Contributors Opinion Bold predictions for 2015 Of airports and stadiums: Grand among more A newopenings year Business affords Briefs like not-so-bold repeats Telling a COVID-19 story indicative local trends a new opportunity Business People Almanac to meet local needs THE he B BUSINESS usiness T T Times IMES
PPAGE age 22 22
One of my jobs as editor of a business journal is to pay attention to various indicators and what they, well, indicate, about the economy. Consequently, I spend a good portion of my time writing about unemployment rates, real estate sales and tax collections. I’m also something of a geek.for Perhaps another A new year almost always brings an opportunity a freshinstart and life I havebetter. worked as an economist. I actually consider these renewed ambition towould do things of numbers interesting and enjoy reporting onproducts them. In business, thatsorts usually boils down to providing customers better I came to the office at 6 in the morning to join in a virtual and services faster and at lower cost than competitors. Part of the process must media briefing staged bywhat the Conference Board New York include listening to customers to determine they actually needin and then to goall, over latest outlook. I was happyif meeting that need. After it its does littleglobal good economic to offer the latest and greatest to do so because I got to listen to some real economists nobody actually wants what you’re selling. talk about such topics domestic product, labor Just like the businesses that belong to as thegross group, the Grand Junction Area shortages and inflation. It was like Christmas — and nearly Chamber of Commerce invariably starts out the new year with a reassessment ofas entertaining as listening to well officials thewith Federal Reserve the services and resources it provides and how theyfrom match members their peculiarly parsed fashion about their projections. needs. Jeff Franklin,talk the in new chairman of the chamber board of directors, Phil Castle Of course, none of the indicators singularly personifies this approach in describing what he considers his role forsuggests the coming what’s going ontheir in the economy. Butmeet connect the dots, year: listen to members, determine needs and then thoseallneeds. It’s aand arole more complete picture emerges. with which Franklin is familiar as market president of Bank of Colorado. In County, for example, thestructured monthly unemployment rate trended TheMesa process will take on a more approach in what thehas chamber down even higher prices large commercial transactions push the dollar plans as theas resumption of aand program aptly called Listening to Business. Under the volume real estate salesparticipate to record levels. Tax collections to barriers outpace to program,ofbusiness owners in in-depth interviewscontinue to identify not onlyand 2020, butproblems the past four It’s picture of a local economy that’s growth other they years. encounter. rebounded from the COVID-19 pandemic, also challenges The new year offers a good time to joinbut theone proverbial club. from labor shortages higher housing As anand advertiser or reader,prices. what do you need from the Business Times? In reporting other business stories, it gather occurred me I should add two more While business journals traditionally andtoreport the relevant news to indicators to my list — grand openings and relocations. readers, communication isn’t necessarily a one-way street. That’s especially true as openings scheduled for Nov. for the Ordinary Fellow, a new WebGrand sites and e-mail are make the dialogue more13convenient than ever. winery in Palisade, anddon’t Nov. exist 16 forinthe Shamrock Foodservice Good publications a vacuum. They respond toWarehouse, the needs ofa new store in Grand that will servewhat’s not only restaurants and caterers, but also advertisers andJunction readers. They provide needed. the public. That’s notneed? to mention the recent relocation of Networks Unlimited into So what do you larger and refurbished in Grand Is there additional quarters news coverage thatJunction. would help keep you informed about There’s no direct correlation among grand openings, and or local business developments? Are there features that wouldrelocations be interesting economic growth. Courageous entrepreneurs openaventures in the midst of useful? Is there advice that would make your jobs little easier? challenging times, still confident they’ll survive even thrive. It’s equally important to ask what you don’t and need.perhaps With limited time to More generally speaking, though, grand openings and relocations indicate produce content and limited space in which to publish it, would time and space be improving conditions — of businesses opening to meet demand or relocating to better devoted to something else? keepWhat’s pace with growth. news is more oftenWhat goodisn’t? than bad. good? WhatThe isn’t? What’s needed? I’ll reporting other economic indicators because I think Let keep us know. Send on us an e-mail. Comment online— onnot theonly Business Times Web it’s but also because I happen to think fun.an But I’m also eager to to site important, at www.thebusinesstimes.com. You could evenit’s write old-fashioned letter report on grand openings andfeedback, relocatons. Consider not-so-subtle invitation the editor if you’d like. Your both positivethat andanegative, is valued and to business owners and managers to help me with the process and let me know in will be carefully considered. a timely fashion when they occur. Good publications are the result of not only the efforts of their staffs, but also It’s part of my job to pay attention to various indicators. They’re so, well, collaborative efforts involving advertisers and readers. indicative. Like any 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.
IIt’s could headline that have time written of year the when “Of Colorado andprognostications Texas: a Covid 19 story.” resolutions and abound. But just covering airports and stadiums will My favorite saying applied to New Year’s allow you toisget gist.they’re I’m also writing a resolutions in the saying basically this offof thepromises top of my I’llweek bunch tohead breakbecause the first never get myAnd headwhile around the two Americas of January. I won’t predict a we’re living the pandemic. whole lot, I in canrelated prettytomuch accurately story involves nail aMy few things that without question a tripmake to Dallas will the with news. You will see these are some buddies to catch pretty, well, predictable: the Broncos game and ■ Prediction one: enjoy awill weekend in a There be some placeofwhere freedom sort weather event, rings. Sadly, whatorthis natural disaster column should be heinous occurrence about was the beers, where someone will football and brushes be interviewed and say withfollowing: greatness we had the “I’ve Craig Hall because of the Draft never seen anything Kings Lounge like that in mypasses we got through lifetime.” It’s asanifold this— well, she’s young Hall — friend allowing for a cool experience. person is a required suchCraig So I’ll briefly touchnews on them anyway. attendee at every Boy was there football to watch.most We reporting event. While I understand were literally on the Denver sideline for the people’s perspective can indeed be limited game the within, Cowboys. experience by, or against contained theirThe own personal was nearly as enjoyable at Texas experiences, it is too much to askLive, to the largest andhistorical coolest sports bar I’vebefore consult some perspective ever seen. Yeah. We had fewresponse beers as can saying such a thing? Yes,athis well. After all, events. it was aBut guys’ trip.itAs for apply to some when comes greatness, missed out disasters, on the picture to weatherIand natural I’m my pretty buddies with lengendary Broncositself. sure thisgot is simply history repeating running Davis on elevatorof Same asback it hasTerrell for millions andthe millions comingMore backimportant, down to the theit! years. thelounge planetfrom made main concourse. I didspecies. turn around and What didn’t wereBut certain How’s say, “Hey, that’s Lee Greenwood” from our that for perspective? vantage point, andtwo: he came for pics ■ Prediction Whenover it comes to a and handshakes withthat myoccurs buddies and the crime or something between crowd in the the other lounge pit area.attendee at all humans, required packedevents a lot into 48 hours newsWe reporting is thethe person who of freedom between our experiences in says this: “They we’re just the nicest the gulags disguised thedid airline in people, and in no as way I see industry something America. like this coming.” Exactly. No one does isn’t about Grand Junction mostThis of the time when it comes to Regional Airport. It’s what the People airport should must neighbors and acquaintances. operate under given all the laws, mandates be surprised at what goes on from time to and Sequoia-pulp-sized litanytowns of regulations time in their neighborhoods, and from people our federal Sopeople maskedare with theygovernment. know because up it was the times moment entryshouldn’t to the good. Andfrom for the thatofthey moment we — gotlike on the then it got be shocked withplane, politicians, repeat worse. First, to be frank (while hoping offenders andand terrorists — where’s the I get no one in says, trouble) we doesn’t sat wellsurprise away interview that “This frominour as a small group with masks me thegate least.” basically off. And three: then asSomething my “crew”good tends ■ Prediction to do,happen we followed the cart and going will economically, theup to the bar to be there at take “opening” satThe pretty government will credit and for it. most much mask-less theprices, table aswhere well. people recent example isatgas All thanks partcredit to a county which for ask me whyinIno won’t the president wants current leadership low gasfreedom prices. — Myour answer is simple: folks aside who want theirthe version Government never makes priceofofit. Of ocurse, I could abut something go down and write simplya novel takes credit what the news. TSA has I digress. for good Gasbecome, pricing isbut subject to I heard about Now masks once manyIfglobal factors. there areon the plane, I heard it six times before takeoff government answers to addressing some of — including the ever-popular threats them to keep prices stable for Americans, of breaking federal has law,none losing but our government of flying them in privileges inference harshin the place. The and onlythe things it has inofplace
NJovember 11-24, 2015 2021 ANUARY 15-28,
penalties for breaking the “law.”Another Then long run always hurt consumers. again, the feds run the airlines as awell, so fact is that unemployment reaches certain there’s always been a chance of that. The level based on the economy. And while the airlines are correct: Flying is a privilege. government might brag the number is low, But a privilege is something we should it’s more than likely the government did go to a privatetobusiness to number obtain and adhere something cause that being low to notway. the dictates of when —its andprocedures, not in a good Conversely, government. more business picksYou’ll up, it’sunderstand because thethis people once shopping eating out who need to buyorwidgets whobecomes were nota government-regulated buying widgets because“privilege.” the economy was After looking about the for any contracting due to natural (orcabin unnatural, curious eyes,caused) I took my time eating government reasons, decidedmy we pretzels mask down-mask back up style better buy some widgets. The government with the occasional sip this. of water requiring had nothing to do with the same insane actions. you think the ■ Prediction four: InIfkeeping with surge problems the result thingsof thein-flight government does,are I predict the of anything but mask policies due to government willthe manipulate the numbers to government more control of make the claimtaking the economy is getting our lives underofthe guise ofitsafety from to better because how hard is working COVID, couldn’t be more wrong. help all ofyou us “working Americans.” Now They are. Ifsay, you“Craig, unconvinced, thensay why you might you always this won’t the government airlines to start about President Obamaallow because you don’t their own terminal access flights for like him.” You’re right in aand sense. I don’t those flywhat withI no mask know desiring the man,tobut know of — himand and better, more sensible security? Hint: his thinking, I don’t like it or him oneThey iota. never For more proof, Beforegive youup gocontrol. off, however, I didn’t like see gambling, cigarettes, pot and all the President Bush and his bailouts, stimulus other industries in which themarket government and his abandoning the free to save controls the means the free market. AndofI production. don’t know him For the record, the flightdoes, home airport either. What the government and the to plane experience was a huge ditto. I’m only thing it can do, is hurt the economy. just glad weather Unless it the doesAmerican nothing orAirlines put criminals in problems thethem, end ofnothing the jail insteadare of restricted partneringto with month after employees outAlways of hours. the government does willrun help. look Now, how ’bout that at it this way, whatever the Cowboys government says stadium? never the seenname a smoother it is doing,I’ve whatever of the law it running operation handling 100,000is passing, or whatever the name or goal of plus people overitaisfew hours intosuch the bureaucracy presenting the an efficient manner my life. I’ve to been to people, expect theinpolar opposite occur. moreI than University of Michigan guess100 what I’m saying is that games, the out Bataan Death perhapsand it’s it’s timelike to get of our own March just toThere’s go to the bathroom or get perspective. plenty of history abooks hot dog. in Jerry World.out Ticket and Not historical research there to takers? more thanthat a couple of folks begin toNo understand all of this has in the multitude lines. Security happened before.ofAnd it will again,gates? Come onthe through, don’t whether topic ispardner. people And or government. messThe withbest the recommendation three guys on theisother end to find or you’ll have — of Google which my some books orproblems try that whole humor saved me after they started in thing. There’s a lot of information onon the my Buccaneers gear. Great Depression. The truth is it wasn’t my buddy asked, you ever evenAs a good one until the“Have government got seen a place wherealso youplenty had soofmuch room involved. There’s research surrounded by 100,00 And the we on the medieval warmpeople?” period when did it all without a bunch planet was much masks, warmersame than as today with of other stadiums did last weekend. a whole lot less people (and warmerAnd well as it hasman beenwas since began. before herefootball at all).season And yep, Ipeople assume without being other a super spreader have been itkilling surprised event. people since history was first written. Yet our some airlines and airports mask us Maybe research will help stop up despite being actually less crowded. all of these trends. Otherwise, we’ll be Then one and sayingagain, we’veJerry neverJones seenruns anything likethe it in government runs our lives. And notthe in other. a good way. Craig Craig Hall Hall is is owner owner and and publisher publisher of of the the Business Times. Reach him at 424-5133 Business Times. Reach him at 424-5133 or or publisher@thebusinesstimes.com. publisher@thebusinesstimes.com. F ✦
