THE BUSINESS T IMES News APRIL 7-20, 2022
THE DEFINITIVE SOURCE FOR GRAND JUNCTION BUSINESS NEWS SINCE 1994
In this issue
n Diverging trends
2
While real estate transactions decline in Mesa County, the dollar volume of those deals continues to increase.
n Tubs are hot
Filling jobs Trends her job Contributors n The owner of a staffing franchise marks 15 years in business. See page 2
VOLUME 29, ISSUE 7
THEBUSINESSTIMES.COM
Opinion Business Briefs 6 Business People Almanac 4
The co-owner of Watermark Spas & Pools expects to double sales, and a new location will help meet that goal.
n Keynote speaker An economics professor is set to deliver the keynote address at the Western Colorado Economic Summit.
n Less upbeat
Nina Anderson at the Express Employment Professionals office in Grand Junction.
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Colorado business leaders are less upbeat heading into the second quarter, according to the latest survey.
n Edging down
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The monthly jobless rate slipped in Mesa County even as the labor force is at its highest level in a year.
n Wage mistakes
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Wage and hour litigation is expected to explode in 2022 with new regulations and increased enforcement.
n Departments Almanac Business Briefs Business People Contributors News Opinion Trends
30-31 28 30 21-24 2-18 26-27 19-20
Business Times photo by Phil Castle
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Real estate indicators diverging
Trends Contributors Opinion Business Briefs Business People Almanac
Transactions decline, dollar volume grows in Mesa County Phil Castle
The Business Times
Two trends continue to diverge in the Mesa County real estate market. While the number of transactions decreases, the dollar volume of those sales increases. Local industry observers attribute the drop in transactions to low inventories and the effects of higher interest rates on mortgages. But strong demand continues to push prices higher. Robert Bray, chief Robert Bray executive officer of Bray & Co. Real Estate in Grand Junction, said he remains encouraged. “I think we’ll still see a good, healthy market.” Annette Young, the administrative coordinator at Heritage Title Co. in Grand Annette Young Junction, said 495 transactions worth a total of $203 million were reported in Mesa County in March. Compared to the same month last year, transactions decreased 11.3 percent and dollar volume increased 2 percent. Just 15 transactions accounted for a combined $31.4 million, Young said. They included the sales of a self-storage facility for $6.9 million, a car wash for $4.15 million and 200 acres of agricultural land and a home for $3.25 million. For the first quarter of 2022, 1,207 transactions worth a collective $507 million were reported, she said. Compared to the first quarter of 2021, transactions decreased 9.5 percent and dollar volume increased 15.5 percent. “The general numbers are evident of the mix of low inventory of homes for sale and the upward pressure on sales price as a result of the demand,” Young said. According to numbers Bray & Co. tracks for the residential market in Mesa County, 312 transactions worth a total of $127.5 million were reported in March. Compared to the same month last year, transactions declined 17.7 percent and dollar volume fell 7.2 percent. For the first quarter of 2022, 761 transactions worth a combined $311 million See REAL ESTATE page 18
Nina Anderson owns an Express Employment Professionals franchise with operations in Grand Junction and Montrose. Anderson launched the staffing service in 2007 and estimates she’s since put nearly 9,000 people to work.
Filling jobs her job Owner of staffing service franchise marks 15 years in business
N
ina Anderson believes it’s her job to fill jobs — to help companies find good employees and employees find good companies. And she loves her job. Since opening an Express Employment Professionals franchise in Grand Junction in 2007, Anderson estimates her staffing agency has played a role in putting nearly 9,000 people to work. She says she’s endured over the years the ups and downs of the labor market and her business. Moreover, she’s had to find new ways to connect employers and employees. But she says she’s no less excited about the end result, and that’s helping people succeed. “I still love what we do.” Anderson and her Express Employment Professionals franchise recently celebrated 15 years in business. “It’s kind of validating for me.” The business provides companies and job seekers temporary and full-time staffing solutions in a range of industry sectors — including administrative, professional and technical positions. Anderson’s operation is part of a network with a total of more than 830 franchises in the United States and four other countries. The network employed a total of 586,000 people in 2021. According to a report from Staffing Industry Analysts for 2020, Express Employment Professionals ranked fourth among the top firms in the industry with more than $3.1 billion in revenue. Express Employment Professionals received additional recognition in 2021 in receiving the ClearlyRated
FOR YOUR INFORMATION Express Employment Professionals operates offices at 725 Pitkin Ave. in Grand Junction and 525 Main St. in Montrose. For more information, call 242-4500 or visit www.expresspros.com/GrandJunctionCO. 2021 Best of Staffing Client and Talent Awards. The awards are based on the results of surveys of associates and clients — 68.1 percent of associates and 67.9 percent of clients rated the firm with a nine or 10 on a scale of 10. As a human resource executive with a medical device manufacturer with operations in Colorado as well as Arizona and Minnesota, Anderson says she used to work with Express Employment Professionals to fill jobs at facilities in the three states. She says she was familiar with Express Employment and their processes. When she learned a franchise was available in Grand Junction, she purchased it and opened an office. The move brought Anderson back to Grand Junction and her roots in Western Colorado. “It was a good way to come back.” She says she lived in Grand Junction for about 10 years after growing up and graduating from high school in Craig. Anderson also worked as a training manager for new hires for a convenience store chain and operated an in-home day care. See JOBS page 16
STORY AND PHOTO BY PHIL CASTLE
April 7-20, 2022
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well-rounded perspective to new Mesa County role Phil Castle
as well as New England and Canada. Whidden said people who work in information technology aren’t just “geeks,” Frank Whidden brings what he but offer an important perspective because considers a well-rounded perspective to his they’re familiar with nearly every aspect of new job as Mesa County administrator. operations and how work gets done. They Whidden worked also tend to think about new and potentially in information better ways of doing things in asking and technology and holds answering “what if ” questions. “They know a master’s degree in how to effect change in an organization.” computer information Whidden expects to bring that same systems. But he also approach to his duties as administrator. holds a doctoral Whidden said it’s his role to help degree in applied county commissioners make and then management and of Watermark Spasimplement decisions. commissioners Chad Dare, co-owner & Pools, and TrishaThe Bodamer, office decision making and in turn represent the residents Whidden manager of the GrandFrank Junction business, demonstrate a Bullfrog Spa setofupthe worked more thanshowroom. (Businesscounty express their Castle) will, he said. “We at a newforand larger Timesand photo by Phil 20 years as a minister. Whidden has work for the people.” worked for large and small organizations Whidden said he also considers himself in both the private and public sectors. a liaison between the commissioners and Whidden expects to draw on all of his county staff, and one of the priorities is to experiences in helping Mesa County make sure employees feel valued. Whidden commissioners make and carry out decisions. said he hopes not only to improve morale, Valuing staff and making the county but also take steps that will make Mesa an employer of choice is among the County an organization for which people priorities, Whidden said. So is planning want to work. that results in sustainable funding and Meanwhile, Whidden expects the balanced budgets on a long-term basis. county to continue policies and initiatives Phil Castle Meanwhile, Mesa County will that support local business and economic FOR YOUR INFORMATION The Business Times continue to pursue efforts that promote a development. There are additional steps friendly business can be takenSpas to make it easier & Pools is for local Chad Dare hopes environment to double salesand at thatWatermark economic development, Whidden said. businesses to sell products and services located at 2460 Patterson Road, to Watermark Spas & Pools this year. He Whidden officially began working as theUnit county, heGrand added.Junction. 1, in expects a different location with a larger county administrator at the beginning Mesa County will keepcall working with For more information, showroom to help in meeting that goal. of the year. He succeeds Tom Fisher, who was other government entities, organizations 241-4133 or visit the website Watermark Spas & Pools opened in hired as county manager in Summit and institutions on fostering an environment at www.watermarkspas.com. Unit 1 of the Frontier Plaza located at County, Utah. that supports existing businesses and 2460 Patterson Road in Grand Junction. Whidden Mesa County in attracts new businesses, he said. Dare, who joined joined with Darrin Case to move the units from position to position. August 2011 as ininformation technology Whidden said couldBullfrog be a buy the business October, said the new Dare said he alsothere likes that director. In April 2014, he became deputy opportunities to encourage the additional location affords better visibility and access. spas are manufactured in Utah. county administrator fornewresource of tobusinesses provide At 3,000 square feet, the location development In addition spas and that accessories, management in a staffing reorganization services to the agricultural industry well is twice the size of the old location and Watermark sells and installs variousastypes that eliminated four director positions. as promote Mesa County as a distribution houses one of the largest showrooms of its of residential swimming pools depending joining andMesa County, center the region. kindBefore between Denver Salt Lake City, on whatforcustomers prefer and the types of Whidden worked for a company providing The important thing is to consider Dare said. soils found on their properties. information technology services to issues from a well-rounded perspective, The showroom includes an operational The company also provides site colleges and universities. In that role, he Whidden said. “We won’t be myopic as we spa, and customers are encouraged to come planning and design and landscaping managed systems and services look at things.” in for a testITsoak to try before they buy. for services in offering customers a sort of institutions in Alabama, Arizona, Illinois One thing hasn’t changed, he said. one-stop shop for ✦ their outdoor living The Business Times
These tubs are hot: Spa business owner out to double sales
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Watermark Spas still sells Bullfrog spas. “We carry the best spa on the market.” Bullfrog spas offer a number of advantages, he said. They feature a simple plumbing design with only a few large hoses rather than a tangle of smaller hoses connected to individual jets. That makes Bullfrog spas more efficient in heating water faster and maintaining that temperature. Moreover, the spas require less electricity and are therefore less costly to operate. The simplified plumbing connects to interchangeable seat-back units that enable customers to personalize the massage and therapy jets they prefer. The interchangeable units also enable customers to install different kinds of jets in different seating positions as well as
needs, he said. Dare and Case operate Dare-Case Contracting and bring to Watermark Spa & Pools their experience in residential and commercial construction. Dare said sales at Watermark have been brisk. “It’s been really busy.” The COVID-19 pandemic bolstered sales to customers who wanted to add to the amenities they could enjoy in their backyards. Demand also has increased along with the number of people relocating to the Grand Valley. Dare said he’s hopeful sales will continue to increase — to double this year, in fact. The new location with its larger showroom should help, he said. F
April 7-20, 2022
The Business Times
Health care groups complete merger St. Mary’s Medical Center becomes a part of a combined system serving seven states SCL Health and Intermountain Healthcare have completed a merger that brings St. Mary’s Medical Center in Grand Junction into a combined organization serving patients in seven states. “I am very excited to have St. Mary’s and Intermountain Healthcare come together as one health system,” said Bryan Johnson, president of St. Mary’s Medical Center. “We can now move forward in creating a Bryan Johnson comprehensive health care system and continue providing highquality, affordable health care to our patients in Western Colorado and beyond.” The merger creates the 11th largest nonprofit health care system in the United States with a total of 33 hospitals, 385 clinics and more than 59,000 caregivers in Colorado as well as Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nevada, Utah and Wyoming. The organization also provides health insurance to a total of 1 million people in Idaho and Utah. The new organization is named Intermountain Healthcare. St. Mary’s and six other Catholic hospitals will retain their names. Intermountain Healthcare is headquartered in Salt Lake City, with regional offices in Las Vegas and Broomfield, Colo. Dr. Marc Harrison, the former president and chief executive officer of Intermountain, will lead the combined organization. Lydia Jumonville, former CEO of SCL Health, will serve as executive sponsor and assist with the integration of the two systems. She’ll also serve on a new Intermountain board of trustees. An enterprise leadership team has been selected from both systems as part of the integration process. Johnson said in an interview in September he didn’t expect the merger to affect operations at St. Mary’s in the short term. But over the long run, he said there will be benefits from the combined systems and their leadership teams. Prior to joining St. Mary’s in 2016, Johnson worked in a series of roles with Intermountain Healthcare, including CEO of the Orthopedic Specialty Hospital in Salt Lake City and Alta View Hospital in Sandy. The combined organization will offer access to more technology as well as accelerate efforts to better care for people in and out of the hospital at lower costs, he said. Harrison said he’s optimistic about what can be accomplished with the combined organization. “With this merger,
Opinion enabled merger to proceed
The Colorado Department of Law issued an opinion that allowed the merger of SCL Health and Intermountain Healthcare to proceed. The department ruled SCL Health’s charitable purpose won’t change and Colorado assets won’t be transferred out of the state as part of the transaction. “We will monitor SCL Health’s hospitals in Colorado over the next five years to safeguard that their charitable purposes are maintained and Colorado communities continue to be served,” said Natalie Hanlon Leh, who served as acting attorney general in reviewing the merger and issuing the opinion. Attorney General Phil Weiser was recused to avoid a potential conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict. The Colorado Hospital Transfer Act required the review under the attorney general’s authority over charitable assets. The department reviewed thousands of pages of documents from SCL Health and Intermountain Healthcare as well as communicated with SCL Health about the merger. F we’ll create a model for the future of health care that focuses on keeping people healthy and proactively addresses causes of illness through high-quality, affordable and accessible care to more patients. The merger provides a model for health care for the rest of the country.” Mike Leavitt will serve as chairman of the board for the combined organization. In previous roles, he served in the cabinet of President George W. Bush as administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and Secretary of Health and Human Services as well as a three-time elected governor of Utah. The board includes representation from the pre-merger boards of both Intermountain Healthcare and SCL Health. The most recent Intermountain Healthcare board chair, Gail Miller, and most recent SCL Health board chair, Michael L. Fordyce, will continue as members of the combined board. Fordyce will serve as board vice chair of the Intermountain Healthcare Board and as board chair of the Intermountain region board based in Broomfield. Miller will serve as board chair of the new region board based in Salt Lake City. F
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Professor keynote speaker at West Slope summit An economics professor is scheduled to deliver the keynote address at an upcoming event exploring issues related to economic development in Western Colorado. Nathan Perry, an associate professor of economics at Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction, will present the luncheon address at the Western Colorado Economic Summit. The Grand Junction Economic Partnership has scheduled the summit for April 26 at the Grand Junction Convention Center. The event serves as both an annual meeting and fund- Nathan Perry raiser for the economic development organization. “Dr. Perry is an engaging and informed speaker,” said Karen Troester, president and chief executive officer of Grand Junction Federal Credit Union and chairwoman of the GJEP board of directors. “Perry also has intimate knowledge of the state of our local economy, which makes him the ideal keynote for the summit.” Perry writes quarterly economic newsletters for Delta, Mesa and Montrose counties. He’s also conducted several
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
The Western Colorado Economic Summit is set for 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 26 at the Grand Junction Convention Center, 159 Main St. Advance tickets will be available online for $75 through April 19. Sponsorships also are available. For more information, visit westcoeconomicsummit.com. regional studies in Colorado, including economic impact and contributions studies as well as public land studies Other speakers scheduled to participate in the summit will include Will Toor, executive director of the Colorado Energy Office, and Dan Haley, president and CEO of the Colorado Oil & Gas Association. Toor and Haley each will host sessions on different aspects of the energy industry and how trends could affect the Western Slope. John Marshall, president of CMU, will join Brian Hill, incoming superintendent of Mesa County School District 51, for what’s billed as a fireside chat. Steve Boice and Margie Joy of the Colorado Housing
and Finance Authority will lead a session on ways to meet demand for affordable housing. In addition, local business and community leaders will participate in sessions on arts and culture, commercial real estate, remote work and transportation. GJEP will present its annual update as well as awards to an individual and business involved in economic development and community involvement. Sponsors make possible the annual summit, including six-time title sponsor Coldwell Banker Commercial Prime Properties and Coldwell Banker Distinctive Properties. Other sponsors this year include St. Mary’s Medical Center, the Colorado Sun, Colorado Housing and Finance Authority and North Peak. Ryan Brown, the president of Coldwell Banker Commercial Prime Properties and Coldwell Banker Distinctive Properties, said he’s excited to work with GJEP on the summit. “We are dedicated to the region’s real estate industry within our communities, and we look forward to another insightful discussion with local leaders on the growth of the Western Slope," Brown said. F
Suggestions sought for startup week educational sessions
Suggestions will be accepted through April 15 for speakers and educational sessions at the upcoming West Slope Startup Week. The free regional business conference is scheduled for July 11 to 15 with virtual events throughout rural Colorado as well as in-person events in Grand Junction. West Slope Startup Week follows the TechStars Startup Week format used in hundreds of communities around the world. Startup weeks offer participants professional business development and continued education as well as networking and opportunities to pitch for funding. The events offer information to everyone from serial entrepreneurs looking to launch their next projects to those considering starting businesses. Business owners and managers — including those in retailing and restaurants — learn about finance, human resources, marketing and other topics. West Slope Startup Week will feature lectures and workshops related to seven tracks: capital, communications, makers, people and technology. What are billed as toolbox sessions will address fundamental topics and skills building. A fun track will offer social events and outdoor activities. West Slope Startup Week also will include the Greater Colorado Pitch Series, which will offer entrepreneurs an opportunity to pitch businesses to a group of investors and support organizations. Ideas for speakers and sessions should be submitted online at the website at https://westslopestartupweek.com/sessionsubmissions. A committee of entrepreneurs in the region will review suggestions for quality and educational value. For more information about West Slope Startup Week, visit the website at https://westslopestartupweek.com. F
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Index: Colorado business leaders less upbeat More concerned about international conflicts, inflation and supply chain issues, Colorado business leaders are less optimistic heading into the next three months. The Leeds Business Confidence Index dropped to 53.9 for the second quarter. That’s 4.1 points lower than the reading for the first quarter and 10.5 points lower than the reading for the second quarter of 2021. The reading for the third quarter of 2022 slipped further to 53.3. The research division of the Leeds School of Business at the University Rich Wobbekind of Colorado at Boulder calculates the index based on the results of quarterly surveys of business leaders across the state and various industry sectors. Nearly 200 leaders responded to the survey upon which the latest index was based. Readings above 50 reflect more positive than negative responses, however. And there’s encouraging trends for the labor market in Colorado, said Rich Wobbekind, senior economist at the Leeds School of Business. “The state’s employment recovery has outperformed the nation, and six of Colorado’s seven metropolitan statistical areas rank among the top 100 nationally for employment growth,” Wobbekind said. In addition to an overall score, the index provides individual scores for each of six metrics. All six retreated between the first and second quarters
of 2022, but only one fell below growth-neutral 50. Confidence in the Colorado economy fell 5.7 points to 51.9. A total of 32.8 percent of business leaders who responded to the second quarter survey predicted moderate or strong increases in the state economy. While 42.1 percent expected no change, a total of 25.1 percent forecast moderate or strong decreases. Gross domestic product, the broad measure of goods and services produced in the state, increased 6.3 percent between the fourth quarters of 2020 and 2021. GDP is forecast to increase 3.8 percent in 2022 and 2.7 percent in 2023. Confidence in the national economy dropped 10 points to 40.4, the lowest score for the six metrics. A total of 51.8 percent of leaders anticipated moderate or strong decreases, while 27.2 percent expected no change and 21 percent predicted moderate or strong increases. Hiring expectations declined 3.3 points, but at 60.4 was the highest score for the six metrics. A total of 51.8 percent of leaders predicted moderate or strong increases in hiring, while 32.3 percent expected no change and 15.9 percent forecast moderate or strong decreases. Nonfarm payrolls grew 138,200 between in Colorado February 2021 and February 2022 — an increase of 5.1 percent. With the increase, the state regained all the jobs lost in March and April 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and related restrictions. Employment is expected to increase 3.4 percent in 2022 and 2.2 percent in 2023.
Sales expectations slipped 1.1 points to 59.1 with 52.3 percent of leaders anticipating moderate or strong increases, 30.3 percent no change and 17.4 percent moderate or strong decreases. Expectations for capital expenditures fell 1.6 points to 56.7 with 42.5 percent of leaders predicting moderate or strong increases, 40.5 percent no change and 16.9 percent moderate or strong decreases. Expectations for profits fell 2.9 points to 55 percent with 45.6 percent of leaders forecasting moderate or strong increases, 26 percent no change and 28 percent moderate or strong decreases. Asked to explain the reasons for their expectations, 49 percent of leaders cited the conflict in Ukraine, while 40 percent cited inflation and 16 percent the COVID-19 pandemic. Another 10 percent cited supply chain issues and 10 percent cited higher energy prices. Nearly 93 percent of those who responded to the survey said inflation has affected their businesses. And 46 percent said they expect to raise prices and pass on costs to consumers as a result. Another 34 percent said they’re cutting expenses, and 20 percent said they’re postponing expansions. More than 55 percent said they expect to increase wages in response to inflation. While 16 percent of leaders said they expect inflation to moderate in the second half of 2022, a total of 60 percent don’t anticipate a change until 2023. F
$200,000 grant funds speech therapy for West Slope children
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The St. Mary’s Hospital Foundation in Grand Junction has received a $200,000 grant to support speech and language therapy services for children. The Scottish Rite Foundation of Colorado, a nonprofit organization that supports child speech and language services, awarded the grant to the foundation. The grant will fund speech and language therapy services for children whose families don’t have insurance or are unable to afford services. Children ages 8 years old and under are eligible for services year around. Children over 8 receive services during the summer months when school-based services aren’t available. “We are thrilled to have been chosen again for this grant to help children in our community who require these services,” said Amy Brophy-Neilsen, outpatient pediatric therapy supervisor at St. Mary’s Medical Center. “Our partnership with Scottish Rite Foundation began in 1986. Over the years, they have provided more than $3.5 million in financial assistance for speech therapy and related services, which has enabled thousands of children in Grand Junction and the surrounding communities to receive assistance.” For additional information about the program and eligibility, contact BrophyNeilsen at 298-6158. F
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Health foundation awards $540,000 in grants The Rocky Mountain Health Foundation awarded a total of nearly $540,000 in grants to health-focused organizations in Western Colorado. A total of 83 organizations in 16 West Slope counties received grants, including the first awards from the Simple Gifts Fund. The fund was created to support organizations providing services that might not align directly with the foundation goals of meeting basic needs and increasing access to physical and mental health care. The fund also provides support for organizations that meet needs aligned with foundation priorities, but request $10,000 or less. The Rocky Mountain Health Foundation board of directors approved grants in 13 categories: n Adaptive sports, arts or camps for people living with developmental, cognitive or physical disabilities or trauma — 12 grants for a total of $60,000.
n Community coalitions — two grants for a total of $15,000. n Community gardens — six grants for a total of $27,000. n Early childhood development training and support to improve the ability of child care center staff and parents to help children achieve their potential — two grants for a total of $18,000. n Focus area requests of $10,000 or less — 16 grants for a total of $135,000. n Housing counseling to help people avoid eviction and foreclosure — one grant for $10,000. n Legal aid to low-income individuals and families — three grants for a total of $15,000. n Mentoring between adults and youth — five grants for a total of $28,000.
n Peer support groups — three grants for a total of $25,000. n Positive youth development through after school and summer programs — 18 grants for a total of $119,000. n Respite care for disabled, elderly and medically fragile individuals — two grants for a total of $20,000. n Social and emotional support, especially for seniors and special populations — 12 grants for a total of $63,000. n Work force development addressing the health care work force shortage — one grant for $4,000. The Rocky Mountain Health Foundation was established in 2017 when UnitedHealth Group purchased Rocky Mountain Health Plans and set aside $38 million to promote health and well-being in 22 Western Slope counties. For more information, visit https://rmhealth.org. F
Junior Service League donates $51,229 to hospital foundation
The Junior Service League of Grand Junction has awarded a total of more than $50,000 in grants to the Community Hospital Foundation. A $31,229 grant will help support construction of a new medical office building and the James Pulsipher Regional Cancer Center, scheduled for completion in 2023. A $20,000 grant will support patient care for mammography services. “We are incredibly grateful for this generous donation from the Junior Service League,” said Penny Carlton, radiology director at Community Hospital. “These funds will allow us to better serve uninsured and underinsured individuals in our community, particularly those exhibiting symptoms of advanced breast cancer who may require diagnostic breast imaging and expedited life-saving treatment.” The Junior Service League, a nonprofit service organization for women, raised the money for the grants through benefit events like Viva el Vino. The 2022 Viva El Vino is scheduled for 6 to 9 p.m. April 30 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, 743 Horizon Drive. Viva El Vino will showcase a variety of Grand Valley wines, but also will offer other liquors and spirits. A beer garden will serve local beers. The event will be spread out through several rooms and outdoor areas at the hotel. General admission tickets sell for $95. VIP tickets sell for $150 and include early admission to the event and early access to a silent auction, a VIP food menu and an entry into a drawing for a two-night stay at the DoubleTree the weekend of the event. Sponsorships also are available at a variety of levels. For more information and tickets to the Junior Service League Viva El Vino benefit event, visit the website located at https://jslgj.com/viva-el-vino. F
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Fruita receives tourism management grant Honeybee
The City of Fruita is among the latest recipients of funding for tourism-related projects that enhance the experiences of visitors to Colorado. Fruita received a $20,000 tourism management grant from the Colorado Tourism Office, a division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade. Fruita plans to use the funding to construct 3 miles of beginner-level, single-track bicycle trails at the North Fruita Desert Specialized Recreation Area. The trails are designed to increase access while also dispersing visitors. Fifteen grants worth a total of nearly $300,000 were awarded. The grants require matching funds of $1 for every $4 in grants. “These grants provide much-needed support to industry
partners in every corner of Colorado and point to a bright future for the state’s tourism industry,” said Jeff Kraft, deputy director of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade. Tim Wolfe, director of the Colorado Tourism Office, said demand for the grants in turn points to demand for support for tourism management. “The innovations and strategies proposed demonstrate how Colorado’s tourism industry continues to evolve in the wake of the pandemic,” Wolfe said. “We’re committed to partnering with industry leaders and communities to advance the management of tourism that protects and preserves what makes Colorado special.” F
festival returning to Palisade
A festival celebrating bees and honey is scheduled to return to the Grand Valley. The 13th annual Palisade International Honeybee Festival is set for April 9, returning after a two-year hiatus because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The festival will be located in a couple of blocks where Main and Third streets intersect at the Town Plaza. The free event will run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Vendors will set up from 9 to 10:30 a.m. after the streets are blocked to traffic. Honey, bee-related and craft vendors will sell products and services at the street market. Food will be available from a variety of trucks, vendors and local restaurants. From the Top, with Thomasina Russell and Terry Flanagan, will perform live music. A map and list of participating vendors is available on the website located at https://palisadehoneybeefest.org. Ron Koss will emcee the event in the plaza. Stephanie Griggs from Bookcliff Gardens will talk about how to rewild a garden with pollinators. Dan Bean from the Palisade Insectary will lead a presentation on using bugs for good, not evil. Dixie Burmeister and Chad Griffith, executive chef at the Wine Country Inn, will demonstrate cooking with honey. Ethan Noah will conduct the KREX Spelling Bee for elementary school students, which will be followed by a honeybee costume contest for children, adults and pets. Activities also are set for 5 to 8 p.m. April 8. The Blue Pig Gallery located at 101 W. Third St. will host a vendor reception featuring hors d’oeuvres, beethemed art, educational talks by experts and honey wines from the Meadery of the Rockies. Breean Fiihr from Mount Garfield Greenhouse will discuss buzzworthy gardening in the upstairs meeting room. Bean will talk about using insects for good, not evil. A group of local business owners founded the festival to celebrate the agricultural heritage of Palisade as well as draw attention to the worldwide decline of the honeybee population. The Palisade International Honeybee Festival Committee sponsors the festival in conjunction with the Town of Palisade and Palisade Chamber of Commerce as well as KREX 5 News, 103.9 The Planet and Western Colorado Beekeepers Association. F
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Utility executive: Sustainability a growing factor Phil Castle
The Business Times
Reliability and affordability long have ranked as the most important factors in meeting the needs of utility customers. Add sustainability to the list and along with it solar and wind power and other forms of renewable energy, said Alice Jackson, president of Xcel Energy-Colorado. “At the end of the Alice Jackson day, it’s a balance.” Speaking at an energy summit organized by the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce, Jackson discussed what she envisioned as the
future of the energy grid and the changes under way. Xcel Energy provides electricity and natural gas in Colorado and seven other states with both urban and rural areas, Jackson said. Customers expect foremost reliable service, she said. Utilities are held to a standard of perfection, in fact. Customers also want to pay as little as possible. But sustainability and the use of renewable energy has emerged as another important factor in driving the decisions utilities make, Jackson said. Challenges arise because electrical generation from solar and wind power varies and adds uncertainty, she said. While cost was a factor, the price of renewable energy has come down to the extent it’s sometimes more affordable, she said. “It’s saving our customers money.” Xcel Energy compares favorably on a national scale
in meeting customer expectations in ranking in the top quarter of utilities for reliability and in the top six for sustainability, Jackson said. Residential and commercial costs remain below the national average. Xcel Energy has invested in renewable energy and plans additional investments in both generation and transmission to meet renewable energy standards and a growing customer base, she said. Supply chain issues and growing demand present challenges, as do the potential risks from cyber attacks on utilities and the grid, she said. But Jackson said she’s excited about technological advances and the overall evolution of utilities and the services they provide. “Gosh, it’s surely exciting to be in the industry right now.” F
Foreign reliance on technology metals potentially risky Phil Castle
The Business Times
Jim Sims sees a potentially dangerous confluence in the increasing reliance on rare earth minerals and the foreign countries that produce them. He’s hopeful, though, a company for which he works will help remedy the situation with a project planned for Nebraska. Sims, the vice president of external affairs for NioCorp Developments, Jim Sims discussed rare earth minerals during his presentation at an energy summit organized by the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce. Rare earth minerals play an increasingly important role in what he described as the “age of technology metals.” While 99 percent of human cells are comprised of just six elements, no less than 118 elements go into the manufacture of a cellular telephone, Sims said. Rare earth metals go into everything from appliances to electric vehicles to weapon systems. They’re critical for green technology as well as defense technology, he said. But the U.S. must rely on imports of the metals from China, Russia and other countries, Sims said. Even as more rare earth minerals are needed, there could be shortages, he said. “We have to make more.” NioCorp is developing a mine and processing facility in Nebraska to produce niobium, scandium, titanium and other rare earth minerals. The permits are in place to move ahead with construction, he said. F
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Jobs
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Continued from page 2 Anderson attended Regis University in Denver and received a human resource degree. She says she’s worked in human resources for more than 20 years because she enjoys seeing people succeed — whether they’re job seekers landing jobs and pursuing careers or hiring managers filling positions. She says she still feels a jolt of reward in making connections. At Express Employment Professionals, Anderson says the process begins for job seekers with an evaluation of what they can do, what they will do and want they want to do. Each applicant goes through an International Organization for Standardization 9001:2000 certified selection process that includes information and employment verification, an interview, skills evaluation, a hiring decision and an assignment that meets an employer’s needs. The company works with business to understand their needs and preferences, she says. That often includes tours of their facilities. The goal, Anderson says, is to find matches that result in long-term employees. What differentiates Express Employment Professionals, she says, is the personal relationships that staff develops with businesses and job seekers. “The difference is in the people.” While businesses can “post and pray” — advertise job openings and hope to attract good candidates — it can be more efficient and less expensive to work with an employment agency, Anderson says. There’s a cost, she says, to leaving positions open. The types of positions Express Employment Professionals helps fill has changed over the years, she says. About 80 percent of the positions used to involve temporary work and 20 percent involved candidates who’d undergo evaluation before hiring. These days, 70 percent involve evaluation to hire and 30 percent temporary jobs. Social media platforms and referrals play a greater role in recruiting employees, she says. Anderson’s own staff has grown over the years and now includes staff consultants, a marketer, bookkeeper and office controller. In 2015, she opened an office in Montrose. The COVID-19 pandemic affected the labor market and, in turn, her business, she says. The pandemic prompted people to reconsider their priorities, and many opted for retirement. The so-called gig economy has grown. While businesses face challenges in filling positions, more people are relocating to Western Colorado, she says. “I think it’s starting to settle out.” What hasn’t changed over the years, Anderson says, is the core function of her business — or what she finds most rewarding. Anderson believes it’s her job to fill jobs. And she loves her job. F
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Real estate
Continued from page 2 were reported. Compared to the first quarter of 2021, transactions decreased 14.5 percent even as dollar volume increased 2.3 percent. Bray said the effects of higher interest rates on mortgages are starting to show up in the Mesa County market. The interest rates on 30-year mortgages have increased to 4.5 percent to 4.7 percent, Bray said. That’s 1 percent to 1.5 percent higher than a year ago. Higher interest rates increase the cost of borrowing and make it more difficult for some potential homebuyers to access financing or decreases the amount they can borrow to purchase a home. From a long-term perspective, however, interest rates remain a “bargain,” Bray said. He said he recalls a time when borrowers were literally lined up around the block to apply for mortgages with a nearly 9 percent interest rate. Housing inventories remain low, but in March moved higher than a year ago, Bray said. There were 228 active residential listings in Mesa County at the end of March, up from 156 at the same time last year. “They were not taking things off the shelf as quickly.” Bray said he expects more inventory to come onto the market in what’s typically a busy second quarter. It’s still a sellers’ market, though, with persistent demand pushing up prices. Bray said the median price of homes sold during the first quarter hit $370,000, up 20.5 percent from the first quarter last year. While higher interest rates could slow real estate activity, Bray said the Grand Valley economy remains strong and the effect of higher rates will be less pronounced. “I still think it’ll be a healthy market.” Meanwhile, property foreclosure activity continues to pick up in Mesa County. Young said 80 foreclosure filings and seven foreclosure sales were reported in the first quarter. That’s up from two filings and seven sales for the first quarter of 2021. While eye-catching, the increase isn’t surprising, Young said. “This was to be expected as catch-up following the moratorium.” Still, the three resales of foreclosed properties during the first quarter of 2022 constituted less than 1 percent of overall transactions — far lower than the 10 percent threshold Young considers indicative of a healthy market. F
Toastmasters meet
The Talk of the Town Toastmasters has scheduled weekly luncheon meetings for noon to 1 p.m. Thursdays at Main Street Bagels, 555 Main St. in downtown Grand Junction. The group offers participants an opportunity to improve not only their speaking skills, but also their confidence and leadership abilities. For more, call 250-3969 or log on to talkofthetowngj.toastmastersclubs.org. F
News Trends Contributors Jobless rate edges down Opinion Business Briefs Business People Almanac The Business Times
April 7-20, 2022
pAge 19
INDICATORS AT A GLANCE
n Business filings
t New business filings in Colorado, 13,027 in February, down 3.1% from February 2021.
n Confidence
s Consumer Confidence Index 107.2 for March, up 1.5. t Leeds Business Confidence Index for Colorado, 53.9 for the second quarter, down 4.1 t National Federation of Independent Business Small Business Optimism Index 95.7 for February, down 1.4.
n Foreclosures s Foreclosure filings in Mesa County, 54 in March, up from 0 in March 2021. s Foreclosure sales in Mesa County, 5 in March, up from 2 in March 2021.
n Indexes
s Conference Board Employment Trends Index, 120.56 for March, up 1.66. s Conference Board Leading Economic Index 119.9 for February, up 0.3%. t Institute for Supply Management Purchasing Managers Index for manufacturing, 57.1% for March, down 1.5%.
n Lodging
s Lodging tax collections in Grand Junction, $204,940 for February, up 68% from February 2021.
n Real estate
t Real estate transactions in Mesa County, 495 in March, down 11.3% from March 2021. s Dollar volume of real estate transactions in Mesa County, $203 million in March, up 2% from March 2021.
n Sales
s Sales and use tax collections in Grand Junction, $5.3 million for February, up 14.9% from January 2021. s Sales and use tax collections in Mesa County, $3.6 million for February, up 13.8% from February 2021.
n Unemployment t Mesa County — 4.4% for February, down 0.1. t Colorado — 4.0% for February, down 0.2. t United States — 3.6% for March, down 0.2.
Increasing labor force and job orders also bode well for Mesa County Phil Castle
Labor demand as measured by the number of job orders posted at the Mesa County Workforce Center remains higher Feb. Jan. The monthly unemployment rate has than last year, Englehart said — 740 s Delta County 4.4 4.3 edged down in Mesa County even as the for February and 1,757 for the first two s Garfield County 3.6 3.5 labor force remains at its highest level in months of 2022. That total constitutes a t Mesa County 4.4 4.5 more than a year. nearly 24 percent increase over the same s Montrose County 4.0 3.9 Add strong labor span in 2021. s Rio Blanco County 4.8 4.7 demand, and Curtis Labor demand remains strongest Englehart said he’s for jobs in health care, he said. But the encouraged by what trends portend for the year warming weather also has bolstered orders for construction and ahead. “It’s a really good sign as we continue landscaping jobs as well as positions in the hospitality sector. the road to recovery,” said Englehart, director An event connecting employers and applicants is scheduled of the Mesa County Workforce Center in for 1 to 5 p.m. April 27 with the Grand Valley Career and Job Fair Grand Junction. at Lincoln Park in Grand Junction. The workforce center will join The seasonally unadjusted jobless rate with Colorado Mesa University in hosting the event, Englehart slipped a tenth of a point to 4.4 percent said. Curtis Englehart between January and February, according to Looking ahead, Englehart said he expects the unemployment the latest estimates from the Colorado Department of Labor and rate to gradually decrease even as the labor force grows and labor Employment. At this time last year, the unemployment rate stood demand remains strong. “All three seem to be trending in the right at 7.1 percent. direction.” Labor reports lag at the beginning of the year as the department Seasonally unadjusted jobless rates edged up a tenth of a revises numbers for the year before. The March report is scheduled point in neighboring Western Colorado counties to 3.6 percent for release April 15. in Garfield County, 4 percent in Montrose County, 4.4 percent in For February, Mesa County payrolls increased 458 to 75,237. Delta County and 4.8 percent in Rio Blanco County. The number of people counted among those unsuccessfully looking The statewide seasonally adjusted unemployment rate slipped for work edged down 30 to 3,500. The labor force, which includes the two-tenths of a point to 4 percent. That’s the lowest level since the employed and unemployed, grew 428 to 78,737. rate stood at 2.8 percent in February 2020 and before the onset of Englehart said the labor force has topped 78,000 for the first the pandemic in the United States. two months of 2022 after never exceeding that level in 2021. Nonfarm payrolls increased 14,100 between January and Between February 2021 and February 2022, payrolls swelled February. With that increase, Colorado has regained all the jobs 4,266 even the ranks of the unemployed shrank 1,884. The labor lost in March and April 2020 as a result of the pandemic and force increased 2,382. related restrictions. While a labor shortage persists, Englehart said there are more Since February 2021, nonfarm payrolls have grown 138,200 — applicants in the local labor pool to fill job openings. “I would say or 5.1 percent — with the biggest gains in the leisure and hospitality; that progress is being made.” business and professional services; and trade, transportation and Some applicants who were sitting on the sidelines — perhaps utility sectors. staying home with children during the COVID-19 pandemic Over the past year, the average workweek for employees on — have rejoined the work force, he said. Others have recently private, nonfarm payrolls shortened four-tenths of an hour to 32.9 relocated to Mesa County and are looking for work. “It’s really hours. Average hourly wages increased $2.92 to $33.79. kind of a mixed bag.” F The Business Times
AREA JOBLESS RATES
Consumer Confidence Index rebounds A monthly measure of consumer confidence has rebounded on more optimistic assessments of current business and labor conditions. Expectations for the near future were less upbeat, however, as concerns mounted over higher gasoline prices and the war in Ukraine. “These headwinds are expected to persist in the short term and may potentially dampen confidence as well as cool spending further in the months ahead,” said Lynn Franco, director of economic indicators at the Conference Board. The New York-based think tank reported its Consumer Confidence Index increased Lynn Franco 1.5 points to 107.2 in March after declines in February and January. The index is based on the results of monthly household surveys. Economists monitor the index because consumer spending accounts for more than two-thirds of economic activity. More optimistic assessments of business and labor conditions pushed up the present situation component of the index 10 points from February to March to 153.
The proportion of consumers responding to the survey upon which the March index was based who said business conditions were “good” rose two points to 19.6 percent. The share of those who said conditions were “bad” fell three points to 22.1 percent. The proportion of consumers who said jobs were “plentiful” rose 3.7 points to 57.2 percent, an historical high. The share of those who said jobs are “hard to get” fell 2.2 points to 9.8 percent. Less upbeat outlooks for the next six months pulled down the expectations component of the index 4.2 points to 76.6. The share of consumers who said they expected business conditions to improve fell 2.6 points to 18.7 percent. The proportion of those who said they anticipated worsening conditions rose 3.9 points to 23.8 percent. The share of consumers who said they expected more jobs to become available in coming months fell two points to 17.4 percent. Still, the proportion of those forecast fewer jobs also declined — 1.9 points to 17.7 percent. While 14.9 percent said they expected their incomes to increases — up two-tenths of a point — 13.7 percent said they expected their incomes to decrease, up seven-tenths of a point. F
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U.S. update: payrolls up, jobless rate down An increase in payrolls and decrease in unemployment has pushed the United States labor market closer to pre-pandemic levels. Nonfarm payrolls grew 431,000, and the jobless rate declined two-tenths of a point to 3.6 percent in March, according to the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates. With the latest numbers, payrolls remain 1.6 million below those for February 2020 and the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. The unemployment rate has dropped to within a tenth of a point of the 3.5 percent posted in February 2020. Estimated payroll gains for the previous two months were revised upward a total of 95,000 to 750,000 for February and 504,000 for January. For March, 6 million people were counted among those unsuccessfully looking for work. Of those, 1.4 million were out of work 27 weeks or longer. Another 4.2 million people were counted among those
working part-time because their hours were cut or they were unable to find full-time positions. The labor participation rate rose a tenth of a point to 62.4 percent, a point below the February 2020 level. Payroll gains in March were spread out among a number of industry sectors. Employment increased 112,000 in leisure and hospitality, 102,000 in business and professional services, 49,000 in retail trades, 38,000 in manufacturing, 25,000 in social assistance and 19,000 in construction. The average workweek shortened a tenth of an hour to 34.6 hours. The average manufacturing workweek held steady at 40.7 hours. Average hourly earnings for employees on nonfarm payrolls rose 13 cents to $31.73. Over the past year, average hourly earnings have increased 5.6 percent. F
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Labor index rises
An index tracking labor trends in the United States has increased, signaling continued job growth in the United States. The Conference Board reported its Employment Trends Index (ETI) rose 1.66 points to 120.56 in March. Six of eight components advanced. “Consistent months of growth in the ETI indicate that employment is growing and the labor market is expanding,” said Agron Nicaj, an associate economist with the Conference Board. F
Trends Contributors SinsOpinion of wage mistakes Business Briefs Business People Almanac
April 7-20, 2022
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pAge 21
COMING ATTRACTIONS
n The Business Incubator Center in Grand Junction has scheduled workshops offering information about how to start a business. Sessions of a business startup workshop are set for 1 to 4:30 p.m. April 7 and 28 and May 5 and 24 at the center, 2591 Legacy Way. The workshops will cover the business planning process, including financing options, legal structures, licensing, state registration and trade name searches. Admission is $55, which also includes access to one-hour Fast Trac presentations on business basics. For more information about upcoming events, programs and services at the Business Incubator Center, call 243-5242 or visit http://gjincubator.org. n The next Coffee Club networking group meeting is set for 9 a.m. April 15 at FWorks, 325 E. Aspen Ave. in Fruita. The event is free for members of the Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce. Others pay $5. For information, call 858-3894 or visit https://fruitachamber.org. n The Western Colorado Human Resource Association has scheduled its annual spring employment law conference for 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 26. The conference will be offered virtually as well as an in-person event at the Colorado Mesa University ballroom in Grand Junction. The conference will include legislative and case law updates, a session on paid leave requirements and question-and-answer session with a panel of lawyers. Admission ranges from $99 to $349. To register or obtain more information, visit the website at www.wchra.org. n A Colorado Mesa University Entrepreneurship Day event set for noon to 1:30 p.m. April 27 at the CMU ballroom in Grand Junction. The keynote luncheon will feature Kurtis Minder, the co-founder and chief executive officer of GroupSense. Minder has negotiated some of the largest ransomware, breach and data extortion cases worldwide. Tickets sell for $60 for individuals, $500 for a table for eight and $1,000 for sponsors. To register to attend or obtain information, visit the website at https://www.supportingcmu.com/ Eday.
Litigation expected to explode under new federal policies and scrutiny Class action wage and hour litigation is expected to “explode” in 2022, according to a report from the Seyfarth Shaw national law firm. The prediction is based in large part on the Biden administration’s new employeefriendly wage and hour regulations and a stated goal of increasing enforcement of wage and hour laws. The administration already has withdrawn or rescinded multiple Trumpera rules often implicated in workplace class actions, including the tip credit, joint employer and independent contractor rules promulgated by the U.S. Department of Labor under the Trump administration. And on Feb. 1, the DOL Dean announced plans to hire 100 wage and hour Harris investigators during the 2022 fiscal year. Seyfarth Shaw reported the total value of the top 10 wage and hour class action settlements ballooned in 2021 to $641.3 million, more than double the $294.6 million in 2020. Wage and hour violations are expensive for employers. Employers may be held responsible for two years of unpaid wages — three years if they can’t show they failed to pay wages in good faith. Courts may add an equal amount in liquidated damages. And in any legal action in which an employee recovers back wages, the employer is usually required to reimburse the plaintiff’s reasonable legal fees and costs. Given increased scrutiny and the potential costs of wage and hour violations, what pitfalls must employers avoid and how do they do so? The most expensive and common violation employers commit is failing to pay overtime. This can arise from a variety of circumstances. Failure to pay overtime frequently arises from misclassification of employees. These cases arise when workers misclassified as independent contractors work more than 40 hours in any workweek. Different federal and state agencies and courts use different tests to determine independent contractor status, but two elements are common to all tests. First, the worker is free from the control and direction of the hiring entity in connection with the performance of the work. Second, the worker is customarily engaged in an independently established trade, occupation or business of the same nature as that involved in the work performed. Failure to pay overtime claims also arise when an employer allows an employee to work unreported hours. This occurs when an employee works outside normal work hours and doesn’t report extra time worked or a remote employee doesn’t keep accurate records of time worked, among other situations. The key here is the Fair Labor Standards Act requires an employer to pay for all hours it “suffers or permits” an employee to work. Court cases have held employers liable for back wages where the employer should have known an employee was working when the employee sends emails or texts outside normal hours or tasks unfinished one day inexplicably are finished when the next day begins. But in Pabst v. Oklahoma Gas & Elec. Co., the 10th Circuit Court held that where an employer had a clear policy prohibiting unauthorized overtime and had no actual or constructive knowledge employees worked overtime, the employer did not “suffer or permit” the employee to work unreported hours. To avoid unreported work and overtime claims, employers should have clear policies on working outside the scheduled workday and working overtime without authorization, require employees to actually work all time spent working and keep accurate records of hours worked. Timekeeping systems that require employees to enter only the hours worked in a day or a week instead of logging actual times worked are notoriously inaccurate and prone to scrutiny in a DOL audit. A DOL officer who sees a string of eights under hours worked for workweek
The most expensive and common violation employers commit is failing to pay overtime. This can arise from a variety of circumstances.
after workweek will presume the records are inaccurate and give greater deference to employee estimates of the hours they worked beyond the normal workday. What employee consistently works exactly eight hours every day? Remote employment increases the risk employees will report inaccurate hours. At least one ruling held that remote employees who routinely took up to 5 minutes each day to log on and reach the online timekeeping system were entitled to back pay and overtime for time spent working before accessing the timekeeping system. Another wage issue that arises with remote employment is shifting the ordinary cost of doing business to non-exempt employees who work remotely. Consider, for example, an employee required to have a specific level of internet service or buy office supplies or office furniture. Even if expenses come out of pocket, the DOL looks at these expenses, if unreimbursed, as indirect deductions from wages. Consequently, overtime isn’t calculated on the true regular wage rate. Employers should consider reimbursing employees for routine expenses incurred working remotely or even regular additions to wages to cover the cost of remote work. Another timekeeping problem arises when employers look only to total hours worked in a pay cycle to determine overtime instead of calculating overtime on hours worked over 40 in any single workweek. Finally, improper treatment of bonuses can result in expensive overtime claims. Employers must include nondiscretionary bonuses in the regular rate used to calculate overtime. Discretionary bonuses may be excluded from the employee’s regular rate. Discretionary bonuses are bonuses for which the employer retains sole discretion over whether the bonus will be paid and how much it will be until close in time to the payment of the bonus, or bonuses are not paid in compliance with a plan, agreement or other promise that cause employee to expect payment of the bonuses. The DOL usually deems referral bonuses, bonuses for extraordinary efforts not addressed in an existing bonus plan or policy, severance bonuses or employee-of-the-month bonuses to be discretionary bonus. A nondiscretionary bonus is any bonus that doesn’t qualify as a discretionary bonus. Any bonus awarded to an employee who works to meet specific standards and expects a bonus for meeting those standards is nondiscretionary. Attendance, production and safety bonuses are usually nondiscretionary bonus. This isn’t to say an employer must include the whole bonus in the regular rate for the single pay period in which the bonus is paid. That would lead to some astonishing hourly rates. An employer may allocate the bonus over the entire period in which the employee worked to earn the bonus. A monthly performance bonus is allocated over the month to which it applies, while an annual bonus may be allocated over all pay periods in the year the employee worked to qualify for the bonus. Employers should carefully examine pay and recordkeeping practices to avoid costly wage claims. The Employers Council offers resources to help member employers handle wager matters. Dean Harris is the 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 dharris@employerscouncil.org or (970) 852-0190. F
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Bring your best — not baggage — home from work In my last column, I discussed the problems with bringing personal baggage to work and how even top performers can fall when they’re unable to manage their personal issues in the workplace. I elaborated on the domino effect these issues can have on other team members, customers and the business In this column, let’s consider the other side of the coin. When people bring professional baggage home, their personal lives are affected. The ripple effect can extend far and wide — to the point of alienating children and destroying marriages. Perhaps you know a spouse, child or friend of someone who’s unable — or simply lacks the tools — to manage their professional life effectively. Marcus Enduring an excessive amount Straub of professional pressure can lead to a host of self-sabotaging behaviors, including alcohol and prescription medication abuse and even illicit drug use. When people are unhappy at work, they’re more likely to eat and sleep poorly, stop exercising and neglect their well-being. As these factors combine, they could become depressed and withdrawn. If they’re unable or unwilling to get the assistance they need, the negative effects could become unavoidable. This doesn’t have to be the case, however. Just as with personal challenges, professional challenges belong solely to the person experiencing them. They have the power to choose, or not, to effectively address the stressors they face. Let me be clear. I’m not suggesting you avoid talking to your loved ones and friends about the troubling and frustrating situations you face at work. In fact, trusted,
Realizing life is not all about your work — that work is only one part of your life — will help you strike a balance between work and life that leads to greater happiness and success on and off the job. When you go home, truly go home. Leave work where it belongs, at work. caring and honest family and friends can prove invaluable in choosing to address professional issues. What I am suggesting — even urging — is those who love you don’t deserve to bear the brunt of your frustration and unhappiness on an ongoing basis. If handled correctly, your home and personal life can offer a safe environment where you can take a welcome break from the stress, frustration and hardships you feel 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 one part of your life — will help you strike a balance between work and life that leads to greater happiness and success on and off the job. When you go home, truly go home. Leave 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 change could be order. As a coach and consultant, I’ve worked with many business owners and team members
who weren’t fulfilled and happy. Their work didn’t align with their behaviors, competencies, motivations and purposes. These people felt trapped by finances, the fear of the unknown and a host of other self-imposed limitations. With guidance, they overcame their limitations and went on to develop 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 managing your actions, emotions, thoughts and words. Maintaining balance in your professional and personal lives comes down to self-awareness, self-control and newfound tools to rise above 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 think the personal and professional aspects of your life aren’t connected, but they are. In fact, they exert profound effects on each other — effects you want to be positive, not negative. When you’re happy and fulfilled at work, you’ll bring home a version of yourself that enjoys and enhances 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. F
April 7-20, 2022
The Business Times
What’s in it for employers? At center, a lot Have you considered what the Mesa County Workforce Center in Grand Junction could do for your business? At a time when it’s difficult to recruit and retain staff, free resources from the center are more valuable than ever. According to Curtis Englehart, director of the Mesa County Workforce Center, here are some of the things complimentary services and programs can do for you: n Help you write job descriptions that target the skills your business needs. Too often, job descriptions are written in ways in which many potential applicants don’t see themselves as candidates. The descriptions could include too many qualifications or come across as too specific or too vague. Adding flexibility to your Janet job descriptions increases the pool of applicants. n Offer skills and personality assessments Arrowood to ensure a better fit once you’ve developed a short list of candidates for a position. The Mesa County Workforce Center has a tested list of more than 900 prove-its to verify candidates actually have the skills they claim. In adition, the center offers the National Career Readiness certificate — a nationally recognized, evidence-based, work-ready skills assessment to further qualify your work force. n Provide financial support for on-the-job training. Sometimes the right employee doesn’t possess all the skills you need, but still constitutes a good fit for your company.Wouldn’t it be nice to get some financial support to pay part of the new hire’s salary during on-the-job training? You hire the employee you want, provide them with an opportunity to learn the skills you need and get some financial incentives. Financial support also is available for paid internships. Englehart said the center served nearly 500 individuals through this program last year. n Post job openings. The Mesa County Workforce Center participates in a statewide labor exchange platform located at www.connectingcolorado.com on which employers post job
openings. In addition, the center can notify job seekers in its data base with the skills you seek about your job openings. Employers also have the ability to look up these job seekers by creating an employer account. Job posting and matching services are supplemented by job fairs and hiring events. You can have the center tailor a hiring event for your company or join with other employers in events hosted and marketed by the center. n Provide skills workshops and improvement services. Too often, potential new hires lack the critical skills needed for your job opening or company culture. The Mesa County Workforce Center can develop or tailor many types of training to help you fill these gaps. If the center doesn’t offer what you need, there’s the possibility of finding or developing a new program or course. Last year, the offered 36 unique workshops to a total of 486 participants. n Partner with Colorado Mesa University to connect you with soon-to-be or recent graduates and alumni to fill job openings. Visit the website at https://mcwfc.us/aim-higher-get-hired to connect with a work force development liaison. For those looking for jobs, the Mesa County Workforce Center offers access to technology in a resource room as well as skills development training through tailored or general sessions. Other services include workshops in resume writing, job interviewing, job search techniques and effective social networking. That’s not to mention the job openings posted on www.connectingcolorado.com. In the event you need to lay off staff, the Mesa County Workforce Center offers free resources to those employees, including counseling, resume support and hiring activities. For more information about the Mesa County Workforce Center, call 248-7560 or visit www.mcwfc.us. 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. F
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In a changing real estate market, rely on advisors It’s no secret. Here in the Grand Valley and around the United States, the real estate market has remained strong over the past two years. But the market also comes with challenges. Buying and selling a home is already a complex and emotional transaction. Add to that the COVID-19 pandemic, and things got even wilder. During the height of the pandemic, residential real estate professionals had to change overnight how to conduct virtual showings, virtual closings — virtual everything. Then began the “work from anywhere” movement, which prompted Michelle an unprecedented migration to places Urlacher like the Grand Valley. As demand rose even higher for homes and multiple offers rolled in, agents scrambled to keep up while also keeping their clients happy and safe. Commercial agents worked with landlords and tenants during the pandemic to help come up with solutions as businesses shut down or operated under new restrictions. Then almost as quickly as the slowdown hit, there was a rush of buyers looking for properties.
The real estate market changes nearly constantly. It’s up to real estate professionals to adapt, innovate and learn how to navigate the confusion. For clients, we’re here to make selling or purchasing property as simple and seamless as possible.
News articles reported the market was tight because of low inventory. Instead, what we saw was a rather short shelf life. In fact, there’ve been more transactions than in other years. But the difference was properties were sold as soon as they hit the market. That brings us current, and it seems the wild ride isn’t yet over. In 2022, both residential and commercial properties still show low days on the market and generate multiple offers. Now, inflation also drives demand. We’ve seen continued interest as people invest in either gold or real estate to hedge against inflation. After the Federal Reserve increased a key interest rate in March and
announced plans for additional increases through the year, everyone is watching to see what happens next. Other uncharted changes are taking place. There are new ways to buy and sell real estate using cryptocurrency, transacting through blockchain or issuing mortgage backed NFTs like Fannie Mae has started doing. Yes, you can even buy real estate in the Metaverse, where there’s nothing real about it. The real estate market changes nearly constantly. It’s up to real estate professionals to adapt, innovate and learn how to navigate the confusion. For clients, we’re here to make selling or purchasing property as simple and seamless as possible. One thing remains the same: clients need trusted advisors to guide them through the process. Michelle Urlacher is president of Bray & Co. Real Estate based in Grand Junction. She leads the support and direction of services the company offers to agents and clients. She brings to her duties more than 20 years of experience in the real estate industry, including positions as an analyst, appraiser, marketing director, property manager and transaction coordinator. For more information about Bray & Co. Real Estate, call 242-3647 or log on to www.brayandco.com. F
Assistance programs help employees navigate change Job-related stress is the leading workplace health problem, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Productivity losses from absenteeism related to stress cost employers $225.8 billion — $1,685 per employee — each year. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to improve in Mesa County, with daily case averages dropping to the 20s and teens. Mesa County Public Health continues to pair down its pandemic response. We’re once again navigating changes in the pandemic that affect both our work and personal lives. Change can often trigger stress, but you don’t have to go at it alone. There’s no denying COVID-19 has Stefany affected every workplace in the United Busch States. Employers looking for ways to better support and engage employees have turned to Employee Assistance Programs (EAP). Employees of many medium to large organizations have access to counseling through EAP benefits. EAPs originated in the early 1960s as a way for employers to help workers with alcoholism and other substance abuse problems. Since then, EAPs have evolved to provide support for a wide variety of issues affecting
Employee Assistance Programs have evolved to provide support for a wide variety of issues affecting employees — from mental health challenges to financial planning and legal assistance to life coaching.
employees — from mental health challenges to financial planning and legal assistance to life coaching. Services are usually free to employees and their immediate family, yet fewer than 10 percent of employees in North America use EAP benefits, according to Chestnut Global Partners, an international behavioral health organization. This means many workers miss out on support and services that would otherwise be costly to them. It’s also important, however, for employers to recognize the effects this has on workplace culture and the bottom line. About one in five Americans lives with a mental illness, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. This translates to absenteeism, “presenteeism” (physically present but mentally distracted), higher rates of alcohol and
substance abuse and lost productivity among workers. Here in Colorado, poor mental health takes an especially large toll. Mental Health America, a century old national mental health advocacy organization, ranks Colorado 45th out of the 50 states and District of Columbia for the prevalence of mental health and substance abuse issues. Higher rankings indicate lower prevalence. Employees must understand the same confidentiality rules that apply to other medical and behavioral health providers also apply to most EAP services. There are some confidentiality exceptions — when someone poses a danger to themselves or others, when child abuse has occurred or records are subpoenaed. But even then, employers are generally kept out of the loop. Employers have much to gain from offering an EAP and promoting it’s use in the workplace. Along with improved mental health, the availability and use of an EAP also is associated with fewer work-related accidents and employee grievances as well as a lower rate of employee turnover. Stefany Busch is communications coordinator at Mesa County Public Health. Connect with Mesa County Public Health on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ MesaCountyPublicHealth or on Twitter @MC_PublicHealth. F
April 7-20, 2022
The Business Times
pAge 25
Contributors Opinion Bold predictions forwarning 2015 There’s more to the Big techyear lessBusiness a threat be A new affords Briefs careful what you ask for more like not-so-bold repeats than bigopportunity government a new Business People Almanac to meet local needs THE he B BUSINESS usiness T T Times IMES
PPAGE age 26 22
Private sector technology and innovation have made real differences in helping entrepreneurs start new businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. That’s right. To use the political vernacular, big tech has been important to startup entrepreneurs. Meanwhile, big government — which has had big tech in its regulatory crosshairs supposedly little A new year almost always brings an opportunity fortoa help freshthe start andguy — costs and concerns for these small businesses. renewed ambition tohas do created things better. would be ironic if ittoweren’t common sense. In business, thatItusually boils down providing customers better products These are just some the lessons to be learned from the and services faster and at lower cost than competitors. Part of the process must results of the Business Entrepreneurship survey include listening to customers toSmall determine what&they actually needCouncil and then of entrepreneurs businesses the pandemic. meeting that need. After all, it does who littlestarted good to offer theduring latest and greatest if Regarding nobody actually wants what you’re technology, selling. 89 percent of entrepreneurs agreed social media was a major in launching businesses, Just like the businesses that belong to thefactor group, the Grandtheir Junction Area 87 percent said access to electronic payment options was of Chamber of Commerce invariably starts out the new year with a reassessment important, 79 percent 77members percent the services and resources it provides andcited howaffordable well theyonline matchads, with Raymond the new tochairman e-commerce siteschamber and website builders, 73 percent noted needs. Jeff Franklin,pointed of the board of directors, Keating accessintodescribing back officewhat services provided by platforms personifies this approach he considers histechnology role for the coming and 56 percent highlighted to online year: listen to members, determine their needsaccess and then meetmarketplaces. those needs. It’s a all ofFranklin us shouldis be focused re-energizing in role When with which familiar as on market president entrepreneurship of Bank of Colorado. America, these are vital results to recognize andapproach digest. But there’s The process will take on a more structured in what themore. chamber measure, 68 said theycalled rely on such established techUnder the plansFor as good the resumption of apercent program aptly Listening to Business. platforms as Amazon, Apple, Facebook, Google, interviews Instagram, to Microsoft and TikTok program, business owners participate in in-depth identify barriers to either greatother dealproblems (38 percent) quite a bit (30 percent), with another 22 percent growtha and theyorencounter. saying uptime to 90topercent. Thesomewhat. new year That offerstallies a good join the proverbial club. As big government taking ondo bigyou tech, 61 from percent entrepreneurs As for an advertiser or reader, what need theof Business Times? said they’re worried about proposed regulations on tech seeing negatives While business journals traditionally gather andcompanies, report the relevant news to for thosecommunication enterprises andisn’t theirnecessarily own businesses. readers, a one-way street. That’s especially true as concerned: WebAmong sites andthose e-mail make the dialogue more convenient than ever. n 58 percent are worried techin regulation will make it more for Good publications don’t exist a vacuum. They respond to expensive the needs of them to access retainThey customers. advertisers and and readers. provide what’s needed. n percent areneed? worried they’ll have to pay for services that are currently So58 what do you free Is to there them.additional news coverage that would help keep you informed about 49 percent are concerned communications with current localnbusiness developments? Areabout theredisrupted features that would be interesting or and potential and 47would percent worry it will harder for customers to find useful? Iscustomers, there advice that make your jobsbe a little easier? theirIt’s business. equally important to ask what you don’t need. With limited time to n 43content percentand believe customer will become more difficult. produce limited space inacquisition which to publish it, would time and space be their appointees betterPoliticians devoted toand something else? often try to portray intrusions into the competitive marketplace as government coming to the rescue of the little guy What’s good? What isn’t? What’s needed? What isn’t? suffering the hands It’s an oldonline political pitch that made little Let usatknow. Sendofusbig anbusiness. e-mail. Comment on the Business Times Web sense the past. And, as evidencedYou by could fundamental economics and the views site at in www.thebusinesstimes.com. even write an old-fashioned letterofto entrepreneurs, even lessYour today. the editor if you’d like. feedback, both positive and negative, is valued and big concern for small business certainly isn’t the technology firms will The be carefully considered. that have powerful to of make easier more start Goodprovided publications are thetools result not itonly theand efforts of affordable their staffs,tobut also and build a business. Instead, it’s big government undermining private sector collaborative efforts involving advertisers and readers. innovation andother investment. Like any good business, we want to listen to our customers, find out what they need and then meet those needs. It’s a new year. Please us to dofor so.the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Raymond J. Keating is chiefhelp economist Council. Reach him through the website ✦ at www.sbecouncil.org. F
THE BUSINESS TIMES
609 North Ave., Suite 2, Grand Junction, CO 81501 TEL (970) 424-5133 • FAX (970) 424-5134
Publisher/Owner: Craig R. Hall
Editor: Phil Castle
Reach advertising at: publisher@thebusinesstimes.com Reach the editor at: phil@thebusinesstimes.com.
Subscribe or submit press releases online at www.thebusinesstimes.com The Grand Valley Business Times, a subsidiary of Hall Media Group LLC, is published twice monthly and distributed throughout Grand Junction, Fruita and Palisade. Advertising rates and deadlines are available upon request. Opinions expressed in this publication are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, editor, staff or advertisers. Copyright © 2015 — AllCopyright rights reserved. © 2022 — All rights reserved.
Remember our parents’ warning about getting ask coming It’swhat that we time offor year whenback to bite us in our backsides? Even if we don’t, life resolutions and prognostications abound. has way of saying makingapplied us realize My afavorite to what New our Year’s parents warned wasthey’re an eternal truth. a resolutions is inabout saying basically In of mypromises life, it’s to break the first week bunch more than just thatwhile I won’t predict a of January. And single be pretty much accurately whole truth lot, Itocan careful about as I’ve nail a few things that without question learned twothe caveats will make news.toYou will see these are the lesson ourpredictable: parents pretty, well, tried ■ unsuccessfully to Prediction one: tell us:will 1. No There begood somedeed goes unpunished. 2. Be sort of weather event, careful you or ask in natural who disaster what you’re asking for. heinous occurrence Craig Hall Which leadswill me where someone to latest “listening bethe interviewed and say tour” promoted“I’ve by Mesa County officials. the following: They’re asking for public input on creating never seen anything alike vision thatof in“Mesa my Together” — for what’s most important lifetime.” It’s astoifthe thisfuture of our county in Craig Hall terms and actions to personofisgovernment a required policy address of the citizens. attendeethe at concerns every news At least that’s the idea. And at first reporting event. While I understand most glance looks like acan good one. Who can people’sit perspective indeed be limited argue government listening to by, or against contained within, their own personal constituents making plans? If people experiences, in it is too much to ask to feel they’re of the process, the before consult somepart historical perspective solutions must be forYes, the common goodcan saying such a thing? this response and, better, they’ll defend results. applyeven to some events. But whenthe it comes But what discovered in I’m my life to weather andI’ve natural disasters, pretty is this: government sure thisMost is simply historysolutions repeatingaren’t itself. good despite the Same for as iteveryone has for millions andpublic millions of relations campaigns about years. More important, the taking planet action made it! on citizen suggestions. That’s because What didn’t were certain species. How’s people agree on their ideas. that fornever perspective? Here’s reason two: No. 1When underitbecomes more to a ■ Prediction careful who you’rethat asking whatbetween you’re crime orinsomething occurs asking for.the Whenever one asks government humans, other required attendee at all to do something, things occur. First news reportingtwo events is always the person who is thethis: obvious. Someone is probably says “They we’re just the nicestasking government to benefit them people, and to in do no something way did I see something personally, which inExactly. the yin No and one yangdoes of real like this coming.” life benefit else personally. mostwon’t of the time someone when it comes to Let’s be honest. EVERY government neighbors and acquaintances. People should decision, law at or what regulation be surprised goes benefits on fromone time to person other, one group overand another time inover theirthe neighborhoods, towns or takes fromthey someknow to give to others. with people because people are solution good.Find Andme forone the government times that they shouldn’t that’s benefitted all.with I dare you. Even those be shocked — like politicians, repeat who despise keystroke I make offenders andevery terrorists — where’s the— especially those invoking the perfection interview that says, “This doesn’t surprise of Constitution methe in the least.” and Declaration of Independence — three: are quick to pointgood out ■ Prediction Something how those documents didn’t will happen economically, anddo themuch for slaves in ourwill newtake country. makes government credit What for it. The most anyone think our current leadership at all recent example is gas prices, where people levels government (who qualified ask meofwhy I won’t credit thearen’t president for to theprices. shoesMy of our founders) would lowtiegas answer is simple: come up withnever better solutions thanofthe Government makes the price founders? don’t. something Igosure down and simply takes credit Second, when comesistosubject these public for good news. Gas itpricing to relations campaigns feware who many global factors. and Nowthe there participate the problem of askingsome for of governmentisanswers to addressing something one might wantfor at Americans, the expense them to keep prices stable of Those are has the none folks of who always butothers. our government them in participate in government programs place. The only things it has in place and in the
aPril15-28, 7-20, 2015 2022 JANUARY
efforts. They love being part of the process. And participate for one reason only: long they run always hurt consumers. Another It benefits at the expense of others who fact is thatthem unemployment reaches a certain might think on differently. MoreAnd important, it level based the economy. while the benefits themmight over competitors. Afterisall, government brag the number low, that was the thegovernment New Deal. did Who it’s more than“new” likelyinthe do you think for the something towrote causethe thatregulations number being low government? gotway. it, theConversely, big boys. You — and not in You a good when think Roosevelt hadit’stime to listen the business picks up, because theto people little some miracle voice who guy, neediftoby buy widgets whotheir were not rose above din? because the economy was buyingthe widgets Does that you of contracting dueremind to natural (oranything unnatural, recently? Perhaps the reasons, last couple of years government caused) decided we when businesses were to be better certain buy some widgets. Theallowed government open, but notto others? Dothis. you honestly think had nothing do with government was listening you andwith me? ■ Prediction four: Intokeeping Or wasthe thatgovernment about listening to Ithe “experts,” things does, predict the as FDR did while destroying small businessto government will manipulate the numbers after business? At its baseislevel, it’s makesmall the claim the economy getting nothing more than government better because of how hard it ispicking working to winners anduslosers. SorryAmericans.” dear reader:Now help all of “working Against someone who regularly takes you might say, “Craig, you always saypart this in a “listening tour” in getting access a about President Obama because youtodon’t politician, loser. I don’t like him.” you’re You’re always right inthe a sense. leads but to another indisputable knowThat the man, what I know of him and fact: Anything government as a his thinking, I don’t like it oraddresses him one iota. result these surveys it takes over.like And Beforeofyou go off, however, I didn’t taking over things works stimulus well for President Bush andnever his bailouts, Joe say market you’re to a small and Lunchbucket. his abandoningLet’s the free save developer and ask county to be more the free market. Andour I don’t know him involved in the and permit process in either. What the fee government does, and the streamlining projects. let’seconomy. be honest only thing it can do, is And hurt the here, in streamlining your in Unlessusually it doesit’s nothing or put criminals project before your competitors. Asnothing any jail instead of partnering with them, politician will do in doing good deeds,look the government does will help. Always they’ll to get right on it. And says at it thispromise way, whatever the government maybe thatwhatever works out youof —the thislaw time. it is doing, thefor name it It’s theornext time where the or problem is passing, whatever the name goal of lies. Because next your competitor the bureaucracy it istime presenting to the might before you do. people,answer expect the the survey polar opposite to occur. Or worse, thoseI’m streamlined deals I guessallwhat saying is that will nowit’s be time giventotoget larger projects from perhaps out of our own out-of-town developers promising more perspective. There’s plenty of history jobs and a bigger taxresearch base for out the there county. books and historical to Honestly, who’s gonna better begin to understand thatget allthe of this hasdeal — your small company a project happened before. And it or will again, worth millions more in tax revenues? whether the topic is people or government. Want to take this one step further? The best recommendation is to find Just did or government decide was somewho books try that whole Google essential the last fewofyears? Why did thing. There’s a lot information ononly the certain businesses get openisafter meeting Great Depression. Thetotruth it wasn’t “special” emergency laid out even a good one untilrequirements the government got by our county? These under good involved. There’s alsofell plenty ofthe research deeds emergency government powers. on theofmedieval warm period when the Who negative brunt of today these with planetbore wasthe much warmer than government “good deeds?” a whole lot less people (and warmer well There things county before manare was here the at all). Andshould yep, do and provide. and people have beenRoads, killinginfrastructure other surprised keeping communities safefirst — equally people since history was written.and fairly, emergency not. But it can’t do Maybe some or research will help stop any thosetrends. effectively or equally it’s all ofofthese Otherwise, we’llif be trying do everything everyone. sayingto we’ve never seenfor anything like it in It’s why shouldn’t askway. it to. our lives. Andwenot in a good Craig Craig Hall Hall is is owner owner and and publisher publisher of of the the Business Business Times. Times. Reach Reach him him at at 424-5133 424-5133 or or publisher@thebusinesstimes.com. publisher@thebusinesstimes.com. F ✦
April 7-20, 2022
The Business Times
pAge 27
New and improved isn’t Caucus and assembly in adding “modern” twist part of political process to supply-side economics closest to founders’ vision Have you ever noticed that products advertised as new and improved rarely are? Definitions of words and phrases constantly change to modify or gloss over original meanings. Politicians masters this. The same thing happens in economics. The policy of supply-side economics stressing limited government regulations and low taxes has been in use since the founding of the United States. In 1776, Adam Smith published “An Inquiry Into the Nature and Phyllis Causes of the Wealth Hunsinger of Nations,” the result of years of research and observations in European countries. Smith castigated government intervention in economies and provided a model for free markets and free trade. These principles became the pillars of capitalism in the U.S., which has produced the highest standard of living for the greatest number of people in the world. Enter Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, who recently proposed in a speech to the World Economic Forum that President Joe Biden’s Build Back Better policies should be labeled modern supply-side economics. Yellen defended her new definition: “Modern supply-side economics seeks to spur economic growth by both boosting labor supply and raising productivity while reducing inequality and environment damage. Essentially, we aren’t just focused on achieving a high topline growth number that is unsustainable. We are instead aiming for growth that is inclusive and green.” What Yellen forgot to mention is the economy has never thrived under the intervention of federal bureaucrats. Robert Genetski recently wrote in the Epoch Times: “During the 50 years when U.S. policies clearly followed free market classical principles, our country enjoyed its greatest progress.” Genetski said President Woodrow Wilson, known as the father of progressive economics, made the first departure from free market principles. “Wilson increased the money supply and government spending while enacting burdensome regulations, wage and price controls and tax increases intended for businesses and wealthy individuals.” The result of these policies was disastrous. Since then, presidents have come and gone who favored government control over the economy as opposed to letting the free market work. The definition of insanity comes to mind: doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.
There’s no need to be misled by a new and improved label when it comes to the health of the economy. Studying the economic history of the United States provides leaders with actual data as to the most effective economic policies. But politicians appear less interested in adopting policies proven to lift more citizens out of poverty and improve the standard of living for all and more interested in power and control. The pattern has held throughout history. Leadership favoring government intervention in business and high taxes leads to minimum economic growth and hurts the average American. Genetski wrote: “As great as the U.S. economy is, when we adopted policies similar to those found in underdeveloped nations, it has behaved like the economy of an underdeveloped nation.” There’s no need to be misled by a new and improved label when it comes to the health of the economy. Studying the economic history of the United States provides leaders with actual data as to the most effective economic policies. But politicians appear less interested in adopting policies proven to lift more citizens out of poverty and improve the standard of living for all and more interested in power and control. Don’t fall for adding the word modern before supply-side economics. This is an attempt to deceive. Look at the data, follow the results. Big government has never been the answer.
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.” For more information, log on to www.free-dom.us.com. Contact Hunsinger at phyllis@free-dom.us.com. F
To the editor: A recent editorial in the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel requires a response. First and most importantly, the local party does not set the election rules, nor does the state Republican party. Those decisions are made by the State Legislature. I am, as the local party chair, not allowed to alter those rules. You might be surprised to learn that in 2020, when the Letter to Legislature altered the rules for the caucus/assembly because the editor of COVID, I made a proposal for that year that we suspend the caucus/assembly process out of safety concerns. I was unsuccessful in that attempt. Just last fall, the state GOP heard a debate at our fall meeting about suspending our participation in the primary. I was one of the leaders to keep the GOP in that process in spite of the knowledge that our opponents on the left were going to use the open primary process to attempt to influence the candidates in the Republican primary. One of the reasons there are no Democrats on the local ballots this year is the attempt for them to do just what was described above. We have seen countless letters in the Daily Sentinel urging Democrats to go unaffiliated and vote in the Republican primary instead. I have long been a proponent of having as many candidates as possible to encourage the debate necessary in our political system. I have been chastised about this for years, but I do not view it as the job of the county chair to be the arbiter of who belongs on the ballot. That decision belongs to the voters. It is the job of the candidates to convince those voters. That process starts with the caucus, which the Mesa County Republican Party held on March 5. It took about 2 hours to complete the caucus. (Not really that significant amount of time). The party chose that date in order to give a maximum amount of time for candidates to campaign before the assembly. This year’s Republican assembly was held on March 26. Out of 413 delegates possible, we had 353 voting delegates. Those delegates voted on candidates for the following offices: county commissioner District 2, county clerk and recorder, county sheriff, county coroner, county assessor, county surveyor, county treasurer, and Colorado House District 55 and Colorado Senate District 7. We had three contested races — county commissioner, county clerk and county sheriff. Those three races produced two contested primary races — county clerk and county sheriff. The voting and rules for the races are set out by Colorado state statutes, the Colorado Republican Party bylaws and the Mesa County Republican bylaws. I do find it odd that the Daily Sentinel is complaining about an event they chose not to cover live. Yes, Tina Peters was there campaigning for secretary of state. So was U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert. So were candidates for governor, U.S. Senate and other statewide races. Seems like it might have been an event your local hometown newspaper would have wanted to cover live. They might even have learned why the voters voted the way they did in various races. The Daily Sentinel chose not to and to complain after the fact about the outcomes. The caucus assembly process is a pain in the butt for county boards. It takes a tremendous amount of time and effort, costs a big chunk of money and always leaves unhappy feelings from losing candidates. It is also the closest thing in our political process to the way our country was formed and what the founders envisioned. Groups of people gathering with their neighbors to discuss the issues of the day and who is the best person to handle those problems. It was and is the founding basis of our republic. It would be a shame to dismiss them in order to make the political process easier. Kevin McCarney Chairman Mesa County Republican Party F
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Opinion Business Briefs Business People Almanac
n GRAND JUNCTION PACKRAFT BUSINESS SELECTED FOR ACCELERATOR PROGRAM
Alluvia Packraft in Grand Junction is among four companies selected to participate in an accelerator program for startup ventures in the outdoor industry. Moosejaw, an outdoor gear and apparel retailer, offers the program in partnership with the ICELab business resource center at Western Colorado University in Gunnison. The eight-week accelerator program is set to begin May 9 and include mentoring, Mariana Cevallos legal resources, a product launch and an opportunity to exhibit at the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market. Alluvia Packraft makes lightweight, packable, inflatable boats. The boats can packed down to the size of a roll of paper towels and weigh less than a gallon of water. Mariana Cevallos, co-founder and chief executive officer of the company, grew up in Peru and moved to Colorado in 2015. “Alluvia welcomes everyone to explore the outdoors,” Cevallos said. “And with the support of the accelerator program, we hope to gain valuable tools that will drive further awareness of Alluvia, enabling the brand to deepen its commitent to diversity and give back to our community." Eoin Comerford, CEO of Moosejaw, said the accelerator program helps bring entrepreneurial dreams to life while also increasing diversity in the outdoor industry. “Seeing the journeys and success stories that come from each of these talented founders and companies is incredible.” The other companies participating in the upcoming accelerator program include Lume Six, No Limbits and Outdoor Element. For more information about Alluvia Packraft, visit the website at https://alluviaraft.com. n BENEFIT DOCUMENT SHREDDING EVENT SET FOR APRIL 9 AT ALPINE BANK LOCATION A benefit document shredding event is scheduled to continue April 9 at the Alpine Bank location in downtown Grand Junction. The event is set for 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 9 in the parking lot behind the bank at 225 N. Fifth St. “This community service is a great motivator to clean out old documents, and it’s reassuring to know that all the paper is destroyed onsite,” Tyler Dahl said Tyler Dahl, regional president of Alpine Bank. “Shredding sensitive documents helps our customers and community avoid identity theft and fraud.” The event offers participants a chance to securely destroy old documents, including bank and medical records, credit card bills and tax documents. Participants may bring up to four banker-sized boxes of documents. Although the event is free, participants are asked to donate $5 per box of documents to shred to Mesa County Partners, a nonprofit organization that helps youth develop a positive self-image and sense of belonging while also accepting responsibility for their actions. Headquartered in Glenwood Springs, Alpine Bank operates locations across Colorado and serves more than 160,000 customers. For more information, visit www.alpinebank.com.
The Business Times
aPril 7-20, 2022
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A kitchen and bathroom remodeling business has opened in Western Colorado. SuperFast Kitchen & Bath offers design and construction services and can complete most projects in less than two weeks, said Jesse Koerner, owner and general contractor. “To a lot of people, the idea of remodeling their kitchen can be overwhelming. They don’t want to have their house in disarray for months at a time,” Koerner said. “At SuperFast Kitchen & Bath, our crew meticulously plans your construction schedule to achieve customized, quality remodel designs in a fraction of the typical construction timeline. Most of our remodel projects can be completed in less than two weeks.” Koerner brings to his venture more than 20 years of experience in construction, including managing construction franchises and completing hundreds of full kitchen and bathroom upgrades. He relocated from the Front Range of Colorado to Paonia in 2021 to seek out a different lifestyle in Western Colorado. “I am thrilled to be living on the Western Slope and doing what I love,” Koerner said. “SuperFast Kitchen & Bath is going to bring a new way of remodeling to the area, and we can’t wait to get started on new projects.” SuperFast Kitchen & Bath serves Mesa County as well as Delta, Garfield, Montrose, Ouray, Pitkin and San Miguel counties in Western Colorado. The business offers free consultations with customers to review their kitchens and bathrooms and discuss projects and budgets with an experienced contractor. To learn more or schedule a consultation, call (970) 200-2140 or visit the website located at htttps:// superfastkitchenandbath.com.
n MACHINING BUSINESS RECEIVES CERTIFICATION FROM AMERICAN PETROLEUM INSTITUTE Industrial Screen and Maintenance based in Grand Junction has earned certification for quality management for manufacturing businesses serving the oil and natural gas industry. ISM received the American Petroleum Institute (API) Specification Q1 Ninth Edition Certification. The company also received the International Organization for Standardization 9001:2015 Certification. Lindsey Robinson “The achievement of API QI Certification is a testament to ISM’s commitment to consistent processes and quality standards,” said Lindsay Robinson, owner of the company. ISM operates facilities in Grand Junction and Casper, Wyo., offering a range of precision machining services as well as polyurethane products. The API certification covers the ISM operation in Grand Junction, including machining, threaded connections, tubular repairs, urethane-coated products and industrial screens. The API and ISO certifications both require annual audits of procedures, processes and standards. “We are thrilled to have the approval of API. It’s a long and tedious audit process to become certified, but it’s worth it to give our customers the peace of mind that they are receiving the highest quality of products and servicing from our company,” Robinson said. For more information about Industrial Screen and Maintenance, call 245-4020 or visit www.industrialscreen.com. n PINNACOL ASSURANCE TO DISTRIBUTE $50 MILLION IN DIVIDENDS IN COLORADO Pinnacol Assurance will distribute a total of $50 million in general dividend checks while also lowering its premiums for workers compensation insurance an average of 11 percent. “When our customers speak to us, we listen,” said John O’Donnell, president and chief executive officer of Pinnacol Assurance. “Our customers told us they wanted lower rates on John O’Donnell the front end while still having the opportunity for a dividend, and we’re doing just that. When we partner with our customers to create safer work environments, we are happy to pass the savings on to them.” Nearly 95 percent of Pinnacol Assurance policyholders are eligible to receive dividends — an average of $974. Dividends are based on the financial performance of Pinnacol as well as customers’ commitment to safety with timely claims reporting and investments in safety education, equipment and technology. For more information about Pinnacol Assurance, visit the website at www.pinnacol.com. F
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n COUPLE TAKES OVER OWNERSHIP OF GRAND VALLEY HOME CARE FIRM
Chris and Michele Smith have taken over as the new owners of the Visiting Angels home care franchise in Grand Junction. The couple bring to the operation 11 years of experience in operating Visiting Angels of Southwest Colorado based in Pagosa Springs. They expanded their operations to Alamosa, Cortez and Durango in Chris Smith Colorado as well as Farmington, N.M. and northern Arizona. Jeanne Hicks is acting care director in Grand Junction as well as a minority owner. She managed the Visiting Angels operation in Durango for three years. The staff in Grand Junction also includes Michele Wiginton, client care manager; Julee Beck, assistant client care manager; and Traci Leckliter, Michele Smith scheduler. Visiting Angels provides a range of services designed to help seniors remain in their homes, including bathing, cleaning, companionship, errands and assistance with walking. For more information, call 254-8888 or visit the website at www.visitingangels.com/grandjunction. n GRAND JUNCTION RESIDENTS APPOINTED TO YOUTH SERVICES COMMUNITY BOARD Rachel Esters, William Sightler III and Joy Thompson of Grand Junction were reappointed to the Division of Youth Services Community Board. The three bring to the board their experiences with incarcerated youth. Regional boards promote community involvement and transparency with division facilities, promote community involvement and provide opportunities for youth to build relationships with adult role models.
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SHARE YOUR NEWS 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. n MONTROSE HEALTH CARE EXECUTIVE MAKES MAGAZINE LIST OF TOP 50 CFOS Yvonne Wigington, chief financial officer of Montrose Regional Health, was named to a magazine list recognizing health care executives. Wigington was included among the Becker Hospital Review 50 Community Hospital CFOs to Know. The list recognizes CFOs guiding their organizations through changes in the health care industry. Yvonne Wigington “To receive this recognition is truly an honor,” she said. “I have been so fortunate to work with great teams throughout my career. I am grateful for the tremendous support I have received from those teams.” Jeff Mengenhausen, chief executive officer of Montrose Regional Health, said the financial team has played a role in a thriving health care system. “We are proud of Yvonne and the great job she does leading our financial team.” The magazine story cited Wigington’s experience working for regional nonprofit hospitals and her record of leaading successful financial operations. Prior to joining Montrose Regional Health, she worked at the Wyoming Medical Center in Casper. Montrose Regional Health serves a seven-county region of Western Colorado with a 75-hospital bed and a range of inpatient and outpatient services. The system is the second-largest employer in Montrose County with more than 700 employees. For more information, visit the website at https://montrosehealth.com. F
CMU biology professor honored in STEM exhibit Johanna Varner, an assistant biology professor at Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction, was among 120 women recognized in a sculpture exhibit for their efforts in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Varner was included in an exhibit of 120 life-size statutes of women Johanna Varner as part of the IfThenSheCan — The Exhibit. The full exhibit opened in Dallas in 2021 and is now on display on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Varner is one of seven women from Colorado included in the exhibit. “It’s absolutely incredible to be a part of something
like this, and to see every kind of woman represented is truly remarkable,” Varner said. The exhibit features 120 orange statutes created with three-dimensional printers to celebrate women pursuing STEM careers. Varner studies pikas, a relative of the rabbit that inhabits alpine rockslides. Because of their sensitive to heat, pikas could offer an indicator of the effects of climate change on alpine ecosystems. In 2019, Varner became an IF/THEN ambassador as part of an initiative sponsored by Lydia Hill Philanthropies. The initiative empowers women in STEM while also inspiring the next generation. Varner provides hands-on training and developed a pathway for Girl Scouts to receive their Think Like a Citizen Scientist Journey badge. F
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April 7 n Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce Women in Business free networking lunch, noon to 1 p.m., KAFM Radio, 1310 Ute Ave., Grand Junction. Participants should bring a soup, salad or side dish to share. https://fruitachamber.org or 858-3894 n Business startup workshop, 1 to 4:30 p.m., Business Incubator Center, 2591 Legacy Way, Grand Junction Admission $55. 243-5242 or https://gjincubator.org April 8 n Western Colorado Latino Chamber of Commerce business after hours, 5:30 to 7 p.m., Counseling and Education Center, 2708 Patterson Road, Grand Junction. Admission $5 for chamber members, $15 for others. http://wclatinochamber.org April 12 n Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce Women in Business mala bead workshop, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Ordinary Fellow, 202 Peach Ave., Palisade. Admission $36, which includes workshop and a glass of wine. https://fruitachamber.org or 858-3894 April 14 n Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce networking at noon, 11:45 a.m., Junct’n Square, 119 N. Seventh St. Admission $20 for chamber members, $25 for others. https://gjchamber.org or 242-3214 n Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce business after hours, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Happy Trails Colorado, 217 E. Aspen Ave. Admission $5 for chamber members, $10 for others. https://fruitachamber.org or 858-3894 April 15 n Coffee Club networking group, 9 to 10 a.m., FWorks, 325 E. Aspen Ave., Fruita. Event free for members of the Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce, $5 for others. https://fruitachamber.org or 858-3894 April 20 n Palisade Chamber of Commerce business after hours, 5:30 to 7 p.m., Colorado Vintner’s Collective, 3674 G Road. Admission for chamber members $5 in advance and $6 at the door. Admission for others $8 in advance and $10 at the door. https://palisadecoc.com or 464-7458 Upcoming n Western Colorado Human Resource Asssociation legislative conference, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 26, Colorado Mesa University and virtually by Zoom. Admission ranges from $99 to $349. www.wchra.org n Western Colorado Economic Summit, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 26, Grand Junction Convention Center, 159 Main St. Admission $75. westcoeconomicsummit.com n Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce presentation on the benefits of membership, noon to 1 p.m. April 26, chamber offices at 360 Grand Ave. and virtually by Zoom. https://gjchamber.org or 242-3214 See ALMANAC page 31
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Continued from page 30 Upcoming n Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce business after hours, 5:30 to 7 p.m. April 26, Western Colorado Community College, 2508 Blichmann Ave. Admission $10 in advance and $12 at the door. 242-3214 or https://gjchamber.org n Colorado Mesa University Entrepreneurship Day featuring keynote luncheon speaker Kurtis Minder, co-founder and chief executive officer of GroupSense, noon to 1:30 p.m. April 27, CMU ballroom. Tickets sell for $60 for individuals, $500 for a table for eight and $1,000 for sponsors. https://www.supportingcmu.com/Eday n Welcome Thursday Friends networking meeting, noon to 1:30 p.m. April 28, Munchies, 550 Kokopelli Drive, Fruita. https://fruitachamber.org or 858-3894
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n Business startup workshop, 1 to 4:30 p.m. April 28, Business Incubator Center. Admission $55. 243-5242 or https://gjincubator.org n Homebuilders Association of Western Colorado Home and Garden Expo, April 30 and May 1, Mesa County Fairgrounds, 2785 U.S. Highway 50, Grand Junction. 245-0253 n Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce Women in Business free networking lunch, noon to 1 p.m. May 5, KAFM Radio. Participants should bring a soup, salad or side dish to share. 858-3894 or https://fruitachamber.org n Business startup workshop, 1 to 4:30 p.m. May 5, Business Incubator Center. Admission $55. 243-5242 or https://gjincubator.org n Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce State of the Valley luncheon presentation, noon May 11, Grand Junction Convention Center. Admission $25 for
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chamber members, $30 for others. 242-3214 or https://gjchamber.org n Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce business after hours, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. May 12, Growl Agency, 750 Main St., Suite 202, Grand Junction. Admission $5 for chamber members, $10 for others. 858-3894 or https://fruitachamber.org n Palisade Chamber of Commerce business after hours, 5:30 to 7 p.m. May 18, Basecamp RV Resort, 985 N. River Road. Admission for chamber members $5 in advance and $6 at the door. Admission for others $8 in advance and $10 at the door. https://palisadecoc.com or 464-7458 n Business startup workshop, 1 to 4:30 p.m. May 24, Business Incubator Center. Admission $55. 243-5242 or https://gjincubator.org F
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