THE BUSINESS T IMES News MAY 21-JUNE 10, 2020
THE DEFINITIVE SOURCE FOR GRAND JUNCTION BUSINESS NEWS SINCE 1994
VOLUME 27, ISSUE 10
THEBUSINESSTIMES.COM
Trends Back in 2 Contributorsbusiness Opinion 2 Business Briefs 4 Business People Almanac
In this issue
n Frustrating rules
The owner of a fun park remains committed to safety, but also is frustrated over guidelines that closed his arcade.
n Read her lips
n Owners intent on doing the right thing in reopening health club. See page 2
A Grand Junction audiologist devised face masks with clear plastic that enable the hearing impaired to read lips.
n Seeking security
Dale and Paula Reece operate Crossroads Fitness Centers in Grand Junction. They’ve reopened their north location under the terms of state and county guidelines.
The Grand Junction agency of a financial services firm reported its busiest two months ever as clients sought security.
n Instructive effort Colorado Mesa University has begun planning to offer in-person instruction on campus for the fall semester.
5
n Taxing matters
17
Local tax collections have dropped as the effects of the pandemic begin to show up in government reports.
n Honesty policy
19
Honesty really is the best policy in communicating with employees in the midst of the coronavirus outbreak.
n Departments Business Briefs Business People Contributors News Opinion Trends
28 30 19-25 2-16 26-27 17-18
Business Times photo by Phil Castle
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THE BUSINESS T IMES News The Business Times
Page 2
May 21-June 10, 2020
Back in business
Trends Contributors Opinion Business Briefs D Business People Almanac Health club owners remain intent on doing the right thing in reopening facilities
Jennifer Bebee, an audiologist at Western Colorado Hearing & Balance in Grand Junction, models a clear face mask. (Photo courtesy Western Colorado Hearing & Balance)
Read her lips: Clear masks aid hearing impaired
Jennifer Bebee noticed yet another result of the coronavirus pandemic, this one affecting her hearing impaired patients. “With the coronavirus pandemic, we’re all wearing masks. If you already struggle to hear, the masks not only muffle one’s voice, but it makes it impossible to read lips,” Bebee said. “I knew I needed to help come up with a solution locally and quickly.” Working with a quilting shop, the Grand Junction audiologist devised cloth face masks with clear plastic around the mouth that enables the hearing impaired to read lips. Western Colorado Hearing & Balance, the clinic Bebee owns, offers the masks at no charge, but asks that recipients make a donation to Kids Aid. The clinic also will donate $15 for each mask to the organization providing food for hungry children. See LIPS page 15
Dale and Paula Reece own Crossroads Fitness Centers in Grand Junction. While their downtown location remains closed, they’ve reopened their north location under the terms of state and county guidelines.
ale Reece says he’s long relied on an underlying philosophy to guide his business decisions. It’s been no different in reopening his Grand Junction health clubs in the midst of a pandemic. “We always try to do the right thing,” says Reece, who owns Crossroads Fitness Centers with his wife, Paula. Following state and county guidelines, Crossroads limits the number of members who use facilities to 30 percent of capacity. Members are checked for fevers when they come in. They must wear face coverings and maintain distancing at all times. Employees wear face covers as well. The Reeces waived dues in April when Crossroads was closed and extended the waiver through May, knowing some members might remain reluctant to come back right away. “We want them to make the decisions for themselves in their time frame,” Dale says. That’s a reflection of another underlying philosophy to cater to members and their needs, he says. “We see a member first and their experience, and the money second.” The Reeces say the reacted at first to the coronavirus pandemic and related stay-at-home orders and closures with shock and disbelief. A state order closed gyms along with bars, theaters and other types of businesses to slow the spread of the virus. See BACK page 16
STORY AND PHOTO BY PHIL CASTLE
State coronavirus guidelines frustrate fun park owner Phil Castle
The Business Times
Chris Burns remains committed to ensuring the safety of the guests at his Grand Junction fun park. But he’s also frustrated over what he considers the unfair application of rules intended to slow the spread of coronavirus. While Burns closed the arcade at Bananas Fun Park to follow state guidelines, he believes the facility is safer to visit than other businesses allowed to operate. The issue is a significant one, Burns said, because the arcade is an important part of an operation that employs a staff of 70 and also offers an entertaining diversion for families who’ve been otherwise limited in what they can do in the midst of a pandemic. “I’m pretty emotional about all this stuff because I care so much.” Burns reopened Bananas Fun Park on May 4 following a more than seven-week closure mandated under a series of state orders. Prior to reopening, the facility was sanitized and new practices were put in place. Use is limited to 30 percent of capacity, social distancing protocols are enforced and face masks are supplied to employees. Hand sanitizer stations are available for guests. See FRUSTRATE page 15
A table placed near the entrance of Bananas Fun Park in Grand Junction offers customers hand sanitizers and disposable gloves. The nearby arcade remains closed, however, under state guidelines intended to slow the spread of the coronavirus. (Business Times by Phil Castle)
May 21-June 10, 2020
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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 implement decisions. The commissioners decision making and Frank Whidden in turn represent the residents of the worked for more than county and express their will, he said. “We Ronyears Harrison Terry Arnold offerhas a range offor services through Five Rings 20 as aand minister. Whidden work the people.” Financial Grand They help clientsWhidden achievesaid their for investing, worked forinlarge andJunction. small organizations hegoals also considers himself retirement and college savings. (Businessa Times by the Philcommissioners Castle) in both the private and public sectors. liaisonphoto between 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. Phil Castle that results The in Business sustainable Meanwhile, expects the FOR YOUR Whidden INFORMATION Timesfunding and balanced budgets on a long-term basis. county to continue policies and initiatives Meanwhile, Mesa County will thatFor support businessabout and economic morelocal information While Ron Harrison uses various Five RingsThere Financial, contact steps continue to pursue efforts that promote a development. are additional metrics to track the performance of his (719)it849-1187 friendly business environment and thatRon can Harrison be taken toatmake easier for local financial services firm, he considers one or TerrytoArnold at 210-1749. economic development, Whidden said. businesses sell products and services to metric more significant than the others. also is available at Whidden officially began working as theInformation county, he added. “We’ve been able to help more people. www.fiveringsfinancial.com. county administrator at the beginning of Mesa County will keep working with That’s the most important thing,” said the year. He succeeds Tom Fisher, who was other government entities, organizations Harrison, executive vice president of Five hired as county manager in Summit and institutions on fostering an environment Rings Financial. Harrison said the concern he’s heard County, Utah. that supports existing businesses and In fact, Harrison said his Grand most from people is to “get things safe.” Whidden joined Mesa County in attracts new businesses, he said. Junction agency put more plans in place The means making investments in which August 2011 as information technology Whidden said there could be a for clients between March 15 and May 15 the principal isn’t at risk. That also can director. In April 2014, he became deputy opportunities to encourage the additional than in any similar span in his eight years include insurance annuities that offer county administrator for resource development of businesses that provide in business. Those two months were nearly guaranteed payouts. management in a staffing reorganization services to the agricultural industry as well a third busier than the average over the Other clients are looking for ways that eliminated four director positions. as promote Mesa County as a distribution course of a year, he said. in which to put money for which they’ve Before joining Mesa County, center for the region. Nationally, April was among the most already paid taxes into investments in Whidden worked for a company providing The important thing is to consider productive months ever for Five Rings which they can subsequently withdraw information technology services to issues from a well-rounded perspective, Financial, he said. money tax-free, he said. colleges and universities. In that role, he Whidden said. “We won’t be myopic as we Harrison attributed the increase in That affords them an opportunity to managed IT systems and services for look at things.” no small measure to concerns related to take advantage of what are comparably institutions in Alabama, Arizona, Illinois ✦ the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. low taxation rates now and avoid what “In times of uncertainty, people look for could be higher taxes later. security.” Insurance policies that offer what Terry Arnold, a licensed agent and are called “living benefits” enable vice president who works with Harrison, policyholders to receive payoffs in the agreed. “This is unlike anything we’ve ever event of critical, chronic or terminal experienced,” she said. “ It trickles down to illnesses. every single thing. It touches everyone.” Conceivably, that could cover severe Arnold also attributed the increase in health care issues and costs related to business to years spent laying groundwork coronavirus, Harrison said. “It can pay by teaching people about investing, bills when you can’t.” retirement planning and insurance. “Our Arnold said Five Rings Financial focus is on education.” offers workshops that cover the principles Headquartered in Littleton, Five related to saving and protecting money. Rings Financial offers services across the In the midst of a pandemic, the company country with a network of about 9,000 offers virtual workshops, including agents, Harrison said. Those services help live presentations as well as recorded clients protect and grow income as well as presentations people can watch on their prepare for retirement and college and the own schedules. possibility of serious illnesses. F The Business Times
As clients seek security, financial firm gets busy
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CMU plans to resume in-person instruction Colorado Mesa University has begun planning to offer in-person instruction for the fall semester. CMU President Tim Foster said the Safe Together, Strong Together initiative will involve Mesa County Public Health as well as Community Hospital and St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center. “ C o m b i n i n g Tim Foster their expertise with the knowledge base of our faculty experts should result in the best available science and data we need to protect the health and safety of the campus community as we return to campus,” Foster said. Amy Bronson Work on the plan is scheduled for completion by June and will take into account all programs and facilities at CMU. The university moved spring semester instruction online in March in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Summer instruction will remain online. Amy Bronson, director of the physicians assistant program at CMU, will lead the effort along with John Marshall, vice president for student services. “The goal is to create a rigorous science- and health-focused plan that
acknowledges the existence of COVID-19 in our community,” Bronson said. “The safer/ stronger approach will help us re-envision what the campus community will look like and how we can build a safe campus community given that reality.” The initiative begins as CMU announced the re-opening of the Hamilton Recreation Center, Maverick Store and several outdoor recreation facilities. The facilities were re-opened after a review from area medical experts and approval by Mesa County Public Health. “The approach CMU has taken to ensure the health and safety of Mesa County while considering the needs of their campus community is appreciated,” said Jeff Kuhr, executive director of Mesa County Public Health. “Mesa County Public Health wanted to make sure their plan took into account all the unique circumstances this response demands. Their thoughtful, deliberate and collaborative approach is a model for others.” Community Hospital consulted on the opening of the facilities and also will be involved in long-term planning. “We are committed to assisting Colorado Mesa University navigate the very complex and challenging aspects of COVID-19,” said Chris Thomas, president and chief executive officer of Community Hospital. “As CMU looks to bring back students to campus in the fall, we share their mission to keep our entire community as safe as possible.” F
Trustees vote to keep tuition unchanged Colorado Mesa University will keep tuition and other fees at the same level for the upcoming academic year, university trustees decided. The trustees voted to approve a budget that includes no increases in tuition or charges for room and board. “The natural impulse for universities facing their own budget difficulties is to raise tuition and fees to cover shortfalls. I asked the trustees to join me in not moving in that direction and am pleased they agreed,” CMU President Tim Foster stated in an email. “You might wonder how or why CMU would choose to not raise tuition or fees when eroding economic conditions indicate all institutions will face significant financial challenges in the coming years. The answer to this question is found in the students we serve.” Trustee Kelly Brough agreed. “What makes Colorado Mesa University an incredible institution is that every single decision made by CMU is based on what is best for our students. The budget that has been presented to us today and in particular the decision not to raise tuition or room and board for the next year reinforces what I call our North Star principle of always placing students first.” Trustee Daniel Ramos said it’s
important to keep CMU affordable, especially for students who could be challenged to return in the fall. “I want to applaud CMU for their creativity and for making tough decisions that maintain the integrity of the university. I am really excited to vote yes for this budget and make sure we can continue to provide access for our students.” Trustee Alison Griffin said students bear the burden of increasing tuition and fees, including low-income and first-generation students. “This is a difficult and bold decision. But not raising tuition is in the best in interest of our students, and the CMU approach to alternative cost savings could be a model for other institutions in the state or in the region,” Griffin said. Foster said plans are under way to modify operations and identify cost savings, but measures shouldn’t be implemented at the expense of students at a time when families face stress and financial hardships. “The trustees reinforced their role as statewide leaders today,” he said. “They understand a quality education has no value if those students we serve can’t afford it. I’m glad the trustees took this action even as many others throughout the nation are pressured to increase tuition to fill shortfalls.” F
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May 21-June 10, 2020
Donation boosts program helping nonprofits, restaurants A nearly $11,000 donation has bolstered a new program that helps nonprofit organizations alleviate hunger while also helping restaurants struggling to maintain operations in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. The Guys Giving Club donated $10,900 to the Caring For Our Home Community program. Coordinated by the Western Colorado Community Foundation in Grand Junction, the program awards grants to nonprofit organizations to purchase meals from restaurants. The program is open to nonprofits in the Grand Valley that provide food to individuals and families. The organizations work with dine-in restaurants in the effort. The Guys Giving Club meets quarterly to review requests for donations and select a charity to which members each donate $100. To date, the club has donated more than $172,000.
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
To contribute, visit the website located at www.wc-cf.com/donate-covid-relief and click on Caring For Our Home Community or mail a check with Caring For Our Home Community in the memo line to the Western Colorado Community Foundation at P.O. Box 4334, Grand Junction, CO 81502. Information also is available online at www.caringforourhomecommunity.com. “The selection of Caring For Our Home Community is the first time that members of the Guys Giving Club have ever unanimously agreed on the beneficiary. I think the reason is that it’s such a timely and practical idea. The
nonprofits get to help those in need eat and the money helps keep local restaurants in business,” said Kevin VanGundy, a member of the Guys Giving Club. The Caring For Our Home Community program has received more than $41,000 in donations from businesses and individuals and served more than 5,800 meals. Scott Aker, chief operating officer of the Grand Junction Housing Authority, praised the program for helping the Doors 2 Success nonprofit to help people in authority programs. “This is a very difficult time for our seniors, and they are going to be so appreciative of the meals the Caring For Our Home Community fund will provide,” Aker said. “It’s truly a win-win-win. The local restaurants benefit, our seniors benefit and our staff feels so encouraged by our community coming together to support our seniors.” F
Firm streamlines exam processes to serve drivers
A Grand Junction business has streamlined its operations in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic to help commercial drivers and the businesses that employ them comply with regulations requiring medical examinations. “We improved our business systems to where we could still provide an effective physical exam, but used technology to do all the tasks within the exam from a distance,” said Bryce Christianson, a B. Christianson chiropractor and clinic director with First Aid Occupational Health. “Some minor improvements have made the process even smoother for employers, too,” Christianson said. Regulations require that commercial drivers pass medical examinations, a certification that lasts up to two years. In addition, new drivers most pass exams to receive their commercial licenses, Christianson said. To streamline the process, First Aid Occupational Health collects patient histories and other documentation electronically or over the phone. Same-day appointments are usually available for physicals to help drivers complete requirements in a timely manner, Christianson said. The business also offers online scheduling and payments as well as submissions to the federal government and updates to the state commercial drivers license unit. In addition to medical exams for commercial drivers, First Aid Occupational Health offers diagnosis and treatments for work-related injuries as well as injury prevention and corporate wellness services. The company operates its offices at 2140 N. 12th St. For more information, call 712-8193 or visit the website located at www.FirstAidOccHealth.com. F
May 21-June 10, 2020
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Business group calls for pause on joint employer rules The leader of a small business advocacy group has called for more time to consider changes to wage laws in Colorado. “These are not normal times,” said Tony Gagliardi, state director of the National Federation of Independent Business in Colorado. Gagliardi provided oral testimony to the Colorado Department of Labor Tony Gagliardi and Employment Division of Labor Statistics and Standards calling for an extension in the comment period on proposed amendments to overtime and minimum pay rules, wage and hour direct investigation rules and the Wage Protection Act. “Business owners already face a multitude of factors which
will impact the prospect for survival, such as the continuing health and safety factors of the COVID-19 pandemic; the various closure orders around the state of Colorado; and other issues, such as getting employees to return to work and, most recently, an unemployment trust fund which will become insolvent in the very near future,” he said. The first notice of the proposed rule changes was issued April 15, a time when business owners were dealing with the effects of the coronavirus pandemic and related closures, he said. “Great uncertainty for business owners dominated their every thought. Questions such as would their business be forced to close, would their business be classified as an essential business and what would become of their employees should the business be forced to close.” Proposed changes to overtime and earnings statements would take into account a new federal test to determine
joint employment agreements and whether more than one entity may be considered a worker’s employer and held equally liable for wage and hour violations. A four-factor federal test considers whether a potential joint employer hires or fires employees, controls work schedules and employment conditions, determines wage payment rates and methods and maintains employment records. Gagliardi said the new state rules would discourage larger firms from working with smaller firms, upend franchising agreements and wrongly assign liability. “It does not make sense to hold Business A liable for Business B’s mistake if Business A was not actively controlling Business B’s employees,” he said. “The federal government nicely clarified the matter recently. It would be nice if the state cleaved to that.” F
New owners of construction firm add to services
New owners plan to continue the operations of a Grand Valley construction company while also offering additional services. Roger Croker and Brett Wade have taken over ownership of 970 Construction Co. and bring a total of more than 60 years of experience to the business. 970 Construction continues to offer home construction, remodeling and home improvement services. But the company also offers handyman services, emphasizing services that enable seniors to remain in their homes. “We wanted to bring the community a handyman service at affordable pricing with an emphasis on home accessibility services for senior citizens,” Croker said. “We’ve assembled a team of skilled craftsmen to accommodate every homeowner need in an affordable, professional manner at the highest quality.” Wade agreed. “This is a topic very close to our heart. We all understand aging is a natural part of life. As we age, we start to lose strength and mobility. Some of the tasks that were once easy become increasingly more difficult. It’s important that a home is accommodating of these changes, and 970 Construction has created an entire division devoted to ensuring the seniors in our community age safely and comfortably in their own homes.” The company installs handrails, keyless entry systems and wheelchair ramps as well as widens doorways and replaces doorknobs. “We will even mow the lawn if that is what is needed,” Wade said. For additional information about 970 Construction, call 644-5335 or visit the website at https://buildit970.com. F
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May 21-June 10, 2020
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May 21-June 10, 2020
Techstars Startup Week coming in virtual format An event promoting entrepreneurial endeavors in Western Colorado will switch to a virtual format in offering a series of free presentations in July. Programs and events will be offered online every Tuesday morning and Thursday afternoon starting July 7 and running throughout the month as part of Techstars Startup Week West Slope. “We know that us western innovators and pioneers are gritty and determined to forge ahead in the face Mara Hardy of adversity. We feel it’s good timing to rise up to this challenge,” said Mara Hardy, business development manager for the Grand Junction Economic Partnership. Organizers initially considered postponing Startup Week until the fall because of the coronavirus pandemic and related restrictions. But they decided online presentations could deliver educational programming while also highlighting and celebrating the efforts of entrepreneurs and their companies. “We believe in the entrepreneurial spirit and know
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
For more information about Techstars Startup Week West Slope, visit the website located at https://westslopestartupweek.com. that a crisis such as this can reveal new opportunities, creative partnerships and alternative ways to launch and run businesses outside of the Front Range,” said Taylor Grande, an organizer with Startup Colorado. “Although we may be apart physically, West Slope Startup Week wants to bring our entire region together, virtually, to capitalize on these opportunities to innovate and pivot,” Grande said. Brian Watson with Proximity Space said the goals of Techstars Startup Week West Slope remain the same — to share knowledge and expertise as well as build connections across the region. “We know so much of the magic of Startup Week comes from the in-person interactions, and we are cooking up some fun ideas to create a meaningful, engaging experience,” Watson said.
Organizers will select sessions from a list of more than 100 ideas submitted by Coloradans earlier this year to fill eight tracks. Organizers have asked for additional ideas for sessions that address the pandemic. Ideas must be submitted by June 5 using an online form. “COVID-19 has impacted every industry and business, and West Slope Startup Week will play a critical role in establishing the community and resources for us all to move forward,” said Jamie Finey, a partner at the Greater Colorado Venture Fund. “In addition to sessions around small business recovery and survival, this will be a great opportunity to connect over new business possibilities.” Tom Benton, director of the Colorado Mesa University Innovation Center, said sponsors remain committed to supporting the event in a virtual format. U.S. Bank is title sponsor. Other sponsors include Colorado Lending Source, Greenline Ventures, Kaart and ASAP Accounting & Payroll. “It’s no surprise,” Benton said. “It’s further proof of the strength and generosity of Western Colorado. These companies care about their communities. They see the value in bringing us together right now.” F
Company confirms plans to construct Montrose facility
A company has confirmed plans to construct in Montrose a logistics and distribution center for the outdoor industry. Wedge Brands announced it will build the 76,000-square-foot center on the 164-acre Colorado Outdoor campus in Montrose. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2020 with a completion date of 2021. “We are excited to be a part of Colorado Outdoors vision for the Western Slope. Montrose is a great place to work and to ski, bike, hike and fish. We look forward to integrating into the community,” said Jarka Duba, an Aspen executive who leads Wedge Brands. Wedge Brands operates a portfolio of companies that includes Briko, KAR, Koda Nutrition, Level Gloves, Northwave, State of Elevenate and Xcel Wetsuits. Wedge Brands plans to offer logistical services to other outdoor companies on the campus. Chelsea Rosty, director of business innovation for the City of Montrose, welcomed the announcement. “We took great care in building an environment that would allow such a business to thrive, and we look forward to seeing that become a reality.” The Colorado Outdoors Pearl Fund invested $1 million in Wedge Brands to help finance the $14 million facility. “Our vision of becoming a destination manufacturing campus for the outdoor industry in Colorado is becoming a reality. We are thrilled with Wedge Brands’ decision to relocate their facility from Reno, Nevada to Montrose, Colorado. We think it will be a catalyst for other outdoor industry companies to join us,” said David Dragoo, general partner of the Colorado Outdoors Pearl Fund. F
May 21-June 10, 2020
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May 21-June 10, 2020
Colorado apartment survey: Most renters paid May rent Nearly 90 percent of Colorado renters paid their May rent in full, according to the latest results of a survey of apartment management companies across the state. According to the Colorado Apartment Association, 88.8 percent of renters paid their May rent in full by May 5. That’s up from the 83.6 percent of renters who paid their April rent by April 6. “April turned out to be a good month for rent collections, and now May is off to even a stronger start,” said Mark Williams, executive vice president of the trade association. “CAA and its member companies had concerns that Coloradans would be more impacted in May than in April due to the length of the shutdown, but May’s rate of rent payments is off to a solid start.” The trend that May’s rent collections will outperform April is consistent with national numbers compiled by the
National Multifamily Housing Council, which reported 80.2 percent rent collections for May 6 compared to 78 percent rent collections for April 6. “Colorado has generally had better collection rates than national averages,” Williams said. “When I speak to asset managers who have portfolios in Colorado and other states, they are consistently seeing better numbers here locally by at least a few percentage points.” The association collected data from 84 apartment management companies covering a total of nearly 138,000 apartments. “It is normal for rent delinquency rates to be highest at the beginning of the month and decrease as more residents pay rent throughout the month,” Williams said. “During an average month, rent delinquency rates are between 5 percent and 6 percent after the first week, but decrease
to 1 percent or 2 percent by the month’s conclusion. As such, it is inevitable that over 89 percent of residents will pay rent by the end of May, especially considering that housing providers are not charging late fees, so residents are more likely to pay rent later in the month.” The association continues to provide resources for residents struggling with May payments. The association partnered with the Resident Relief Foundation to create a financial relief fund to help Colorado residents struggling to pay their rent because of coronavirus-related job or income loss or illness. The foundation recently launched a national multifamily industry fund-raising initiative to raise $10 million for rent payment assistance caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The Colorado Apartment Association joined the effort to bring funding to Colorado. F
Dental company offers $30 million for pandemic relief A dental benefits company in Colorado and its foundation have committed a total of $30 million in credits, loans and grants to help respond to the coronavirus pandemic. Delta Dental of Colorado and Delta Dental Colorado Foundation will offer relief to individuals as well as health care providers and community organizations. “Delta Dental of Colorado has developed a comprehensive and holistic COVID-19 relief response, recognizing that we have a number of stakeholders who have significant needs,” said Helen Drexler, president and chief executive officer of Delta Dental Colorado. “As a nonprofit organization, our desire is to create a plan and response that will have the greatest impact on the greatest number of those stakeholders and allows us to ensure that the oral health needs of all Coloradans are met not only during this period of the global pandemic but also when we recover and begin to rebuild the economy and reopen businesses.” Delta Dental offer benefits to more than 1.3 million members through various plans and a network of dentists. The pandemic relief plan offers a 50 percent premium and billing credit for March and April, a total of $16 million in relief to group and individual customers. Renewal rates for small businesses are frozen through the end of the year. In conjunction with the Colorado Enterprise Fund, the plan offers access to up to $7.5 million in low-interest loans to dentists and other oral health care providers in the state. The plan allocates $3 million to a reimbursement program for personal protective equipment for network providers. The plan earmarks $1.5 million to organizations addressing community needs, including health clinics, food banks and shelters. The Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation also accepts applications for a community relief fund with $2 million available for grants to support community health efforts. F
May 21-June 10, 2020
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May 21-June 10, 2020
Restaurants offer dining under coronavirus guidelines Restaurants are reopening for dine-in services in Mesa County, but also going to great lengths to comply with guidelines intended to slow the spread of coronavirus, according to the Association of Colorado Chambers of Commerce Executives. According to the association, chambers of commerce in Mesa County and elsewhere in Colorado have helped restaurants and other businesses in the midst of the pandemic. In Mesa County, guidelines limit dining operations to 30 percent of capacity and also require social distancing measures. “Restaurants reopened in Mesa County this month excited and a little nervous,” said Diane Schwenke, president and chief executive officer of the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce. “They are doing everything
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
Chambers of commerce in Grand Junction, Fruita and Palisade offer information about which restaurants and other businesses are open. For details, visit the websites located at www.gjchamber.org, www.fruitachamber.org and www.palisadecoc.com. they can to ensure their employees and customers can dine in safely.” Restaurants have taken steps to maintain at least 6 feet of space between tables, provide disposable menus and increase cleaning procedures. Some restaurants offer dine-in seating by reservation only to maintain social distancing.
“Having been in partnership with the Mesa County Health Department for many years and as a Blue Ribbon restaurant, we continue to put our customer safety first,” said Lisa Bondurant, owner of No Coast Sushi in Grand Junction. “We continue our standard cleaning and sanitation procedures as well as employee health checks. New safety measures we have implemented include sanitizing containers we receive and doing extra daily and nightly cleaning of restrooms, door handles, counters, pens, clipboards and delivery containers,” Bondurant said. “We also wear masks when creating food and working directly with our customers. And as always, we wash our hands frequently and wear gloves when it is appropriate to do so.” F
New jobless claims slow in Colorado, but payments grow
The pace of initial claims for unemployment benefits continues to slow in Colorado, but weekly payments in the state now approach $100 million. A total of 22,483 regular initial unemployment claims were filed in Colorado for the week ending May 9, according to the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment. Another 9,125 claims were filed between May 3 and 9 under the federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program for independent contractors and other self-employed people out of work because of coronavirus. Regular unemployment claims have declined in Colorado four weeks in a row. Still, 387,975 regular claims have been filed over the past eight weeks. Counting PUA benefits, a total of 451,155 claims have been filed. According to the latest available industry level information, the accommodation and food services sector accounted for the most unemployment claims, followed by the retail trade; health care and social service; administrative and support and waste management and remediation service; and arts, entertainment and recreation sectors. Weekly unemployment payments have increased in Colorado over the past six weeks from $29.8 million for the week ending April 4 to $96 million for the week ending May 9. Another $101.8 million was paid out under the PUA program between April 20 and May 8. During the height of the Great Recession in 2009 and 2010, an average of $19 million in unemployment benefits were paid out on a weekly basis. A total of $102.8 million in benefits were paid out in May 2009. For April 2020, that total was about $315 million. F
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May 21-June 10, 2020
Frustrate
Continued from page 2 Burns said he follows best practices established by the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions. Burns said he was told he’d have to close the arcade at the fun park because of updated guidance from the state that included arcades and other indoor recreation centers among the businesses not yet permitted to open. Burns complied, although he believes it’s safer to use the arcade than visit other businesses allowed to operate. “I’m frustrated as hell I can’t open up this facility.” Burns said he designated an employee to wipe off the games at the arcade after each use. At other businesses, employees and customers routinely touch merchandise and surfaces that haven’t been similarly cleaned. The closure and rules come at the beginning of what Burns said is the peak season for his business. It’s an example, he said, of the rules that could made it difficult for small businesses to survive the coronavirus pandemic — especially those businesses deemed nonessential. Businesses provide jobs that enable employees to feed their families and pay bills. Tax revenues fund schools and government services, he said. “Every business is essential.” Bananas Fun Park constitutes an important attraction, Burns said — as well as diversion for people and families at a time when they need one. Burns said he hopes to recoup at least some business in a new amenity — the domestic and craft beers, hard seltzers and wines he now serves adult guests. F
Lips
Continued from page 2 Nina Christ, a patient of Bebee’s, received one of the masks for her husband to wear. She said the mask has made a difference. “When were out in public, I was really struggling to hear him. With the background noise, combined with muffled sound coming from behind his mask, I just couldn’t make anything out. Now that I can read his lips, it’s a lifesaver.” Bebee enlisted the help of the Owls Nest Quilters shop in Grand Junction to create a pattern and make masks for her patients. The shop didn’t want payment and instead asked that Western Colorado Hearing & Balance donate to Kids Aid. Bebee said she was happy to do so. “This is truly a win-win. We are helping our patients communicate better while feeding local kids who may otherwise go hungry during this time.” While Owls Nest Quilters has taken a break from making the masks, Bebee said she hopes people with sewing skills making clear face masks for their use would consider making an additional one to donate to the practice. A pattern and instructions are available online at www.wchearingclinic.com. F
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The Business Times
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Colorado campaign highlights can do spirit
A state agency has launched a campaign to highlight Colorado businesses and professionals finding ways to serve their customers in the midst of a pandemic. “The State of Colorado has always been proud of being resilient and innovative. Now, more than ever, Colorado businesses are showing their grit in the face of this crisis,” said Patty Salazar, executive Patty Salazar director of the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies. “Colorado business owners are stepping up and transforming the way they operate to support their communities, and we are proud to celebrate those efforts.” A Can Do Colorado website located at https://sites.google.com/state.co.us/ candocolorado offers videos and stories about businesses and business owners creating new, safe ways to serve customers. Website visitors can share their own stories of innovation as well as nominate others they think deserve recognition. In addition, the website offers business owners, professionals and consumers educational resources and guidance about how businesses can reopen safely and responsibly. Colorado Gov. Jared Polis said businesses have responded in creative ways to challenges presented by the pandemic. “Many small businesses are stepping up with innovative solutions to help keep their customers and clients safe. We want to recognize and applaud their creativity.” Polis said. F
May 21-June 10, 2020
Dale and Paula Reece have reopened the north location of Crossroads Fitness Centers in Grand Junction. One good thing to come from a closure related to the coronavirus pandemic, the Reeces say, was the opportunity to renovate some of the facilities at the health club. (Business Times photo by Phil Castle)
Back
Continued from page 2 The order closed the Crossroads Fitness north location on Compass Drive and downtown location in the Alpine Bank Building. The Reeces reopened the north location on May 6, although the downtown location remains closed. Members who used the downtown facility are welcomed to use the north location. Areas of the north location also remain closed under state and county guidelines, including locker rooms and showers as well as the childcare, cycling and pool areas. No group classes are offered. Dale says one good thing to come out of the closure was an opportunity to renovate some of the facilities at the north location, including the cardiovascular exercise room, Mind Body Studio and women’s locker room. “It was a really good long-term solution.”
FOR YOUR INFORMATION For more information about Crossroads Fitness Centers, call 242-8746 or visit the website located at www.crossroadsfitness.com. While the experience of closing their businesses and the process of reopening the operation has been a difficult one, the Reeces say they’ve been encouraged by employees, members and local government agencies and business organizations. “There have been so many acts of kindness,” Dale says. The ordeal has reinforced yet another underlying principal, Paula says, and that’s connectivity. “We’re not an island anymore. We’re all in this together.” F
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News Trends Contributors Tax collections drop Opinion Business Briefs Business People Almanac
May 21-June 10 2020
The Business Times
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INDICATORS AT A GLANCE
n Business filings t New business filings in Colorado, 33,848 in the first quarter, down 5.6% from the first quarter of 2018.
n Confidence
t Consumer Confidence Index 86.9 in April, down 31.9. t Leeds Business Confidence Index for Colorado, 29.7 for the second quarter, down 21.1. t National Federation of Independent Business Small Business Optimism Index 90.9 for April, down 5.5
n Foreclosures
t Foreclosure filings in Mesa County, 2 in April, down 87.5% from April 2019.
t Foreclosure sales in Mesa County, 1 in April, down 83.3% from April 2019.
n Indexes
t Conference Board Employment Trends Index, 43.43 for April, down 14.44. t Conference Board Leading Economic Index 104.2 for March, down 6.7% t Institute for Supply Management Purchasing Managers Index for the manufacturing sector, 41.5% for April, down 7.6%.
n Lodging
t Lodging tax collections in Grand Junction, $64,909 for April, down 40.2% from April 2019.
n Real estate
t Real estate transactions in Mesa County, 374 in April, down 17.3% from April 2019. t Dollar volume of real estate transactions in Mesa County, $117 million in April, down 9.3% from April 2019.
n Sales
t Sales and use tax collections in Grand Junction, $4.4 million for April, down 10.3% from April 2019. t Sales and use tax collections in Mesa County, $2.9 million for April, down 7.1% from April 2019.
n Unemployment
s Colorado — 4.5% for March, up 2. s Mesa County — 6.3% for March, up 2.2. s United States — 14.7% for April, up 10.3.
Effects of pandemic and restrictions show up in Grand Valley reports A measure of sales activity has dropped in the Grand Valley as the effects of the coronavirus pandemic and related restrictions begin to show up in government reports. The City of Grand Junction reported a 10.3 percent decrease in sales and use tax collections in April compared to the same month last year. Mesa County reported a 7.1 percent decline. Grand Junction lodging tax collections, a measure of hotel and motel stays, dropped 40.2 percent. Collections in April reflect sales in March, when the outbreak began triggering stay-at-home orders and business closures. The city collected a total of more than $4.4 million in sales and use taxes in April. That’s a decrease of more than $509,000 from the same month last year. Sales tax collections fell 12.1 percent. Use tax collections, a smaller and more volatile revenue source, dropped 41.3 percent. Mesa County collected a total of more than $2.9 million in sales and use taxes. That’s a decrease of nearly $225,000 from the same month last year. Sales tax collections declined 5.1 percent. Use tax collections — nearly all of them on automobiles purchased outside the county, but used in the county — dropped 28.2 percent. County tax collections increased 3.6 percent on retail sales and 1.1 percent on home improvement sales. Collections on wholesale sales more than doubled. Collections fell in other categories, however: 14 percent for manufacturing, 19.5 percent for automobiles and 36.7 percent for hotels and restaurants. With the April decline, year-to-date sales and use tax collections are down 1.3 percent for the city. County collections still outpace last year by 3.5 percent. For the first four months of 2020, the city collected more than $18.6 million. That’s a decrease of nearly $240,000 from the
The City of Grand Junction reported a 10.3 percent decrease in sales and use tax collections in April compared to the same month last year. Mesa County reported a 7.1 percent decline. Grand Junction lodging tax collections, a measure of hotel and motel stays, dropped 40.2 percent. same span in 2019. Sales tax collections fell 1.2 percent, while use tax collections dropped 41.4 percent. The county collected nearly $12.3 million through the first four months of 2020. That’s an increase of more than $416,000 from the same span in 2019. A 5.1 percent increase in sales tax collections more than offset a 12.4 percent decline in use tax collections. Year-to-date county collections rose 15.1 percent on retail sales. Collections also increased for the auto, home improvement and telecommunications categories. Collections decreased for the hotel and restaurant and oil and natural gas categories. The City of Grand Junction collected $64,909 in lodging taxes in April, $43,552 less than the same month last year. For the first four months of 2020, the city collected $293,828 in lodging taxes. That’s $38,970 and 11.7 percent less than the same span in 2019. F
Small Business Optimism Index continues slide A monthly measure of optimism among small business owners continues to slide on less upbeat expectations for sales, earnings and staffing. The National Federation of Independent Business reported its Small Business Optimism Index dropped 5.5 points to 90.9 in April. The index has decreased 13.6 points over the past two months in the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic and related restrictions. W. Dunkelberg “The impact from this pandemic, including government stay-at-home orders and mandated nonessential business closures has had a devastating impact on the small business economy,” said William Dunkelberg, chief economist of the NFIB. While federal lending programs have offered some assistance, Dunkelberg said small businesses need more flexibility in how they use loans as well as liability protection. Tony Gagliardi, state director of the Tony Gagliardi NFIB in Colorado, said he was encouraged by one component of the index that reflected expectations for a short-lived recession and improving economy. But quick action will be needed. “Policymakers were right to get a grip on the spread of the virus first. Now, some attention must be given the economy,” Gagliardi said. “Unlike at any other time, the span between giving the appearance of doing something and actually doing something must be its shortest ever, if it can’t be nonexistent.” The NFIB bases the index on the results of monthly surveys of members of the small business advocacy group, most of them
small business owners. For April, nine of 10 components of the index decreased. The portion of those who responded to the survey upon which the latest index was based who expect higher real sales dropped 30 points to a net negative 42 percent. That’s the lowest reading in the 46-year history of the index and nearly double the second-lowest reading of negative 24 percent in April 1980. The share of those reporting higher earnings fell 14 points to a net negative 20 percent. Among those reporting lower earnings, 39 percent cited lower sales. The proportion of those planning to increase staffing decreased eight points to a net 1 percent. A net 24 percent reported hard-to-fill opening openings, down 11 points. A net 18 percent of respondents reported plans for capital outlays, down 3 points. A net 3 percent said they consider now a good time to expand, down 10 points to the lowest level since March 2010. A net 4 percent of respondents reported plans to increase inventories, down a point. At a net negative 7 percent, more respondents reported their inventories were too high rather than too low. Still, 29 percent of those who responded to the survey said they expect the economy to improve over the next six months. That’s a 24-point gain that more than offset a 17-point decline in March. “A large percent of the unemployed expect to be rehired as the economy opens back up. But the picture is further confused by unemployment benefits that for many exceed previous pay,” Dunkelberg said. “Small business owners are starting to rehire laid-off employees as states lift business restrictions and small business loans are hitting bank accounts.” F
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The Business Times
Jobless rate soars as payrolls plummet The unemployment rate has soared in the United States from one of its lowest levels to one of its highest after the coronavirus pandemic and associated restrictions triggered an unprecedented decline in payrolls. The monthly jobless rate increased more than 10 points to 14.7 percent in April as nonfarm payrolls decreased 20.5 million, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates based on the results of household and business surveys. The latest jobless rate is the highest since the federal agency started tracking monthly rates in 1948. In February, the jobless rate stood at 3.5 percent, matching the lowest level in 50 years. The decline in payrolls between March and April was the largest on record and brought employment to its lowest level since 2011. Initial estimates for payrolls for March and February were revised downward 214,000. According to the latest numbers, employment decreased 870,00 in March after increasing 230,000 in February. For April, 18.1 million people were counted among those on temporary layoffs, a 10-fold increase. Permanent job losses increased 544,000 to 2 million. The number of people counted among those working part-time because their hours were cut or they were unable to find full-time positions nearly doubled to 10.9 million. The labor participation rate dropped 2.5 points to 60.2 percent, the lowest level since 1973. Layoffs were spread out among most industry sectors, but were most severe in the leisure and hospitality sector, which saw payrolls drop 7.7 million. Employment decreased 5.5 million in food services and drinking places; 1.3 million in the arts, entertaining and recreation industry and 839,000 in the accommodation industry. Employment declined 2.5 million in the education and health services with job losses in the offices of dentists and other health care providers as well as at private educational facilities and childcare providers.
JOB LOSSES BY INDUSTRY SECTOR
Here’s a look at the latest estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for April employment declines by industry sector: n Leisure and hospitality — 7.7 million. n Education and health services — 2.5 million. n Professional and business services — 2.1 million. n Retail trades — 2.1 million n Manufacturing — 1.3 million. n Other services — 1.3 million. n Government — 980,000. n Construction — 975,000. n Transportation and warehousing — 584,000. n Wholesale trades — 363,000. n Financial activities — 262,000. n Information — 254,000. n Mining — 46,000. Professional and business services cut payrolls 2.1 million with sharp cuts in temporary help services. Payrolls decreased 2.1 million in retail trades, with more than half that loss in clothing stores and automotive and parts dealers. Employment in general merchandise stores increased 93,000 Wholesale trades shed another 363,000 jobs. Employment declined 1.3 million in manufacturing, 975,000 in construction, 584,000 in transportation and warehousing, 262,000 in financial activities and 254,000 in information. The average workweek for employees on private, nonfarm payrolls increased a tenth of an hour to 34.2 hours. The manufacturing workweek decreased 2.1 hours to 38.3 hours. Average hourly earnings for employees on private, nonfarm payrolls rose $1.34 to $30.01. The increase reflects job losses among lower-paid workers that pulled down the average. F
May 21-June 10, 2020
Labor index drops as layoffs increase
A monthly measure of labor conditions in the United States continues to decline even as layoffs associated with the coronavirus pandemic mount. The Conference Board reported its Employment Trends Index fell more than 14 points to 43.43 in April. The index has declined 60.2 percent from a year ago. The business research and membership group bases the index on eight labor market indicators, all of which decreased in April. Gad Levanon, head of the Conference Board Labor Markets Institute, said the sharp and sudden decline in U.S. employment in the aftermath of the pandemic has been unprecedented. Levanon said the number of people returning to work in May and June as businesses reopen should exceed the number of those losing their jobs and in turn pull down the unemployment rate. The long-term outlook remains unsettled, Levanon said. “At the end of the year, however, the labor market may still be in worse condition than it was at the peak of the Great Recession.” F
Trends Contributors Pinnacol offers Opinion Communication crucial Colorado firms free safety visits Business Briefs Business People Almanac
May 21-June 10, 2020
The Business Times
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Honesty remains best policy in engaging with employees in a pandemic
Pinnacol Assurance offers free virtual safety visits and consultations to Colorado businesses to help them keep employees safe in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. “We’ve seen businesses across Colorado use their ingenuity to adjust to this crisis, and we know they want to continue to do everything possible to keep employees safe,” said Josh Kreger, director of safety innovation and strategy for the workers’ compensation insurer. Businesses face new restrictions and procedures implemented in response to the pandemic and those in turn could create new hazards, Kreger said. Restaurant workers who wear face coverings made with certain materials could be exposed to new hazards presented by open flames. Long-term work from home requires the proper office equipment and adjustments to avoid musculoskeletal injuries. It’s also important businesses don’t lose sight of other hazards that existed before the onset of the pandemic, he said. “With these adjustments come new roles and processes that require situational awareness, training or proper equipment. As Colorado businesses pivot to operate in the face of COVID-19, they must avoid taking their eyes off the known hazards that are specific to their industries.” Pinnacol Assurance offers virtual safety visits to its customers as well as one free virtual safety consultation to any business in Colorado regardless of its insurer. For additional information, visit the website at www.pinnacol.com. F
As human resource professionals, our jobs revolve around the people in our organizations. During this time of pandemic precautions and a return to work, we must re-evaluate how we engage with our teams, employees and even job applicants. What’s more, organizations must formulate plans for employees to return to work and what that looks like. It’s more important than ever to communicate plans and remain engaged with those working remotely. While we talk a lot about keeping employees engaged while working remotely, are you available and really communicating with your people? Our teams rely on us. Often, we’re the quiet ones in the room that employees come to when they have a question or concern. Maybe they only think of talking to HR when they don’t know the next step in a situation. Sound familiar? None of us truly know what will happen in two weeks, let alone two months. So, what Kirstin can we do as HR professionals to help our Guptill teams and employees? We can be honest. We can share what we do know. First and foremost, communication must convey the we you and our organizations have for staff. There are many unanswered questions about handling this crisis, but we can remain open to talking about our worries. I often see employees who just want a semblance of normal, some reassurance they’re safe, their jobs are safe and their families are safe. While we can’t guarantee these things, what we can do is listen. Validate their concerns and serve as a sounding board as they work through processing the situation. No matter if your organization has shut down, paused normal functions or is preparing to reopen, have you considered your communications to those you might have been in the process of recruiting? Have you reached out to applicants to let them know you value their interest and given them an idea of what the future might hold? That’s important whether recruiting has stopped, the process has changed or you’re simply being honest that in the light of this pandemic and a new set of challenges, you’re doing your best to come up with a viable plan. I ask this because when this crisis is over — and, yes, it will end — will you be 10 steps behind or will you be able jump in and re-engage those who were interested in working with your organization before the coronavirus changed our lives? Applicants value communication. Don’t let the pandemic diminish the work you do or the desire of others who want to work with you. Reintegration is a key topic we read and hear about in the news.
None of us truly knows what will happen in two weeks, let alone two months. So, what can we do as HR professionals to help our teams and employees? We can be honest. We can share what we do know. First and foremost, communication must convey the care we and our organizations have for staff.
Will your operation return to what it once was? Will your staff continue to work remotely? Or will you develop a plan that mixes the two? Communication remains crucial. Employees shouldn’t have to ask when they’re returning, but know their organizations have a plan. Honesty really is the best policy. We’ve learned over the last 60 days what we know today could be different tomorrow. When you’ve built a level of communication with employees based on trust and follow through, they’ll understand when the next curve ball is thrown. So how do we reintegrate? Just letting everyone come back to work isn’t necessarily the right answer. Reach out to employees to gauge the concern and the successes they’re seeing. Perhaps productivity has increased. Maybe an employee has a young child and no childcare because their facility is only working at a minimum capacity. If you don’t know the successes and struggles employees face, you won’t be able to help them when the time comes to adjust again. Consider conducting a return-to-work survey. You could gain some valuable information from the results that presents a clearer path toward more normal operations. At the end of the day, no one really knows what will happen. However, we can control how we respond and communicate with employees. Do what you can to reduce the fear of the unknown by being the person your organization needs to navigate these changes. Kirstin Guptill works as human resource and travel manager for Reynolds Polymer Technology, a Grand Junction-based manufacturer of engineered acrylic and polymer products. Guptill also works as an adjunct lecturer for the business department at Colorado Mesa University. She serves as president of the Western Colorado Human Resource Association board of directors. For more information about the WCHRA, log on to www.wchra.org. F
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The Business Times
May 21-June 10, 2020
Ready to grow? Then mind your own business There are two ways to view marketplace competition. You can focus on others and take yourself and your company away from the success you desire. Or, you can devote your attention to your own company and your path to becoming even better. The second way is the more self-disciplined approach that will enable you to see how to improve operations, make changes and enjoy the fruits of your labor. Focusing your valuable time and energy on what other companies may or may not be doing and resenting their success will limit yours. This mindset will also limit the happiness you experience operating your own business and must be replaced with a more effective way of thinking. Over the course of my career as a business coach and consultant, I’ve met business owners who’ve lost their way Marcus in the face of perceived competition Straub with other businesses. This occurred because of their negative attitudes toward those businesses and their owners — especially when businesses outperformed theirs or had come to town and taken market share that was once theirs. In some of these situations, I’ve even seen business owners become angry with former customers for exercising their freedom of choice as consumers and going with what they perceived as the better value offered by competitors. A negative mindset is neither necessary nor helpful and will lead to the loss of more customers, market share, team members and possibly even the business itself. All businesses in a given market sector vie for the loyalty and patronage of a limited number of customers. Rather than become embittered by others doing business in the same sector, become empowered. Control what you
Rather than become embittered by others doing business in the same sector, become empowered. Control what you can — how you, your team and company operate on a daily basis — and let the rest go. Strive to become better than you were the day before, to consistently reach for excellence.
can — how you, your team and company operate on a daily basis — and let the rest go. Strive to become better than you were the day before, to consistently reach for excellence in your own operations. Remain aware of what the competition is doing, but focus on your own business and study how it operates. Evaluate the effectiveness of your leadership, consider the performance of your managers and team members, look at the quality of the products or services you offer and discover where you can improve. By taking this constructive approach, you’ll fuel your progress to the next level. Your attention will focus on how you can stand out in the marketplace through becoming the best company possible. This self-focused approach to business is more important than ever. As businesses reopen, customers pay more attention to the products and services they receive. They’re looking for value. Now is not the time to let them down. In fact, this could present one of the greatest opportunities to shine in your customers’ eyes and gain market share. You might find it to be in your best interest to work
with a qualified professional business coach and consultant to help you discover where you can make improvements and implement the action steps necessary to operate an exceptional company. Once you’ve discovered where you can improve, it’s vital you and your team work together to implement the corrective solutions that have been agreed upon. If you want to lead the way in customer satisfaction and loyalty — if you want to stand out in your sector and grow — necessary changes must be made and followed through to completion. The business owners I’ve worked work with have found this self-focused and self-accountable approach to be not only effective, but also liberating. They’ve discovered the freedom, empowerment, success and happiness that’s only possible through undistracted attention devoted to their own operations and the task of creating great companies. As you focus on your own business, you’ll quickly notice how much more you accomplish with the additional resources previously devoted to thinking about the competition. As you make changes to improve your products and services, you’ll enjoy the increased happiness and success that comes with customers who find more value with you. 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 208-3150, marcus@lifeisgreatcoaching.com or through the website located at www.lifeisgreatcoaching.com. F
May 21-June 10, 2020
The Business Times
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Integration, not balance, key to enjoying work and life You’ve seen it at parks and gymnastics meets. You’ve been dazzled by it at the circus. But if you’ve ever tried walking along a slack line, balance beam or tight rope, you know it takes concentration, control and lots of practice to remain steady and not fall. For many of us, finding balance feels precarious and easily disrupted with the slightest misstep or shift in the wind. What does this mean for the commonly used phrase work-life balance? Books and workshops encourage us to seek balance between work and personal life. Many recent columns have offered such advice to those working from home in the midst of a pandemic. Is it possible, though, we’re setting ourselves up for failure by shooting for such a tenuous goal? A goal that pits work and life against Rebecca each other as though they’re enemies? Weitzel A goal that reminds us if we take one too many personal calls while on the clock or answer an e-mail in the evening, we’re disrupting the fragile balance and forfeiting our happiness? Rather than struggle to balance work and life, what if we considered instead the life of a farmer and integrate it all? This is how most of us naturally operate. Whether working at home or onsite, we pack to our workspaces the lingering stress from an argument with our partner and lug home to our personal lives the disappointment of not getting that promotion. We gather the energy born of a good night’s sleep and share it with co-workers at the morning Zoom meeting. We collect meaningful experiences at work and use them to build a sense of purpose. We capture ah-ha moments in the shower and insights on breaks that
Employers that account for the way work and life weave together can foster integration and, as a result, increase productivity, reduce turnover and improve morale.
lead to innovations that transform our organizations. Back and forth we go, the same humans with the same thoughts, feelings and needs whether we’re working or engaged in personal pursuits. Employers that account for the way work and life weave together can foster integration and, as a result, increase productivity, reduce turnover and improve morale. One way to begin is to create more space for life in the context of work. Rather than treating breaks, vacations and personal pursuits as distractions, employers should encourage these practices to increase creativity. Rather than insisting employees simply trade their time for money, bosses should help employees set meaningful goals that resonate deeply and allow for flexibility as to how they’re completed. Rather than dismissing the realities of family life, especially during a pandemic, employers should implement policies that allow team members to adequately attend to loved ones’ needs. Rather than relying on employees to manage their physical and mental health outside of work, employers should provide expert health coaching, offer employee assistance programs, encourage exercise during paid time and implement structured wellness programs. Everyone wins when employees feel cared for and supported at work rather than disconnected and eager to bolt at the end of the day. Along with infusing more life into work, many
employees are comfortable with more work flowing into life, especially if it’s done on their terms. A father might be happy to answer e-mails at 9 p.m. if it means he can help his kids with schoolwork in the afternoon. A wife might be happy to conduct business remotely if it means she can occasionally go on a spontaneous day hike with her spouse. A man might wake up at the crack of dawn with a brilliant idea and choose to dig right in rather than wait for traditional business hours to begin. A woman might review reports while exercising. Shift workers might agree to remain on call or take on extra hours if they’re paid a wage that allows them to buy fresh food, take vacations and save for retirement. By ditching the word balance in favor of integration, some might argue there’s no real difference. That it’s just semantics. But words matter. They produce mental pictures, shift our mindsets and evoke emotions that influence how we feel and what we do. Balancing acts are for the circus. In our lives, they’re exhausting. Integration is connection. It creates flow. It also helps us to better acknowledge the reality of a world in which hard lines between work and life no longer exist. By aiming for work-life integration, we can improve our lives on both ends of the spectrum, better support employees in their wholeness and, as a result, watch our companies thrive. Rebecca Weitzel is president and co-founder of Good Life Wellness Solutions, which provides affordable and easy to implement workplace well-being solutions, an online platform, consulting and education services tailored to small businesses. Contact Weitzel at (970) 216-6390 or rebecca@goodlifewellnesssolutions.com or visit the website at www.GoodLifeWellnessSolutions.com. F
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The Business Times
May 21-June 10, 2020
How to BLUF your way to success And no, I don’t mean fake it. BLUF — sometimes called headlining — is an acronym for bottom line up front. In other words, put the most important part of your message out there from the outset. Too often marketing and sales pitches take the form of a long-winded explanation of where, why, when, who and way too much how. What does your target audience, your clients and prospects, REALLY want from you? They want to know what, how much and how many. Your process doesn’t usually drive clients and prospects. Results, benefits and cost do. What does BLUF look and sound like? Consider this sad, but true, example. Right before the Titanic sank at around 1 a.m. Janet April 15, 1912, somebody sent the following Arrowood telegram, an incredible — albeit sad — example of bottom line up front: CQD CQD SOS SOS FROM MGY. WE HAVE STRUCK ICEBERG. SINKING FAST. COME TO OUR ASSISTANCE. POSITION: LAT 41.46 N. = LON 50.14 W. MGY The ship telegrapher had a message to get through if there was any hope of the target audience — other ships — getting there in time. So the message had the what: CQD — general call, CQ, followed by D, meaning distress. Then came SOS (save our ship), struck iceberg, sinking fast, come to our assistance and the location. MGY was the call sign for the Titanic. There were no details, how the ship struck the iceberg or when it happened. Just the BLUF. Your clients and prospects are busy people with many demands on their time and competing priorities. If you want to go to the top of their to-do list, go right to the heart of what you want, offer or can do for them. In other words, BLUF. The approach you take, methods you use and rationale behind something are rarely of interest or value to your clients and prospects. They want to know WHAT you will do for them and
HOW MUCH it will cost or save them. The theory, development process or lessons learned simply don’t resonate with most of them. If you’re a shop owner, for example, and need property insurance, do you really want the history behind the development of property insurance, the origins of the insurance company or the way actuaries calculate premiums? Of course not. You want to know WHAT the policy will do for you and HOW MUCH it will cost and pay if your shop is robbed. If you sell cars, give your prospects the BLUF: make and model, how fast it goes, fuel efficiency and how much it costs. Fill in the rest of the “Ws” depending how much information prospects want. If you start out by comparing and contrasting the features of this year’s model versus last year’s model, you could lose the prospect before you even get to the important information. What you find most impressive or interesting might not be what the prospect values. Put yourself in the shoes of your client or prospect the next time you want to make a sale, close a transaction or expand the range of services you offer. Give them the BLUF. The details can follow later. Here’s an important corollary: Keep your facts to a maximum of three. People generally only retain about three things when the information is from an area outside their area of expertise. If you’re an insurance producer, listing 10 products isn’t going to impress your client or prospect. You will, however, succeed in distressing them. The same goes for the specific benefits of a product or service. Hold your facts or details to the three that best convey the BLUF. Make it easy and compelling for your client or prospect to decide. A final hint: If you want someone to do something, always use an active voice — a call to action. Janet Arrowood is founder and managing director of the Write Source, a Grand Junction-based firm that offers a range of services, including grant and proposal writing, instruction and technical writing. Reach her at janet.arrowood@thewritesourceinc.com. For more information, visit www.TheWriteSourceInc.com. F
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Page 24
The Business Times
May 21-June 10, 2020
Plasma donations sought in effort against COVID-19 While many survivors describe COVID-19 as an experience they’d never wish on anyone, they now have the ability to help other victims by donating their blood plasma. If you’ve been following national news, you’ve likely read about or seen the emerging work supported by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat severely infected patients with blood plasma — more formally referred to as convalescent plasma therapy or CP therapy. Immunology is an incredible science, one in which I won’t pretend to claim expertise. I can tell you at a Stephanie very high level, though, why plasma Motter therapy offers a possible treatment. With no vaccine for COVID-19, this century-old method of separating red blood cells from blood plasma proteins rich with antibodies seems to offer the most effective method to fight coronavirus. By giving a patient an antibody rich plasma infusion, we provide an immune system boost known as passive immunity to help them fight off the disease. CP therapy has been used in recent years to help patients during the SARS, H1N1 and MERS epidemics. The silver lining in the fight against COVID-19 is there’s growing science behind its effectiveness in aiding critically ill patients who need extra help to recover. And now, we are using this incredible science in Western Colorado because St. Mary’s Medical Center in Grand Junction has joined in research supported by the Mayo Clinic through the Colorado COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma Project Consortium. This consortium is the first in the United States to collect and deliver COVID-19 positive plasma to critically ill patients. A COVID-positive patient refers to someone who’s had
coronavirus and recovered. Because St. Mary’s Regional Blood Center accepts COVID-positive plasma, it means people who’ve beaten the virus can give back by donating their plasma. While it won’t give critically ill recipients long-term immunity, it could give them the boost they need to fight through the disease and, hopefully, survive. St. Mary’s Regional Blood Center is in a unique position to supply this critical product to those who need it because the center already collects plasma from donors and is the primary blood supplier for Western Colorado and Eastern Utah. By adding to the screening process — which includes a swap test — for donors who’ve been symptom-free for at least 14 days, the center ensures the donor is no longer positive for the disease and safe to donate. After donor eligibility is confirmed by medical screeners, a willing donor should call to schedule an appointment with St. Mary’s Regional Blood Center. “From the time the plasma is collected, we can deliver it to a patient in as little as two days,” said Jennifer Rhamy, director of St. Mary’s Regional Blood Center. “And unlike red blood cell donations, which are only good for 42 days, plasma is good for up to 12 months because it is kept frozen.” This longer shelf-life means that even though Mesa County has not seen a peak in the pandemic, we can fight it a year from now with plasma donated today. “And if there’s an excess in donations and it’s not needed in Western Colorado, we can honor the need statewide. And if we have excess supply statewide, then we can help nationally,” Rhamy said. “It’s our stewardship mission: To maximize use of this precious resource by always looking for and filling the need.” To date, St. Mary’s has referred 20 people for plasma donations, which has resulted in 35 treated COVID-19 patients statewide. This work has been financially viable because of the St. Mary’s Emergency Response Fund
created to support the hospital’s response to devastating events like the one we face today. If you want to give plasma to help advance this important work and have had a confirmed positive test for coronavirus, call (303) 813-5230 or send an email to convalescentplasma@sclhealth.org before setting up an appointment with the blood center because the donation must be first medically approved. Rhamy, the team at the St. Mary’s Regional Blood Center and providers on the front lines remind me how fortunate we are to have a level 2 regional medical center in the community serving our region. In addition to that, I’m constantly amazed by the giving spirit that embodies Western Coloradans. When there’s a need, our community steps up to meet it. Although the blood bank hasn’t been able to send out the bloodmobile for more than a month because of social distancing restrictions and they’ve only been able to accept donations from Mesa County residents, they have had enough blood to supply the 19 hospitals and residents they serve in Western Colorado and Eastern Utah. That’s a remarkable testament. The need is constant, though, and the center encourages donors to call (970) 298-2555 to schedule an appointment for a whole blood donation. Let’s keep #DoingOurPartColorado in the fight against COVID-19. We’re all in this together, and I trust we’ll come out all the more resilient because of our giving spirit. Stephanie Motter is chief executive officer of Monument Health, a clinically integrated health care network in Mesa County. She also serves as a trustee at Colorado Mesa University and participates on the Mesa County Workforce Development Board. For more information about Monument Health, visit www.MonumentHealth.net. F
May 21-June 10, 2020
The Business Times
Page 25
Small changes yield big fitness results News, views and advice you can use Change by definition means to make something different. Things are certainly different as we adapt to the coronavirus pandemic and its effects. Most people prefer what’s comfortable and familiar. How do we make changes, then, to better our lives? Taking small steps toward change is easier and more successful than trying to make big changes all at once. This theory applies to so many things in life, including health and fitness. Instead of making huge changes, enhance your daily routine with small changes. Here are a few ideas for making those small changes through exercise and activity: Paula n Get in your cardio. About 150 minutes of Reece cardiovascular activity a week is recommended. You can break that down to a more manageable 30 minutes of cardio five times a week. n If you’re short on time, try Tabata training. Tabata training is a form of high-intensity interval training that’s great for burning calories. A traditional Tabata session is only four minutes long. For example, you could perform a Tabata session on an elliptical trainer. Go for 20 seconds at your maximum and recover for 10 seconds. Repeat eight times. This small change can yield big results. Try it for one of your cardio workouts this week. n Include strength training in your fitness routine. The stronger your muscles, the easier it is to complete many of your daily activities. Another big plus for weight training is it increases your metabolic rate and causes the body to burn more calories throughout the day. Try adding an extra day of strength training.
Shoot for two to three days a week. When selecting a weight, it should be heavy enough you feel the muscle working, but light enough you can do 12 to 15 repetitions. Continue to challenge yourself by adding a little more weight or repetitions as you grow stronger. n Don’t forget about flexibility. By keeping your muscles long and lean, you improve your range of motion as well as your posture. Try daily stretching. A little change could mean you stand up from your work chair and reach up high to the sky. n Make a conscious effort to get in just a little more activity. Park a little farther away from work or the store. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Put on your tennis shoes and go for a walk rather than going out for a high-calorie lunch. n Measure your workouts. Measure your workouts in terms of not only in minutes, but also exertion. Wear a heart rate monitor. Figure out your target heart rate and this will help you to reach your goals. Sometimes you might feel as though you’re working hard, when you really aren’t. Use your workout times for maximum benefits. Start with the big picture of exercise and break it down into smaller parts. Ask yourself which of these tips might work for you. These are a few of the ways you can easily make small changes in your exercise routine. By making small changes, you very well could be amazed at how big the results become. Paula and Dale Reece own Crossroads Fitness Centers in Grand Junction with a downtown location at 225 N. Fifth St. and north location at 2768 Compass Drive. For more information, call 242-8746 or log on to the website at www.crossroadsfitness.com. F
Commercial real estate emerging from pandemic As more and more businesses reopen, most major financial institutions and other experts forecast an economic rebound in the second half of this year. That’s subject, of course, to a potential second wave of the coronavirus. As for commercial real estate, I don’t expect a reasonably short economic downturn — compared to past recessions that lasted for years — to affect values in the long term for most types of commercial and investment properties. As tenants rebuild their businesses and go back to paying their rent in full and on time, values for most industrial properties should reset to previous levels. The same applies to residential rentals once everyone gets back Tim to work. Landlords using a blend and extend Whitney strategy with their commercial tenants likely will likely recapture some or all of their lost or discounted rent from April and May. On the other hand, restaurants, retail, office and especially hospitality will likely take the longest to make a comeback and
might not begin to recover until mid to late 2021. While commercial sales are starting to pick up again, one of the side effects of economic conditions is that lenders might require more money upfront if you’re looking to borrow. Under the “new normal,” your lender could increase your down payment an additional 5 percent to 10 percent, resulting in a loan-to-value (LTV) ratio of 65 percent to 70 percent instead of the typical commercial bank loan with a 75 percent LTV ratio. In addition, there could be a jump in the reserve amount required. As the pandemic hopefully soon disappears in the rear-view mirror, I expect banks will feel more secure again and go back to their old ways of doing business. Tim Whitney is managing broker of Coldwell Banker Commercial Prime Properties, a commercial brokerage and property management firm based in Grand Junction. Whitney has been involved in the sale, lease and management of commercial real estate in Colorado for more than 35 years. For more information, call (970) 243-7375 or visit the internet website located at www.CBCPrimeProperties.com. F
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Contributors Opinion Boldkids predictions for 2015 Our have no pomp because The good, bad Business and ugly A new year affords Briefs of circumstances they didn’t create more like not-so-bold repeats in time of coronavirus a the new opportunity Business People Almanac to meet local needs THE he BUSINESS usiness T T Times IMES
PAGE age 26 22
It’s seldom been more evident there’s good, bad — and, yes, downright ugly — in the news confronting business owners and managers. A pandemic can do that. There are those who prefer the reassurance of distinct blacks and whites. And there are occasions when that occurs. More often, news comes in nuanced shades of gray. usually one time bad and A new yearNews almost alwaysis brings an good, opportunity forugly. a fresh start and Hereambition in the Grand good news is that businesses are reopening renewed to doValley, thingsthe better. following the closures orderedboils to slow thetospread of coronavirus. Restaurants, In business, that usually down providing customers better products retail outlets and even gyms are back in operation, albeit under restrictions that and services faster and at lower cost than competitors. Part of the process must still limit how many customers they can serve at a given time and impose other include listening to customers to determine what they actually need and then safety and social meeting that need.distancing After all,measures. it does little good to offer the latest and greatest if Theactually bad news is other remain closed, among them bars and movie nobody wants whatbusinesses you’re selling. theaters. Events, festivals and other gatherings remainthe prohibited. Just like the businesses that belong to the group, Grand Junction Area There’s more bad news in that even businesses that face what Chamber of Commerce invariably starts out the new yearhave withreopened a reassessment of are arguably illogical restrictions that might apply to other operations, but not to the services and resources it provides and how well they match with members theirs. usually the one size doesn’t fit all. board of directors, needs. As JeffisFranklin, thecase, new chairman of the chamber There’sthis good news ininthe way the what businesses have come up with creative personifies approach describing he considers his role for the coming ways to continue providing products andneeds services customers despite theIt’s a year: listen to members, determine their andtothen meet those needs. pandemic. Nobody is more adaptiveas ormarket innovative than small business owners and role with which Franklin is familiar president of Bank of Colorado. managers. Technology and the internet help. The process will take on a more structured approach in what the chamber even better of news in the forces have rallied to businesses plansThere’s as the resumption a program aptly that called Listening to support Business. Under the — including customers, of commerce other organizations. program, business ownerschambers participate in in-depth and interviews to identify barriers to Businesses eagerthey to help other businesses. Collaboration has always growth and have otherbeen problems encounter. beenThe a hallmark of the Grand Valley, eventhemore so in the response to the new year offers a good time but to join proverbial club. pandemic. It’s fortunate that times of trouble seem to bring out the best in most As an advertiser or reader, what do you need from the Business Times? people. While business journals traditionally gather and report the relevant news to Thecommunication downright ugly isn’t newsnecessarily involves the economic fallout of the pandemic and readers, a one-way street. That’s especially true as related closures and restrictions. Web sites and e-mail make the dialogue more convenient than ever. The unemployment the United soared more thanof10 Goodmonthly publications don’t existrate in ainvacuum. TheyStates respond to the needs points to 14.7 percent for April even as nonfarm payrolls plummeted by more than advertisers and readers. They provide what’s needed. 20 million. estimates So whatThose do you need? peg the national jobless rate at the highest level for monthly statistics goingnews backcoverage to 1948. that The would declinehelp in employment was theabout largest Is there additional keep you informed on record. Information about the unemployment rate for Mesa County for April is local business developments? Are there features that would be interesting or scheduled for announcement May 22. But the rate for March was 6.6 percent, the useful? Is there advice that would make your jobs a little easier? highest since in nearly years.you don’t need. With limited time to It’s level equally important to four ask what Moreover, ofspace the pandemic begunit,towould show up in and monthly produce contentthe andeffects limited in whichhave to publish time spacetax be collection reports. The City of Grand Junction reported a 10.3 percent decrease in better devoted to something else? salesWhat’s and usegood? tax collections April compared to theisn’t? same month last year. Mesa What isn’t?inWhat’s needed? What County reported a 7.1 percent decline. Since April reports reflect March sales,Web the Let us know. Send us an e-mail. Comment online on the Business Times May could prove even moreYou grim. site atreports www.thebusinesstimes.com. could even write an old-fashioned letter to It’ notifyet certain whatfeedback, extent the pandemic the economy the editor you’d like.toYour both positivewill andaffect negative, is valued over and the because so many variables are involved. What is certain is the effect willlong-term be carefully considered. so farGood has been unprecedented conditions could get worse before theybut get also publications are the and result of not only the efforts of their staffs, better. collaborative efforts involving advertisers and readers. The all business, would be we for want a swift to to theour spread of the coronavirus Likebest any news other of good to end listen customers, find out or quick an meet affective vaccine. what theydiscovery need andof then those needs. Until that happy day, business owners and managers to face bad and ugly news — most likely all at It’s a new will year.continue Please help us togood, do so. once. ✦ 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. © 2020 — All rights reserved.
But first let me address a circumstance I created. Mytime last column It’s that of year took whensnarky to another leveland for prognostications a few folks. It alsoabound. elevated resolutions my humorapplied to others. retrospect, My version favoriteofsaying to In New Year’s Iresolutions can see how reactions occurred. is both in saying they’re basically a I wrote that to break the first week bunch of promises column in frustration. of January. And while I won’t predict a Not only me,pretty but much accurately whole lot,for I can also fellow nail astudents; few things that without question citizens; at home will makefolks the news. You will see these are who want to predictable: work; pretty, well, people losing life-long ■ Prediction one: investments time, There will beinsome effort money in sort ofand weather event, their businesses; natural disaster orand everyone else affected heinous occurrence Craig Hall by COVID-19. where someone Did willI direct my frustration be interviewed and say at man? Yes I did. theone following: “I’ve when you come down to it, neverBecause seen anything everything in Colorado is based like that inhappening my on one man’s lifetime.” It’s decisions. as if this Decisions our Craig Hall governor gone on the record stating he person ishas a required doesn’t to make. He’d rather instill attendeewant at every news his social programs and belief system. Yet reporting event. While I understand most that’s what happens with people’s perspective canpolitics. indeed Elections be limited have living with the decisions by, orcitizens contained within, their own personal of someone with they completely experiences, it iswhom too much to ask to disagree For right now, that’s me. Evenbefore more consult some historical perspective so undersuch COVID-19, to live under saying a thing?I’m Yes,forced this response can decisions I completely with apply to some events.disagree But when it coming comes from folks with 99 percent of to weather and which naturalI agree disasters, I’m pretty the the strangest ofrepeating times. suretime. this It’s is simply history itself. onefor decision I won’t change,of SameHere’s as it has millions and millions and it affects people who with meit! years. More important, theagree planet made most the time well as those who What of didn’t wereascertain species. How’s disagree with me most of the time, except that for perspective? when■they don’t. Itwo: write howitI comes write. to a Prediction When It’s a gift and a curse. it’s always, crime or something thatAnd occurs between ALWAYS, greatrequired risk with advertisers humans, theatother attendee at all and Because some and newsreaders. reporting events I’ve is thewon person who lost based we’re on a column. I’ve also says some this: “They just the nicest had folks doinboth in the people, and no way didsame I seeyear. something Onecoming.” thing I’ve consistently like this Exactly. No onebeen doestold over pasttime 20 years is comes this: When most the of the when it to I read your column, like sitting across neighbors and it’s acquaintances. People the should table from you talking, or being be surprised at what goesjoking on from time to serious. Regardless of which, I hear your time in their neighborhoods, towns and voice. I’ve also it’s rare for are with people theybeen knowtold because people someone have quality. So shouldn’t for last good. Andtofor the that times that they week, perhaps a wake call is in order be shocked — like withup politicians, repeat about tone, orterrorists volume or keep those offenders and —towhere’s the around you in says, mind“This whiledoesn’t sounding off. interview that surprise Fair me inenough. the least.” But I won’t change my take, emotion ■ Prediction three: Something good or a topic. Someone willpassion happenon economically, and thewho disagrees with once for said, government willplenty take credit it. “If Theyou’re most going write an opinion column, no recent to example is gas prices, where it’s people good you Iaren’t thepresident pot.” Or for ask meif why won’tstirring credit the in of COVID-19, thesimple: cauldron. lowthe gascase prices. My answer is Consider thenever pot stirred. Government makes the price of This brings us to thesimply graduates the something go down and takesofcredit high school class ofpricing 2020 inisthe Grand for good news. Gas subject to Valley. I’m not discounting anyone many global factors. Now there are else’s graduates —answers as I’m sure someone some will of government to addressing point outkeep — but I have a senior. And she’s them to prices stable for Americans, abut senior who very much desired to walk our government has none of them in across a stage the same time this paper place. The onlyatthings it has in place in the
M ay 21-June 10, 2015 2020 JANUARY 15-28,
was in production. She’s got a lot of friends who exactlyhurt the same way. And just long feel run always consumers. Another like oldunemployment man, more than a few awho fact her is that reaches certain don’t. Neither is theAnd point. level based on of thewhich economy. while the The point is these have government might brag deserving the numberkids is low, had their than senior yearthe upended by people it’s more likely government did they have zero control Decisions something to cause that over. number being low are being for kids enough towhen — and notmade in a good way.old Conversely, die for their country peoplethe afraid to business picks up, it’sby because people come out of theirwidgets offices who or who kowtow who need to buy were not to the governor. There’sthe enough about our buying widgets because economy was governor he controls contractingand duethe to information natural (or unnatural, to go on for caused) 10 morereasons, columns, but let’s government decided we stick thesome kids.widgets. The government bettertobuy This isn’t had nothing to about do withputting this. Colorado in danger. It about giving people accurate ■ Prediction four: In keeping with information upon which to make things the government does, I predict the appropriate To date, government decisions. will manipulate the every numbers to reaction basedtheoneconomy models proven make theisclaim is getting significantly Time. better becausewrong. of howEvery. hard itSingle. is working to It wasn’t month or soAmericans.” ago our governor help all ofaus “working Now said we could between 400 and you might say, have “Craig, you always say this 40,000 Coloradans deadbecause by midto don’t late about President Obama you April. TheYou’re only thing I know about that like him.” right in a sense. I don’t projection is this: never know the man, butOne whatshould I knowhave of him and made a decision based it. him Theone kidsiota. his thinking, I don’t likeon it or deserve better. Before you go off, however, I didn’t like But what becausestimulus of it? President Bushhappened and his bailouts, Schools stayed closed prospects and his abandoning theand freethe market to save for remain bleak. Withhim that the fall freeopening market. And I don’t know outlook and fear driving theirdoes, decisions, either. What the government and thethe powers thatit be last days only thing cantook do, away is hurtproms, the economy. of school with nothing hugs andorgoodbyes fromin Unless it does put criminals life-long friends — and, of course, jail instead of partnering with them,the nothing seminal momentdoes for any walking the government willsenior: help. Always look across to receivethe a diploma. at it thisa stage way, whatever government says Our superintendent and Mesa it is doing, whatever the name of theCounty law it School District 51 havethe embraced is passing, or whatever name or this goal of way of thinking itand taken the easy the bureaucracy is presenting to theway out in keeping everything shut down. people, expect the polar opposite to occur. Worse, our schools took the time to come I guess what I’m saying is that up with their besttograduation only perhaps it’s time get out of plans our own to back off within because most perspective. There’sa day plenty of history students and parents research complained. Now to books and historical out there they wait until June a plan, beginsay to understand that 22 all for of this has because then the governor’s rules happenedbybefore. And it will again, will havethe changed. as if or they wanted whether topic isIt’s people government. complaints to recommendation stop instead of working The best is to find within the community makeGoogle the hard some books or try thattowhole decisions to hold graduations. thing. There’s a lot of information on the know who’s GreatYou Depression. Themaking truth isdecisions, it wasn’t standing up to theuntil governor and sayinggot even a good one the government here’s what’s best?also Theplenty seniors. involved. There’s of research The seniors at Fruita Monument High on the medieval warm period when the School scheduled at silent than ceremony planet was much warmer todayalong with the main lot thoroughfare Fruita to protest. a whole less peoplein(and warmer well I’m proud kiddo involved with the before manmy was herewas at all). And yep, rogue the surprised event. peoplecommittee have beenorganizing killing other School could used people sinceDistrict history51 was firsthave written. this time to achieve its greatest Maybe some research will teaching help stop moment about our nation and freedom. all of these trends. Otherwise, we’ll be Instead, seniors wereseen forced to become saying we’ve never anything like it in the our teachers. lives. And not in a good way. Craig Craig Hall Hall is is owner owner and and publisher publisher of of the the Business Times. Reach Reach him him at at 424-5133 424-5133 Business Times. or or publisher@thebusinesstimes. publisher@thebusinesstimes.com. F ✦
May 21-June 10, 2020
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Metaphorically speaking, Small cities poised to thrive a kiss is more than a kiss in aftermath of the pandemic I once worked for a weekly agricultural journal in Oregon. Along with cows and plows, I occasionally covered the State Legislature. I used to joke — and, to be honest, also complain — the boredom of covering long committee hearings was interrupted only by the tedium. The exception was covering a House committee chaired by a lawmaker named Chuck Norris. I’m not making this up, although this Chuck Norris was a retired Army colonel from north central Oregon. Phil Castle Norris was well known in the Oregon Capitol for two things. The first was his extensive knowledge of water issues. It was said he knew every drop in the Columbia River. The second was his frequent use of metaphors. He was forever opening a can or worms or tilting at windmills. Sufficiently inspired, he could became a metaphor Mixmaster going hammer and tongs like a bat out of hell. To the extent it’s possible, he made the arcane measures governing water rights interesting and the legislative process entertaining. I don’t always use metaphors myself. But when I do, I use them sparingly and judiciously. Metaphors get a bad rap, justifiably so if they perpetuate meaningless expressions, they’re mixed or both. Consider, for example, the imagery this account evokes: It was raining cats and dogs the day I went to visit an old flame. Did the cats and dogs extinguish the flame? Maybe if they were flabby tabbies and pudgy poodles. Ouch. At the same time, metaphors offer an effective shorthand for complex concepts. Consider what Shakespeare had to write about the drama of the human condition: “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players.” Better yet, consider the lyrics made famous by Elvis Presley: “You ain’t nothing but a hound dog.” As a writer, one of my favorite
metaphors reminds me of the importance of word choice. According to a quote attributed to Mark Twain, the difference between the almost right word and the right word is the difference between the lightning bug and lightning. Fascinating, you say. But what does all this have to do with business? A lot, actually, because metaphors remain as much a part of business and business culture as other aspects of our lives. I’m willing to bet there are business owners and managers using metaphors at this very moment, no doubt flinging them about willy-nilly. Who’s picking low-hanging fruit? Who’s getting their ducks in a row? Whoever they are, they’d better hurry. Otherwise, the window of opportunity will slam shut. See what I mean? Metaphors serve a useful role in not only effective writing, but also effective business management. There’s awesome power in evocative language. It’s a matter of using those metaphors that express an idea or concept in a few words. And avoiding — like the plague, I suppose — those metaphors that have been repeated so often they’ve lost meaning. Although well worn, one of the best metaphors suggests businesses don’t sell products or services so much as they provide solutions to their customers’ problems. I like that metaphor because it propounds a couple of crucial ideas. The best businesses cater to their customers and strive to meet their individual needs. Even if they provide products and services available elsewhere, such businesses provide unmatched customer service. They really do solve their customers’ problems. To borrow yet one more metaphor, good writing and good business management is a lot like kissing. It can be just as engaging — if you know your audience and customers. Also, kissing improves with practice. Phil Castle is editor of the Business Times. Reach him at phil@thebusinesstimes.com or 424-5133. F
Every city in America faces risks in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. Many cities are cutting budgets and hunkering down. Perhaps the number of coronavirus cases in their cities warrants this move. Top-tier cities have taken a hit to their allure as restaurants, museums and other cultural amenities close. As we look across the nation, regardless of politics, these cities are the epicenters of the pandemic. Pain is coming. The threats include business closings, job losses, the over-leveraged disappearing and people hitting a breaking point mentally. Although most developers still work on current projects, projects scheduled to come on line in 2021 and 2022 are being cut. Get prepared for that since it will be critical to get through the downturn. The full effects of the pandemic likely won’t be felt for some time. Certain aspects of the real estate market are affected more than others. Nationally, hotel, retail and restaurants are in bad shape. A higher number of loan defaults are likely in the next two years. However, the industrial and multifamily sectors Jeffery are likely to experience only minor effects. The prospects for Fleming the office market are somewhere in the middle. Demand for office space is likely to continue it’s slow decline as the now 30-year-old trend of employees working from home continues. Meanwhile, second- and third-tier cities are bolstered by evidence they’re safer and could be in a better position as the pandemic wanes. A new opportunity to thrive is beginning to reveal itself. Cities that promote healthy living with plenty of opportunities to practice this lifestyle can seize the chance. Communities with smaller, historic walkable city centers will have advantages with their sense of community, distance and safety as well as their authentic cultural amenities. This will be especially true if healthy living is easily practiced outside and at a social distance. Another potential silver lining is a downturn offers opportunities for a new crop of buyers who’d been blocked by rapid growth and little inventory. The longest period of economic expansion in American history has left many of these younger people no opportunity to buy anything. This group, coupled with those who will seek to relocate so as not to experience what they’ve endured in their big cities, will look for places with room to grow. That and places with endless opportunities to enjoy affordable and healthy lifestyles. While others remain hunkered down, small cities prepared to promote their safer and socially distanced outdoor lifestyles to younger homebuyers and investors and build in ways to accommodate those lifestyles will possess endless opportunities to flourish. People need to hear from us and know we’re on top of this situation, that we have a plan. Our plan should be to capitalize on the attractive assets of our community, a small city with huge natural resources. By building a community that aligns with these values, we won’t be fighting to survive. We’ll thrive as we transition out of this period. Jeffery Fleming is principal of Colorado Land Advisors, a land development, civil engineering and urban planning consulting firm with offices in Grand Junction. Fleming brings to his duties more than 25 years of experience in real estate development and urbanism. Reach him through the website at https://coloradolandadvisor.com. F
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Opinion Business Briefs Business People Almanac
n GRAND JUNCTION-BASED CONSULTING FIRM CHANGES NAME TO REFLECT NEW SERVICES
A greenhouse gas consulting and verification firm based in Grand Junction has changed its name. Ruby Canyon Engineering is now Ruby Canyon Environmental. The change follows the retirement of Ronald Collings, one of the founding members, but also reflects the broader array of services the firm offers clients. “The new company name will continue Michael Coté the tradition of the Ruby Canyon brand, which is highly recognized throughout the industry,” said Michael Coté, president of Ruby Canyon Environmental. “We are excited about our broadened services, recent expansion into the Latin American markets and continuing to serve our clients for many years to come.” Ruby Canyon Environmental provides a range of technical services related to greenhouse gas emissions as well as other environmental initiatives. For more information, visit the website at www.rubycanyonenv.com. n SPROUTS FARMERS MARKET EXPANDS PICKUP SERVICES IN COLORADO STORES
Sprouts Farmers Market has expanded pickup services at its Colorado stores, including its store in Grand Junction. The service allows customers to shop among more than 12,000 fresh, natural and organic products on www.sprouts.com/order and pick them up the same day or schedule pickup several days in advance. Customers are alerted when their orders are ready for pickup. A personal Sprouts shopper brings orders to a designated pickup parking spot. The services are part of a national effort with Instacart, which is expanding to more than 340 Sprouts stores nationwide. Sprouts also offers local grocery deliver through Instacart to select zip codes. For more information, visit www.sprouts.com.
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May 21-June 10, 2020
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An aviation company with operations in Grand Junction remains the top-ranked maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility in the latest results of an annual magazine survey. West Star Aviation ranked first among most-preferred MROs in the 2020 survey conducted by Professional Pilot magazine. The company has ranked first since the magazine added the category to the survey in 2014. “Having the industry recognize West Star as the No. 1 MRO for the seventh year in a row inspires us to work even harder for our customers,” Jim Rankin said Jim Rankin, chief executive officer. “This is a phenomenal acknowledgment for our entire team and fuels our commitment to industry leading quality and service.” The rankings are based on a survey of magazine subscribers, including pilots, aviation managers and executives in charge of flight departments. West Star Aviation offers a range of services that include the maintenance and repair of airframes, engines and avionics as well as painting and interior refurbishments. At the Grand Junction Regional Airport, West Star Aviation operates a total of more than 280,000 square feet of hangars, shops and office space. The company also serves as what’s called a fixed-base operator in providing such services and facilities as fueling, parking and hangars. In addition to Grand Junction, West Star also operates facilities in Aspen and Denver as well as in Arizona, Illinois, Minneapolis, Missouri, Tennessee and Texas. For additional information, visit the website located at www.weststaraviation.com.
n GRAND JUNCTION-BASED FIRM OFFERS REAL ESTATE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM Coldwell Banker Distinctive Properties based in Grand Junction has launched a scholarship and mentoring program for people interesting in obtaining their real estate licenses and pursuing a career in the industry. The program is open to applicants from Colorado, Idaho and Montana and covers the costs associated with earning a license, including classes, books and testing. “We’re living in unprecedented times. Lots Todd Conklin of people are looking to make a career move, and many have extra time on their hands to take licensing courses. This is a perfect opportunity to make a difference, and we truly believe this program has the potential to change lives,” said Todd Conklin, chief executive officer of Coldwell Banker Distinctive Properties. “Real estate has played such an important role for me personally, and I’ve witnessed firsthand how it’s been a life-changing career move for so many others,” Conklin said. In addition to scholarships, the company offers meetings with members of its leadership team to discuss careers in real estate. More information and applications are available online at www.cbdistinctive.com/careers. Coldwell Banker Distinctive Properties operates offices in Colorado, Idaho and Montana. For more information, log on to www.cbdistinctive.com. F
Improvements under way at Bookcliff Country Club A series of improvements are under way at Bookcliff Country Club in Grand Junction even as incentives attract new members. “It’s an exciting time at Bookcliff Country Club. The club is fiscally healthy, we’re making a number of fantastic improvements around the club and membership is growing,” said Paul Nolen, general manger. Capital improvements that have been completed or are under way include a new clubhouse entryway and interior flooring, an expanded lawn event and pool area, new landscaping around the clubhouse Improvements are under way at Bookcliff Country Club in Grand Junction, and an upgraded tennis court with two new pickleball including improvements to the golfing operation, tennis courts, club house courts. The improvements also include a new fleet and other amenities offered there. (Photo courtesy Bookcliff Country Club) of golf carts and new golf course maintenance equipment as well as a new beverage cart. Troon Privé manages Bookcliff County Club. The ArizonaBookcliff Country Club recently hired Justin Mills as new based golf management company provides services at nearly 450 head golf professional as well as new assistant golf professionals. locations around the globe. A new membership offer includes deferred dues until June 1. For more information about Bookcliff Country Club, visit the Full golf members also receive access to private golf courses, website at www.bookcliffcc.com or call 243-3323. resorts and other amenities through the Troon Privé Prvileges program. F
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News Business Briefs Trends Business People Alma Contributors CMU students qualify to vie Opinion in nationwide business event B Business Briefs Busines Business People Almanac
n WESTERN HEALTHCARE ALLIANCE ELECTS NEW BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Chris Thomas, president and chief executive officer of Community Hospital in Grand Junction, has been selected to lead the Western Healthcare Alliance board of directors. Thomas will serve as chairman of the 11-member board of newly appointed officers and directors. “The newly elected WHA board Chris Thomas members each possess what it takes to lead in our challenging health care environment,” said Angelina Salazar, CEO of the regional network of rural health care providers. “They are committed to the health care needs of their communities, see opportunities in adversity and value collaboration to create sustainable solutions,” Salazar said. “We look forward to their guidance as we continue to work together to improve rural health care in Colorado and Eastern Utah.” Jennifer Sadoff, CEO of Moab Regional Hospital in Moab, Utah, is vice chair of the board. Gary Campbell, CEO of St. Vincent General Hospital District in Leadville, is secretary and treasurer. The remainder of the board includes: Nico Brown, senior vice president of business development for Vail Health; Jim Coombs, CEO for Grand River Health in Rifle; Andrew Daniels, CEO of Memorial Regional Health in Craig; James Kiser, CEO of Montrose Memorial Hospital; Robert Morasko, CEO of Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center in Salida; Dan Prinster, vice president of business development of St. Mary’s Medical Center in Grand Junction; David Ressler, CEO of Aspen Valley Hospital; and Anthony Sudduth, CEO of Southwest Health System in Cortez. For more information about the Western Healthcare Alliance, visit www.wha1.org. n CHIROPRACTOR JOINS TEAM AT GRAND JUNCTION PRACTICE Lauren Pratt has joined Brady Chiropractic Group in Grand Junction. Pratt is a graduate of Logan University College of Chiropractic in St. Louis. She completed her clinical rotation at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois. Pratt joins a practice staffed by chiropractors David Jansen, Sean Lynch and James Robin. They bring a Lauren Pratt total of 70 years of experience to the operation. The practice also includes four licensed message therapists: Michael Edwards, Linda Harris, Matthew Jolley and Christine Nelson. Brady Chiropractic Group offers chiropractic care and massage therapy as well as acupuncture, Department of Transportation physicals, nutritional counseling, physical therapy, rehabilitation training and zero balancing. For more information, call 242-8162 or visit the website at www.bradychirogroup.com.
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May 21-June 10, 2020
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n GJEP DIRECTOR SELECTED TO PARTICIPATE IN HARVARD LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
Robin Brown, executive director of the Grand Junction Economic Partnership (GJEP), has been selected to participate in an educational program for public leaders. Brown was accepted into the Gates Family Foundation Public Leaders Fellowship at Harvard University. She’s scheduled to attend the senior executives Robin Brown in state and local government program in July at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard in Cambridge, Mass. The three-week program gathers public leaders working to find solutions for the challenges their organizations and communities face. “It is a huge honor to be accepted into this fellowship program and learn from the world-renowned faulty at Harvard Kennedy School,” Brown said. “I look forward to bringing new ideas and inspiration back to our Grand Valley community, which is critically important, especially during this time of economic crisis.” Brown has worked as executive director of GJEP since December 2017. She previously worked as event management director of the Downtown Grand Junction Business Improvement District and led a fund-raising campaign for the Avalon Theater downtown. She served in the Army as a helicopter pilot and also commanded a company of pilots and crew. GJEP offers services and incentives to businesses relocating or expanding in Mesa County. For additional information, visit www.gjep.org. n GRAND JUNCTION REAL ESTATE FIRM HONORS BEST-SELLING AGENTS FOR APRIL Toni HeidenMoran and Mary Kruse were honored as the top agents for April at Weichert Realtors-Heiden Homes Realty in Grand Junction. Heiden-Moran posted the most T. Heiden-Moran Mary Kruse closed transactions and highest dollar volume. Kruse had the most new listings. Weichert Realtors-Heiden Homes Realty operates offices at 735 Rood Ave. For more information, including listings and rental properties, visit www.heidenhomes.com or call 247-7777. F
Colorado Mesa University students captured 13 championships and 20 top-three finishes in a state business competition. All nine members of the Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda chapter at CMU who vied in the online state leadership conference qualified for the national competition in June. “Our students were absolutely amazing,” said Tyler Liff, a business instructor at CMU who advises the students. “It was a great day for them and a great day for the CMU Department of Business.” CMU President Tim Foster also praised the students and the efforts of business faculty Tyler Liff who advise them. “The CMU Department of Business faculty continue to go above and beyond creating real-world experiences for their students,” Foster said. “Some of our faculty have been FBLA advisors for most of their careers, and the performance of our students and the commendations they received this month reflect that ongoing Tim Foster commitment to learning.” CMU students who qualified for the national event are: Angelina DeCrow, Kaila Fox, Raymond Hamer, Victor Hellstrom, Lexis Nylund, Dillon Sandrock, Noah Stahlecker, Orlando Trujilo and Shannon Weeks. At the statewide conference, college students from across Colorado competed online in businessrelated tests, presentations and role-plying events. Fox said the virtual format required CMU students to use different skills and strategies. “We adapted and did well enough for first place. We had a lot of fun, and everybody did great.” Students from CMU captured first in business communications, business decision making, contemporary sports issues, entrepreneurship, human resource management, impromptu speaking, marketing analysis and decision making, marketing organizational behavior and leadership, retail management, resumes and strategic analysis and decision making. F
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The Business Times
May 21-June 10, 2020