Employers can make a difference in helping their employees address the

Trends May 27-June 16, 2021 The Business Times Page 21 Contributors n COMING ATTRACTIONS The Business Incubator Center in Opinion Extinguishing burnout

Grand Junction has scheduled events offering Business Briefs More than a year into the pandemic, more and more teams battle another effect of COVID-19: burnout. up. Constant meetings remove autonomy from employees, but clear expectations provide autonomy on how jobs get As workplace stress builds in a pandemic, employers can helpinformation about startups and valuations. Upcoming business startup workshops are set for 6 to 8:30 p.m. June 8, 9 to 11:30 a.m. June 15, 1 to 3:30 p.m. July 7 and 9 to 11:30 a.m. Business PeopleEven before the pandemic, burnout had reached record levels. The World Health Organization included burnout in its classification of diseases July 20 at the center, 2591 Legacy Way. The workshops will cover the business planning process, including financing options, licensing requirements and legal structures. Almanac done. As Ernest Hemingway said, “The best way to find out if you can trust somebody is to trust them.” n Does this really need to be a meeting? Complete a meeting audit to see if the meetings you’re conducting are

Admission is $55, which also includes in 2019, describing it as “a syndrome necessary. The goal is to avoid pulling employees away from admission to a series of Fast Trac classes … resulting from chronic workplace completing actual work as well as decreasing their screen offered at the center to delve deeper into stress that has not been successfully time if meetings are via Zoom. If a meeting is required, popular startup topics. managed.” Add to chronic workplace follow an agenda to keep people on track. Consider a consent A free business valuation presentation is stress issues related to the pandemic agenda to reduce time spent on in-meeting discussion when set for 2 to 3:30 p.m. June 29 at the center. — among them working from home, items can be reviewed ahead of time.

Participants will learn about the roles of market analysis and business evaluation in developing a realistic business worth Amy Weitzel managing children and schooling, political polariation and social unrest — and burnout reached critical mass. n Sense of purpose: Help employees see how they fit into the bigger picture of the organization’s mission and vision. What is the “why” behind what they do? What gives assessment. The presentation will cover listing For too long, burnout has been them passion in their jobs? Can they be assigned a special prices, acquisition financing and selling within seen as an employee issue and the onus placed squarely project that reignites their passion? Burnout at times requires an industry. on the shoulders of employees with such solutions as some time to take a breath and at other times to move For more information about upcoming mindfulness, meditation and self-care to build resiliency. forward with a sense of purpose and reconnection with the events, services and programs offered at the While these are fantastic tools and employees should be mission and team. It’s possible with good communication center, call 243-5242 or visit the website at responsible for their own health, burnout also should be to do both when you have an outward-focused mindset of https://gjincubator.org. seen as an organizational problem requiring solutions at wanting to support your team. n The Grand Junction Area Chamber of the organizational level. n Check in on employees: Leaders and human resources

Commerce has scheduled a presentation on One study identified six main causes of burnout: should check in regularly with employees to prevent a slow a renewable energy program, a meeting with unsustainable workload, perceived lack of control, insufficient burn from becoming a conflagration. Fires can smolder while the Colorado secretary of state and its annual rewards for effort, lack of a supportive community, unfairness employees toil away day after day, focus on work and home banquet. and mismatched values and skills. issues and miss the early signs stress is building. Cultivating A free Zoom presentation on the Here’s where human resources and leaders can make a a culture of checking in peer to peer or within teams

Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy real difference in the personal and professional lives of their promotes awareness before flames take hold. Wellness plans (C-PACE) program is set for 10 to 11 a.m. employees. Upstream measures put in place by leadership can help build resiliency. Training programs can help with

May 27. The program helps businesses pay for can have real and measurable downstream effects. mindfulness, resilience and stress management techniques. renewable energy and efficiency upgrades by providing financing with long-term repayment options. A free Zoom roundtable webinar with Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold is set for 10 to 11 a.m. June 2. The annual chamber banquet for 6 to n Adjust workloads: Unsustainable workloads was the most-cited reason for burnout and decreased well-being. Work hours are blurred because people work from home; additional meetings have increased the work day an average of 48 minutes and child-care issues require flextime. Now emails are coming through at all times of the day and night. Leaders can help manage workloads by checking in with employees to make sure loads are manageable. Set Of course, an employee assistance program is always a great resource for organizational and employee support for burnout and other issues. The most important support requires vulnerability and boldness — the ability of leaders to sit with employees and talk and listen about their mental health. There’s no better time to normalize talking about mental health at work. 11:30 p.m. June 11 at the Grand Junction boundaries on when emails are sent. Use the delay function

Convention Center, 159 Main St. in Outlook to send emails during a certain time if you’re Amy Weitzel is vice president of development of the Individual tickets sell for $95. Corporate working later at night to respect the traditional workday. Triad Employee Assistance Program based in Grand tables for 10 are available for $950. n Control and flexibility: Give employees flexibility Junction. She lives in Denver and splits her time between To register for or obtain more information when possible so they can exert control over their hours Denver and Grand Junction to serve clients on the Front about chamber events, call 242-3214 or visit to accomodate children’s schedules and bandwidth Range and Western Slope. This column was provided by htttps://gjchamber.org. issues. This increases job satisfaction and productivity. the Western Colorado Human Resource Association. As managers, set clear expectations on what deliverables For more information, visit www.wchra.org. look like. Establish metrics and deadlines and then follow F

May 27-June 16, 2021

Strive for life-work balance to avoid end-of-life regret

As I watched my youngest daughter graduate from high school, I couldn’t help but notice the excitement in her eyes and the eyes of her 240 fellow graduates. Some of them are probably relieved school is over, while others look forward to the next phase of their educations. Whatever path these young people choose, some will become consumed by work and business. But others will strike a balance between life and work, either intentionally or by accident. This second group is likely to experience more happiness and success — along with less regret. Consider the second most frequently cited regret people express

Marcus at their end of their lives: “I wish I hadn’t worked so much.”

Straub Given all the things people could possibly regret when looking back on their lives, this is an extraordinarily powerful and telling statement. This potential reality from the end of life confirms the wisdom in taking a different and more mindful approach to work and business, no matter your age.

The people who expressed this deep-seated regret acknowledged spending too much of their time on the treadmill of their work while sacrificing valuable time with their spouses, children, extended family, friends and even themselves. Some allowed their personal dreams and lifetime adventures outside of success to pass them by. The profound truth is that once they’re gone, these moments and experiences can never be recaptured.

There’s a common and prevailing mantra in business about making as much money as you possibly can, about becoming successful at all cost. There’s no doubt profitability

Your life is happening right now. And there’s room within it for everything you desire — not only making money, but also enjoying the multitude of other things that bring you happiness and pleasure.

and competitiveness constitute primary objectives in business. The question is, at what cost?

Business owners focused on making as much money as possible typically expect team members to have the same focus. In forgetting these people have lives, hopes, dreams and desires, too, these owners demand more and more. When the focus is solely on success and the accumulation of wealth, people, their happiness and well-being are discounted.

The prospect of becoming wildly successful financially — along with all the accolades that come with it — can be addicting because it feeds the ego. As with any addiction, it can take over and obstruct the bigger picture of life and all it has to offer. When this happens, it creates a situation in which we’re out of balance, ultimately limiting the very happiness and success for which we strive.

One aspect of my work with business owners is to help them see the bigger picture of their lives, to discover within themselves what they value and whether what they sacrifice in their pursuits of success is truly acceptable.

As my clients develop their skills at balancing life and work, they begin to make different choices in how they allocate their time. They come to experience a more profound form of success — one that still includes financial gains (often more than ever before), but isn’t a driving force in their lives. There’s a trickledown effect for their team members as their life and work balance is encouraged and supported.

It’s important to understand that once your children have grown, your youth has faded and your health has deteriorated, the dreams you abandoned in the pursuit of success and money can’t be recaptured. That time has passed forever.

We all know people who worked their whole lives to make enough money to travel and enjoy the other pleasures of life only to discover that by the time they “arrived,” they were unable to do so because they waited too long.

Your life is happening right now. And there’s room within it for everything you desire — not only making money, but also enjoying the multitude of other things that bring you happiness and pleasure.

Once you’re mindful about your life and your work and have the skills in place to create vital balance, you won’t have to work so hard to experience the happiness and success you want.

And at the end of your life, you won’t regret having worked too much.

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@ligcoaching.com or through the website located at www.ligcoaching.com. F

Put safety into your own words

When’s the last time you reviewed your workplace safety manual — the one that explains what the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) expects you and your employees to know and follow?

What? You don’t have a manual? Then there’s no time like the present to create one. Here’s a brief summary of the most common topics as well some useful writing tips. For more specific help or a professional review, contact the Employers Council at www.employerscouncil.org or Dean Harris, the Western Slope area manager for the organization, at 852-0190. Make sure your manual is workplace and job site specific. Some of the topics you should cover include: n General health and safety policies tailored to locations and activities. n The rules for using personal protective equipment (PPE) and company vehicles, safe job procedures and workplace activities. Visit www.SafetyInfo.com for some useful ideas and templates. n How to perform OSHA-required inspections of workplaces and tasks to determine if hazards are present that would require the use of PPE. n Safe work practices and job procedures for each location. n Preventive maintenance requirements, schedules, roles and responsibilities. n Methods for communicating safety information and training employees in safe procedures and operations. n Required inspections, investigations and reports, including procedures for keeping records and statistics. n Emergency procedures covering potentially dangerous or life-threatening situations — chemical spills, fires, workplace shootings and other hazards. n Other topics relevant to your industry.

Keep in mind you’re writing a manual explaining what employees and managers should do — and not do. Write in an active voice. The “doer” must be absolutely clear. Passive voice deflects responsibility to some “unknown.”

Consider these examples. Which one makes it clear what must be done and by whom?

The safety valve must be set to “active” to avoid an explosion when the gas jet is opened. The gas technician must set the safety valve to “active” before opening the gas jet.

The first example is written in passive voice. The “doer” is not stated, leaving no one responsible for ensuring this important safety step is completed properly. Even if the “doer” is obvious, your manual needs to identify, in directive and active terms, the “doer.” The second example is written in active voice and leaves no doubt — in terms of job title — who’s responsible. n Always write in active voice. Be directive. Sentences must be simple, clear and concise. Delete adjectives (descriptive words before nouns) unless they add value or clarity. Avoid long words or phrases when one simple word works. Write “use” rather than “utilize” or “make utilization of.” Consider the following example. The safety valve must be quickly, rapidly and thoroughly turned off immediately prior to rather than shortly after enabling and turning on the gas flow. That’s passive voice with lots of adjectives. Now consider the same sentence written in active voice with no unneeded adjectives. Turn off the safety valve before turning on the gas. n Short, focused sentences ensure someone with a high school education can read and understand them. In the preceding example you can read how much shorter the directive, active voice sentence is, leaving no doubt what’s to be done and by whom. n Keep paragraphs to no more than three or four sentences. Short paragraphs ensure only one topic is addressed at a time. One-sentence paragraphs work well when you want to emphasize a point. n Use bullets or numbered lists. Bullets call out information, ensuring critical processes or information stand out, are easy to locate and simple to follow. Use bullets when the order of performance doesn’t matter. Use numbered or lettered lists when the order does matter — for a series of steps or a startup or shutdown process, for example n Focus on the measurable. Use specific terms that are measurable rather than vague terms open to interpretation. Instead of writing “recommended safety equipment must be brought to each site” try “technicians and engineers must bring the complete set of safety equipment listed in column 2 of table 7 when going to category 1 sites.” Go through your manual and weigh the value of words that end in “-ly” and “-ous.” These are words open to interpretation. Health and safety procedures are not open to interpretation. n Be quantitative, not qualitative. Put yourself in the position of the people who must read, understand and use your manual. Will reading and referencing the contents make your employees safer and better prepared for risky situations? Are you making everyone’s roles and responsibilities clear? Have you revised at least 90 percent of passive voice sentences?

The OSHA Small Business Handbook available online at www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/publications/small-business.pdf offers useful information.

Safety is everyone’s business. A good workplace safety manual should constitute an excellent reference for both employers and employees.

Janet Arrowood

A good workplace safety manual should constitute an excellent reference for both employers and employees.

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 RentaSpace.DiegoCorp.com

May 27-June 16, 2021

Think ahead to keep vacations fitness-friendly

Vacations, long car trips and busy schedules can airport your new home. Why not pack gym shoes in your so try filling disposable water bottles with water for a disrupt our fitness routines. Whether traveling by car carry-on? You’ve seen the moving walkways. Don’t use lightweight workout. Be creative. Many exercises can be or plane, staying in hotels or with family, you can keep them if time allows. There are places to walk and climb done on the floor with nothing but your own body weight fitness a part of each day. Here are a few tips to help make stairs in most airports. When it comes to having a snack for resistance. Pushups, for example, offer a great upper your vacations more fitness-friendly. or meal, remember many food vendors offer nutritious body strength exercise and don’t require anything but you n Sitting in a car for a few or choices. Consuming fewer calories while being less active to perform. Situps, leg lifts and arm circles are just a few many hours a day traveling to that is an important part of not gaining those extra vacation exercises that can be performed without equipment. great vacation destination can make pounds. Pack some healthy treats in your purse or n Cardiovascular exercise remains important when you feel tired and stiff. Moreover, backpack. Dried fruit, nuts and water offer good choices. traveling. Many vacations involve sightseeing. Don’t car trips are notorious for combining n Many hotels and resorts offer fitness centers. While underestimate the power of walking. Be sure to wear little physical activity with eating the your choices could be limited, remember any movement is comfortable shoes, bring water and wear sunscreen. You’ll wrong foods. Pull off at rest stops and better than nothing. Combine cardiovascular exercise — a get more heart-healthy exercise just by taking the stairs stretch by reaching for the sky. Take treadmill or elliptical trainer — with strength training. whenever possible. deep breaths. Spend a few moments n If your accommodations don’t include a fitness area, n By thinking ahead, you’ll keep your workout routine walking around and seeing the sights. that doesn’t mean you’re off the hook. Plan ahead. Pack on schedule. No matter the mode of travel or destination,

Paula Reece Stretching every few hours will make you feel less worn. Here’s a game you can play when traveling with some resistance bands. They can be purchased at many health clubs, local retailers or online. Resistance bands come in different colors and widths. These differences you still can exercise and eat right on vacation. Remember, too, it’s a vacation. Enjoy. your family. At each stop, a different reflect the amount of stretch they allow for more or less person gets to name the activity. It might be jumping jacks resistance. Try them out to see which ones work for you. or running around the car. It can be as simple as racing Wrap your bands around a bed post or door knob. You can each other to the “facilities.” Meanwhile, consider packing also use resistance bands by using your foot to step on the a small cooler with nutritious snacks. middle of the band for an arm workout, for example. n At times, airline travel can have you calling the n You can’t exactly pack weights in your suitcase, Paula and Dale Reece own Crossroads Fitness Centers in Grand Junction with a downtown location at 225 N. Fifth St. and a north location at 2768 Compass Drive. For more information, call 242-8746 or visit the website located at www.crossroadsfitness.com.

F Court strikes down eviction ban, but outcome unsettled

U.S. District Court Judge Dabney L. Friedrich of the two housing providers and their property management the economy growing and unemployment rates falling, District of Columbia recently struck down a nationwide companies filed the lawsuit in defense of mom-and-pop there is no need to continue a nationwide eviction ban. eviction moratorium, deeming it unlawful. property owners around the country struggling to pay bills With this safety net firmly in place, the market needs a The U.S. Department of Justice without rental income for more than a year. return to normalcy and stability.” appealed the ruling, however. In a lot of cases, property management companies Until the market does stabilize, this might help. If the order is reversed, the also take a hit if their revenuers are based on a percentage According to the Colorado Department of Local Affairs Centers for Disease Control (CDC) of rents collected. If no rents are collected, there are no (DOLA) website, the state recently received $247 million eviction moratorium could remain property management fees. for rental and utility assistance, and the Colorado Emergency in place until at least the end of June The National Association of Realtors (NAR) helped Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) is set up for both property with the possibility of extensions. secure nearly $50 billion in federal rental assistance to owners and tenants. In her ruling, Friedrich stated: “It help tenants pay their bills and provide relief to housing Forms are available on the DOLA website located at is the role of the political branches, providers that have lost income. https://cdola.colorado.gov/rental-mortgage-assistance. not the courts, to assess the merits of NAR supported the lawsuit, though, contending the Tim policy measures designed to combat the spread of disease, even during moratorium was no longer needed. “NAR has always maintained that the best solution

Whitney a global pandemic. The question for all parties was rental assistance to cover the rent, for the court is a narrow one: Does taxes and utility bills for tenants struggling during the the Public Health Service Act grant the CDC the legal pandemic,” said NAR President Charlie Oppler. “This authority to impose a nationwide eviction moratorium? decision prevents two crises – one for tenants and one It does not.” for mom-and-pop housing providers who do not have a

The Georgia and Alabama associations of Realtors, reprieve from their bills. With rental assistance secured, 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 website at www.CBCPrimeProperties.com. F

Subscribe today

THEBUSINESSTIMES.COM THE DEFINITIVE SOURCE FOR GRAND JUNCTION BUSINESS NEWS SINCE 1994 THE BUSINESS TIMESNews 4 Trends Contributors Opinion Business BriefsBusiness People Almanac MAY 13-26, 2021 VOLUME 28, ISSUE 9 2 6 In this issuen Off the charts Real estate sales continue to increase in Mesa County, gains one industry executive said were “off the charts.”n Fruitful efforts 5 Bruce Talbott, co-owner of a Palisade operation, is the new president of a fruit and vegetable growers organization. Students in the latest class of the Young Entrepreneurs Academy will showcase their startups at an upcoming event.n Taxing mattersSales tax collections, one measure of retail activity in Mesa County, continue to increase on a year-over-year basis.n Mixed outlookAn increase in business filings in Colorado bodes well, but some sectors continue to face challenges.n Emotional laborKeeping feelings in check at work can be more tiring than physical efforts and takes a toll on employees. 21 19 n Starting up Focused on the why n New CMU president committed to serving students — and regional businesses, too. See page 2 John Marshall was selected as the next president of Colorado Mesa University. Marshall expects CMU to remain focused on the why of serving students as well as a larger community that includes businesses in the region. Almanac 30Business Briefs 28Business People 30Contributors 21-25News 2-18Opinion 26-27Trends 19-20 n Departments PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 67 The Business Times 609 North Ave., Suite 5 Grand Junction, CO 81501 Photo courtesy Colorado Mesa University

The Business Times Contributors THE BUSINESS TIMES May 27-JJANUARYune 16, 2021 15-28, 2015 Opinion Opinion Business Briefs Business People Almanac A new year affords a new opportunity to meet local needs It’s that time of year when resolutions and prognostications abound. My favorite saying applied to New Year’s resolutions is in saying they’re basically a long run always hurt consumers. Another fact is that unemployment reaches a certain level based on the economy. And while the government might brag the number is low, Bold predictions for 2015 more like not-so-bold repeats Every day we hear story after story about what our all-caring government at all levels does for people. The biggest perception problem is we’ve had an everyday, good-news kind of story (along unemployment and go back to work. Fixing a “do-gooder” program that wastes money by adding another program that wastes more money is insanity. Then again? Government. I wonder what idiocy it will come up with If government calls it good news, then it’s bad news for you and meContradictory terms: Some funny, some not Some words just don’t go together. Oh, they might work splendidly all by themselves. But arranging one after the other creates a contradiction. Consider, for example, only choice or plastic glasses. If you’re afraid of breaking your stemware, your only choice is to use the plastic glasses. Right? Really? bunch of promises to break the first week with end-times stories) for more than a it’s more than likely the government did after the folks go back to work and quit after

A new year almost always brings an opportunity for a fresh start andThe effects of such figures of speech not only confound, of January. And while I won’t predict a year since the “15 days to slow the spread” something to cause that number being low their two $800 installments hit the bank? renewed ambition to do things better. but also entertain. whole lot, I can pretty much accurately that oddly never garnered one good news — and not in a good way. Conversely, when Of course, there are the once-a-year

In business, that usually boils down to providing customers better products Comedian George Carlin was famous — rightfully so — nail a few things that without question story about the spread slowing. business picks up, it’s because the people bank account bonuses that replaced maybe and services faster and at lower cost than competitors. Part of the process must for poking fun at expressions he didn’t believe made any sense. will make the news. You will see these are Then again, if who need to buy widgets who were not 1/20th of someone’s income and takes include listening to customers to determine what they actually need and then If someone’s legally drunk, then what’s the problem? Leave the pretty, well, predictable: one understands basic buying widgets because the economy was months to debate the amount of crumbs meeting that need. After all, it does little good to offer the latest and greatest if poor guy alone. If someone’s an undisputed champion, what’s ■ Prediction one:virus lifespans, you contracting due to natural (or unnatural, from the Antionette cake we’ll be allowed. nobody actually wants what you’re selling.all the fighting about? And what, exactly, is a jumbo shrimp? There will be some weren’t expecting government caused) reasons, decided we There’s now a $300 per month per kid for

Just like the businesses that belong to the group, the Grand Junction Area Is it a large shrimp or little jumbo? sort of weather event, good news because better buy some widgets. The government special households (of course, if that kid Chamber of Commerce invariably starts out the new year with a reassessment of I’m referring, of course, to oxymorons. Ironically, the word natural disaster or the 15 days weren’t had nothing to do with this. isn’t on one’s taxes due to divorce, you get the services and resources it provides and how well they match with members itself is something of an oxymoron, a combination of the Greek heinous occurrence going to do squat. As ■ Prediction four: In keeping with nada). And let’s not forget $2.5 TRILLION in needs. Jeff Franklin, the new chairman of the chamber board of directors, personifies this approach in describing what he considers his role for the coming terms for sharp and dull that evolved into pointedly foolish. As is so often the case, my train of thought transported me Phil Castle where someone will be interviewed and say I’ve said repeatedly: Viruses arrive, viruses things the government does, I predict the government will manipulate the numbers to infrastructure spending on the horizon which won’t be spent on infrastructure and will be year: listen to members, determine their needs and then meet those needs. It’s a to business and what oxymorons might arise in that realm. the following: “I’ve spread, viruses peak, make the claim the economy is getting used as political payoffs to special interests. role with which Franklin is familiar as market president of Bank of Colorado. The process will take on a more structured approach in what the chamber After a bit of contemplation and a little research, here are a few that came to mind. Some of these business oxymorons might be funny because, as the word never seen anything like that in my viruses decline and we live with variants of Craig Hall better because of how hard it is working to help all of us “working Americans.” Now Because that’s what government spends on. Special interests, cronies and benefactors. plans as the resumption of a program aptly called Listening to Business. Under the program, business owners participate in in-depth interviews to identify barriers to implies, they’re pointedly foolish. But others not so much because they really are contradictory. lifetime.” It’s as if this person is a required Craig Hallthem forever. It’s just some are worse than others. you might say, “Craig, you always say this about President Obama because you don’t Your $25 donation doesn’t cut it. The only effect this tax money has growth and other problems they encounter. n Working vacation. Is it work or a vacation? Is it possible to combine the two? attendee at every newsThat’s where our first good news from like him.” You’re right in a sense. I don’t for you and me isn’t good news. Because The new year offers a good time to join the proverbial club. That depends on the individual involved. For some, even the prospect of work — reporting event. While I understand most government comes into play. Government know the man, but what I know of him and we’re the ones who’re going to pay for As an advertiser or reader, what do you need from the Business Times? however slight — would ruin what’s likely well-deserved time away from work. people’s perspective can indeed be limited payouts for COVID-19 cases and deaths. his thinking, I don’t like it or him one iota. it. As of today — before we get hit with While business journals traditionally gather and report the relevant news to For others, a business trip conceivably could include some rest and relaxation. by, or contained within, their own personal The good news for hospitals was government Before you go off, however, I didn’t like another $4 TRILLION in added spending readers, communication isn’t necessarily a one-way street. That’s especially true as n Friendly takeover. Even if the management at the companies involved in experiences, it is too much to ask to was going to cover the costs of dealing with President Bush and his bailouts, stimulus this year alone — the debt in the United Web sites and e-mail make the dialogue more convenient than ever. such an arrangement agree to the merits, there could be some who aren’t so happy consult some historical perspective before a pandemic. Yet, all one needs to know is and his abandoning the free market to save States is roughly $85,000 per PERSON Good publications don’t exist in a vacuum. They respond to the needs of when the transaction goes through. One of the results of combining operations is saying such a thing? Yes, this response can we’ve never financed a pandemic or outbreak the free market. And I don’t know him and $225,000 per HOUSEHOLD. The advertisers and readers. They provide what’s needed. cutting costs by eliminating redundancies. That often means people lose jobs. apply to some events. But when it comes via the taxpayers in history, so it’s bad news. either. What the government does, and the worse news: 50 percent of the people in

So what do you need? n Job security. There was a time when people worked their entire careers to weather and natural disasters, I’m pretty Especially since every hospital admission and only thing it can do, is hurt the economy. this country don’t pay taxes. And every Is there additional news coverage that would help keep you informed about with one company in part because they felt more secure their jobs were safe. sure this is simply history repeating itself. recorded death was identified as COVID for Unless it does nothing or put criminals in single item mentioned in this column is local business developments? Are there features that would be interesting or That time has passed. As takeovers — see above — and outsourcing increase, job Same as it has for millions and millions of the money, much of the initial claims being jail instead of partnering with them, nothing adding on to to those of us who do. BIGLY. useful? Is there advice that would make your jobs a little easier? security decreases. Of course, companies face the same sort of challenge given years. More important, the planet made it! done by observation of symptoms. Given the government does will help. Always look So when you hear the next story about It’s equally important to ask what you don’t need. With limited time to the willingness of their employees to leave if they see what they believe could be What didn’t were certain species. How’s COVID has a ton of symptoms, including no at it this way, whatever the government says how our all-caring government provides produce content and limited space in which to publish it, would time and space be greener pastures. that for perspective? symptoms at all, it was easy money. it is doing, whatever the name of the law it free this or that to help defeat “the virus” better devoted to something else? n Healthy competition. Most business owners and managers probably ■ Prediction two: When it comes to a Second good news, we came up is passing, or whatever the name or goal of — the latest being free vaccine after free What’s good? What isn’t? What’s needed? What isn’t? would prefer a monopoly to vying for market share. Competition is healthy for crime or something that occurs between with a test for COVID to identify cases the bureaucracy it is presenting to the vaccine, now for the entire planet — just Let us know. Send us an e-mail. Comment online on the Business Times Web consumers, though, in producing better products and services at lower prices. humans, the other required attendee at all and fight the outbreak. Problem, if you people, expect the polar opposite to occur. keep the ticker ticking on your tax payingsite at www.thebusinesstimes.com. You could even write an old-fashioned letter to n Business ethics. There are some who believe this is the biggest oxymoron news reporting events is the person who spun the test enough, it’s auto-positive. I guess what I’m saying is that household or individual tax debt. And the editor if you’d like. Your feedback, both positive and negative, is valued and of all, that profitability trumps all other considerations — including ethical ones. says this: “They we’re just the nicest Reasons? See above. Worse, the infection perhaps it’s time to get out of our own then look at all the things government will be carefully considered. It’s been my experience in working more than 20 years as editor of a business people, and in no way did I see something rate blew up and they shuttered the country perspective. There’s plenty of history has done to decrease tax collections by Good publications are the result of not only the efforts of their staffs, but also journal that’s not at all the case. The businesses that are most successful are those like this coming.” Exactly. No one does and mandated all kinds of craziness. So books and historical research out there to shuttering the economy while claiming collaborative efforts involving advertisers and readers. that do things right. They treat employees and customers well and give generously most of the time when it comes to all the bureaucrats with jobs and places begin to understand that all of this has business aren’t paying their “fair Like any other good business, we want to listen to our customers, find out to the community. They’ve built and maintain a reputation for trustworthiness. neighbors and acquaintances. People should of employment sat and watched jobs and happened before. And it will again, share,” making it impossible to pay for what they need and then meet those needs. be surprised at what goes on from time to business go away — with pay. whether the topic is people or government. government programs like Social Security It’s a new year. Please help us to do so.Phil Castle is editor of the Business Times. Reach him at phil@thebusinesstimes. time in their neighborhoods, towns and Next positive: the flu is dead. Somehow The best recommendation is to find and Medicare/Medicaid (which are broke com or 424-5133. ✦ with people they know because people are this is proof masks and social distancing work. some books or try that whole Google already) because no one is working and F good. And for the times that they shouldn’t Yet, it didn’t with COVID. But what better thing. There’s a lot of information on the paying those taxes and counties bragging be shocked — like with politicians, repeat way to extend tyrannical rule over people? Great Depression. The truth is it wasn’t about higher tax receipts from online offenders and terrorists — where’s the Logic would dictate masks don’t work given even a good one until the government got buying while area businesses close left THE BUSINESSTIMES 609 North Ave., Suite 2, Grand Junction, CO 81501 interview that says, “This doesn’t surprise me in the least.” COVID numbers increased following a very predictable curve WITH masks and involved. There’s also plenty of research on the medieval warm period when the and right. My plea is please, please, please note: This is horrible news. Period. TEL (970) 424-5133 • FAX (970) 424-5134 ■ Prediction three: Something good distancing. Who takes scientific data from a planet was much warmer than today with This all could have been avoided. As will happen economically, and the 10th grader’s paper posited by her dad who a whole lot less people (and warmer well stated before as viruses do, we’d be in the Publisher/Owner: Craig R. Hall Editor: Phil Castle government will take credit for it. The most owns a statistics company? Government, if it before man was here at all). And yep, same (predictable) position — arguably recent example is gas prices, where people means control. Oh, and big box stores. people have been killing other surprised better in terms of deaths and infections, ask me why I won’t credit the president for Then there’s the $600-a-week people since history was first written. especially given how the numbers were Reach advertising at: publisher@thebusinesstimes.com Reach the editor at: phil@thebusinesstimes.com. low gas prices. My answer is simple: Government never makes the price of unemployment bonus (with many states still giving $300 after this expired) for folks who Maybe some research will help stop all of these trends. Otherwise, we’ll be tallied — if the government would have suggested health protocols and not done Subscribe or submit press releases online at www.thebusinesstimes.com something go down and simply takes credit lost their jobs due to mandated shutdowns. saying we’ve never seen anything like it in one damned thing listed in this column. for good news. Gas pricing is subject to This act of government benevolence has our lives. And not in a good way. Yet more is planned. And it’s all bad news. The Grand Valley Business Times, a subsidiary of Hall Media Group LLC, is published twice many global factors. Now there are put even more folks out of business who 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. government answers to addressing some of them to keep prices stable for Americans, couldn’t find anyone to hire because it’s more beneficial not to work. Who the hell thinks Craig Hall is owner and publisher of the Business Times. Reach him at 424-5133 Craig Hall is owner and publisher of the Business Times. Reach him at 424-5133 or Copyright © 2015 — All rights reserved.Copyright © 2021 — All rights reserved. but our government has none of them in place. The only things it has in place in the like this? Must be the same government who now says it’ll pay you $1,600 to get off F or publisher@thebusinesstimes.com. ✦ publisher@thebusinesstimes.com.

Death and higher taxes: Biden agenda an attack on U.S. entrepreneurship

The Biden tax agenda amounts to weren’t hit by the capital gains tax and a comprehensive attack on business, death tax. The stepped-up basis means the investment and wealth creation. capital gains basis for an inherited asset is It is, therefore, also an assault on stepped up to the fair market value at the entrepreneurship and American workers. time of the original owner’s death. President But the Biden plan would tax Joe Biden and his unrealized capital gains at death. For good administration measure, Biden has proposed a dramatic emphasize the notion increase in the capital gains tax — from that since they’re 20 percent plus the 3.8 percent tax for a directly raising taxes total of 23.8 percent to the top ordinary on businesses and tax rate of 43.4 percent on gains worth those earning more more than $1 million. than $400,000 a year, Let’s consider the example of a small that somehow there business valued at $52 million at the

Raymond will be no negatives for the economy. owner’s death after an initial investment of $12 million. The $40 million capital

Keating Of course, that’s gain would be taxed at 43.4 percent for a politics talking, not liability of $17.36 million. The remaining economics. $34.64 million in assets, after the $11.7

If you raise taxes on higher incomes, million exemption, would be taxed at the results include altered incentives 40 percent, for an additional tax bill of and decisions by such income earners, $9.18 million. That’s a total tax bill of along with reduced dollars in their hands. $26.54 million, or a total tax rate of That means investments in new and 51 percent. expanding businesses are discouraged and Factor state taxes and inflation into reduced while more resources accumulate the equation — capital gains aren’t in political hands to be redistributed adjusted for inflation — and the real total according to political incentives. tax rate would soar even higher.

No matter how much those on the left Of course, there are many small and in the White House might wish it were businesses that could be viewed as “asset not the case, the reality is that the incentives rich,” yet not have the cash flow to pay and knowledge deficiency in government such an enormous tax bill. For good guarantee that dollars drained from the measure, this massive government tax private sector to be spent by government grab can come at a particularly vulnerable will generate serious inefficiencies. All of time at the owner’s death. The death tax this combines to restrain economic, income already can be a death sentence for small and employment growth. businesses. This Biden proposal would

The same, naturally, goes for only terminate more enterprises. increased taxes on businesses, with Biden Keep Biden’s campaign pledge to proposing to increase the corporate tax increase the estate tax in mind. That rate from 21 percent to 28 percent and creates more tax uncertainty and concern the top individual income tax rate from for what might still be coming. 37 percent to 39.6 percent. The obvious The total tax rate would vary by results are reduced incentives and circumstances, but the government resources for expanding business. grabbing somewhere around half, or more,

A favorite levy of the class warfare of assets at death would be a major hit for set is the estate, or death, tax. After paying small businesses and investors and serve a lifetime of taxes and fees, government as an obvious disincentive to investing shows up at death to grab a chunk of an in a business and an incentive to sell a individual’s assets. In fact, the top federal business. death tax rate is 40 percent and applies to Investing in new and expanding estates worth more $11.7 million. businesses, and, for example, in the stock

While Biden called for increasing market — a critical vehicle by which the estate tax on the campaign trail, some businesses raise capital to innovate and think his latest tax plan didn’t include build — are positives for the economy. an increase in taxes at death. That’s The ills of raising taxes on such not exactly true. Biden has proposed a investments certainly aren’t limited to dramatic change in the capital gains tax upper-income earners. Indeed, the bad applied at death, which, in turn, would news would be widespread, restraining dramatically increase the overall tax rate economic, income and job growth. faced at death.

Consider that Biden would impose both the estate tax and capital gains tax at death. What has long been the normal case, imposing both taxes at death was avoided. So, tax law generally has allowed for a what’s known as a stepped-up basis for assets transferred at death so they Raymond Keating is chief economist of the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council. The organization works to protect small business and promote entrepreneurship. For more information, visit www.sbecouncil.org. F

The Business Times Opinion May 27-June 16, 2021 Business Briefs n FALL FESTIVAL SCHEDULED TO RETURN WITH SEPTEMBER CELEBRATION IN FRUITABusiness PeopleSHARE YOUR NEWS The Business Times welcomes submissions for free Almanac NOTEWORTHY HopeWest in Grand Junction The Fruita Fall Festival, an annual publication in Business Briefs. Email submissions to continues to rank among the tradition for more than a century, is scheduled phil@thebusinesstimes.com or submit a news release best places to work in health to return in September. online at the website at www.thebusinesstimes.com. care based on the latest results “We are excited to bring back the festival of a magazine survey.and hope the community is just as thrilled,” The hospice, palliative care said Kayla Brown, executive director of the n HILLTOP HEALTH ACCESS OFFERS ASSISTANCE and grief organization was Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce. DURING EXTENDED ENROLLMENT PERIOD among 75 providers recognized The chamber announced the 2021 Alpine by the Modern Healthcare trade Bank Fruita Fall Festival, presented by Family Hilltop Health Access will continue to offer information publication. The recognition is

Kayla Brown Health West, is set for Sept. 24 and 25. and assistance to uninsured people during a health insurance the fourth for HopeWest.The event will include not only local enrollment period that’s been extended through Aug. 15. “With the artisans and vendors selling crafts and food, but also a baking and A certified assistance site for Connect for Health, Hilltop past year being canning contest, cornhole tournament and outhouse races. Health Access offers help with navigating the online enrollment especially

The chamber is accepting vendor applications and offering a process — from comparing coverage options to determining if tax challenging for priority to local vendors. Chamber members will receive 20 percent credits are available based on income to enrolling for coverage. the health care off booth fees. No out-of-state vendors will be accepted until after Under the American Rescue Plan, individuals and families of industry, I’m glad July 1. all income ranges can qualify for financial help to reduce premiums that everything

The Fruita Fall Festival is scheduled to begin Sept. 24 with the — even those who were denied in the past. Anyone who’s received HopeWest as an Fall Brew Fest featuring Colorado breweries pouring draft beer at unemployment benefits for at least one week in 2021 may qualify organization did Civic Cnter Park. Outhouse races are set to begin at 5:30 p.m.followed by live music from the Gerry Goodman Band and Dead Cowboys. for a free silver plan or a credit toward the plan of their choice. For more information about Hilltop Health Access, visit the Christy Whitney to support our employees is

The festival will continue Sept. 25 with a Lion’s Club breakfast website at www.hilltophealthaccess.org or call 244-0850. being recognized,” said Christy at Circle Park followed by a farmers market from 8:30 a.m. to Whitney, president and chief noon. A parade will follow through downtown Fruita, followed by n APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED THROUGH JUNE 1 executive officer of HopeWest. a cornhole tournament at Reed Park, then a baking and canning FOR ELECTRIC LINEWORKER SCHOLARSHIP “Since this designation is contest downtown. Live musical performances will feature the based on survey responses of Rocky Mountain Ramblers, Gunny String Band, Straygrass, Applications will be accepted through June 1 for an electric employees, I am particularly Southwise Highway and Jerrod Niemann. lineworker scholarship. grateful for this recognition.

For more information about the Fruita Fall Festival, visit the The $2,000 scholarship is available to applicants who live When employees feel supported, website at https://fruitachamber.org/fruita-fall-festival. in Mesa County and plan to enroll in the electric lineworker they can provide the most certification program offered at Western Colorado Community compassionate care to patients n LISTINGS ACCEPTED THROUGH JUNE 11 College in Grand Junction. and their families.” FOR LATEST COLORADO HAY DIRECTORY Applications and information are available from Grand Modern Healthcare selects Valley Power at the website at www.gvp.org/scholarship-program. its best places to work in

Listings will be accepted through June 11 for the 2021 Colorado Applications may be submitted online, by mail or dropped off at health care based on the Hay Directory. The directory will be available in August and offer the GVP office at 845 22 Road in Grand Junction. results of surveys completed information about hay producers and brokers as well as companies A crew of Grand Valley Power linemen will review the by participating employers as providing related products and services. applications and select the winner based on financial need, well as satisfaction surveys

Listings cost $25. Forms are available online at the website academic and work acievements and a personal essay. completed by employees. at https://ag.colorado.gov/markets or by contacting the Colorado For more information, call 242-0040. HopeWest employs a staff of Department of Agriculture. F more than 400. Modern Healthcare has Montrose franchise owners awarded for their efforts scheduled its Best Places to Work Gala for Sept. 16 in Chicago. At that time, the

Eli and Abby Powers, owners of Benjamin Franklin Plumbing respected owners within our system. But this past year we have publication will reveal the ranked and One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning in Montrose, have really seen them flourish,” said Mark Dawson, chief operating order for providers, insurers and earned recognition for their efforts. officer of Benjamin Franklin Plumbing and One Hour Heating & suppliers.

Authority Brands — which operates Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, Air Conditioning. “The exceptional growth and sales performance HopeWest operates an One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning and eight other home service that their business has experienced this year is a direct result of the in-patient hospice center franchises — awarded the Powers with a personal achievement award. personal effort the Powers put in, and it has been a joy to see their in Grand Junction and also The award recognizes franchise owners who attain achievements in team and business thrive.” provides hospice, palliative care sales, recruiting, training or franchise development. The Powers said they increased staffing to reduce response and grief support services in

The Powers also were inducted into the 2021 President’s time to sales calls. They also created a qualty control position to an 8,000 square-mile region of Club for revenue and profit growth for 2020. Their business grew ensure customers remain satisfied. Western Colorado. For more more than 60 percent from the previous year with a double-digit The couple operates Benjamin Franklin Plumbing and One information, call 241-2212 or increase in profitability. The couple also received the President’s Hour Heating & Air Conditioning at 201 N. First St. For more visit the website located at Club recognition in 2015. information, call 999-1811 or 497-4143. www.HopeWestCO.org.

“Eli and Abby Powers have always been very successful and F

Opinion The Business Times Business Briefs Business Briefs May 27-June 16, 2021 Business People Business People Almanac Almanac

n WEST STAR ANNOUNCES PROMOTIONS OF IT DIRECTOR, INTERIOR TEAM LEAD

Matt Vogel has been promoted to director of information technology at West Star Aviation. Scott Debrie has been promoted to interior senior team lead at the West Star facilities in Grand Junction. Working out of Grand Junction, Vogel oversees the company’s IT project portfolio, designing and Matt Vogel implementing systems to benefit employees and customers. Vogel brings to his latest position more than 27 years of IT experience, most recently as IT manager. He’s worked at West Star since 2002. He holds an accounting degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University. “I am invested in the long-term success of the IT department at West Star,” Vogel said. “I am excited to lead

Scott Debrie the team into a more sustainable digital future, including migrating technology resources to cloudbased systems while maximizing efficiencies and enhancing data security.”

Katie Johnson, vice president of human resources at West Star, hailed Vogel’s promotion. “Matt works closely with each department as well as vendors to share our technology solutions, ensuring efficiency while also being user friendly.”

DeBrie oversees scheduling, quotes and production at the interior shop. He joined West Star in 2002 as an interior installer.

“I am looking forward to continue to lead the growth of the interior program, expanding my knowledge and resources to provide the best delivery to customers,” he said.

Dave Krogman, general manager of West Star Aviation in Grand Junction, praised the promotion. “Scott has been a leader in the interior program for many years, and we’re excited for this growth opportunity for him.”

West Star Aviation provides a range of maintenance, repair and overhaul services at facilities in Grand Junction, Aspen and Denver as well as Arizona, Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, Tennessee and Texas. The company has ranked for eight consecutive years as the top MRO services provider in a survey conducted for Professional Pilot magazine. For more information, call (800) 922-2421 or visit www.weststaraviation.com.

n MESA COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH DIRECTOR APPOINTED TO OPIOID RECOVERY PANEL

Jeff Kuhr, executive director of Mesa County Public Health, has been appointed to the Opioid Crisis Recovery Funds Advisory Committee.

Kuhr serves on the committee as a representative of a local public health agency. The committee advises on the use of custodial funds the state receives as a result of opioid addiction-related litigation that’s not committed by court order or other actions by state or federal courts.

SHARE YOUR NEWS

The Business Times welcomes submissions for free publication in Business People and the Almanac calendar of events. Email submissions to phil@thebusinesstimes.com or submit a news release online at www.thebusinesstimes.com.

n ROICE-HURST PET BEHAVIOR COUNSELOR RECEIVES DOG TRAINER CERTIFICATION

Laura Taylor, a pet behavior counselor at the Roice-Hurst Humane Society in Grand Junction, has been certified as a professional dog trainer. Taylor earned the designation after passing the Certified Professional Dog Trainer knowledge assessment administered by the Certiification Council for Professional Dog Trainers. Laura Taylor “It feels good to demonstrate that I have the knowledge the council feels is necessary to peform as a professional dog behavior consultant and trainer,” Taylor said. “I am excited to continue learning and be able to share information and ideas on how dog owners in our community can always be improving their relationship with their canine.”

“When Laura interviewed at Roice-Hurst for the events and volunteer coordinator, she told me her ultimate goal was to learn to work with the shelter’s dogs and eventually become a dog trainer,” said Anna Stout, chief executive officer. “When that position opened up, it seemed natural to move Laura into it and support her in obtaining this important credential. We’re proud to see her achieve that goal.”

The Roice-Hurst Humane Society operates a nonprofit shelter and adoption center that provides housing, medical treatment and care for dogs and cats as well as resources for pet owners. For more informtion, visit the website located at www.rhhumanesociety.org.

n AGENT AND PROPERTY MANANGER JOINS GRAND JUNCTION REAL ESTATE BUSINESS

Brandie Volpi has joined Weichert Realtors-Heiden Homes Realty in Grand Junction as a real estate agent and property manager.

Volpi was raised in Western Colorado and returned to the region after working in property management in California. She oversaw thousands of rental units in several states while also gaining experience in corporate Brandie Volpi property management. She said she also brings to her duties a hands-on approach, persistence, strong negotiating skills and a broad knowledge of real estate.

Weichert Realtors-Heiden Homes Realty operates offices at 755 Rood Ave. For more information, including properties for sale and rent, visit www.heidenhomes.com or call 245-7777.

F

May 27

n Grand Junction Master Networks referrals group Zoom meeting, 9 a.m. May 27 and June 3 and 10. 216-7723 n Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce free Zoom presentation on C-PACE, 10 to 11 a.m. https://gjchamber.org or 242-3214 n Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce Welcome Thursday Friends networking lunch, noon, Qdoba, 401 Jurassic Ave. https://fruitachamber.org or 858-3894 n Young Professionals Network of Mesa County after hours networking event, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Copper Club Brewing Co., 153 N. Mulberry St., Fruita. www.ypnmc.org

June 1

n Networking at Noon free gathering for members of the Fruita and Palisade chambers of commerce, noon June 1, 8 and 15, KAFM Radio Room, 1310 Ute Ave., Grand Junction. Email reservations required. membership@fruitachamber.org

June 2

n Free Zoom roundtable with Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold, 10 to 11 a.m. 242-3214 or https://gjchamber.org

June 3

n Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce Welcome Thursday Friends networking lunch, noon, Dragon Treasure, 576 Kokopelli Drive, Unit A. https://fruitachamber.org or 858-3894

June 8

n Business startup workshop, 6 to 8:30 p.m., Business Incubator Center, 2591 Legacy Way, Grand Junction. Admission $55. 243-5242 or https://gjincubator.org

June 9

n Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce networking at noon, 11:45 a.m., Warehouse 25Sixty-Five. Admission $18 for chamber members, $23 for others. https://gjchamber.org or 242-3214

June 10

n Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce Welcome Thursday Friends networking lunch, noon, Munchies Pizza & Deli, 550 Kokopelli Drive. https://fruitachamber.org or 858-3894

June 11

n Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce annual banquet, 6 to 11:30 p.m., Grand Junction Convention Center, 159 Main St. Individual tickets $95. Corporate tables $950. https://gjchamber.org or 242-3214

June 15

n Business startup workshop, 9 to 11:30 a.m. Business Incubator Center. Admission $55. 243-5242 or https://gjincubator.org

June 16

n Palisade Chamber of Commerce business after hours, 5:30 to 7 p.m., Jet Boat Colorado, Interstate Highway 70 Exit 62, De Beque. Admission $6. RSVPs required. www.palisadecoc.com or 464-7458 F