The Business Times Volume 27 Issue 17

THE BUSINESS T IMES News SEPTEMBER 10-23, 2020

VOLUME 27, ISSUE 17

THE DEFINITIVE SOURCE FOR GRAND JUNCTION BUSINESS NEWS SINCE 1994

In this issue n Survey says

2

A 3 percent total job loss is forecast for Mesa County by the close of 2021 based on the results of a survey.

n Sales picking up

4

While overall real estate sales continue to pick up in Mesa County, low inventories curtail the local residential market.

THEBUSINESSTIMES.COM

TheTrends appeal Contributors of cleantech Opinion n Coalition promoting a growing industry sector.

See page 2

Business Briefs 5 Business People Almanac

n The air there

A Grand Junction-based firm sells portable air quality monitors designed to help its customers breathe easier.

n Capital efforts

6

Applications are open for a microloan program offering Western Slope business up to $50,000 at low interest rates.

n Labor trends

Atlasta Solar Center in Grand Junction installs photovoltaic panels on homes and businesses across Western Colorado. Atlasta Solar is part of what’s seen as a growing industry that provides products and services the generate renewable power, save energy and curb climate change.

19

The jobless rate in Mesa County has dropped, but so has the labor force, the latest estimates show.

n Get your shot

21

In the middle of the coronavirus pandemic, efforts also gear up to get ready for the flu season.

n Departments Almanac Business Briefs Business People Contributors News Opinion Trends

30 28 30 21-24 2-18 26-27 19-20

Business Times illustration by Phil Castle, inset photo courtesy Atlasta Solar Center

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THE BUSINESS T IMES News The Business Times

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SePtember 10-23, 2020

Mesa County Trends job losses Contributors forecast at 3 percent Opinion Business Briefs Business People Almanac

Atlasta Solar Center in Grand Junction installs photovoltaic panels on homes and businesses across Western Colorado.

Atlasta Solar is part of what’s seen as a growing industry sector in the Grand Valley in companies whose products and services produce clean energy, save energy and in turn curb climate change. (Photo courtesy Atlasta Solar Center)

The appeal of cleantech

Coalition promoting a growing industry sector in the Grand Valley

K

en Scissors sees what he considers the conspicuous signs of a growing clean technology industry in the Grand Valley. There’s the increased use of solar energy and decreased costs of installations. There are the energy efficient residential and commercial developments that have been constructed or are planned.

And there’s the additional awareness of measures — and companies — that advance Ken Scissors sustainability while curbing climate change.

“You don’t need a very magical crystal ball,” Scissors.

Jim Marshall sees the same things he says position the Grand Valley to nurture cleantech and in turn diversify the economy.

Scissors and Marshall lead the Grand Junction Cleantech Business Coalition and the efforts of the organization to promote the industry. Doing so, they hope, will do Jim Marshall for the cleantech industry what similar endeavors have done for the outdoor recreation industry.

“We’re trying to shine a light on what legitimately should be a target industry,” says Scissors, a retired physician who developed a residential area in the Redlands area of Grand Junction emphasizing sustainable construction techniques and landscaping.

Marshall works as executive vice president of Raven Ridge Resources, a Grand Junction-based consulting company involved with coal methane development and carbon emission reduction projects.

The Cleantech Business Coalition was launched about two years ago after what Scissors says were two eye-opening events: See CLEANTECH page 18

Statewide, clean jobs lost in aftermath of pandemic

What was a growing contributor to Colorado payrolls has a declined in the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic with an accumulative loss of nearly 6,000 so-called clean jobs.

Environmental Entrepreneurs, a national group that advocates for policies good for the economy and environment, reported that as of the end of July, 5,962 clean jobs were lost in Colorado since before the onset of the pandemic. That’s an 8.9 percent decline.

Monthly job losses in the clean energy sector in March, April and May more than offset gains in June and July.

The latest analysis also included information for six Front Range counties. Denver County lost 902 jobs, followed by Jefferson County with 678, Adams County with 607, Arapahoe County with 590, El Paso County with 425 and Larimer County with 255.

At the beginning of 2020, employment in the clean energy sector had grown nationwide for a fifth consecutive year to top 3.3 million. That included solar installers and wind power technicians as well as positions in energy efficiency, electrical grids and storage and clean vehicles and fuels.

In Colorado, the clean energy sector employed 62,400. Of that total, 36,000 worked in energy efficiency, followed by 18,000 in renewable energy, 5,600 in clean vehicles and fuels and 3,000 in grids and storage.

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STORIES BY PHIL CASTLE

Job losses in Mesa County in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic are forecast to total 3 percent by the close of 2021, according to the results of survey conducted to assess the effects of the pandemic on local businesses.

“Our findings indicate that Mesa County has experienced a relatively low impact from the COVID-19 pandemic, which suggests we are somewhat an anomaly in the state Robin Brown — and perhaps the country,” said Robin Brown, executive director of the Grand Junction Economic Partnership.

GJEP joined with Colorado Mesa University to conduct the analysis, the first phase of which involved a survey of businesses across industry sectors in Mesa County in proportion to employment in those sectors. Restaurant and retail businesses were excluded, though, because they were considered primarily affected by government shutdowns and regulations rather than consumer confidence or economic conditions.

“Our goal with this analysis was to bridge the cap between industry sectors and get a broader perspective of the long-term effects of the pandemic on our entire business community,” Brown said.

“Equipped with this information, we can confidently forecast the economic recovery trajectory for Mesa County.”

Nathan Perry, an economics professor at CMU, and the GJEP staff developed the 30-question survey. GJEP staff telephoned businesses and followed up with emails with links to the survey. With responses from 276 businesses, the results represented a total of 9,836 employees.

Nearly 40 percent of the businesses that responded reported a less than 25 percent drop in business income, while 28 percent reported a 25 percent to 50 percent reduction and 19 percent reported a loss of more than 50 percent. About 13.5 percent of businesses reported no loss.

About 43 percent of businesses reported their operations changed negatively as a result of the pandemic, while about 37 percent reported their operations changed both positively and negatively. Another 15 percent reported no changes.

More than 60 percent of businesses reported no changes in regular hours of operation, while about 35 percent reported a decrease.

See FORECAST page 16

September 10-23, 2020

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well-rounded perspective picks up in Mesa County Low new inventories curtailing residentialrole market to Mesa County Phil Castle

ThePhil Business Times Castle The Business Times

While overall real estate activity Frankto Whidden bringsCounty, what low he continues pick up in Mesa considers perspective inventoriesa well-rounded hamper residential sales. to his new “The job asinventory Mesa County is administrator.

Whidden worked the big, big challenge,” in said Robertinformation Bray, chief technology and holds executive officer of aBray master’s Real degree Estate in computer information Grand Junction. systems. also With But low he interest holds a persistent doctoral rates and degree applied demand, inactivity in management 2020 still could and top Robert Bray decision making and Frank Whidden 2019 despite the effects worked more than of the forcoronavirus 20 years said as aAnnette minister. Whidden has pandemic, worked large and Miller, for senior vice small organizations in both theofprivate and public sectors. president Heritage TitleWhidden Co. inexpects Grandto draw on all of his experiences in helping Mesa County Junction. commissioners make542 and carry out decisions.

For August, staff and making the county real Valuing estate transactions an employer of choice is among the worth a collective priorities, Whidden said.Annette So is Miller planning $158 million were that results sustainable and reported in in Mesa County, funding Miller said. balanced a long-term basis.

Comparedbudgets to the on same months last year, Meanwhile, Mesa County will transactions rose 7.3 percent and dollar continue to pursue6.8 efforts that Five promote volume increased percent. largea friendly environment and transactionsbusiness worth a total of $7.4 million economic development, were reported, includingWhidden the sale said. of three Whidden began working as residences for officially a combined $5 million. county administrator at the of Even with the gains, yearbeginning to date real the year.

He succeeds Tomto Fisher, who was estate activity continues lag. Through hired as eight countymonths manager in Summit the first of 2020, 3,509 County, Utah.worth a total of more than transactions Whidden County in $1 billion were joined reported.Mesa Compared to the August 2011 as information same span in 2019, transactionstechnology remained director.

In April became deputy 3.1 percent lower2014, and hecombined dollar county volume 2.2administrator percent lower. for resource management staffing reorganization Accordingin toa Bray Real Estate, 366 that eliminated four director positions. residential transactions worth a total of Mesa in County, $126Before million joining were reported August.

Whidden a company Comparedworked to thefor same month providing last year, information technology serviceswhile to transactions decreased 11.6 percent, colleges and universities. that role, he dollar volume increased 6.8Inpercent. managed IT the systems Through first and eightservices months for of institutions Alabama,transactions Arizona, Illinois 2020, 2,551 in residential worth

a combined $783 million were reported. as well as New England Canada.

Compared to the sameand span in 2019, Whiddenfellsaid work in transactions 3.6 people percent,who while dollar information volume rose technology 4.7 percent.aren’t just “geeks,” but offer anend important perspective because At the of August, there were 431 they’reresidential familiar with nearlyinevery of active listings Mesaaspect County operations andpercent how work done.

They — down 45.9 fromgets a year ago.

At alsocurrent tend to pace thinkof about new andonly potentially the sales, that’s about ways of doingBray things in “I’ve askingnever and abetter month of supply, said. answering seen it this“what low.” if ” questions. “They know how Low to effect change in anwith organization.” supply coupled high demand Whidden expects bring same pushed the median salestoprice of athat home to approach in to August, his duties administrator. $305,000 upas 18.7 percent from a said it’sprice his for roleresidential to help year Whidden ago. The median county make and then sales yearcommissioners to date was lower at $280,000, implement decisions. but still up 11.1 percentThe fromcommissioners a year ago. in turn the residents of the New represent home construction continues county their will, he said.

“We to lag, and Brayexpress said, as contractors struggle work afor theofpeople.” with lack lots upon which to build as he also considers himself well Whidden as delayssaid in materials.

For August, 76 a liaison permits betweenfor thesingle-family commissioners and building homes countyissued staff,inand oneCounty. of the priorities is to were Mesa That brought make surethrough employees feel valued.

Whidden the total the first eight months of said he hopesThose not only to improve morale, 2020 to 495. numbers are essentially but from also atake flat yearsteps ago. that will make Mesa County organization for which Theangood news, Bray said, ispeople that want to work. demand remains strong with a lot of Meanwhile, prospective buyers.Whidden expects the county to continue andmortgages initiatives Low interest policies rates on that support local real business economic continue to drive estateand sales as well development.

There are additional as refinancing activity, Miller said. steps that can be taken to makeMiller it easiersaid for local Looking ahead, she businesses to sell products to expects year-end numbers and for services real estate the county, he added. transactions and dollar volume in 2020 to Mesa County 2019. will keep with match or exceed Lowworking inventories other keep government entities, organizations could residential transactions lower, and institutions on fostering an environment though, Bray said. that Meanwhile supports existing businesses and property foreclosure attracts new businesses, he said. activity continues to slow.

Through the said there 77could be a first Whidden eight months of 2020, foreclosure opportunities to encourage additional filings and 23 foreclosurethesales were development of said. businesses that provide reported Miller Compared to the services to the agricultural as well same span in 2019, filings industry fell 50 percent as promote Mesa County as a distribution and sales dropped 70.9 percent.

The 45 center for region. properties through resales of the foreclosed The eight important is toconstituted consider the first monthsthing of 2020 issuespercent from aof well-rounded perspective, 1.2 all transactions.

That’s Whidden said. be threshold myopic asshe we well below the“We 10 won’t percent look at things.” considers indicative of a healthy market. ✦ F

The Business Times

September 10-23, 2020

How’s the air there?

Monitors detect when a breath isn’t so fresh Phil Castle

The Business Times

Jarad Usher used to live in Beijing, so he knows from personal experience the effects of poor air quality.

His eyes burned, he donned a face mask — well before the coronavirus pandemic made them de rigueur — and had to carefully consider whether or not to venture outside.

Fast forward to August, and conditions Jarad Usher in the Grand Valley became nearly as bad while the nearby Pine Gulf Fire scorched more than 200 square miles.

The difference was Usher knew exactly how bad in using a portable air quality monitor he’s developed.

That knowledge is even more important, he said, in the midst of a pandemic when people spend more time indoors and particularly for those with respiratory conditions that make them more vulnerable to poor air quality. “It’s needed, especially for susceptible groups.”

Usher founded Element Pura. The Grand Junction-based company sells air quality monitors as well as face masks and filters for the continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines used to help people breath more easily during sleep.

Usher sells products online through his website as well as through a collaboration with ProSpace Interiors, an office furnishings and design firm with offices in Grand Junction and Delta.

Usher brings to the venture his experience working in the tech industry with business development and digital marketing.

Element Pura air quality monitors measure particulate matter 2.5 microns or less in width — about 30 times smaller than that of a human hair.

Particles that small can get deep into the lungs and cause short- and long-term health effects, Usher said. Those effects can include everything from nose and throat irritation and headaches to aggravated asthma and emphysema.

Particulate matter can come from a variety of sources, he said, including agricultural burning, dust storms, household pollutants and vehicle emissions — not to mention wildfires.

The air quality monitors also measure formaldehyde, a compound used in a variety

An Element Pura portable air quality monitor measures fine particulates, carbon dioxide and formaldehyde as well as temperature and humidity.

(Photo courtesy Element Pura) of household products and building materials that can cause asthma-like respiratory problems. “It’s in a lot of different stuff and it can be harmful,” Usher said.

In addition, the monitors measure carbon dioxide. While low concentrations aren’t harmful, higher concentrations can affect respiratory function.

The color of the readouts on the monitors changes along with the conditions from green and excellent air quality to purple and poor quality. Readings show measurements in real time, but also track measurements over time.

The monitors are easy to use, Usher said. Moreover, they’re portable, he said, and be set up in any room in a home, taken to the office or a hotel or used in a car.

The monitors are useful for measuring air quality and signaling when precautions could be necessary — closing windows, using air filters or avoiding strenuous activity, for example.

The monitors also assure air filters or other purification systems are working correctly, he said. “It can give you peace of mind as well.”

The objective, he said, is to help customers breathe easier — whether they live in China or Western Colorado. “It makes me feel good to provide products that are helping people.”

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FOR YOUR INFORMATION For more information about Element Pura portable air monitors and other products, visit www.elementpura.com.

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SePtember 10-23, 2020

Microloans offer funds to Western Slope firms Phil Castle

The Business Times

An investment management firm is accepting applications for a microloan program offering Western Colorado businesses up to $50,000 at low interest rates.

The program is intended to assist businesses struggling in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic and related restrictions, but also builds on broader efforts to provide capital to businesses and Patrick Vahey communities.

“We think it’s a natural fit,” said Patrick Vahey, president and co-founder of Greenline Ventures.

The Denver-based firm offers businesses with 50 or fewer full-time employees loans of $10,000 to $50,000.

No principal or interest payments are required for the first six months. A 2 percent interest rate is assessed for the subsequent 54 months of the five-year loans.

Applicants submit financial statements, copies of driver’s licenses for anyone owning 20 percent or more of the business and a resume or brief biography of the owner or manager.

No collateral is required or fees charged. Applications are processed and loans funded quickly, Vahey said, in as little as four days from the receipt of a completed application package.

Loans provide working capital for rent, utilities or to keep employees on payrolls, he said.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION For applications and more information about the emergency microloan program, visit the Greenline Ventures website at www.greenlineventures.com.

The loans can be used in conjunction with funding from the Paycheck Protection Program as well as other state and local funding.

The objective, he said, is to keep businesses open and people working.

“It’s a tough environment to survive as a business.”

Greenline Ventures launched an initial emergency microloan program in April.

Working with the Zoma Foundation, the firm opted to provide additional funding for West Slope businesses with a focus on the Grand Junction area, he said. They coordinated the loan program rollout with the Grand Junction Economic Partnership.

Vahey encouraged business owners to apply for the loans to take advantage of below-market low interest rates. “It’s extremely inexpensive.”

While businesses don’t have to pay back grants, the microloans offer the next best thing, he said.

Since its inception in 2004, Greenline Ventures has raised more than $1.8 billion in capital and invested more than $2.5 billion in businesses and projects. The firm operates as both a Community Development Entity and Community Development Financial Institution in providing capital to low-income communities.

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Colorado West Land Trust earns accreditation renewal An organization that’s conserved a total of 125,000 acres of agricultural lands, open spaces and wildlife habitat in Mesa County and Western Colorado has once again earned national distinction for its efforts.

The Colorado West Land Trust based in Grand Junction earned renewed accreditation from the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, a program of the Land Trust Alliance.

The Colorado West Rob Bleiberg Land Trust first earned the accreditation in 2009. The accreditation was renewed in 2014.

Accreditation signifies land trusts meet national standards for land conservation and assure they’re working to conserve land in a sustainable manner.

“As we celebrate 40 years of conservation

work this year, accreditation renewal is yet another achievement that signifies we remain strong, vibrant and worthy of the confidence and resources that our community entrusts to us,”said Rob Bleiberg, executive director of the Colorado West Land Trust.

The organization is a collaboration of the Mesa Land Trust and Black Canyon Regional Land Trust. Together, the organization has preserved a total of about 125,000 acres in Mesa County and five other Western Slope counties. A 16-member board oversees a staff of 10.

Palisade-area farmers founded the Mesa Land Trust in 1980 to preserve productive agricultural lands in the Grand Valley. More than 40 family farming operations in the Palisade area have since been preserved through the trust.

For more information about the Colorado West Land Trust and its various efforts, call 263-5433 or visit the Web site at https://cowestlandtrust.org.

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September 10-23, 2020

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SePtember 10-23, 2020

Vacant building renovated for new health care facility A group of health care professionals have joined in an effort to turn a long-vacant building in Grand Junction into a new kind of medical facility.

Renee Williams, a biochemist and health coach, and her husband, Dr. Nathan Williams, an anesthesiologist, lead the effort to renovate the former Grand Junction Athletic Club building at 2515 Foresight Circle. Construction is scheduled for completion in February.

“We were drawn to the building’s history and its deep roots in the community,” Renee Williams said. “So many people have such great memories of the Athletic Club and the time they spent there and were saddened to see it abandoned. We felt called to buy the building and take the energy of the old athletic club and move it forward with a new vision.”

The couple joined with Colorado West Otolaryngologists

and ReGenesis Plastic Surgery & Skin Care Center in the effort to create a facility housing a variety of health care providers.

“While Colorado West Otolaryngologists and ReGenesis will be the anchor tenants of the building, we’re also creating space for other providers, such as other physicians, yoga instructions, physical therapists, mental health providers and others who promote the overall well-being of their clients,” Williams said.

She also hopes the facility will include a restaurant serving healthy and locally sourced fare.

Demolition work on the 35,000-square-foot building began earlier this summer. Exterior and interior renovations are under way.

Marquez Construction serves as general contractor and Michael Oney the architect on the project. Brooke Wegener

with Videre Décor assists with exterior and interior design.

“We’re now in the construction phase where people are beginning to see the transformation taking place,” Williams said. “This has generated a lot of interest in what we’re doing, and we want the community to know what our vision is and get excited about what’s coming.”

A central atrium will bring light from the roof into the building. Windows also will be cut into the south side of the building to bring in additional light.

“Uncovering the building was more complicated than we expected,” Williams said. “It has been a real challenge for the structural engineers and for the partners who have had to make significant financial sacrifices to get this building to become what we want it to be. But it’s going to be worth it.”

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Center among health foundation grant recipients

The Counseling & Education Center in Grand Junction is among the latest recipients of grants from the Rocky Mountain Health Foundation.

The $15,000 grant will help the center provide counseling to clients of all ages regardless of their income levels or insurance coverage.

“We are thrilled and grateful for the Christian Mueller continuing generosity of the Rocky Mountain Health Foundation,” said Christian Mueller, executive director of the Counseling & Education Center. “Our community’s need for counseling has increased dramatically during this pandemic. Thanks to this grant, we’ll also be able to serve more people whose primary language is Spanish.”

The center has transitioned during the coronavirus pandemic to offer counseling and therapy by telephone and video conferences, Mueller said. “We are here to serve everyone while keeping clients and staff healthy and safe. We offer a sliding fee scale, which helps people who have lost their jobs or insurance. We’re also welcoming new clients.”

The Rocky Mountain Health Foundation awarded a total of $417,000 grants to 43 organizations serving people in 22 Western Colorado counties. The foundation was established in 2017 to promote the health and well-being of Western Slope communities.

In Mesa County, grant recipients also included Grand Valley Catholic Outreach, the Joseph Center, Kids Aid Backpack Program, Lower Valley Hospital Association, Strive, SummitWest Care and Western Slope Center for Children.

“These grants will assist the amazing people doing the important work — the boots on the ground work — of trying to meet the increasingly complex needs of marginalized and vulnerable people living on the Western Slope,” said Michaelle Smith, executive director of the foundation.

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September 10-23, 2020

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SePtember 10-23, 2020

Health network searching for new executive

A search is under way for a successor to lead a clinically integrated health care network based in Grand Junction.

Stephanie Motter, chief executive officer of Monument Health, announced she’s leaving the organization she’s led since its inception in 2016.

“While I am thrilled to join the team at Indiana Stephanie Motter University Health and be closer to my family and our Midwestern roots, I am proud of the collective effort of having grown Monument Health from its infancy to the solid organization it is today,” Motter said.

Mike Pramenko M o n u m e n t Health is a collaborative effort among doctors, hospitals, insurance companies and employer groups to provide integrated health care.

Over the past four years, the network has grown to include more than 200 primary care providers and nearly 1,000 specialists in Western Colorado. The network also includes St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center and SCL Health facilities statewide as well as Family Health West and its Colorado Canyons Medical Center and Delta County Memorial Hospital. The network serves about 20,000 people.

Before joining Monument Health, Motter served as vice president for quality and clinical strategy at DaVita Healthcare Partners, where she led national teams focused on quality measurement, pay for performance, value-based care and clinical program design and implementation. Before that, she worked as a nurse practitioner in Colorado and Massachusetts. She holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Smith College and master’s degree in nursing from Yale University.

Motter also served on the Colorado Mesa University board of trustees as well as the boards of Back the Badge and the Grand Junction Symphony Orchestra and as a mentor for the Young Entrepreneurs Academy.

“Motter’s work with Monument Health married her clinical credentials in nursing, her passion for population health and her leadership skills perfectly,” said Dr. Mike Pramenko, executive director of Primary Care Partners in Grand Junction and chairman of the Monument Health board of directors.

“She established Monument Health as a well-respected organization, and she is leaving it in a strong position for the long-term,” Pramenko said.

The Monument Health board will oversee a search for Motter’s successor.

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September 10-23, 2020

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SePtember 10-23, 2020

Grand Valley sales tax collections up for July

Tax collections, one measure of sales activity, have increased, although at different rates for Mesa County and the City of Grand Junction.

County sales tax collections increased 9.2 percent in July compared to the same month last year. City collections edged up three-tenths of a percent.

Meanwhile, city lodging tax collections, a measure of hotel and motel stays, dropped 49.3 percent.

July collections reflect June sales.

Mesa County collected a total of more than $3.7 million in sales and use taxes, an increase of nearly $281,000 and 8.2 percent from July 2019. Use tax collections — almost all of it on automobiles purchased outside the county, but used in the county — declined 1 percent.

County tax collections on retail sales rose 28.5 percent, with a $146,000 year-over-year increase in collections on internet sales. Collections rose 20 percent on home improvements, 18.3 percent on automobiles and 11.1 percent on wholesale sales. Collections fell 15 percent on hotel meals and restaurant stays and 62.6 percent in the oil and natural gas industry.

The city collected a total of more than $5.3 million in sales and use taxes, a decrease of nearly $12,000 and two-tenths of a percent from July 2019. Use taxes, a far smaller and more volatile source of revenue, dropped 49.1 percent.

Through the first seven months of 2020, Mesa County collected a total of more than $22.3 million in sales and use taxes. That’s an increase of more than $427,000 and 2.2 percent over the same span in 2019.

Sales tax collections increased 4.3 percent, more than offsetting an 18.4 percent decrease in use tax collections.

County collections on retail sales rose 18.4 percent with a more than $831,000 year-over-year increase in internet sales.

Collections increased 3.6 percent on autos and 13 percent on home improvements.

Collections fell 16 percent on wholesale sales, 16.9 percent on hotel stays and restaurant meals and 62.2 percent on the oil and natural gas industry.

City sales and use tax collections through the first seven months of 2020 topped $32 million. That’s a decrease of almost $1.7 million and 5 percent from the same span in 2019. Sales tax collections dropped 5.1 percent, while use tax collections fell 43.7 percent.

The city collected $108,019 in lodging taxes in July, about half of what was collected during the same month last year.

Through the first seven moths of 2020, $517,778 in lodging taxes were collected. That’s a decline of $352,000 and 40.5 percent over the same span in 2019.

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September 10-23, 2020

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Pinnacol Foundation awards scholarships

The Pinnacol Foundation has awarded a total of nearly $453,0000 in scholarships to 95 Colorado students.

The foundation — established as a charitable nonprofit entity by Pinnacol Assurance, a workers’ compensation insurance provider — provides scholarships to students whose parents were seriously injured or killed in work-related accidents.

Since 200, the foundation has awarded a total of nearly $6 million in scholarships to more than 650 Colorado students.

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SePtember 10-23, 2020

Event to raise awareness, and funds, for regional suicide prevention efforts A new event is planned to not only raise awareness of suicide prevention, but also funding for mental health programs in Western Colorado.

The Mind Springs Foundation has scheduled Pedal for Prevention for Sept. 26 and 27. Participants can not only ride a bike, but also go for a run, play a round of golf or participate in any activity they chose in their own communities. During the event, participants are encouraged to take photos or videos of their activities and share them on a Facebook event page.

Registration fees begin at $25 and include a commemorative t-shirt. To register or obtain more information, visit w w w. M i n d S p r i n g s F o u n d a t i o n . o rg / pedalforprevention.

Alpine Bank, Bay Equity Mortgage and Doehling Law will sponsor the event.

“Suicide has impacted many people in Colorado, and we wanted to create an event where those who have lost family or friends to suicide can honor their loved ones while raising awareness of suicide prevention measures,” said Roger Sheffield, president of the Mind Springs Foundation. “With the ongoing pandemic, it seemed most logical to host a virtual

event instead of an in-person gathering.”

The Mind Springs Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Mind Springs Health as well as West Springs Hospital in Grand Junction and supports mental health services, programs, and innovations in the organization’s 10-county region in Western Colorado.

“Whether participants of the event are honoring the memory of someone they’ve lost to suicide or they are offering words of hope to someone who may be struggling, we hope the event truly brings together everyone in the 10 Colorado counties Mind Springs Health serves,” Sheffield said.

“It can be hard to talk about suicide, but opening up dialogue and communication does help save lives. We hope the imagery and stories shared on September 26 and 27 will help those who are grieving a loss and will help someone who is contemplating suicide get help.”

Mind Springs Health provides counseling and therapy for people and families dealing with mental health issues and recovering from substance abuse and addiction For more information, visit www.mindspringshealth.org.

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SePtember 10-23, 2020

Forecast

Continued from page 2 Businesses responding to the survey reported laying off on average more than 13 percent of their work forces to date and expect to lay off just over 7 percent of their work forces over the next six months.

Businesses projected total layoffs of 2,089 by 2021.

Businesses also reported taking or considering other steps as a result of the pandemic, including reduced hours or salaries, unpaid furlough days and suspended bonuses.

About 68 percent of businesses responding to the survey reported applying for and receiving assistance through the federal Payroll Protection Program, while about 26 percent of businesses didn’t apply for loans or grants.

About 45 percent of businesses estimated they can continue operations for six to 12 months if the economy doesn’t improve. About 17 percent estimated they can continue operations two to five months, and about 5 percent estimated less than two months.

A total of 86 percent of the businesses reported they were very or moderately informed about available resources to help them respond to the pandemic. They cited government websites, news media and local chambers of commerce as their top sources for information.

Brown said GJEP plans to conduct similar surveys twice a year to assess economic conditions and guide development efforts.

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Survey results reflect concerns over loans

Local business owners and managers have a variety of concerns about applying for additional funding if the effects of the coronavirus pandemic continue.

Responding to the latest survey conducted by the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce, some owners and managers said they’d apply for funding only if the loans were forgivable or they were essential to saving their businesses.

Others said they wouldn’t apply because they were uncertain whether or not they could pay back the loans. Still others said they don’t need outside help.

The survey also asked owners and managers about their concerns if public schools were forced to switch to online learning because of COVID-19 outbreaks.

Owners and managers cited two concerns: employees would be unable to work because they’d have to care for children at home and students would fall behind in their education.

Meanwhile, 22 percent of businesses reported they already have or plan to participate in a program recognizing efforts intended to slow the spread of the pandemic. While 17 percent said they need more information about the Variance Protection Program, 61 percent said they don’t plan to participate.

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September 10-23, 2020

The Business Times

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Page 18

Cleantech

Continued from page 2 a cleantech summit that included a presentation on the number of jobs in the sector and local efforts to promote the outdoor recreation industry.

“The way to pull all this together was to get behind the cleantech movement,” Scissors says.

While there’s not yet a formal designation or definition, Scissors and Marshall say cleantech includes companies whose products or services involve renewable energy, energy efficiency or clean fuels and transportation.

The sector includes everything from solar energy and wind turbine manufacturers and installers to construction contractors that build energy efficient homes and buildings.

In addition, the sector includes consulting firms and other businesses that provide products and services to cleantech companies. In an even broader sense, the sector includes companies with energy efficient and environmentally friendly operations.

For that matter, sustainability has become an increasingly important attribute for companies in all sectors, Scissors and Marshall say.

The Grand Junction Cleantech Business Coalition has about 20 members, Scissors and Marshall say, in business owners, employees and others interested in promoting the sector in the Grand Valley and Western Colorado. The coalition meets monthly and also hosts webinars and other events, including a clean jobs summit.

Scissors says he expects cleantech to play an increasingly prominent role as efforts ramp up to curb climate change.

Locally, the use of solar energy has increased even as the cost of photovoltaic panels has decreased, he says.

Builders increasingly incorporate energy efficient designs, construction techniques and materials into their work.

Energy efficient residential and commercial

The Business Times FOR YOUR INFORMATION For more information about the Grand Junction Cleantech Business Coalition, visit the website at https://cleantechcoalition.com. developments have been constructed or are planned, he says. That includes plans to convert what was formerly a Startek call center in downtown Grand Junction into a multi-family housing development using solar power and other technologies to limit the carbon footprint.

As the cleantech sector grows, so will employment, he says. “This is just going to create a flood of jobs.”

That, in turn, will help to diversify the local economy.

“The opportunities are tremendous.”

Some measures are needed, though, to nurture cleantech, Scissors says.

It’s important to develop a work force to meet the needs of cleantech companies. That requires education and training for students in Mesa County School District 51, Western Colorado Community College and Colorado Mesa University, he says.

Scissors also called on Mesa County to participate in the Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) program that helps businesses pay for renewable energy and efficiency upgrades by providing financing with long-term repayment options. Mesa County is the only qualifying county in Western Colorado that doesn’t offer C-PACE financing, he says.

In addition, cleantech should be designated a targeted sector for the Grand Junction Economic Partnership and other economic development and business organizations to recruit, he says.

Scissors and Marshall say there are conspicuous signs of a growing cleantech sector in the Grand Valley. It’s a matter, they say, of nurturing that growth.

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SePtember 10-23, 2020

Elk foundation, partners contribute $2.6 million for Colorado projects The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and its partners have provided a total of nearly $2.6 million to fund research and conservation projects that benefit elk and other wildlife in Colorado.

Research projects will help biologists identify sources of elk calf mortality and learn how elk are affected by human recreational activity.

Conservation projects will include forest thinning, prescribed burns and water developments.

Fourteen projects will involve a total of nearly 19,000 acres in Mesa County and 22 other counties across Colorado. Two projects will offer statewide benefits.

“These funds assist three research projects, including one that helps biologists learn more about why elk recruitment is ailing and another focusing on how elk are impacted by human recreational activity,’ said Blake Henning, chief conservation officer for the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

“Habitat enhancement projects include forest thinning, prescribed burning and repairing water developments, all to help elk, deer and many other species of wildlife.”

The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation has 29 chapters and nearly 17,000 members in Colorado.

Since 1987, the organization and its partners have completed Colorado projects worth a total of more than $178.2 million. For more information, visit the website at rmef.org.

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News Trends Contributors Jobless rate declines Opinion Business Briefs Business People Almanac The Business Times

September 10-23, 2020

page 19

INDICATORS AT A GLANCE

n Business filings

t New business filings in Colorado, 31,221 in the second quarter, down 1.7% from the second quarter of 2019.

n Confidence

t Consumer Confidence Index 84.8 in August, down 6.9. s Leeds Business Confidence Index for Colorado, 44.3 for the third quarter, up 14.6. s National Federation of Independent Business Small Business Optimism Index 100.2 for August, up 1.4.

n Foreclosures

t Foreclosure filings in Mesa County, 4 in August, down from 22 in August 2019.

t Foreclosure sales in Mesa County, 2 in August, down from 9 in August 2019.

n Indexes

s Conference Board Employment Trends Index, 52.55 for August, up 1.18. s Conference Board Leading Economic Index 104.4 for July, up 1.4% s Institute for Supply Management Purchasing Managers Index for the manufacturing sector, 56% for August, up 1.8%.

n Lodging

t Lodging tax collections in Grand Junction, $108,019 for July, down 49.3% from July 2019.

n Real estate

s Real estate transactions in Mesa County, 542 in August, up 7.3% from August 2019. s Dollar volume of real estate transactions in Mesa County, $158 million in August, up 6.8% from August 2019.

n Sales

t Sales and use tax collections in Grand Junction, $5.3 million for July, down 0.2% from July 2019. s Sales and use tax collections in Mesa County, $3.7 million for July, up 8.2% from July 2019.

n Unemployment t Colorado — 7.4% for July, down 3.2. t Mesa County — 6.9% for July, down 3.2. t United States — 8.4% for August, down 1.8.

But so does the overall labor force in Mesa County, estimates show Phil Castle

Workforce Center in July, a decrease of 22.6 percent from the same month last year. Through the first seven months of July June The unemployment rate has dropped 2020, 3,452 job orders were posted. That’s t Delta County 6.2 9.7 in Mesa County, but so has the labor force. a decline of 24.5 percent from the same t Garfield County 6.2 9.7 While the latest span in 2019, he said. t Mesa County 6.9 10.1 estimates constitute A total of 792 new filings for t Montrose County 6.5 10.4 what Curtis Englehart unemployment benefits were reported in t Rio Blanco County 5.1 7.9 deemed a “mixed bag,” Mesa County during July 2020. That’s up the director of the Mesa more than fivefold from the same month County Workforce Center in Grand Junction last year. Through the first seven months of 2020, 9,880 new said labor conditions are improving. “It feels filings were reported. That’s up ninefold from the same span in like we’re slowly getting back on course.”

2019, he said.

According to the Colorado Department Weekly initial claims for unemployment benefits have trended of Labor and Employment, the seasonally down, however, since peaking at 2,583 for the week ending March 28, Curtis Englehart unadjusted unemployment rate dropped 3.2 Englehart said. For the week ending Aug. 15, 159 initial claims were points to 6.9 percent in July. But the overall labor force in the filed. county also dropped — nearly 2,900 to 76,353.

Seasonally unadjusted unemployment rates also decreased Englehart said the lower jobless rate reflects the lower labor in neighboring Western Colorado counties in July: 3.9 points to force more than any other change. “That’s playing a bigger role in 6.5 percent in Montrose County, 3.5 points to 6.2 percent in both our reduction.”

Delta and Garfield counties and 2.8 points to 5.1 percent in Rio Since hitting 12.6 percent in April in the aftermath of the Blanco County. coronavirus pandemic and related closures and restrictions, the The statewide seasonally adjusted jobless rate fell 3.2 points unemployment rate has retreated nearly six points. At this time to 7.4 percent. last year, however, the rate stood at 3.5 percent.

Nonfarm payrolls increased 6,200 from June to July as an For July, Mesa County payrolls decreased 156 to 71,047. The increase of 23,400 private sector jobs more than offset a decrease number of people counted among those unsuccessfully looking of 17,200 government jobs. The leisure and hospitality sector for work dropped 2,728 to 5,306. The labor force, which includes added 11,800 jobs, while payrolls increased 6,800 in the trade, the employed and unemployed, shrank 2,884 to 76,353. transportation and utilities sector and 2,200 for businesses and Compared to a year ago, payrolls dropped 2,690. The ranks professional services. of the unemployed nearly doubled at 2,642. The labor force edged Since May, Colorado has regained 134,000 of the 342,000 jobs down 48. lost between February and April, mostly as a result of the pandemic.

The decline in the labor force from June, the highest level Compared to a year ago, though, payrolls have decreased in eight years, likely reflected statistical revisions rather than that 186,200 with the largest losses in the leisure and hospitality; trade many people leaving the work force, Englehart said. transportation and utilities; and education and health services sectors.

Englehart said he expects labor conditions to improve as The average workweek for employees on private, nonfarm more businesses reopen, expand operations and adjust to changes payrolls edged down a tenth of an hour over the past year to 33.4 brought on the pandemic. hours. Average hourly earnings increased 23 cents to $30.48.

A total of 590 job orders were posted at the Mesa County F The Business Times

AREA JOBLESS RATES

Small business Optimism Index increases A measure of optimism among small business owners has increased on more upbeat expectations for earnings, staffing and inventories.

Small businesses continue to struggle, however, in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic and related closures, said Bill Dunkelberg, chief economist of the National Federation of Independent Business.

“Small businesses are working hard to recover from the state shutdowns and effects of COVID-19,” Dunkelberg said.

“We are seeing areas of improvement in the small business economy as job openings and Bill Dunkelberg plans to hire are increasing. But many small businesses are still struggling and are uncertain about what the future will hold.”

The NFIB reported its Small Business Optimism Index rose 1.4 to 100.2 in August. The latest reading is slightly higher than the historical average of 100 for the 46-year-old index.

The NFIB bases the index on the results of monthly surveys of members of the small business advocacy group, most of them small business owners.

For August, seven of 10 components of the index advanced,

while two retreated and one remained unchanged.

The proportion of those responding to the survey upon which the August index was based who reported higher earnings rose seven points from July. But at a net negative 25 percent, more still reported lower than higher earnings. Among those reporting higher profits, 65 percent credited sales volume. Among those reporting lower profits, 55 percent blamed weak sales.

A net 3 percent said they expect higher sales, down two points.

A net 21 percent of respondents reported plans to increase staffing, up three points. A net 33 percent reported at least one unfilled job opening, also up three points. At the same time, 21 percent cited finding qualified labor as their top business problem.

In the building industry, 41 percent said the unavailability of workers has slowed new home construction.

A net 6 percent reported plans to increase inventories, up two points. A net 3 percent said current inventories were too low, also up two points.

A net 24 percent said they expect the economy to improve over the next six months, down a point.

A net 26 percent reported plans for capital outlays, unchanged.

A net 12 percent said they consider now a good time to expand, up a point.

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Page 20

The Business Times

Leading U.S. index rises, but also signals slowing A monthly index forecasting economic conditions in the United States has increased for a third consecutive month, but still signals slowing growth.

The Conference Board reported its Leading Economic Index rose 1.4 percent to 104.4 in July. The latest gain follows a 3 percent increase in June and 3.1 percent increase in May. “Despite the Ataman Ozyildirim recent gains in the LEI, which remain fairly broad-based, the initial post-pandemic recovery appears to be losing steam,” said Ataman Ozyildirim, senior director of economic research at the Conference Board. “The LEI suggests that the pace of economic growth will weaken substantially during the final months of 2020.”

The LEI has dropped 6.8 percent over the past six months, down from no growth over the six months before that.

Weaknesses among leading indicators have become more widespread.

Gross domestic product, the broad measure of goods and services produced in the country, contracted at an annual rate of 32.9 percent during the second quarter

Labor index rises

A measure of labor conditions in the United States has increased for a fourth straight month.

The Conference Board reported its Employment Trends Index rose 1.18 points to 52.55 in August.

Gad Levanon, head of the Conference Board Labor Markets Institute, said job growth continues to gain momentum. “Over the coming months, job growth will persist as industries inpacted by social distancing — such as travel, hotels, restaurants and personal care — will continue to recover.”

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after slipping 5 percent in the first quarter.

For July, six of 10 indicators of the LEI advanced, including average weekly manufacturing hours, building permits, interest rate spread, a new orders index and stock prices. A decline in average weekly claims for unemployment insurance also bolstered the index. Consumer expectations for business conditions, a leading credit index and new orders for both capital and consumer goods all declined.

The Coincident Economic Index, a measure of current conditions, increased 1.2 percent to 99.2. The index has increased in each of the last three months, but decreased 7.6 percent over the past six months.

For July, all four components of the index advanced: industrial production, nonfarm payrolls, personal income and sales.

The Lagging Economic Index, a measure of past performance, fell 1 percent to 109.2. The index has declined 5.6 percent over the past three months.

For July, consumer credit and cost of services increased. Commercial and industrial financing, inventories and labor costs decreased. An increase in the average duration of unemployment also pulled down the index. The average prime rate charged by banks held steady.

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SePtember 10-23, 2020

Latest monthly survey results reveal U.S. consumers shaken, not stirred

A monthly measure of consumer confidence has retreated further on less upbeat assessments of business and labor conditions.

The Conference Board reported its Consumer Confidence Index dropped 6.9 points to 84.8 in August, declining for a second straight month. Components of the index tracking assessments of current conditions as well as the short-term outlook both decreased.

“Consumer spending has rebounded in recent months, but increasing concerns amongst consumers about the economic outlook and their financial well-being will likely cause spending to cool in the months ahead,” said Lynn Franco, senior director of economic indicators at the Conference Board.

The business membership and research group bases the Lynn Franco index on the results of monthly household surveys. Economists monitor the index because consumer spending accounts for more than two-thirds of economic activity in the United States.

Less optimistic assessments of current conditions pulled down the present situation component of the index 11.7 points to 84.2.

The proportion of consumers responding to the survey upon which the August index was based who called business conditions “good” fell 1.1 points to 16.4 percent.

The share of those who called conditions “bad” rose 4.7 points to 43.6 percent.

The proportion of those who said jobs were “plentiful” rose fell eight-tenths of a point to 21.5 percent. The share of those who called jobs “hard to get” rose 5.1 points to 25.2 percent.

Less upbeat outlooks pulled down the expectations component of the index 3.7 points to 85.2.

The share of consumers who said they expect business conditions to improve over the next six months fell 1.7 points to 29.9 percent. The proportion of those who said they expect worsening conditions rose three-tenths of a point to 20.5 percent.

The share of consumers who said they expect more jobs to become available in coming months fell a half point to 29.1 percent. The proportion of those anticipating fewer jobs rose six-tenths of a point to 21.9 percent.

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Labor report: Jobs up, jobless rate down United States payrolls swelled and the unemployment dropped to single digits in August as labor conditions continued to improve in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.

Nonfarm payrolls increased 1.8 million and the jobless rate decreased 1.8 points to 8.4 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported.

Initial estimates for payroll gains in July and June were revised downward a total of 39,000. Payrolls have increased on average more than 2.6 million a month over the past three months.

Still, nonfarm employment remains 11.5 million below February and the onset of the pandemic in the U.S. For August, the number of people counted among those unsuccessfully looking for work fell 2.8 million to 13.6 million.

Those on temporary layoffs decreased 3.1 million to 6.2 million.

Another 7.6 million people were counted among those working part time because their hours were cut or they were unable to find full-time positions.

The labor participation rate rose three-tenths of a point to 61.7 percent, but remained below its February level.

Payroll gains were spread out among a number of industry sectors. Employment increased 249,000 in retail trades, 197,000 in business and professional services, 174,000 in leisure and hospitality, 147,000 in education and health services and 78,000 in transportation and warehousing. Manufacturing payrolls grew 29,000.

Government employment increased 344,000 with the hiring of 238,000 temporary census workers.

The average workweek for employees on private, nonfarm payrolls lengthened a tenth of an hour to 34.6 hours. The manufacturing workweek increased three-tenths of an hour to 40 hours.

Average hourly wages for employees on private, nonfarm payrolls increased 11 cents to $29.47.

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Trends Contributors Opinion Time to get your shot Business Briefs Business People Almanac

September 10-23, 2020

The Business Times

page 21

COMING ATTRACTIONS

n The Business Incubator Center in Grand Junction has scheduled presentations on bookkeeping and startups.

The next bookkeeping boot camp is set for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 10 at the center, 2591 Legacy Way. Participants will learn how to set up and track accounting records and what balance sheets, cash flow projections and income statements tell them about their business operations. Admission is $75, which includes lunch.

A two-part webinar on how to start a business is set for 1 to 3:30 p.m. Sept. 15 and 16 and again Oct. 20 and 21. The next session of a business startup workshop is set 6 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 8 at the center.

The workshops and webinars will cover the business planning process, financing and other topics. Admission is $55, which includes admission to Fast Trac classes.

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 A free online forum about Western Colorado construction contracting opportunities is set for 9 to 11 a.m. Sept. 10.

For more information, call (720) 624-6728 or visit www.grandjunctionsbdc.org. n A free webinar on human resource management and changing operations in a changing workplace is set for 10 to 11 a.m.

Sept. 22. To register or obtain more information, visit the website located at www.grandjunctionsbdc.org/recovery. n The Mesa County Workforce Center will present a series of webinars as part of Workforce Development Month.

A webinar offering effective interviewing tips is set for 10 a.m. Sept. 16. A webinar on targeting resumes to stand out from the competition is set for 10 a.m. Sept. 23.

A webinar on the basics of LinkedIn and networking is set for 10 a.m. Sept. 30.

To register for the webinars, visit the website at www.connectingcolorado.com and sign up under the workshops tab. More information is available by calling the center at 248-7560.

In a pandemic, efforts also underway to slow spread of flu Most years, September at Mesa County Public Health means gearing up for influenza season and the standard fall flu immunization push. Needless to say, 2020 isn’t like most years.

This year, there are two significant respiratory illnesses to consider — flu and COVID-19 — as MCPH works to protect the health of residents. Instead of the usual early October start date, MCPH has already started offering flu immunizations and doubled the number of flu vaccines available.

A COVID-19 vaccine remains months away from approval and availability to the general public, Sarah making the flu vaccine a more Johnson important step than ever to decrease the odds you’ll get sick.

“With the flu, we have some control,” said Allison Sanchez, public health clinic manager at MCPH. “We can get vaccinated and protect our community. We don’t have that for COVID yet, but we absolutely can have an impact on flu season.”

Employers know sick employees affect business.

Absences due to illness diminish productivity as well as the morale of healthy employees who could have to pick up the resulting slack. Worried about losing pay or getting behind, some employees could even come to work sick, putting others at risk and increasing the effects on the whole workplace.

As with COVID-19, taking steps to protect yourself against the flu helps minimize disruptions by keeping others around you healthy. Employees who are also caregivers — for their children or elderly parents, for example — could have to miss work if a family member becomes ill and requires assistance. Protecting yourself also lessens the likelihood you’ll spread the virus to vulnerable people in our community.

Some groups, including older adults and people with chronic health conditions, are more likely to experience severe flu complications that can result in hospitalization or even death. During the 2017 and 2018 flu season, the most significant in recent years, 232 people in Mesa County were hospitalized because of influenza.

Both COVID-19 and influenza are understood to spread mainly through droplets made when infected

Employers know sick employees affect business. Absences due to illness diminish productivity as well as the morale of healthy employees who could have to pick up the resulting slack. individuals cough, sneeze or talk. Although the flu vaccine doesn’t protect against COVID-19, many of the precautions businesses have taken to protect staff and customers during the pandemic also decrease the spread of other illnesses, including influenza. Wearing face coverings, placing barriers between customers and employees and encouraging a safe distance of at least 6 feet make it more difficult for the viruses to spread from person to person.

The MCPH website at health.mesacounty.us offers information and resources for businesses related to influenza, COVID-19 and general illness prevention.

You’ll find updates on flu immunization opportunities, a toolkit for businesses and printable signs about face coverings, symptoms to watch for and tips to stop the spread of germs.

Among adults in Mesa County, about 40 percent report getting an annual flu shot. During this year of increased potential for illness, get a flu vaccine and encourage others around you to do the same. When we take steps to protect ourselves from influenza, we protect the rest of the community as well.

Flu vaccines are available at MCPH and several area pharmacies and health care offices. The MCPH clinic is open 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday to Thursday and 8 a.m. to noon Friday. Call 248-6900 to schedule an appointment.

Walk-ins are welcome.

MCPH has scheduled drive-through vaccination clinics Oct. 17 and 24 at the Mesa County Fairgrounds.

Registration is required. Details will be posted online at health.mesacounty.us in late September.

Sarah Johnson is community organizer for Mesa County Public Health. Connect with the department through social media on Facebook through www.facebook.com/ MesaCountyPublicHealth or on Twitter @WeAreHealthyMC. F

Upcoming conference to focus on change management Registration is underway for a conference offering information on managing change in laws, work forces and other aspects of business operations.

The Western Colorado Human Resource Association has scheduled its fall conference for 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sept. 20. The conference will be conducted at the Colorado Mesa University Center ballroom in Grand Junction as well as offered online.

Presentations during the morning session will address diversity, COVID-19 compliance and building readiness for change and resilience. A legislative review also is planned. The afternoon session will address dimensions of change, strategic initiatives, psychological safety when managing change and change failure.

The conference will conclude with a keynote address by

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

Admission to the Western Colorado Human Resource Association fall conference is $195 for members for the event and $125 for the online presentation. Others pay $250 and $150, respectively. Discounts are available for Colorado Mesa University students.

To register or obtain more information, log on to www.wchra.org or contact Lindsay Powers at conferences@wchra.org.

John Register, an inspirational speaker, trainer and author.

A four-time All-American track and field athlete

who’d qualified for the Olympic trials, Register lost his left leg to amputation following an accident running the hurdles. Using a prosthetic leg, he subsequently competed in the Paralympics and won a silver medal in the long jump at the 2000 games in Australia.

He founded Inspirational Communications based in Colorado Springs and has worked with more than 50 companies in challenging executives and employees to unleash inspiration, manage change and employ people with disabilities.

Register wrote the book “10 Power Stories to Impact Any Leader” and hosts a weekly podcast titled “Life’s New Normal” designed to empower listeners to overcome adversity.

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The Business Times

SePtember 10-23, 2020

Truly listening the key to effective communication Successful relationships, whether in business or life, depend on the ability of those involved to effectively communicate. The reality, however, is most of us aren’t taught how to communicate with the intention of understanding, building relationships and creating solutions. In business, not listening effectively to others not only causes dysfunction, but also can mean the difference between success and failure.

Ineffective communication presents a big obstacle to any successful relationship, and it all begins with listening. Not truly listening to others often lies at the heart of dysfunctional businesses, disgruntled team members, unsatisfied clients as well as failed marriages, disassociation with loved ones, frustration and anger.

Consider your life and relationships to better understand the importance of Marcus communication. In those relationships Straub you find most successful and fulfilling, you feel heard and understood.

Communication is more effective than not. When you consider relationships that are the most unsettling and cause the most frustration and dissatisfaction, you likely don’t feel heard. Communication is so limited the relationship suffers as a result.

Here are some important questions to ask yourself: Do you like it when others truly listen to you? Do you feel respected, acknowledged and valued when others really listen to what you’re saying? Do you have greater rapport and trust with those who actually listen to you? In other words, do you like it when others care enough to be present with you in their listening?

Are you listening to others the way you want them to listen to you? If not, why not?

Are you listening to others the way you want them to listen to you?

If not, why not?

Several sabotaging behaviors, or blockers, limit our listening abilities. These include: n Advising: You believe you have the answer to the other person’s situation and offer advice rather than truly listen. n Multitasking: You fail to pay attention to the person talking as you split your time and attention between two or more things. n Judging: You prejudge the person with whom you’re communicating and use negative labels to do so. n Rehearsing: You focus your attention on preparing what you’ll say next. n Placating: You agree with everything to get along or be liked or because you aren’t truly listening. n Sparring: You look for things with which to disagree. n Identifying: You use the stories of others as a reference point to tell your own at the expense of theirs. n Being right: You focus on arranging information, saying things or acting in ways so as to not be wrong. n Dreaming or drifting: Your attention is on anything other than the conversation, like the vacation you want to take, the things you need to get done or an unresolved issue in your life. n Derailing: You derail the train of conversation with sudden changes to the topic or make jokes as you become bored or uncomfortable.

Do you engage in any of these listening blocks? All of them? Some of them? Not sure?

Participants in my communication trainings are

astounded to learn how much they unknowingly sabotage their professional and personal relationships by not listening.

Reversing this and becoming someone who listens with integrity — listening to others the way you want them to listen to you — is simple once you’re taught how.

Listening effectively to others is often the most fundamental and powerful communication tool of all. The first step to improvement is to have a good understanding of what you can do or stop doing to get better. From there, the ill effects of your ineffective listening are all but eliminated. Interactions become more successful and pleasant as you learn to stop talking or thinking and develop the habit of truly listening to others.

Educator and author Stephen R. Covey once said most people don’t listen with the intent to understand.

They listen with the intent to reply. Yet, the truth is, we all want to be heard and understood.

Building the powerful habit of truly listening is the first step in becoming an effective communicator and building more successful professional and personal relationships. If you’re endeavoring to build a successful business or increase the effectiveness of your team, begin with the foundational competency of listening.

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.

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September 10-23, 2020

The Business Times

page 23

Better, cheaper, faster: A simple guide to outsourcing Your time is valuable and limited. Your dollars are scarce. Your expertise only goes so far. There comes a time when you have to make the leap and outsource some of the goods and services your company needs.

How do you decide when to do something internally and when to outsource it? Here’s my simple, proven mantra: better, cheaper, faster.

Now apply the two-out-of-three rule.

Whenever you need to decide if you should keep something in house, repeat the mantra to yourself and then answer yourself. If you find another entity that can provide what you need better and cheaper, better and faster or cheaper Janet and faster, give serious consideration Arrowood to outsourcing that product or service.

If you find another entity can do all three elements of the mantra, outsourcing is a no-brainer.

You need all kinds of services and products to run a business: accounting, customer support, human resources, IT support, legal services, marketing support, office supplies and tax preparation, among others. You’ve probably never considered trying to take on some of those services. But you also might never have considered outsourcing some of them, either.

The No. 1 reason most business owners and managers don’t outsource things is the perceived cost. The next reasons include overconfidence, unwillingness to let go and misplaced vanity.

When you launched your business, you might have started the process on your own by registering the company name and owner information with the Colorado Secretary of State. Perhaps you filed for an employer identification number on your own. You might have

Every time you’re faced with a task or acquisition that someone or something else could do for you, apply my mantra.

applied for business, use and sales tax licenses yourself.

Maybe you even filed your own quarterly tax forms with the state and federal governments. But as your business needs grew more complicated, you probably acquired the services of an accountant, benefits company, lawyer and payroll service. Perhaps you also joined an employer or professional association to gain access to quality providers of complex services.

Making the leap from self-sufficiency to relying on others is not something most business owners do willingly.

But when you outsourced your first business need — perhaps your incorporation or taxes — to another firm, you did so because it met two or even three of the items of the mantra. It was better, cheaper or faster to have someone else handle it.

My first leap was to hire an accountant. I always handled my own taxes, but the amount of time it took grew out of control. Moreover, I constantly worried I’d make a mistake or miss a filing deadline and owe penalties and interest or go to jail. I decided a tax professional could meet two of the three things in what became my mantra: better and faster.

It wasn’t cheaper to pay someone to do what I’d been doing for years. But the additional productive time more than offset the monthly bills. My time could be used far better on training or writing projects. I made far more money than I paid my CPA for that block of time. Besides,

I transferred a lot of risk to her. She makes the payments, files the forms and is enrolled to practice before the IRS. Quite a good return on my investment.

Think about the needed services you’ve been putting off. Maybe it’s a mass emailing to clients and prospects.

Just the thought of composing a great marketing piece makes most people want to run screaming from the room.

Yet, you really need to let people know you’re still open for business. Could you write a great email? Probably.

Could you do it faster or better than an email marketing expert? Probably not. Cheaper? Yes, but not if the email or press release never gets written or you could be doing something more lucrative with your time.

Perhaps you’ve avoided hiring a delivery service for your office supplies or business materials. Sure, you or your staff could save money by going yourselves. But a service could do it better and faster and maybe save you money in the process. At a minimum, you’d free up valuable staff time for other pursuits.

What about when you need staff, but are leery of the associated costs, potential layoffs and overall liability?

Apply my mantra and maybe the best option would be to use a staffing company rather than a direct hire.

The bottom line? Every time you’re faced with a task or acquisition that someone or something else could do for you, apply my mantra: better, cheaper, faster. Then you can make a logical choice.

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.

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Page 24

The Business Times

SePtember 10-23, 2020

Lifestyle and diet changes promote brain health Perhaps you know someone who’s been affected by dementia. Dementia describes a group of symptoms associated with problems with memory and reasoning.

Many different types of dementia exist and many conditions cause them.

Dementia is not a normal part of aging, though. It’s caused by damage to brain cells that affects their ability to communicate, which in turn affects thinking, behavior and feelings.

Dementia also can also be caused by vascular disorders such as stroke or traumatic brain injuries caused by accidents, falls or concussions.

Lifestyle choices can cause dementia, too, include smoking, lack of exercise Patti Reece or sleep, chronic stress and the use of drugs and alcohol.

Symptoms of dementia include memory loss, disorientation and difficulty with tasks. While it’s normal to forget an occasional appointment and remember it later, a person with dementia might forget things more often or not remember them at all. People can get distracted and forget to serve part of a meal. But a person with dementia might have trouble preparing a meal. Language problems constitute another symptom of dementia. You intend to say one word, but another comes out. Still other symptoms include poor judgment and spacial skills as well as changes in abstract thinking, mood and personality.

The brain is the most important organ in our bodies. It’s comprised of 100 billion neurons — what we commonly call brain cells. About 85,000 neural connections die each day, even before we’re born. A decline in total numbers can start as early as age 20.

The brain is not only the most complex organ in the

The brain is not only the most complex organ in the body, but also the most metabolically active and demanding of our energy.

body, but also the most metabolically active and demanding of our energy. Although it only accounts for 3 percent of body weight, the brain consumes up to 25 percent of blood flow, delivering oxygen and critical nutrients to more than 100 billion neurons and trillions of connections.

Even if you feel perfectly healthy, you could be losing as much a two-tenths of a percent of your brain a year at age 35 and five-tenths of a percent a year at age 60. We only use about 20 percent of our brains, so they shrink each day because neurons don’t connect. Brain shrinkage is a result of lack of connections, not dying brain cells.

What can we do to keep our brains healthy? There are several ways to slow atrophy — managing blood pressure, eating a healthy diet, exercising, staying active mentally and socially and supplements. It’s important as well to drink alcohol sparingly and avoid smoking.

There are some exciting and promising studies in supplementation. Although a healthy diet is always recommended, it’s almost impossible to achieve every day. Supplementing with a product containing guarana seed extract can help dramatically to improve focus and sharpen memory, according to the results of two recent studies. In one study, reaction time improved three times over the control group. Unlike guarana in energy drinks, a good supplement doesn’t rely on caffeine. In fact, a leading reputable supplement contains less caffeine than a cup of decaf coffee.

Chardonnay seed extract is another ingredient to look for in brain supplements that’s been extensively studied.

This ingredient has been shown to reduce brain shrinkage by 30 percent. Powerful polyphenols increase circulation, which in turn improves brain health.

The latest studies on brain health also have examined the role of the microbiome — or gut. Microbes are like the worker bees of the gut. The gut is like the workhorse of the body and affects the brain as well as adrenal glands, heart, liver and lungs. Microbes stimulate the immune system, break down potentially toxic foods and produce key mood-related neurotransmitters, including serotonin.

Your microbiome develops over your lifetime and reflects everything about you. There’s evidence the microbiome is also connected to mood disorders. The gut-brain axis is the biochemical signaling that takes place between the gastrointestinal tract and central nervous system. This means the brain directly influences the gut and vice versa.

We can change our microbiome — and improve brain health — through diet. A high-fiber, primarily plant-based diet rich in fermented foods is ideal, along with a comprehensive probiotic from a reputable supplement company. Look for a probiotic that contains more than 10 billion colony forming units and is tested to survive stomach acid.

Mental decline isn’t inevitable. It can be warded off with a few simple lifestyle and dietary changes.

Patti Reece owns Shaklee For the Health of It in Grand Junction. She’s used an educational-based approach to help thousands of people create healthier lives both physically and financially. She specializes in online business training. She’s available for free consultations.

Reach her at 260-4839, patti@pattireece.com or www.PattiReece.com.

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Contributors Opinion Bold for percent 2015 are I’m 90 predictions percent sure 100 By the book: offers fed A new yearFed affords Business Briefs up, like or is not-so-bold it the other wayrepeats around? more a atopportunity the economy a look new Business People Almanac to meet local needs THE he BUSINESS usiness T T Times IMES

PAGE age 26 22

The Federal Reserve Beige Book serves up an assessment of the economy based on information gathered from assorted sources outside the Fed. It would have been nice to see some kind of upside surprise in the latest edition, released Sept. 2. Alas, that was not the case. However, there was some modest optimism whenAlooking ahead. new year almost always brings an opportunity for a fresh start and The unsurprising take was summed up in the opening renewed ambition to do things better. thedown report: activity increased In business, thatsentence usually of boils to“Economic providing customers better products among mostcost districts, but gains were generally modest must and and services faster and at lower than competitors.

Part of the process activity remained well below levelsactually prior toneed the COVID-19 include listening to customers to determine what they and then pandemic.” meeting that need. After all, it does little good to offer the latest and greatest if Consider on key areas of the economy: nobody actually wants what you’repoints selling. n On consumer spending: Just like the businesses thatmanufacturing belong to the and group, the Grand Junction Area “Manufacturing roseout in most districts, which coincided with Chamber of Commerce invariably starts the new year with a reassessment of increased activity and at ports transportation and the services and resources it provides how and wellamong they match with members firms. Consumer spending continued to pick up, needs. Jeff Franklin,distribution the new chairman of the chamber board of directors, sparked by strong vehicle sales and some improvements in personifies this approach in describing what he considers his role for the coming Raymond tourism and retail sectors. districts a slowing year: listen to members, determine their needs But and many then meet thosenoted needs.

It’s a Keating pace is of familiar growth in areas, and total spending was still far role with which Franklin as these market president of Bank of Colorado. pre-pandemic levels.”approach in what the chamber The process willbelow take on a more structured “Employment increased overall districts, with gains in the plansnasOn thejobs: resumption of a program aptly calledamong Listening to Business.

Under manufacturing cited most often.

However, some districts also program, business owners participate in in-depth interviews toreported identify slowing barriers to job growth volatility, particularly in service industries, with growth and and otherincreased problemshiring they encounter. risingThe instances of offers furloughed workers laidproverbial off permanently new year a good time tobeing join the club. as demand remained As ansoft.” advertiser or reader, what do you need from the Business Times? n On construction and real estate: “Commercial construction was down While business journals traditionally gather and report the relevant news to widely, commercial isn’t real estate remained in contraction.” readers, and communication necessarily a one-way street. That’s especially true as Onand agriculture and energy: “Agricultural conditions continued Webn sites e-mail make the dialogue more convenient than ever. to suffer fromGood low prices, and energy subdued at low levelstowith little of publications don’t activity exist in was a vacuum.

They respond the needs expectation of near-term improvement for either sector.” advertisers and readers. They provide what’s needed. n banking: the banking sector, overall loan demand increased slightly, SoOn what do you “In need? led by mortgage activity.”

Is solid there residential additional news coverage that would help keep you informed about last point on residential reflected one sector of the economy localThat business developments?

Are mortgages there features that would be interesting or doing — residential housing.

“Conversely, residential construction was a useful?well Is there advice that would make your jobs a little easier? bright showing growth resilience in many districts.

Residential real It’sspot, equally important to and ask what you don’t need.

With limited time to estate sales were also notably higher, with prices continuing to rise along with be produce content and limited space in which to publish it, would time and space demand and a shortage of inventory.” better devoted to something else?

That, course,What is at isn’t? least one bright spot for smallisn’t? businesses given that in the What’sofgood?

What’s needed?

What residential construction industry, for example, percent of employer Let usbuilding know. Send us an e-mail.

Comment online 99.7 on the Business Times Web firms have fewer than 100 workers and 92.6 percent fewer than 10 employees. site at www.thebusinesstimes.com. You could even write an old-fashioned letter to Looking ahead, some was highlighted.

Specifically, Fed and the editor if you’d like.

Youroptimism feedback, both positive and negative, isthe valued reported: “Whileconsidered. the overall outlook among contacts was modestly optimistic, a will be carefully few districts noted someare pessimism. and volatility Good publications the result Continued of not onlyuncertainty the efforts of their staffs, related but also to the pandemic, andinvolving its negative effect onand consumer collaborative efforts advertisers readers.and business activity, was a theme echoed acrossgood the country.”

Like any other business, we want to listen to our customers, find out what they need and then meet those needs.

Raymond J. Keating is chiefhelp economist It’s a new year. Please us to dofor so.the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council. Reach him through the website ✦ at www.sbecouncil.org.

F

THE BUSINESS TIMES

609 North Ave., Suite 2, Grand Junction, CO 81501 TEL (970) 424-5133 • FAX (970) 424-5134

Publisher/Owner: Craig R. Hall

Editor: Phil Castle

Reach advertising at: publisher@thebusinesstimes.com Reach the editor at: phil@thebusinesstimes.com.

Subscribe or submit press releases online at www.thebusinesstimes.com The Grand Valley Business Times, a subsidiary of Hall Media Group LLC, is published twice monthly and distributed throughout Grand Junction, Fruita and Palisade. Advertising rates and deadlines are available upon request. Opinions expressed in this publication are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, editor, staff or advertisers.

Copyright © 2015 — AllCopyright rights reserved. © 2020 — All rights reserved.

Lies, damned lies and statistics.

We’ve heard the phrase.

It’s thatall time of year when Because it’s what we’re governed byabound. today resolutions and being prognostications in form or another.

AndtotheNew abuse Myone favorite saying applied Year’s of statistics is rears its uglythey’re head under the a resolutions in saying basically guise wordstoasbreak “study,” “model” bunchofofsuch promises the first week or of “mostly January. peaceful.”

And while I won’t predict a How statistics whole lot,are I can pretty much accurately abused?

Let’s takethat without question nail a few things these one by will make theone. news. You will see these are How old pretty,about well,the predictable: adage■“studies show” Prediction one: yada, yada.

This Thereyada, will be some wording is used event, to sort of weather sell youdisaster productsorthat natural haven’t proven to heinousbeen occurrence look they’vewill been wherelike someone proven, especially be interviewed andif say Craig Hall they’re “independent the following: “I’ve studies.”

Independent never seen anything studies much more weight. But they like thatcarry in my really don’tIt’s and lifetime.” ashere’s if thiswhy. Most studies are Craig initiated up with the desiredHall result person istoacome required of those who fund news them. In the case of attendee at every products, the While manufacturer.

In the most case reporting it’s event.

I understand of university research,can studies almost people’s perspective indeed be limited 100 percent of thewithin, time come the personal by, or contained theirtoown conclusion ofitwhoever is funding experiences, is too much to askthe to university.

It’s historical how we ended up withbefore global consult some perspective warming as aathing when it is is weather. saying such thing?

Yes,all this response can of course, workit the other applyAnd, to some events.studies But when comes way as well.

In natural the casedisasters, of COVID-19 to weather and I’m pretty and there sure hydroxychloroquine this is simply history(HCQ), repeating itself. were thanfor 50millions studies where the of Samemore as it has and millions vast showed positive results forit! years.majority More important, the planet made patients using HCQ (along with other What didn’t were certain species.

How’s drug mixes as well) in the treatment and that for perspective? recovery from COVID-19. what to a ■ Prediction two: WhenBut it comes studies the public about?

The few crime ordid something thathear occurs between that showed HCQrequired didn’t help patients or humans, the other attendee at all found a side effect never associated before news reporting events is the person who with a drug in use for just morethe than 60 years. says this: “They we’re nicest So and whyindid hear certain people, nowe way didabout I see only something studies?

Because people positions of like this coming.”

Exactly.inNo one does power wanted certain results. most ofonly the time when it comes to In the case of COVID-19, it’s frightening. neighbors and acquaintances.

People should The truth is the drug goes does on help andtime many be surprised at what from to studies that. The other truth doubt time in show their neighborhoods, townsI and most know even of the people four are with people they today know is because studies showing helpshouldn’t or had good. And for theHCQ timesdidn’t that they side effects — waslike withdrawn, a secondrepeat be shocked with politicians, study withand theterrorists same faulty conclusions offenders — where’s the on heart problems be withdrawn interview that says,should “This doesn’t surprise and two me in thestudies least.” showing HCQ didn’t help were■conducted people with lategood stage Predictiononthree: Something COVID-19 no amount will happen where economically, andor themix of any drug would help.

Andcredit yes, there’s a study government will take for it. The most of all of those studies confirming recent example is gas prices, wherewhat people Iask justme wrote. justcredit those the results aren’tfor why IIt’s won’t president reported in the mainstream low gas prices.

My answer ismedia. simple: Then again, it’smakes because same Government never thethe price offolks who ignorego thedown positive results something andHCQ simply takesarecredit governing (well,Gas ruling) based “models.” for good news. pricing is on subject to It’s how we got here on COVID-19. many global factors.

Now there are The original models showed upwards of some 2 million government answers to addressing of Americans dying from a pandemic.

This them to keep prices stable for Americans, model from thehas same person whose but ourcame government none of them in model showed place. The only500,000 things itEnglishmen has in placewould in the

SePtember 10-23, 2015 2020 JANUARY 15-28,

die from COVID-19. Worse, these models came from an English professor whose long run always hurt consumers.

Another models haveunemployment a history of being wrong and fact is that reaches a certain had resign.on the economy. And while the leveltobased What have those models done? They’ve government might brag the number is low, created draconian measures the likes ofdid which it’s more than likely the government we could have never that imagined andbeing mightlow something to cause number never Weway. went from “15 when — andrecover not infrom. a good Conversely, days to slow theup, spread” to almost entire business picks it’s because thethepeople economy down, forcedwho maskwere wearing who needshut to buy widgets not and freedoms lost to never-ending executive was orders buying widgets because the economy while destroying thenatural lives of(or hundreds of contracting due to unnatural, millions of Americans.

All because of a model. government caused) reasons, decided we thissome day, widgets. governors and mayors betterTobuy The government and arethis. using models had health nothingagencies to do with (and ■ won’t tell us four: whichInones) to keep Prediction keeping with things shut down, under theirI control and the government does, predict the people accepting whatever the government will manipulate thegovernment numbers to mandates.

People this despite models make the claim thedoeconomy is getting that show 99.5of percent plusitofisus will never better because how hard working to have anyofeffects from COVID-19. help all us “working Americans.” Now The lastsay, point is using saythis you might “Craig, youstatistics always to say what’s going on in our cities is “mostly about President Obama because you don’t peaceful.” andright foremost, I really want like him.” First You’re in a sense.

I don’t to see that study,but although know the man, what I know itofdoesn’t him and exist.

It’s a made-up-of-whole-cloth talking his thinking, I don’t like it or him one iota. point. could fashion Ia didn’t study saying BeforeJust youlike goI off, however, like 90 percentBush of those approve of the President andprotesting his bailouts, stimulus rioting using their numbers the opposite and hisby abandoning the free market to save way.

By market. the way, And the “mostly the free I don’t peaceful” know him numbers are coming from folksdoes, stating with either. What the government and the certainty 100 arethe systemic racists. only thing it percent can do, of is us hurt economy.

Putititdoes this way.

If a or million people are Unless nothing put criminals in protesting, tell us 100,000 are rioting. jail insteadthey of partnering with them, nothing That’s not a smalldoes number, that’sAlways an army.look the government will help.

Worse, a well-organized and well-funded at it thisit’s way, whatever the government says army.

Put it whatever another way, 10 percent of it it is doing, the if name of the law Christians to begin Spanish is passing,wanted or whatever thethe name or goal of Inquisition II, it would mean 250to million the bureaucracy it is presenting the Christians in thethe persecution ranks to while the people, expect polar opposite occur. otherI2.25 BILLION were ”mostly peaceful.” guess what I’m saying is that Would Neither perhaps it’s you timestand to getfor outthat? of our own would I. perspective.

There’s plenty of history Soand howhistorical do I get my “statistics?”

I go to books research out there beyond the mainstream begin towhat understand that all media of thisand hasany government figure And tells me.

Andagain, that should happened before. it will be everyone’s first rule of statistics.

There whether the topic is people or government. are plenty of good folks out there doing real, The best recommendation is to find unbiased research. can’tGoogle find it on some books or tryYou thatjust whole Facebook and social Then the on nextthe thing. There’s a lot media. of information thing do is apply the research to it individual GreatI Depression.

The truth is wasn’t freedom, alongone with using knowledgegot even a good until themy government and experience in life.

I believe my involved.

There’s alsoThen plenty of research own eyes for whatwarm I see isperiod going when on, how on the medieval theI’m living I’vewarmer done tothan tell me howwith I planetand waswhat much today should needs constant adjusting). a wholelive lot(which less people (and warmer well Believe me,here I could findAnd studies before man was at all). yep, loaded to statistically people with have models been killing other surprised excuse percent plus of first my misgivings people 90 since history was written. and mistakes over research the decades.

Maybe some will But helpmy stop conscience me different. all of these would trends.tell Otherwise, we’ll be Isn’t that never what yours is tellinglike you it in saying we’ve seen anything about howAnd you’re ruledway. now? our lives. not being in a good 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 ✦

September 10-23, 2020

The Business Times

page 27

What orange traffic cones Capitalism the better system and trophy salmon fishing in promoting individual rights have to do with business I learned two things over the course of a week-long road trip with my father to the Pacific Northwest. First, a good portion of nearly every highway between here and there is under construction.

Second, trophy salmon fishing is hard.

Both experiences renewed my respect for business owners and managers given the challenges they face every day and what’s required to succeed.

Namely, patience and perseverance.

I suppose there’s a also Phil Castle lesson to be learned about savoring the journey as much as the destination and the struggle as much as the achievement.

My father and I traveled nearly 3,000 miles on our trek from Grand Junction to Forks, Wash., and back. Most of our route followed highways. A lot of our route was lined with orange traffic cones.

I didn’t realize that many cones existed in the entirety of the universe, much less the western United States.

The cones marked the end of autobahns in Utah, Idaho and Washington where speeds of 80 mph are legal. Along some stretches, construction slowed traffic only moderately to 60 mph or so. But along other stretches, highways became parking lots. Long, narrow parking lots. It was a buffet of safety.

I’m a safety guy. So I’m not going to question the necessity in construction zones of restricting passing cars to something less than the speed of light.

But I also won’t deny the impatience of road-weary travelers eager to reach their destination. That hotel just off the next exit seemed so close, yet remained in a miles-long string of vehicles so far.

We arrived in Forks — famous for not only salmon fishing, but also vampires as the setting for the “Twilight” novels — a bit late, but better than never. By the way, Forks also claims fame as the rainiest town in the contiguous United States.

We instantly discovered why.

But even the wet weather couldn’t dampen our enthusiasm for what awaited: two days of fishing rivers full of migrating salmon fresh from the ocean. Visions of 30-pound king salmon danced in our heads.

We trembled in anticipation of the tug of war that would ensue.

Before I continue with my fish tale, allow me a moment to digress.

I’ve enjoyed fishing my whole life.

Growing up in Eastern Colorado, I fished farm ponds teeming with schools of bluegills and perch. Sometimes a surprise awaited at the end of the line — a plump catfish or largemouth bass. Outsized equipment that included a bobber nearly as big as a beach ball, enough lead weight to anchor a battleship and a hook

I suppose there’s also a lesson to be learned about savoring the journey as much as the destination and the struggle as much as the achievement.

skewering a nightcrawler with the girth of a python seldom failed to catch fish.

I’m normally not one to brag, but I’ve also enjoyed some success catching trout on this side of the Continental Divide.

That includes a few lunkers pulled from the White River near Meeker.

As I learned in Forks, though, past performance offers no guarantee of future results. Over the course of two days, I brought to the boat four fish. My catch included two king salmon — but only foot-long relations of the leviathans against which I’d hoped to battle.

We outsourced to a fishing guide the equipment and expertise we believed we’d need to catch trophy salmon. To be fair, there were factors beyond his control with which to contend. And he seemed to try hard. I guess the proverb holds true: You can lead a fisherman to water, but you can’t make him catch a fish. Nonetheless, our frustration with trophy salmon fishing soon surpassed our frustration with highway construction.

I don’t mean to make in my comparisons light of the far more serious business of business, especially when livelihoods are so often at stake. But taking into account what I’ve also learned over 20 years as editor of a business journal, I gained anew an appreciation for the patience and perseverance required to achieve success.

We persevered and got to Forks and back. I’d like to believe we eventually would have been successful in catching big salmon. We just ran out of time.

What I expect to remember most about the trip, though, is how much I enjoyed spending time with my dad. Even when we were stuck in traffic or sitting in a boat in the pouring rain while cast after cast failed to elicit so much as a nibble.

Savvy business owners and managers strive to earn a profit. Their operations depend on it. But almost all the owners and managers I’ve met enjoy what they’re doing and take pride in the products and services they’re providing.

For motorists, fishermen and entrepreneurs alike, the journey often constitutes the destination. And the very struggle of trying constitutes an achievement.

Phil Castle is editor of the Business Times.

Reach him at phil@thebusinesstimes.com or 424-5133.

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Socialism continues to influence conversations and proposed policies and procedures despite the historical fact socialism has failed everywhere it’s tried.

Although advocates lack data to support their conclusions, the idea continues to be posited that socialism offers a more caring and moral system than capitalism.

America was founded on the premise each of us is sovereign with an inalienable right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. America has earned a reputation around the world for providing equal opportunities. Americans admire the success of hard-working individuals who strive to advance their standards of living. People from other countries wait years, enduring hardship and expense, for a chance to live in America, where they know the opportunity exists for them to enjoy a better life.

In America, the economic pie is forever expanding, creating new opportunities and wealth. Jealousy and resentment Phyllis have never been characteristics associated with Americans Hunsinger or used as a reason to take away another’s rightfully earned wealth. This change in attitude is encouraged by politicians taking advantage of the lack of economic knowledge prevalent today. Free stuff from the government sounds good when economic ignorance rules the day.

Capitalism is the economic system that recognizes the individual’s right to think, create, produce and voluntarily trade for mutual benefit. It’s the system more compatible with the Constitution. Capitalism is the only economic system proven to offer the best way to lift humans from poverty and reduce inequality.

Having defined property rights Socialism depends protected by law, Americans have an equal opportunity to pursue their own on government taking interests and benefit from the fruits from some, giving to of their labors. Without freedom, no others and denying the economic system will be responsive to the wants and needs of citizens. individual rights and Equal opportunities don’t mean equal outcomes, however. Wealth is the private property of its citizens. result of hard work, resolve, discipline and luck, none of which is distributed evenly.

Socialism penalizes a work ethic. Socialism takes from the productive and redistributes to the less productive. A society needs every able-bodied citizen to contribute. Economist Thomas Sowell addressed this issue of fairness upon which advocates for socialism base their arguments when he said, “Since this is an era when many people are concerned about ‘fairness’ and ‘social justice,’ what is your ‘fair share’ of what someone else has worked for?” As prime minister of the United Kingdom, Margaret Thatcher summarized the narrative this way: “The problem with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people’s money.”

Since socialism is an economic and social system planned by the government, the assumption must be made the state is wiser and more capable of directing the lives of citizens than individuals directing their own lives. History shows this assumption is incorrect.

Socialism depends on government taking from some, giving to others and denying the individual rights and private property of its citizens.

Capitalism depends on individuals having the freedom to make decisions governing their own lives and resources. The loss of individual freedom associated with socialism makes capitalism the better system.

Phyllis Hunsinger is founder of the Freedom & Responsibility Education Enterprise Foundation in Grand Junction. The foundation provides resources to students and teachers in Western Colorado to promote an understanding of economics, financial literacy and free enterprise. For more information, visit www.free-dom.us.com. A former teacher, principal and superintendent, Hunsinger wrote “Down and Dirty: A ‘How To’ Math Book.” Reach Hunsinger by email at phyllis@free-dom.us.com.

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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.

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n REAL ESTATE BUSINESS EXPANDS NETWORK IN PARTNERING WITH DURANGO-BASED FIRM

Coldwell Banker Distinctive Properties based in Grand Junction has expanded its network in partnering with Coldwell Banker Heritage House Realtors in Durango.

“We’re excited to work with the incredible group of agents at Coldwell Banker Heritage House Realtors,” said Todd Conklin, chief executive officer of Coldwell Banker Distinctive Properties. “The partnership will strengthen both organizations as we expand out network Todd Conklin to serve even more clients across the Rocky Mountain Region.”

Gina Piccoli, president and owner of Coldwell Banker Heritage House Realtors, also praised the collaboration. “Together we can provide the resources to help our agents grow their businesses and our clients achieve their goals. I look forward to a long-term partnership and our continued prominence in the Durango area.”

Gina Piccoli Founded in 1979, Coldwell Banker Heritage House Realtors operates offices in Durango as well as Mancos, Silverton and Vallecito with a total of 65 agents. The firm has been recognized as the top Coldwell Banker affiliate in Colorado.

Coldwell Banker Distinctive Properties operates in Colorado, Idaho and Montana. The company was named the 25th fastest growing real estate company in the nation in the Real Trends 500 report and also ranks among the 5,000 fastest-growing privately held companies in an annual Inc. magazine listing. For additional information, visit www.cbdistnctive.com. n GRAND JUNCTION COFFEE SHOP PLANS CELEBRATION OF ITS FIRST YEAR IN BUSINESS The Novel Cup, a specialty coffee shop located in the east parking lot of the Mesa County Public Library in Grand Junction, will offer specials and gifts to celebrate its first year in business.

“This has been a year like no other,” said Lara Seitz, co-owner of the Novel Cup. “Nobody can plan for a global pandemic six months into opening. Even though we were affected like so many other small businesses, our community came out to support us, and we gained so many new friends in the process.”

The Novel Cup will celebrate the week of Sept. 28 with drink specials and gifts. On Oct. 1, the business will offer free cupcakes to mark its one-year anniversary.

The Novel Cup is located at 443 N. Sixth St. For additional information, call 275-5653.

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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.

n FRUITA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SCHEDULES EVENT TO SUPPORT LOCAL RESTAURANTS Tickets are available for an event organized by the Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce to support restaurants on the south side of town.

Supper on Southside, presented by Family Health West, is set for Sept. 19 with dinner sessions from 5 to 6:30 and 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the Kokopelli Plaza.

The event will include dinner at specially designated outdoor dining sections in the parking lots near Pablo’s Pizza, Rib City Grill and Strayhorn Grill. Takeout food also will available in a general admission section from Dragon Treasure, Jimmy Johns, Qdoba and Munchies Pizza & Deli. The event also will include live music performed by Rizzo.

Reservations are required. For reservations or more information, call the Fruita chamber at 858-3894 or visit the website located at www.fruitachamber.org/supper-on-southside.

A $5 registration fee will cover a reserved table and entrance to the concert only. Participants will purchase their own meals directly from the restaurants. n APPLICATIONS SOUGHT THROUGH OCT. 12 FOR BRAY CARES FOUNDATION GRANTS Applications will be accepted through 5 p.m. Oct. 12 for the latest round of grants from the Bray Cares Foundation.

The Bray Cares Foundation partners with the Western Colorado Community Foundation to provide funds to organizations addressing housing-related needs in Mesa County. Grants range from $500 to $5,000 and target projects that provide affordable housing, emergency shelter and rent assistance and housing for those dealing with special needs. Grants are available to organizations with a 501(c)(3) or other qualified tax-exempt status.

The grant program is in its second year. Last year, the Bray Cares Foundation awarded grants to six organizations, including Grand Valley Catholic Outreach, Homeward Bound, the Joseph Center and Karis.

To apply or obtain more information about the grants, log on to Western Colorado Community Foundation website located at https://wc-cf.org and click on the explore grants link.

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Grand Junction State Farm agents join in fire prevention efforts State Farm insurance agents Ken Richards and Seth Rockey joined with the National Fire Protection Association and the Clifton, Grand Junction and Lower Valley fire departments in an annual effort promoting home fire safety.

State Farm agents delivered brochures, posters and other materials to more than 2,500 fire departments across the country in preparation for Fire Prevention Week set for Oct. 4 to 10. The fire departments in turn share the resources with their communities to support the campaign.

This year, the campaign will focus on fire safety in the kitchen and preventing home cooking fires, a leading cause of fires.

“The good news is that the majority of kitchen fires are highly preventable,” Rockey said. “These great kits will help our fire departments spread the news to always stay focused when you’re in the kitchen and never leave the kitchen unattended.”

For more information about Fire Prevention Week and fire safety in the kitchen, visit www.fpw.org.

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SePtember 10-23, 2020

NOTEWORTHY

West Star Aviation and Teltech Group are among the Colorado companies and organizations recognized for their efforts to promote a cleaner environment.

West Star was named for a sixth consecutive year as a gold leader in the Colorado Environmental Leadership Program. Teltech Group also was selected as a gold leader.

“Contributing to the community’s ongoing environmental efforts and improvements gives our company and employees great pride knowing we Dave Krogman are focused on growing a green company with new innovations and ideas,” said Dave Krogman, general manager of the West Star Aviation operation in Grand Junction.

Mike Meagher, Mike Meagher president at Teltech, said environmental stewardship remains a core value for the company. “Our teams take the responsibility of living and working on this planet very seriously.”

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment bestows the designations to businesses, educational institutions, government agencies and nonprofit organizations for going beyond state and federal regulations in their commitment to continued environmental improvements.

West Star Aviation provides maintenance, repair and overhaul services at facilities at the Grand Junction Regional Airport and in six other states.

Teltech provides asset management and supply chain services to the telecommunications industry and operates a facility in Grand Junction.

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BusinessBriefs Briefs Business BusinessPeople People Almanac Business Almanac

n WEST STAR AVIATION NAMES PROGRAM MANAGER AND CONTROLLER

Lisa Hall has been promoted to global program manager at the West Star Aviation facility in Grand Junction.

Luke Williams joined West Star Aviation as corporate controller.

Hall brings to her duties more than 30 years of aviation experience, including management positions with West Star and Bombardier.

Lisa Hall “I appreciate the opportunity to advance within West Star while applying my skills and contributing to the team,” she said.

Williams brings to his position more than 15 years of experience in finance in the transportation industry. A certified public accountant, he holds a degree in accounting from the University of Illinois.

Luke Williams “I am excited to be able to contribute my experience to the West Star team and valued customers,” Williams said.

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 provider in a survey conducted for Professional Pilot magazine.

For more information, call (800) 922-2421 or visit www.weststaraviation.com. n PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT JOINS TEAM AT GRAND JUNCTION GASTROENTEROLOGY Hannah Pick has joined Grand Junction Gastroenterology as a physician assistant.

“I’m excited to be home and practicing in Western Colorado,” Pick said. “To be able to return to my roots and live in this beautiful area and work in the field I love is a dream come true.”

After graduating from Grand Junction High School, Pick earned a Hannah Pick bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Denver and master’s degree in physician assistant studies from the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

“Hannah is a wonderful addition to our team, and it’s a bonus she was born and raised in Grand Junction and understands the needs of our community,” said Dr. Brent Prosser, a gastroenterologist at Grand Junction Gastroenterology. “She is incredibly knowledgeable, and I know our patients are going to enjoy not only her expertise, but kind demeanor as well.”

Grand Junction Gastroenterology is located at 1035 Wellington Ave. For more information, call 242-6600 or visit www.gjgastro.com.

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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 ENTREPRENEUR WRITES THE BOOK ON ACHIEVING SMALL BUSINESS SUCCESS Dave DeRose, a Grand Junction man who turned a one-man operation into a regional business, has released a book to help other small business owners succeed.

The book — titled “The Principles of Business: Understanding What Makes a Business Successful and Valuable to Society” — is available through Barnes & Noble, Amazon and iUniverse.

Dave DeRose DeRose reviews in the book the strategies that helped him succeed. He also addresses topics other business owners should consider, including leadership, creating good customers and the importance of community involvement.

“I originally wrote this book as a how-to manual for the new owners of the business I started to help them run it successfully,” DeRose said. “However, as I was going through the process, I realized it was a good tool to share with any small business owner as well.”

DeRose launched a one-man, plumbing, heating, cooling, and refrigeration business in Craig. Masterworks Mechanical subsequently grew into a company serving Northwest Colorado and beyond. DeRose sold the company, but consults with small businesses. n ANIMATOR AND FILMMAKER SERVING AS 970WEST STUDIO ARTIST IN RESIDENCE Evan Curtis, a stop-motion animator and filmmaker, will serve through November as the latest artist in residence at the Mesa County Libraries 970West Studio in Grand Junction.

Curtis plans a series of workshops during his 14-week residency and also is available for weekly meet-and-greet Evan Curtis sessions set for 4 to 6 p.m. Thursdays at the studio, located at 502 Ouray Ave. Curtis teaches animation and film at Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction.

His work has been screened on the Public Broadcasting Service, at South by Southwest, and at more than 50 other festivals worldwide. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the Conservatory of Theatre Arts and Film at Purchase College and master’s degree from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD).

For more information, log on to the website at mesacountylibraries.org/services/970weststudio.air.

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SePtember 10-23, 2020

Sept. 10 n Bookkeeping boot camp, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m, Business Incubator Center, 2591 Legacy Way, Grand Junction. Admission $75, which includes lunch. 243-5242 n Free online forum about Western Colorado construction contracting opportunities, 9 a.m. to noon.

(720) 624-6728 or www.grandjunctionsbdc.org n Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce Welcome Thursday Friends networking group, noon, Fiesta Guadalajara, 103 U.S. Highway 50. 858-3894 Sept. 14 n Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce online candidate forum, noon. www.ghchamber.org n Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce Business Builders networking group, noon Sept. 14 and 21, Enzo’s Ristorante, 707 Horizon Drive, Grand Junction. 858-3894 Sept. 15 n Business startup webinar, 1 to 3:30 p.m. Sept. 15 and 16. Admission $55. www.gjincubator.org n Free presentation for people considering careers in real estate, 5:30 p.m., Weichert Realtors-Heiden Homes Realty, 735 Rood Ave., Grand Junction.

Call for reservations. 245-7777 Sept. 16 n Free webinar on effective interviewing tips, 10 am. www.connectingcolorado.com. n Palisade Chamber of Commerce business after hours, 5:30 to 7 p.m., Wine Country Inn, 777 Grande River Drive. Admission $6 in advance, $8 at the event. 464-7458 Sept. 17 n Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce Welcome Thursday Friends networking group, noon, Einstein Bros. Bagels, 401 B Jurassic Ave Unit 1.

858-3894 Sept. 22 n Free webinar on human resources management in a changing workplace, 10 to 11 a.m.. www.gjincubator.org.

Sept. 23 n Free webinar on targeting resumes, 10 a.m. www.connectingcolorado.com.

Upcoming n Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce golf tournament, Sept. 25, Bookcliff Country Club, 2730 G Road. Shotgun starts 7:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Admission $145 per person, $675 for a team of four. 263-2919 or www.gjchamber.org n Western Colorado Human Resource Association fall conference 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 30, Colorado Mesa University Center ballroom and online presentation. Admission $195 for the conference and $125 for the online presentation for members, $250 and $150 for others. Exhibitor space available for $295. www.wchra.org n Free webinar on LinkedIn basics, 10 a.m. Sept. 30. www.connectingcolorado.com.

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SePtember 10-23, 2020