The Business Times Volume 30 Issue 18

Page 1

In this issue

n It’s a promise

Colorado Mesa University has launched an initiative offering to cover tuition for low-income West Slope students.

n Setting the PACE

A program of all-inclusive care for the elderly offers a wide range of services to a growing number of participants.

n Talking trade

A top regional diplomat from Taiwan was among officials who came to Grand Junction to discuss international trade.

n City hearing

2 4 5

A public hearing is set for Oct. 10 to review proposed new standards for streets and transportation infrastructure.

n Rate slips

The jobless rate slipped in Mesa County in August even as one measure of labor demand increased.

n Using AI for HR

Artificial intelligence and other new technologies could relieve burdens on human resources professionals.

n

Working at the center of things

Director applies her experiences to helping small firms succeed. See page 2

THE BUSINESS TIMES Business People

THE DEFINITIVE SOURCE FOR GRAND JUNCTION BUSINESS NEWS SINCE 1994 SEPTEMBER 28-OCTOBER 11, 2023 VOLUME 30, ISSUE 18
Almanac 30 Business Briefs 28 Business People 30 Contributors 21-25 News 2-18 Opinion 26 Trends 19-20 PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 67 The Business Times 609 North Ave., Suite 5 Grand Junction, CO 81501 21 19
Departments Business Times photo by Phil Castle 6
n
Tracy Baker oversees programs and services offered at the Small Business Development Center in Grand Junction.

At the center of business

New director brings varied experiences to role in assisting clients at Grand Junction facility

Tracy Baker grew accustomed to nearly single-handedly assisting entrepreneurs and small businesses across a far-flung region of southeast Montana. As a regional Small Business Development Center (SBDC) director, she made connections, counseled clients and conducted seminars. What’s more, she handled all the marketing.

Trends Contributors Opinion Business Briefs Business People

It was an effort Baker says helped her become not only self-reliant, but also efficient and resourceful.

She’s happy to trade it all for her new role as director of the SBDC in Grand Junction and what’s part of a larger facility offering a wide range of resources and the staffing to deliver them. “This place is amazing with all the things they do. It’s nice to have all those people right here.”

Baker says her goal remains the same, though, and that’s to learn what entrepreneurs and small businesses need and help them succeed. That applies to startups as well as existing operations.

The Grand Junction SBDC is part of a network of 14 full-time centers and more than 50 part-time satellite offices across Colorado. The centers offer a range of services that include free and low-cost counseling and instruction on all aspects of starting and growing businesses.

In Grand Junction, the SBDC is housed in the Business Incubator Center,

University President John Marshall discusses a new initiative in which CMU and CMU Tech will cover the tuition for students from 22 Western Colorado counties whose households earn $65,000 or less a year.

(Business Times photo by Phil Castle)

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

The Grand Junction Small Business Development Center is located at the Business Incubator Center, 2591 Legacy Way. For more information about programs and services offered there, call (970) 243-5242 or log on to https://grandjunctionsbdc.org.

which offers such additional resources as low-cost space, a commercial kitchen and revolving loan fund offering access to capital.

Dalida Sassoon Bollig, chief executive officer of the Business Incubator Center, hailed Baker’s selection. “Baker’s combination of skills and professional experience make her uniquely suited to serving the Grand Junction SBDC and the small businesses in our region which our center supports.”

Hannah Krieger, director of the Colorado SBDC Network, also praised Baker. “With her extensive experience and dedication to supporting small business owners, we are confident that Tracy will play a vital role in fostering innovation and economic growth throughout the region.”

See CENTER page 18

Tracy Baker oversees programs and services offered at the Small Business Development Center in Grand Junction. The SBDC is housed in the Business Incubator Center, which offers low-cost space and shared services for businesses, a commercial kitchen and revolving loan fund.

CMU Promise: Tuition covered for low-income students in region

A tour of sorts to every high school in 22 Western Colorado counties is planned to promote what’s termed as a promise.

Students from lower- to middle-income households that earn $65,000 or less a year who attend Colorado Mesa University or CMU Tech will have their tuition fully covered.

“The CMU Promise is a way to put our money where our mouth is,” CMU President John Marshall said in announcing the initiative at a news conference in Grand Junction.

Scheduled to begin with the fall semester, the initiative will ensure finances don’t pose a barrier to higher education, Marshall said. “College is possible, and we’re going to help you figure it out.”

CMU and CMU Tech will help qualified students through a combination of assistance that will include federal and state grants, various scholarships and government and private contributions, Marshall said.

The initiative also is made possible through collaborations with the City of Grand Junction and Mesa County as well as both the city and county of Montrose, he said. “We don’t do anything without partnerships.”

Four other officials participated in the news conference and praised the effort.

“This is a very exciting opportunity we have,” said Lori Buck, a member of the CMU Board of Trustees.

Grand Junction Mayor Anna Stout said she likely would have qualified for the initiative if it had been available when she attended CMU. Stout said she’s pleased cost will no longer constitute a barrier to college.

“I’m honored we’re doing this as a community.”

See PROMISE page 16

THE BUSINESS TIMES News
Page 2 The Business Times SePtember 28-OctOber 11, 2023
Phil Castle The Business Times Colorado Mesa
September 28-OctOber 11, 2023 The Business Times page 3

Setting the PACE: Program provides care to the elderly

A fast-growing program adds to a continuum of care provided by a Grand Junction-based organization. Along with its end-of-life hospice and palliative care and support for those grieving loss, HopeWest provides an even wider range of medical and support services intended to enable the elderly to remain in their homes for as long as possible.

“I think that’s a really beautiful thing,” said Mandy DeCino, director of pre-enrollment and engagement for the HopeWest Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE).

The benefits of PACE extend beyond participants to easing workloads for caregivers and providing care at a lower cost than what would be provided in a skilled-care nursing facility, DeCino said.

Participation in PACE has grown from 52 to 138 over the past year of what’s not yet a 2-year-old effort for HopeWest, DeCino says. There’s capacity for more.

Nationwide, a total of more than 152 all-inclusive care programs are offered in 32 states, DeCino says.

The programs are funded through Medicare federal health insurance for those 65 and older as well as Medicaid, a joint federal and state program offering health coverage for individuals who meet certain functional and financial requirements.

HopeWest offers all-inclusive care for people in 12 Zip Codes in Mesa County — with the exception of outlying areas, DeCino said

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

For additional information about the HopeWest Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, call (970) 255-7223 or log on to https://hopewestpace.org.

Participants must be at least 55 years old and live within the service area, They also must meet the criteria for care at a nursing facility, but also be able to live safely in the community with the assistance of PACE services, DeCino said.

The program provides a range of services, she said, including primary and specialty medical care, prescription medications, medical equipment, physical and occupational therapy, dietary counseling and transportation.

About 80 HopeWest employees are involved in some way in the program. But the organization also contracts with more than 1,600 providers to meet the needs of participants, DeCino said.

The program delivers some services in participants’ homes, but also delivers a range of services from an 80,000-squarefoot day center in Grand Junction. The center includes a medical clinic as well as dining and recreation areas, a salon, barbershop and meeting rooms.

PACE provides managed care tailored to each participant. That in turn provides participants peace of mind, DeCino said. “We’re coordinating it for them and with them for the rest of their lives.”

In addition, PACE offers a choice for participants and their families in providing services that keep participants in their homes, she said.

It’s part of a continuum of care from HopeWest.

Page 4 The Business Times SePtember 28-OctOber 11, 2023 The Business Times 609 North Ave., Suite 5 Grand Junction, CO 81501 (970) 424-5133 www.thebusinesstimes.com The Business Times 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 don’t necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, editor or advertisers. Copyright © 2023 — All rights reserved
Venta Streff, right, a participant in the HopeWest Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, joins with James Wall, a volunteer, to assemble a puzzle at the PACE day center in Grand Junction. (Business Times photo by Phil Castle)
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Mandy DeCino

Taiwan diplomat touts potential for more trade with the Grand Valley

Bill Huang looks around the Grand Valley and sees the potential for increased trade between the region and Taiwan. That includes everything from beef to bicycle components to tourism.

Huang, director general of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Denver, was among the officials who participated in a trade and export summit. The event was billed as “The World Comes to Grand Junction.”

The Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce joined with the Grand Junction Economic Partnership, Business Incubator Center and State Rep. Matt Soper in staging the event.

In addition to Huang, representatives from Canada, Japan, Mexico and the United Kingdom also attended.

“I’m very glad to have this opportunity,” Huang said in an interview with the Business Times.

The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Denver serves as the de facto consulate for Taiwan in Colorado as well as Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota. Huang oversees efforts to promote trade and investments between the six states and Taiwan as well as cultural and educational exchanges.

The East Asian island nation of nearly

24 million people ranks among Colorado’s top trading partners, Huang said. Taiwan is a top export market for beef, while supplying computer chips and electric machinery. Colorado and Taiwan are business partners in the agriculture, aerospace and defense sectors as well as the information and communications technology industry. “It’s a mutually beneficial relationship.”

There’s potential for more trade between Taiwan and Colorado, including the Grand Valley, he said.

Prospects might include bicycle components, he said. Giant Manufacturing, one of the largest bicycle designers and manufacturers in the world, is located in Taiwan.

There’s potential as well for functional textiles and other goods manufactured for outdoor recreation, he said. “That’s something we could do together.”

Still other possibilities might involve solar energy and other forms of sustainable energy, he said.

Huang also sees the potential for increased tourism from Taiwan to Colorado and the Grand Valley — as well as the reverse.

After meeting with students from Colorado Mesa University during his trip to Grand Junction, Huang said he’d be interested in bringing back academic exchanges.

Part of the process is to increase awareness and make connections that lead to more trade between Taiwan and the Grand Valley. “I want to put Taiwan on the map and vice versa.”

Quarterly economic forecast projects increased tax revenue

Colorado tax revenue is expected to continue to increase, according to the latest quarterly economic forecast from the Governor’s Office of State Planning and Budgeting (OSPB).

The state economy continues to fare well with labor conditions and consumer demand better than anticipated, although rising housing costs contribute to inflation.

“Colorado’s economy continues to be strong, companies and entrepreneurs are starting and expanding businesses in our state, but high housing costs contribute to inflation and threaten our economic livelihoods,” said Colorado Gov. Jared Polis.

According to the OSPB forecast, the state general fund ending balance is projected at $345.3 million, $183.7 million above the statutory reserve level of 15 percent in the 2022-23 fiscal year and 2023-24 fiscal year, respectively.

General fund revenue was revised up $792.9 million for the 2023-24 fiscal year,

largely a result of stronger than anticipated individual and corporate income revenue, with smaller upward revisions in sales, insurance and interest income.

For the 2024-25 fiscal year, general fund revenue was revised up $137.8 million due to sustained higher individual income withholdings revenue as the labor market is expected to be in a stronger position than the June forecast

General fund revenue is expected to grow 3.7 percent to $19 billion for the 2025-26 fiscal year due to stable growth in income and sales revenue.

Cash funds are expected to remain about flat in the near-term, falling an expected 1.6 percent in the 2023-24 fiscal year and then increasing 5.3 percent in 2024-25 fiscal year. Cash funds were revised up $56 million and $18.6 million in the 2023-24 fiscal year and 2024-25 fiscal year, respectively.

September 28-OctOber 11, 2023 The Business Times page 5
Bill Huang
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Hearing scheduled to review new design standards

A public hearing is scheduled for Oct. 10 to review new transportation and engineering design standards for the City of Grand Junction.

The hearing is set to begin at 5:30 p.m. in the auditorium at Grand Junction City Hall, 250 N Fifth St.

A final draft of the proposed transportation and engineering design standards (TEDS) is available for review on the city’s website at www.gjcity.org. Comments may be submitted by email to comdev@gjcity.org.

The TEDS manual establishes requirements and provides guidance to the city and developers on how streets and multimodal transportation infrastructure are designed in the city.

The updates, the first in nearly 20 years, reflect state and national design standards as well as a recently adopted bicycle and pedestrian plan.

The manual also includes:

n Updates to standard street cross sections to incorporate low-stress bicycle and pedestrian facilities, reflect city design practices and meet fire department access standards

n An increase in right-of-way width on street sections to accommodate pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure.

n A reduction in the design speed of local streets from 25 mph to 20 mph.

n A reduction in the driveway width requirement on commercial and industrial properties and major streets.

n A traffic assessment requirement for mid-size developments to evaluate the need for turn lanes, sight distance and pedestrians and bicycle impacts.

n A connectivity requirement between developments to mitigate traffic effects on streets, improve mobility and access for people walking and biking to and through

developments and provide better access to transit.

n The addition of a maximum block length of 700 feet for pedestrian access.

n Traffic calming requirements on local streets to support slower design speeds.

n Modified turn requirements to account for streets with bike lanes and on-street parking to encourage slower design turning speeds and mitigate intersection conflicts with pedestrians and bicyclists.

n Illuminance requirements for roadway markings for bikes and pedestrians

n Updates to sign and striping requirements and signal designs to match city practices.

n The addition of design guidance on pedestrian and bicycle crossings.

Event set for Oct. 7 to celebrate opening of Clifton library

An event is scheduled for Oct. 7 to celebrate the opening of the newly constructed Clifton branch of the Mesa County Libraries.

The event is set for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the new library branch at 3270 D 1/2 Road.

An opening ceremony is planned for 11:15 a.m. in the community room of the branch, followed by live music from the Centennial Band at 11:30 a.m. and the band Super Fox at 12:45 p.m. Magician Danny Baker will perform at 1:45 p.m.

The event also will include tours of the branch, activities for children and families, cake and food trucks.

The library branch was constructed on a 27-acre campus that also will include a community hall, childhood education center and training center. Construction of the new Clifton branch cost $11.5 million.

At 17,800 square feet, the new Clifton branch is more than three times larger than the previous facility and second in size to only the central library branch in Grand Junction.

The new Clifton branch features:

n a community living room for quiet reading and relaxation.

n dedicated spaces for children and teens-agers.

n public computer areas and wireless internet access.

n two community rooms and six public study rooms.

n about 28,000 items — including books, DVDs and video games — with access to millions more through other Mesa County Libraries locations, networks and interlibrary loans.

n a display of art selected by a committee of Clifton residents, artists and library staff. Most of the art purchased was from local artists.

The new Clifton library branch also will serve as the future home of the Mesa County Libraries Adult Learning Center. The center offers general educational development instruction, high school education through Career Online High School, English language and citizenship classes and other educational services.

Page 6 The Business Times SePtember 28-OctOber 11, 2023
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Now offering enhanced nationwide workers’ compensation insurance

We go where Colorado business grows

Pinnacol was born in Colorado, and we understand that many businesses rooted here expand and flourish across the country. We now offer enhanced nationwide workers’ comp coverage to meet the needs of Colorado’s businesses as they grow.

September 28-OctOber 11, 2023 The Business Times page 7

NFIB launches campaign against Proposition HH

A small business advocacy group has launched a campaign against a ballot measure that would reduce property tax rates, but backfill revenue with money collected above state constitutional limits imposed by the Taxpayers Bill of Rights.

“We’re calling out Proposition HH for what it really is, a bait and switch offering a temporary property tax cut, but undoing TABOR refunds,” said Tony Gagliardi, Colorado state director of the National Federation of Independent Business.

The campaign will include radio advertisements in select Colorado markets, digital ads and a landing page with more

information in which people also can access the radio ad.

Proposition HH will appear on the November election ballot. The measure would reduce state tax assessment rates for residential and commercial properties, but also backfill reduced tax revenues for local governments and school and special districts with other revenue collected above TABOR limits. That could in turn reduce the money the state returns to taxpayers through so-called TABOR refunds.

“Colorado’s small business owners have trusted the Taxpayer Bill of Rights for 30 years to return some of their hard-earned money back to them,” Gagliardi said. “When we surveyed our members, 90 percent of them opposed Prop. HH. They’re just not buying the deal.” F

Fund-raiser to require plane effort

An annual fund-raiser will pit participating teams in a tug of war against an unusual adversary — a Boeing 757. United Way of Mesa County and the Greater Grand Junction Sports Commission have scheduled the third annual airplane pull for Sept. 29. The event is set to start at noon at the Grand Junction Regional Airport.

“Events like the airplane pull not only help us raise funds, but also showcase the remarkable strength of our community when we come together to achieve a common goal,” said Zebulon Miracle, executive director of United Way of Mesa County. “We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our friends at FedEx, the Grand Junction Regional Airport, Shaw Construction and the Greater Grand Junction Sports Commission for their invaluable support in making this unique experience possible — a day teams will treasure.”

Teams of 18 members each will attempt to pull a 100-ton Federal Express Boeing 757 jet aircraft 20 feet. Teams will go head to head in a double-elimination showdown, with scores determined by the time it takes to complete each attempt.

The event serves as a fund-raiser for United Way of Mesa County and the Greater Grand Junction Sports Commission in collaboration with Federal Express. Interested teams can learn more and sign up at www.grandjunctionsports.org.

Participating teams pay a $750 entry fee. Proceeds help fund the work of the 43 nonprofit agency programs United Way of Mesa County supports as well as the efforts of the Greater Grand Junction Sports Commission. Local businesses and organizations are encouraged to sponsor hometown heroes and nonprofit teams by covering their registration fees.

Page 8 The Business Times SePtember 28-OctOber 11, 2023
Tony Gagliardi
News, views and advice you can use Subscribe today to the journal that means business in the Grand Valley. (970) 424-5133 www.thebusinesstimes.com
Zebulon Miracle
September 28-OctOber 11, 2023 The Business Times page 9

News, views and advice you can use

Applications sought for food access state grants

Applications are available for grants to help family farmers and small retailers expand access to healthy foods in low-income and underserved areas of Colorado.

The Colorado Department of Agriculture will award small food business recovery and resilience grants of up to $50,000 though its community food access program.

“This grant aims to lower prices of healthy food and increase its availability in low-income and underserved areas of Colorado by helping small food retailers and small family farms invest in their capacity to provide healthy food,” said Mickey Davis, manager of the community food access programs.

“Eligible businesses can apply for funding to cover the purchase of new cold storage, display cases to carry fresh food, point of sale machines that accept EBT cards, farming equipment, mobile grocery stores, delivery trucks, operating expenses and more,” Davis said.

Farmers, farm stands, farmers markets, community supported agriculture programs, carnicerias, corner stores and other businesses could be eligible for grants.

Applications for the first round of the grants will be accepted through 5 p.m. Nov. 7. A second round of grants is projected to open in early 2024. If funds remain, a third round could open later in 2024. Up to $6 million total funds will be distributed.

The community food access program and small food business recovery and resilience grant were established by state legislation using state and local fiscal recovery funds from the American Rescue Plan Act.

The rules of the grant program were developed with extensive feedback from an advisory committee and stakeholders across Colorado.

More information and assistance in submitting applications is available by emailing CDA_CFA@state.co.us.

Two virtual information sessions for applicants are scheduled for 1 to 2 p.m. Oct. 3 and 26.

For more information about the community food access program — including more information about the grants, registration links for the informational sessions and a full list of eligible expenses — visit the website located at ag.colorado.gov/CFA. F

Page 10 The Business Times SePtember 28-OctOber 13, 2023
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Mickey Davis
September 28-OctOber 11, 2023 The Business Times page 11

News, views and advice you can use

Applications sought for Bloom grants

Applications will be accepted through Oct. 20 for the latest round of Bloom Where You Are Planted grants from the District 51 Foundation.

The grant fund was created by the family of the late Karl Bloom to help students with financial need in Mesa County School District 51 pursue extracurricular activities. Bloom was a band parent and volunteer in several programs.

“We are thankful to the Bloom family for their dedication to help support extracurricular activities,” said Angela Christensen, executive director of the District 51 Foundation. “So many students don’t have the funds to participate in extracurricular activities, and this makes it a little easier. It has already made such a positive difference to students throughout Mesa County.”

Typical grants range from $50 to $200. Since the beginning of 2020, a total of $20,300 has been awarded to 241 students. Grants have enabled students to participate in activities offered by Absolute Dance, Fire FC Soccer, Girls on the Run and the Outdoor Wilderness Lab.

In addition to applications, donations are sought to continue the fund. As part of efforts to prioritize student and staff wellness, the District 51 Foundation earmarked an additional $6,000 for the fund this year.

“Children have the greatest potential to make the most impact in the community. It just makes sense to invest in their futures, encourage their curiosity and support their passions,” said Lissie Bloom, the daughter of Karl Bloom.

For more information about grant applications and donations, visit the website at www.d51foundation.org.

Foundation promotes professional learning

The District 51 Foundation awarded a total of more than $15,000 in grants to 53 members of the Mesa County School District 51 staff.

The grants help teachers and others participate in professional learning opportunities, including clinics, trainings and conferences.

Since 2018, the foundation has awarded a total of more than $125,000 to 311 staff members.

“The D51 Foundation knows the key role professional learning plays in growing our D51 students academically. It’s part of our mission,” said Angela Christensen, executive director of the District 51 Foundation.

Page 12 The Business Times SePtember 28-OctOber 11, 2023
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A. Christensen
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September 28-OctOber 11, 2023 The Business Times page 13

SBA calls for disaster preparation

The U.S. Small Business Administration dedicated the last week of September to conduct outreach to the more than 33 million small businesses across America on the importance of preparing, managing and recovering from natural disasters, cyber threats and human-caused calamities.

“Natural disasters caused by climate change are increasing in frequency and economic impact, and the BidenHarris administration is investing in sustainability and committed to helping small businesses and individuals prepare to recover quickly when disaster strikes,” said SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman. “SBA is helping businesses across the country create emergency response plans so they can limit damage and disruption — building resiliency for our neighborhoods and our economy.”

The SBA recommends three steps to build upon the tools of resilience:

n Assess risk. Every business has unique vulnerabilities and weaknesses. Knowing what type of disasters will most likely affect a business can help you return to operations faster. A back-to-business self-assessment can help assess risks for common hazards such as hurricanes, wildfires, flooding or cyber attacks.

n Create a plan. The response plan is the road map to recovery and should be tailored to the specific needs and operations of a business. The plan should address immediate priorities and be easy to access. Every disaster is different. Review the resources to lessen the physical and financial effects of a disaster:

n Practice and test your plan with employees.

“There are no geographical boundaries for a potential disaster. Climate change only adds to the uncertainty, amplifying the frequency and catastrophe,” said Francisco Sanchez Jr., associate administrator for the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “The most important thing small businesses can do to mitigate a disaster’s impact is to have a plan and be prepared.

September, observed as National Preparedness Month, serves as an important reminder that we should always stand ready to protect our homes, businesses and communities from the challenges that disasters bring.”

In the past year, the SBA approved more than $2 billion to help residents, renters, nonprofits and small businesses across all 50 states and territories recover from the effects of disasters, including hurricanes, floods and wildfires. The SBA disaster loan program is the only federal assistance program for businesses of all sizes.

Page 14 The Business Times SePtember 28-OctOber 11, 2023
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Isabella Guzman
September 28-OctOber 11, 2023 The Business Times page 15

Promise

Continued from page 2

Mesa County Commissioner Cody Davis said the initiative will promote workforce development in Western Colorado and address a problem business owners face in hiring skilled labor. But the initiative also will help students, Davis said. “It just expands opportunities for all students.”

David Reed, a former CMU trustee who now serves as Montrose mayor pro tem, said the benefits of the imitative will extend to the CMU campus in Montrose, where students there will be able to remain at home and still pursue a higher education. “We’re so darned proud to be a part of this.”

Marshall said the CMU Promise builds on efforts over the past decades to keep higher education affordable. CMU offers some of the lowest tuition and fees in Colorado, he said.

Colorado Mesa University President John Marshall, center, introduces an initiative in which CMU and CMU Tech will cover the tuition for qualifying Western Slope students from low- and middle-income households. Four officials joined Marshall at the news conference, from left: Grand Junction Mayor Anna Stout, CMU Trustee Lori Buck, Montrose Mayor Pro Tem David Reed and Mesa County Commissioner Cody Davis. (Business Times photo by Phil Castle)

The Learn for Less initiative lowered tuition and fees for career and technical education programs at CMU Tech by 40 percent.

Federal and state grants will help cover tuition for qualifying students, he said, as will funding made available through the Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative as well as academic scholarships, he said. The initiative also will depend on government and private contributions.

CMU plans for 1 percent to 2 percent annual growth in enrollment. But the university will make adjustments to accommodate additional growth if that results from the CMU Promise, Marshall said. “What a great problem to have.”

In the meantime, CMU plans to conduct what’s billed as the

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

For additional information about Colorado Mesa University and the CMU Promise, contact the admissions office at (970) 248-1875 or log on to www.coloradomesa.edu/admissions.

CMU Promise Tour in which a representative from the university will visit every high school in the 22 Western Colorado counties to promote the initiative.

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Three selected to serve roles with ag effort

Three Grand Valley women have been selected for roles with an organization connecting Colorado educators and students with the agricultural industry.

Lucee Church of Loma will serve as resource coordinator with Colorado Agriculture in the Classroom. Church will fill requests for resources and track the reach of programs. She previously served as education program coordinator and expanded the reach of a literacy project to more than 10,000 students a year.

Cindy Staheli Pearson of Loma was among four people elected to the Colorado Agriculture in the Classroom board of directors. Pearson recently retired from teaching at Loma Elementary School. She and her family own and operate 2XL Cattle Co.

Shelby Rich of Grand Junction is among five new members of the Colorado Agriculture in the Classroom advisory board. Rich also serves as education manager of the National Western Stock Show.

Colorado Agriculture in the Classroom provides a range of resources and programs to 325,000 educators and students a year in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade across the state. F

Page 16 The Business Times SePtember 28-OctOber 11, 2023
THE BUSINESS Business PeopleAlmanac THE DEFINITIVE SOURCE FOR GRAND JUNCTION BUSINESS NEWS SINCE 1994 SEPTEMBER 28-OCTOBER 11, 2023 2 4 5 In this issue n It’s a promise ColoradoMesaUniversity has launched an initiative offeringtocovertuitionfor low-incomeWestSlopestudents. n Setting the PACE Aprogramofall-inclusive carefortheelderlyoffers awiderangeofservicestoa growingnumberofparticipants. Atopregionaldiplomatfrom Taiwanwasamongofficials who came to Grand Junction to discuss international trade. n City hearing Apublichearingissetfor Oct.10toreviewproposed new standards for streets andtransportationinfrastructure. n Rate slips Thejoblessrateslipped inMesaCountyinAugust even as one measure of labor demand increased. n Using AI for HR Artificialintelligenceand othernewtechnologies could relieve burdens on humanresourcesprofessionals. Almanac 30 Business Briefs 28 Business People 30 Contributors 21-25 News 2-18 Opinion 26 Trends 19-20 PRSRTSTD U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMITNO. 67 The BusinessTimesSuiteAve.,North609Grand81501COJunction, 21 19 n Talking trade n Departments BusinessTimesphotobyPhilCastle 6 Working at the center of thingsDirector applies her experiences to helping small firms succeed. See page 2 n TracyBakeroverseesprograms and services offered at the SmallBusinessDevelopment Center in Grand Junction. Expiration CVV
September 28-OctOber 11, 2023 The Business Times page 17

Center

Continued from page 2

Baker brings to her latest role more than a decade of experience in small business consulting, economic development, sales and marketing.

She served nearly five years as a regional SBDC director. Working out of Miles City, she served a nine-county region of southeast Montana. The SBDC there was located at Miles Community College, and Baker also served as the workforce development and community outreach coordinator at the college.

Prior to joining the SBDC network, Baker worked as director of the Miles City Area Economic Development Council and loan officer for the Southeastern Montana Economic Development Corp.

She worked nearly five years as a sales and marketing analyst for Mid-Rivers Communications, a firm based in Miles City that provides telephone, internet and cable services to customers in a sevencounty region. She worked another three years as a teller for First Interstate Bank.

Born in Broomfield, Colo., Baker says she grew up in Anchorage, Alaska, where her parents worked as real estate professionals.

Baker says the Grand Valley shares some similarities with Miles City as a regional economic hub with a strong agriculture industry and populated by people she says are down-to-earth and honest. There’s a family connection because her brother operates a optometry practice in the Grand Valley.

“I’m just so ecstatic, and I couldn’t be happier to be here.”

Baker says she enjoys meeting people and establishing relationships. That’s especially true of the entrepreneurs and business owners with which she works. “That’s one of my favorite parts.”

It’s a matter of getting to know about them and their operations, finding out what they need and then helping them.

Most entrepreneurs excel at providing products and services, but sometimes struggle with other aspects of running their businesses. That includes bookkeeping and managing employees. “It’s not just all selling and serving. As an owner, you have other responsibilities.”

The SBDC helps, she says, with free and low-cost consulting and training. The Leading Edge course, for example, offers instruction on all aspects of starting and growing businesses.

The Business Incubator Center offers additional resources, she says. The incubator program and commercial kitchen offer low-cost spaces and shared services. A revolving loan fund offers access to capital. The center also oversees a program offering tax credits for capital projects. That’s not to mention a maker space and co-working space.

Baker expects to continue her singular efforts to help entrepreneurs and businesses, but she says she’s also excited about joining in a team effort. “This is the most awesome place I’ve ever worked.”

Page 18 The Business Times SePtember 28-OctOber 11, 2023
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INDICATORS AT A GLANCE

n Business filings

s New business filings in Colorado, 54,890 in the second quarter, up 39.1 percent from the second quarter of 2022.

n Confidence

t Consumer Confidence Index 103 for September, down 5.7.

t Leeds Business Confidence Index for Colorado, 44.1 for the third quarter, down 1.

t National Federation of Independent Business Small Business Optimism Index 91.3 for August, down 0.6.

n Foreclosures

s Foreclosure filings in Mesa County, 17 in August, up from 11 in August 2022.

t Foreclosure sales in Mesa County, 3 in August, down from 11 in August 2022.

n Indexes

t Conference Board Employment Trends Index, 113.02 for August, down 1.69.

t Conference Board Leading Economic Index 105.4 for August, down 0.4%.

s Institute for Supply Management Purchasing Managers Index for manufacturing, 47.6% for August, up 1.2%.

n Lodging

s Lodging tax collections in Grand Junction, $613,988 for the first quarter, up 6% from the first quarter of 2022.

n Real estate

t Real estate transactions in Mesa County, 334 in August, down 15.7% from August 2022.

t Dollar volume of real estate transactions in Mesa County, $171 million in August, down 12.8% from August 2022.

n Sales

s Sales and use tax collections in Grand Junction, $43.3 million for the first half, up 2.3% from the first half of 2022.

s Sales and use tax collections in Mesa County, $4.6 million for August, up 2.5% from August 2022.

n Unemployment

t Mesa County — 3.7% for August, down 0.1.

s Colorado — 3.1% for July, up 0.2.

s United States — 3.8% for August up 0.3.

Unemployment rate slips

Job growth still expected in Mesa County in months and years ahead

The unemployment rate slipped in Mesa County in August even as a measure of labor demand jumped.

While there could be some ups and downs in the jobless rates in the months ahead, no big changes are expected.

AREA JOBLESS RATES

Contributors Opinion Business Briefs Business People Almanac

“I think it’ll stay pretty stable,” said Lindsay Bullock, manager of the Mesa County Workforce Center in Grand Junction.

The seasonally unadjusted unemployment rate edged down a tenth of a point to 3.7 percent in August, according to the latest estimates from the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment. The rate remains a full point higher than April and seven-tenths of a point higher than August 2022.

Between July and August 2023, Mesa County payrolls increased 928 to 75,518. The number of people counted among those unsuccessfully looking for work decreased 89. The labor force, which includes the employed and unemployed, grew 839 to 78,400.

Over the past year, payrolls increased 843 or about 1.1 percent. The ranks of the unemployed also increased, however, 565. The labor force grew 1,408.

Bullock said the latest numbers are typical for August and a time of year when the jobless rate usually edges downward.

What was noteworthy, she said, was a jump in the number of job orders posted at the Mesa County Work Force Center. For August, 1,133 orders were posted. That’s up from 742 orders posted in July and the biggest increase so far this year. For August 2022, 850 orders were posted.

Bullock said demand remains strongest for job openings in the health care, leisure and hospitality and construction sectors.

Through the first eight months of 2023, 6,428 job orders were posted. That’s down 3.6 percent from the 6,669 orders posted during the same span in 2022.

Looking ahead, Bullock said she expects labor numbers to remain stable. If changes occur, they’ll likely be small ones. “I don’t see any big jumps happening.”

Seasonally unadjusted unemployment rates also edged down in two neighboring Western Colorado counties in August — a tenth of a point to 3.7 percent in Delta County and three-tenths of a point to 3.2 percent in Rio Blanco County. The jobless rates remained unchanged at 2.9 percent in Garfield County and 3.5 percent in Montrose County.

The statewide seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose two-tenths of a point to 3.1 percent. The increase pushed the rate above 3 percent for the first time in 16 months.

The number of people counted among those unsuccessfully looking for work increased 4,700 between July and August to 99,800. The labor force grew 2,500 to more than 3.2 million.

The labor force participation rate — the share of the population either working or actively looking for work — remained unchanged for a fourth straight month at 68.7 percent.

Nonfarm payrolls increased 5,600 between July and August as an increase of 9,100 private sector jobs more than offset a decrease of 3,500 government jobs.

Over the past year, nonfarm payrolls increased 42,700. Employment increased 24,000 in leisure and hospitality, 7,200 in professional and business services and 6,400 in health services. Employment decreased 7,300 in financial activities, 2,500 in construction and 1,500 in the information sector. Payrolls declined 5,500 in the trade, transportation and utilities sector.

The average workweek for Colorado employees on private, nonfarm payrolls held steady at 33.2 hours. Average hourly earnings rose $1.79 to $35.90.

Consumer Confidence Index retreats further

A measure of consumer confidence retreated for a second straight month on less upbeat expectations for business and labor conditions.

The Conference Board reported its Consumer Confidence Index declined 5.7 points to 103 in August. While a measure of current conditions edged up, a measure of the shortterm outlook dropped below a threshold that historically signals an impending recession.

“Consumers continue to be preoccupied with rising prices in general and for groceries and gasoline in particular. Consumers also expressed concerns about the political situation and higher interest rates,” said Dana Peterson, chief economist of the Conference Board.

The decline in confidence was evident across all age groups and was most notable for consumers with annual household incomes above $50,000, Peterson said.

Plans to purchase automobiles were flat, but remained at an elevated level, she said. Plans to purchase appliances continued to trend upward. But plans to buy homes continued to trend downward as a result of higher interest rates on mortgages.

Expectations for interest rates declined in September after surging, the prior month. But the outlook for stock prices continued to fall.

The proportion of consumers who said they consider a recession “somewhat” or “very likely” rose, Peterson said.

The New York-based think tank bases the index on the results of monthly household surveys.

Slightly more optimistic assessments of current business and labor conditions pushed up the present situation component of the index up four-tenths of a point to 147.1

The share of consumers who responded to the survey upon which the September index was based who called business conditions”good”fell six-tenths of a point to 20.9 percent. But the proportion of those who called conditions “bad” fell more— nine-tenths of a point to 16.4 percent.

The share of consumers who said jobs were “plentiful” rose a point to 40.9 percent. The proportion of those who said jobs were “hard to get” rose four-tenths of a point to 13.6 percent.

Less upbeat outlooks pulled down the expectations portion of the index 9.6 points. At 73.7, the latest reading is below 80, a level that historically signals a recession within the next year.

The proportion of consumers who said they expect business conditions to improve over the next six months declined 3.4 points to 14.1 percent. The share of those anticipating worsening conditions advanced 1.1 points to 18.4 percent.

The proportion of consumers who said they expect more jobs to become available in coming months fell two points to 15.5 percent. The share of those forecasting fewer jobs rose nine-tenths of a point to 18.9 percent.

While 16.3 percent of consumers said they expect their incomes to increase, 14.4 percent anticipated decreasing incomes. F

September 28-OctOber 11, 2023 The Business Times page 19 News Trends
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Aug. July t Delta County 3.7 3.8 n Garfield County 2.9 2.9 s Mesa County 3.7 3.8 n Montrose County 3.5 3.5 t Rio Blanco County 3.2 3.5
Lindsay Bullock Dana Peterson

Leading index signals slowing in U.S. economy

A monthly index forecasting economic conditions in the United States continues to decline, signaling slowing and what could be a recession.

The Conference Board reported its Leading Economic Index decreased another four-tenths of a percent to 105.4 in August. Separate measures of current conditions and past conditions increased.

“With August’s decline, the U.S. Leading Economic Index has now fallen for nearly a year and a half straight, indicating the economy is heading into a challenging growth period and possible recession over the next year,” said Justyna Zabinska-La Monica, senior manager of business cycle

indicators for the Conference Board. Higher interest rates, tighter credit conditions and less upbeat consumer expectations could result in a brief and mild contraction, she said.

The New York-based think tank forecasts gross domestic product, the broad measure of goods and services produced in the U.S., will grow 2.2 percent in 2023. The pace of growth is expected to slow to 0.8 percent in 2024. For August, six of 10 indicators of the Leading Economic Index retreated, including consumer expectations for business conditions, interest rate spread, leading credit and new orders indexes and stock prices. An increase in average weekly claims for unemployment benefits also pulled down the index. Building permits and new orders for both capital and consumer goods advanced. Average weekly manufacturing hours remained unchanged.

The Coincident Economic Index rose two-tenths of a percent to 110.6. The index increased eight-tenths of a percent over the past six months.

For August, all four indicators of the index advanced — industrial production, nonfarm payrolls, personal income and sales.

The Lagging Economic Index rose two-tenths of a percent to 118.5. The index edged up two-tenths of a percent over the past three months.

For August, four of seven indicators of the index rose, including the average prime rate charged by banks, consumer credit and inventories. A decrease in the duration of unemployment also bolstered the index. The cost of labor and services retreated, as did commercial and industrial financing.

Page 20 The Business Times SePtember 28-OctOber 11, 2023
Justyna ZabinskaLa Monica

COMING ATTRACTIONS

n A variety of presentations are planned at the Business Incubator Center in Grand Junction.

A bookkeeping bootcamp is set for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 28. 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 operations. Admission is $75.

The next monthly maker meetup is set for 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 2 at the GJ Makerspace at the center. The event is free.

A free course on intellectual property is set for 10 a.m. to noon Oct. 3.

The next small business startup workshop is set for 2 to 4 p.m. Oct. 5. The workshop will cover the business planning process, including financing, legal structures, licensing requirements and state registration. Admission is $55.

A presentation on preparing cash flow budgets for small businesses using Excel is set for noon to 1 p.m. Oct. 17

To register for or obtain more information about events, programs and services offered at the Business Incubator Center, call 243-5242 or log on to https://gjincubator.org.

n The Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce has scheduled a business toolbox presentation on business planning. The event is set for noon to 1 p.m. Oct. 10 at FWorks, 325 E. Aspen Ave. Admission is $5 for chamber members, $10 for others.

To register for or obtain more information about chamber events, call 858-3894 or log on to https://fruitachamber.org.

AI provides HR solutions

Technology could relieve the burdens of routine tasks and processes

Human resources professionals manage an array of tasks, from recruitment and employee engagement to compliance and workforce planning. The demands of the job often lead to burnout, affecting HR professionals and their organizations.

There’s a promising solution, however: leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and other new technologies to relieve the burden on HR teams and enhance their effectiveness. Here are some of the potential roles for AI and technology:

n Streamlining recruitment processes: One of the most time-consuming tasks for HR professionals is sifting through countless resumes and conducting initial interviews. AIpowered tools can automate resume screening, identify top candidates and even conduct preliminary interviews through chatbots. This not only saves time, but also offers a more efficient process.

n Automating administrative tasks: HR teams often spend a significant portion of their time on such administrative duties as data entry, payroll processing and benefits management. AI-driven HR software can handle these tasks, allowing HR professionals to focus on more strategic activities.

n Predictive analytics for workforce planning: Predictive analytics can help HR departments forecast future workforce needs, identify potential skill gaps and create proactive hiring and training strategies. By analyzing historical data and external factors, AI can provide valuable insights to guide workforce planning.

n Enhancing employee engagement: AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants can improve employee engagement by providing immediate responses to common HR queries, such as benefits inquiries or policy clarifications. Employees feel supported and well-informed.

n Personalized learning and development: AI can tailor training and development programs to individual employee needs. By analyzing employee performance data, AI can recommend specific courses or resources that align with career goals and skill gaps.

n Predicting and preventing burnout: By analyzing employee data — including work hours, workload and engagement levels — AI can predict the likelihood of burnout. HR teams can then address issues before they escalate, such as redistributing workloads or providing additional support.

n Enhanced compliance management: Compliance with labor laws and regulations constitutes a critical role for HR. AI can assist by identifying potential issues and alerting HR to necessary actions.

n Remote work and flexibility: The rise of remote work has introduced new challenges for HR, including tracking remote employee productivity and well-being. AI can assist by providing

insights into remote work patterns, helping HR teams make datadriven decisions.

Here are some of the benefits of AI and technology in HR:

Opinion Business Briefs Business People Almanac

n Efficiency: Automating repetitive tasks and processes increases HR efficiency, allowing teams to accomplish more in less time.

n Accuracy: AI-driven systems reduce the risk of human errors in data entry and analysis, leading to more accurate decisions.

n Cost savings: By automating administrative tasks and optimizing workforce planning, organizations can reduce HR operational costs.

n Employee satisfaction: Freed from mundane tasks, HR professionals can focus on strategic activities that enhance employee satisfaction and engagement.

n Strategic effects: With AI handling routine tasks, HR professionals can devote more time to strategic planning, talent development and aligning HR strategies with business goals. While AI and technology offer significant advantages for HR, there are challenges and considerations to keep in mind:

n Data privacy and security: Handling sensitive employee data requires robust security measures and compliance with data protection regulations.

n Technology adoption: Implementing AI and new technologies could require training and change management to ensure successful adoption by HR teams.

n Ethical concerns: The use of AI in HR must adhere to ethical guidelines to avoid biases or discrimination in decision-making.

n Integration with existing systems: Integrating AI solutions with existing HR systems and processes can be complex and could require careful planning.

HR burnout poses a significant challenge that could affect HR professionals and their organizations. However, AI and technology offer a promising solution by streamlining processes, automating tasks and providing valuable insights. By harnessing the power of AI, HR teams can transition from administrative roles to strategic partners, contributing to more efficient, productive and engaged workforce.

As AI continues to evolve, its role in HR will become increasingly essential in the pursuit of healthier, more sustainable work environments.

Jenny Kelly, a Society for Human Resource Management certified professional, serves as director of public relations and marketing for the Western Colorado Human Resource Association. For additional information about the organization, visit www.wchra.org.

September 28-OctOber 11, 2023 The Business Times page 21 Trends Contributors
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Jenny Kelly

Build and develop your team with assessments

In building a solid team, business owners face a very real challenge in a lack of credible, unbiased information. What you don’t know really limits your ability to hire, place, manage and develop team members. Clear and accurate information that positions you to build and develop the best team possible is no less important in realizing future growth. Are you looking for a way to hire correctly the first time, reduce turnover and increase retention? Do you wish you had clear-cut information that would enable you to place your team members in positions where they’re the most effective and happy? Do you want to enhance the engagement and productivity of your team? Would discovering the specific areas for training and professional development that would deliver the greatest return on your investment appeal to you?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then accurate, non-biased, comprehensive and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission compliant assessments could be what you need.

Five key assessments lead the charge when building a great team is your intent:

n Behaviors (DISC): Behavioral assessments and effective training positions individuals to gain more understanding of themselves and others. They come to appreciate the differences in people and adapt their communication styles for more effective communication. Team members are also exposed to their time wasters, areas to improve and how they break down under pressure. When combined with effective coaching, team members

learn how to manage these for superior performance Assessment results enhance the hiring process by revealing how an individual is likely to perform.

n Driving Forces (Motivators): An assessment that measures driving forces helps illuminate and amplify a person’s motivating factors. Motivators can be referred to as the aspects of life you’re passionate about, things you perceive as important or thoughts that inspire purpose and direction in life. Motivators are the drivers of our behaviors, or what motivates our actions. By combining coaching, training and the knowledge of motivators, you can position and encourage team members in ways that satisfy their inner drive right from the start. The results benefit both hiring and coaching initiatives by revealing why individuals act the way they do — what motivates their behavior.

n Emotional Intelligence: An EQ assessment helps identify how well a person manages emotions and relationships with others. It looks at a person’s emotional intelligence — the ability to sense, understand and effectively apply the power and acumen of emotions to facilitate higher levels of collaboration and productivity.

n Business Acumen Indicator: This assessment is unique in its ability to assess how astutely a person analyzes and interprets their experiences. A person’s acumen, or keenness and depth of perception or discernment, is directly related to their level of performance. The stronger a person’s acumen, the more aware they are of their reality in their external and internal worlds and the better they respond effectively to them. This report offers insight into the thought processes of the individual that affect performance and reveals what they can do, describing their capacity for superior performance.

n Competencies: This assessment describes what an individual’s strengths are in 25 research-based capacities, or personal skills, directly related to the business environment.

The top skills outlined in the report highlight individuals’ well-developed capabilities and reveal the areas where they’re most effective. The results also provide a straightforward and easy way to close gaps in competencies necessary for top performance. When used as a benchmarking tool, this component helps ensure the inherent skills of each individual match the personal skills required by the job.

This suite of powerful assessments provides business owners and managers with the high-quality, unbiased information that’s critical in hiring, placing, managing and developing team members. They provide a level of understanding and clarity you and your team can’t get anywhere else. Combined with professional development and training, this powerful information creates greater buy-in; enhances communication and teamwork; and increases productivity, job satisfaction and talent retention.

When administered properly, the positive impact of these assessments on business performance is exceptional. If you’re going to hire effectively, understand where gaps in abilities exist, manage from a better understanding of your people, train with the greatest impact, retain talent and build a team of top performers, then high-quality assessments are essential to your success.

Marcus Straub owns Life is Great Coaching in Grand Junction. His personalized coaching and consulting services help individuals, business owners, executives and companies build teams, organizations and lives filled with happiness and success. Straub is winner of the International Coach of the Year Award and author of “Is It Fun Being You?” He’s available for free consultations regarding coaching, speaking and trainings. Reach Straub at (970) 208-3150, marcus@ligcoaching.com or through the website located at www.ligcoaching.com. F

Page 22 The Business Times SePtember 28-OctOber 11, 2023
Marcus Straub

The ins and outs of airport security

Have you ever rushed through the airport to catch a flight only to run into a jammed security screening hall? Does the thought of spending an hour or more in a security line make you want to scream?

The simplest way to get through security as quickly and painlessly as possible is to enroll in one of three trusted traveler programs. Each has slightly different features, so make your choices based on what offers you the greatest value and benefits. If your frequent flyer status is high enough, your airline might pay part or all of the cost of any of the following programs. Some credit cards also pay the fees for TSA PreCheck and Global Entry.

n TSA PreCheck: The best-known program is the Transportation Security Administration program — www.tsa.gov/precheck. Enrollment is relatively easy. It takes five minutes to submit an online application and schedule an in-person appointment that includes a background check and fingerprinting at an enrollment center. The wait for the required interview and fingerprinting can run several months or more, though. Once you’ve completed your interview, you usually receive notification of acceptance in a month or less. The PreCheck advantages? You don’t usually have to remove shoes, light jackets, computers, belts or your one-quart baggie of liquids and gels. You also don’t normally have to go through the full-body scanner — just the metal detector. Shoes with steel shanks, large belt buckles and any internal or external medical devices could necessitate removal or a scan. This program costs $78 for five years.

n CBP Global Entry: If you travel internationally two to three times a year or more, the Customs and Border Patrol Global Entry program — www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/globalentry — can really speed you through immigration and customs when returning to the United States. Travelers must be preapproved for the Global Entry program. Applicants undergo a rigorous background check and in-person interviews before enrollment.

As with PreCheck®, the process can take four to six months or longer. This program minimizes the lines for re-entry by using special kiosks and a dedicated CBP Officer. The entry process varies somewhat at each participating airport. Members proceed to Global Entry kiosks, present their machine-readable passport or U.S. permanent resident card, place their fingerprints on the scanner for fingerprint verification and complete a customs declaration. The kiosk issues the traveler a transaction receipt and directs the traveler to baggage claim and the exit. CBP is going paperless, so at many airports you may use a retinal scanner and not insert your passport or scan your fingers. In this case, you show your passport to the CBP officer who compares the scan and passport photo to your face. Once through the kiosk area, you proceed to baggage claim and out through customs. The program costs $100 for five years and includes TSA PreCheck.

n CLEAR: The CLEAR program — www.clearme.com — allows for a quick identity verification experience. You face a CLEAR pod and verify you are who you are with your eyes or fingerprint. Then a CLEAR ambassador escorts you to the front of the TSA screening line. In theory, you only need your boarding pass. But due to recent issues with unauthorized users, you should expect to show your identification and boarding pass to the TSA officer. CLEAR doesn’t exempt you from having to remove shoes, belts, jacket and large electronics unless you also have TSA PreCheck. The cost for CLEAR is $179 a year. Enrollment is easy and quick. Take time to assess and compare programs. In the case of CLEAR, consider the airports you fly out of most often. Grand Junction doesn’t offer CLEAR. So if most of your travel originates here, CLEAR might not be worth the annual cost.

Janet Arrowood is founder and managing director of the Write Source, a Grand Junction firm offering a range of services, including grant and proposal writing, instruction and technical writing. Reach her at janet.arrowood@thewritesourceinc.com. For more information, log on to www.TheWriteSourceInc.com. F

September 28-OctOber 11, 2023 The Business Times page 23
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Janet Arrowood

Why personal and organizational values matter

John Maxwell, the author and leadership expert, once wrote: “Values determine the foundation of the team. And, I define personal value … as something that influences and guides my behavior, and organization’s value is something that influences and guides the team’s behavior. In the laws of teamwork, one of the laws I teach is the law of identity.”

Maxwell’s great treatise, titled “17 Laws of Teamwork,” offers a wonderful compass guiding anyone aspiring to become a true servant leader. I recommend this book to anyone who places the needs of those to whom they’re accountable and responsible above their own.

Among those laws of leadership, the law of identity — No. 13 on Maxwell’s list — notes the following:

“… shared values define the team.”

One might wonder how personal values have anything in common with the values of the businesses and other organizations for which they work. Let’s look at the differences between personal values and organizational values.

Personal values influence and guide individual behavior. Anyone who has any inkling of Maxwell’s take on leadership quickly grasps the influence piece.

Leadership, Maxwell asserts, is influence. Nothing more. Nothing less.

Personal values guide and direct our lives. To surrender a personal value for the sake of a dollar leads us, invariably, down the wrong path. We must be true to ourselves.

Organizational values influence and guide the team’s behavior.

Notice how both personal and organizational values influence and guide?

Here’s where living your values is significant. If and when there’s conflict between personal and organizational values, there will be conflict with individuals throughout the organization.

This implies, of course, the organization has taken the time to identify its values.

Far too many organizations have yet to identify what they value. Far too many organizations either haven’t developed their vision and mission statements or fail to follow what they’re written. The significance of identifying a value proposition for any organization should never be overlooked.

We hear and see these issues a lot in organizations. It’s becoming a rallying cry for people leaving organizations. We hear comments like the these:

“They’re asking me to do things they don’t follow.”

“Oh, we don’t do that stuff here.”

“I have no idea what our vision or mission is.”

“I’m not sure what our values are.”

When conversations circle around things like vision, people invariably speak of the “head” — as in this is something people with “Os” in their titles desire. When conversations circle around things like values, we really begin to get down to the “heart” of the matter.

Maxwell stated: “… values are the heart and soul of your organization.”

They give your organization purpose, meaning and significance. People will leave bad bosses, for sure. But people also will leave organizations that have no apparent purpose, meaning or significance.

Tim Haggerty and his wife, Bernadette, operate a consulting firm based in Grand Junction that helps clients transition from command and control to servant leadership and change the view of wages and benefits from expenses to investments. Haggerty brings to the venture more than 40 years of experience in operations management and a record of decreasing costs while increasing productivity and revenue. He also serves as vice president of the Grand Junction Kiwanis Club. Reach him at info@timothyhaggerty.com, (610) 737-0496 or www.timothyhaggerty.com

Fall into fitness: Make the most of changing seasons

Fall can be a season when exercise routines waiver. It’s no longer summer, but not yet winter. It’s too cold to continue with many of the summer activities you enjoy. You could even become a little blue with the realization summer and your favorite activities are over for a while.

Still, fall brings with it many other opportunities. Here are five tips to keep you active and ready to embrace this beautiful season: n Take it inside and outside. As temperatures drop, head back to the health club. Don’t miss out on a workout just because fall is in the air. Take a group exercise class. Mix it up. Still, fall offers a perfect time to enjoy the beautiful Grand Valley. With so many options from which to choose — like mountain biking and hiking — there’s no reason not to get out and enjoy the scenery and vibrant colors. Go exploring. Hike a new trail. Visit a park. Raking leaves or getting in some yardwork offer great ways to get the heart pumping. Spend time in nature. The fresh air does wonders for your mind as well as your body.

n Layer your fall clothing. Learning the fundamentals

of layering for fall and winter activities could mean the difference between comfort and misery. It’s important to layer while exercising in chilly weather. You might feel cold at first. But as your body warms, you could feel overdressed. Follow the three-layer rule. The first layer next to your skin should be made of a moisture-wicking fabric, often called DriFit. This fabric keeps moisture away from your skin so you don’t feel wet and cold. The second layer should be a warmth layer and the third layer a protective layer, such as a windbreaker or something water-resistant depending on the weather. Don’t forget your sunglasses.

n Don’t be blue. Many of us experience the blues as the weather cools and days shorten. Although it’s tempting when waking up in the dark, don’t hit the snooze button on the alarm. With less sunlight, you might want to increase consumption of Vitamin D. Eat foods rich in this vitamin, such as fish, egg yolks and mushrooms. Remember, too: Exercise releases endorphins that enhance your mood and feelings of happiness.

n Watch the treats. It’s estimated the average American gains between 5 pounds and 9 pounds during a holiday season that begins with Halloween and continues through the new year. Halloween is a time when you stockpile bags of candy for the one evening when a few trick-or-treaters

come to your door. The day after, leftover candy constitutes a sugar source that promotes unhealthy eating habits. Remember, Halloween is just one day.

n Plan for the holidays. Take out a calendar early — like right now. Mark off time for exercise each day. Schedule a little exercise between things on busy days — 10 minutes is better than nothing. Keep your goals in mind throughout the holiday season. The time you allow yourself for exercise, sleep, nutrition and organization will make the busy season more manageable. Eat right and buy healthy snacks. Don’t fall into the trap of believing you’ll start after the new year. This is really saying you’ll find an excuse no matter the time of year. There will always be birthdays, parties and other special events.

Enjoy the change of seasons. Fall is a perfect time to keep fitness routines on track. Instead of using cooler weather as an excuse not to exercise, try using the season as an excuse to exercise. Happy fall.

Paula and Dale Reece own Crossroads Fitness Centers in Grand Junction with a downtown location at 225 N. Fifth St. and north location at 2768 Compass Drive. For more information, call 242-8746 or visit the website located at www.crossroadsfitness.com.

Page 24 The Business Times SePtember 28-OctOber 11, 2023
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Paula Reece

Change in Chinese exports a tech turning point

The news China exported no gallium and germanium in August might seem like a drop in the ocean of international commerce, but poses profound implications for the United States and our technological future.

This comes at a time where the world is defined by global interdependency. A single decision made on the other side of the world can send ripples through economies and industries. Nowhere is this more evident than in the semiconductor sector. Hence the race to secure national interests and move away from any interdependency that plays a part.

China’s move to halt gallium and germanium exports comes amid mounting geopolitical tensions and rising concerns about a tech war between the world’s two economic giants. Gallium and germanium constitute essential components in semiconductor manufacturing, in turn crucial for everything we rely upon each day — from smartphones to the advanced technologies underpinning our national security.

This might not be a surprise given the massive CHIPS and Science Act enacted in the United States last year and trickle down of federal funds into industries over the next several years.

Regulating these exports underscores China’s determination to respond to U.S. export controls, even at the expense of economic growth.

A decision like this arrives at a risky time for China as the nation wrestles with weakening domestic demand and a housing crisis. Last month also marked the most significant drop in exports from China in more than

three years, further diminishing prospects for its fragile economic recovery.

China’s export restrictions constitute a double-edged sword, as described by political analysts around the world, as it hinders its economy and expedites the shift of global supply chains away from Chinese dominance. While China leads in gallium and germanium production, alternative producers and substitutes are available to the global semiconductor industry, as highlighted by Eurasia Group analysts in a July research report.

Starting Aug. 1, exporters required special permission to ship gallium and germanium out of China. This move has intensified a technology war between China and the U.S., focusing on access to advanced chip-making technology, a battleground pivotal for innovation in smartphones, self-driving cars and even weapons manufacturing.

What makes this development particularly intriguing is the broader context of China’s internal and external challenges, as highlighted by geopolitician Peter Zeihan. He sheds light on the struggles within China’s economy, political landscape and demographics, suggesting we’re witnessing a systematic breakdown that’s been brewing for years.

Many factors have already eroded China’s industrial competitiveness. A drop in birth rates signals a shrinking workforce and what could become a subsequent decline in consumer demand. Consider in addition the increase in labor costs over the past two decades, and China is a nation in distress.

China’s exposure to international sanctions and supply chain vulnerabilities grows as well. The geopolitical tensions in Ukraine and China’s limited energy and food supply routes put China at risk. In this tumultuous environment, the decision to halt gallium and germanium exports must be viewed as a manifestation of a broader

crisis. The information vacuum, internal purges and demographic challenges are symptoms of a system under strain.

For the U.S., the challenge lies in adapting quickly to mitigate the potential fallout from China’s unraveling. Increasing domestic production, supporting small businesses and startups to aid innovation clustering and reducing reliance on Chinese-made components to nurture a robust semiconductor industry will be essential to weather the storm and come out strong on the other side. A transition won’t be seamless, and there’s a risk supply shortages will affect various industries in coming months.

As the world watches China’s complex issues unfold, it becomes clear the effects are extensive. The U.S. must prepare for a future in which technological self-reliance remains a priority. The semiconductor industry is at the forefront of this transformation. Decisions made in coming years will determine our nation’s technological sovereignty and secure our national interests.

The U.S. must safeguard the world’s technological future and seize the opportunity to lead in semiconductor innovation. Necessity is not only a mother of invention, but also could serve as the catalyst for a new era of technological prowess.

Dalida Sassoon Bollig, chief executive officer of the Business Incubator Center in Grand Junction, is an experienced strategist with demonstrated work in international affairs. She brings to her duties experience in economic development, entrepreneurship, leadership, partnerships, public policy and trade. For additional information about programs and services offered at the center, call 243-5232 or visit https://gjincubator.org. Reach Bollig by email at dbollig@gjincubator.org. F

September 28-OctOber 11, 2023 The Business Times page 25
Dalida Bollig
September 28-OctOber 11, 2023 The Business

n BURLINGTON STORES ANNOUNCES PLANS TO OPEN GRAND JUNCTION LOCATION

Opinion Business Briefs Business People Almanac

Burlington Stores, a national discount retailer with nearly 1,000 outlets, has announced plans to open a location in Grand Junction this fall.

The new store will open in the Grand Mesa Center, located at 2424 U.S. Highway 6 & 50.

The operation will create employment opportunities. Candidates should visit https://burlingtonstores.jobs to obtain more information and apply online.

Burlington Stores offers a varied inventory that includes women’s apparel and accessories, menswear, clothes for children and infants, footwear and home decor.

Headquartered in New Jersey, Burlington Stores operated a total of 939 stores in 46 states and Puerto Rico at the end of the second quarter of the 2023 fiscal year. The company reported 2022 fiscal year net sales of $8.7 billion.

For more information about Burlington Stores, visit the website at www.burlington.com.

n ALPINE BANK REMINDS COLORADANS TO REMAIN WARY OF TEXT AND EMAIL FRAUD

Alpine Bank warns the customers of all banks to remain vigilant after a surge of texts and emails designed to trick people into disclosing confidential bank account login information and passwords.

Alpine Bank assured its bank accounts remain secure and under no threat so long as customers don’t click on the links or provide login information.

According to a news release from the bank, the bogus texts and emails warn recipients there’s been suspicious activity and they’ve been locked out of their bank accounts.The texts and emails ask recipients to click on a link that connects them to a fake bank website, where they’re asked to enter their login names and passwords. Texts and emails also ask recipients to call a fake telephone number. Those who do talk to someone posing as a bank customer service employee.

According to the news release, legitimate banks never ask customers to reveal login names, passwords or other confidential information. People who receive the texts and emails should report them as fraud and delete them.

NOTEWORTHY SHARE YOUR NEWS

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

n CMU FOUNDATION, MESA YOUTH SERVICES AMONG LATEST PINNACOL GRANT RECIPIENTS

Pinnacol Assurance, a leading workers’ compensation insurer in Colorado, has awarded more than $400,000 to nonprofit organizations, including the Colorado Mesa University Foundation and Mesa Youth Services.

Pinnacol Assurance awarded 29 grants in its latest cycle to organizations that align with the company’s commitment to workforce development, safety and economic vitality.

“Pinnacol is integral to the health and longevity of Colorado’s workforce. One way we demonstrate that is through our commitment to the community,” said John O’Donnell, president and chief executive officer. “Especially in a rapidly changing, modern and post-pandemic economy, we are dedicated to promoting inclusiveness, resilience and access to community services that support Colorado’s employers, nonprofits and workforce.”

Pinnacol Assurance operates the largest workers compensation insurance carrier in Colorado, providing coverage to nearly 1 million workers. For more information, log on to www.pinnacol.com.

n HBA SCHEDULES PARADE OF HOMES FOR OCT 6 TO 8 AND AGAIN OCT. 13 TO 15

The Home and Building Association of Western Colorado has scheduled its annual Parade of Homes for Oct. 6 to 8 and 13 to 15. The self-guided tour showcasing homes, new home technology and design trends will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays.

Tickets sell for $15 and are available at Safeway locations in Grand Junction and online at www.gjparade.com.

Grant to help Mesa County improve document imaging

A nearly $500,000 grant will help Mesa County enhance and update imaging of recorded documents and make the documents available to the public.

The $448,080 grant was the largest of 10 grants the Colorado Secretary of State‘s Electronic Recording Technology Board awarded to counties to maintain and update recording technologies to allow for digital access to records.

“The more than $1.6 million in grants will help counties across the state modernize their recording practices, and I’m so glad my office can make that possible,” said Jena Griswold, Colorado secretary of state.

“My office’s Electronic Recording Technology Board is

dedicated to helping Colorado counties small and large better serve their constituents,” Griswold said.

Under the terms of the grant agreement, Mesa County will improve the images of recorded documents from 1883 to 1967 and make those documents available to the public using a digital vault.

Garfield County received a grant for nearly $10,400 to purchase new scanners to record documents and replace label printers used by the recording office.

The Electronic Recording Technology Board was created in 2016 to develop, improve, maintain and preserve land record systems in Colorado. Since it’s creation, the board has awarded more than $10 million to ensure county clerks can maintain and improve property records and other documents.

HopeWest based in Grand Junction has received recognition for its patient care in the latest results of an annual review of hospice organizations.

HEALTHCAREfirst named HopeWest a 2023 Hospice CAHPS Honors Award recipient.

“This award is truly a testament to the incredible care provided by our clinicians — the nurses, certified nursing assistants, social workers, chaplains and physicians. Our teams care deeply about their patients and patient families, so it is really an honor to have this recognition come directly from the families, friends and caregivers we serve,” said Meghan Munoz, vice president of clinical practice at HopeWest.

The education and training provided team members result in a higher quality of care to patients and their families, she said.

A solutions and services provider for home health and hospice organizations, HEALTHCAREfirst conducts the awards program to highlight agencies providing quality care, said Ronda Howard, a vice president. “We congratulate HopeWest on their success and are so proud and honored that they have chosen to partner with us in helping drive success for their agency.”

The award is based on the results of hospice consumer assessment of health care providers and systems surveys. Recipients score above the HEALTHCAREfirst national average on at least 85 percent of evaluated questions.

HopeWest operates an in-patient hospice center in Grand Junction and provides hospice, palliative care and grief support services in a large area of Western Colorado. For more information, call 241-2212 or visit www.HopeWestCO.org.

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Jena Griswold Meghan Munoz John O’Donnell
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Business People Almanac Business Briefs Business People Almanac

n HOPEWEST PACE ANNOUNCES NEW DIRECTOR OF CLINICAL SERVICES

Tracy Barrios has joined the HopeWest Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) as director of clinical services.

“We are thrilled to welcome Tracy to our team,” said Cassie Mitchell, president and chief executive officer of HopeWest, based in Grand Junction. “Her exceptional skills, leadership and commitment to quality care make her an ideal fit for this role. We look forward to her contributions in driving the mission of HopeWest PACE.”

Barrios will be responsible for ensuring the highest standards of care and integrity of the clinical practice across all settings — including assisted and skilled nursing facilities as well as private homes.

She brings to her latest role experience in nursing administration in the Grand Valley. She received a bachelor’s of nursing degree from Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction in 2012.

“I am excited to join the remarkable HopeWest team and contribute to the well-being of the community,” Barrios said. “My focus will be on upholding the highest clinical standards and collaborating with our talented team to ensure that participants receive the best possible care.”

HopeWest PACE provides a range of medical and support services to enable people to live in their homes for as long as possible. For more information, call 255-7223 or visit https://hopewestpace.org.

n CITY OF GRAND JUNCTION NAMES NEW FINANCE DIRECTOR

Jennifer Tomaszewski has been selected as finance director of the City of Grand Junction.

Tomaszewski succeeds Jodi Welch, who retired after working for the city for 32 years.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to be part of this community, and my family and I are looking forward to this new adventure,” Tomaszewski said. “I already feel the warmth of the community in the welcome extended by city staff.”

A certified public accountant, Tomaszewski previously served as assistant finance director in Santa Maria, Calif., a city with a population of 110,000 and an annual municipal budget of $350 million. Her role there included accounting, budgeting, payroll and utility billing.

Grand Junction City Manager Greg Caton praised Tomaszewski’s selection. “Jennifer brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her new role with the city. Our finance department is busy preparing the budget for 2024. And with Jennifer’s skills as a proven leader, we have expectations this team of professionals will continue to deliver financial excellence for our organization and the community.”

SHARE YOUR NEWS

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

n LIGHTHOUSE HR SUPPORT NAMES ADDITION TO STAFF

Gina Archuleta has joined Lighthouse HR Support in Grand Junction as an HR business partner in the firm’s operations department.

Archuleta is responsible for executive tasks in the background screening division as well as business development in all areas. She also provides consulting services to clients.

She brings to her duties more than 17 years of human resources management experience across various industries, including employee relations, leadership development, performance assessments and talent acquisition.

She’s overseen background screening for a diverse workforce, ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations while improving the accuracy and efficiency of screening protocols. She holds a Fair Credit Reporting Act certification.

Lighthouse HR Support offers a range of human resource management consulting services for small and medium-sized businesses. For more information, call 243-7789 or visit the website located at www.lighthousehrs.net.

n ALPINE BANK FOUNDER AND CHAIRMAN RECEIVES LIFETIME PHILANTHROPY AWARD

Bob Young, founder and chairman of Alpine Bank, has received more recognition for his philanthropic efforts.

The Colorado Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals selected Young for its lifetime achievement award. Twelve awards were bestowed as part of National Philanthropy Day.

Young was praised for a legacy of personal philanthropy, corporate citizenship and community activism. His efforts have resulted in millions of dollars of support for nonprofit organizations in Colorado, including those involved in arts and culture, civic and community activities, education, health services and youth.

Alpine Bank donated a total of more than $425,000 to selected organizations this year as part of a celebration of 50 years in business. Since the bank was founded in 1973, it’s provided a total of more than $55 million in grants, scholarships, sponsorships and other donations.

Sept. 28

n Bookkeeping bootcamp, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Business Incubator Center, 2591 Legacy Way, Grand Junction. Admission $75, which includes lunch. 243-5242 or https://gjincubator.org

n Welcome Thursday Friends networking group, noon to 1 p.m., Ale House, 2531 N. 12th St., Grand Junction. https://fruitachamber.org

n Young Professionals Network of Mesa County after hours, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Fruita Arts Recreation Marketplace, 160 S. Park Square. www.ypnmc.org

Sept. 30

n Welding skills class, 9 a.m. to noon, GJMakerspace at the Business Incubator Center. Members may attend at no charge. Others pay $20. 243-5242 or https://gjincubator.org

Oct. 2

n Free monthly maker meetup, 6 to 8 p.m., GJ Makerspace. 243-5242 or https://gjincubator.org

Oct. 3

n Free course on intellectual property, 10 a.m. to noon, Business Incubator Center. 243-5242 or https://gjincubator.org

Oct. 5

n Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce Women in Business monthly networking luncheon, noon to 1 p.m. Oct 5, location to be announced. Admission $15 for chamber members, $25 for others. https://fruitachamber.org or 858-3894

n Business startup workshop, 2 to 4 p.m., Business Incubator Center. Admission $55. 243-5242 or https://gjincubator.org

Oct. 10

n Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce business toolbox presentation on business planning, noon to 1 p.m., FWorks, 325 E. Aspen Ave. Admission $5 for chamber members, $10 for others. 858-3894 or https://fruitachamber.org

Oct. 11

n Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce networking at noon, noon to 1 p.m., Dos Hombres, 3245 Interstate 70 Business Loop, Clifton.

Admission $20 for chamber members, $25 for others. https://gjchamber.org or 242-3214

Upcoming

n Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce business after hours event, 5:30 to 7 p.m. Oct. 12, Absolute Prestige Limousine Service, 1676 13 Road, Loma. Admission $5 for chamber members, $10 for others. 858-3894 or https://fruitachamber.org

n Presentation on preparing cash flow budgets for small businesses using Excel, noon to 1 p.m. Oct. 17, Business Incubator Center. https://gjincubator.org or 243-5242

n Palisade Chamber of Commerce business after hours event, 5:30 to 7 p.m. Oct. 18, Palisade Fire Department, 371 W. Seventh St. Admission for chamber members $5 in advance and $6 at the door. Others pay $8 in advance and $10 at the door. https://palisadecoc.com or 464-7458

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Tracy Barrios Gina Archuleta J. Tomaszewski Robert Young
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