The Business Times Volume 27 Issue 12 by Thin Air Web

THE BUSINESS T IMES News JUNE 25-JULY 8, 2020

VOLUME 27, ISSUE 12

TrendsVirtually 2 Contributors the same Opinion 4 Business Briefs 5 Business People Almanac

THE DEFINITIVE SOURCE FOR GRAND JUNCTION BUSINESS NEWS SINCE 1994

THEBUSINESSTIMES.COM

In this issue

n Ups and downs Survey results reflect both optimism and concerns over pandemic effects on local business operations.

n Monumental total

n Startup week offers an extensive lineup, only online this time. See page 2

Visitors to the Colorado National Monument spent $25.2 million in nearby cities, according to a new analysis.

n Adding voice

Bryan Wachs, chief executive officer of MySalesButler.com, and Mara Hardy, business development manager for the Grand Junction Economic Partnership, are among the organizers of Techstars Startup Week West Slope. The virtual event will include more than 60 sessions offering information about business topics.

A company that operates a fiber optic network has added voice communications to services offered its customers.

n Moving effort

A software firm that helps customers manage sales and services plans to move operations to Grand Junction.

n Less jobless

The monthly jobless rate dropped in Mesa County as businesses reopened and brought back employees.

n Worth a check

Employee screening has become more important than ever in supporting businesses in the new normal.

n Departments Almanac Business Briefs Business People Contributors News Opinion Trends

34 32 34 23-28 2-20 30-31 21-22

Business Times photo by Phil Castle

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 67 The Business Times 609 North Ave., Suite 5 Grand Junction, CO 81501

THE BUSINESS T IMES News The Business Times

Page 2

June 25-July 8, 2020

Survey reflects Trends both optimism concerns Contributors and over pandemic Opinion Business Briefs Business People Almanac Phil Castle

The Business Times

Virtually the same

Startup week offers extensive programming, only online this time

hile there’s nothing quite like being in the same room, the organizers of an event promoting entrepreneurial endeavors in Western Colorado believe they’ve come up with virtually the same thing. What’s more, there are advantages in offering a month of free online programming. There’s no time or expense involved with travel. Participants pick and choose the sessions in which they’d like to join. And those who might have been reluctant to ask a question or make a point in front of others can now do so from the comfort of their offices or homes. “There’s no risk,” says Mara Hardy, business development manager for the Grand Junction Economic Partnership. Bryan Wachs — the chief executive officer of MySalesButler.com, an internet marketing company based in Grand Junction — puts this way: “There are zero barriers right now.” Hardy and Wachs are among the organizers of Techstars Startup Week West Slope. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, what’s usually a week-long event in Grand Junction was changed to a virtual event that will be offered through July. A total of more than 60 presentations, panel discussions and other events are planned for Tuesdays and Thursdays July 7 to 30. There’s no charge for the sessions or deadline to register. Wachs expects the virtual format to attract more participants. While 300 people attended last year, participation could double or triple this year.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION For information about Techstars Startup Week West Slope, log on to the website located at https://westslopestartupweek.com. Techstars Startup Week West Slope is designed to share knowledge and expertise about starting and growing businesses while also building connections in the region. While the event will include information for tech firms and startups, it’s not just about tech or startups, Wachs says. Sessions will offer something for everyone from the executives of larger companies to the proprietors of small businesses and their employees. Hardy says sessions are grouped into eight tracks related to such topics as agriculture and food, capital, communications and technology. A people track will offer information about developing leaders, building teams and fostering engagement. A makers track will focus on those making things — either with their hands or in operating high-tech equipment. What are billed as “toolbox” workshops will address fundamental topics and skills building. There’s also a fun track that will include book club meetings, podcasts and a yoga class. See VIRTUALLY page 18

STORY AND PHOTO BY PHIL CASTLE

Grand Valley business owners and managers responding to a survey remain optimistic conditions will improve over the next six months. But the coronavirus pandemic and related restrictions continue to affect their operations. And some of those who cut staffing have made the reductions permanent. “They’re focused on recovery, and they’re making concrete steps toward working through this,” said Diane Schwenke, the president and chief executive officer of the Grand Junction Area Diane Schwenke Chamber of Commerce. The chamber has conducted four email surveys over the past two months to track the effects of the pandemic and determine how best to help businesses. The results of the latest survey, completed June 12, indicates businesses have moved toward more normal operations in terms of customers and revenue. Moreover, business owners and managers are optimistic conditions will improve further over the next six months. Concerns remain, though, over a surge in COVID-19 cases that could result in closures, the effects of an economic downturn and the legal liability if an employee or customer contracts COVID-19. That makes uncertainty and lack of control among the biggest challenges businesses face, Schwenke said. Out of the 186 businesses that responded to the latest survey, 40 percent reported the pandemic had affected income less than 25 percent. About 29 percent of businesses reported income had been affected between 25 percent and 50 percent. Nearly 20 percent of businesses reported their incomes had been affected more than 50 percent. In reopening under the latest phase of a Mesa County variance to statewide pandemic restrictions, nearly 45 percent of businesses reported they’re operating at more than 75 percent of normal operations in terms of customers and revenue. More than 21 percent of businesses reported operating at 50 percent to 75 percent of normal. Nearly 19 percent reported operating at 25 percent to 50 percent of normal. About 54 percent of business reported no difficulties in complying with Mesa County See SURVEY page 20

June 25-July 8, 2020

The Business Times

Page 3

THE he B BUSINESS usiness T T Times IMES

PPAGE age 4 4

une 25-J15-28, uly 8, 2015 2020 JJANUARY

THE BUSINESS TIMES Administrator Monumental brings spending:

WE OFFER COMPLIMENTARY

HOME & OFFICE DELIVERY/PICK UP! Delivery Hotline: 970-314-8356

599 Patterson (25 Road & Patterson)

The Business Times The Business Times 609 North Ave., Suite 2, 609 North Ave.,CO Suite 5 Grand Junction, 81501 Grand Junction, CO 81501 Telephone: (970) 424-5133 (970) 424-5133 FAX: (970) 424-5134 www.thebusinesstimes.com www.thebusinesstimes.com

TheThe Business Times is published twice Business Times is published twice monthly and distributed throughout Grand monthly and distributed throughout Junction, and Palisade. Advertising GrandFruita Junction, Fruita and Palisade. rates Advertising and deadlines areand available upon are rates deadlines request. Opinions expressed in this available upon request. Opinions expressed publication are those of the writers and do in this publication are those of the writers not necessarily reflect the views of the and don’teditor, necessarily the views of publisher, staff orreflect advertisers. the publisher, advertisers. Copyright © 2015 editor — Allor rights reserved. Copyright © 2020 — All rights reserved

Let’s create something

...for your home, business, or toys!

S O L A R

P O W E R E D

1707 I-70 Business Loop Grand Junction

970-243-6310

allmetalswelding.com

Life is Precious

Serving families of the Western Slope for more than 100 years.

well-rounded perspective Visitor analysis totals to neweconomic Mesa County role local effects

Philthe CastleColorado National as well as New Monument England and Canada. VisitorsTheto Business Times Whidden said people who work in spent $25.2 million in area communities information technology aren’tin just2019 “geeks,”

Visitors Whidden to the Colorado National million that was spent duringbecause 2015. Frank brings what he $36.7 but offer an important perspective Monumenta spent an estimated $25.2 million Forfamiliar 2019, with lodging considers well-rounded perspective to his they’re nearly accounted every aspectfor of in Grand Fruita administrator. and other nearby more than and a third visitor at new job asJunction, Mesa County operations how ofwork gets spending done. They communities 2019, in turn contributing $8.5 million. another Whiddeninworked also tend to thinkVisitors about newspend and potentially nearly $31information million to the area economy, $4.9 restaurants, million in bettermillion ways ofatdoing things in$3.7 asking and according toand the latest gasoline“what and $1.8 million for groceries. technology holds results of an annual for answering if ” questions. “They know conducted totaled million. aanalysis master’s degree by in the National Park Retail how tospending effect change in$2.5 an organization.” Service. information Visitor spending in computer Whidden expectssupported to bring 88 thatjobs same The But economic lodging industry, a number matched systems. he alsoeffects of visits to the approach to his duties as administrator. national aparks, monuments and other by Whidden employment holds doctoral said related it’s his torolesecondary to help National Park Service sites in 2019 was effects. also supported in degree in applied county Spending commissioners make 77 andjobs then estimated at $772 million 33 jobsThe in retail. management and in Colorado and restaurants implement and decisions. commissioners $41.7 billion nationwide. Economic outputthe from visitor spending decision making and Frank Whidden in turn represent residents of the greatest at $11.2their million “These treasured worked for more than places provide was county and express will,for he secondary said. “We respite andasrecreation for Whidden the American by $8.5 million for the 20 years a minister. has effects, work forfollowed the people.” people for in large addition vital economic lodging sector and million for restaurants. worked and to small organizations Whidden said$4.9 he also considers himself support to gateway communities across the a liaison In Colorado, of 7.8 million in both the private and public sectors. between athetotal commissioners and country,” saidexpects David Bernhardt, Whidden to draw on secretary all of his visits county to staff,National and one Park of the Service priorities sites is to of the Department of Interior, which were in 2019feel and accounted for experiences in helping Mesa County make reported sure employees valued. Whidden oversees the National Park Service. That spending commissioners make and carry out decisions. $515 said hemillion hopes in notspending. only to improve morale, The national parkmaking visitorthe spending 7,340steps jobs,that $268will million labor Valuing staff and county supported but also take makein Mesa effects report takes account the number $464 million in value addedpeople and a an employer of into choice is among the income, County an organization for which of visitors Whidden to National Park sites total priorities, said. SoService is planning want economic to work. output of $772 million. and estimated of money they spent Annual visitorWhidden spending expects in Colorado that results inamount sustainable funding and Meanwhile, the in communities within miles. The report has increased more policies than 48 and percent since balanced budgets on a 60 long-term basis. county to continue initiatives also Meanwhile, calculates the number of jobs visitor Mesa County will 2012. that support local business and economic spending to supported and the anda development. Rocky Mountain National Park alone continue pursue efforts thatindirect promote There are additional steps induced effects of visitor spending that and add accounted for 4.7 million visitors and friendly business environment that can be taken to make it easier for local to economic contributions. $314 million spending 2019. economic development, Whidden said. businesses to in sell productsinand services to The Colorado National Monument Nationwide, more than 327 million Whidden officially began working as the county, he added. attractedadministrator 397,000 visitors 2019 who a total of $21 billionwith in county at the inbeginning of visitors Mesaspent County will keep working spent an He estimated $25.2who million near National Service the year. succeedstotal TomofFisher, was communities other government entities, Park organizations in gateway communities. That spending supported 340,500 hired as county managerThat in spending Summit sites. and institutions on fostering an environment in turn supported 352 jobs, $9.7 million in jobs resulted in a businesses total economic County, Utah. that and supports existing and $41.7 billion. he said. laborWhidden income, $17.1 million in value added joined Mesa County in output attractsof new businesses, Lodging accounted and a total of as $30.7 million intechnology economic August 2011 information Whiddenexpenses said there could forbethea output. In April 2014, he became deputy biggest share to of encourage spending atthe $7.1 billion, director. opportunities additional economic was greatest in the Annual visitor spending the while county administrator for near resource development of output businesses that provide at $4.2 billion. Colorado National Monument was the restaurant management in a staffing reorganization services tosector the agricultural industry as well F highest since 2016, but still below the as promote Mesa County that eliminated four director positions. as a distribution Before joining Mesa County, center for the region. Whidden worked for a company providingINFORMATION The important thing is to consider FOR YOUR information technology services to issues from a well-rounded perspective, colleges and information universities. In that the role,National he Whidden said. “We won’ton bevisitor myopic as we For more about Park Service report managed IT insystems and www.nps.gov/subjects/socialscience/vse.htm. services for look at things.” spending 2019, visit institutions in Alabama, Arizona, Illinois ✦

The Business Times

June 25-July 8, 2020

Fiber optic network operator expands with voice services Phil Castle

The Business Times

A company that operates a fiber optic network across Colorado and 20 other states has added voice communications to the services available to businesses and other customers. Unite Private Networks (UPN) provides what’s branded as FiberVoice to the communities the firm serves, including the Grand Valley. Like other services UPN offers, FiberVoice Matthew Grippen is tailored to meet the needs of customers and accommodates their equipment, said Matthew Grippen, director of sales training. At a time when a pandemic has made businesses even more dependent on internet and voice services, the Steven Davis reliability and quality of those connections have never been more important, Grippen said. Headquartered in Kansas City, Mo., UPN operates a fiber-optic network with 10,000 route miles of fiber serving a total of more than 300 communities. The

company offers high-speed internet access and related services to businesses as well as schools, hospitals and government entities. UPN initially installed a fiber optic network in the Grand Valley for Mesa School District 51, but subsequently expanded the network from Palisade to Loma to serve other customers. The company has offered voice services in some markets for a few years, but plans to extend those services in 2020 to all of the areas in which it operates. The expansion means customers have access to internet, data and voice services on a fiber optic network, said Steven Davis, manager of voice engineering. Grippen said FiberVoice works with a variety of telephone systems. That includes traditional single and multi-line analog systems as well as private telephone networks used within a company or organization. UPN also offers cloud-based hosted services. Davis said a fiber optic network offers more reliable and higher quality voice services than those available from other networks. Customer service remains a priority for UPN, and technicians are available to offer assistance or resolve any issues, he said. Gribben said FiberVoice and other UPN services enable businesses to better adapt their operations to the pandemic, including businesses whose staffs work remotely. F

FOR YOUR INFORMATION For more information about FiberVoice and other services available from Unite Private Networks, contact Stephen Fullerton, account director for Colorado, at 985-9167 or stephen.fullerton@upnfiber.com. Information also is available from the website at www.uniteprivatenetworks.com.

Colorado submits hemp management plan The Colorado Department of Agriculture has submitted a hemp management plan certifying the state has the resources and staffing to carry out the practices and procedures of the plan. “It provides a valuable roadmap for building a successful and sustainable hemp industry in Colorado based on our state’s unique insight and knowledge,” said Kate Greenberg, agriculture commissioner. Kate Greenberg Working with the offices of Colorado Gov. Jared Polis and Attorney General Phil Weiser, the Colorado Department of Agriculture submitted the plan to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The plan addresses various aspects of managing the state commercial hemp industry, including use of third-party approved laboratories and approved samplers for variety testing, options for discipline waivers and post-harvest testing

under certain parameters. Stakeholders statewide were involved in developing the plan, including farmers, processors and product manufacturers as well as academic institutions, financial services providers, government agencies, health care professionals and law enforcement. “With our experience administering a hemp program in Colorado for the past five years, we were able to bring together leaders with expertise in every link of the hemp supply chain to help us understand the challenges we face in helping the industry to grow,” said Brian Koontz, industrial hemp program manager for the Colorado Department of Agriculture. Colorado was one of the first states to implement an industrial hemp program, expanding to more than 87,000 registered acres and 5,539 registrations. For more about the plan, log on to https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/sites/ default/files/Colorado%20State%20 Plan%20-%20Plan%20Document%200618-2020.pdf. F

Page 5

Page 6

The Business Times

June 25-July 8, 2020

Software firm relocating operations to Grand Junction A company that provides software to manage customer service and sales has announced plans to relocate part of its operations from California to Grand Junction. INFOCU5 expects to move a dozen employees from Pasadena and has hired 30 people previously employed at StarTek, a Grand Junction call center that closed earlier this year. Over the next three years, INFOCU5 Jake Bush expects to hire up to 300 employees with an average annual salary of $60,513. The company is headquartered in Telluride and operates a satellite office in Denver. Grand Junction will serve as a core operations hub.

Jake Bush, founder and chief executive officer of INFOCU5, said he’s eager to move more operations to Western Colorado. “Being born and raised in Telluride, the changes I have seen across the Western Slope have led to a newfound appreciation for the entire region, more specifically the countless gems in and around Mesa County.” Mara Hardy, business development manager for the Grand Junction Economic Partnership, said the organization worked with INFOCU5 for more than a year on the move. “We are excited to see this year-long process end in a win for the Grand Valley,” she said. “INFOCU5 is a perfect fit for our growing tech community. We look forward to welcoming its employees and their families to the Western Slope.” The company is the first in the Grand Valley to take advantage of Location Neutral Employee incentives. The

program provides approved companies with a state job growth incentive tax credit as well as cash incentives for each remote worker employed in an eligible rural county. About half the employees in Grand Junction will meet the parameters for the incentives. In addition, GJEP offers a program that supports relocating employees and their families. INFOCU5 offers software to direct-to-consumer businesses to manage customer support, sales and marketing. The company’s web-based application is designed to enhance existing customer support teams and performance marketing efforts. The software also provides access to on-demand agents available for customer service, sales and marketing support. For more information, visit www.infocu5.com. F

Disaster declaration provides assistance to regional growers Farmers in Mesa and Delta counties and other neighboring counties whose crops were damaged by a severe April freeze can access emergency loans and other assistance as a result of a federal disaster declaration. Small, nonfarm businesses also are eligible for federal disaster assistance. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue designated Mesa and Delta counties as primary disaster areas. Garfield, Gunnison, Montrose and Pitkin counties in Western Colorado and Grand and San Juan counties in Eastern Utah were included in the designation as contiguous areas. Colorado Gov. Jared Polis and Agriculture Commissioner Kate Greenberg requested the declaration given the prospect of crop losses and reduced harvests as a result of the freeze in mid-April. By one estimate, the freeze decimated 95 percent of the peach crop. The Colorado peach industry produces about 17,000 tons of fruit and brings in nearly $40 million annually. The industry constitutes a key economic driver in Mesa as well as Delta, Montrose and Montezuma counties. The declaration makes farmers eligible for assistance from the Farm Services Agency, including emergency loans. For more information, visit the FSA website at www.fsa.usda.gov. Small, nonfarm businesses, including agricultural cooperatives, may qualify for economic injury disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration. Loans of up to $2 million are available to pay for operating expenses and other financial obligations that would have been met had the disaster not occurred. “SBA eligibility covers both the economic impacts on businesses dependent on farmers and ranchers that have suffered agricultural production losses caused by the disaster and businesses directly impacted by the disaster,” said Tanya Garfield, director of center and west SBA disaster field operations. For more information, visit the website at https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov. F

June 25-July 8, 2020

The Business Times

Page 7

Page 8

The Business Times

June 25-July 8, 2020

Collaboration offers legal help to small businesses Two state agencies have partnered with the legal community to offer assistance to small businesses in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. The Colorado Attorney General’s Office and Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade have joined with the Colorado Lawyers Committee to create a volunteer network connecting lawyers with small businesses. Volunteers from law firms and in-house legal staff will work with small business development centers around the state in helping businesses through individual representation as well as webinars. Volunteers will offer assistance with everything from financial aid compliance to leasing arrangements to legal liability. “Legal guidance is critical for all businesses during a time of changes and crisis. By working together with

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

Businesses interested in applying for assistance or volunteers willing to help should log on to the website at www.coloradocovidrelief.org. volunteers throughout the state, we can help Colorado’s small businesses, particularly women and minority owned businesses, confront the challenges they are facing at this time,” said Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser. “I am thrilled to see volunteers from Colorado’s legal community step up to help our business community address their legal needs that stem from the national pandemic.” Betsy Markey, executive director of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, agreed.

“Colorado’s small businesses are the economic engine of our state, and the pandemic has placed enormous strain on their operations. I am grateful for public-spirited attorneys volunteering around Colorado to help our small businesses through the crisis. Without this collaborative effort, our ability to provide meaningful legal guidance to our small business community would not have been possible.” The Colorado Lawyers Committee, a consortium of 80 Colorado law firms, will help match volunteer lawyers with small businesses that need assistance. “We are thrilled to tap the amazing skills of Colorado’s attorneys in this time of need,” said Connie Talmage, executive director of the committee. “The impact of the economic crisis on minority and women-owned businesses is especially severe, and this is a much-needed program.” F

New appointees named to state oil and gas group Five people have been appointed to the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission under a state law that changes the group from nine volunteer appointees to a professional commission. “This landmark law protects health and safety and our environment while ensuring local governments and Coloradans have a voice when it comes to oil and gas development in their communities,” said Colorado Gov. Jared Polis. “These new appointees will build upon the progress the volunteer commission has made thus far, and the professionalization of these roles is an important step for streamlining the process and increasing regulatory efficiency in Colorado.” The five appointees are: n Jeffery Robbins of Durango to serve as chairman and a member with professional experience demonstrating an ability to contribute to the commission’s body of expertise and help the commission make decisions. Robbins was previously appointed director of the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission in 2019 and has worked as an attorney in Durango. n Priya Nanjappa of Lakewood to serve as a member with formal training or experience in environmental protection, wildlife protection or reclamation. n Karin McGowan of Lakewood to serve as a member with formal training or experience in public health. n John Messner of Gunnison to serve as a member with expertise in planning or land use. n Bill Gonzalez of Denver to serve as a member with experience in the oil and natural gas industry. Julie Murphy, chief of staff and senior policy advisor at the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, succeeds Robbins as director. Murphy served as COGCC director before serving as the assistant director of energy and minerals at the Colorado Department of Natural Resources and as an assistant attorney general representing the commission and Division of Reclamation Mining and Safety. F

June 25-July 8, 2020

The Business Times

www.tailgatengo.com

Page 9

Page 10

The Business Times

June 25-July 8, 2020

Partnership helps veterinary technology students Western Colorado Community College (WCCC) has joined with the Amigo Animal Clinic and Mesa County Sheriff’s Posse in a collaboration to train veterinary technology program students. Amigo Animal Clinic offers training and clinical space for the program as well as classroom space, advisory services and job opportunities. The Mesa County Sheriff’s Posse allows the use of its facilities near the college, including holding pens and covered examination spaces for large animals. “Veterinary professionals of all kinds are needed in the Grand Valley at all animal clinics and hospitals. Working with and supporting students from WCCC is a great way to build that future capacity,” said Dominic Carrica, a veterinarian who owns Amigo Animal Clinic. Amigo Animal Clinic is one of many area clinics

supporting the WCCC veterinary technology program. Students complete clinical rotations at veterinary facilities across the Grand Valley. Students also work with the Roice Hurst Humane Society and Mesa County Animal Services. The agreement with the Mesa County Sheriff’s Posse will accommodate students working with large animals. “For more than 60 years the Mesa County Sheriff’s Posse has served the community and has worked to preserve agricultural heritage,” said Louis Polen, president of the posse board. “Our relationship with Western Colorado Community College represents a new chapter in our community service, and we are pleased to support vet tech students who are very much needed to care for the animals and livestock throughout Western Colorado.” Anita Dennison, director of the veterinary technology program at WCCC, said veterinary technicians are a lot

like nurses for animals. “Through this career building program, graduates can work with a diversity of animals and work in everything from zoos to farms and ranches as well as traditional pet or exotic animal clinics.” Brigitte Sundermann, vice president of community college affairs at Colorado Mesa University, said the veterinary technology program received accreditation from the Colorado Higher Learning Commission. The proximity of the Amigo Animal Clinic and sheriff’s posse facilities will further help students, Sundermann said. “Students who love working with animals will be able to earn classroom credit hours and then conduct their clinical work without a lot of travel or hassle. The support we have received from Amigo and the sheriff’s posse is taking our program to the next level.” F

Program offers master’s degree in rec economy

The University of Colorado at Boulder has launched an online program offering a master’s degree in outdoor recreation economy. While other programs in Colorado incorporate some of the elements of the outdoor industry and several other states offer undergraduate degrees in outdoor recreation economy, CU offers the only exclusively online, interdisciplinary outdoor recreation economy graduate degree program. The program will focus on three core thematic areas: the outdoor recreation industry sector, public lands policy and resilient communities.. The program will consist of a series of stackable certificates that can be earned individually or over the course of up to three years. The first of these certificates will be available in spring, with the full degree program launching in fall 2021. “We created a program that allows professionals who may be at a variety of career stages — whether they’re new to the outdoor industry, seasoned veterans or pivoting from another industry — to advance their careers in a meaningful way” said Joel Hartter, an associate professor and director of the masters of the environment program. Nationally, outdoor recreation accounts for 7.6 million jobs and provides $887 billion in annual consumer spending. Colorado represents a significant piece of the national outdoor economy, supporting 511,000 direct jobs and $28 billion in annual consumer spending. “The responsible stewardship of Colorado’s vibrant outdoor recreation industry relies on the continued cultivation of knowledgeable leaders and advocates who can serve our industry’s evolving needs,” said Nathan Fey, director of the Colorado Office of Outdoor Recreation Industry in the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade. “CU’s new graduate program focusing on the outdoor recreation economy will play a major role in producing tomorrow’s outdoor industry work force.” F

June 25-July 8, 2020

The Business Times

Page 11

Page 12

The Business Times

June 25-July 8, 2020

Western Slope medical center to open facility

Pioneers Medical Center in Meeker will soon open a facility offering orthopedic services and serving patients from not only Western Colorado, but also other areas. The orthopedic and specialty center is scheduled to open July 8. The 11,000-squarefoot facility includes two operating rooms, three recovery rooms, six inpatient hospital rooms and a clinical space. “This project is a big deal not just for Meeker, but the entire region,” said Margie Joy, chief communications officer at Pioneers Medical Center. “In addition to serving Coloradans, we have patients Margie Joy traveling from the East Coast, California and Texas for treatment,” Joy said. “We partner with fellowshiptrained physicians who offer a wide variety of orthopedic services, providing patients with exceptional personal care.” In addition to knee and hip joint replacement and revisions, Colorado Advanced Orthopedics offers hand, shoulder, spine and upper extremities care as well as sports medicine. In 2019, Pioneers Medical Center started offering the Mako System combining a robotic arm and computer software for pre-surgical planning as well as guidance during knee and hip replacement procedures. The Mako System uses imaging of a joint before surgery to create a three-dimensional model. This enables surgeons to more accurately determine implant size, orientation and alignment based on the unique anatomy of each patient. During the procedure, the system guides the surgeon. “A phenomenon is occurring, and I think it is gaining momentum in small town Colorado,” Joy said. “Our fellowshiptrained doctors love meeting and visiting with their patients, and the clinic and nursing staff take a personal interest in each patient. This makes for a dream team and great patient outcomes.” Construction of and equipment for the expansion totaled $7 million. But the purchase of upgraded technology, including a wide bore magnetic resonance imaging machine, pushed the total investment in the expansion to more than $12 million. The expansion also plays a role in the Meeker economy, Joy said. “This development enables us to add approximately 15 more permanent, full and part-time jobs. Our orthopedic patients help stimulate the local economy, as most are accompanied by their families who utilize our hotels, dine and shop locally.” For more information about Pioneers Medical Center and Colorado Advanced Orthopedics, log on to the website located at www.pioneershospital.org. F

June 25-July 8, 2020

The Business Times

Page 13

Page 14

The Business Times

June 25-July 8, 2020

Federal grant to help fund Vail Pass project Glenwood

The Colorado Department of Transportation has received a nearly $61 million federal grant to fund improvements to Vail Pass on Interstate Highway 70. Funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation grant will help fund an estimated $140.4 million project that includes an eastbound auxiliary lane, reconstructing the eastbound bridge over Polk Creek, shoulder widening, eastbound and westbound curve modifications, reconstruction of a truck ramp, dynamic message signs, a variable speed limit system, wildlife crossings and automated anti-icing technologies. Two miles of the recreation path along I-70 also will be relocated. These improvements are planned for the west side of Vail Pass in Eagle County. The project is intended to improve a stretch of highway

that’s subject to extreme weather conditions and poses challenging driving conditions. The crash rate on Vail Pass is the highest for all of I-70 per million vehicle miles traveled, with 558 crashes from 2014 to 2016. The grant will help save taxpayer dollars by reducing accidents and preventing detours. The estimated economic impact for detours is $1 million for every hour I-70 is closed. “We appreciate the support of our congressional delegation in helping us to secure funding for this tremendously important project — critical for commuters, travelers and the safe passage of freight through our beautiful I-70 mountain corridor,” said Shoshana Lew, director of the Colorado Department of Transportation. F

attractions reopening

Major attractions have reopened in Glenwood Springs, including the Glenwood Hot Springs Resort, Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park and Iron Mountain Hot Springs. The trail to Hanging Lake in Glenwood Canyon also has reopened. Changes have been made, though, to comply with coronavirus pandemic restrictions, including those requiring reduced capacity, social distancing and increased hygiene. “Every business that is open has had their reopening plan approved. But each one is unique, especially Glenwood Springs attractions and activities,” said Lisa Langer, director of tourism promotion for Glenwood Springs. “The best way to make plans to visit the hot springs, adventure park or go rafting is to check their websites first. In addition to wearing a mask, you may have to purchase your admission online and arrive within a predetermined time frame,” Langer said. For Glenwood Hot Springs Resort, tickets are available to purchase at the property on a first-come, first-serve basis. For Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park and Iron Mountain Hot Springs, visitors should plan to purchase tickets online and sign digital waivers. Reservations and permits are required to hike to Hanging Lake. Those visiting Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park should plan to wear face coverings. While pool goers will be expected to wear masks on property, they are not required in the water. In addition to the attractions, such activities as fishing, horseback riding, paragliding and rafting are available. Because of reduced capacity, trips are organized according to social group size and visitors should make reservations. For history buffs, the Frontier Museum offers a look at how the earliest residents lived, worked and played. Visitors also can learn about the town’s connection with gambler and gunslinger Doc Holliday. Holliday is buried in Linwood Cemetery, a pioneer graveyard located on a hillside above Glenwood Springs. Glenwood Springs restaurants have also enacted new procedures, including the wearing of masks inside restaurants while waiting to be seated. Outdoor, patio and rooftop seating options comply with new social distancing norms, but also afford an opportunity for an alfresco meal downtown and in other Glenwood Springs neighborhoods. “Glenwood Springs is excited to welcome visitors back,” Langer said. “With health precautions in place, guests can have peace of mind while they relax and have fun with a much-needed change of scenery after months of staying at home.” F

June 25-July 8, 2020

The Business Times

Page 15

Page 16

The Business Times

June 25-July 8, 2020

Researchers see clear advantages to smart tinting

Expires 8/15/2020

Researchers at the University of Colorado at Boulder have developed an improved method for controlling smart tinting on windows that could make them cheaper, more effective and more durable. The research, led by Mike McGehee in the College of Engineering and Applied Science and described in a paper published in Joule, uses a reversible metal electrodeposition process that’s different from current industry standards. “What we are doing is building an electrochemical cell. We have a transparent electrode and an electrode with metal ions. By switching the voltage, the thin plate metal blocks the light,” he said. “It’s not at all how other people are achieving the same effect.” The paper explains how metal can be electroplated onto a transparent electrode to block light and then stripped to make the window transparent again by manipulating the voltage. The research specifically explores how various electrolytes can be used with different supporting anions to achieve desired results. McGehee said smart window technology allows users to adjust the amount of sunlight and heat entering through home or office windows without blocking views. Tinting allows for more natural light through windows while still maintaining privacy and has implications for energy reduction and air conditioning control in homes and offices. Despite the appeal, dynamic windows have yet to achieve extensive commercial use because of the problems the research addresses. For example, this new process ultimately results in a more desirable neutral color of glass than other technologies and allows for any transparency adjustment all the way from 80 percent tinted to fully transparent. Other windows on the market provide up to 70 percent tinting. This transition can be done quickly as well, with 60 percent contrast in less than 3 minutes. The final product is also likely to be less expensive to create than existing technologies. McGehee said potential cost savings were hard to gauge, but producing windows with this technology doesn’t require large special tools and has a high throughput — meaning the glass can be manufactured rapidly. Car manufactures are also interested in the technology, while airplane manufacture Boeing already uses electrochromic windows on its 787 Dreamliner. McGehee said other application areas could include cycling glasses or ski goggles that shift with the quickly changing light conditions. “This is a question and process my group has been looking into for some time now,” he said. “This paper addresses many of the problems this technology has faced, and we think there is a lot of opportunity going forward.” F

June 25-July 8, 2020

The Business Times

Page 17

Page 18

The Business Times

June 25-July 8, 2020

News, views Virtually and advice you can use

Subscribe today to the journal that means business in the Grand Valley (970) 424-5133

www.thebusinesstimes.com

Continued from page 2 U.S. Bank, title sponsor of Techstars Startup Week West Slope, has scheduled sessions on equipment financing, U.S. Small Business Administration lending, economic conditions and planning. Four headline events are planned, including presentations by Aaron DeRose, general manager of WBS Coatings in Grand Junction; David Brown, founder and CEO of Techstars and Brad Feld, managing director of the Foundry Group; and Matt Vincent, co-owner of Ska Brewing and founder of Ska Fabricating. An event with a surprise speaker also is planned, Hardy says. From noon to 2 p.m. July 30, 10 finalists will compete in the Greater Colorado Pitch Event for $250,000 in investments and $10,000 in in-kind awards. Applications will be accepted until June 30 from companies located in rural Colorado. For more information, visit the website located at https://www.greatercolorado.vc/ pitch-series-2020, Hardy says sessions at Techstars Startup Week West Slope were selected from among more than 100 submissions. Given the effects of the pandemic on business operations in the region, most of the sessions will touch on that to some degree, she says. While the virtual format won’t allow startup week participants to meet and network in person in Grand Junction, they can still pose questions and make comments, she says. Moreover, smaller gatherings are planned in some locations for some of the sessions. Even with a virtual format, Wachs says he expects the sessions to evoke a feeling of camaraderie among the participants. “You’re walking into a virtual room of your tribe.” Wachs says the goal of startup week is to provide resources to help start and grow businesses in the region and diversify the economy beyond agriculture and energy sectors susceptible to market cycles. “We’re diversifying the economy for the good of all.” Computer technology and internet access makes it possible for entrepreneurs to open or relocate operations to Western Colorado and take advantage of a region that offers more affordability and a more attractive lifestyle, he says. “It’s a pretty unique thing. Wake up and realize that’s possible.” Wachs’ firm, for example, operates an on-demand internet marketing platform that helps clients complete marketing tasks without the overhead, vetting or turnover associated with hiring staff or outsourcing services. The Grand Junction Economic Partnership, an organization that provides resources to companies locating or expanding operations in Mesa County, helps organize startup week and provides logistical support, Hardy says. “I’m a cat herder.” Wachs praises Hardy for that effort. “She herds cats like you can’t believe.” F

THE he B BUSINESS usiness T T Times IMES

JJune 25-J15-28, uly 8, 2020 ANUARY 2015

age 15 19 PPAGE

Grand Junction’s Largest Local Payroll Provider “Excellence in Service is our First Concern!”

Time is money. Let us help you save some of both.

Complete Payroll Service Be safe this winter with TLC!

Payroll Tax Filing Multi-State Payroll Time Keeping Systems Web-based Time Clocks Web-based Payroll Workers’ Compensation Mobile Scheduling

This season, save time, energy and

Quarterly & Year End Tax Reporting Direct Deposit & “Pay Cards” Online HR Support Handbook Development New Hire Reporting Retirement Plans

your back with snow removal services from The Landscape Center.

CALL TODAY

970-245-4244 www.autopaychecks.com 441 Colorado Avenue Grand Junction, CO 81501

SUBSCRIBE TODAY and SAVE! Start receiving the Business Times TTHE BUSI JUNE 11-

24, 202

HE BU NESS In this is sue SNIeNwEs SS IMES TIM S TrendW 2 s orst to bE 2 Con est tributoSn THE DE

FINITIVE

THE DE FIN

n Slow

Ining this

at your office, business or home Fill out the form below and mail it to our office. You can also call 424-5133 or visit www.thebusinesstimes.com to start receiving your subscription for 24 issues.

■ Check

■ Mastercard

■ Visa

Card No. __________________________ Expiration date __________

609 Ave., Suite 5 2 609North North Ave., Suite Grand Junction, CO 81501 Grand Junction, CO 81501

(970) 424-5133 fax (970) 424-5134

❑ Subscription to the Business Times

$30 $30

Amount enclosed $_________________

N BUSIN

AND JU

NCTIO

ANUA

ESS NE

RY 14, 2015

WS SIN

N BUSIN

WS SIN CE

VOLUME

VOLU

CE 199

ESS NE

1994

THEBUS

27, ISS

UE 11

ME 21, ISSUE

INESSTIM

THEBUS

.”

walk pasgeneral manage l Roach, t r Junctio inventory at the Ken Bunge n location Gra of the Wes nd recreati ona t Slop While salel vehicle dealers e hip. in the mids slumped in Apr they rebo st of a pandem il ic, unded in May.

t the effecessful way ski to to pandem in Colo cts radoof theseason inable the com, but ano and sup icvari nd es Vall ther port eco Gra play: nom intoey

� Taxin ic recovery snow. n Labo g tre . Risir ng pa tax colle ins nd

The une continue to reflections loca ct wha loym l offic spiked mp ent ialsrate describ t inimprovi e as a ng 12.6 per Mes Cou eco ntynom cent in to ic conditio of the high �estLeMay ns. ga,l one leve r. ns n Di Group legalsl evepla

plans offe another nin g isbenefit r

to e Mesa Couemployees: fin lega serv access to have join ntyl rest ices whe aura nts implem ed in efforts to n they need it. ent new guidelin pandem es for �ons ic Deitepa rtm Almana dining. ents

26-27 24-25

Almana New utors ts 26 18-21 BusinescOpi s nion 30 2-14 Brie fs Busines sTren ds 28 22-23 Contrib s People 30 16-17 News utors 21-25 Opinio n 2-18 Trends 26-27 19-20 Busines

s Times

photo by

EAKIN

Busines s Times

G NEWS

Phil Cas

tle

photo illus tration by Phil

, ADVE

RTISIN

Castle

G AND SUBSCR

IPTION

S, VISIT

A spec this iss ial section ins nonpro ue focuses onide and ph fit organizati ons ilanthro py.

THEBUS

INESS

TIMES

.COM

ES.CO

INE

SSTIM ES.CO n Sales M rebounat West Slope d follow RV ing pand dealer emic limits. Se e page Humphr 2 left, and ey RV owner Pau

PRS U.S. POSRT STD TAG PERMIT E PAID The Bus NO. 67 609 Nor iness Times

Method of payment

NCTIO

� ve co Snry ow bu sin pp An ana Early indi su ores lysi is t s undcato assess a ssuc er rs poin

th Ave., PRS Gra Suit nd Junc STD U.S. POSRT tion, CO e 5 TAG 81501 PERMIT E PAID The Bus NO. 67 609 Nor iness Times th Ave Grand Junctio . Suite 2 n, CO 81501

________________________________________

FOR GR

ER 18, 2014-J

Opinion rs eak pe k B u Bus5in4es siness Briefs�aIndicatoe more rs offer s People outlook upbeat 66 for M a Count Aeslm ya for 20 15 an c See pa . 16 ge 4

n firm mak A gr des eat de es curb cor in evaporthat Issues rosion bate surroun ative coo as microotran sfer of lers ding the as wel torgan l statismsfederal land

es werin the s e the water. n A fodeb a Club topic of r ate saatfet 20 foru

FOR BR

Phone (________)

URCE

AND JU

St. Mar � Chan y efform. t y’s in Grand AnMed ical ging grou ocateCen ter Junadv ps Slop again rece n hasforonc Wes ectio inte rests plane tern ived in a pat soo annge n cha A ratin s ient orgagnizato but safe not her ty ratin role.g rep tions, ort. n Re

Name________________________________________________________________________

City __________________________________ State ________ Zip Code _________________

issue

DECE MB

FOR GR

n for the less olestry indu r cle rgy — theanene A Grand “Weer s e way st Slop Junctio � ano

Mailing Address _______________________________________________________________

ITIVE SO

sales Real esta to slow te sales continu in a County e the coro �Mes We st Sloaspe irus pan affects Anav demic way theregi onal grou ket and p calls mormar coopera econom for tion n Co reguelatio and y.

Busines n Depa Busines s Briefs rtms en People Contrib

Subscription Order Form

SOURCE

Page 20

The Business Times

June 25-July 8, 2020

News, views Survey and advice you can use

Subscribe today to the journal that means business in the Grand Valley (970) 424-5133

www.thebusinesstimes.com

Continued from page 2 Public Health guidelines. Another 38 percent deemed compliance somewhat difficult, while nearly 8 percent called compliance very difficult. Schwenke said capacity limits and social distancing practices are more challenging for some businesses to implement than others, but remain preferable to closure. “It’s difficult, but it’s better than the alternative.” Of the businesses reporting layoffs and furloughs related to the pandemic, more than 49 percent reported bringing back half to all of their staffs. About 9 percent of business reported bringing back a quarter to half of their staffs. Nearly 15 percent indicated they’ve brought back less than a quarter of their staffs. Another 27 percent of businesses reported, though, that layoffs prompted by the pandemic were permanent. Taking into account revenues, reserves and loan funds, more than 54 percent of businesses reported they could sustain operations for more than a year if the economy doesn’t improve. About 25 percent could remain in business six to 12 months and about 14 percent two to five months. About 6 percent reported they could last only two months or less. Asked to look ahead six months, nearly 43 percent of those responding to the survey said they expect conditions to be much better, but not yet back to pre-pandemic levels. Nearly 40 percent forecast better slightly better conditions, but down from earlier this year. More than 10 percent anticipate no change. Nearly 8 percent said they believe conditions will be back to normal. Concerns persist, though, chief among them the effects of an economic downturn, an increase in COVID-19 cases that results in closures and additional government mandates and fees. Schwenke said owners and managers also are worried about legal liability if an employee or customer contracts COVID-19 at their businesses. Federal legislation offering liability protections could be included in additional pandemic measures coming out of Congress, she said. In the meantime, the best defense could be a good faith effort to follow local guidelines. The uncertainty and inability to exert any kind of control make the situation all the more challenging for businesses, she said. The chamber plans to conduct additional surveys to track pandemic effects. The Grand Junction Economic Partnership joined with Colorado Mesa University to conduct an analysis of the effects of the pandemic on the Grand Valley economy, the first phase of which includes a survey of 500 businesses. Schwenke said the chamber continues to respond to the effects of the pandemic and business concerns by offering webinars and other resources to inform owners and managers about restrictions and funding options. Work also continues on other issues, she said, including new laws enacted by the Colorado Legislature. F

News Trends Contributors rate drops Unemployment Opinion Business Briefs Business People Almanac The Business Times

June 25-July 8 2020

Page 21

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

s Consumer Confidence Index 86.6 in May, up 0.9. t Leeds Business Confidence Index for Colorado, 29.7 for the second quarter, down 21.1. s National Federation of Independent Business Small Business Optimism Index 94.4 for May, up 4.5.

n Foreclosures t Foreclosure filings in Mesa County, 4 in May, down from 7 in May 2019.

t Foreclosure sales in Mesa County, 0 in May, down from 5 in May 2019.

n Indexes

s Conference Board Employment Trends Index, 46.28 for May, up 3.75. s Conference Board Leading Economic Index 99.8 for May, up 2.8% s Institute for Supply Management Purchasing Managers Index for the manufacturing sector, 43.1% for May, up 1.6%.

n Lodging

t Lodging tax collections in Grand Junction, $49,177 for May, down 63.2% from April 2019.

n Real estate

t Real estate transactions in Mesa County, 347 in May, down 34% from May 2019. t Dollar volume of real estate transactions in Mesa County, $106 million in May, down 27.9% from May 2019.

n Sales

t Sales and use tax collections in Grand Junction, $3.6 million for May, down 22.5% from May 2019. t Sales and use tax collections in Mesa County, $2.86 million for May, down 11.8% from May 2019.

n Unemployment

t Colorado — 10.2% for May, down 2. t Mesa County — 9% for May, down 3.6. t United States — 13.3% for May, down 1.4.

Mesa County conditions improve as businesses bring back employees Phil Castle

ending May 2 to 241 for the week ending May 30. A move to the next phase of guidelines May April The monthly unemployment rate has for pandemic restrictions would allow t Delta County 8.0 10.5 seesawed back down in Mesa County as businesses to further expand operations, t Garfield County 10.0 13.7 businesses reopen and bring back employees Englehart said. More outdoor events also t Mesa County 9.0 12.6 furloughed by the coronavirus pandemic. would be permitted. t Montrose County 9.3 12.3 “We’re starting While businesses bringing back workers t Rio Blanco County 6.0 7.5 to see people get back accounted for most of the gain in payrolls, to work, and we’re some businesses also are hiring new workers, excited to see what,” said Curtis Englehart, Englehart said. “It’s a mix of both.” director of the Mesa County Workforce A total of 421 job orders were posted at the Mesa County Center in Grand Junction. Workforce Center in May, he said. That’s a decrease from the 796 Barring a surge in COVID-19 cases orders posted for the same month last year, but an increase over and related closures, Englehart expects the April. downward trend in the jobless rate to continue. The Mesa County Workforce Center has reopened, but for There’s a long way to go, though, before labor appointments only, Englehart said. Hours run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Curtis Englehart conditions return to pre-pandemic levels. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Appointments can be The seasonally unadjusted unemployment rate dropped 3.6 scheduled by calling 248-7560. Staff remains available to provide points to 9 percent in May, according to the latest estimates from services to people filing for unemployment benefits and looking the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment. for work as well as employers recruiting new hires. The decrease was among the biggest among metropolitan areas Staff also collaborates with the Mesa County Health in Colorado, a decline Englehart attributed in part to the variances Department to help businesses implement social distancing, Mesa County has received from state orders that have allowed cleaning procedures and other pandemic practices, Englehart said. businesses to reopen and expand operations faster than in other areas. Meanwhile, seasonally unadjusted unemployment rates also Mesa County payrolls increased 4,401 to 69,276. The number fell in neighboring Western Colorado counties in May: 3.7 points of people counted among those unsuccessfully looking for work to 10 percent in Garfield County, three points to 9.3 percent in decreased 2,512 to 6,866. The labor force, which includes the Montrose County, 2.5 points to 8 percent in Delta County and 1.5 employed and unemployed, expanded 1,889 to 76,142. points to 6 percent in Rio Blanco County. Compared to a year ago, when the jobless rate stood at 3 percent, The statewide seasonally adjusted jobless rate fell to 10.2 percent, payrolls have contracted 5,173. The ranks of the unemployed have down two points from a rate revised upward to 12.2 percent for April. swelled 4,580. The labor force is smaller by 593. Nonfarm payrolls increased 68,800 between April and May Englehart said the drop in the jobless rate from 12.6 percent in with the biggest gains in the leisure and hospitality, education and April, the highest level in a decade, was nearly entirely a result of health, manufacturing and construction sectors. employees returning to work following business restrictions and Compared to a year ago, the unemployment rate has increased closures in March and April. 7.4 points from 2.8 percent. Nonfarm payrolls have contracted The downward trend in unemployment should continue in 236,200. June, he said. The average workweek for employees on private, nonfarm Since peaking at 2,583 for the week ending March 28, initial payrolls has lengthened over the past year a half hour to 33.7 filings for unemployment benefits have declined nine consecutive hours. Average hourly earnings increased $1.17 to $31.39. weeks. For May, the pace of filings slowed from 578 for the week F The Business Times

AREA JOBLESS RATES

Grand Valley tax collections continue to decline

A key indicator of sales activity continues to decline in the Grand Valley as a pandemic and related restrictions affect business operations. The City of Grand Junction reported a 22.5 percent decline in sales and use tax collections in May compared to the same month last year. Mesa County reported an 11.8 percent decrease. Grand Junction lodging tax collections, a measure of hotel and motel stays, fell 63.2 percent. A lagging indicator, collections in May reflect sales and lodging activity in April. The city collected a total of nearly $3.6 million in sales and use taxes in May, a decrease of more than $1 million from the same month last year. Sales tax collections declined 25.3 percent. Use tax collections dropped 28.1 percent. The county collected a total of nearly $2.9 million in sales and use taxes, a decease of $383,000 from a year ago. Sales tax collections fell 5.1 percent. Use tax collections — the bulk of it on automobiles purchased outside the county but used in the county — dropped 62.3 percent. While county tax collections increased 11.3 percent on retail sales and 16 percent on home improvement sales, collections decreased 21.7 percent on auto sales, 34.7 percent on restaurant meals and hotel

stays and 60 percent in the oil and natural gas industry. With the May decline, year-to-date sales and use tax collections fell 5.5 percent for the city. County sales and use tax collections remained ahead of last year, but by only two-tenths of a percent. The city collected a total of more than $22.2 million through the first five months of 2019, nearly $1.3 million less than the same span in 2019. Sales tax collections were down 6 percent. Use tax collections fell 39.8 percent. The county collected a total of more than $15.1 million, about $33,000 more than the same period last year. Sales tax collections increased 2.96 percent. Use tax collections declined 25.5 percent. Year-to-date county tax collections were up 14.4 percent for retail sales and 10.5 percent on home improvement sales, but down 4.1 percent for autos, 14.4 percent in the hotel and restaurant category and 60.8 percent in the oil and gas category. The city collected $49,177 in lodging taxes in May, down $108,557 from the same month last year. Through the first five months of 2020, the city collected $357,812 in lodging taxes. That’s a decrease of nearly $109,000 and 23.3 percent from the same span in 2019. F

Page 22

The Business Times

June 25-July 8, 2020

Leading index rebounds, but still reflects recession A monthly index forecasting economic conditions in the United States has increased, but still suggests a recession will continue. The Conference Board reported its Leading Economic Index (LEI) rose 2.8 percent to 99.8 in May. The increase follows a total decrease of 13.6 percent in April and March. A separate measure of current Ataman Ozyildirim performance increased in May, while a measure of past performance decreased. Ataman Ozyilidirim, senior director of economic research at the Conference Board, said a drop in unemployment claims accounted for about two-thirds of the increase in the LEI. Other indicators also bolstered the index.

Overall, though, the index still reflects weak economic conditions, Ozyilidirim said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The breadth and depth of the decline in the LEI between February and April suggest the economy at large will remain in recession territory in the near term.â&#x20AC;? The LEI dropped 10.6 percent over the past six months after no change in the six-month span before that. Gross domestic product, the broad measure of goods and services produced in the country, contracted at an annual rate of 5 percent in the first quarter after expanding 2.1 percent in the fourth quarter. For May, seven of 10 indicators of the LEI advanced, including average manufacturing hours, building permits, interest rate spread, new orders for capital and consumer goods and stock prices. A decrease in average weekly initial claims for unemployment insurance also buoyed the index.

Consumer expectations and new orders and leading credit indexes retreated. The Coincident Economic Index, a measure of current conditions, rose 1.1 percent to 95.3. The index declined 11.1 percent over the past six months. For May, industrial production and payrolls increased. Income and sales decreased. The Lagging Economic Index, a measure of past conditions, decreased 1.9 percent to 111.4. The index has increased 2.2 percent over the past three months. For May, consumer debt and inventories advanced. Commercial and industrial financing and the cost of labor and services retreated. An increase in the average duration of unemployment also pulled down the index. The average prime rate charged by banks held steady. F

Trends Contributors Opinion Background check Business Briefs Business People Almanac

June 25-July 8, 2020

The Business Times

Page 23

COMING ATTRACTIONS n The Business Incubator Center offers presentations and webinars on starting a business in Western Colorado. The next sessions of two-part webinars on how to start a business are set for 1 to 2:30 p.m. June 29 and 30 and again from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Aug. 13 and 14. An in-person business startup workshop is set for 9 to 11:30 a.m. July 29 at the center, 2591 Legacy Way in Grand Junction Webinars and workshops cover the business planning process, financing and other topics. Admission is $55, which includes admission to Fast Trac classes on startup topics. The next bookkeeping boot camp is set for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 10 at the center. Participants will learn how to set up and track accounting records and what balance sheets, cash flow projections and income statements can tell them about their businesses. Admission is $75, which includes lunch. For more information about upcoming events, services and programs offered at the Business Incubator Center, call 243-5242 or visit the website at www.gjincubator.org. n The Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce has scheduled its annual legislative recap for 8:30 a.m. June 25. Participation in the Zoom meeting is free for chamber members and $20 for others. Registration is required. For more information about chamber events, log on to the website at www.gjchamber.org.

Employee screening more important than ever in supporting businesses Although hiring has slowed in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, many businesses are beginning to look at what the new normal will mean in terms of recruiting and retaining top employees. Background screening plays a major role in supporting businesses that’ve worked diligently to offer quality goods and services and developed superior reputations. Screening candidates and employees also helps in defending negligent hiring claims. All 50 states have issued guidelines for reopening, and many workplaces are beginning to cautiously follow those recommendations. Differing orders by states, counties and individual communities have left businesses looking at background screening in various ways to ensure their employees maintained desired behaviors during the shutdown. Background screening will likely look a bit different going forward as many current and new hire employees have been given Kathy Krey the option to work from home. It will be important to monitor all employees moving forward. Regulatory changes affect many essential businesses, including health care and financial organizations that face legal requirements not only to screen employees, but also meet specific guidelines set forth within their industries. Colorado businesses working with at-risk adults must complete the Colorado Adult Protective Services unit check on all employees upon hire and when not working for more than 30 days. Fair Credit Reporting Act regulations have not seen recent changes. But within this industry, there’s been discussion about making employers continue to protect their employees, property and customers. In several webinars, the topic of negligent hiring has come to the forefront. An employee’s future actions are, to some extent, predictable by past behaviors. But as businesses face growing “ban the box” initiatives, it will become more important to have a system to continuously update the ongoing illegal behaviors of all employees as well as the status of their professional licenses. When employers participate in second chance programs in which they hire individuals with some level of criminal history and allow them to re-enter the work environment, continuous monitoring of criminal actions offers some peace of mind. The technology used to continuously monitor these behaviors as well as professional licenses offers the most promising source of defending due diligence and negligent hiring claims as well as helps mitigate the risk of insider threats.

The Society for Human Resource Management recently put it this way: “Most companies screen for red flags in their employees’ work, legal or financial history once, before they come on board on day one. The problem is that those checks represent a moment in time. If an employee commits a crime, has a license revoked or loses work authorization after being hired, the employer may never find out.” New technology offers nationwide screening — including 48 states and more than 2,800 incarceration facilities, covering more than 85 percent of all incarcerations. Data updates, at a minimum, once every hour. If there’s an alert on one of your employees, you’ll be notified in near real-time. Once the information is entered in the system, an employer needs only to update the roster monthly for any new hires or terminated employees. A significant number of employers also require re-screening when a change of employment status occurs — such as a promotion, change of duties or transfer to another department. If a financial analyst acquires additional duties requiring access to banking information for individuals, the employer should perform a new background screening, including a credit check. In choosing a background screening partner, it’s important to consider several different traits, including tailored customer services and a dedicated associate for your company with the ability to customize packages that meet your needs. In addition, researching reviews on such matters as cost, response times and live representatives is paramount. Basically, you must work with an organization you not only trust with delicate and confidential information, but also one that understands your specific industry and cares about your needs. Regardless of your industry or the size of your organization, background screening constitutes money well spent to meet the obligations of a sensible and judicious employer. Meeting the requirements for safe work environments and protecting the products and integrity of the company only increases the value of what you offer to your shareholders, sponsors and the community at large. Kathy Krey owns Background Research, part of Lighthouse HR Support in Grand Junction. She’s a member of the Professional Background Screening Association and certified through the Fair Credit Reporting Act. For more information, call 243-7509 or visit the website at www.lighthousehrs.net. She’s also a member of the Western Colorado Human Resource Association. For more information, visit www.wchra.org. F

Page 24

The Business Times

June 25-July 8, 2020

Address personality conflicts at work and thrive The effective, efficient and smooth flow of information is critical to consistently meeting and exceeding the wants and needs of customers, foreseeing challenges and overcoming obstacles. Good communication is no less essential to producing and delivering high-quality goods and services in a timely manner. When communication is limited or even impossible because of personality conflicts, the effects can be profound. Personality conflicts hurt businesses by hampering not only communication, but also collaboration, teamwork and morale. In turn, everything from efficiency and productivity to team member satisfaction and retention to business growth and profitability are affected. The degree to which team members don’t communicate and collaborate presents one of the biggest obstacles to business success. Marcus It’s important for business Straub owners and managers to be aware of the negative behaviors that are a result of personality conflicts and to address them early and effectively to maintain communication, collaboration, teamwork and morale at consistently high levels. Do you recognize any or all of these sabotaging behaviors in your business? n Avoidance: Some people choose avoidance to cope with a personality conflict. While this might offer a more quiet and discreet way of dealing with the situation, it’s not effective in fostering the high levels of communication, collaboration and trust necessary in highly functional businesses. n Verbal sabotage: Gossip and snide comments are common when there’s a personality conflict between team members. This type of negativity doesn’t lead to

positive outcomes and can significantly damage the work environment. It has no place in a powerful business model. n Resistance: When in resistance mode, individuals openly or overtly resist the suggestions, desires, directions and demands of the people with which they conflict. They might even demonstrate intentionally spiteful actions intended to get back at or push the other person’s buttons. This type of behavior is not part of a successful team. n Arguing: This behavior is the antithesis of effective communication, collaboration and teamwork and doesn’t contribute to positive environments in which team members perform at peak levels. Arguments and aggressive disagreements disrupt operations, send negativity rippling throughout the business and damage morale and company culture. If you recognize some or all of these behaviors in yourself or your team members, it’s important to realize the tremendous drag they exert on the team, resources, operations and profitability of your company. When top talent and customers are lost as a result of these conflicts, it’s already gone too far. Given the overwhelming downside personality conflicts bring to a business, it’s imperative to discover, address and overcome them as quickly as possible. Many personality conflicts arise out of unconscious habits and tendencies that exist within each team member. Sometimes these habits can easily be corrected by simply drawing attention to the damaging negative behaviors in which team members engage and making it clear they’re not acceptable. Team trainings built upon highly accurate assessment results and designed to help people understand themselves and others — their similarities and differences — and also teach them how to effectively communicate with various behavioral types are invaluable to business success. With greater understanding and acceptance of each other and enhanced communication skills, personality conflicts are significantly reduced.

Effective coaching helps people become fully aware of the situation at hand and their role in it. By working with a qualified professional, team members learn to take responsibility for their attitudes and corresponding behaviors. They can then correct them to create a more positive and collaborative work environment. Another option for reducing personality conflicts is to proactively hire for both attitudes and skills. Through the use of assessments that measure the attitudes and skills of the team member you bring into your business, personality conflicts can be diminished from the outset. Sometimes, team members insist on keeping conflicts alive and refuse to resolve differences. In these instances, the wisest choice is to let them go. Any time you reduce negativity in the workplace, you improve the satisfaction level of the team and, in turn, customer service and profitability. Each of us is unique. We won’t always agree. But when strategic investments are made in helping team members better understand themselves and others, it becomes easier to accept differences. Communication and collaboration become the norm. It takes a well-designed team working together in a culture free of personality conflicts to deliver the best possible experience to customers. 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

June 25-July 8, 2020

The Business Times

Page 25

It’s time to listen to others, especially those in pain A few weeks before our collective world catapulted into pandemic pandemonium, my own world was rocked when I took my mom to a doctor’s appointment that turned into an emergency room visit and, a few hours later, a stage 4 cancer diagnosis. In less than five weeks, she was gone. While I’m still processing her death, it’s what happened in the few weeks before she died I’ve struggled with the most. As my mother shrank to a fraction of her normal size, our family dynamics magnified. Although we’re a close and caring family — the kind that remembers each other’s birthdays and always parts with “I love yous” — emotions spiked as my siblings and I Rebecca grappled with the prospect of losing Weitzel our mother. Last-minute decisions my mother made stirred up old feelings. Carefully buried resentments resurfaced. At one point, one sister shared with me some pain she was feeling — pain both old and new. Part of it stemmed from a childhood perception I held a privileged place in the family because of certain qualities I possessed she believed our family valued more highly than qualities she possessed. I responded with incredulity and defensiveness. That’s not true. Even if it were true, how is it my fault? Why bring up these things now? After a brief conversation, she decided to share her experiences and feelings more fully in writing to help me better understand the source of her pain. I refused to read it. I insisted we talk in person so I could respond and share my own feelings or agree to move on and get along for our mother’s sake. She opted for the latter, afraid a personal conversation

Now is the time to educate ourselves on the history and current events that have left deep scars on a group of people simply because of the color of their skin. Now is the time to mourn with them, support them and work with them to make things better once and for all.

would feel more combative than she could handle at the time. We proceeded to coordinate and care for our mother without addressing her feelings any further. The day my mother died, my siblings and I surrounded her, held her hand, expressed our love and gave her permission to go. We promised we’d continue to care for and love each other in her absence. And we have. But now that a few months have passed, I’ve reflected on my response to my sister during that time and feel ashamed. I’m ashamed because she was hurting and I dismissed her feelings out of a selfish need to protect my own. I’m ashamed because I felt like my perspective and feelings were equally important despite the fact that in that moment, she was the one suffering the most, not me. I’m ashamed because I now realize what I should have done instead. I should have just listened. Why? Because that’s how we show someone we care. We listen. We empathize. We try to understand, even if we see things differently. The results of decades of research confirm feeling understood is essential to each of us and our well-being.

It allows us to bond with others and dodge the detrimental physical and mental health effects of social disconnection. It follows that as leaders, one of the most important actions we can take to improve well-being in our organizations and communities is to listen to others, especially to those in pain. Right now, many of our black colleagues, employees, friends and community members are voicing their pain — pain both old and new. Now is not the time to be defensive with responses like, “But I’m not racist.” Now is not the time to be dismissive by suggesting systemic racism doesn’t exist. Now is not the time to be divisive by copying and pasting white pride rants and politically motivated memes on social media. Now is the time to educate ourselves on the history and current events that have left deep scars on a group of people simply because of the color of their skin. Now is the time to read the stories written by people of color, listen to their words, seek to understand and feel their pain. Now is the time to mourn with them, support them and work with them to make things better once and for all. I finally read my sister’s story. It made me uncomfortable. It made me want to defend myself and argue. But I won’t do that this time. Instead, I’ll seek to understand. I’ll invite her to share more. I’ll listen. Why? Because that’s how we show someone we care. 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

Page 26

The Business Times

June 25-July 8, 2020

Business plan provides a roadmap to success Did you write a business plan when you started your firm? Have you kept this valuable management and planning tool current? Given the effects of the coronavirus pandemic and ongoing difficulties for many owners, your business plan is more essential to and vital for your success than ever. What does updating your business plan do for you and the success of your business? Lots of things. As the headline states, a business plan provides a proverbial roadmap. Every time your business takes a turn that isn’t on your original map, you need to update the map or you’ll get lost. Your business plan also provides the proposal you make to potential advisors, lenders, partners and others Janet to show how you run your business Arrowood and what you’ll do with the resources, funds or support they provide. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, there are two main types of business plans: the traditional, detailed version and lean startup version. If you’re in the startup or start-over mode, you probably should create a traditional plan. But you could be able to use the lean startup plan. For established businesses, a streamlined plan that combines elements of the traditional and lean startup plans works well. If you’re looking for financing or investors, you’ll probably have to provide additional information and might want to use the traditional plan. What goes into a streamlined business plan? This is a top-level document with key information, but not too much detail. It’s usually under five pages. The typical headings, with a brief description of each, are: n Executive summary: This is the last thing you write even though it’s the first thing a reader sees. Briefly

summarize the most important points in your business plan, keeping in mind your intended audience and what they value. Don’t exceed a half page. n Company description: You’ve been in business for some time now. When was the last time you tried to describe your company, mission and goals in four to six 50-word paragraphs? Focus and conciseness are critical. Use quantitative, rather than qualitative, terms and minimize descriptors and adjectives. Apply the KISS principle: Keep it short and sweet. Add a simple organization chart. n Marketing approach: Highlight the ways you identify and target your most viable markets. Keep in mind the 80/20 principle: 80 percent of your business comes from 20 percent of your clients or prospects. Divide your market into A, B and C clients. The A list is that top 20 percent. The B list is the next 20 percent to 30 percent. The C list, often referred to as suspects, is the rest of the market. Limit this to half a page, about four, 50-word paragraphs. n Key partnerships: This is the group of suppliers; vendors; subcontractors; attorneys, CPAs and other professional advisors; and organizations you need. If you have an advisory board, this is the place to list the board and its members by position and field rather than name. Briefly elaborate on why each group member is essential to your growth and success. This section shouldn’t exceed one page, or eight 50-word paragraphs. n Key activities: How will you establish and build a competitive advantage? What sets you apart from others in your field? Cite two to four examples with 50-word — or shorter — descriptions or explanations. n Key resources: What particular resources present an advantage over others in your field? If you’re a certified minority or woman-owned business or veteran-owned or service-disabled veteran owned business, include that in this section. If you have trademarked, copyrighted

or patented a particular item or own proprietary, unique intellectual property, list that. n Value proposition: What makes your business stand out? Do you guarantee 48-hour turnaround when the industry standard is 96 hours? Have you won awards or recognition others have not? n Revenue streams: How do you make money? Revenue streams change from year to year for both service- and product-oriented businesses. One year you might earn 50 percent of your revenue from one line of business and the remainder from five or six other lines. But when you revisit your business plan the next year, you find you earned 30 percent of your revenue from one of the other five or six lines and only 10 percent from last year’s top revenue source. Reviewing and understanding your revenue sources is critical to growth and success. There are other elements you might want to include — customer segments and relationships, cost structure or financial projections — depending on your needs and circumstances. Keep in mind your business plan is a living document. It should be updated annually or whenever big changes to your business, model or market occur. Even better, review your plan at the start of every quarter. Businesses plans quickly grow outdated, particularly in this unsettled business climate. Looking over your business plan on a regular basis offers an excellent way to see how your business evolves and position it for even greater growth. 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

June 25-July 8, 2020

The Business Times

Page 27

CMU takes proactive approach in pandemic efforts I’ve enjoyed the privilege to develop incredible relationships with countless businesses and organizations as Monument Health has grown and become more deeply ingrained in Western Colorado. Count Colorado Mesa University among those organizations. Through my service as a CMU trustee, I’ve been able to witness the thoughtful and proactive leadership that places students at the center of decisionmaking. The response to coronavirus pandemic was no exception. Not only did CMU graduate nursing students early to help with hospital efforts, the CMU Foundation also created a relief fund for students who might not have been able to continue their education. Stephanie Now, the university has created a clear Motter path forward to reopening the campus for fall semester. I don’t have to tell you how impactful the nationwide shutdown in response to the pandemic has been to our economy. Practically overnight, jobs disappeared along with the part-time sources of income that allowed students to attend classes and pay student loans. Many students faced the reality they might not be able to the return in the fall or even continue their education because of the financial burden. The CMU Foundation created the Maverick Relief Fund within weeks of the shutdown to help students through micro grants. The community rallied, nearly $325,000 was raised and grants have helped 115 students who would not have otherwise been able to continue their education. Monument Health also made meaningful decisions to support CMU students we employ as interns and “wellness

The initiative — titled Safe Together, Strong Together — involves three objectives: training, prevention and screening. The initiative takes all of these elements into consideration as policies and guidelines are tested and implemented on a small scale this summer.

warriors.” We’re proud to continue to keep Mavs on the payroll even when tough financial decisions had to be made because of the downturn. Although CMU will join with countless businesses and nonprofits in Mesa County in experiencing the financial effects of the pandemic, trustees unanimously voted not to raise tuition, fees or housing rates for the 2020-21 school year. We made this decision knowing the same students receiving help through the Maverick Relief Fund would likely see it as another obstacle to finishing their education. By voting for the freeze, it was our goal to remove any barriers that would preclude any students from returning, especially first-generation, low-income and non-traditional students. As we look forward to recovery, CMU has been a national leader and the first institution in Colorado to announce in-person learning would resume in the fall by following sound science and medical best practices. Although online learning in the spring offered a fine short-term alternative to closure, many students struggled without face-to-face instruction. Many more were unable to finish the semester. CMU President Tim Foster and his

management team knew returning in the fall was the best option. They assembled a team of public health officials, epidemiologists, doctors and medical experts to begin working toward that end. The initiative — titled Safe Together, Strong Together — involves three objectives: training, prevention and screening. The initiative takes all of these elements into consideration as policies and guidelines are tested and implemented on a small scale this summer. To ensure success this fall, the final phase includes comprehensive screening practices established in coordination with Mesa County Public Health and local hospital partners. There’s still a lot of work to be done, but the team at CMU has thoughtfully and tirelessly worked to create a clear path forward for in-person learning this fall. COVID-19 is likely not going away, meaning we’ll have to reopen and operate smartly and safely in this new reality at work, home and school. CMU remains a bright spot in our community and a leader in paving the way for our new normal. It’s been an honor to play a small role in these efforts. It’s my hope the work being done at CMU will help other universities as well as businesses, nonprofits and school districts make sound decisions. Stephanie Motter is chief executive officer of Monument Health, a clinically integrated health care network in Mesa County. She previously served as vice president of quality and clinical strategy at DaVita and worked as a nurse practitioner in the Denver and Boston areas. She holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Smith College a and master’s degree in nursing from Yale University. For additional information about Monument Health, visit www.MonumentHealth.net. F

Page 28

RentaSpace.DiegoCorp.com

The Business Times

June 25-July 8, 2020

How about some relief for landlords? Contrary to what some people believe, few rental property owners are in a financial position to forgo rent payments for months on end. They rely on this monthly income to pay mortgages and expenses. For some investors, rent payments constitute their primary source of income. So, where’s the relief for landlords when the government limits their ability to make money from their investments? Airlines, hotels and other industries received federal funding to compensate for some of their losses because of the coronavirus pandemic and related restrictions. On June 13, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis issued an executive order with the stated purpose of helping prevent evictions of tenants economically harmed by COVID-19. Under the order, landlords must provide tenants with Tim 30 days notice of any default for nonpayment Whitney before initiating eviction proceedings. Colorado law previously required three days’ notice, and that was changed not too long ago to 10 days notice. Under the executive order, landlords and lenders are prohibited from charging any late fees or penalties for any breach of the terms of a lease or rental agreement due to nonpayment that were incurred from May 1 until June 13. Federal law still bans evictions at certain properties with federally backed mortgages until late July. On June 15, the Colorado Senate passed a measure for individuals facing a housing-related hardship due to the pandemic and transferring money received from the federal government pursuant to the eviction legal defense fund and housing development grant fund. The way I read this, there’s now a pool of money tenants can access to pay a lawyer to sue their landlords if their landlords try to evict them for nonpayment. California has attempted to prevent commercial landlords from evicting tenants for nonpayment as the Legislature works through a proposed measure. The measure would make it unlawful to terminate a tenancy, serve notice to terminate a tenancy, use lockout or utility shutoff actions to terminate a tenancy or otherwise endeavor to evict a tenant of commercial real property, including a

business or nonprofit organization, during the pendency of the state of emergency proclaimed by the governor related to COVID-19 unless the tenant has been found to pose a threat to the property, other tenants or person, business or other entity. If enacted, the measure would void any action taken by landlords to evict commercial tenants and allow certain commercial tenants to walk away from their lease obligations, which could have a significant effect on commercial leases. According to the International Council of Shopping Centers, the measure would upend real estate leases across California. Similar laws have been proposed throughout the country and will exert great effects on landlords as these measures usually include no provisions to help landlords while they remain responsible for paying their mortgages, real estate taxes, insurance and maintenance on their properties. I understand the need to keep everyone in their residences and protect certain businesses affected by the pandemic to avoid bankruptcy and permanent closures. But it seems unfair — and potentially unconstitutional — for government entities to negate contracts between private parties. The burden then falls on landlords to absorb some or all of these losses. To be fair, landlords have collected some of their missing rents from residential tenants who received housing assistance from various organizations and commercial tenants that have received government assistance in the form of federal loans. I know this might sound like a pity party for landlords, but the real impact will be on tenants if investors decide the risk and burden of owning rental property is too great and decide to sell to users. If this happens, there will be fewer rental units available in the market, and rents will go up. 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 additional information, call (970) 243-7375 or visit the internet website located at www.CBCPrimeProperties.com. F

Follow a few tips to beat the summer heat We wait all year, it seems, for summer to arrive. Now it’s finally here. When most of us think of summer, we think about outdoor fun and a chance to kick back. Although this year might seem different because of the pandemic, summer still offers many opportunities to stay active. Remain aware, though, that changes in schedules present challenges in keeping your fitness routine on track. So what can you do to have the most active, productive and fun-filled summer ever? Warm weather provides many opportunities for enjoying outdoor activities. Take the family camping, fishing or hiking. Work in your garden. Part of summer fun and fulfillment is enjoying the outdoors and the people you’re with. During the summer months, your normal Paula schedule could be altered — especially this Reece summer with social distancing and the feeling of being cooped up. Those changes affect daily routines, including exercise schedules. Here are a few tips to avoid sabotaging yourself this summer: n Set a summer goal. It’s almost mid-year. Ask yourself how you’ve done so far this year on your New Year’s resolutions. You might have succeeded in some areas, but not in others. You could need to re-evaluate your goals to make them more realistic and attainable. Maybe you didn’t set goals. This is a great time to start. Try setting a different goal. Call it summer 2020. What will that goal look like? It might be trying a new sport, learning to swim or visiting a national park. n Stick to a schedule. Make sure your summer days include some structure — like getting up at the same time each day and eating meals at set times. Plan activities for specific times —

exercising before breakfast, for example. n Stay busy. Without your appointment book filled, it could be easy to fall into a trap of becoming bored. Boredom goes hand in hand with low energy. Filling your days with stuff to do will give you a sense of accomplishment. For many of us, summer still means going to work each day. But with more daylight hours, you don’t have to miss out. Whether you’re taking a vacation or just a weekend, include activities the family already enjoys as well as something new. n Manage the heat. Although warmer weather is appreciated, hot days can seem unbearable. During these times, move your activities elsewhere. Go to the gym or splash in a pool. When you find yourself outdoors during scorching temperatures, remember to stay safe. Wear sunscreen or a long-sleeve shirt to protect your skin from harmful rays. Don’t forget the sunglasses and hat, too. Clothing that wicks moisture away from your skin as you perspire keeps you cooler. One of the most important items to keep you safe is water. Stay hydrated. n Eat healthy. This seems like an easy thing to do with all the fresh vegetables and fruit available. Beware of some of the foods associated with summer events, though. Backyard barbecues, campfire s’mores and ice cream treats can sabotage the best laid plans of staying fit through the summer. Make summer a time to enjoy. Write down your summer 2020 goal and work toward realizing that goal. Make the most of every day, and you’ll make this summer your best ever. 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

June 25-July 8, 2020

The Business Times

Page 29

Contributors Opinion Bold forabout 2015it, While predictions you’re thinking News both good and bad ignore A new year affords Business Briefs whatnot-so-bold others think repeats of you more like in COVID effects a reporting new opportunity Business People Almanac to meet local needs THE he BUSINESS usiness T T Times IMES

PAGE age 30 22

There’s encouraging and discouraging news about the effects of the coronavirus pandemic on businesses in the latest economic indicators and survey results. As is usually the case with complex and changing situations, it’s a mix that requires a more nuanced consideration. It’s not necessarily rocket science, but more like common sense. A new year almost always brings an opportunity for a fresh start and If the implications so serious, it would be almost like those good renewed ambition to doweren’t things better. newsInand bad news jokes. The good newstofor an avid golfer: Heaven full of business, that usually boils down providing customers betteris products beautiful courses. news:cost Youthan tee off at 10 tomorrow and services fasterThe andbad at lower competitors. Part ofmorning. the process must Thelistening most glaring example to hasdetermine been coverage of the latest national include to customers what they actually need andlabor then estimates. The good news, of course, was that U.S. payrolls increased 2.5 million meeting that need. After all, it does little good to offer the latest and greatest if in May as restaurants other businesses nobody actually wantsand what you’re selling. shuttered by the pandemic began to reopen returned work.toThat’s the biggest one-month gain since Justand likeemployees the businesses thatto belong the group, the Grand Junction Area at least 1939. Unfortunately, the bad news thatnew payrolls dropped 20.7 millionof Chamber of Commerce invariably starts outisthe year with a reassessment in the and largest loss onitrecord thatand pushed rate towith its highest level theApril, services resources provides how the welljobless they match members for monthly records going back to 1948. The difference results in the even worse needs. Jeff Franklin, the new chairman of the chamber board of directors, news there athis lot approach of peopleinwho still haven’t to work. Tragically, personifies describing whatreturned he considers his role for the since coming some businesses might never reopen, those jobsand arethen gonemeet for good. year: listen to members, determine their needs those needs. It’s a is similar in Mesaas County, the seasonally role The with situation which Franklin is familiar marketwhere president of Bank ofunadjusted Colorado. unemployment points in May as businesses reopened and The processrate willdropped take on3.6 a more structured approach in what the chamber employees went back to work. That’s great news. The bad news, though, is the the plans as the resumption of a program aptly called Listening to Business. Under jobless rate remains at 9 percent. program, business owners participate in in-depth interviews to identify barriers to There’s a measure of good in that officials expect the unemployment growth and other problems theynews encounter. rate to continue to offers tend down as time the next phase pandemicclub. guidelines allow The new year a good to join theof proverbial businesses to further expand operations. As an advertiser or reader, what do you need from the Business Times? Tax collections, a measure of sales activity, precipitously thetoCity While business journals traditionally gather dropped and report the relevantfor news of Grand Junction and Mesa County in May. But that’s a lagging indicator readers, communication isn’t necessarily a one-way street. That’s especiallysince true as May collections reflect April The June couldthan bring better news. Web sites and e-mail make thesales. dialogue morereports convenient ever. The results from seriesinofa email surveys Grand Goodlatest publications don’ta exist vacuum. Theyconducted respond toby thethe needs of Junction Area Chamber of Commerce similarly offer good news and bad news. advertisers and readers. They provide what’s needed. Perhaps bestneed? news is most of the business owners and managers who So what the do you responded to the latest remain upbeat. Asked lookyou ahead six months, Is there additional survey news coverage that would helptokeep informed about nearly 43 percent said they expect conditions to that be much better, but not yet local business developments? Are there features would be interesting or back to Is pre-pandemic Nearly 40 percent forecast useful? there advicelevels. that would make your jobs a littlebetter easier?slightly better conditions, but down from earlier this year. Nearly 8 percent said they It’s equally important to ask what you don’t need. With limited timebelieve to conditions will be back to normal. produce content and limited space in which to publish it, would time and space be bad news is the pandemic betterThe devoted to something else? and related restriction have taken a toll. While 40 percent businesses the pandemic affected What’sofgood? Whatreported isn’t? What’s needed?had What isn’t?income less than 25 percent, percent had online been affected percent Let us about know.29 Send us anreported e-mail.income Comment on the between Business 25 Times Web and 50 percent. Nearly 20 percent of businesses reported their incomes had been site at www.thebusinesstimes.com. You could even write an old-fashioned letter to affected more than like. 50 percent. the editor if you’d Your feedback, both positive and negative, is valued and as 49 percent of business reported bringing back half to all of their staffs, will Even be carefully considered. 27 percent that layoffs by the pandemic were Good reported publications are the prompted result of not only the efforts of permanent. their staffs, but also Most business and managers probably know the moral of the story. collaborative effortsowners involving advertisers and readers. Economic indicators and survey results important of thefind bigout picture Like any other good business, we constitute want to listen to ourportions customers, of local conditions. But the news is seldom all good or all bad. It’s important not to what they need and then meet those needs. raiseIt’s hopes too year. high or let despair sink low. In more than one sense, slow and a new Please help us to too do so. steady wins the race. ✦ 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.

There’s so much going on I’m at a point where want of to write this column. Then It’sI don’t that time year when again, I’ve had time writing the past resolutions anda hard prognostications abound. several columns. It’s not because of what I My favorite saying applied to New Year’s see happening world. That’sbasically easy. So a resolutions is in in the saying they’re many actors, so little space. bunchbad of promises to break the first week It’s because of I won’t predict a of January. And while what think of them. wholeI lot, I can pretty much accurately That’s where we are. nail a few things that without question Many places the You will see these are will make theinnews. United Statespredictable: are pretty, well, run by people whoone: ■ Prediction don’t There really will becare some what do — event, the sort ofyou weather recent naturalrioting disasterand or people free after heinousgoing occurrence destroying property where someone will and lives, if notand indeed be interviewed say Craig Hall taking lives —“I’ve but the following: how should be made to think. neverone seen anything Let’sinstart like that mywith the obvious: COVID-19. Everyone the reports from China lifetime.” could It’s assee if this Craig Hall were ominous. Yet, what were we told to person is a required think by our “experts” attendee at every newslike Dr. Anthony Fauci and event. the World Health Organization reporting While I understand most as the virus progressedcan —indeed which is a people’s perspective bewhat limited virus no matter whattheir we do —personal around by, ordoes, contained within, own the globe? Weitwere it can’t passtohuman experiences, is tootold much to ask to humansome and wasn’t a threat to the United consult historical perspective before States. a coupe of months, saying Yet, suchwithin a thing? Yes, this response can President Donald Trump hadwhen beenitmade to apply to some events. But comes think 2 MILLION or more Americans could to weather and natural disasters, I’m pretty die he didn’t shut history the country down itself. to sureifthis is simply repeating slow andmillions prevent our careof Samethe as spread it has for andhealth millions systems fromimportant, being overrun. years. More the planet made it! herewere we certain are today. Six months WhatAnd didn’t species. How’s into a web of lies, mistakes, inaccuracies that for perspective? and freedom lost all leaders ■ Prediction two:because When itour comes to a told think one that wayoccurs one day and then crimeusortosomething between 180 degrees opposite the next. Go ahead. humans, the other required attendee at all Ask few people whatis they know about newsareporting events the person who COVID, I’llwe’re guarantee they’ll says this: and “They just the nicestshare completely people, and different in no wayviewpoints. did I see something But coming.” the common denominator is it’s like this Exactly. No one does really mustitlisten most ofbad theand timewewhen comestotoexperts and government. Yes, even my manyshould neighbors and acquaintances. People freedom-loving conservative friends be surprised at what goes on from timeadd to this I think it’s no worse timecaveat. in theirMe? neighborhoods, towns andthan the two year virus from China withevery people they know because peoplewith are which we deal. Except good. And for the times this that time they China shouldn’t destroyed with the willing be shockedour — economy like with politicians, repeat help of our leaders, including Trump. offenders and terrorists — where’s the And we’rethat stillsays, shut“This down. interview doesn’t surprise about the riots? It’s plain to see me inHow the least.” what’s happening three: to lives and property ■ Prediction Something good there, isn’t it? There’s no mistaking will happen economically, and the when our cities fire, citizens aremost government willare takeoncredit for it. The hurting and killing other citizens andpeople the recent example is gas prices, where government manycredit areasthe is so castrated ask me why Iinwon’t president forit can’t reset orderMy andanswer restoreispeace — to the low gas prices. simple: point of backing rioters manyofcases. Government neverthemakes theinprice Here we in the with something go are down andUnited simply States takes credit an in Seattle a certain for insurrection good news. Gas pricingwhere is subject to element that factors. abhors guns, borders many global Now there areand enslavement zones off “autonomous” government answers to an addressing some of area city usingstable armed and themof tothe keep prices forguards Americans, holds citizens who there hostage but ourthe government haslive none of them in as their Seattle’s place.property. The onlyWorse thingsyet, it has in placemayor in the

une 25-J15-28, uly 8, 2015 2020 JJANUARY

calls it the “summer of love” and the governor had nohurt ideaconsumers. what was even going long run always Another on into the mess. What are we factseveral is that days unemployment reaches a certain being told toonthink? It’s because is level based the economy. Andracism while the systemic andmight this isbrag the only way oppressed government the number is low, people can be likely heard.the government did it’s more than First, iftoyou think human should something cause thatone number being low enslave another, you way. needConversely, God. Because — and not in a good when only Godpicks can change your heart be business up, it’s because the to people rid suchtohate. if you have whoofneed buy Second, widgets who were not any friends whobecause think it’s to enslave buying widgets theOK economy was any human due for any reason, need contracting to natural (oryou unnatural, new friends.caused) Lastly, reasons, racism will onlywe government decided prosper bysome burning downThe businesses and better buy widgets. government destroying those one side deems had nothinglives to doofwith this. “systemic” enablers of In racism. The world ■ Prediction four: keeping with needs rid of all these things to thebegovernment does,atrocities. I predict the Which brings us to our local brouhaha government will manipulate the numbers to with Stout,the who decidedis it’s OK to makeAnna the claim economy getting break at how a recent Junctionto better protocol because of hardGrand it is working City all becauseNow of help Council all of us meeting “working— Americans.” how she thinks — and you put her fellow you might say, “Craig, always say this council membersObama in danger. From what about President because you don’t I’ve seen and heard, to see this like him.” You’re rightwe intend a sense. I don’t incident of the we know thebased man, on butwhat whatpart I know of story him and prefer to readI or the like wayitwe it his thinking, don’t or understand him one iota. based how Beforeon you go we off,think. however, I didn’t like I haveBush no idea our elected betters President and why his bailouts, stimulus feel the abandoning need to have declaration of save this and his thea free market to or time a group thethat freeevery market. And I don’tthinks know this him or that. they do it — our county either.And What theall government does, and the commissioners If I see only thing it canbeing do, is the hurtworst. the economy. one more declaration special in Unless it does nothing of or “this put criminals week” or “that special day” especially jail instead of partnering with— them, nothing socially distanced forwill thehelp. photoAlways op — look I’m the government does gonna this pandering at its at it thisstart way,thinking whatever theisgovernment says lowest level. Actually, already do. law it it is doing, whatever theIname of the Whichorbrings us back to theor goal of is passing, whatever the name declaration fromitcity council. Obviously, the bureaucracy is presenting to the some council readingtoa occur. people,onexpect thedecided polar opposite declaration racism was needed I guess on what I’m saying is thatand just as obviously, perhaps it’s time toMs. getStout out ofsaw ouran own opportunity. What doplenty I think? Simple. perspective. There’s of history Racism andhistorical bigotry are wrongout in all forms books and research there to at any to level. Now one should I begin understand that all ofthink this has don’t needbefore. a proclamation from someone happened And it will again, elected allow Then whethertothe topicme is those peoplethoughts. or government. again, I also have the is pills The bestwouldn’t recommendation to to find “ask few members” a group to join someabooks or try thatofwhole Google the meeting outside ofinformation protocol knowing thing. There’s a lot of on the nearly 100 or so would showisupit — all Great Depression. The truth wasn’t while lawuntil enforcement there got even aalerting good one the government could be some problems — and not involved. There’s also plenty of research expect problems.warm period when the on the medieval Yet, here we are with than council planet was much warmer today with members being a whole lot less conciliatory people (and and warmer well explaining theiratnew before manaway was here all).thinking. And yep, Making this planned incident about people have been killing othernot surprised the intimidating actions the written. few, but people since history wasoffirst ratherMaybe the thinking of many.will help stop some research alltrends. of the above as a danger all ofI see these Otherwise, we’ll be to anyone whonever chooses saying we’ve seenfreedom anythingand like it in thinking themselves. our lives.for 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 ✦

June 25-July 8, 2020

The Business Times

Page 31

When the going gets tough, Federal Reserve policy more the tough get writing ... fantasy than sound economics I’ve always believed that when the going gets tough, the tough get writing — sometimes about writing. While there are no doubt prolific columnists who crank out compelling copy as if they’re making sausage, don’t count me among them. I’m more like Sisyphus, the mythical Greek guy condemned to forever roll a boulder up a hill Phil Castle only to have that big rock come tumbling down every time he nears the top. For me, at least, writing a column is no less a Sisyphean task. I no sooner complete one column than the deadline looms for another. And it’s almost always a struggle. The whole troublesome process invariably starts with the same quandary: What do I write about this time? Observant readers will recognize the pattern that’s developing. After putting it off for I don’t know how long, I finally wrote a column about avoiding procrastination. Stymied by writer’s block, I wrote a column about writer’s block. It’s not especially surprising, then, I fell back on a familiar strategy in deciding to write a column about writing columns. This isn’t only about the meandering musings of a frustrated newspaper editor, though. There’s a point to my story, hopefully one of interest to business owners and managers. I’ll get to that. First, though, let me affirm how grateful I am to work with columnists so willing to share their time and expertise with Business Times readers. The latest issue features no less than seven columns addressing everything from background checks to workplace conflicts to business plans. I like to say the paper offers news, views and advice you can use. It’s the columnists who offer advice and lend different and refreshing voices to the content. I raised the subject of writing columns in an email exchange with Janet Arrowood, one of those columnists who’s as prolific as she is generous. Janet raised two basic and important points. Columnists must know what they’re writing about and possess an interest in the subject. Fortunately, the columnists who contribute to the paper literally make it their businesses to know what they’re writing about. Moreover, their passion is evident in the way they write. I’d add four more observations about columns: n Columnists must write to their audiences. I could probably write columns about some of my other interests — scuba diving comes to mind. But as editor of a business journal, it’s both my duty and privilege to provide the best content I can to business owners and managers as well as others in the business community. n Columns must be compelling enough

to keep readers reading. Otherwise, what’s the point? If some of them have given up at this point to move on to more interesting pursuits — flossing their teeth perhaps — this column definitely isn’t compelling. n Columns must offer the stuff of revelation. Good columns provide information, share insights and draw conclusions that leave readers scratching their heads over the implications. The best columns leave them slack-jawed in realization. n Personal columns like this one must be just that. Personal. Good columns can’t be written by anyone other than the columnists who do so. They bring to their work not only their distinctive styles, but also their unique experiences and perspectives. To be clear, I make no guarantees about my columns. It’s up to readers to decide whether or not they’re good. But if a nearly 40-year career in newspaper journalism has taught me anything, I hope it’s the ability to recognize good writing when I read it. And maybe, on occasion, write well myself. Now, for that point I promised. I don’t know that it’s necessarily jaw-dropping. But I hope it’s worth pondering. Many of the attributes that apply to good columns also apply to the way businesses market their products and services. While some of this is pretty basic, I believe it bears repeating: n Do you know what you’re doing? Are you an expert? Just as important, are you passionate about your business — so much so it’s evident to customers? n For businesses that serve niche markets, do you write to your audience? That is, do you tailor your marketing to your customers? Are you certain you know who your customers really are? If so, do you connect with them? n Are your marketing messages compelling? Do they engage customers and motivate them to take action? n Do you reveal new information about products and services or highlight comparative advantages of which customers might not have been aware? n Is your marketing unique to your business? Do you bring a distinctive style to your approach? Some of the most successful businesses don’t sell products or services that are that much different or even better. But they do so in a way that’s far different that sets them apart. See? When the going gets tough and it’s difficult to decide on a topic for a column, the tough get writing. Even it it’s writing columns about writing columns. More to the point, when the going gets tough for those in business — and the going has been incredibly tough in the midst of a pandemic — I’m grateful the tough get down to business. Phil Castle is editor of the Business Times. Reach him at phil@thebusinesstimes.com or 424-5133. F

Economic recovery and expansion don’t depend on the Federal Reserve running monetary policy. This vision more closely resembles fantasy than sound economics. The Federal Open Market Committee statement released on June 10 featured an understandably sober assessment of the economy, along with a pledge to keep the federal funds rate near zero: “The ongoing public health crisis will weigh heavily on economic activity, employment and inflation in the near term and poses considerable risks to the economic outlook over the medium term. In light of these developments, the committee decided to maintain the target range for the federal funds rate at 0 to 0.25 percent. The committee expects to maintain this target range until it is confident that the economy Raymond has weathered recent events and is on track to achieve its Keating maximum employment and price stability goals.” The Fed also noted that it’s “committed to using its full range of tools to support the U.S. economy in this challenging time, thereby promoting its maximum employment and price stability goals.” In addition, Fed Chairman Jerome Powell spoke a lot in a press conference about the Fed’s “tools” and “toolkit” to aid the economy and mentioned (though did not completely commit to) the idea the fed funds rate could stay at zero through 2022. For the record, the Fed has no idea what the economy is going to look like in six months, never mind more than two years from now. The reality is the Fed can do very little to help the economy in a substantive way. Economic growth comes from the private sector through entrepreneurship and investment. The only way that the Fed contributes to that effort is by maintaining price stability. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer Price Index inflation has been nonexistent over the past three months. In fact, in March, April and May, we experienced falling general prices. Meanwhile, monetary policy has been unprecedented since late summer of 2008 in that it’s been so loose there’s no historical comparison in U.S. history. Since the pandemic hit the U.S., monetary policy has managed to loosen even more. While the monetary base has skyrocketed, so have bank reserves. This raises the question I’ve posed for the past dozen years: What does loose money accomplish when the bulk of the expansion in the monetary base winds up in record levels of bank reserves? What’s the point? The great risk of the past dozen years was this vast expansion in the monetary base would trigger inflation. But that largely didn’t happen because of the historic increase in reserves. That was aided by the fact the Fed was granted the power to pay interest on those excess reserves. So, the primary result of the Fed’s monetary reaction to the economic and credit mess of 2008 was to increase uncertainty in the economy while also reallocating resources based on political rather than market decisions. That contributed to deepening the Great Recession and undermining growth during the subsequent recovery and expansion period. Now we’re back. In reaction to the coronavirus and related economic shutdowns, the Fed has increased the monetary base by some $1.8 trillion over the past three months. Bank reserves have jumped by $1.6 trillion. That leaves us, again, with uncertainty and the threat of slower growth. That uncertainty includes wondering if loose money eventually will result, this time, in a diminished dollar and rising inflation. The price for monetary policy gone awry will be paid for one way or another — or in myriad ways. To think otherwise is to partake in economic fantasy. Raymond Keating is chief economist for the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council. The nonpartisan, nonprofit advocacy, education and research organization works to protect small business and promote entrepreneurship. For more information, log on to the website at www.sbecouncil.org. F

SHARE YOUR VIEWS The Business Times welcomes letters to the editor and guest columns on issues affecting businesses in Western Colorado. Submissions should be emailed to phil@thebusinesstimes.com and include names and telephone numbers for verification.

Page 32

Opinion Business Briefs Business People Almanac

n WEST STAR AVIATION TEAM IN GRAND JUNCTION COMPLETES GLOBAL EXPRESS INSPECTIONS

A team at West Star Aviation in Grand Junction has completed its first 120-, 180- and 240-month inspections on Bombardier Global Express aircraft. The team has grown from one member, Chris Halbert, to 13 and completed 15 Global Express projects. “The continued growth of the Global Express department shows the unique leadership Chris Halbert skills and mentorship Chris provides to his team and West Star,” said Jason Cohen, Bombardier and Global Express program manager at Grand Junction. West Star Aviation provides maintenance, repair and overhaul services at facilities at the Grand Junction Regional Airport and in Aspen and Denver as well as in Arizona, Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, Tennessee and Texas. The company has been selected for seven consecutive years as the top MRO services Jason Cohen provider in a survey conducted for Professional Pilot magazine. For additional information, call (800) 922-2421 or visit www.weststaraviation.com. n STATE DEPARTMENT ISSUES PANDEMIC GUIDANCE TO PROTECT WORKERS IN AG INDUSTRY The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has finalized state guidance to protect workers in the agriculture industry from the potential spread of COVID-19. Guidelines address the use of personal protective equipment, hygiene, equipment cleaning, case reporting and more. “These new expert recommendations provide important direction to our state’s critically important agriculture industry and to those absolutely essential workers along every stop of the food supply chain,” said Kate Greenberg, state agriculture commissioner. The guidance contains recommendations for posting the information at the workplace in a way that’s easily understood by workers. The guidance is available in English and Spanish and also will be available in Arabic, Nepali, simplified Chinese, Somali and Vietnamese. The public health agency in each Colorado county is available to respond to questions and concerns. Contact information is available at https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/find-yourlocal-public-health-agency.

The Business Times

SHARE YOUR NEWS

NOTEWORTHY

The Business Times welcomes submissions for free publication in Business Briefs. Email submissions to phil@thebusinesstimes.com or submit a news release online at the website at www.thebusinesstimes.com.

A Grand Junction-based company has received a patent for its computer implemented method for avoiding damages in an excavation area. ProStar received the patent for a method to prevent damage to utilities and the environment during construction, maintenance and groundbreaking activities as well as damages caused by severe conditions, including weather, fires and earthquakes. Page Tucker, chief executive officer and president of ProStar as well as co-inventor of the patented method, said he was pleased to add Page Tucker another patent to the company’s portfolio of intellectual property. “Our cloud and mobile precision mapping solutions are recognized as the most advanced utility mapping system in the world, and another patent issuance is validation that we are leading the industry in terms of development and innovation.” Raymond Tabandeh, a partner with the Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie law firm, prepared and prosecuted the patent. “It’s always gratifying to play a significant role in the issuance of a patent for a client,” Tabandeh said. “Damages to buried utilities during excavation is a major problem in the U.S. and Canada. And in almost every case when excavation is involved, damage is caused by lack of qualified data being available. This patent addresses these concerns.” ProStar combines cloud and mobile technologies with patented processes to create geospatial intelligence software that helps companies and government agencies manage underground infrastructure. For additional information, visit www.prostarcorp.com.

n PINNACOL ASSURANCE ONCE AGAIN RANKS AMONG TOP WORKPLACES IN COLORADO Pinnacol Assurance ranks for a fourth consecutive year among the top workplaces in Colorado in an annual list based on the results of employee surveys. “Pinnacol has a people-first culture, and caring for people is at the center of what we do and who we are,” said Barbara Brannen, vice president of human resources for the workers’ compensation insurance carrier Barbara Brannen based in Denver. “It shows in our customers’ interaction with us, in our interactions with each other and in our culture.” The latest list is based on the results of an employee survey administered by Energage. The anonymous survey measures 15 drivers of engaged workplace cultures, including alignment, connection and execution. Internal surveys indicate Pinnacol employees are happy in their jobs and see where they fit into operations. They also appreciate learning and career development opportunities. For additional information about Pinnacol Assurance, log on to the website located at www.Pinnacol.com. n MESA COUNTY MINERAL LEASE DISTRICT AWARDS $200,000 IN LATEST GRANTS The Mesa County Federal Mineral Lease District has awarded a total of $200,000 in grants. The district board awarded a $150,000 grant to the Grand Junction Police Department for a fire range facility improvement project and a $50,000 grant to the City of Fruita for railroad crossing improvements on 16 Road. The district distributes federal mineral leasing funds to local public entities to support infrastructure, construction and public service projects that address the effects of energy development. Since 2011, the district has awarded more than $8.1 million to entities in Mesa County. For more information, visit the website at www.mesaFML.org. F

Mosquito control district offers tips to help people fight the bite The Grand River Mosquito Control District offers tips to help people fight the bite this summer. The district reminds people about the three Ds of controlling insects that are not only pesky, but also spread diseases — drain, dress and defend. Mosquitoes can breed in even small amounts of water, including water in bird baths, the bottoms of recycling dishes, old tires and even gutters. “Encouraging your neighbors to also eliminate sources on their own property is critical to a community wide control program,” said Tim Moore, manager of the Grand River Mosquito

June 25-July 8, 2020

Control District. “Mosquitoes require water to complete their life cycle. If their water source is eliminated, so are their offspring.” Those who are outside when mosquitoes are active should wear light-colored and loose-fitting clothing. It’s also important to apply mosquito repellent to clothing and bare skin. Repellents containing DEET, picaridin and oil of lemon eucalyptus are effective. The Grand River Mosquito Control District treats more than 2,500 private properties as well as public open spaces in the Grand Valley. For more information, visit www.fightthebitegj.com. F

June 25-July 8, 2020

The Business Times

Page 33

Page 34

Contributors News Business Briefs Opinion Trends Business People Alma Business Briefs BusinessContributors People Almanac Opinion B Business Briefs Busines Business People Almanac

n CITY OF GRAND JUNCTION ANNOUNCES NEW DIRECTOR OF HR DEPARTMENT

Shelley Caskey has been appointed director of the human resources department for the City of Grand Junction. Caskey oversees a department of 11 employees involved with the selection, development and retention of the city work force. She joined the city in 2006. She holds a bachelor’s of business Shelley Caskey administration degree with an emphasis in human resources from Bowling Green University. She also holds Professional in Human Resources and Society for Human Resource Management Certified Professional designations. She belongs to the International Public Management Association for HR and Western Colorado Human Resources. “I am enthusiastic about taking on this leadership role for the city and truly hope to make a difference,” Caskey said. “It is an honor to work alongside a committed staff and with other city departments for the good people of Grand Junction.” Grand Junction City Manager Greg Caton praised the appointment. “She takes on this critical role with years of experience and the knowledge of our organization. While working with Shelley, I have been impressed with her ability to handle complex human resources issues coupled with her strong work ethic.” n FRUITA MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHER RECEIVES AIR FORCE RECOGNITION Liz Henrikson, a science teacher at Fruita Middle School, was named the 2019-20 Air Force Teacher of the Year for Colorado. Henrikson received the award in recognition of her consistent promotion of Air Force space programs as well as her support for science, technology, engineering and math education.

The Business Times

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 PRIMARY CARE PROVIDER JOINS WESTERN VALLEY FAMILY PRACTICE

Dr. Jeanne Haberer has joined Western Valley Family Practice as a primary care provider. Haberer accepts new patients, including expectant mothers, newborns and children. As a doctor of osteopathy, Haberer performs osteopathic manual treatments while also helping patients develop holistic coping skills. She has Jeanne Haberer additional training in gynecology. Western Valley Family Practice operates offices at 281 N. Plum St. in Fruita as well as 2237 Redlands Parkway in Grand Junction. For more information, call 858-9894 or visit the website located at https://westernvalleyfb.com. n MESA COUNTY WORKFORCE CENTER NAMES VETERAN SERVICES OFFICER Anthony Lee has joined the Mesa County Workforce Center in Grand Junction as the veteran services officer. Lee assists with disability claims and appeals, survivor and dependency benefits, pensions and more. Under the Vetworks program, he helps qualified veterans with specific needs with job training and certifications. Lee served in the Army and worked for 19 years at the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office. He also brings to his position experience with the Veterans Affairs system. For more information about the Mesa County Workforce Center, call 248-7560 or visit https://mcwfc.us. F

Grand Valley residents appointed to state boards Chris Brownlee, staff appraiser and owner of Brownlee Appraisal Services in Grand Junction, is among three Grand Valley residents appointed to state boards. Brownlee was appointed to the Colorado Board of Real Estate Appraisers for a term expiring July 1, 2021. Brownlee represents appraisal management companies on the board. Chris Brownlee He succeeds Joshua Walitt of Grand Junction, who resigned. The seven-member board meets monthly to conduct hearings, make policy decisions, consider licensing matters, review complaints and take disciplinary action against real estate appraisers.

June 25-July 8, 2020

Jason Talley of Fruita was appointed to the Community Corrections Advisory Council for a term expiring Feb. 28, 2024. The council advices and assists the Division of Criminal Justice by analyzing, identifying and recommending policy modifications for community corrections programs. Sandra Martinez-David of Grand Junction was appointed to the State Interagency Coordinating Council for a term expiring June 30, 2022. She serves as a representative of the child find department on the council. The council advises the Colorado Department of Human Services on implementing the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, including support and services for infants and toddlers with disabilities as well as their families. F

June 25 n Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce legislative recap Zoom presentation, 8:30 a.m. Admission free for chamber members, $20 for others. Registration required. www.gjchamber.org n Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce Welcome Thursday Friends networking group, noon June 25 and July 2. Reservations required. Call for location. 858-3894 n Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce business after hours, 5:30 to 7 p.m., Venue at Fisher’s, 625 24 1/2 Road, Grand Junction. Admission $5 for chamber members, $10 for others. Reservations required. 858-3894 June 29 n Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce Business Builders networking group, noon June 29 and July 6, Ale House, 2531 N 12th St., Grand Junction. 858-3894 n Two-part webinar on how to start a business, 1 to 2:30 p.m. June 29 and 30. Admission $55 243-5242 July 7 n West Slope Startup Week free online presentations on a range of topics related to starting and growing businesses in the region, Tuesdays and Thursdays, July 7 to 30. https://westslopestartupweek.com n Free informational sessions about real estate industry careers, 5:30 p.m., Weichert RealtorsHeiden Homes Realty, 735 Rood Ave., Grand Junction. Call to RSVP. 245-7777 Upcoming n Mesa County Women's Network luncheon meeting, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 14, DoubleTree by Hilton, 743 Horizon Drive, Grand Junction. Admission $20 for members, $25 for others. www.mcwn.org n Palisade Chamber of Commerce business after hours, 5:30 to 7 p.m. July 15, Tammy Tallent Law, 3819 N. River Road. Admission $6 in advance, $8 at the event. 464-7458 n Business startup workshop, 9 to 11:30 a.m. July 29, Business Incubator Center, 2591 Legacy Way, Grand Junction. Admission $55. 243-5242 n Two-part webinar on how to start a business, 9 to 10:30 a.m. Aug. 13 and 14. Admission $55 243-5242 n Palisade Chamber of Commerce business after hours and downtown business crawl, 5:30 to 7 p.m. Aug. 19, check in at the chamber office, 305 S. Main St., Suite 102. Admission $6 in advance, $8 at the event. 464-7458 n Bookkeeping boot camp, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 10, Business Incubator Center. Admission $75, which includes lunch. 243-5242 F

June 25-July 8, 2020

The Business Times

Page 35

Page 36

The Business Times

June 25-July 8, 2020

The Business Times Volume 27 Issue 12

Articles inside

Employee screening has become more important than ever in supporting

The monthly jobless rate dropped in Mesa County as businesses reopened

Visitors to the Colorado National Monument spent $25.2 million in nearby cities, according to a new analysis

fiber optic network has added voice communications

Survey results reflect both optimism and concerns over pandemic effects on local business operations