The Business Times Volume 28 Issue 18

THE BUSINESS T IMES News SEPTEMBER 30-OCTOBER 13, 2021

VOLUME 28, ISSUE 18

Trends support Lending

THE DEFINITIVE SOURCE FOR GRAND JUNCTION BUSINESS NEWS SINCE 1994

In this issue n Merge ahead

2

SCL Health and Intermountain Healhcare have announced a merger expected to speed some initiatives at St Mary’s.

THEBUSINESSTIMES.COM

Contributors Opinion 4 Business Briefs 5 Business People Almanac

n Back to D.C.

n Grand Junction HR firm expanding. See page 2

Interior Secretary Deb Haaland announced plans to move BLM headquarters from Grand Junction back to Washington, D.C.

n Groundbreaking

A new building at Community Hospital will soon house a cancer treatment program that’s earned national recognition.

n Disaster relief

6

Low-interest loans are now available to small businesses affected by the closures of I-70 through Glenwood Canyon.

n Rate retreats

19

A lower jobless rate and growing labor force offer encouragement Mesa County conditions are improving.

n Help wanted

21

Employers can take steps to attract and retain employees at a time when every sector struggles to fill jobs.

n Departments Almanac Business Briefs Business People Contributors News Opinion Trends

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

Business Times photo by Phil Castle

The staff at Lighthouse HR Support includes, from left, Lindsay Woodrich, Kelly Murphy, Ed Krey, Kathy Krey and Karen Zimmerman as well as Brinkley, the dog that serves as head of puplick relations. The firm offers a wide range of human resource services.

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

THE BUSINESS T IMES News The Business Times

Page 2

SePtember 30-OctOber 13, 2021

Trends SCL Health announces Contributorsmerger plan Opinion Business Briefs Business People Almanac St. Mary’s president excited about potential to accelerate Western Colorado initiatives Phil Castle

The Business Times

Lending support

The staff at Lighthouse HR Support includes, from left, Lindsay Woodrich, Kelly Murphy, Ed Krey, Kathy Krey and Karen Zimmerman as well as Brinkley, the dog that serves as head of puplick relations.

Grand Junction HR consulting firm expanding services

E

d Krey recounts the comments he’s heard from business owners to whom he’s provided human resources services. If only they’d taken advantage of those services earlier, their experiences running their ventures would have been different.

It’s a response Krey says he not only appreciates, but also one that goes to the heart of the mission for his Grand Junction consulting firm. And that’s lending support that makes running a business a far easier, less costly and ultimately more enjoyable proposition.

In expanding service lines and staffing, Lighthouse HR Support provides a range of resources spanning the employment process, he says. “We feel like we’ve got a lot of things covered under our HR umbrella.”

Lighthouse HR Support combines under one brand operations that included Employer Representatives, Background Research and Krey Benefit Solutions.

Krey purchased part of the operation in 2006 providing unemployment insurance claims management services and group benefits. He’d worked as an unemployment insurance hearing consultant as well as designed and implemented employee benefits.

His wife, Kathy Krey, retired as a Mesa County School District 51 counselor and in 2013 purchased Background Research to provide employee screening and monitoring services.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION For more information about Lighthouse HR Support, call 243-7789 or visit the website located at www.lighthousehrs.net.

Kelly Murphy joined the operation in 2018, bringing nearly 30 years of HR experience as well as a plan to offer additional services to meet the needs of businesses.

Karen Zimmerman and Lindsay Woodrich joined the firm more recently, adding to a staff that also includes Mari Duree and Benny Mestas.

Ed Krey says it’s challenging for businesses with an HR manager or even an HR department to stay apprised of changing laws and regulations and handle the myriad employment issues that arise. It’s far more challenging for small businesses with owners who have neither the expertise nor time. The situation has worsened, he says, with the recent increase in unemployment benefits fraud as well as a shallow labor pool that’s made recruiting and retention all the more important.

Murphy says Lighthouse HR Support tailors services to provide as little or as much as needed.

See SUPPORT page 16

STORY AND PHOTO BY PHIL CASTLE

Bryan Johnson believes the merger of SCL Health and Intermountain Healthcare will add up to more than the sum of the parts for operations at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Grand Junction.

The combined organization will offer access to more technology as well as accelerate efforts to better care Bryan Johnson for people in and out of the hospital at lower costs, said Johnson, president of St. Mary’s. “These are the things that get me really excited for the potential.”

SCL Health and Intermountain Healthcare announced the signing of a letter of intent to merge, an agreement that should be finalized before the end of this year and close early next year.

Lydia Jumonville, president and chief executive officer of SCL Health, Lydia Jumonville praised what she called the merger of two individually strong health care systems.

“I’m excited about the wonderful things we’re going to do together.”

Dr. Marc Harrison, president and CEO of Intermountain, agreed. “This is a move designed to serve people.”

Founded by the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth in 1864, SCL Health operates St. Mary’s Medical Center and a total of seven other hospitals in Marc Harrison Colorado, Kansas and Montana. Based in Broomfield, SCL Health also operates 160 physician clinics and employs 16,000 people.

Based in Salt Lake City, Intermountain Healthcare operates a total of 25 hospitals and 225 clinics and employs 42,000 in Utah, Idaho and Nevada. The organization also provides health insurance to about 1 million people.

The merged organization will be named Intermountain Healthcare, but St. Mary’s and six other Catholic hospitals will retain their names.

The organization will be headquartered in Salt Lake City with a regional office in Broomfield. Harrison will serve as president and CEO. Jumonville will remain in her role during a two-year integration and serve on a combined board of trustees with members selected by both systems.

Johnson said he doesn’t expect the merger to affect operations at St. Mary’s in the short term. But over the long run, he said there will be benefits from the combined systems and their leadership teams.

Prior to joining St. Mary’s in 2016, Johnson worked in a series of roles with Intermountain Healthcare, including CEO of the Orthopedic Specialty Hospital in Salt Lake City and Alta View Hospital in Sandy.

See MERGER page 18

September 30-OctOber 13, 2021

The Business Times

page 3

THE he B BUSINESS usiness T T Times IMES

PPAGE age 4 4

SePtember J30-O ctOber 13, 2015 2021 ANUARY 15-28,

THE BUSINESS TIMES Administrator brings Interior secretary plans

WE OFFER COMPLIMENTARY

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

599 Patterson (25 Road & Patterson)

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

TheThe Business Times is published twice Business Times is published twice monthly and distributed throughout Grand monthly and distributed throughout Junction, and Palisade.

Advertising GrandFruita Junction, Fruita and Palisade. rates Advertising and deadlines areand available upon are rates deadlines request. Opinions expressed in this available upon request. Opinions expressed publication are those of the writers and do in this publication are those of the writers not necessarily reflect the views of the and don’teditor, necessarily the views of publisher, staff orreflect advertisers. the publisher, advertisers.

Copyright © 2015 editor — Allor rights reserved.

Copyright © 2021 — All rights reserved

Let’s create something

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

S O L A R

P O W E R E D

1707 I-70 Business Loop Grand Junction

970-243-6310

allmetalswelding.com

Life is Precious

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

well-rounded to move BLMperspective HQ to D.C. Expanded for Grand Junction to newoperation MesasetCounty role Interior Secretary Deb Haaland intends Phil Castle to move the headquarters of the U.S. Bureau The Business Times of Land Management back to Washington, D.C., as part of what she termed efforts to Frank Whidden brings what he rebuild the agency. considers a well-roundedGrand perspective to his Junction new job as Mesa County administrator. will remain the western Whidden worked headquarters, however, in information with an expanded technology and holds operation. a master’s degree in “There’s no computer information doubt that the BLM systems. But he also should have a holds a doctoral leadership presence degree in applied in Washington, D.C. Deb Haaland management and — like all other land decision making and management agencies Frank Whidden worked for more than — to ensure that it has 20 years as a minister.

Whidden has access to the policy, worked for large and small and organizations budget decisionin both the private and publiclevers sectors. making to best Whidden expectscarry to draw on mission,” all of his out its experiences in helping HaalandMesa statedCounty in a commissioners make news and carry out decisions. release from the Valuing staff and the county U.S.making Department of Boebert an Lauren employer of choice among the Interior.is “In addition, priorities, said. in SoColorado is planning the BLM’s Whidden robust presence and that in will sustainable funding acrossresults the West continue to grow.” and balanced budgets on aBoebert, long-term basis.

U.S. Rep. Lauren a Republican Meanwhile, Mesa District Countyincludes will whose 3rd Congressional continue to pursue efforts that Grand Junction, condemned thepromote decision.a friendly business environment and “It is clearly a partisan attack on rural economic development, Whidden said. out, communities.

It hasn’t been thought as and Whidden importantofficially questionsbegan have working yet to be county administrator beginning answered,” she stated inatathe news release. of the year.

He succeeds was Grand Junction Tom still Fisher, could who benefit, hired as Boebert county said. manager Summit however, “Thisincould still County, ultimatelyUtah. be a win for Grand Junction and the joined Mesa County in WestWhidden as a western headquarters will remain August as information technology in Grand2011 Junction.

More jobs will move to director.

In Apriland 2014, he jobs became Grand Junction, all the that deputy moved county administrator forto D.C.” resource out West won’t be moved back management in a staffing reorganization The Department of Interior announced that eliminated positions. in 2019 plansfour to director relocate the BLM Before tojoining Mesa County, headquarters Grand Junction as well Whidden for a to company reassign worked BLM staff other providing locations information services to closer to publictechnology lands the agency manages. colleges and universities.

In that costs role, he Accounting for the higher of managed IT insystems and compared services for office space Washington to institutions in the Alabama, other areas of countryArizona, as well asIllinois travel

between western states and the capital, it was as well as the Newmove England Canada. estimated couldand save $50 million Whidden who work in to $100 millionsaid overpeople 20 years. information technology aren’t justEconomic “geeks,” The Grand Junction but offer an estimated important the perspective because Partnership initial economic they’re familiarof withoperating nearly every of contributions theaspect BLM operations how work getsat done.

They headquartersand in Grand Junction $11 million. also tend to think to about and potentially According thenewDepartment of better ways things in moved asking and Interior, outofofdoing 328 positions out answering “what only if ” questions.

“They know of Washington, 41 people relocated. how to effect change in an Just three people moved to organization.”

Grand Junction.

Whidden expects that same Hundreds of people lefttothebring agency. approach to his duties as administrator.

Haaland stated in the news release the said have it’s his roledisruptive to help past Whidden several years been county commissioners make than and 7,000 then to the agency and its more implement The commissioners employees. decisions.

“As we move forward, my in turn is represent the residents of the priority to revitalize and rebuild county andthat express theirmeet will, the he said.

“We BLM so it can pressing work for theofpeople.” challenges our time and to look out for Whidden said he also considers himself our employees’ well-being.” a liaison between Haaland said the commissioners BLM director and county staff, andpositions one of the priorities is to other leadership will be relocated make feel valued.

Whidden along sure withemployees the national headquarters to said he hopes But not only improve morale, Washington. othertosenior personnel but takefrom stepsa that will headquarters make Mesa will also operate western County an Junction organization for which in Grand as part of thepeople more want than to 95work. percent of BLM employees who Whidden expects workMeanwhile, outside Washington.

Except the for county to continue policiesthe and initiatives core leadership positions, BLM won’t that support local business and economic require employees to relocate. development.

There are steps Boebert blamed U.S.additional Sens. Michael that can be taken to make it easier for local Bennet and John Hickenlooper, both businesses to sellColorado, productsfor andfailing services to Democrats from to use the county,tools he added. procedural — including holding up the Mesa County will keep working with confirmation of Tracy Stone-Manning as other government entities, organizations BLM director — to secure a commitment to and on fosteringinan environment keepinstitutions the BLM headquarters Grand Junction. that Boebert supports existing businesses toand pushed for an amendment the attracts newyear businesses, he said. the use of 2020 fiscal budget prohibiting said there could be a fundsWhidden to move the headquarters.

The House opportunities encourage the additional Committee on to Natural Resources passed the development amendment. of businesses that provide services the agricultural as well The to question now, she industry said, is whether as Mesa County as aheadquarters distribution thepromote promise of a western BLM center forJunction the region. in Grand will be realized. “These important thing to consider new The Grand Junction jobsis need to be issues from a well-rounded delivered.

People should knowperspective, about them Whidden said.are, “Weand won’t myopic as we and what they the be details shouldn’t look at things.” be changed later.” ✦ F

September 30-OctOber 13, 2021

The Business Times

Chris Thomas, front, president and chief executive officer of Community Hospital, joins in a groundbreaking ceremony for a regional cancer center and medical office building. The 130,000-square-foot building is scheduled to open in 2023 and cost about $53 million. (Business Times photo by Phil Castle)

Community breaks ground on regional cancer center Phil Castle

The Business Times

A new building at Community Hospital will soon house a cancer treatment program that’s earned national recognition.

“This is a dream come true,” said Dr. JoAnne Virgilio, a medical oncologist with Grand Valley Oncology and one of three practitioners who joined Community Hospital in 2014 to develop the program.

“This is not a good thing. This is a great thing for the community.”

The building will not only promote collaboration and effectiveness, but also provide room to grow and a tranquil place for patients, Virgilio said.

Chris Thomas, the president and chief executive officer of Community Hospital, said construction of the building constitutes the next phase of a lengthy planning process and fulfills a promise to provide more space and resources for Grand Valley Oncology and patients in Western Colorado and Eastern Utah. ”You guys are what made this happen,” Thomas said. “Finally, you have your building so you can do your job.”

Virgilio and Thomas were among those who spoke at a groundbreaking ceremony for a regional cancer center and medical office building. Located on the hospital campus along G Road in Grand Junction, the 130,000-square-foot building is scheduled for completion in 2023 at a cost of about $53 million.

The cancer center will be named for James Pulsipher, who donated $1 million for the project, the single largest donation in the more than 30-year history of the Community Hospital Foundation.

Pulsipher said he believes it’s important to give back to the community. “This was a really, really great opportunity to do that.”

He expects the cancer center to make a difference in people’s lives. “I’m super excited for what I know this will do.”

Dr. Jonathan King said he’s grateful for partnerships among physicians, donors and patients. “Cancer care is really a team sport.”

Operated by Community Hospital, Grand Valley Oncology offers a range of cancer treatment options including medical and radiation oncology, gynecological oncology, genetic counseling, social services, clinical trials and a survivorship program.

Grand Valley Oncology received the highest level of accreditation through a national quality assurance program. The National Committee for Quality Assurance awarded the Patient Centered Specialty Practice accreditation.

F

JoAnne Virgilio

Chris Thomas

James Pulsipher

Jonathan King

page 5

Page 6

The Business Times

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

SePtember 30-OctOber 13, 2021

Disaster loans available to firms affected

by I-70 closure

Low-interest loans are available to small businesses in Western Colorado affected by the closures of Interstate Highway 70 through Glenwood Canyon.

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis said the U.S. Small Business Administration approved a disaster declaration for Mesa County as well as Eagle, Garfield, Pitkin, Rio Blanco and Routt counties in Colorado Jared Polis and Grand and Uintah counties in Utah.

“This additional funding will provide continued support to the small businesses affected by this devastating disaster,” Polis stated in a news release. “I thank our federal partners for fulfilling our request to Isabella Guzman help us build our roads back better and for their work to provide important relief to our small businesses.”

Isabella Casillas Guzman, administrator of the SBA, said her agency will help Colorado businesses affected by the closure of I-70 because of flooding, mudslides and rockslides in Glenwood Canyon.

“We’re committed to providing federal disaster loans swiftly and efficiently with a customer-centric approach to help businesses and communities recover and rebuild,” Guzman said.

Nonfarm businesses, small agricultural cooperatives and private nonprofit groups could qualify for economic injury disaster loans of up to $2 million to help meet financial obligations and operating expenses that could have been met had the disaster not occurred. Loans may be used to for accounts payable, fixed debts, payroll and other bills. Eligibility is based on the financial effects of the disaster.

The loans offer terms up to 30 years with an interest rate of 2.855 percent for small businesses and 2 percent for nonprofit organizations. The application deadline is June 16.

The Small Business Development Center at the Business Incubator Center in Grand Junction offers free counseling to help businesses recover. Call 243-5242 for more information or an appointment.

The SBA operates a virtual business recovery center to help businesses complete electronic loan applications and answer questions about the loan program and application process. Contact the center from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays at (800) 659-2955 or FOCWAssistance@sba.gov.

Applications and additional information also is available from the website located at https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov.

F

September 30-OctOber 13, 2021

The Business Times

page 7

Page 8

The Business Times

Grand Junction tax collections trend upward A key measure of sales activity in Grand Junction continues to increase on a year-over-year basis by double-digit proportions.

The city reported collecting more than $4.9 million in sales taxes in August. That was an increase of nearly $715,000 and 17 percent over the same moth last year.

The city received almost $900,000 as its share of Mesa County sales tax collections, a 20.4 percent increase. City use and lodging tax collections also rose.

August collections reflected July sales.

The increases reflected in part the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and related restrictions in 2020. But the latest collections also topped those for August 2019.

Use tax collections, a smaller and more volatile source of revenue for the city based on activity in the construction and energy sectors, totaled $97,729 in August 2021. That was an 82.4 percent increase over the same month last year.

Lodging tax collections, a measure of hotel and motel stays, totaled $211,635 in August. That was a 75.9 percent over the same month in 2020, but also a 14.5 percent gain over the same month in 2019.

Through the first eight months of 2021, the city collected more than $38.4 million in sales taxes. That was an increase of more than $7.2 million and 23.1 percent over the same span in 2020.

The city share of county sales tax collection totaled more than $6.2 million, an increase of more than $1 million and 19.6 percent over last year.

Use tax collections through the first eight months of 2021 topped $634,000, up 4.3 percent from 2020.

City lodging tax collections exceeded $1.1 million, an increase of more than $444,000 and 67 percent from the same span in 2020.

F

SePtember 30-OctOber 13, 2021

Work under way on developing community vision for Grand Valley

An economic development group expects to soon launch a community effort to envision what the Grand Valley should look like as it emerges from economic distress.

The Grand Junction Economic Partnership plans to start the effort as part of the Western Colorado Economic Summit set for Sept. 30.

The survey subsequently will expand to the full community.

GJEP will use survey results to develop a plan to meet long-term goals. The process is expected to take six months and include several workshops. Information about the effort will be posted on the GJEP website at www.gjep.org/grand-vision.

“By state standards, we have been distressed for decades. But in the last couple of years, we have fared better than most counterparts in Colorado, if not the country. We expect that it won’t be long before we surpass the threshold from distressed to thriving community,” said Mike Sneddon, chairman of the GJEP board of directors and president of SG Aerospace & Gas. “We want to hear from the people who live and work here what makes for a thriving community in their eyes.”

Sneddon and Robin Brown, former executive director of GJEP, brought that question to the GJEP board during its annual retreat.

The board delved into a series of discussions and activities centered around how to improve quality of life for Grand Valley residents, a key concept within the GJEP mission.

A total of more than 20 business executives and community leaders joined in a session led by Shane Kinkennon, a facilitator with decades of experience in leading executive teams through the planning process.

GJEP plans to open up the discussion to the community with a survey exploring quality of life measures and priorities.

“GJEP already tracks a number of quality of life measures as defined within economic development — unemployment rates, cost of living, housing affordability and so on,” said Steve Jozefczyk, deputy director of GJEP. “Those will continue to be important measures as we plan ahead,” Jozefczyk said, “But we also want to set metrics around quality of life indicators that may be unique to our community, like access to public lands, location aesthetics, commute times, access to local government.

You name it.”

F

September 30-OctOber 13, 2021

The Business Times

page 9

Page 10

The Business Times

SePtember 30-OctOber 13, 2021

News, views Pediatricians and advice give $7,500 you can use to food effort

Subscribe today to the journal that means business in the Grand Valley.

(970) 424-5133

www.thebusinesstimes.com

for students

Western Colorado Pediatric Associates in Grand Junction donated $7,500 to a program providing food to children who might otherwise go hungry over weekends.

A division of Megan Stinar Primary Care Partners, Western Colorado Pediatric Associates made good on a promise to donate $5 for every well child checkup completed between July 14 and Aug. 9 to the Kids Aid backpack program.

The program Alisha Wenger provides backpacks filled with food to students in Mesa County School District 51 schools who might not have access to meals over weekends.

Dr. Megan Stinar, a pediatrician with Western Colorado Pediatric Associates, Diana Sirko said it was a “no-brainer” to partner with Kids Aid. “Their mission and our mission are one in the same — to care for the wellbeing of children in our community. We do it through medical care and they feed children, Janet Rowland but we’re working toward the same end results: healthy, happy kids.”

Alisha Wenger, executive director of Kids Aid, said every $5 donation will fill a backpack for one child for an entire weekend. “We are going to be able to help a lot of kiddos this school year because of this generous commitment by Western Colorado Pediatric Associates. In fact, 1,500 well child checkups will feed 1,500 kids because of this gift.”

Diana Sirko, superintendent of Mesa County School District 51, praised the effort. “I am proud of the partnerships the school district has made across Mesa County to help important causes just like this one. Knowing that 1,500 more kids will show up to school with full bellies, ready to learn is a win for our kids and our schools.”

Mesa County Commissioner Janet Rowland, agreed. “It’s exciting to see the providers at Western Colorado Pediatrics meet their mission in such a real and tangible See EFFORT page 18

September 30-OctOber 13, 2021

The Business Times

page 11

Page 12

The Business Times

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

SePtember 30-OctOber 13, 2021

Alpine Bank awards $1,876 to nonprofits

Alpine Bank donated $1,876 to each of three Western Slope nonprofit organizations in a celebration of the anniversary of Colorado joining the union in 1876.

In addition, bank employees volunteered for a total of 1,050 hours in July in advance of Colorado Day on Aug. 1.

“Supporting our community is foundational to Alpine Bank’s mission,” said Glen Jammaron, president of the bank.

“Our enthusiasm for supporting the causes, charities and organizations in Colorado is clearly matched by our customers, who engaged in this first-time sweepstakes with so many nominations of nonprofits they’re passionate about.”

To celebrate Colorado Day, Alpine Bank conducted a sweepstakes to reward volunteerism and the work of nonprofits.

Participants were asked to nominate their favorite nonprofits on the Alpine Bank Facebook page, making them eligible to win a grant of $1,876. In addition, the bank promoted volunteerism with its employees and customers.

Three nonprofits were selected in a random drawing from nearly 900 nominees, and each was awarded $1,876.

The winning nonprofits were End of the Trail Rescue in Olathe, the JP Pritchard Foundation in Durango and Snowmass Chapel in Snowmass.

End of the Trail Rescue cares for abused and neglected horses. The JP Pritchard Foundation helps young people in need with counseling, education, medical services, rehabilitation and vocational training. The Snowmass Chapel serves residents and visitors.

The nearly 800 employees of Alpine Bank engaged in a total of 1,050 volunteer hours in August. The bank supports more than 19,000 hours of community hours a year by enabling employees to take up to 24 hours of paid time to volunteer for the groups and causes they support.

An employee-owned organization with $5.6 billion in assets headquartered in Glenwood Springs, Alpine Bank operates locations across Colorado and serves a total of more than 160,000 customers. For more information, visit www.alpinebank.com.

F

Benefit yard sale Oct. 2

A community yard sale is scheduled for Oct. 2 to raise money and awareness for efforts to rescue cats.

The event is set to begin at 8 a.m. at the Loma Cat House office at 929 Main St. in Grand Junction. The sale will offer bicycles, collectibles, furniture, garden tools, home decor, pet supplies, toys and more.

Loma Cat House provides homes for homeless and rescued cats. Grand Valley Pets Alive assists with sterilization costs. For more, visit www.facebook.com/ lomacathousegj and www.facebook.com/ GrandValleyPetsAlive.

F

September 30-OctOber 13, 2021

The Business Times

page 13

Page 14

The Business Times

SePtember 30-OctOber 13, 2021

Video series details efforts in workforce development

A new video series details the efforts of a workforce development liaison connecting Colorado Mesa University students and Grand Valley employers.

The Mesa County Workforce Center and CMU presented the video series as part of Workforce Development month.

The video series can be viewed online at mcwfc.us/aim-higher-get-hired.

“We recognize that workforce development in Mesa County is only successful if we collaborate as a community to address the need,” said Curtis Englehart, director of the Mesa County Center.

Curtis Englehart Workforce “This collaboration with CMU is a prime example of partnering together to solve a need in the community.

We are extremely excited to watch this position excel in Mesa County.”

The Mesa County Workforce Center and CMU have worked together for two years to connect students and graduates with local employment opportunities, creating the liaison position to offer a more personalized approach.

Kayley Vogel holds the shared position, splitting her time between the Mesa County Workforce Center and CMU. Vogel staffs a sort of one-stop shop for businesses seeking qualified workers. She also create events, programs and tools for students ready to enter the Mesa County workforce.

Englehart said the workforce development liaison has helped students find meaningful jobs and and employers hire more qualified candidates.

The liaison recently collaborated with the Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce on a successful new hire.

For more information about the effort, contact Vogel at 248-1491 or 248-7564 kayleyvogel@mesacounty.us.

F

Counseling center celebrating 40 years

The Counseling & Education Center in Grand Junction has scheduled an open house to celebrate 40 years in operation.

The event is set for 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Oct. 9 at the CEC, 2708 Patterson Road and will include live music, food and tours.

Parking will be available at the nearby Bookcliff Baptist Church located at the intersection of Patterson Road and 12th Street.

A nonprofit organization, the CEC provides affordable, professional counseling to people in Mesa County, regardless of their age, income or insurance. For more information, visit www.cecwecare.org.

F

September 30-OctOber 13, 2021

The Business Times

page 15

Page 16

The Business Times

SePtember 30-OctOber 13, 2021

Support

Continued from page 2 With no packages to purchase, businesses pay only for services they need, Murphy says.

Those services can start with recruiting and pre-employment screening, including assistance with applications and interviews as well as employment and education verification and criminal and credit checks. Continuous monitoring for criminal activity and professional licensing also is available.

Ed Krey says the firm uses a national platform and software that makes it easy and secure to order background checks.

Other services offer assistance with performance reviews, disciplinary actions, termination meetings and exit interviews.

The firm also helps employers create and review personnel handbooks.

Live and web-based presentations offer training on such workplace topics as conflict management, diversity, harassment prevention and management.

Murphy says the firm offers an assessment tool and develops plans to fill gaps in HR services.

Still other services offer assistance with unemployment insurance, including ways to reduce the risk of claims as well as claims processing, management and representation.

While the situation since has improved, Ed Krey says there was a surge in 2020 in fraudulent unemployment insurance claims and identify theft cases. It’s critical for businesses to respond to fraudulent claims as well as review quarterly charge statements to avoid increased premiums, he says.

In addition, Lighthouse HR Support offers services related to group benefits, including health, vision and life insurance.

Even if businesses can’t afford to pay for benefits, group purchasing extends lower costs to employees, he says.

Lighthouse HR Support also provides a Compliance Connection newsletter about federal and state employment laws and regulations. Murphy says the newsletter conveys what can be complex information in a way business owners can understand and apply.

Moreover, the firm responds to what it terms HR 911 calls to quickly deal with questions about how to handle a situation.

If the firm doesn’t have the answer, it seeks additional resources or offers referrals, Murphy says. “If we don’t know something, we’re not going to say we do.”

That’s part of what Ed Krey says is a core value of integrity that hasn’t changed over the years.

What has changed, he says, is expanding services and staff and improved technology to better serve businesses as well as promote growth for Lighthouse HR Support.

“There are tremendous opportunities with all the service lines.”

He hopes more business owners take advantage of those services and change their experiences in running their ventures.

F

September 30-OctOber 13, 2021

The Business Times

page 17

Page 18

Merger

The Business Times

Primary clinic opens in Grand Valley

Continued from page 2 A Grand Junction clinic has opened to offer more access to primary health care “Personally, I’m really excited about services. this merger,” Johnson said.

SCL Health Medical Group celebrated the grand opening St. Mary’s Medical Center already of the clinic located at 2570 Patterson Road. The 22,000-squarecollaborates with Intermountain Healthcare, foot facility offers a full range of primary care services, including which provides remote services for intensive imaging and laboratory services as well as mental care. SCL care, Johnson said. The services include Health Medical Group is an affiliate of St. Mary’s Medical Center. monitoring patients and consultations Lee Syphus, vice president of operations for SCL Health with ICU physicians. The arrangement Medical Group, said the clinic meets a need in offering greater provides backup, particularly on nights and access to primary care services in Western Colorado. weekends, as well as offers more safe and “In 2020 we opened a small primary care practice near effective care at a lower cost, he said.

St. Mary’s. And earlier this year, we welcomed Foresight Lee Syphus Johnson expects the same approach Family Physicians to our medical group. The Foresight team could be used to deliver other types of care, brings more than 30 years of experience providing comprehensive primary care and including behavioral health services. has an outstanding reputation in our community,” Syphus said. “With the addition It’s an example of the kinds of of the Foresight practice and this beautiful new 22,000-square-foot clinic, more technology St. Mary’s will access from the families will have access to the care they need and we could not be more excited.” merged organization, he said.

To obtain more information or to schedule an appointment at the clinic, visit In addition, Intermountain Healthcare https://www.sclhealth.org/western-colorado-primary-care. has developed a reputation for improving F population health, including preventive efforts that keep people out of the hospital and in the process quality and affordability of care. The organization will remain committed to providing services in rural areas and implementing lower the cost of care, he said.

St. Mary’s has pursued similar goals. But the merger will speed strategies that lower costs. “We represent the model merger. We’re trying to do the right thing.” those efforts, he said. “It really will accelerate our movement.”

Jumonville agreed. Rather than pursue a merger to turnaround SCL Health brings to the merger expertise in managing regional markets across multiple states and succeeding in a financially troubled organization or find ways to cut costs, SCL Health and Intermountain Healthcare were motivated by other competitive markets, Johnson said.

As nonprofit systems, SCL Health and Intermountain factors, she said.

“This merger is really driven by mission.”

Healthcare share a mission of providing excellent care while Johnson said the combined health care organization that investing in the communities they serve, he said.

Moreover, there’s no overlapping of their geographic service results from the merger could add up to even more than the sum of the two system, one that results in better medical outcomes at areas.

Harrison said the merged organization could serve as a model lower costs.

F for health care reforms nationally in increasing the accessibility,

SePtember 30-OctOber 13, 2021

Effort

Continued from page 10 way helping 1,500 of our county’s young kids who struggle with food insecurity go home with backpacks full of nutritious food,” Rowland said.

Dr. Mike Whistler, another pediatrician at Western Colorado Pediatric Associates, said he was pleased so many parents brought in their children for checkups before the beginning of the school Mike Whistler year.

The checkups not only document growth and development, administer vaccinations and screen for illnesses, but also offer parents an opportunity to ask questions or discuss their concerns.

According to a report from the Urban Institute, almost 30 percent of youth ages 19 and younger didn’t receive annual health checkups in 2020 because of concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

That proportion equated to an estimated 11,000 youth in Mesa County who didn’t see their pediatricians last year.

Whistler said a similar fund-raiser is planned for 2022. “We ope to do this again next year, and wouldn’t it be incredible to write a bigger check with the help of our families?”

F

News Trends Unemployment Contributorsrate retreats Opinion Business Briefs Business People Almanac The Business Times

September 30-OctOber 13, 2021

page 19

INDICATORS AT A GLANCE

n Business filings

s New business filings in Colorado, 39,252 in the second quarter, up 25.7% from the second quarter of 2020.

n Confidence

t Consumer Confidence Index 109.3 in September, down 5.9. s Leeds Business Confidence Index for Colorado, 67.3 for the third quarter, up 2.9. s National Federation of Independent Business Small Business Optimism Index 100.1 for August, up 0.4.

n Foreclosures

t Foreclosure filings in Mesa County, 6 in August, down from 4 in August 2020. t Foreclosure sales in Mesa County, 0 in August, down from 2 in August 2020.

n Indexes

s Conference Board Employment Trends Index, 110.37 for August, up 0.48. s Conference Board Leading Economic Index 117.1 for August, up 0.9%. s Institute for Supply Management Purchasing Managers Index for manufacturing, 59.9% for August, up 0.4%.

n Lodging

s Lodging tax collections in Grand Junction, $211,635 for August, up 75.9% from August 2020.

n Real estate

s Real estate transactions in Mesa County, 544 in August, up 0.37% from August 2020. s Dollar volume of real estate transactions in Mesa County, $221 million in August, up 39.9% from August 2020.

n Sales

s Sales and use tax collections in Grand Junction, $5.9 million for August, up 18.2% from August 2020. s Sales and use tax collections in Mesa County, $4.2 million for August, up 15.7% from August 2020.

n Unemployment t Mesa County — 5.7% for August, down 0.8. t Colorado — 5.9% for August, down 0.2. t United States — 5.2% for August, down 0.2.

Mesa County job orders hit record levels as labor demand increases Phil Castle

Labor demand has surged, however.

The number of job orders posted at the Mesa County Workforce Center has doubled Aug. July The Mesa County labor market hasn’t compared to a year ago, Englehart said. For t Delta County 5.0 5.2 returned to pre-pandemic conditions, but a August, 1,038 orders were posted, up from t Garfield County 4.6 5.1 decreasing unemployment rate and growing 536 for the same month a year ago. Through t Mesa County 5.7 6.5 labor force constitute what Curtis Englehart the first eight months of 2021, 7,597 job t Montrose County 5.1 5.4 considers progress. orders were posted. That’s up from 3,988 t Rio Blanco County 5.2 5.3 “We’re going to get orders for the same span in 2020. there,” said Englehart, While the gains reflect in part the director of the Mesa County Workforce Center effects of the pandemic in 2020, they also surpass the 5,300 orders in Grand Junction. posted in the same span in 2019 and what was at that time a strong Moreover, one measure of labor demand economy with low unemployment, Englehart said. “The demand is has surged to record levels that not only surpass there, we just need to make sure the supply is there to fill it.” lagging supplies, but also exceed levels before He expects more supply to become available, driving down the the onset of the COVID pandemic, Englehart jobless rate and bolstering the labor force through the reminder of said. “The jobs are back. The demand is back.” the year. “We’re still seeing progress.”

The seasonally unadjusted unemployment Seasonally unadjusted unemployment rates also declined Curtis Englehart rate fell eight-tenths of a point to 5.7 percent in neighboring counties in August: a half point to 4.6 percent in in August, according to the latest estimates from the Colorado Garfield County, three-tenths of a point to 5.1 percent in Montrose Department of Labor and Employment. That matches the lowest County, two-tenths of a point to 5 percent in Delta County and a level since October. At this time last year, the rate stood at 6.8 percent. tenth of a point to 5.2 percent in Rio Blanco County.

For August 2021, Mesa County payrolls increased 1,359 to The statewide seasonally adjusted jobless rate fell two-tenths 72,309. The number of people counted among those unsuccessfully of a point to 5.9 percent, dropping below 6 percent for the first time looking for work decreased 568 to 4,357. The labor force, which since March 2020. includes the employed and unemployed, grew 791 to 76,666.

Nonfarm payrolls increased 5,600 between July and August Compared to a year ago, payrolls have increased 1,331. The with the biggest gains in the leisure and hospitality; professional ranks of the unemployed have decreased 791. The labor force has and business services; and trade, transportation and utilities sectors. grown 540.

Over the past year, payrolls have increased 117,400. Over the Englehart said the jobless rate has steadily decreased and the past 16 months, Colorado has regained 293,400 of the 375,800 jobs labor force grown, although at a slower pace than he anticipated. lost between February and April 2020 because of the pandemic and A federal stipend added to unemployment benefits was among related restrictions. the factors that’s made some people reluctant to rejoin the work The average workweek for employees on private, nonfarm force, he said. But other factors also have played roles, including payrolls remained unchanged over the past year at 34.3 hours. difficulty finding child care and anxiety over going back to work Average hourly earnings increased $1.50 to $32.19. in a pandemic.

F The Business Times

AREA JOBLESS RATES

Index: U.S. consumers shaken, not stirred A measure of consumer confidence continues to decline as concerns mount over the COVID-19 pandemic as well as business and labor conditions.

The Conference Board reported its Consumer Confidence Index fell 5.9 points to 109.3 in September. Components of the index tracking assessments of current conditions as well as short-term outlooks retreated.

With declines in each of the last two months, the Consumer Confidence Index has dropped 19.6 points from a recent peak of 128.9 in June “These back-to-back declines suggest Lynn Franco consumers have grown more cautious and are likely to curtail spending going forward,” said Lynn Franco, senior director of economic indicators at the Conference Board.

Franco said consumer confidence dropped in September as the spread of the Delta variant of COVID-19 continued to dampen optimism. Consumers also worried about the economy and the prospects for short-term growth. Concerns over inflation eased, but remained elevated.

While the Consumer Confidence Index remains high enough by historical standards to suggest continued growth over the short term, spending plans for autos, homes and major appliances retreated, she said.

The business research and membership group bases the index on the results of monthly household surveys. Economists monitor

the index because consumer spending accounts for more than two-thirds of economic activity.

Less upbeat assessments of current conditions pulled down the present situation component of the index 5.5 points to 143.4.

The proportion of consumers responding to the survey upon which the September index was based who described business conditions as ‘good” fell nine-tenths of a point to 19.3 percent.

The share of those who called conditions “bad” rose 1.3 points to 25.4 percent.

The proportion of those who said jobs are “plentiful” rose three-tenths of a point to 55.9 percent. But the share of those who said jobs are “hard to get” rose 2.2 points to 13.4 percent.

Less optimistic outlooks pushed down the expectations component of the index down 6.2 points to 86.6.

The share of consumers who said they expect business conditions to improve over the next six months fell 1.9 points to 21.5 percent. The proportion of those expected worsening conditions rose two-tenths of a point to 17.6 percent.

The share of consumers who expected more jobs to become available in coming months fell 1.6 points to 21.5 percent. The proportion of those anticipating fewer jobs increased 2.3 points to 20.3 percent.

While 17.3 percent of consumers said they expected their incomes to increase — a drop of nine-tenths of a point — another 11.5 percent anticipated earning less. That’s an increase of 1.6 points.

F

Page 20

The Business Times

SePtember 30-OctOber 13, 2021

Leading index signals U.S. growth through 2021 An index forecasting economic conditions in the United States continues to increase, signaling growth for the remainder of the year.

The Conference Board Leading Economic Index rose nine-tenths of a percent to 117.1 in August.

Separate measures of current and past performance also increased.

Ataman Ozyildirim, senior director Ataman Ozyildirim of economic reserch at the Conference Board, said the Leading Economic Index remains on a rapidly rising trajectory. “While the Delta variant — alongside rising inflation fears — could create headwinds for labor markets and the consumer spending outlook in the near term, the trend in the LEI is consistent with robust

economic growth in the remainder of the year,” he said.

Gross domestic product, the broad measure of goods and services produced in the country, is expected to increase on a year-over-year basis 6 percent in 2021 and 4 percent in 2020, Ozyildirim said.

GDP grew at an annual rate of 6.6 percent in the second quarter and 6.3 percent in the first quarter of 2021.

The Leading Economic Index has increased 6.4 percent over the past six months with widespread strengths among the indicators.

For August, eight of 10 indicators advanced, including building permits, interest rate spread, new orders for both consumer and capital goods, a new orders index and stock prices.

A decrease in average weekly initial claims for unemployment benefits and a leading credit index also bolstered the index.

Consumer expectations for business conditions declined.

Averagely weekly manufacturing hours held steady.

The Coincident Economic Index rose two-tenths of a percent to 105.9. The index has increased 2.8 percent over the past six months.

For August, all four indicators advanced: industrial production, nonfarm payrolls, personal income and sales.

The Lagging Economic Index edged up a tenth of a percent to 106.3. The index has increased a half of a percent over the past three months.

For August, three of seven components advanced: consumer credit, labor costs and inventories. Commercial and industrial financing and the cost of services retreated.

An increase in the average duration of unemployment also pulled down the index. The average prime rate charged by banks remained unchanged.

F

Trends Contributors Opinion Help when help’s wanted Business Briefs Business People Almanac The Business Times

September 30-OctOber 13 2021

page 21

COMING ATTRACTIONS

n The Western Colorado Economic Summit is scheduled for Sept. 30 at the Grand Junction Convention Center at 159 Main St. The summit is set for 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., with a luncheon and keynote presentation from 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Onsite registration is $85. For more information, visit the website located at www.westcoeconomicsummit.com.

The summit will serve as both an annual meeting for the Grand Junction Economic Partnership and fund-raiser for the economic development organization.

Plenary and breakout sessions will cover a variety of topics, among them commercial real estate, housing needs, marijuana policies, production agriculture and workforce development. A panel discussion will explore the future of energy development in Colorado, including coal, natural gas and oil as well as solar, wind and other renewable resources.

John Marshall, the new president of Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction, is scheduled to deliver the keynote luncheon address and discuss his vision for CMU. The summit also will introduce a process to envision what Mesa County should look like when the county is no longer deemed distressed under an annual assessment that takes into account such criteria as wages, income and the number of students who receive free or reduced-price lunches because of low family incomes. n The Business Incubator Center in Grand Junction has scheduled events offering information about startups.

Upcoming sessions of a business startup workshop are set for 9 to 11:30 a.m. Oct. 5, 6 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 19 and 9 to 11:30 a.m.

Nov. 2 at the center, 2591 Legacy Way. The workshops will cover the business planning process, including financing options, licensing requirements, legal structures, trade name searches and state registration.

Admission is $55, which also includes admission to Fast Trac one-hour business classes.

For more information about upcoming events, services and programs offered at the Business Incubator Center, call 243-5242 or visit the website at https://gjincubator.org.

Employees can take steps to attract and retain employees Which Western Slope industry has the highest need for employees right now? Health care? Food service and hospitality? Education? Transportation? In reality, every sector in the region is in dire need of employees — and job seekers and current employees know it.

What are some of the causes of this situation? Enhanced unemployment and COVID-19 pandemic benefits, including non-eviction orders and student loan repayment suspension. Uncertainty over schools and daycare. Misinformation about COVID vaccine safety and uncertainty over vaccines for children.

And fear of contracting COVID. Moreover, families have adapted to lower and fixed incomes.

Christi livingI on could go on, but that doesn’t Sanders Via change where we are or the actions employers can take to improve their abilities to attract and retain quality workers.

Consider these steps: n Compensation: Employees tend to see only what they make per hour. Educate employees about the benefits they receive as a part of their compensation packages.

Employees often have no idea how much you contribute in dollars to the benefits they receive. Spell it out in at least an annual communication. Show your contribution on their pay stub and communicate it frequently. If your compensation and benefits fall below the market average, realize you get what you pay for in a job seeker’s market. n Accommodation: What can your organization do to accommodate employees who deal with uncertainty about schools and daycare? Consider work from home options for employees as we move through the next wave of COVID just as you did in 2020. Remember that children can’t yet be vaccinated. We could face closures of schools, daycares and businesses. What’s your plan for business continuity as well as employee accommodation should schools close again? Consider, too, the health of high-risk employees who could need to work from home because of their medical conditions. In fact, they could want to work from home for the foreseeable future. Could you accommodate that? n Budget management: Families that learned to live on less during 2020 saved money on such things as clothing, eating out, entertainment, gasoline and more.

They watched music lessons on YouTube and found joy in at-home activities they previously never considered. Many people discovered with the high cost and uncertainty of

childcare, the compensation they received wasn’t worth the sacrifice of family time and safety. n When the job seeker market is high, employees get to choose what kind of pay they’ll tolerate, what kind of organization they’ll work for and what it means for their overall quality of life. Employees are no longer interested in sacrificing family time, personal development and overall joy to work in a dead-end job where the employer doesn’t care about them or their personal goals and development.

If you want to attract quality employees, it’s time to think outside the box. What kind of benefits can you offer outside of the norm? Daycare? Elder care? Student loan payments?

A broad offering of benefits helps show you’re an employer who cares about the needs of your employees. n Vaccine safety: Can you require employees to get the vaccine? The short answer is yes, but you must accommodate legitimate disability and religious issues.

Consult your attorney for more information. n Vaccine misinformation: Can you discipline employees for spreading vaccine misinformation in the workplace? Again, the short answer is yes. You can adopt a company policy concerning vaccine information, prohibit employees from discussing or sharing political points of view about vaccines and discipline employees if they violate the policy. However, it’s problematic enforcing that policy. Determine instead your company policy about vaccines, educate management and employees and stick to it unless changes are warranted. n Personal engagement: Do your employees know they’re valued? Employees need to understand their worth to an organization. If you treat them like they don’t matter, they’ll go to another organization. Recognize the things that make employees feel valued don’t cost you much. Employee birthday? Check. Employee hiring anniversary? Check. Met their weekly sales goal? Check.

Taco Tuesday? Check. Find a reason to celebrate your employees and help them develop a sense of community.

Christi Sanders Via works as an assistant professor of human resources at Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction as well as a trainer and public speaker. She holds designation as a Senior Professional in Human Resources and Senior Certified Professional. She also serves as college relations and Society for Human Resource Management Foundation director for the Western Colorado Human Resource Association. For more information about the WCHRA, visit www.wchra.org.

F

“Individual commitment to a group effort: That is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.”

— VINCE LOMBARDI

Page 22

The Business Times

SePtember 30-OctOber 13, 2021

Stay focused on your operations and succeed There are two ways to view marketplace competition.

You can turn your attention toward your company and your path to becoming the best you can be, or focus on others and lead yourself and your company away from the very success you desire.

The first choice offers a disciplined approach that positions you to face the reality of how you can improve business operations, make changes and enjoy the fruits of your intentional labor.

Spending your valuable time and energy on what other companies might or might not be doing and worrying about their success will ultimately limit yours. This mindset Marcus will also decrease the amount of Straub happiness you experience operating your business and must be replaced with a more effective way of thinking.

Over the course of my career as a business coach and consultant, I’ve met with business owners who’ve lost their way in the face of what they perceived as competition.

They adopted negative attitudes toward other businesses and owners, especially when those business excelled and captured market share.

In some of these situations, I’ve even seen business owners become angry with former customers for chosing what they deemed the better value provided by the competition. Having a negative mindset is not necessary or helpful and will lead to the loss of more customers, market share, team members and possibly even the business itself.

All businesses in a given market sector vie for the patronage and loyalty of a limited number of customers.

Rather than becoming embittered by others doing business

Focus on your business and study how it operates. Evaluate the effectiveness of your leadership, consider the performance of your managers and team, look at the quality of the products and services you offer and discover where you can improve.

in the same sector, choose to become empowered. Control what you can — how you, your team and your company operate on a daily basis — and let the rest go. Strive to become better than you were the day before. Consistently reach for excellence in your operations.

Remain aware of what the competition is doing, but focus on your business and study how it operates.

Evaluate the effectiveness of your leadership, consider the performance of your managers and team, look at the quality of the products and services you offer and discover where you can improve.

By taking this constructive approach, you’ll progress to the next level because your attention will remain fixed on how your company can stand out in the marketplace and become the best operation possible.

This self-focused approach to business is more important than ever. As businesses navigate the COVID pandemic, customers are paying even closer attention to the services and products they receive. They’re looking for value. Now is not the time to let them down. As a business owner, this situation could offer one of your greatest opportunities to stand out and gain market share.

It could be in your best interest to work with a qualified professional business coach and consultant to help you identify where you can make improvements and take action to operate an exceptional company.

Once you discover where you can improve, it’s vital you and your team work together to implement the corrective solutions that have been agreed upon. If you want to lead the way in customer satisfaction and loyalty — to standout in your sector and grow — necessary changes must be made and followed through to completion.

As you focus on your business, you’ll quickly notice how much more you’re able to accomplish with resources previously allocated to concerns about your competition.

And once you’ve made changes to improve your products and services, you’ll enjoy the increased happiness and success that comes from customers finding more value with you.

The business owners I’ve worked work with have found this self-focused and self-accountable approach not only effective, but also liberating. They’ve discovered the empowerment, freedom, happiness and success that’s only possible through the undistracted attention devoted to their operations and the task of creating great companies.

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

F

September 30-OctOber 13, 2021

The Business Times

Ready to step out of your comfort zone?

When’s the last time you really looked at your business — especially the way people react to and interact with you? Maybe you need to step out of your comfort zone and into the shoes of your clients and prospects to identify better ways to connect with them.

What you’re doing might work, but could you do better? Probably. Consider the familiar quote: “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.” My version: “The only good thing about banging my head against the wall is how much better I feel when I stop.”

Have you dropped into the trap of unvarying repetition? Are you mired inside your comfort zone?

How do you step out of your comfort Janet zone? It helps to know your personality type Arrowood and apply it to your clients and prospects.

The internet offers a variety of personality assessment models and quizes. Take a couple or perhaps have a trained administrator give you the test and assess the results.

People are often surprised to see where they land on the personality spectrum. Once you understand the test and its results, consider where your clients and prospects fall on the spectrum and tailor your approach.

Some of the commonly used assessments include the MyersBriggs Type Indicator (MBTI) with its 16 personality types; the Dominance, Influence, Steadiness and Conscientiousess (DiSC) assessment; and Tracom Social Styles Model. You can assess selfadministered versions of most of these assessments online. It’s worth taking one or two. Consider taking the assessments twice — once approaching the questions from a personal, outside-of-work mindset and once with your business development and acquisition mindset.

Depending on my mindset when I take the MBTI assessment, my resuts vary between extraverted, intuitive, thinking and

judging (ENTJ); intuitive, thinking and judging (INTJ); and extraverted, observant, thinking and judging (ESTJ) traits. When traveling, I tend toward the ESTJ. At work, I’m ENTJ. Left on my own, I’m INTJ. Knowing where I fit and reviewing what the four letters mean enables me to better understand how my approach to business might or might not work for a client or prospect.

Four pairs make up these types: extroversion/introversion, sensing/initution, thinking/feeling and judging/perceiving. When I try to slot clients and prospects into one of these types and see how my types interact, some interesting new approaches to marketing and business development arise. That’s especially true when it comes to seeking repeat business or referrals.

Regardless of what assessments you use, knowing your personality type allows you to make minor adjustments that make major differences between closing a sale or remaining stuck in an endless loop of dealing with suspects rather than prospects. The same adjustments can make the difference between enjoying a business mixer or outreach event and watching the clock until you can politely duck out.

It’s easy to fall into and stay in a narrow range of business approaches and environments. But doing so closes off opportunities and limits your marketing opportunities and successful closes.

Now could be the perfect time to step out of your comfott zone, get to know your personality type, make some adjustments and proceed full speed ahead when we return to more normal working environments.

Disclaimer: I’m not certified to administer or interpret any of these assessments. Consult with a certified professional to enjoy the greatest benefits from these useful tools.

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 by email at janet.arrowood@thewritesourceinc.com. For more information, log on to www.TheWriteSourceInc.com.

F

page 23

Page 24

The Business Times

SePtember 30-OctOber 13, 2021

Claimed correctly, tax credits promote business R&D

Every year the Internal Revenue Services releases the “Dirty Dozen,” a list of tax scams and schemes on which the agency focuses. This year, the IRS has put abuse of business tax credits in its crosshairs.

“Improper claims for the research and experimentation credit generally involve failures to participate in or substantiate qualified research activities and/or satisfy the requirements related to qualified research expenses,” the IRS stated.

Why did the research and experimentation credit, better known as the R&D credit, end up on the “Dirty Dozen” list? In 2017, the Treasury Seth Office of the Inspector General reviewed Knighton $53.8 million worth of R&D tax credit claims. A total of $11.8 million of credits were deemed potentially erroneous, 21 percent of all R&D tax credit claims. Some claims were filed improperly.

Some didn’t meet all the requirements for proper claims or attach the proper documentation.

How is the R&D credit supposed to work? What can taxpayers do to make sure their claims are accurate?

The R&D tax credit was created in 1981 to incentivize businesses to invest in innovation and stimulate research and development in the United States. The R&D credit applies to any company that spends time and money developing new products; improves products or the processes or software it uses in manufacturing; creates patents or prototypes; or hires researchers, scientists and designers.

The R&D tax credit provides a dollar-for-dollar offset of federal income tax liability as well as payroll tax liability in certain circumstances. In addition, many states also provide similar R&D tax credits. Between federal and state

R&D tax credits make it possible for smaller companies to invest in research. Even companies with small or no R&D departments could benefit from the credits.

credits, the average potential benefit for the credit could range from 10 percent to 20 percent of qualified spending.

The R&D credit is calculated using the totals of two different kind of research expenses: qualified research expenses (QREs) and basic research expenses (BRPs).

QREs and BRPs relate to activities that advance U.S. technologies and are performed within the U.S. QREs must be used for specific commercial objectives, but don’t have to advance scientific knowledge. QREs can be used for process, product or software improvements or development. To qualify for the QRE R&D tax credit, activities must meet each element of a four-part test — qualified purpose, technological uncertainty, process of experimentation and technological in nature.

Examples of activities that are excludable and don’t qualify for R&D credits include research conducted outside the U.S., routine data collection or ordinary testing for quality control of existing components, market research, management, consumer preference testing and research funded by an unrelated third party.

Examples of activities that don’t qualify because they fail the four-part test include: administration, training, repairs and maintenance, trial production runs, trouble shooting and duplicating an existing component through reverse engineering.

BRPs differ from QREs in that they’re used to obtain

scientific knowledge without having a specific objective.

Under IRC section 41(a)(2), BRPs must be conducted in the U.S. by qualified organizations and can’t involve research for social sciences, humanities or the arts.

If you’re a small business owner or manager, you know how it is. You try to come up with the most efficient processes and innovative products, but stopping to reconsider what your company has been doing takes time, people and money.

That gives larger companies an unfair advantage. They have more people, which means they can create greater efficiency and grow even bigger.

R&D tax credits make it possible for smaller companies to invest in research. Even companies with small or no R&D departments could benefit from the credits. In fact, most taxpayers who benefit from R&D credits don’t have explicitly named R&D departments. Moreover, you could be eligible for R&D credits whether your activities succeed or not.

A taxpayer claiming an R&D credit must retain records in sufficiently usable form and detail to substantiate the expenditures and activities claimed are eligible for the credit and aren’t improper. Improper claims can happen in a number of ways, but the best way to prevent them is to have your claim checked thoroughly by a tax professional you trust. Remember: The lowest possible tax bill isn’t the only goal. Accuracy also is important.

Seth Knighton is a senior tax accountant with Dalby, Wendland & Co. He mostly works with small businesses — including S corporations and partnerships — and their owners. Dalby, Wendland & Co. offers accounting, consulting, wealth management and other services with offices in Grand Junction as well as Aspen, Glenwood Springs, Montrose, Rifle and Telluride. For more information, call 243-1921 or visit www.DalbyCPA.com.

F

September 30-OctOber 13, 2021

The Business Times

page 25

Yoga combines peace, power and positivity

Yoga is all about learning to balance life with calmness and positive thinking.

Yoga means to join or yoke together the body and mind in one experience. Yoga dates back over 5,000 years and combines three main areas: breathing, exercise and meditation.

Breathing techniques are taught on the concept breathing is the source of life in your body. Exercises are designed to put pressure on glandular systems and promote health and wellPaula being. By meditating, participants learn to quiet their minds and heal Reece from the stress of life.

There are more than 100 different schools of yoga. The most common type — and the one most people recognize — is Hatha yoga. This is an easy to learn form of yoga that combines physical movements and postures with breathing techniques.

Bikram yoga focuses on muscular strength and endurance, cardiovascular flexibility and weight loss. This type of yoga is performed in a 95-degree to 105-degree environment. This promotes flexibility, detoxification and prevention of injuries. Warm yoga is similar, but not so extreme in temperature.

Power yoga combines stretching, strength training and meditative breathing. Many of the poses resemble

such basic calisthenics as pushups, handstands and side bends. The pace of this type of yoga is much faster. Each move flows into the next without pausing.

Although there are many more forms of yoga, these examples give you an idea of what’s available. Many instructors incorporate different forms of yoga into one class.

Most adults with varying degrees of abilities can practice yoga. Some advanced classes aren’t suitable for people with physical limitations from injuries or pregnant women. Always consult with your doctor before engaging in an exercise program.

However, special classes incorporate yoga into workouts with modifications. Don’t hesitate to ask questions, and always listen to your body.

When taking your first yoga class, expect to enter a dim room with soft music playing. You should wear comfortable clothing. You don’t need special shoes. Most people are barefoot. You’ll have a mat and such props as bands, blocks and blankets. Your instructor will tell you how and when to use these.

At the end of each yoga class, most teachers bring

There a lot of questions about residential evictions in Colorado.

Can you evict a tenant for not paying rent? Do you have to provide more than 10 days of notice prior to eviction? Can a tenant be charged late fees? Can a tenant’s utilities be shut off if bills aren’t paid? Is money still available from the government to help a tenant behind on rent or utility payments? The short answer to all these questions is yes.

The COVID-19 pandemic Tim protections provided to tenants Whitney nationally through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention eviction moratorium ended Aug. 26 as a result of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling invalidating the CDC eviction ban.

In Colorado, executive orders related to evictions have all expired except one Gov. Jared Polis amended and extended on Sept. 4.

Based on the governor’s amended Executive Order D 2021 122, landlords must provide eligible individuals 30 days of notice of any default for nonpayment that occurred on or after March 10, 2020 before initiating or filing an action for forcible entry and detainer. Such a 30-day notice may extend beyond the expiration of this executive order.

During this 30-day period, eligible individuals shall have the opportunity to cure any default for nonpayment.

Eligible individuals means those who can demonstrate they submitted an application for their rental property or the landlord has submitted an application for their specific rental property to the state or any locality for emergency rental assistance in good faith and their applications haven’t been denied.

Landlords may also collect late fees, and utility

Yoga dates back over 5,000 years and combines three main areas: breathing, exercise and meditation.

their hands together in front of the heart, bow their head and say “namaste.” Students bring their hands together and respond. Namaste means “I bow to you.”

Yoga offers numerous benefits, including improved breathing, flexibility and posture. Some people might believe they’re too old or unfit for yoga. In truth, you’re never too old to improve flexibility.

Yoga stretches not only your muscles, but also the soft tissues of your body, including ligaments and tendons.

Nearly all yoga poses build strength in the abdominal muscles. With stronger core strength comes better posture.

You’ll also become more aware of your posture in daily activities.

Most forms of yoga concentrate on breathing.

Learning to deepen or lengthen your breath will stimulate relaxation. In addition, yoga improves concentration and mood.

If you’re already a yogi, you understand this. If you’re not, try a few yoga classes for a couple weeks and see if you experience the amazing benefits you can attain from this form of exercise. Namaste.

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.

F

Questions — and answers — about residential evictions

RentaSpace.DiegoCorp.com

Subscribe today (970) 424-5133

www.thebusinesstimes.com

companies can shut off services if bills aren’t paid.

The good news for tenants and landlords is money is still available from the state to help pay rent and utilities.

Congress allocated about $46.5 billion in stimulus funds, but the federal government has been slow in sending money appropriated for this use.

Finally, it appears the rules for residential evictions will remain a moving target for the time being. Consult with your legal counsel before proceeding.

Tim Whitney is managing broker of Coldwell Banker Commercial Prime Properties, a commercial brokerage and property management firm based in Grand Junction. Whitney has been involved in the sale, lease and management of commercial real estate in Colorado for more than 35 years.

For more information, call (970) 243-7375 or visit the website at www.CBC-Prime.com.

F

Page 26

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

The Business Times

SePtember 30-OctOber 13, 2021

Social determinants affect health, too So much of the cost of health care has already been written. It’s woven into the fabric of our everyday lives. The dominant American narrative is largely a self-sufficient one. Exercise daily, eat healthier, work harder, rest more and live better. These are proven strategies to improve health. However, there are elements of our society even more influential over health outcomes — or at least affect the ability to improve health. In the health care community, we refer to these things as social determinants of health.

As a term or phrase, social determinants of health is thrown around, but often without deeper explanation as to what it actually means.

In contrast to the fiercely individualized, self-sufficient narrative I described above, social determinants of health relate to aspects of a person’s life that can’t easily change overnight, in the next year or — in many cases — ever.

Social determinants of health look beyond disease to understand factors contributing to quality of life and, ultimately, affecting health.

Ashley They include access to food and housing as Thurow well as employment, schools, stable childcare and transportation. Income and ethnicity as well as community, crime and safe places to recreate all influence whether or not a person lives a healthy life. Often, where you live determines how long or well you live and how much your health care costs. Social determinants of health are generally systemic and contribute to broad health inequities and disparities.

Consider the neighborhood where you live. In Flint, Mich., for example, residents used a water supply contaminated with high levels of lead over a period of five years, exposing upwards of 14,000 children. While that was a famous case, lead toxicity is actually common. One in every 40 children in the United States has elevated levels of lead in his or her blood, which attacks the developing nervous system and contributes to lower IQ, impaired growth and hearing loss. Prolonged lead exposure carries ripple effects into adulthood, increasing risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, kidney disease, reduced fertility and likely cancer. Higher health care expenses are waiting for one in 40 American children 30 years from now due to lead in their environment today.

Food deserts offer another example. A food desert is an area with limited access to affordable and nutritious food — a place without a grocery store in close proximity or a store that carries only shelf-stable processed foods with high caloric content. According to a U.S. Department of Agriculture food access research map, several areas in Mesa County are considered to have low access to nutritious food. Not only do food deserts lack access to fresh fruits and vegetables, but they’re also filled with fast food options.

There’s a strong correlation between high percentages of people living in poverty and food deserts. Presented with a limited budget

Social determinants of health relate to aspects of a person’s life that can’t easily change overnight, in the next year or — in many cases — ever.

and even more limited options for nourishing food, families can find themselves in a difficult position. Unsurprisingly, research shows the presence of many fast food options in a community is a strong predictor of obesity rates. Obesity leads to many of the most common causes of death in the U.S., among them cancer, diabetes, heart disease and stroke.

It’s important to include social determinants of health in any conversation about improving health outcomes or reducing health care costs. Medical care itself is only estimated to contribute to about 10 percent to 20 percent of health outcomes. Non-medical factors make up the rest. It’s critical to address those aspects of our community and society that erect barriers to healthy lifestyles. Ignoring these issues simply adds to ballooning health care costs in this country.

Solutions to address social determinants of health come in many forms. Such public services as education as provided by Mesa County School District 51 or stable housing programs administered by the Grand Junction Housing Authority play a critical role. Coalitions and multi-stakeholder partnerships, such as the Community Transformation Initiative serving the Clifton community, prove instrumental in bringing needed resources to address social determinants of health. Private companies, both nonprofit and for-profit, should play a big role, too. Hilltop Community Resources manages numerous programs to help families live healthier lives, including programs involving car seat safety, cooking classes, domestic violence safe houses, transitional housing for former foster youth and more. SCL Health St. Mary’s Medical Center sponsors the Meals on Wheels organization that supplies meals to the elderly in Mesa County.

Lowering spiraling health care costs will require more investments of this nature by everyone in our community. We must address social determinants of health and the root causes of health inequity to practice preventive care more effectively.

Ashley Thurow is executive director of Monument Health, a clinically integrated network based in Grand Junction serving more than 20,000 people. Monument Health strives to provide quality health care while containing costs for its members by focusing on integration, preventive upstream solutions and guaranteed access to primary care providers. Contact Thurow at Ashley.Thurow@monumenthealth.net.

F

Contributors Opinion Bold predictions for 2015 Nothing government gets built Taking of extra steps A newa lot year affords Business Briefs more likeornot-so-bold repeats in a day ... at a regular price in efforts to help children a new opportunity Business People Almanac to meet local needs THE he BUSINESS usiness T T Times IMES

SPAGE eptember 22 30-OctOber 13, 2021

Doug and Melinda McCaw are willing to take extra steps to help children.

Quite literally, a lot of extra steps.

The Grand Junction couple ran the length of the Colorado Trail — 490 miles from Denver to Durango — in just 18 daysalways in 2020 as part a fund-raiser Elevate A new year almost brings anofopportunity forfor a fresh startKids, and an they founded to help charities that help children. renewed ambition toorganization do things better.

For those want to do the division, McCaws In business, that usually boils who downdon’t to providing customers betterthe products ran at anlower average 27 miles — morePart thanofa marathon 18 and services faster and costofthan competitors. the process—must in a row.

Moreover,what theythey did so while need contending with include listening to days customers to determine actually and then the ups downs of good the Colorado Traillatest and and a total of 87,000 meeting that need. After all,and it does little to offer the greatest if vertical of elevation nobody actually wants what feet you’re selling. gain.

When news release McCaws and Just like the businesses thatI received belong toathe group, the about Grandthe Junction Area theirinvariably effort, I couldn’t kind ofaa reassessment physical, mental Chamber of Commerce starts outimagine the newthat year with of Phil Castle and emotional challenge. jog athey couple of times a week and the services and resources it provides and howI well match with members backpacked Pass Loop, a 25.7-mile trail around needs. Jeff Franklin,once the new chairmanthe of Four the chamber board of directors, the Maroon Bells west of Aspen with 7,752 feet of elevation gain.

It took me more personifies this approach in describing what he considers his role for the coming than The Fourdetermine Pass Loop is plenty and steep by myneeds. standards, year:three listendays. to members, their needs long and then meet those It’s a but proverbial mole hillasinmarket comparison to the Trail. Less, in roleconstitutes with whichaFranklin is familiar president of Colorado Bank of Colorado. fact, The thanprocess a typical daytake in the of the McCawsapproach along their trip. the chamber will on alife more structured in what I wasofeager to learnaptly more aboutListening the McCaws and accepted plansConsequently, as the resumption a program called to Business.

Under the their invitation to attend media premier of “Chasing the Sky,” a documentary program, business ownersa participate in in-depth interviews to identify barriers to about growththeir and journey. other problems they encounter.

The two-hour details their and other preparations, then The nearly new year offers afilm good time to jointraining the proverbial club. offers day-by-day of the trip. blow-by-blow account Asa an advertiseraccount or reader, what do It’s youmore need like froma the Business Times? givenWhile the injuries, and fatique they endured.

They repeated a simplenews to businesspain journals traditionally gather and report the relevant statement summarizing their the effort: “This is theespecially hardest thing readers, communication isn’t assessment necessarily of a one-way street.

That’s true as I’ve Web ever sitesdone.” and e-mail make the dialogue more convenient than ever.

How, did theydon’t ultimately complete theirThey quest?

They explained that, Good then, publications exist in a vacuum. respond to the needs of too.

One step at and a time.

By putting one footwhat’s in frontneeded. of the other, day after day. But then advertisers readers.

They provide another question arises: Why? Why embrace that kind of hardship? In part, they So what do you need? said,Istothere proveadditional to themselves could.that would help keep you informed about newsthey coverage been thinking about that analogythat to the stories I’ve heard or from localI’ve business developments?

Are and thereitsfeatures would be interesting entrepreneurs what go through to start grow their ventures. useful? Is thereabout advice thatthey would make your jobs and a little easier?

There’s another common motivation, and With that’slimited a desiretime to give It’s equally important to ask what you though, don’t need. to back.

The McCaws wanted to raise money for charities that help children.

The produce content and limited space in which to publish it, would time and first spacetwo be beneficiaries efforts else? are Kids Aid, which provides backpacks filled with better devotedoftotheir something foodWhat’s to students in What Mesa isn’t?

County School District 51 schools good?

What’s needed?

What isn’t? who might otherwise go hungry weekends, and theComment Intermountain Academy, a school Let us over know.theSend us an e-mail. onlineAdventist on the Business Times Web for in kindergarten throughYou eighth grade. site students at www.thebusinesstimes.com. could even write an old-fashioned letter to Publicifshowings “Chasing the Sky” scheduled for Oct. is 14valued at the and the editor you’d like.ofYour feedback, both are positive and negative, Colorado Mesa University will be carefully considered.Center ballroom and Oct. 27 at the Picture Show movie theater in Grand are Junction.

Profits from ticket sales will go tostaffs, Kids Aid Good publications the result of not only the efforts of their but and also the Intermountain Adventist Academy.

More collaborative efforts involving advertisers andinformation readers. about Elevate Kids is available Like at anyhttps://elevatekids.org. other good business, we want to listen to our customers, find out what they need and then meet those needs.

Phil It’s Castle is editor of the Business a new year. Please help us toTimes. do so. Reach him at 424-5133 or phil@thebusinesstimes.com. ✦ 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. © 2021 — All rights reserved.

It’s that time of year when I’ve been doing some research on resolutions prognostications abound. big buildingand projects and came across this My favorite sayingIapplied New Year’s little ditty because like thetocomparison resolutions is in saying they’re basically a for the purposes of this column: bunch of promises “The Taj Mahalto break the first week of January. while I won’t predict a is located onAnd the right wholeoflot, can pretty much accurately bank the IYamuna nail a in few things that without question River a vast will make the news.

Mughal garden that You will see these are pretty, well, predictable: encompasses nearly ■ Prediction 17 hectares in the one: ThereDistrict will beinsome Agra Uttar sort of weather event, Pradesh.

It was built by natural disaster Mughal EmperororShah heinous occurrence Jahan in memory of his Craig Hall where someone will wife Mumtaz Mahalm, be interviewed with constructionand say the following: starting in 1632“I’ve and completed in 1648, with never seen anything the mosque, the guest house and the main like that on in the my south, the outer courtyard gateway lifetime.”

It’s aswere if this and its cloisters added subsequently and Craigof Hall person is ainrequired completed 1653. The existence several attendee at newsinscriptions in Arabic historical andevery Quaranic reporting While I understand most script haveevent. facilitated setting the chronology people’s perspective can indeed be limited of Taj Mahal.

For its construction, masons, by, or contained within, their painters, own personal stone-cutters, inlayers, carvers, experiences, it is too much and to ask to calligraphers, dome builders other consult were somerequisitioned historical perspective before artisans from the whole saying such aand thing? response of the empire alsoYes, fromthis Central Asia can apply to some events. But when comes and Iran.

Ustad-Ahmad Lahori wasitthe main to weather andTaj natural disasters, I’m pretty architect of the Mahal.” sure And this is history repeating it simply cost a boatload of bucks itself. to Same this as itlevel has for millions and millions of build of excess. years.

More important, the planet made it!

Now in the above, replace Taj Mahal WhatGrand didn’tJunction were certain How’s with High species.

School and every that for perspective? reference to the emperor with Mesa County ■ Prediction it comes to of a School District 51,two: and When you’ll get the gist crime orplan something between the new to buildthat ouroccurs local version of humans, the other required attendee at High all the Taj Mahal, the new Grand Junction news reporting is thehere person who School.

After all,events I’ve been 21 years says— this: “They just the and voila!

— we’re that’s how longnicest it took people, in no way did and I seethat’s something to finallyand complete the Taj how like this coming.”

Exactly.

Nobetters one does long it’s taken for our elected on the mostboard of thetotime when it comes to more D51 come up with an even neighbors and exorbitant planacquaintances. to erect anotherPeople wondershould of be surprised whatone goespriced on from to the world, thisatlocal two time to three time inhigher their than neighborhoods, times the average towns cost toand build a with school people in they know because people are high Colorado. good.But And that athey shouldn’t to for be the fair,times let’s use quote from be shocked —of like with politicians, another piece research I did, thisrepeat one offendersfrom and District terrorists51—itself where’s the coming on its interview thatwebsite says, “This doesn’tfor surprise promotional at Citizens D51: me in thelistened least.” to your concerns ... And “We’ve Prediction three: Something we’re■proud to now fight for a newgood school will happen economically, thethe most that successfully addressesand only government will take needs.” credit for it. The most urgent and essential recent example gasconsider prices, where And those is they to be people ask me why I conscious won’t credit the president for “community citizens” have put gastag prices.

My answer simple: needs” alow price on “urgent and is essential Government makes priceany of of us at about $150never million.

Butthedon’t something downresearch and simply credit dare do anygomore and takes discover for good news. Gas subject tocost the AVERAGE highpricing schoolisbuildout many global there are in the is about $50 factors. million Now to $60 million government answers to addressing of United States.

And most of those some include them to keepofprices stable for large tracts land needed toAmericans, be purchased but ourfull government has none of them in AND athletic facilities. place.But The onlydothings it has in never place in the what I know?

I’ve

page 27 JANUARY 15-28, 2015

long run always hurt consumers. Another fact unemployment a certain Butis that don’t any ofreaches us dare level based on the economy.

And while do any more research the government might brag the number is low, and it’s morediscover than likely thethe government did something to causehigh that number being low AVERAGE school — and not in a good way.

Conversely, buildout cost is about when business picks up, it’s because the people $50 million to $60 million who need to buy widgets who were not buying widgets becauseStates. the economy was in the United contracting due to natural (or unnatural, government caused) reasons, decided we betterelected buy some government been to a widgets. position The of power and had nothinglike to do with this. knowledge a school board, city council ■ Prediction four: where In keeping with or county commission, all knowledge things the government does, are I predict is bestowed once the ballots in. the government will manipulate Well, I know this: D51 the hasnumbers been to make the this claim the economy is getting ignoring community need for the better because of how hard it ismaking working 21 years I’ve been here after theto help all of us “working Americans.”

Nowa horrible decision to build a school with you might always saylong this lifespan ofsay, less“Craig, than 50you years not so about—President because don’t ago damned Obama near within my you lifetime. like him.”

You’re right in has a sense.

I don’t This willful negligence our kids going know the man, laden, but what I know of him and to an asbestos roof leaking, bricks his thinking, don’t like it or him one iota. falling out ofI walls, basement flooded Before you floor go off,upheaving, however, Ideath didn’ttrap like constantly, President Bush andnow his it’s bailouts, stimulus for decades.

And demanding and his abandoning market to save $150 million dollarsthe to free fix the problem it the free market.

And Iare don’t knowfor him caused?

And parents falling it? either.

WhatI arrived the government does,annual and the Since here, D51’s only thing can do,doubled. is hurt the budget hasitalmost Itseconomy. student Unless it does nothing criminals in population hasn’t, but or itsput staff has grown jail instead of partnering with them, nothing exponentially.

We’ve approved hundreds themillions government does will help.

Always look of of dollars above and beyond at itbillions this way,the whatever the district the hasgovernment received, says it is doing,allowing whateverthe thedoubling name of the lawdebt it including of its is passing, or whatever the name or goalput of just a few years back. Yet, D51 hasn’t the bureaucracy it is presenting to the ONE PENNY towards what I’ve been told people, expect the polar opposite to occur. is its most pressing need: a new Grand I guess what I’m saying that Junction High School.

Nope,isthe most it’s perhaps it’s Taj timeafter to get out of done is put Mahal onour the own ballot perspective.

There’sso plenty history only to be defeated it canofblame the books and historical research voters call us child hatersout andthere anti-to begin to understand all done of this education — a movethat that’s ashas much happened before. in And will again, than to sever relations thisit community whether topic is experts people or government. any evil the satanic in the federal The besthave recommendation government come up with.is to find someOne books or that’s try that wholeme Google thing amazed since thing. There’s aeverything lot of information on the understanding in this country Great Depression. truththe is itsame wasn’t is political: people The wanting folks even caused a good the oneproblem until theand government got who are hurting involved.

There’sfix also of research you to somehow theplenty problem and help on the period the you.

If medieval one lookswarm through that when lens, they’d planettowas much the warmer than today have conclude last place to lookwith for whole lotisless people (and a solution government.

Forwarmer the lovewell of before man heredown at all). yep, Gia, just takewas a ride anyAnd road and people beenYou killing other surprised tell me have it’s fixed. can’t. people history need was first written.

Wesince desperately a new Grand Maybe research willthere’s help some stop Junction Highsome School.

But until all of on these trends. bethe sanity price — sayOtherwise, $60 millionwe’ll due to saying we’ve never seenthis anything like it in swamp thing — let’s put latest proposal ourthelives. notwas in aintended: good way. in placeAnd the Taj a tomb. publisher of of the the Craig Hall is owner and publisher Business Times.

Times. Reach Reach him at 424-5133 or publisher@thebusinesstimes.com. ✦ F

Page 28

Opinion Business Briefs Business People Almanac

n SPECTRUM AWARDS $10,000 GRANT TO GRAND JUNCTION ORGANIZATION

Spectrum donated $10,000 to Mutual Aid Partners in Grand Junction as part of a national community philanthropic program.

“Through Spectrum Employee Community Grants, we’re proud to provide support to vital community organizations with which our local employees are already volunteering their time and talent,” said Rahman Khan, vice president of community impact for Charter Communications.

Rahman Khan “Together, we’re building stronger communities where our customers and employees live and work across America.”

The nonprofit Mutual Aid Partners supports and connects grassroots organizations in Western Colorado by collaborating on fund-raising, facilitating communication and education and sharing resources and volunteers. The $10,000 grant will go towards food supplies, storage and transportation, enabling Mutual Aid Partners to address increased food insecurity due to the S. Vasconez COVID-19 pandemic.

“On a higher level, Mutual Aid proves the concept that we are stronger together and that helping our neighbors is an essential part of nuturing a positive human experience,” said Stephanie Vasoncez, executive director of Mutual Aid Partners. “We are grateful to Spectrum for supporting our cause and allowing us to continue meeting the evolving needs of our community in real time.”

Spectrum Employee Community Grants are one of several philanthropic programs at Charter Communications — which operates the Spectrum brand — to support communities where the company provides services and its employees live and work.

Charter Communications offers a variety of business and residential services, including internet, telephone and television services. For more information, visit www.spectrum.com. n BEER DISTRIBUTOR BECOMES OFFICIAL SPONSOR OF WESTERN COLORADO UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS High Country Beverage, a beer distributor with operations in Grand Junction and Montrose, has entered into a multi-year deal to become official sponsor of the athletic program at Western Colorado University in Gunnison.

“High Country Beverage believes this is a great fit for the university and the Western Slope community,” said Bryce Kopperud, vice president and general manager of High Country Beverage.

“There is a rich tradition within this athletic program that we are proud to be a part of. We both agree that there are intangible aspects of this agreement that will be mutually beneficial as we move forward.”

Miles Van Hee, director of athletics at Western Colorado University, also praised the deal. “We have been working on securing a sponsor like this for a while and are happy we could make it work with a great Colorado business.”

The sponsorship will enable High Country Becerage to engage with Western Colordo University athletics as well as promote a program encouraging responsible consumption.

High Country Beverage distributes a total of more than 300 brands of beer and malt beverages to regions in Western and Northern Colorado. For more information, log on to the website at www.highcountrybeverage.com.

The Business Times

SHARE YOUR NEWS

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 FIRM LAUNCHING REAL ESTATE SOFTWARE FOR COMMERCIAL BROKERS IN MESA COUNTY A company expects to soon launch in Mesa County a search engine and marketing platform for commercial real estate brokers.

A launch party for the Commercial Co-Op software is set for Sept. 30 at Moody’s Lounge at 546 Main St. in Grand Junction immediately following the Western Colorado Economic Summit.

The Commercial Co-op combines into a single service features from multiple patforms in offering search and marketing tools, communication functions and lists of vendors and service providers.

The company enlisted commercial real estate brokers in Mesa County to help in development and testing and is ready to expand testing to a group that includes all commercial brokers using a mobile site available on iOS, Android and any mobile or desktop device. Participating brokers will receive free service through the test period as well discounts afterwards For more information about the Commercial Co-Op, visit the website located at https://thecommercialcoop.com. n NEW BUSTANG OUTRIDER ROUTE OFFERS SERVICE BETWEEN GRAND JUNCTION AND TELLURIDE A new route of the Bustang Outrider offers bus service between Grand Junction and Telluride.

In addition to the Grand Valley Transit Center in Grand Junction, the route will include stops at Grand Junction Regional Airport, SCL Health St. Mary’s Medical Center and Veterans Affairs Western Colorado Health Care System.

The route will include regularly scheduled stops along the route in Delta, Olathe, Montrose, Ridgway and Placerville. Fares range from $2 to $22 depending on the length of travel.

Alpine Express will operate the route in addition to a route between Gunnison and Denver.

The Colorado Department of Transportation manages the Bustang Outrider service with contracts with operators.

For tickets or more information, visit https://ridebustang.com. n GRAND JUNCTION CHAMBER OF COMMERCE RECOGNIZES EXPANSIVE BUSINESS EFFORTS Four businesses were recognized for expansions resulting in a total of more than $10 million in capital investments and 39 additional jobs.

The Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce honored the businesses during its latest quarterly membership luncheon Community Hospital was honored for a $10 million investment and 30 new jobs.

The Carlston Agency, an Allstate insurance agency, was honored for a $100,000 investment and two jobs.

The Growl Agency, a design and marketing firm, was recognized for a $43,000 investment and four additional jobs.

Carpetland added three jobs.

F

SePtember 30-OctOber 13, 2021

NOTEWORTHY

HopeWest in Grand Junction continues to rank among the best places to work in health care based on the 2021 results of a magazine survey.

The hospice, palliative care and grief organization ranked 17th among providers and insurers as well as fourth in the family friendliest category by the Modern Healthcare trade publication. HopeWest has received recognition four times “We know to care for others, we must first care for our staff,” said Christy Whitney, president and chief executive officer of HopeWest. “With Christy Whitney the past year being especially challenging for the health care industry, I’m glad that everything HopeWest did as an organization to support our employees is recognized with an award like Modern Healthcare’s Best Places to Work. I’m also very proud that we are recognized as a family friendly workplace. Providing our dedicated staff with a healthy work-life balance is important to us and our community.”

The awards program recognizes workplaces that empower employees to provide patients and customers with the best care, products and services.

Modern Healthcare announced the rankings at its Places to Work Gala in Chicago.

Hopewest and other winners were featured in a special supplement published in the Sept. 20 issue of Modern Healthcare.

HopeWest operates an in-patient hospice center in Grand Junction and also provides hospice, palliative care and grief support services in an 8,000 square-mile region of Western Colorado. For more information, call 241-2212 or visit www.HopeWestCO.org.

September 30-OctOber 13, 2021

The Business Times

page 29

Page 30

BusinessBriefs Briefs Business BusinessPeople People Almanac Business Almanac The Business Times

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

Makenzie Bowman Karen Duhl

Pamela Hightower

n BRAY REAL ESTATE FIRM ANNOUNCES ADDITION OF BROKER ASSOCIATES Makenzie Bowman and Karen Duhl have joined Bray Real Estate as broker associates in the Grand Junction office. Pamela Hightower has joined the business as a broker associate with the Your 3A Team in Montrose.

Bowman relocated from Crested Butte, where she worked in real estate for five years.

Duhl relocated from Michigan and brings to her latest duties more than 20 years of experience in real estate.

Stewart Cruickshank, sales manager at Bray Real Estate, praised the additions.

“Makenzie is tenacious, and her professionalism instills confidence in her clients. We are so thrilled to welcome her to the team,” Cruickshank said.

“Karen is such an energetic and outgoing person, and I have no doubt that her patience and experience will be a huge asset to her clients,” he added.

Hightower received her real estate license in 2016.

Merrite Wyatt, team lead for Your 3A Team, welcomed Hightower. “Pamela is all about delivering an excellent customer experience, and we are thrilled to have her on the team as well as at Bray.”

In Grand Junction, Bray Real Estate operates offices at 1015 N. Seventh St. For more information, call 242-3647 or visit www.brayandco.com. Reach Hightower at 209-9251 or pamela@brayandco.com.

Toni Heiden

Mike Moran

C. Castaneda

n HEIDEN HOMES REALTY HONORS TOP-PERFORMING AGENTS FOR AUGUST Toni Heiden, Mike Moran and Cythia Castaneda were honored as the top performing agents for August at Heiden Homes Realty in Grand Junction.

Heiden posted the highest dollar volume in sales for the month. Heiden and Moran tied for the most closings.

Castaneda posted the most new listings.

Heiden, owner and broker of the firm, has worked more than 40 years in the Western Colorado real estate market. Moran, an associate broker, also works in property management and marketing for the firm as well as a speech instructor at Colorado Mesa University. Castaneda has worked in real estate since 2007. She also works as a personal care provider.

Heiden Homes Realty operates offices at 735 Rood Ave. For more information, including property listings for sale or rent, call 245-7777 or visit www.HeidenHomes.com.

F

Girl Scouts name West Slope Women of Distinction Kathy Hall, Naomi Commission of Colorado.

Sikora and Diana Sirko will Sikora has worked as be honored at an upcoming a clinical registered nurse event for their professional at SCL Health St. Mary’s and personal contributions Medical Center since 2013. to the community.

She volunteered to travel to The three were named New York City during the Western Slope Women of height of the COVID-19 Distinction for 2021. The pandemic to care for patients Girl Scouts of Colorado will Kathy Hall there.

Naomi Sikora Diana Sirko honor them at a Women of Sirko is superintendent Distinction event set for 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. Nov. 4 at the of Mesa County School District 51. She previously served Grand Junction Convention Center at 159 Main St. in other school districts around Colorado.

“I am honored to welcome this year’s class of Women Since the program began in 2013, Girl Scouts of Distinction. They are strong, bold, empowered women of Colorado has recognized more than 20 Women of who represent the leadership and excellence that powers Distinction in Western Colorado. today’s world,” said Leanna Clark, chief executive officer For more information about tickets and sponsorships of Girl Scouts of Colorado. for the Women of Distinction event, visit the website at Hall is owner and principal of Kathy Hall and Associates. www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/en/support-us/fundraisingShe also served two terms as Mesa County commissioner. events/women-of-distinction-grand-junction.html.

She recently was appointed chairwoman of the Transportation F

SePtember 30-OctOber 13, 2021

Sept. 30 n Western Slope Economic Summit, 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Grand Junction Convention Center, 159 Main St. Admission $75 for individuals. www.westcoeconomicsummit.com n Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce Welcome Thursday Friends networking lunch, noon, Mountain Berry Bowls, 123 N. Peach St. https://fruitachamber.org or 858-3894 n Colorado Department of Transportation career fair, 3 to 6 p.m., CDOT facility at 2328 G Road, Grand Junction.

Oct. 5 n Business startup workshop, 9 to 11:30 a.m., Business Incubator Center, 2591 Legacy Way, Grand Junction. Admission $55. 243-5242 or https://gjincubator.org.

Oct. 7 n Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce Welcome Thursday Friends networking lunch, noon, Fiesta Guadalajara, 103 U.S. Highway 50.

858-3894 or https://fruitachamber.org n Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce Women in Business free networking lunch, noon, JXN Station, 571 21 Road, Grand Junction. 858-3894 or https://fruitachamber.org Oct. 13 n Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce Networking at Noon event, 11:45 a.m., Maison La Belle Vie Winery, 3575 G Road, Palisade.

Admission $18 for chamber members, $23 for others. 242-3214 or https://gjchamber.org Upcoming n Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce Welcome Thursday Friends networking lunch, noon Oct. 14, Ale House, 2531 N. 12th St., Grand Junction.

858-3894 or https://fruitachamber.org n Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce business after hours event, 5:30 to 7 p.m. Oct. 14, Timberline Bank, 649 Market St., Grand Junction.

Admission $5 for chamber members, $10 for others. 858-3894 or https://fruitachamber.org n Business startup workshop, 6 to 8:30 p.m., Oct. 19, Business Incubator Center. Admission $55.

243-5242 or https://gjincubator.org. n Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce health care summit, 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 20, Doubletree by Hilton, 743 Horizon Drive.

Admission $55 for chamber members, $65 for others. 242-3214 or https://gjchamber.org n Palisade Chamber of Commerce business after hours, 5:30 to 7 p.m. Oct. 20, Basecamp RV Resort, 985 N. River Road. Admission $6 in advance.

464-7458 or https://palisadecoc.com n Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce Welcome Thursday Friends networking lunch, noon Oct. 21, Kokos Tavern, 152 S. Mesa St. 858-3894 or https://fruitachamber.org n Business startup workshop, 9 to 11:30 a.m.

Nov. 2, Business Incubator Center. Admission $55.

243-5242 or https://gjincubator.org.

F

September 30-OctOber 13, 2021

The Business Times

page 31

Page 32

The Business Times

SePtember 30-OctOber 13, 2021