and unique ways. The project also will provide students an opportunity to work with state-of-the-art technology that will help them in careers.
The new theater will be the only one of its kind between the Front Range of Colorado and Salt Lake City in Utah, enabling CMU to bring in touring companies and expand offerings for the region.
“It’s exciting to be able to work on a project of this magnitude. It is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity that we couldn’t have imagined even a few years ago.” Brown said.
A $600,000 grant will help fund a project to revamp Reed Park in Fruita, including the addition of a skate and wheel park.
A second, $87,000 grant will fund the development of a comprehensive plan for land conservation efforts in Western Colorado.
The Great Outdoors Colorado board awarded the grants to the City of Fruita and Colorado West Land Trust.
The City of Fruita plans to revamp Reed Park. The upgrades, scheduled for completion by spring 2024, will include improvements to the pavilion, a modern playground, new basketball court with a multi-use sports court and the skate and wheel park.
“With GOCO’s generous support, we are able to upgrade the park with amenities that will serve the Fruita community for years to come,” said Marc Mancuso, parks and recreation director. “Bringing this destination skate/wheel park to Fruita would not be possible without this funding. Now, Reed Park can more fully serve not only the Fruita community, but families throughout the Grand Valley.”
The second grant will help the Colorado West Land Trust develop a comprehensive stewardship plan to guide its efforts for the next decade as well as address natural resource issues related to climate change, development pressures and outdoor recreation.
Based in Grand Junction, the land trust has conserved a total of more than 126,000 acres in Mesa County and five other Western Slope counties under conservation easements.
The land trust also plans to develop restoration and resiliency building projects that engage landowners, partners and other land trusts that hold conservation easements in the region to improve landscapes at scale and gain insights that could be used by other organizations in their conservation efforts.
“With the long-term drought, we are seeing an increased need to partner with landowners to provide stewardship and restoration resources such as wildfire mitigation, riparian and wet meadow habitat improvements and soil health work,” said Ilana Moir, director
A conceptual illustration details a new skate and wheel park that will be constructed as part of improvements to Reed Park in Fruita. (Illustration courtesy City of Fruita)
of conservation at CWLT. “This grant will help us kick off this work. We will create a robust stewardship and implementation plan that will allow us to partner with landowners and others in a focused way to get the best work done on the ground. We look forward to increasing our stewardship offerings in the months and years to come.”
CWLT is also working to raise a 52 percent match towards the project. The West Region Wildfire Council and local foundations also support the plan.
Great Outdoors Colorado invests a portion of Colorado Lottery proceeds to preserve and improve open spaces, parks, rivers, trails and wildlife habitat. To date, GOCO has invested more than $48.4 million in projects in Mesa County and partnered to conserve 18,284 acres of land there. Funding has supported the Colorado Riverfront Trail, Highline Lake State Park and the Las Colonias and Riverbend parks, among other projects.
United Way of Mesa County has launched an online portal offering information about volunteer opportunities with dozens of nonprofit organizations as well as educational institutions and government entities.
The Volunteer United portal is located both on the United Way of Mesa County website located at www.unitedwaymesacounty.org as well as at www.volunteermc.org. The Brad Dempsey American Family Insurance Agency sponsors the portal. Those interested in volunteering can search for opportunities by causes as well as age limits, event dates and skills. The portal is available as a free service to Mesa County organizations to post volunteer needs.
“Many people in our community want to give back, but don’t know where to start or who to reach out to,” said Keira Clark, community impact and marketing manager with United Way of Mesa County. “With Volunteer United, amazing local volunteer jobs are just a click away and registering is easy. We look forward to helping agencies find the help they need to continue their mission.”
Alpine Bank is celebrating the 20th year of “green team” efforts to save resources, promote the use of renewable energy and support other organizations involved with environmental sustainability.
The celebration of the 20th anniversary of the green team coincides with the 50th anniversary of the founding of the bank.
“We place a high value on our natural environment in Colorado and the responsible use of its resources as essential for our health and lifestyle,” said Glen Jammaron, president of Alpine Bank. “By placing our focus and attention on ways in which we can reduce, recycle and renew in our day-to-day business, we’ve created an organization with nearly 900 individuals who embody these principles. This grassroots effort has amounted to some substantive numbers with respect to energy, resource and water savings — both within the bank and in our communities.”
The green team initially was created to reduce electricity use as well as any harmful environmental affects. Alpine Bank subsequently received certification for meeting international standards for environmental management.
Since 2009, every kilowatt hour of electricity Alpine Bank uses has come from renewable sources. The bank even distributes energy back to the grid thanks to photovoltaic panels on its facilities in Boulder, Glenwood Springs, Rifle and Silt. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recognizes Alpine Bank as a 100 percent green power user.
In 2016, Alpine Bank purchased panels in a community solar garden in Summit County, then donated ownership of the panels to help subsidize the energy bills of families in need. The partnership earned the bank the 24-Karat Gold Award from the Colorado Environmental Leadership Program, the Grand National Service Award from the Independent Community Bankers Association and Community and Economic Development Award from the American Bankers Association.
The bank’s partnership with PCs for People resulted in a donation that repurposed more than 400 computers, obsolete by bank standards, to students who needed them during the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
Since launching an environmental loyalty debit card in 2004, Alpine Bank has donated more than $3.3 million to Colorado nonprofits that work toward environmental sustainability. F
Tax collections, a measure of sales activity, continue to trend upward overall in Mesa County.
Mesa County collected more than $3.4 million in sales taxes in February, an increase of nearly $106,000 and 3.2 percent over the same month a year ago. February collections reflect January sales.
As of press deadline on March 13, the City of Grand Junction hadn’t yet posted its online reports for sales, use and lodging tax collections for either February or January.
Mesa County tax collections on retail sales topped more than $1.9 million in February, although that was a decline of almost $56,000 and 2.8 percent from the same month a year ago.
Collections increased 8.7 percent on general merchandise, the largest retail category, but decreased 27 percent on home improvements and 26.5 percent on health and personal care products.
Collections for other industries totaled more than $1.4 million, an increase of nearly $162,000 and 12.6 percent over February 2022.
Increases in collections in the wholesale, manufacturing and hotel and restaurant categories more than offset decreases in the telecommunications and agriculture categories.
Mesa County also collected more than $305,000 in use taxes in February — nearly all of that on automobiles purchased outside the county, but used inside the county. That was an increase of more than $6,000 and 2.1 percent.
For the first two months of 2023, the county collected nearly $8 million in sales taxes. That was an increase of almost $383,000 and 5 percent over the same span in 2022.
Tax collections on retail sales totaled nearly $4.8 million, about unchanged from a year ago. Collections on the increased sales of general merchandise, sporting goods and clothing offset lower sales of home improvements and health and personal care items.
Collections for other industries totaled almost $3.2 million, a gain of 13.5 percent. Gains in the utilities, construction and hotel and restaurant categories more than offset losses in the telecommunications, finance and medical categories.
Mesa County distributed a total of more than $3 million in sales tax collections to five cities in the county during the first two months of 2023. That included almost $1.8 million to Grand Junction, more than $550,000 to Fruita and nearly $386,000 to Palisade.
The county collected more than $662,000 in use taxes during the first two months of 2023. That’s an increase of almost $16,000 and 2.4 percent from the first two months of 2022.
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“It was super exciting,” Mitchell says of the award. “That’s a huge honor.”
She credits the success of HopeWest to the 425 employees and nearly 1,000 volunteers who deliver services as well as the ongoing financial support HopeWest receives from the communities it serves.
Mitchell became in May 2022 only the second president and chief executive officer of HopeWest. She succeeded Christy Whitney, the founding president and CEO, who retired after nearly 30 years with the organization.
Mitchell previously served as chief operating officer of Bluegrass Care
For more information about HopeWest, call 241-2122 or log on to www.hopewestco.org.
Navigators based in Lexington. The organization serves a third of Kentucky and provides services to more than 20,000 patients annually.
She began her more than 20-year career in hospice care as an admission nurse and nursing supervisor, then moved into roles involving inpatient unit management, intake, call center oversight, clinical operations and business development. In addition to her medical training, she holds a master’s of business administration degree.
She says she’s worked most of her career in hospice care in part because it helps patients in the most vulnerable moments of their lives. That’s humbling and rewarding. “I still feel fulfilled by what I do.”
Mitchell says she was familiar with Grand Junction and considered it a great place to retire.
But she was attracted to the opportunity to work with HopeWest and what she considers something of a “unicorn” in the hospice care industry in that the organization is connected so closely to the communities it serves and plays such an important role.
Moreover, she says she was attracted by an opportunity to make a difference. “You could really see the impact of what your work is going to do.”
What started 30 years ago as single facility operated out of a donated home has grown into an organization with an in-patient hospice center in Grand Junction and offices in four other communities serving Mesa County as well as Delta, Montrose, Ouray and Rio Blanco counties.
That’s not to mention three retail outlets and a restaurant, operations which not only generate funding, but also familiarize people with HopeWest. “Know us before you need us,” Mitchell says.
An organization that cared for 117 patients in its first year now cares for an average of 2,500 patients a year.
In addition to hospice and palliative care, HopeWest provides grief support. A total of nearly 600 children and teen-agers benefited last year alone from a program unique in Western Colorado.
More than 100 people participate in the program of all-inclusive care for the elderly. “That’s pretty fast growth.” Mitchell says of the 16-month-old effort. PACE provides medical and support services that enable participants to live safely and independently in their homes — including assistance with bathing, housekeeping and transportation. The social aspect of the program remains “huge,” she says.
Even as HopeWest has expanded its operations and services, the organization faces challenges, Mitchell says.
Labor shortages have been a problem coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic, one that necessitated the use of temporary traveling providers, she says.
Regulatory changes pose additional challenges in the way hospice facilities are scrutinized as well as paid for services.
The hospice care industry itself is changing with the proliferation of for-profit providers and their consolidation, she says.
HopeWest holds an advantage, though, in its partnerships with health care providers and its integration into the community, Mitchell says. “The community knows us and trusts us, and that’s not to be taken lightly.”
HopeWest also offers desirable workplace culture, she said. The organization ranked among the best places to work in health care based on the 2021 results of a magazine survey.
HopeWest ranked 17th among providers and insurers as well as fourth in the family friendliest category by the Modern Healthcare trade publication. HopeWest has received the recognition four times.
Mitchell says part of her role as a leader is to provide the tools, resources and support team members need. “It’s my job to help make sure they can do theirs.”
Even as HopeWest and hospice care changes, the mission to meet the needs of the community doesn’t, she says. “We’ll be here with everything we’ve got.”
Vance Wagner, a Grand Junction banking executive who’s served on the boards of a variety of business and philanthropic organizations, has received further recognition for his efforts.
Mathias Mulumba, the founder of a organization that helps orphans and widows in Uganda, also was honored.
The Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce named Wagner its Citizen of the Year. The Young Professionals Network of Mesa County named Mulumba its Young Professional of the Year.
Wagner has worked 30 years with ANB Bank, including stints in Aspen, Carbondale, Glenwood Springs and Rifle. He moved to Grand Junction in 2010 to become regional president.
He’s subsequently served on a variety of boards, including the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. He served a year as board chairman.
Wagner also has served on the boards of the Downtown Development Authority, Grand Junction Air Service Alliance and St. Mary’s Medical Center .
With his support, the Western Slope Triple Play has become one of the largest women’s golf tournaments in Colorado. Proceeds from the tournament benefit Hilltop’s Latimer House, which provides services to those affected by partner violence and sexual assault.
Mulumba grew up in Uganda, but immigrated to the United States and attends Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction.
He founded Father to the Fatherless International, a nonprofit organization and ministry that provides services to windows, orphans and others in Uganda. The organization operates a children’s home, church, clinic and schools as well as various programs.
Mulumba is involved not only in CMU, but also his local church and various political groups.
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Reynolds says she was surprised as she was grateful. “Wow. I still can’t believe it.”
Reynolds launched Country Elegance in 2002 with her parents, Bonnie and Steve Cruse. Reynolds says she worked for 13 years for City Market. Her mother worked as a florist and was convinced she could operate a better business herself. Her father helped with deliveries on Saturdays in addition to running an electrical business.
Reynolds says she’s always had a passion for art, one that includes floral design.
While her parents retired, Reynolds says another generation of the family joined Country Elegance in 2016 — her daughter, Morgan Bair.
Reynolds says her daughter’s work on the Country Elegance website and the move in 2020 into a larger location with 3,800 square feet bolstered sales.
Country Elegance faces increased competition from grocery stores and other chain retailers selling flowers, Reynold says. But the business has fared well in offering better products and customer service.
The flowers are a step up, she says, and kept fresh in coolers. That means bouquets look better and last longer. Customer service remains huge, she says. “I want our
Country Elegance Florist is located at 2494 Patterson Road in Grand Junction. For information, call 255-0026 or log on to www.countryeleganceflorists.com.
customers to feel like guests, like friends.”
In addition to flowers, Country Elegance sells plants and gift baskets. Reynolds says she works with local farmers and businesses to feature their products.
Country Elegance provides flowers and other products for weddings, memorial services and other events as well as offers corporate services for businesses, restaurants and hotels.
Reynolds credits her staff of 24 for creating quality arrangements and serving customers. “We have a really talented team. They’re amazing.”
Reynolds says she’s also grateful for the support of the community, and the business gives back in the form of contributions and support to local clubs, causes and organizations.
As for the ladybugs, they’re a small, finishing touch. But also a unique and important one she says customers have come to expect.
The Grand Junction Makerspace, one of seven programs at the Business Incubator Center (BIC), is a membership-based public innovation center that provides tools, knowledge and learning resources. Launched with the aim to promote economic development and in partnership with the City of Grand Junction, the GJ Makerspace offers tools and classes focusing on technology, automation, education and prototyping to serve our community of entrepreneurs and innovators.
The GJ Makerspace provides 3D printing, CAD design prototyping, augmented reality sandbox, CNC routing, microcontrollers, 3D scanners, laser etching and cutting, a wood shop, a render farm, a stained glass shop, commercial sewing shop, metal fabrication and welding and prototyping shop. The makerspace helps entrepreneurs launch businesses, obtain patents, create prototypes, innovate and repair items with irreplaceable parts as well as supports personal projects and innovation through mentorship and training.
Through successful partnerships and collaborations, the GJ Makerspace hosts three programs. The first is the Workforce Innovation Project, a partnership with Mesa County Workforce Center and Grand Junction Chamber of Commerce to support upskilling, training, certification and accreditation for jobs within manufacturing sectors. The second hosted program is Hi Fives Robotics, which provides a challenging and intense extracurricular STEM program for all ages through multiple leagues and competitions. The third hosted program is the GeoMaker Institute training STEM educators and offering hands-on STEM training.
Anyone can become a member of the GJ Makerspace and have access to robust tool sets, workspace maker-specific workshops, business guidance, financing and assistance. Join us and become part of an innovative shop of entrepreneurs, inventors, artists, scientists, farmers, business members and tinkerers who are all makers.
For more information, please reach out at (970) 243-5242 or visit our office at 2591 Legacy Way.
Joe Elliott, the program manager of the GJ Makerspace, brings to the role decades of experience in entrepreneurship.
Since its founding in 1987, the Business Incubator Center has been a key pillar of economic development in Mesa County and the surrounding region. As the oldest business incubator in Colorado, the center hosts seven programs: the Grand Junction Small Business Development Center (SBDC), Business Loan Fund of Mesa County, Mesa County Enterprise Zone, two world-class incubator programs, Fworks and Grand Junction Makerspace. The Business Incubator Center is an invaluable resource for small businesses in the region.
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Higher rates also have affected other aspects of the industry, Young said, with declines in applications for loans and refinancing.
According to numbers Bray & Co. tracks for the residential real estate market in Mesa County, 147 homes worth a total of nearly $61.8 million were sold in February. Compared to the same month a year ago, transactions dropped 35.8 percent and dollar volume fell 33.8 percent.
For the first two months of 2023, 295 homes worth a total of almost $119 million were sold. Compared to the same span in 2022, transactions dropped 34.4 percent and dollar volume fell 35.3 percent.
Bray attributed what he described as dramatic year-over-year declines to interest rates, which have climbed to 6.7 percent on 15-year mortgages and 7 percent on 30-year mortgages.
New home construction also has declined, he said, with higher interest rates and materials prices and more uncertainty.
For February, 46 single single family building permits were issued in Mesa County. That’s down from 74 for the same month a year.
A total of 73 building permits were issued during the first two months of 2023, only about half the 137 permits issued during the same span in 2021.
There are some silver linings to the real estate market, Bray said, with a growing inventory and slightly lower prices.
As of the end of February, there were 479 active listings in Mesa County. That’s more than double the 222 listings at this time last year and, at the current pace of sales, a more than three-month supply.
The median price of homes sold during the first two months of 2023 fell to $360,000. That’s down 2.3 percent from the same span in 2022.
While 97.1 percent of homes sold for the listing prices in February, that’s down from 98.4 percent for the same month a year ago.
Although the first half of 2023 likely will remain sluggish, Bray said he expects real estate sales to pick up — although not to the same pace as the last two years.
The local economy remains strong and it’s still a good time to buy real estate with more selection and less competition, Bray said.
Potential buyers should prepare now for opportunities, he added.
Foreclosure activity continues to increase in Mesa County, although few properties go through the whole process, Young said.
For the first two months of 2023, 47 foreclosure filings were reported, but only seven sales. For the first two months of 2022, 26 filings and two sales were reported.
Young said a lot of foreclosed properties don’t make it through the process as lenders work with owners. More owners have equity and can sell their properties.
s New business filings in Colorado, 48,806 in the fourth quarter, up 37.2 percent from the fourth quarter of 2021.
t Consumer Confidence Index
102.9 for February, down 3.1.
n Leeds Business Confidence Index for Colorado, 39.8 for the first quarter, unchanged.
s National Federation of Independent Business Small Business Optimism Index 90.9 for January, up 0.6.
s Foreclosure filings in Mesa County, 26 in February, up from 20 in February 2022.
s Foreclosure sales in Mesa County, 3 in February, up from 1 in February 2022.
s Conference Board Employment Trends Index, 118.29 for February, up 0.15.
t Conference Board Leading Economic Index 110.3 for January, down 0.3%.
s Institute for Supply Management Purchasing Managers Index for manufacturing, 47.7% for February, up 0.3%.
s Lodging tax collections in Grand Junction, $254,659 for December, up 16% from December 2021.
t Real estate transactions in Mesa County, 212 in February, down 36.9% from February 2022.
t Dollar volume of real estate transactions in Mesa County, $83 million in February, down 40.7% from February 2022.
s Sales and use tax collections in Grand Junction, $6 million for December, up 7.4% from December 2021.
s Sales and use tax collections in Mesa County, $3.7 million for February, up 3.1% from February 2022.
s Mesa County — 3.7% for January, up 0.8.
n Colorado — 2.8% for January, unchanged.
s United States — 3.6% for February, up 0.2.
The monthly unemployment rate spiked again in Mesa County in January, but to a lower level that offers encouragement of improving labor conditions in the year ahead. More will be known when February numbers are released.
Bullock said labor shortages persist for some industry sectors. But more people have returned to the work force in part because of higher prices for food and other products.
There’s also a risk of recession that could affect the Mesa County market.
“I think it’s going to be an interesting year,” said Lindsay Bullock, director of the Mesa County Workforce Center in Grand Junction. The seasonally unadjusted jobless rate climbed to 3.7 percent in January, according to the latest estimates from the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment. That’s up eight-tenths of a point from December and a jobless rate that was revised downward two-tenths of a point to 2.9 percent.
At this time last year, however, the rate was higher at 5 percent.
Bullock said the jobless rate traditionally spikes in January to its highest level of the year in Mesa County following layoffs after the holidays and less hiring for jobs affected by winter weather. While the rate jumped again this year, overall unemployment is at a lower level.
Between December and January, Mesa County payrolls edged down 54 to 74,611. The number of people counted among those unsuccessfully looking for work increased 604 to 2,832. The labor force, which includes the employed and unemployed, grew 550 to 77,443.
Over the past year, payrolls increased 2,344 or about 3.2 percent. The ranks of the unemployed decreased 980. The labor force grew 1,364.
January labor estimates aren’t released until March because of annual revisions to information for the previous year. February estimates are scheduled for release March 24.
The number of job orders posted at the Mesa County Workforce Center — one measure of labor demand — decreased in January with 675 orders, Bullock said. That’s down from 1,017 orders for the same month a year ago. The drop in the number of job openings those orders involved wasn’t as a big, however, at 1,444. That’s down from 1,642 a year ago.
Bullock said she’s encouraged the January jump in joblessness wasn’t as high this year and unemployment rates will trend down as spring brings more seasonal hiring. But she’s also concerned a recession could set back the Mesa County market.
Meanwhile, efforts continue to identify what employers and job seekers need and make matches, she said. “There’s a lot of work being done on the back side.”
Seasonally unadjusted unemployment rates also increased in neighboring Western Colorado counties in January — up 1.1 points to 4.2 percent in Delta County, eight-tenths of a point to 3.6 percent in Montrose County, six-tenths of a point to 3.5 percent in Rio Blanco County and a half point to 3 percent in Garfield County.
The statewide seasonally adjusted jobless rate held steady between December and January at 2.8 percent. The state rate has remained below 3 percent for nine consecutive months.
Nonfarm payrolls edged up 800 between December and January with government jobs accounting for all of that gain.
Since January 2022, nonfarm payrolls increased 57,000 with the biggest gains in the leisure and hospitality; professional and business services; and trade, transportation and utilities sectors. Payrolls declined in the financial activities and information sectors.
Over the last year, the average workweek for Colorado employees on private, nonfarm payrolls shortened a tenth of an hour to 33.4 hours. Average hourly earnings increased $1.96 to $36.14. F
A measure of optimism among small business owners has increased, but concerns persist over inflation, labor shortages and other challenges.
“Small business owners remain doubtful that business conditions will get better in the coming months. They continue to struggle with historic inflation and labor shortages that are holding back growth,” said Bill Dunkelberg, chief economist of the National Federation of Small Businesses. “Despite their economic challenges, owners are working hard to create new jobs to strengthen the economy and their firms.”
The NFIB reported its Small Business Optimism index rose six-tenths of a point between January and February. But at 90.9, the index remains below the 49-year average of 98. The NFIB bases the index on the results of monthly surveys of members of the small business advocacy group, most of them small business owners.
For February, five of 10 components of the index advanced while four retreated and one remained unchanged.
The proportion of NFIB members responding to the survey upon which the February index was based who expect the economy to improve fell two points. At a net negative 47 percent, more respondents anticipated worsening conditions.
A net 21 percent reported plans for capital outlays, unchanged
from January. A net 6 percent said they consider now a good time to expand, down a point.
A net 17 percent reported plans to increase staffing, down two points. A net 47 percent reported hard-to-fill job openings, up two points. Among those hiring or trying to hire, 90 percent reported few or no qualified applicants.
The share of respondents who expected increased sales rose five points. But at negative 9 percent, more expected decreased sales.
Expectations for profits rose three points. But at a net negative 23 percent, more respondents expected lower profits. Among those reporting higher profits, 55 percent credited increased sales and 14 percent higher prices. Among those reporting lower profits, 23 percent blamed weaker sales and 23 percent cited higher materials costs.
The proportion of respondents planning to increase inventories rose a point to a net negative 7 percent. A net 4 percent said existing inventories were too low, down three points.
Asked to identify their single most important business problem, 28 percent of respondents cited inflation. A net 38 percent reported raising average selling prices, up four points from January. Prices hikes were most frequent int he retail, finance and manufacturing sectors. Another 21 percent of respondents cited quality of labor as their most pressing problem.
United States payrolls continue to grow, although at slightly slower pace.
Nonfarm payrolls increased 311,000 in February, according to the latest estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The national unemployment rate edged up two-tenths of a point to 3.6 percent as more people looked for jobs.
Estimated payroll gains for the previous two months were revised downward a total of 34,000 to 504,000 for January and 239,000 for December.
Payrolls have increased an average of 343,000 a month over the past six months.
Still, 5.9 million people were counted among those unsuccessfully looking for work in February. Of those, 1.1 million people have been unemployed 27 weeks or longer.
Another 4.1 million people were counted among those working part-time because their hours were cut or they’ve been unable to find full-time positions.
The labor force participation rate edged up a tenth of a point to 62.5 percent, but remained below the rate posted before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S. in early 2020.
Payroll gains for February were spread out among a number of industry sectors.
Employed increased 105,000 in leisure and hospitality,
A monthly index tracking labor trends continues to increase, signaling job growth in the months ahead.
The Conference Board reported its Employment Trends Index edged up 0.15 points to 118.29 in February with gains in four of eight components. Higher interest rates are expected to slow job growth later this year, however.
50,000 in retail trade, 45,000 in professional and business services, 44,000 in health care, 24,000 in construction and 19,000 in social services. Government payrolls grew 46,000, most of that gain in local government.
Employed decreased 25,000 in the information sector and 22,000 in transportation and warehousing.
The average workweek shortened a tenth of an hour to 34.5 hours. The average manufacturing workweek shortened two-tenths of an hour to 40.3 hours.
Average hourly earnings rose 8 cents to $33.09. Over the past year, average hourly earnings increased 4.6 percent.
A measure of consumer confidence continues to decline on less upbeat expectations for business and labor conditions.
The Conference Board reported its Consumer Confidence Index fell 3.1 points to 102.9 in February.
A component of the CCI based on assessments of current conditions climbed 1.7 points to 152.8. But a component based on the short-term outlook fell 6.3 points to 69.7.
The reading has remained below 80 for 11 of the last 12 months, a level that often signals a recession within the next year.
“The outlook appears considerably more pessimistic,” said Atman Ozyildirim, senior director of economics at the Conference Board. “Expectations for where jobs, incomes and business conditions are headed over the next six months all fell sharply in February.”
Although expectations for higher inflation retreated, fewer consumers reported plans to purchase homes, cars and major appliances, Ozyildirim said. “Consumers may be showing early signs of pulling back spending in the face of high prices and rising interest rates.”
The proportion of consumers responding to the survey upon which the February index was based who characterized business conditions as “good” fell 2.1 points to 17.8 percent.
The share of those who called conditions “bad” also fell — 1.3 points to 17.7 percent.
The proportion of respondents who said jobs were “plentiful” rose 3.9 points to 52 percent. The share of those who said jobs were “hard to get” fell six-tenths of a point to 10.5 percent.
The share of survey respondents who said they expect business conditions to improve over the next six months dropped 4.2 points to 14.2 percent. The proportion of those anticipating worsening conditions fell seven-tenths of a point 21.9 percent.
The share of those who expected more jobs to become available declined 3.2 points to 14.5 percent. The proportion of those anticipating fewer jobs fell 1.1 points to 20.3 percent.
While 13.4 percent of consumers said they expected their incomes to increase, 11.6 percent anticipated decreased incomes.
n The Business Incubator Center in Grand Junction has scheduled a variety of events.
A presentation on cash flows for small business startups is set for noon to 1 p.m. March 21 at the center at 2591 Legacy Way. Participants will learn how to complete a cash flow budget using Microsoft Excel.
A business bookkeeping boot camp is set for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 23. Participants will learn how to set up and use business accounting records as well as gain better control over their operations with the use of balance sheets, cash flow projections and income statements. Admission is $75, which includes lunch.
The next session of a business startup workshop is set for 2 to 4 p.m. April 6. The workshop will cover the business planning process, including financing options, legal structures, licensing requirements and trade name searches. Admission is $55, half off for the second participant from the same business.
For more information about upcoming events, programs and services at the Business Incubator Center, call 243-5242 or log on to https://gjincubator.org.
n The next Coffee Club free networking meeting is set for 9 to 10 a.m. March 17 in the FWorks co-working space at 325 E. Aspen Ave. in Fruita.
The meeting will include a presentation by Anna Nichols, founder of Discovery Leadership, on confidence, communication, and identity development for businesses.
For additional information, visit the websites located at https://gjincubator.org or https://fruitchamber.org.
n The Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce has scheduled its annual banquet for 5 to 10 p.m. April 15 at the Fruita Community Center, located at 324 N. Coulson St.
The event will include a cocktail hour, appetizers, dinner, an awards ceremony and live entertainment. Admission is $75 for individuals, $700 for a table for eight.
For additional information or reservations, call 858-3894 or visit the website located at https://fruitchamber.org.
After a snowy — at least by Grand Valley standards — winter, spring and proposed legislation are in the air.
The Colorado Legislature has introduced numerous bills that could affect employers. Here’s a look at a few of the most significant measures.
n House Bill 23-1118 would have required predictive pay and scheduling by large retailers and employers in the food and beverage industry. What was dubbed as fair workweek employment standards measure was perhaps the most controversial labor and employment bill introduced this session, but failed to move out of committee on a bipartisan vote. I cover it briefly here because predictive scheduling bills are trending nationally. Some version of this bill will return.
Among many other provisions, this bill would have required employers to provide employees a written work plan addressing the employee scheduling and requiring payment when the actual schedule deviated from the work plan by more than 15 percent. The bill would have required employers to set employee schedules at least 14 days in advance and pay predictability pay in addition to wages for hours actually worked when the employer changed the date or time of a shift.
The measure alarmed restaurateurs, some of them still trying to recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and related restrictions. Restaurateurs asserted they would be able to adjust schedules or send home employees as customer traffic changed within the 14-day scheduling period or a single business day.
n HB 23-1104 would have delayed implementation of the state’s paid family and medical leave law until Jan. 1, 2025. The bill was postponed indefinitely by a committee vote. FAMLI requires most private employers and public employers who don’t opt out of the program to fund and provide paid family and medical on Jan. 1, 2024. Covered employers should already be withholding employee premiums. Employers with 10 or more employees should already be paying employer premiums. Any employers not yet doing so should consult legal counsel immediately to remedy this situation.
n Senate Bill 23-098 would require transportation and delivery network companies operating in the state to provide various disclosures to their drivers and consumers
The Employers Council has scheduled a free legal update and light breakfst for 8:30 to 10 a.m. March 16 at the Chipeta Golf Course Clubhouse at 222 29 Road in Grand Junction. The event is open to Employers Council members and others. For additional information or reservations, send an email to dharris@employerscouncil.org.
about payments to the companies and drivers. In other words, what portion of the fees you pay for delivery services or ride sharing actually goes to the drivers. The definition of a transportation network company specifically excludes taxi companies and services providing fixed routes. But the definition of a delivery network company broadly includes “any person that sells delivered goods or services in the state and that connects consumers with delivery workers through a digital platform.” This arguably could apply to food establishments or other businesses that take orders online and use their own employees for deliveries. This bill continues to move forward, but hasn’t yet reached the full Senate.
n SB 23-172 would expand coverage of the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act and make employers liable for a broader range of complaints. Among other provisions, the measure would repeal the current definition “harass” that requires creation of a hostile work environment and specifies in harassment claims the alleged conduct need not be severe or pervasive to constitute a discriminatory or unfair employment practice. This is broader than the standard under federal law and could result in liability for even sporadic or minor acts.
The Employers Council posts regular updates for its members on the status and anticipated effects of proposed legislation for its members. For more information on the history of these and other employment-related bills, all employers can visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills.
Dean Harris is Western Slope area managing attorney for the Employers Council. The Employers Council counsels, represents and trains member employers in all phases of employment relationships. Contact Harris at (970) 852-0190 or dharris@employerscouncil.org.
In my previous column, I outlined the problems that occur when people bring their personal baggage to work. I described how even top performers stumble when they’re unable to effectively manage personal issues and the effects these issues exert on customers, other team members, workplace culture and, ultimately, the business.
In this column, let’s consider the other side of the proverbial coin. When people bring their professional baggage home, their personal lives are affected in very real ways, too. The ripple effects can extend far and wide — alienating children; damaging and even destroying marriages; and causing others to become angry, frustrated and unhappy. Perhaps you know a spouse, child or friend who’s unable — or simply lacks the tools — to manage their professional lives effectively.
Carrying too much professional pressure can lead to a host of self-sabotaging behaviors that affect well-being. When an individual is unhappy at work, they tend to not sleep well and stop exercising. They might eat poorly, not at all or overindulge. Excessive alcohol, prescription medication and illicit drug use are common. As these factors pile up and despair sets in, they could become depressed and withdrawn. Unable or unwilling to get the assistance they need, the problems could become unavoidable and overwhelming.
This doesn’t have to be the case, however.
As with personal challenges, professional challenges belong solely to the person experiencing them. They alone have the power to choose, or not, to effectively address the stress they experience.
Let me be clear. I’m not suggesting you shouldn’t
talk to loved ones and friends about the troubling and frustrating situations you face at work. Caring, honest and trusted family and friends are invaluable in helping you address professional issues. What I suggest — even urge — is that those who love you don’t deserve to bear the brunt of your frustrations and unhappiness on an ongoing basis.
If handled correctly, your home and personal life could offer a safe environment where you can take a welcome break from the frustrations, hardships and stress you encounter at work. It’s a profound and life-changing choice to leave your professional issues at the office and use your time with family and friends as a healthy “timeout” during which you can relax, refresh and recharge.
Realizing life is not all about your work — that work is only a part of your life — will help you strike a successful balance between work and life that leads to greater levels of happiness and success on and off the job. When you go home, truly go home by leaving work where it belongs — at work. This mindset will serve you and those around you well.
In some cases, a different career path or another type of change could be in order. As a coach and consultant, I’ve worked with many business owners and team members
who weren’t fulfilled and happy in their professional lives. Their work didn’t align with their behaviors, competencies, motivations and purposes. These people also felt trapped by their fear of financial obligations and the unknown as well as a host of other self-imposed limitations. With guidance, they overcame their limitations and went on to build professional lives they now enjoy.
Even with the help of family, friends and a qualified coach, there will be days that don’t go well and push you to the limits of controlling your actions, emotions, thoughts and words. Maintaining balance in your professional and personal and lives comes down to self-awareness and self-control and using newfound tools to address your issues.
If you find yourself struggling to be happy at work, at home or both, take the empowering step of seeking out a qualified coach who can help you understand your situation and make necessary changes.
You might believe the professional and personal aspects of your life aren’t connected, but they are. In fact, they exert profound effects on each other. You want those effects to be positive, not negative.
Choose to leave your professional baggage at work so you can truly enjoy your personal life.
Marcus Straub owns Life is Great Coaching in Grand Junction. His personalized coaching and consulting services help individuals, business owners, executives and companies build teams, organizations and lives filled with happiness and success. Straub is winner of the International Coach of the Year Award and author of “Is It Fun Being You?” He’s available for free consultations regarding coaching, speaking and trainings. Reach Straub at (970) 208-3150, marcus@ligcoaching.com or through the website located at www.ligcoaching.com.
It’s a profound and life-changing choice to leave your professional issues at the office and use your time with family and friends as a healthy “timeout” during which you can relax, refresh and recharge.
There’s a big difference between competition intelligence and being intelligent about competition. You should learn as much as possible about your competitors. But you don’t gain anything from expressing negative things about them — in writing or in person.
Sure, you strive to be “better” than the rest. You want your customers and clients to know you’re better than the alternatives. But that doesn’t mean you should talk down your competitors, engage in trash talk or point out obvious flaws. The big question becomes: How do I build up myself and my company without putting down anyone or anything else?
Try this approach. List three things you and your company do better than anyone else. Now take these three things as a starting place and list three key elements, points or features under each one. These nine points, coupled with the three things you do best, form an ideal outline for the emails, marketing materials, memos, presentations, proposals or sales pitches you develop.
n Emails and memos: You probably won’t want to cover all three things or all nine points. But going back to these items offers a great way to cast whatever you’re going to write in the best possible light with the least excess detail or fluff. Revisiting these items also reminds you to not say anything about competitors. Why waste valuable screen space on something so inconsequential?
n Marketing materials and sales pitches: It’s tempting to cast aspersions on the competition in the heat of a sales pitch or marketing presentation. Don’t. Practice your speech, making sure to incorporate the relevant points from the earlier items along with specific examples of how you and your company are the best. If you practice your elevator speech and lengthier pitches, you’ll be less likely to get caught up in trash talk about the competition. It’s easier to stay on message when you’ve practiced.
n Presentations: The written word lasts a long time, so be
especially careful what you put into presentation materials. Many sales and marketing presentations incorporate slides and supporting material. Much of the written material is left with attendees. Once they have this material, you exert no control over where it goes next. Assume the materials will fall into the hands of your competitors and write accordingly.
n Proposals: When writing proposals or anything else or speaking to someone, remember you have no competition. You’re the best solution provider and problem solver. Then, support this statement with examples of how you’re better, less expensive or faster. Don’t mention different suppliers by name, project or other identifying characteristics. Your examples, projects, references and reputation should do most of the talking. By clearly stating your accomplishments and the benefits you provide, you let others infer competitors don’t or can’t do as well. Besides, proposals are often word-limited. Why waste valuable words putting down another company or colleague?
How you speak or write about other people and businesses is really important. Saying bad things about a colleague or another organization only acknowledges you and your company are incompetent, inexperienced and weak. Negativism doesn’t project an image of strength or competence. Showing in a discussion, presentation or in writing why you and your company are the ideal choice projects competence and strength. Examples speak volumes about capabilities and experience.
In selling yourself, a product or service, make your case based on qualifications and experience. Remember: You don’t have any competition. If you need to denigrate another company to win, you lose — in your business standing, professionalism and reputation.
Janet Arrowood is founder and managing director of the Write Source, a Grand Junction firm offering a range of services, including grant and proposal writing, instruction and technical writing. Reach her at janet.arrowood@thewritesourceinc.com. For more information, log on to www.TheWriteSourceInc.com.
Competitive benefits packages remain essential for attracting and retaining quality employees, but continuing to offer benefits can be difficult with the rising cost of health care squeezing already tight budgets. Cutting benefits might seem like a necessary reality for some companies, but could pose serious long-term consequences.
Retaining employees throughout these rocky economic times is vital to remaining competitive and positioning the company to succeed when the economy rebounds. One remedy could be implementing a strategic benefit plan to help you find ways to contain or even cut costs while still offering competitive benefits.
n What is a strategic benefit plan?
A strategic benefit plan is a three-tofive-year plan crafted by you and a partner like Lighthouse HR Support that outlines goals, strategies and action plans for your benefits program. You and your broker analyze ways to contain costs through various plan improvements. This offers a methodical and logical long-term approach to benefit planning — as opposed to making decisions year to year — and provides a road map for future benefits.
n What are the benefits of implementing a plan?
Implementing a strategic benefit plan will help with internal budget planning and also can be incorporated into your corporate strategic plan. This will bring HR and
employee benefits into larger conversations and ensure a competitive benefits package remains available.
Employees will also see the benefits from a strategic plan. By finding ways to contain and cut costs, employees likely reap some of the savings as well. In addition, this type of plan provides assurance to employees worried about their benefits. Next to job security, employees worry most about their benefits and compensation and whether or not they could be reduced or cut. Studies show workplace morale is strongly linked to the quality of employee benefits. Reassuring employees their benefits will continue constitutes a smart move. A strategic benefits plan can include a communication initiative to keep employees informed and assured on the status of their benefits.
n What are the pros and cons of implementing a benefit administration policy?
The pros of implementing a benefits administration policy and using technology solutions to manage it include greater accuracy, efficiency and flexibility in enrolling and managing benefits. Additionally, these solutions can make it easier to ensure regulatory compliance and track eligibility as well as provide insights into the effectiveness of the policy.
The cons include the cost of purchasing and maintaining technology as well as the potential for errors due to complex calculations and manual entry. Furthermore, some employees might be unfamiliar with the technology or view it as intrusive.
The most important benefits to offer employees include health insurance, retirement savings plans and disability coverage. Health benefits provide employees peace of mind
in the event of illness or injury, while retirement savings plans allow employees to save for the future. Disability coverage provides income protection if an employee is unable to work due to illness or injury. These products provide strong financial security for employees and their families.
Voluntary products offer additional financial protection to employees in the event of illness or injury. These products cover expenses that aren’t typically covered by regular health plans. Voluntary products also provide cash benefits for lost income due to illnesses or injuries that prevent employees from working.
There’s a lot to consider in designing, creating and implementing a strategic benefits plan. It’s important to take into account all the factors, including available resources, budget constraints and high-level business planning. You might need to create different plans for different levels of employee categories — full-time versus part-time or exempt versus non-exempt, for example.
Time spent in this process to fit your plan to your employees’ needs and company culture will yield rewards over the long run when your organization remains competitive in a total compensation comparison.
Ed Krey owns Lighthouse HR Support, a Grand Junction firm offering a range of human resource management services for small and medium-sized businesses. For more information, call 243-7789 or visit the website at www.lighthousehrs.net
An annual event celebrating small businesses is scheduled for April 30 to May 6.
The U.S. Small Business Administration expects to join with SCORE in hosting the National Small Business Week with events in Washington, D.C., and four other cities.
“National Small Business Week celebrates the resilience, innovation and economic power of America’s small businesses and innovative startups,” said SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman.
On April 30 and May 1, the SBA will recognize the 2023 Small Business Persons of the Year representing the 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. One of the state and territory Small Business Persons of the Year will be named the 2023 National Small Business Person of the Year.
After kicking off the week at the awards ceremony in Washington, Guzman expects to meet with small business owners and elected officials during a tour that will include stops in Albuquerque, N.M., as well as Minneapolis, Phoenix and St. Louis.
The SBA also will cosponsor a virtual summit of business education forums. For more information about National Small Business Week, visit the website at www.sba.gov/NSBW.
Spring affords a perfect time for homeowners to start thinking about making improvements and upgrades to their homes.
While homeowners want to enhance comfort, function and style, these improvements can also provide a return on investment by increasing the value and longevity of the home.
it’s critical to find a reputable, experienced designer and contractor to guide you through the process. A good designer and contractor can offer valuable insights and advice; help you make informed decisions about layout, design and materials for your project; manage your budget; and ensure the project proceeds smoothly from start to finish.
Mike Urlacher
One of the easiest and most cost-effective things you can do is to declutter and clean. Not only does this make your home feel more open and inviting, but it also helps you stay organized and can even brighten your mood. Regular home maintenance is also crucial. Repairing faulty circuit breakers, electrical outlets and switches as well as drywall, trim and windows improves safety as well as appearance. Deferring such major maintenance projects as blistering exterior paint and roof repairs or replacing an old water heater can result in even more costly repairs.
In figuring out what improvements are right for your home, consider current conditions and what enjoyment the results will bring. If you’re looking to sell, determine how improvements will improve your home’s appeal.
The three things most home buyers in today’s market
look for are lighting, flooring and a fresh paint job. Updating bathrooms and kitchens with modern cabinets, countertops and tile will bring a fresh feel to your home and could be big selling point.
Energy efficiency constitutes another important area of home improvement. Installing insulation and upgrading to more efficient appliances can decrease energy costs while increasing the value of your home. Installing smart home technology — like energy monitoring systems and programmable thermostats — can make your home more attractive to buyers and increase its value.
While it’s nice to invest in your home, it’s important to remain mindful of the local housing market and what buyers look for. Making improvements that are out of line with the local market could actually decrease your return on investment. Do your research and make informed decisions.
When embarking on a larger home renovation project,
Attending events can provide answers to questions and inspire ideas. The Home Builders Association of Western Colorado has scheduled its Home Improvement and Remodeling Expo for March 24 to 26 at the Grand Junction Convention Center.
Whether you plan to continue living in your home or sell, figure out what home improvements are right for you and your home.
Evaluate the current state of your home and what improvements will either bring you enjoyment or increase appeal and value. While a return on investment remains important, it’s not the only favor to consider. If they’re something homeowners will enjoy for years to come, some improvements are priceless.
Mike Urlacher is director of the construction and maintenance division of Bray & Co. in Grand Junction. The division offers services to help homeowners fix up, clean up and level up their homes. For more information, call 242-3647 or visit www.brayandco.com.
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It’s our job at Mesa County Public Health to anticipate and respond to conditions affecting the quality of life in Mesa County. Air quality is one factor that directly affects the health of the community.
Whether you work outside every day or in an office, air quality affects all of us. Poor air quality especially affects employees who struggle with asthma or other respiratory issues.
Our environmental health team monitors air quality so we can let community members and local businesses know about precautions they can take when air quality becomes a concern.
Our team uses local data to help inform the community about air quality conditions and any changes that are expected. We also rely on data from the National Weather Service and Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment as well as sensors that volunteers place at their homes or businesses to measure pollutants in the air.
The purple air sensor map on our website shows air quality at different locations in the Grand Valley using those sensors. This is just one of the tools available on our
website at health.mesacounty.us/conditions_airquality. Residents and employers can check out the snapshot of conditions that shows ozone and fine particulates in the air. You can also see weather forecasts from the National Weather Service, which include weather and heat advisories and wind conditions.
People who have burn permits, whether they work in the agriculture industry or not, also need to know air conditions to make sure it’s okay to burn. The spring open burn season started on March 1 and runs until April 30 in the City of Grand Junction and through May 31 in Mesa County.
Mesa County Public Health issues burn permits for everyone in the county, including those within city limits. Our goals with these permits are to protect the health and safety of our residents and reduce pollution. Those seeking a burn permit are encouraged to apply online on our website. They also can also apply in person at Mesa County Public Health. Those who have questions or need help can call (970) 248-6900. Air conditions can change quickly, so it’s important for residents and employers to check the website on a regular basis.
Recent trends in Colorado and other western states include warmer and drier air. As a result, we’re seeing more wildfires, both in quantity and intensity. This produces greater volumes of smoke, which we all breathe.
Children, the elderly and people whose immune systems have been compromised are most affected.
As rain or snow falls to the ground, it can collect air pollutants and drag them to the ground — “cleaning” the air. Unfortunately, less precipitation overall also means less cleaning of the air so particulates and other pollutants linger longer.
More travel to and from Mesa County and an increase in population means more emissions from vehicles, businesses and construction, which all affect air quality over the long term.
Fortunately, we can all help improve air quality as a community with small actions — driving less, riding a bike or walking instead of driving, composting instead of burning yard waste and reducing waste in general.
The team at Mesa County Public Health works hard every day to make sure the air we breathe is healthy for you, your employees and families. Taking care of such an important resource like air promotes the health and overall wellness of your most important resource — your people.
Sarah Gray is a communication specialist with Mesa County Public Health. For additional information, call 248-6900 or visit https://health.mesacounty.us.
Updating bathrooms and kitchens with modern cabinets, countertops and tile will bring a fresh feel to your home and could be big selling point.
The British Broadcasting Corp. produced a documentary series titled “Planet Earth” that in part detailed the changes that have occurred on the planet. In one episode, the narrator began with the mantle shifts dividing land masses into separate continents. Next came the asteroid strike that wiped out prehistoric animals. The narrator mentioned the Medieval Warm Period, generally considered to be a time of above average temperatures in the north Atlantic region between A.D. 800 and 1200, then the Grand Solar Minimum, during which the Little Ice Age occurred between the 14th and 19th centuries. The remainder of the documentary consisted of amazing footage of nature at work both on land and sea.
As the documentary made so clear, Earth constantly changes.
Writing about the Medieval Warm Period in “World Survey of Climatology” in 1995, Henry Diaz noted the expansion of the Norse culture across Iceland into southern Greenland and the establishment of isolated settlements in Newfoundland. His survey revealed grain cultivation in Norway extended north of the Arctic Circle while average summer temperatures in England and central Europe rose an estimated 0.7 to 1.4 degrees Celsius above average current temperatures based on the limits of vine cultivation.
The Little Ice Age was a period of bitter winters and mild summers that affected Europe and North America. The cold weather is well documented in written records and supported by such paleoclimatic records as glacial growth, lake sediments and tree rings.
Dagomar Degroot, professor of environmental history at Georgetown University, wrote “Little Ice Age Lessons” for the digital magazine Aeon. Degroot stated: “Midway through the 17th century, Dutch whalers bound for the Arctic noticed that the climate was changing, as the thick ice was preventing them from reaching the established ovens for boiling the whale blubber. Instead of dooming their trade, the whalers discovered how to boil blubber aboard their ships or on sea ice and then learned how to transport it from the Arctic to furnaces in Amsterdam.” His conclusion: “Ironically, by provoking crisis, climate change spurred a golden age for the Dutch whaling industry.”
Climate change was found to repeatedly alter some environments so they were better suited for growing food,
making money or waging war. Humans adapted as necessary.
Until the mid-20th century, climate change was accepted as a work of nature. Innovations assisted people in coping with changes and often resulted in societal improvements.
The narrative subsequently changed. And now mankind is supposedly responsible for climate change, with blame placed primarily on fossil fuel use. What arrogance. Mankind has not demonstrated the ability to make it rain during droughts or stop rain during times of flooding. Yet people across the world are expected to buy into the nonsense that if fossil fuels can just be eliminated, climate change will be prevented. Follow the money. Who benefits from declaring we won’t survive climate change unless we take draconian measures to eliminate fossil fuels? The wealthy promoters of eliminating fossil fuels fly across the country in private jets and enjoy their luxury yachts powered by fossil fuels all the while promoting policies that take away freedom of choice from businesses and individuals. The elites skew the facts about climate change to maintain their power and control, giving them the ability to make enormous sums of money from a clueless public.
Climate change occurs. Adjustments could be required in some areas on Earth. But free markets have proven capable of adapting to change. Freedom in the marketplace of ideas remains key to surviving and thriving.
Phyllis Hunsinger is founder of the Freedom & Responsibility Education Enterprise Foundation in Grand Junction. The FREE Foundation provides resources to students and teachers in Western Colorado to promote the understanding of economics, financial literacy and free enterprise. A former teacher, principal and superintendent, Hunsinger wrote “Down and Dirty: A ‘How To’ Math Book.” Reach Hunsinger at phyllis@free-dom.us.com.
For more information about the FREE Foundation, log on to the website located at www.free-dom.us.com.
As we enter the third year of the Biden-Harris administration, we’re fortunate to have a president who understands the vital role women entrepreneurs play in our economy. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) supports the president’s business advocacy by nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit and making sure small businesses have a voice at the table in Washington, D.C. During Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day, we salute women entrepreneurs who take a risk in pursuit of their passions and see setbacks as steps towards something bigger and better.
As a proud first generation Asian-American whose mother founded and operated a small medical practice in Iowa, I learned from her experiences that running a successful business helps the community by providing needed services and good-paying jobs. Over the last two years, we also learned how important women are to the work force when millions were forced to leave their jobs to care for their families when day care centers closed. As the economy rebounded, we found that nearly 50 percent of new businesses were started by women.
Women constitute a critical economic force across America. Recent SBA data shows that women make up 47.3 percent of workers and own 43.2 percent of businesses. More than 12 million women-owned businesses generate a total of $1.5 trillion in revenue nationwide, with $387 billion coming from minority women-owned businesses. The number of firms owned by women is increasing at a rate 1.5 times the national average. Many of those businesses are started by people of color and veterans.
Since taking office, President Joe Biden has charged the federal government with advancing equity for all, including communities that have long been underserved, and addressing systemic racism in our nation’s policies and programs. In 2022, the SBA approved nearly 19,000 loans worth a total of $10 billion to women entrepreneurs across the nation. SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman has made it one of her priorities to address systemic gaps in access to capital for the smallest, underserved businesses, especially businesses owned by women, minorities, veterans and those located in rural communities.
More than one in four U.S. companies is owned or led by a woman, and these firms employ more than 8 million Americans. To that end, the SBA has built an extensive support network of resource partners that provide a wide range of services for women entrepreneurs.
The SBA Office of Women’s Business Ownership empowers female entrepreneurs through advocacy, education, outreach and support. Our network of Women’s Business Centers provides coaching, mentoring and training to entrepreneurs in local communities across the country. Over the years, WBCs have supported more than 150,000 women entrepreneurs whose businesses generated a total of $1.7 billion in revenue and created 17,000 new jobs.
The SBA Office of Government Contracting and Business Development tracks the government’s goal of assuring 5 percent of all federal contracting dollars are awarded to women-owned small businesses. The Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contract Program helps provide a level playing field for women business owners. The federal government limits competition for certain contracts to businesses that participate in the WOSB Program.
During Women’s History Month, it’s important to recognize the increasing role women play in our national and local economies.
Aikta Marcoulier is administrator of U.S. Small Business Administration Region 8. Marcoulier oversees the programs and services of the federal agency in Colorado as well as Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming. For more information about SBA programs and services, visit www.sba.gov. Follow the agency on Twitter @SBARockymtn
The Business Times welcomes guest columns and letters to the editor on issues affecting businesses in western Colorado. Submissions should be emailed to phil@thebusinesstimes.com and include names and telephone numbers for verification.
Until the mid-20th century, climate change was accepted as a work of nature. Innovations assisted people in coping and often resulted in societal improvements. Now, mankind is supposedly responsible for climate change.
Lynette Wilhelm has opened A Beautiful Build, a Grand Junction business offering home advocacy, consulting, construction design and planning.
Wilhelm said the services her business provides can guide anyone who wants to build or remodel a home. “The construction business is overwhelming,” she said. “Who to call and where to start is where A Beautiful Build comes into play. Do you buy a lot first or call a contractor? Most people just start digging without knowing what they’re getting into. Even hiring a contractor can be an overwhelming process.”
A Beautiful Build can help simplify communications between clients and contractors and ensure a smooth process, she said. The firm also helps with design and planning to help clients get their dream homes.
She said she developed her process after designing her home and going through the new build construction process.
Wilhelm said she expects to participate in the Home Builders Association of Western Colorado Home Improvement and Remodeling Expo scheduled for March 24 to 26 at the Grand Junction Convention Center.
For more information about A Beautiful Build, call 314-1428 or visit www.beautifulbuildgj.com.
West Star Aviation has received the Federal Aviation Administration Diamond Award of Excellence for 2022 for its operations in Grand Junction and elsewhere.
The FAA Diamond Award honors employers and technicians that initiate and sustain training programs. To qualify for the award, all of the 1,041 aviation maintenance technicians at West Star had to participate in specialized training that included aircraft systems, aviation regulations, FAA rules, safety and technical knowledge. The technicians also had to complete at least 12 hours of FAA training.
“Each year the qualifications of this program become more rigorous to achieve, but our technicians have met those challenges. And it’s an honor to recognized their continued hard work and overall accomplishments,” said Jim Rankin, chief executive officer of West Star. “This award also lets our customers know that West Star employs quality aircraft technicians that take pride in their work and achievements.”
West Star Aviation offers a range of services that include the maintenance and repair of airframes, engines and avionics as well as painting and interior refurbishments. In addition to Grand Junction and Denver, the company operates facilities in Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, Tennessee and Texas. West Star has ranked as the top maintenance, repair and overhaul services provider for eight consecutive years in an annual survey conducted for Professional Pilot magazine.
For more information about West Star Aviation, visit the website at www.weststaraviation.com.
The Business Times welcomes submissions for free publication in Business Briefs. Email items to phil@thebusinesstimes.com or submit a news release online at www.thebusinesstimes.com.
Three loan officers have launched Unifirst Mortgage Lending, a new home mortgage business in Grand Junction.
Rick Hamm, Zach Pomeroy and Nyk Harper bring a total of more than 40 years of experience in the mortgage lending industry to the venture. Hamm worked for more than 20 years as vice president at the original Unifirst Mortgage.
“As a team, we have always focused on community engagement and improving that community through pride of ownership,” Hamm said. “In honor of those community ties, we decided to revive the Unifirst Mortgage brand.”
Unifirst Mortgage Lending is a direct mortgage lender powered by MasonMacduffie, which has been in business since 1887. Unifirst Mortgage Lending offers a variety of products and programs to meed the needs of clients looking to purchase or refinance homes.
Pomery said the community uses a mascot dubbed Hammy the flying pig to show clients “we can really make pigs fly for them.”
Harper said the three loan officers are excited to engage in affinity programs with local businesses, assist first-time homebuyers, work with self-employed borrowers and help first responders.
For more information, call 260-7425 or visit www.unifirstlending.com.
Food Bank of the Rockies Western Slope has launched a new mobile pantry location at the Mesa County Fairgrounds.
The pantry will be open from 5 to 7 p.m. the second Monday of every month at the fairgrounds at 2785 U.S. Highway 50 in Grand Junction.
“We would like to thank Mesa County Fairgrounds for the donation of the space to meet the needs of the Orchard Mesa Community. With this new mobile pantry location, we are able to help meet the needs of people in the community who need help the most,” said Gabriela Garayar, development manager for Food Bank of the Rockies Western Slope.
Food Bank of the Rockies operates more than 70 mobile pantries across Colorado and Wyoming. For more information, visit www.foodbankrockies.org or call 2-1-1. F
Cloudrise, a data security firm headquartered in Grand Junction, has been named to the Managed Service Provider 500 list for 2023.
CRN, a media brand of the Channel Company, compiles the list of North American service providers. Cloudrise has been included in the Security 100 category for cloud-based services for the past two years.
“In 2022, Cloudrise built a strong foundation, making significant investments and paving the way to expand our portfolio of management services,” said Rob Eggebrecht, founder and chief executive officer. “Cloudrise expanded globally through an acquisition of UK-based CyberOrchard and invested heavily in our people, processes and technologies to enable seamless scalability and value of service to our customers.”
Blaine Raddon, CEO of the Channel Company, said managed service providers help businesses remain efficient and flexible as they grow.
“The solution providers on our 2023 MSP 500 list are bringing innovative managed services portfolios to market, helping their customers win by doing more with the IT budgets they have and freeing up resources to focus on mission-critical activities to drive future success.”
The latest Managed Service Provider 500 list appears online at www.crn.com/msp500.
Cloudrise provides a range of services to companies to assess their capability to protect data and offers them automated processes and other resources as well as management services. For more information, visit the website at www.cloudrise.com.
Darah Galvin has been promoted to the director of operations at the Bray & Co. real estate firm in Grand Junction.
In her latest role, Galvin focuses on efficiency and quality service. “Bringing value to our clients by supporting each of our divisions operationally will be a core focus of mine. I also look forward to increasing our depth and reach with our research, so watch for some new reports and resources this year from us.”
Michelle Urlacher, president of Bray & Co., praised the promotion. “Darah exemplifies our company core values and is such an asset to our organization. I look forward to seeing the many great things Darah will help us create this year and into the future.”
Galvin joined Bray & Co. in 2015 as a weekend receptionist. She soon moved into the development division, assisting with applications, construction and utility coordination, planning and zoning. As part of the research division, she produces residential and commercial real estate and rental reports. She holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Colorado Mesa University.
She serves on the board of directors of Habitat for Humanity and is past president of the Professional Women in Building group of the Home Builders Association of Western Colorado.
Bray & Co. provides a range of services related to residential and commercial real estate, property management and construction. For more information, call 242-3647 or visit www.brayandco.com.
The Business Times welcomes submissions for free publication in Business People and the Almanac calendar of events. Email submissions to phil@thebusinesstimes.com or submit a news release online at www.thebusinesstimes.com.
Chris West, chief executive officer and a principal of Dalby, Wendland & Co. and DWC Wealth Advisors, has received the Personal Financial Specialist credential.
The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants grants the designation to CPAs with expertise in taxes and financial planning. Recipients must have at least 3,000 hours of financial planning experience and pass a comprehensive exam.
“My years serving individual and estate tax clients often meant helping them with personal financial planning. It was natural to obtain a PFS designation and expand my expertise in estate, retirement and other areas of financial planning,” West said.
Dalby, Wendland & Co. operates the largest public accounting and business consulting firm headquartered in Western Colorado with offices in Grand Junction as well as Glenwood Springs, Montrose, Rifle and Telluride. For more information, call 243-1921 or visit www.DalbyCPA.com.
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Real estate agents with Coldwell Banker Distinctive Properties and Coldwell Banker Commercial Prime Properties based in Grand Junction were among the recipients of Coldwell Banker International Awards recognizing their sales performance during 2022.
“These agents show a high level of commitment and excellence in their industry. We are incredibly proud of their success and continued dedication,” said Todd Conklin, chairman of Coldwell Banker Distinctive Prime Properties and Coldwell Banker Commercial Prime Properties.
Among the winners with Coldwell Banker Distinctive Prime Properties, Cindy Ficklin and Annette Hejl received the International President’s Elite Award, placing them in the top 2 percent of Coldwell Banker teams internationally. Ficklin and Hejl also received the Salesperson of the Year awards for highest adjusted gross commission income and sales volume and units for their branches, respectively.
Don Almond and Taylor Knight received the International Diamond Society Award, placing them among the top 10 percent of agents internationally.
The Shafer Team received the Circle Award, placing it among the top 14 percent of agents. The Shafer Team also was named Top Team of the Year for the highest adjusted
gross commission income for its branch.
Amy Ashcraft, Keenan Coit and the VCK Group received the Sterling Society Award, placing them among the top 16 percent of agents and top 30 percent of teams.
Skyler Kraai received the Rookie of the Year Award for the highest adjusted gross commission income for the first year with the company.
Niki Yenter-Przystup received the Distinctive Angel Award recognizing an agent who helps the community through volunteering and other acts of kindness.
Among the winners with Coldwell Banker Commercial Prime Properties, Mike Foster received the Circle of Distinction Platinum Award and was recognized as the No. 1 agent. Mike Park received the Circle of Distinction Silver Award. Coldwell Banker Commercial Prime Properties has been recognized as the top office in Colorado every year since 2008.
Coldwell Banker Distinctive Properties operates offices in Colorado as well as Idaho, Kansas, Missouri and Montana. For more, visit www.cbdistinctive.com. Coldwell Banker Prime Properties serves the Grand Valley and Western Colorado as well as Bozeman, Mont. For more, visit www.cbc-prime.com. F
March 16
n Employers Council free legal update and breakfast, 8:30 to 10 a.m., Chipeta Golf Course Clubhouse, 222 29 Road, Grand Junction. dharris@employerscouncil.org
March 17
n Coffee Club free networking meeting and presentation by Anna Nichols, founder of Discovery Leadership, 9 to 10 a.m., FWorks, 325 E. Aspen Ave., Fruita. https://fruitachamber.org or 858-3894
March 21
n Presentation on cash flows for small businesses, noon to 1 p.m., Business Incubator Center, 2591 Legacy Way, Grand Junction. 243-5242 or https://gjincubator.org
March 22
n Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce Women in Business self-defense class, 6:15 to 8 p.m., Fit 4:13, 219 E. Aspen Ave., Fruita. Admission $25 for members, $35 for others. https://fruitachamber.org or 858-3894
March 23
n Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce Welcome Thursday Friends free networking group, noon to 1 p.m., Fiesta Guadalajara, 103 U.S. Highway 6 & 50, Fruita. 858-3894 or https://fruitachamber.org
n Business bookkeeping boot camp, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Business Incubator Center. Admission $75, which includes lunch. https://gjincuabator.org or 243-5242
March 29
n Palisade Chamber of Commerce community over coffee event for those involved in tourism, 7:30 to 9:30 a.m, Wine Country Inn, 777 Grande River Drive. www.palisadecoc.com or 464-7458
Upcoming
n Grand Valley BizMix Collaborative members only business after hours, 5:30 to 7 p.m. March 30, Food Bank of the Rockies, 698 Long Acre Drive, Grand Junction. Admission $10.
n Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce Women in Business networking luncheon, noon to 1 p.m. April 6, Copper Club Brewing., 153 N. Mulberry St., Fruita. Admission $15 for members, $25 for others. https://fruitachamber.org or 858-3894
n Business startup workshop, 2 to 4 p.m. April 6, Business Incubator Center. Admission $55, $27.50 for the second participant from the same business. 243-5242 or https://gjincuabator.org.
n Palisade Chamber of Commerce Power Hour, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. April 12, Hotel Maverick, 840 Kennedy Ave., Grand Junction. Members attend at no charge, others pay $5. Lunch will not be provided. www.palisadecoc.com or 464-7458
n Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce Networking at Noon, noon to 1 p.m. April 12, Timberline Bank, 649 Market St. Admission $20 for chamber members, $25 for others. 242-3214 or https://gjchamber.org
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Bray & Co. announced the winners of annual awards recognizing residential and commercial real estate sales in 2022.
The Grand Junction-based company also announced the latest winners of additional awards recognizing individuals who embody the core values of community, drive, family and integrity as well as exceeding expectations.
Merrite Wyatt was honored as the top residential agent with $22.6 million in sales. Kyle Serrano was the top commercial producer with $19.3 million in sales. The Tyler Harris Team was the top residential team with $20.5 million in sales. The GSD Team of Katie Davis and Lori Long was the top commercial team.
John Duffy was inducted into the Circle of Excellence. Duffy has worked with Bray & Co. for more than 10 years and generated at least $60 million in total sales volume.
The 2022 rookie class was introduced and included Kagen Jones, Landon Law and Kaitlin VanRoosendaal.
Stewart Cruickshank and Brenda Sullivan received the Bray Way Award in recognition of their dedication to company values and efforts to help clients and colleagues. Cruickshank is sales manager at the company. Sullivan is a residential agent also known as a community advocate.
Robert Bray, chief executive officer of Bray & Co., has never agreed to accept a Bray Way Award despite numerous nominations. He received instead a new award called the Robert Bray Impact Award recognizing exceptional dedication to company values.
“This company is not about one person, but it’s about us,” Bray said. “That’s what makes us successful.”
Bray & Co. provides a range of services related to residential and commercial real estate, property management and construction. For more information, call 242-3647 or visit www.brayandco.com.
Bruce Talbott of Palisade was named the Colorado Fruita & Vegetable Growers Association Member of the Year for 2022.
Talbott, who operates Talbott’s Mountain Gold, was elected to the CFVGA board in 2015 and served as president the past two years. He will continue to represent Colorado growers on the Western Growers board of directors.
“I have to recogize all the others who worked so hard to shape CFVGA into a thriving organization that today very effectively represents and advocates for Colorado produce growers, ” he said. A fifth-generation fruit grower, Talbott served two terms on the U.S. Department of Agriculture fruit and vegetable industry advisory committee and American Farm Bureau labor committee. The CFVGA represents more than 250 members. For more information, visit https://coloradoproduce.org.
Kathy Tomkins was honored as the top agent for February at Heiden Homes Realty in Grand Junction.
Tomkins posted the highest dollar volume in sales and most closings.
Heiden Homes Realty operates offices at 735 Rood Ave. For additional information, including listings for sale and rent, call 245-7777 or visit the website located at www.heidenhomes.com.
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Upcoming
n Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce business after hours, 5:30 to 7 p.m. April 13, Western Colorado Community College, 2508 Blichmann Ave., Grand Junction. Admission $5 for chamber members, $10 for others. 858-3894 or https://fruitachamber.org
n Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce annual member banquet and awards presentation, 5 to 10 p.m. April 15, Fruita Community Center, 324 N. Coulson St. Admission $75 for individuals or $700 for a table of eight. https://fruitachamber.org or 858-3894
n Coffee Club free monthly networking meeting and workshop led by Michael Philipp on determining business valuations, 9 to 10 a.m. April 21, FWorks. 858-3894 or https://fruitachamber.org
n Western Colorado Economic Summit, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 27, Colorado Mesa University, 1100 North Ave., Grand Junction. Admission $80. Sponsored tables for 10 also available. 245-4332 or www.westcoeconomicsummit.org
n Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce Networking at Noon, noon to 1 p.m. May 17, Spoons Bistro & Bakery, 3090 12th St., Grand Junction. Admission $20 for chamber members and $25 for others. https://gjchamber.org or 242-3214 F
