The Business Times Volume 27 Issue 23

THE BUSINESS T IMES News DECEMBER 10-23, 2020

THE DEFINITIVE SOURCE FOR GRAND JUNCTION BUSINESS NEWS SINCE 1994

In this issue

VOLUME 27, ISSUE 23

THEBUSINESSTIMES.COM

Now what?

Trends 2 n Forecast Contributors offers a look at what could Opinion 4 be in store.

See page 2 Business Briefs 6 Business People Almanac

n Ag expectations

Faced with a pandemic and drought in 2020, the Colorado ag industry might have to expect the unexpected in 2021.

n Protection plan

A business certification effort implemented in response to the pandemic in Mesa County could serve as a model statewide.

n Energetic revenue

Colorado received more than $57 million in the latest disbursement of revenue from energy production on public lands.

n Still on pace

19

Real estate activity in Mesa County remains on pace to match sales and dollar volume levels for 2019.

n Less optimistic

19

A measure of optimism among small business owners has decreased as uncertainty has increased.

n Address stress

21

Employers can take steps to address stress at work as well as boost individual and organizational performance.

n Departments Almanac Business Briefs Business People Contributors News Opinion Trends

30 28 30 21-25 2-18 26-27 19-20

The Colorado Business Economic Outlook for 2021 takes into account 13 business sectors as well as seven geographic regions in the state — including Mesa County.

Business Times illustration by Phil Castle

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

THE BUSINESS T IMES News The Business Times

Page 2

December 10-23, 2020

Now what?

Expect the Trends unexpected: offers Contributors Forum ag outlook Opinion Business Briefs Business People Almanac Phil Castle

The Business Times

Pandemic derailed 2020, but economy could get back on track

W

hile a pandemic derailed what was forecast as a good year for the Mesa County economy in 2020, there are opportunities to get back on track in 2021.

The unemployment rate has retreated nearly seven points since peaking in April even as the labor force has grown and wages have increased. Manufacturing is expected to increase, and real estate demand remains strong.

“While the pandemic has had an impact on all aspects R. Wobbekind of the community, the county is recovering and outperforming other counties and the state. The community in the Grand Valley is resilient and will continue to forge ahead in the face of adversity,” according to a sunmary in the Colorado Business Economic Outlook for 2021.

Statewide, employment is expected to grow next year, but not enough to make up for losses attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic and related restrictions.

Moreover, the outlook will depend on the ongoing effects of the pandemic, the availability of vaccines and the extent to which the economy will reopen, says Richard Wobbekind, senior economist at the Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado at Boulder. “This is a really difficult environment to do an economic forecast.”

The research division at the Leeds School of Business compiles the Colorado Business

FOR YOUR INFORMATION The Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce will host its annual economic outlook presentation as a free virtual event set for noon Dec. 14. To register or obtain more information, call 242-3214 or visit www.gjchamber.org.

Economic Outlook with sections for 13 industry sectors and seven geographic regions. Business, education and government officials contribute to the forecast.

Steven Jozefczyk, deputy director of the Grand Junction Economic Partnership, contributed to the section on Mesa County. So did Mara Hardy, business development manager at GJEP, and Nathan Perry, an economics professor at Colorado Mesa University. Bray Real Estate, the Grand Junction Regional Airport, Mesa County Workforce Center and Visit Grand Junction also contributed.

In Mesa County, the seasonally unadjusted unemployment rate stood at 5.7 percent in October, according to the latest estimates from the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment. The jobless rate stood at 12.6 percent in April.

Nonfarm employment decreased 10.9 percent from January to April, but since has rebounded to recoup most of those losses, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

See TRACK page 18

STORY AND PHOTO BY PHIL CASTLE

Steven Jozefczyk

Mara Hardy

Nathan Perry

As a fourth-generation rancher on a century old family operation in Eastern Colorado, Wil Bledsoe brings a long-term perspective to the agricultural and food industry in the state.

His takeaway from 2020 and his prediction for what could happen in 2021?

“Always expect the unexpected.”

Bledsoe was among five panelists who participated in a virtual symposium hosted by the Colorado Department of Agriculture in which they shared what they learned in 2020 and the ways they believe the industry will respond in 2021.

Farmers and ranchers face challenges nearly ever year. But 2020 was even more challenging, Bledsoe said, with a pandemic and drought. “This year was more like one, two, three punches in the gut.”

Adam Schlegel, founder of Chook Chicken restaurant in Denver and co-founder of the Snooze brunch chain, put it another way. “My word or thought is to buckle up.”

Tom Vilsack, president and chief executive officer of the U.S. Dairy Export Council and former U.S. secretary of agriculture, said the agricultural and food industry remains resilient. The Colorado industry is even more resilient given the diversity of products produced in the state, he said. “That’s a plus. That’s an advantage.”

Dawn Thilmany McFadden, a professor of ag resource economics at Colorado State University, said farmers, ranchers and others could have to rebalance their operations in response to not only short-term circumstances, but also long-term trends.

Virgina Till, a coordinator with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency involved with efforts to reduce food waste, said it’s important for the industry to connect with consumers. “Communication is my theme.”

By one estimate, the agriculture industry contributes $47 billion a year to the Colorado economy and employs nearly 200,000 people.

Vilsack said the ag industry had to “pivot” in 2020 to respond to the pandemic.

McFadden said more farms and ranches launched websites and some launched online ordering.

So did restaurants, Schlegel said. A transition in technology to accommodate direct online ordering that might have taken place over five years happened instead in a year. He estimated takeouts went from 5 percent of his sales to 90 percent.

See FORUM page 16

December 10-23, 2020

The Business Times

Page 3

THE he B BUSINESS usiness T T Times IMES

PPAGE age 4 4

DJecember 10-23, 2015 2020 ANUARY 15-28,

THE BUSINESS TIMES Administrator brings Coalition proposes

WE OFFER COMPLIMENTARY

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

599 Patterson (25 Road & Patterson)

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

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

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

Copyright © 2015 editor — Allor rights reserved.

Copyright © 2020 — All rights reserved

Let’s create something

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

S O L A R

P O W E R E D

1707 I-70 Business Loop Grand Junction

970-243-6310

allmetalswelding.com

Life is Precious

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

well-rounded perspective variance program based to Mesa County role onnew Mesa County efforts Philcertification Castle A business program implementedThe in Business responseTimes to the pandemic in Mesa County could serve as a model for Frank Whidden what he similar efforts elsewherebrings in Colorado. considers a well-rounded perspective to his A coalition of businesses, chambers of new job as Mesa County administrator. commerce, hospitals and trade associations Whidden worked to Colorado Gov. submitted a proposal in Jard Polis information and the director of the Colorado technology Department andof holds Public Health and aEnvironment master’s degree in to implement the program. computer information The proposal is based on the Mesa County systems.

But hewhich also allows participating 5 Star program, holds doctoral businessesa following public health guidelines degree in practices applied to operate under less and best safety management stringent conditions and imposed in response to decision making and Frank Whidden the COVID-19 pandemic. worked more than Theforcoalition includes the Fruita, 20 years as a minister. has Grand Junction, Palisade Whidden and Western worked large and small of organizations ColoradoforLatino chambers commerce in private and public as both well the as Mesa County Publicsectors.

Health and expects to draw on all of his MesaWhidden County hospitals. experiences in helping County The coalition also Mesa includes the commissioners makeofand carry out decisions.

Colorado Chamber Commerce, Colorado Valuing staff and making county Restaurant Association and theNational an employer of choice Business. is among the Federation of Independent priorities, said.

So isbusinesses planning Under Whidden the coalition proposal, that results inbest sustainable funding implementing safety practices willand be balanced a long-term basis. allowed tobudgets remain on open.

Meanwhile, County will Businesses willMesa be allowed to operate continue to pursue effortsnormal that promote at 50 percent of their capacitya friendly and regardless business of the risk environment level in individual economic counties. development, Whidden said.

Whidden officially as The proposal wouldbegan allow working any county county administrator the beginning of to participate withoutatgoing through an the year. He succeeds whoThat was approval process withTom theFisher, CDPHE. hired as county in Summit would enable local manager control among various County, partners Utah. in counties.

Whidden County the in According joined to theMesa coalition, August as information technology pandemic2011 has created a crisis that extends director.

In April 2014, became deputy beyond the health riskshe associated with county resource COVID-19administrator to social issues for resulting from management in a and staffing businesses closing peoplereorganization losing jobs. that eliminated four F director positions.

Before joining Mesa County, Whidden worked for a company providing information technology services to colleges and universities. In that role, he managed IT systems and services for institutions in Gov. Alabama, Colorado Jared Arizona, Polis has Illinois signed

as well as New England and Canada.

Whidden said people who work in information technology aren’t just “geeks,” but offer an important perspective because they’re familiar with nearly every aspect of operations and how work gets done. They also tendMesa to think about new potentially County has and moved to better waysdescribed of doing as things what’s the in redasking — orand answering “what if ”ofquestions.

“They severe — level pandemic risk know as howthe to number effect change in an organization.” of positive COVID-19 Whidden expects to bring that same cases mounts. approach hisDec. duties7,as6,831 administrator.

Astoof positive Whidden said it’s his had role been to help cases of COVID-19 county commissioners makewith and 36 then reported in Mesa County implement commissioners county decisions. residents The hospitalized as in of turn thetheresidents thatrepresent date. Since onset of of thethe county and express their will, he said. outbreak, 59 deaths have been“We work for the people.” attributed to the disease.

Whidden said he alsotested considers himself Of those who’ve positive, a liaison the commissioners 2,820 between have recovered and 1,217and county staff,no and one of the priorities is to reported symptoms. make sure feel period valued.ending Whidden Foremployees the two-week saidinhe hopes not only to improve morale, Dec. 7, 1,828 positive cases were butreported. also take steps that will make Mesa County Testing an organization for whichwith people also has increased want to work.

97,912 tests administered in the Meanwhile, expectsofthe county.

Out of Whidden that, 6.28 percent county to continue policies and initiatives the tests have come back positive — thatansupport business andover economic averagelocal of 9.4 percent the development.

There are additional steps previous two weeks. that canOver be taken easierweeks, for local theto make past ittwo businesses to sellofproducts services 29.5 percent positiveand cases were to theattributed county, hetoadded. close contact with family Mesa County will 11.3 keep percent workingofwith members.

Another other government entities, organizations cases were attributed to exposure in andsuch institutions on fostering an environment so-called congregate settings thatas supports jails and existing nursing businesses homes, andand attracts new businesses, he said.in places 11 percent to close contact saidAt there could the be a ofWhidden employment.

37.2 percent, opportunities to encourage the additional source of the largest proportion of development of businesses that provide positive cases remained unknown. services to the agricultural industry as well F as promote Mesa County as a distribution center for the region.

The important thing is to consider issues from a well-rounded perspective, Whidden said. “We won’t be myopic as we look at things.” retailers retain sales ✦ tax for assistance.

COVID-19 cases continue to mount in Mesa County

Colorado governor signs into law nine pandemic relief measures

into law nine measures passed in a special legislative session to provide pandemic relief.

“We took immediate bipartisan action here in Colorado to provide relief to our small businesses, childcare providers and hardworking families,” Polis said. “We will all continue to face challenges in the weeks and months ahead, and we urge Washington to step up and provide real relief to the people who need it most.”

“There is light at the end of the tunnel,” Polis added. “I thank state lawmakers and legislative leadership for their collaboration, and I’m proud we could come together to ensure we can build back stronger than before.”

The governor signed into law: n House Bill 20B-1004 — qualified

n House Bill 20B-1005 — local authority to impose food delivery fee restrictions. n House Bill 20B-1006 — insurance premium tax payments and credits. n Senate Bill 20B-001 — COVID-19 relief for small and minority businesses and arts organizations. n House Bill 20B-1003 — food pantry assistance grant program. n Senate Bill 20B-003 — money for energy utility bill payment assistance. n Senate Bill 20B-002 — housing and direct COVID emergency assistance. n House Bill 20B-1001 — grants to improve internet access in P-12 education. n House Bill 20B-1002 — emergency relief programs for the child care sector.

F

The Business Times

December 10-23 2020

Colorado report details workforce center efforts in midst of a pandemic Workforce centers in Colorado provided services to more than 300,000 people and 9,000 businesses, according to the latest version of annual report.

“We are very aware that Coloradans statewide are struggling to keep afloat during these challenging times,” said Joe Barela, executive director of the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE).

Joe Barela “As public servants, we have worked to process claims, deliver benefits, fight fraud and provide work force services to advance Colorado’s economic recovery. We will continue our strategic and targeted efforts so that Coloradans affected by the pandemic have the tools they need to weather the economic downturn.”

The Workforce Innovations and Opportunity Act (WIOA) annual report details how work force development investments have helped individuals and businesses.

For the 2019 program year, workforce center customers secured higher incomes and employers who used center services realized cost savings.

Throughout Colorado, 313,370 job seekers and 9,045 businesses were served by local workforce centers. Of those job seekers, 63.2 percent found employment and 64.5 percent retained employment one year later. Additionally, more than $453 million in wages were returned to the economy through the Colorado public workforce system.

The report highlight several efforts: n Layoff mitigation assistance: Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, a rapid response outplacement and layoff transition services program had served 364 companies with a total of 42,508 employees. The program — which offers businesses work force services, guidance and information related to restructuring or downsizing — has since served the three industries most affected by the pandemic, including retail, food and accommodations and manufacturing.

Since the advent of the pandemic, the rapid response team has served 186 companies.

Permanent layoffs increased by 3,696 from March to June. Temporary layoffs swelled to 14,497, with furloughs accounting for 3,390. The team helped reinstate 492 jobs and avert 33 layoffs. n Disaster recovery national dislocated worker grant: In April, the CDLE was awarded a grant to provide temporary subsidized disaster relief employment in the aftermath of

For more on the efforts of the Mesa County Workforce Center in Grand Junction, see stories on pages 8 and 28. the COVID-19 pandemic. Colorado placed 332 workers in jobs that helped stem the rise of COVID-19 and provided cleanup and humanitarian assistance, including actions to save lives, alleviate suffering and maintain human dignity. n State disaster re-employment grant: Colorado received a second grant to serve dislocated workers. Local work force areas provided services to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The goal of the grant was to minimize employment and economic disruptions to individuals whose jobs were affected. A total of 800 individuals were served through the grant with career and training services, apprenticeships, work-based learning information, entrepreneurial training and general support. n Using data to determine next steps: To ensure economic recovery efforts are strategic, the Workforce Intelligence Data Experts (WIDE), a group of work force data analysts, researched the skills gap exacerbated by the pandemic. This research used data on skill transferability to allow sector partnerships to identify and define training on-ramps and career pathways for unemployed restaurant workers with low educational attainment. An emphasis was placed on the importance of creating upskilling opportunities to help fill the current needs of businesses, including demand for information technology professionals. n Increasing access to opportunity: From 2016 to 2019, Colorado applied for and received 11 national discretionary grants from the U.S. Department of Labor totaling more than $29.5 million. A $4 million grant for the Pathway Home Project provided people involved with the justice system job readiness services, increasing their chances of finding a job after their release. Primary partners for this work include CDLE, Colorado Department of Corrections and local workforce areas.

Barela encouraged people to take advantage of services offered at workforce centers. “Now is the time for unemployed, underemployed and furloughed individuals to explore employment and upskilling opportunities to be competitive in Colorado’s economy moving forward.”

F

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

(970) 424-5133 or www.thebusinesstimes.com

Page 5

Page 6

The Business Times

December 10-23, 2020

Colorado receives $57 million share of energy revenue Colorado received more than $57 million in the latest disbursement of revenue from energy production on federal lands in the state.

The disbursement was about half the $108 million Colorado received for the 2019 fiscal year, though, and the lowest amount in the last five years.

The money was part of more David Bernhardt than $8 billion disbursed by the U.S. Department of Interior Office of Natural Resources Revenue (ONRR) during the 2020 fiscal year.

Of that, $1 billion was distributed to Native American tribes and individual Native American mineral owners, $1 billion to the Reclamation Fund and $150 million to the Historic Preservation Fund. Nearly $3 billion went

into the U.S. Treasury. The Great American Outdoors Act enacted in August earmarks $900 million in revenue a year from energy production to permanently and fully fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund.

The ONNR disbursed a total of more than $1.8 billion to 34 states.

“Importantly, these disbursements also go right back to the states and tribes where the energy was produced, providing critical funding for schools, public services, conservation improvements and infrastructure projects that create good-paying American jobs,” said Interior Secretary David Bernhardt.

Colorado ranked sixth among the states receiving the largest disbursements. New Mexico ranked first at nearly $707 million, followed by Wyoming with $457 million, Louisiana $159 million, Texas $99 million and North

Dakota $66.7 million. Utah ranked seventh with almost $54 million.

According to separate statistics for the 2019 fiscal year for Colorado, oil, natural gas, coal and other minerals extracted from public lands managed by the Department of Interior accounted for $8.1 billion in economic output, $5.5 billion in value added and 35,200 jobs.

The total economic contribution of energy development, recreation and other activities on public lands in Colorado managed by the department was estimated at $19 billion.

Nationwide, energy development on public lands accounted for $156 billion in economic output and 665,000 jobs. A total of about $12 billion in revenues were collected from oil, natural gas and coal extracted from federal lands.

F

BLM realigns Colorado district boundaries

A realignment of U.S. Bureau of Land Management district boundaries in Colorado has resulted in the establishment of an Upper Colorado River District headquartered in Grand Junction.

The federal agency realigned boundaries for what are four districts in Colorado.

This effort is expected to create more efficient geographic boundaries as well as improve public and wildland Jamie Connell firefighter safety.

“After the last realignment effort in 2016, the BLM committed to conducting an evaluation to see how things were working and if any adjustments were needed,” said Jamie Connell, state director of the BLM. “We did our evaluation, had strong dialogue with everyone affected by our new realignment, garnered resounding support and are now poised to better serve the public,” Connell said.

The Upper Colorado River District includes the Grand Junction and Colorado River Valley field offices with district headquarters collocated in the Grand Junction field office.

Headquarters for the Northwest Colorado District will move to the Little Snake Field Office in Craig. The district includes the Kremmling, Little Snake and White River field offices.

The Gunnison field office moved from the Rocky Mountain District to the Southwest Colorado District, which will retain its purview over the Tres Rios and Uncompahgre field offices. District headquarters will remain collocated with the Uncompahgre field office in Montrose.

The Rocky Mountain District now comprises the Royal Gorge and San Luis Valley field offices, with its headquarters remaining collocated with the Royal Gorge field office in Canon City.

A map showing the boundary changes is available at https://go.usa.gov/xGe4g.

F

December 10-23, 2020

The Business Times

Page 7

Page 8

The Business Times

December 10-23, 2020

Mesa County Workforce Center services highlighted The Mesa County Workforce Center in Grand Junction created a virtual call center, hosted customized hiring events and offered other services to those looking for jobs and new hires, according to an annual report on workforce development activities in Colorado.

The Colorado Workforce Development Council submitted the L. Wheeler-Berliner report on activities funded through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).

The council produced the report in partnership with the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment and Colorado Department of Education.

“In 2014, WIOA set forth a bold vision for an aligned

public work force system built on partnerships that delivers excellent customer service to both job seekers and businesses,” said Lee Wheeler-Berliner, managing director of the Colorado Workforce Development Council.

“Throughout our implementation of the first combined state plan, we have executed on that vision to strengthen our business-led system and enhance connectivity and partnership across programs.”

As the COVID-19 pandemic increased demand, partnerships and infrastructure enabled the workforce system to respond in meeting challenges and assisting people and businesses, Wheeler-Berliner said.

The Mesa County Workforce Center created a virtual call center to answer questions related to jobs and unemployment. The center fielded 4,933 inbound calls and made 4,377 outbound calls.

The workforce center also hosted 30 customized hiring events for employers.

According to the report, services offered at the center led to 1,660 new jobs obtained and more than $2.1 million in savings to employers. In addition, 5,924 national career readiness certificates were earned.

The Colorado Workforce Development Council collaborated with several state agencies and organizations to provide free and streamlined career advising training for more than 2,500 people through the Colorado Career Conversations Training Project.

The council supported two local workforce area innovation pilot programs that tested new models for virtual service delivery and partnership across programs to support adult learners.

F

Trade group study: Construction sector quick to rebound

While the construction industry was hit hard by the pandemic and related restrictions, the sector has been quick to rebound, according to the results of an analysis conducted by a trade group.

Construction payrolls have yet to return to pre-pandemic levels, however, according to Associated Builders and Contractors.

Since February, 20 states had lower estimated construction unemployment rates in September even as the national construction unemployment rate was up by 1.6 percent due to local market variances, according to an analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

“After many bumps and bruises, construction has proven to be one of the better performing sectors of the economy over a difficult period. Overall, as of September, about half of the states suffered from construction job losses, while work in several areas remained steady,” said Bernard M. Markstein, president and chief economist of Markstein Advisors, which conducted the analysis for ABC. “Construction has generally done a good job of taking measures to protect its workers from the risk of contracting COVID-19 in the workplace. The impact on construction activity comes more from local increases in COVID-19 cases and efforts to contain these outbreaks,” Markstein said.

By April and May, a period when construction typically ramps up, all 50 states had higher construction unemployment rates than in the same month in 2019. Construction employment dropped 912,000 in April and 464,000 in May from the year before.

In August and September, all 50 states still had higher estimated construction unemployment rates than the same month in 2019.

From February to September, the national construction unemployment rate went from 5.5 percent in February to a peak of 16.6 percent in April to 7.1 percent in September, its lowest post-February rate, according to BLS numbers.

F

December 10-23, 2020

The Business Times

Page 9

Page 10

The Business Times

Growers group schedules conference Registration is under way for the Colorado Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association annual conference, an event that will be conducted virtually.

“With a very reasonable registration rate and no need to travel, we expect even more registrants than the 300 we typically have for in-person conferences,” said Robert Sakata, president of the group of growers. “While we will all miss the in-person socializing that our conferences provide, we believe the virtual conference will offer a similar lineup of opportunities to engage with others in the produce industry.”

Robert Sakata The conference is set for Feb. 17 and 18 and will include plenary and breakout sessions covering such topics as consumer behavior, farm labor, food safety, online sales and production research. Most sessions will be prerecorded with the presenters available live following the recording to answer questions.

Exhibitors will be able to showcase their goods and services by uploading promotional videos and handouts to virtual booths conference attendees can view and download. Attendees can find exhibitor booths by browsing the virtual exhibit hall or searching exhibitors by goods and services offered.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

To register for or obtain more information about the Colorado Fruit & Vegetable Grower Association annual conference, visit the conference website at https://pheedloop.com/cfvga2021/site/home.

The virtual platform allows for chat and even live video meetings, either scheduled or spontaneous. The sessions and exhibitor booths will remain on the conference website for a year following the event.

The conference also will include the annual business meeting, with results of the online election of board members announced and presentation of the 2020 CFVGA Robert Sakata Member of the Year Award.

The CFVGA is comprised of more than 250 members, including growers as well as representatives of allied industries.

The Colorado fruit and vegetable growing sector contributes nearly $485 million to Colorado at the farm gate and is multiplied as it goes through the distribution chain. More than 90,000 areas in Colorado are allocated to fruit and vegetable production.

F

December 10-23, 2020

Applications due for ag industry internship funding

Application will be accepted until Dec. 18 through a program providing funding to agricultural businesses to hire interns for the 2021 growing season.

The Agricultural Workforce Development Program (AWDP) provides financial incentives to Colorado farms, ranches and other businesses to hire interns and provide them with the hands-on training needed to begin careers in agriculture.

Qualified businesses that participate in the program could be reimbursed for up to half the cost of hiring an intern or $5,000.

Interns are no longer required to be Colorado residents. Moreover, the internship timeline is aligned with the growing season.

Applications will be evaluated by a team of reviewers. Award notices will be announced in February.

Since the AWDP was created in 2018, the Colorado Department of Agriculture has funded 35 internships. This year, CDA will award about $48,000 through the program.

Applications for the program are available at https://ag.colorado.gov.

More information also is available by contacting Jennifer Benson, a CDA grants specialist, by email at jennifer.benson@state.co.us.

F

State ag department launches new website to improve experience

The Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) has launched a new website to better serve those who access the site for ag-related information, data, industry news, license renewals, public meeting schedules and more.

The new website — located at the new address at https://ag.colorado.gov — unifies onto a single platform the eight CDA divisions of animal health, brands, Colorado State Fair, conservation, inspection and consumer services, laboratory services, markets and plants.

The new website also was revamped to provide: n An improved user experience. n Improved accessibility that makes it easier to find information. n An enhanced search function. n Improved navigation tailored to the most visited programs. n Access to a new online pesticide applicator licensing system.

While the main website address has changed, visitors can still access the site through https://colorado.gov/ag.

F

December 10-23, 2020

The Business Times

Page 11

Page 12

The Business Times

December 10-23, 2020

Views sought on final design for downtown roadway project

Comments will be accepted through Dec. 15 on final designs for highway and street improvements planned for an area in downtown Grand Junction.

The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) offers virtual reviews for its final design for a project involving the Interstate Highway 70 Business Loop, First Street and Grand Avenue.

“This stretch of I-70B is a primary route into and out of downtown that supports multimodal transportation, regional transportation and access to local businesses,” said Mike Goolsby, CDOT Region 3 transportation director. “It is exciting to Mikes Goolsby be able to announce the final design after we gathered input from the public and property owners on their concerns, wants and needs for the project.”

The project started in 2008 with an environmental assessment. A series of public meetings were conducted to gather public input on safety, mobility and access concerns at I-70B near First Street and Grand Avenue. The project involves roadway, sidewalk and access improvements in the area to improve safety, congestion and multimodal opportunities.

The project includes the I-70 Business Loop from Mulberry Street to Rood Avenue and Colorado Highway 340 (Broadway) from Mulberry Street and Rice Street to Second Street. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2021 and is anticipated to be completed in the summer of 2022.

Because of limitations on public events during the coronavirus pandemic, CDOT provides virtual opportunities for public reviews on the final design.

Information about the project is shared and updated on the project website located at https://www.codot.gov/projects/i70-b-1ststreet-grand-avenue. CDOT documents, records and reviews comments.

Those who don’t have access to the internet, are unable to access the virtual engagement video and online comment form or need information in Spanish, should call the project hotline at 416-4434.

Comments on the project can be emailed to dot_I70BInfo@state.co.us.

F

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

(970) 424-5133

www.thebusinesstimes.com

December 10-23, 2020

The Business Times

Page 13

Page 14

The Business Times

December 10-23, 2020

State agency: Insurance could cover delivery thefts

Homeowners and renters should review their insurance to determine if they’re covered for the theft of deliveries, the Colorado Division of Insurance encourages.

“Insurance can protect you when your gifts are swiped by people who should be on the naughty list — that’s what insurance is for,” said Colorado Insurance Commissioner Michael Conway. “However, it Michael Conway can’t save you from loud sweaters, bad fruitcake and someone’s re-gift. They don’t have a policy for those yet.”

What’s expected to be an increase in online Christmas shopping will mean more delivers and in turn more deliveries and more people sealing gifts.

According to the Colorado Division of Insurance, part of the Department of Regulatory Agencies, gifts that are delivered become the property of owners.

Those items are likely covered under homeowner or renters’ insurance policies.

However, thefts likely will be subject to deductibles. That means smaller or less expensive items could fall below deductibles, while such big ticket items as electronics or jewelry could have a higher dollar value than deductibles.

The claim process would be similar to having something stolen from inside a home, yard or garage. Specific requirements in filing a claim vary by company, but will probably require some kind of confirmation of delivery — from the company, for example, or a photo of the package or video from a monitoring system.

Information about theft coverage — including coverage limits and deductible amounts — should be included in the policy declaration page of a homeowners insurance policy. Consumers also can ask their insurance agents or companies about coverage for theft.

These inquiries also afford consumers an opportunity to review coverage and determine if deductible levels are appropriate for their homes, contents and financial situations.

Renters should consider insurance for the property inside their rentals. Property can not only be stolen, but also damaged.

Those who don’t have insurance don’t have protection. They can conduct research online or ask an agent about renters’ insurance.

Information about homeowner and renters insurance also is available from the Colorado Division of Insurance Consumer Services by calling (800) 930-3745 or visiting DORA_Insurance@state.co.us.

F

December 10-23, 2020

The Business Times

Page 15

Page 16

Forum

Continued from page 2 Those kinds of changes are likely to continue, Schlegel said. “I think we’re going to continue to need to be innovative and adaptive.”

McFadden said some restaurants might not offer brick-and-mortar dining establishments anymore, but rather operate kitchens with takeout and delivery. That could afford opportunities for more restaurateurs to enter the marketplace because less capital will be required.

Schlegel said he also expects more so-called ghost kitchens to open, but restaurants still must promote a name and brand to compete.

Restaurants have an opportunity to capitalize on the demand for convenient meals brought on by the pandemic, he said. “Every restaurant became a grocery store overnight.”

The Business Times

McFadden said farms and ranches similarly have responded to trends in offering consumers online shopping and pickup and delivery.

Till said it’s important for producers to make connections and find ways to tell stories about how they produce food. “It’s such a wonderful story you can tell.”

It’s also important, she said, to find ways to reduce food waste and keep food out of landfills.

Bledsoe said there’s a growing interest among consumers about where their food comes from, a shift that should give U.S. producers an advantage. “We have the best product in the world.”

He said labeling that indicates country of origin would help, because U.S. consumers likely would prefer U.S. products and be willing to pay a premium for them.

Vilsak said it’s important to remember the agriculture

December 10-23, 2020

and food industries are connected. “This is a single industry.”

Combined, the ag and food industries constitute the largest single industry in the country, he said.

In addition to changes brought on by the pandemic, the agricultural industry also faces changes in addressing climate change.

Vilsak and McFadden said there could be opportunities for producers to earn additional income in providing carbon storage or ecosystem services.

Bledsoe said producers will continue to respond to challenges, whether that means cutting expenses, adding value to products or adjusting operations in other ways.

“Every year there’s going to be at least one thing coming your way.”

F

Nominations sought for state weed group

Nominations will be accepted through Dec. 18 to fill three positions that will become vacant on a state noxious weed advisory committee.

In addition, applications are due Dec. 18 for noxious weed management grants.

Members of the committee discuss weed management challenges and make recommendations to the Colorado Department of Agriculture concerning the designation and classification of noxious weeds, state weed management plans and techniques for containing and eradicating weeds.

Positions becoming vacant in December include: n An agricultural producer who engages in farming or ranching or growing non-traditional specialty crops. n A resource specialist who works in weed science, landscape ecology, natural areas management or a similar field. n An at-large position who represents a perspective, profession or geographical area not served on the committee.

The Colorado commissioner of agriculture appoints 17 members to the committee to ensure different geographic areas of the state are represented equally.

Terms are two years in length. Members and limited to two full terms.

The Colorado Department of Agriculture expects to award $740,000 in grants to counties, municipalities, conservation districts and non-profit organizations and associations for projects controlling noxious weeds.

“During this difficult time, the state’s resources are stretched thin. But it is essential we consistently manage these damaging plants,” said Steve Ryder, state weed coordinator. “This funding from the General Assembly and the U.S. Forest Service goes a long way in controlling noxious weeds that are attracted to lands disturbed by wildfire, drought and development pressures.”

For more information about the noxious weed advisory committee as well as noxious weed grants, visit the website at https://ag.colorado.gov/conservation/ noxious-weeds.

F

December 10-23, 2020

The Business Times

Page 17

The Business Times

Page 18

Track

December 10-23, 2020

10 KEY ECONOMIC INDICATORS

Here, at a glance, are 10 key economic indicators for Mesa County Through the first 11 months of 2020, Continued from page 2 compared to levels from a year ago. Labor and tax numbers are for October 5,122 real estate transactions worth a The weekly number of initial filings 2020 and 2019. Other numbers are for November 2020 and 2019å. combined total of nearly $1.6 billion were for unemployment benefits in Mesa County s Seasonally unadjusted jobless rate: 5.7 percent, up 2.9 points. reported in Mesa County. Compared to the has declined since peaking at 2,583 for the s Labor force: 79,013 up 2.1 percent same span in 2019, transactions increased week ending March 28. s Job orders at Mesa County Workforce Center: 709, up 9 percent.

2.3 percent and dollar volume rose 3 percent.

As of October, the Mesa County labor s Mesa County sales tax collections: $3.7 million, up 12.2 percent.

For all of 2019, 5,393 transactions worth a force stood at 79,013. That’s up 2.1 percent s Grand Junction sales tax collections: $5.4 million, up 3.5 percent collective $1.67 billion were reported. from the same month in 2019. t Grand Junction lodging tax collections: $142,106, down 23.9 percent.

Low residential inventories have Annual wages in Mesa County averaged s Real estate transactions: 468, up 10.4 percent. hampered sales while also pushing up prices $46,275 for the four quarters ending in the s Dollar volume of real estate transactions: $153 million, up 3.4 percent. and promoting new home construction. first quarter of 2020, a 3.9 percent increase s Median home sales price: $305,000, up 15 percent.

At the end of November, there were 351 year-over year. s Year-to-date single family building permits: 714, up 8.5 percent. active residential listings in Mesa County, The health care sector accounted for about half the inventory of a year ago. The most of the increase. Already the largest median sales price of homes sold through industry in Mesa County, health care employment is expected to grow 3.4 percent in 2021. Five The completion of the Palisade Plunge, a 32-mile the first 11 months of 2020 rose 12.2 percent to $286,000.

During that same span, 714 building permits for single of the top 10 employers in the county are in the health care mountain bike trail from the top of the Grand Mesa into sector.

Palisade, is expected to bring as much as $5 million a year family homes were issued in Mesa County, up 8.5 percent compared to a year ago. The construction of multifamily Energy sector payrolls in Mesa County continued to to the Mesa County economy. shrink, falling from a peak of 2,583 in the fourth quarter of Four outdoor recreation businesses relocated to projects also has increased.

The Colorado Rural Jump-Start tax incentive program 2014 to 1,491 in the first quarter of 2020, the lowest level the Grand Valley in 2020, including Canfield Bikes, since 2008. Western Colorado drilling activity remains on Kappius Components and Broken Carbon. ProStart, a continues to promote economic development in Mesa pace for record-low permitting in 2020.

French manufacturer of gates and accessories for bicycle County. In 2020, three businesses were approved for the The travel and tourism sector, an economic driver that motocross, selected Grand Junction as the location for its program, bringing to 18 the total number of companies approved since the program began in 2016. accounts for nearly a third of the sales tax base in Grand first office in the United States.

Even in the midst of a pandemic, the Grand Junction Junction, has declined in the midst of the pandemic.

Manufacturing employment is expected to grow 1.3 percent Lodging tax collections, a measure of hotel and motel in Mesa County in 2021. Capco — a defense contractor that Economic Partnership has assisted with the relocation of stays, totaled $916,000 in Grand Junction for the first 10 manufactures bomb fin assemblies, impulse cartridges, machine five businesses to the Grand Valley — the four outdoor months of 2020. That’s down 35.6 percent from the same gun tripods and other products — has increased staffing by nearly recreation companies and one software company.

Additional development opportunities are available at span in 2019. For September, passenger traffic at Grand 20 percent to fulfill new contracts. CoorsTek relocated its Junction Regional Airport was down 45 percent on a ceramic armor production to Grand Junction and invested the Riverfront at Las Colonias Park and Dos Rios projects in Grand Junction as well as a commercial and industrial year-over-year basis. $16.5 million in new equipment.

Outdoor recreation remains a draw, however, for Real estate activity remains on pace in 2020 to match business park in Fruita.

F visitors as well as businesses. or even exceed 2019.

Colorado forecast: 2021 job gains to fall short of full recovery Phil Castle

The Business Times

Employment is expected to grow in Colorado next year, but not enough to recoup job losses attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic and related restrictions.

Payrolls are expected to increase 40,500 in 2021, about a third of estimated job losses for 2020, according to the latest Colorado Business Economic Outlook.

The short-term outlook depends on the effects of the pandemic, the availability of vaccines and the extent to which the economy reopens, said Richard Wobbekind, senior economist at the Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado at Boulder.

The long-term outlook depends on how much the pandemic changes consumer behaviors, including online shopping, remote work and travel.

The research division of the Leeds School of Business compiles the Colorado Business Economic Outlook with contributions from business, education and government officials across the state.

Wobbekind discussed the 2021 forecast during an online presentation for the media.

The two industry sectors hit hardest by the pandemic in 2020 are expected to recoup the most jobs in 2021, Wobbekind said.

Employment is expected to increase 19,200 in the leisure and hospitality sector and 14,700 in the trade, transportation and utilities sector.

Payrolls are forecast to increase 4,500 for the education and health services sector, 4,400 for professional and business services, 2,500 for financial activities and 2,300 for manufactuing.

The natural resources and mining sector likely will

gain about 400 net new jobs in 2021 as oil and natural gas prices move higher, Wobbekind said.

Government payrolls are predicted to decline 6,900 as budgets shrink, he said. The information sector, which includes media companies, is expected to shed 1,100 jobs.

Changes prompted by the pandemic — including the shift to working from home — will continue to affect everything from commercial real estate to retail sales to transportation, Wobbekind said.

The Colorado population is expected to increase 53,300 in 2021 — the slowest pace of growth since 2003.

But the state remains an attractive place to live and work with comparably lower costs and a high quality of life, Wobbekind said. As technology makes it possible for some people to work anywhere, there could a move to more rural areas of the state.

F

News Trends Contributors Real estate sales on pace Opinion Business Briefs Business People Almanac

December 10-23, 2020

The Business Times

Page 19

INDICATORS AT A GLANCE

n Business filings s New business filings in Colorado, 38,678 in the third quarter, up 24.3% from the third quarter of 2019.

n Confidence

t Consumer Confidence Index 96.1 in November, down 5.3. s Leeds Business Confidence Index for Colorado, 47.9 for the fourth quarter, up 3.6. t National Federation of Independent Business Small Business Optimism Index 101.4 for November, down 2.6.

n Foreclosures

t Foreclosure filings in Mesa County, 2 in November, down from 17 in November 2019. t Foreclosure sales in Mesa County, 0 in November, down from 6 in November 2019.

n Indexes

s Conference Board Employment Trends Index, 98.81 for November, up 0.49. s Conference Board Leading Economic Index 108.2 for October, up 0.7% t Institute for Supply Management Purchasing Managers Index for manufacturing, 57.5% for November, down 1.8%.

n Lodging

t Lodging tax collections in Grand Junction, $142,106 for October, down 35.6% from October 2019.

n Real estate

s Real estate transactions in Mesa County, 468 in November, up 10.4% from November 2019 s Dollar volume of real estate transactions in Mesa County, $153 million in November, up 3.4% from November 2019.

n Sales

s Sales and use tax collections in Grand Junction, $5.4 million for October, up 3.5% from October 2019. s Sales and use tax collections in Mesa County, $3.7 million for October, up 12.2% from October 2019.

n Unemployment n Mesa County — 5.7% for October, unchanged. n Colorado — 6.4% for October, unchanged. t United States — 6.7% for November, down 0.2.

With a month still left, 2020 Mesa County numbers nearly match 2019 Phil Castle

The Business Times

With a month left to go in 2020, real estate activity in Mesa County has nearly matched sales and dollar volume levels for 2019.

Even as persistent demand and low interest rates have bolstered activity in the midst of a pandemic, low inventories have kept residential sales from increasing even more.

The trends are expected to continue into 2021.

Robert Bray, chief executive officer of Bray Real Estate in Grand Junction, said he’s optimistic overall. “I really think it’s going to be a pretty good residential year,” Annette Miller, senior vice president of Robert Bray Heritage Title Co. in Grand Junction, said 468 real estate transactions worth a total of $153 million were reported in Mesa County in November. Compared to the same month last year, transactions increased 10.4 percent and dollar volume rose 3.4 percent.

Several large transactions bolstered dollar volume, including the sales of a commercial property on U.S. Highway 6 & 50 for nearly $3.4 million, industrial property on 12th Street for $1.7 million and agricultural land and a Annette Miller residence on 33 3/4 Road for $1.2 million.

While five transactions accounted for a combined $8.5 million, that was far less than transactions a year ago that included the sale of the Capella of Grand Junction assisted living and memory care facility for $21 million and 4,000 acres on Glade Park for $6.5 million.

The latest numbers bring year-to-date totals for 2020 to 5,122 transactions worth a total of nearly $1.6 billion. Compared to the same, 11-month span in 2019, transactions increased 2.3 percent and dollar volume rose 3 percent.

For all of 2019, 5,393 real estate transactions worth a collective $1.67 billion were reported. Real estate sales dollar volume peaked in Mesa County in 2006 at $1.72 billion.

According to numbers tracked by Bray Real Estate,

300 residential real estate transactions worth a total of almost $106 million were reported in November. Compared to the same month last year, transactions edged up 1 percent and dollar volume jumped 22 percent.

Through 11 months of 2020, 3,656 transactions worth a total of $1.16 billion were reported. Compared to the same span in 2019, transactions were nearly flat even as dollar volume increased 11.6 percent.

Bray said low inventories have dampened sales of existing homes, but also pushed up prices and promoted new home construction.

As of the end of November, there were 351 active residential listings in Mesa County — about half the inventory of a year ago and what Bray said was the lowest level he’s seen during his career.

As many as half of those purchasing homes come from outside the area, he said. Existing homeowners remain hesitant to put their houses up for sale because they’re afraid they won’t find suitable homes to replace them, he said.

A limited supply and strong demand pushed the median price of homes sold in November up 15 percent to $305,000. For the first 11 months of 2020, the median sales price rose 12.2 percent to $286,000.

The pace of new home construction has increased, Bray said.

For November, 64 permits for single-family homes were issued in Mesa County, up 36.2 percent from the same month last year.

A total of 714 permits were issued through the first 11 months of 2020, up 8.5 percent over the same span in 2019.

Although nothing remains certain in the midst of a pandemic, Miller and Bray said they expect 2021 to look a lot like 2020.

Meanwhile, property foreclosure activity has slowed in Mesa County.

Miller said 85 foreclosure filings and 28 foreclosure sales were reported in the first 11 months of 2020. Compared to the same span in 2019, filings fell 57.5 percent and sales dropped 71.7 percent. The 29 resales of foreclosure properties during the first 11 months of 2020 constituted less than 1 percent of all transactions, a fraction of the 10 percent threshold Miller considers indicative of a healthy real estate market.

F

Uncertainty affects small business optimism A measure of optimism among small business owners has decreased even as uncertainty over the COVID-19 pandemic and related restrictions has increased.

The National Federation of Independent Business reported its Small Business Optimism Index fell 2.6 points to 101.4 in November. The index remains above the nearly 50-year average reading of 98, however.

“Small business owners are still facing major uncertainties, including the COVID-19 crisis and the upcoming Georgia runoff election, which is shaping how they’re viewing future Bill Dunkelberg business conditions,” said Bill Dunkelberg chief economist of the NFIB. “The recovery will remain uneven as long as we see state and local mandates that target business conditions and disproportionately affect small businesses.”

The NFIB bases the index on the results of monthly surveys of members of the small business advocacy group, most of them small business owners. For November, six of 10 components of the index retreated and four advanced.

The proportion of those responding to the survey upon which the November was based who expect the economy to improve

over the next six months dropped 19 points to a net 8 percent.

The share of those reporting higher earnings fell four points.

At a net negative 7 percent, more respondents reported lower earnings than higher earnings.

Among those reporting weaker profits, 55 percent blamed weak sales and 8 percent cited higher material costs. Among those reporting stronger profits, 73 percent credited increased sales volume and 8 percent cited higher prices.

A net 10 percent said they expect higher sales, down a point.

A net 26 percent reported plans to make capital outlays, down a point. A net 12 percent said they consider now a good time to expand, also down a point.

A net 5 percent reported plans to increase inventories, down seven points from what was a record-high 12 percent in October.

A net 5 percent said current inventories were too low, up a point.

A net 21 percent of those responding to the survey reported plans to increase staffing, up three points.

A net 34 percent reported hard-to-fill job openings, up a point.

At the same time, 24 percent cited finding qualified labor as their single most problem. That ranked ahead of taxes, regulations and poor sales. A net 20 percent reported plans to increase compensation in coming months.

F

Page 20

The Business Times

U.S. report: jobs up, jobless rate down Payrolls grew and the unemployment rate slipped in November as labor conditions continue to recover in the United States.

The payroll gain was the smallest in six months, however, a slowing in hiring attributed in part to a surge in COVID-19 cases.

Nonfarm payrolls increased 245,000 and the jobless rate edged down two-tenths of a point to 6.7 percent, according to the latest estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Initial estimates for payroll gains were revised downward 28,000 to 610,000 in October, but revised upward 39,000 to 711,000 in September.

Payrolls have increased in each of the last seven months, but employment remains 9.8 million below February and the onset of the coronavirus pandemic in the U.S. The jobless rate has dropped eight points since April, but remains 3.2 points higher than February.

For November, 10.7 million people were counted among those unsuccessfully looking for work. Another 6.7 million were

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

The labor participation rate retreated two-tenths of a point to 61.5 percent. That’s 1.9 points below February.

Payroll gains in November were spread out among a number of industry sectors. Employment increased 145,000 in transportation and warehousing, 60,000 in business and professional services, 46,000 in health care and 27,000 in construction.

Government payrolls declined 99,000 for a third straight month of losses.

The average workweek for employees on private, nonfarm payrolls remained unchanged at 34.8 hours. The average manufacturing workweek shortened two-tenths of an hour to 40.3 hours. Average hourly wages on private, nonfarm payrolls rose 9 cents to $29.58.

F

December 10-23, 2020

Labor index rises

A measure of labor conditions in the United States continues to increase, but at a pace that signals slowing job growth.

The Conference Board Employment Trends Index rose 0.49 points to 98.81 in November. The index has increased seven straight moths, but remains 10.2 percent below a year ago.

“The index signals that the recovery of the labor market may be slowing further,” said Gad Levanon, head of the Conference Board Labor Markets Institute.

F

Trends Contributors Opinion Working on less stress Business Briefs Business People Almanac The Business Times

December 10-23, 2020

Page 21

COMING ATTRACTIONS

n Weichert Realtors-Heiden Home Realty has scheduled its next real estate career night presentation for 5:30 p.m.

Dec. 15 at 735 Rood Ave. in Grand Junction. For reservations or more information about the event, call 245-7777. n The Western Colorado Human Resource Association has scheduled its next monthly program as a virtual event set for 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 16.

WCHRA members participate at no charge. Guests pay $10, and Colorado Mesa University students pay $5.

Alicia Severn — a partner with the Bechtel, Santo & Severn law firm in Grand Junction — will discuss the Colorado Paid Medical and Family Leave Initiative, the Healthy Family and Workplaces Act going into effect in January and Families First Coronavirus Response Act. To register for or obtain more information about the Western Colorado Human Resource Association and its upcoming membership program, visit www.wchra.org. n The Business Incubator Center in Grand Junction has scheduled its next startup presentations for January.

A webinar is set for 9 to 10:30 a.m. Jan. 12 and 13.

A workshop is scheduled for 1 to 3:30 p.m. Jan. 27 at the center, 2591 Legacy Way. The webinar and workshop will cover the business planning process, including financing options, licensing requirements and legal structures. Admission is $55, which also includes admission to Fast Trac classes at the center.

For more information about upcoming events, services and programs offered at the center, call 243-5242 or visit the website at www.gjincubator.org.

Employers play key roles in reducing common workplace stressors The year 2020 might hold the record for spawning the greatest number of articles suggesting ways to build resilience. “Meditate,” the articles advise. “Think positive.” “Practice self-compassion.”

“Just breathe.”

No one could argue that’s solid advice.

Resilience — the ability to bounce back from challenges — is a skill we can practice, polish and benefit from. I recently added a dose of meditation to my routine and can attest it helps me maintain my center of gravity.

As we zoom in closer, though, we can see these bits of advice share one thing in common: They place the burden of overcoming stressful situations solely on the shoulders of individuals. As a result, they fail to recognize Rebecca the significant role our environment plays in Weitzel creating stressful situations in the first place.

This is especially true in the workplace.

Imagine your workplace has a faulty indoor sprinkler system that randomly kicks on and soaks everyone without warning. To address the problem, you can provide each team member with a plastic poncho, develop a training on advanced toweling-off skills and share weekly tips for recognizing the early signs of sprinkler malfunction. Or you can just fix the sprinkler system.

We face similar choices when it comes to preventing burnout in the workplace. Although virtual yoga classes, employee assistance programs, motivational memes and guidance for recognizing burnout are worthy initiatives, they’re not sufficient.

We also must address the proverbial sprinkler malfunctions that contribute to unnecessary or unreasonable levels of stress. If we don’t, people will burn out. If people burn out, the well-being of teams, customers and businesses are in jeopardy.

The American Psychological Association offers a few areas to investigate with its list of common workplace stressors: n Low salaries. Even without the strain of a pandemic, financial concerns burden team members. It’s important to evaluate if we justly compensate team members for the value they bring to our organizations. Analyze local wages to ensure those we offer are at or above market. During the pandemic, we can include hazard pay to recognize the additional risks essential workers assume. n Excessive workloads. Requiring individuals to take on increasingly more work is unsustainable. When the pandemic hit, many organizations benefited from the initial adrenaline rush inspired by mission-driven teamwork that enabled employees to lift staggering loads. Months later, workers are depleted. We must find ways to return to reasonable workloads by re-examining priorities, simplifying tasks, managing expectations and hiring temporary workers where possible. n Few opportunities for growth or advancement. According to Clayton Alderfer’s ERG theory of motivation, humans have three basic needs: existence (E), relatedness (R) and growth (G). Rather

If the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that rapid change is possible. Let’s apply that lesson to fixing the systems, policies and practices that increase stress and undermine individual and organizational performance.

than occupying a spot on a hierarchy, these three needs remain present in varying degrees. This means the need for growth doesn’t vanish when we’re in survival mode. For some team members, growth becomes even more important to their well-being during stressful times. We must continue to offer development opportunities if we hope to retain top talent. Consider paying for online courses, taking turns leading 10-minute learning sessions on various topics during team meetings or setting up mentorships among team members. n Lack of social support. If your workplace went remote, such traditional means of offering support as a smile in the hallway or a quick “Hey, everything okay?” must be replaced with such practices as weekly virtual check-ins, direct offers of support and casual virtual get-togethers. Consider varying the ways in which you interact with remote staff to avoid video conference fatigue.

Try traditional phone calls, socially distant walk-and-talks and handwritten notes to foster connection. n Unclear performance expectations. Humans crave clarity.

Even in the best of times, many organizations struggle with clearly defining expectations so every individual knows what they’re accountable for and what success looks like. Now, our workplaces are prone to competing demands as we work to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. As leaders, we must take the time to evaluate priorities and reconstruct scorecards so team members feel confident they know what’s expected and can enjoy a sense accomplishment at the end of the day.

If the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that rapid change is possible. Let’s apply that lesson to fixing the systems, policies and practices that increase stress and undermine individual and organizational performance. Let’s do it as though the future depends on it. Because it does.

Rebecca Weitzel is president and co-founder of Good Life Wellness Solutions, which provides workplace well-being programs and an online wellness platform tailored to small businesses. She also serves as director of employee success at Hilltop Community Resources. With a master’s degree in organizational psychology and training in behavior design, she helps people and organizations thrive. Contact Weitzel at rebecca@goodlifewellnesssolutions.com or rebeccaw@htop.org or visit www.GoodLifeWellnessSolutions.com.

F

New state agency office offers assistance with employee ownership The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade has established an employee ownership office.

As a growing proportion of Colorado business owners reach retirement age, increasing the number of employeeowned businesses will ensure firms will continue to offer goods and services.

Employee ownership offers business owners what can be a ready, willing and able buyer in addition federal tax benefits.

“Much like our minority business office, the new employee ownership office will have dedicated staff and

programs to ensure the growth and success of employee ownership in Colorado,” said Glenn Plagens, business support and rural prosperity director at OEDIT. The employee ownership office will provide consulting, certification and an employee ownership loan program.

Employee ownership navigators will consult with business owners to answer questions about employeeowned companies. Confidential consultations will provide information about such options as employee stock ownership plans, cooperatives and profit sharing as well assistance in connecting with technical service providers.

Certification is available for businesses offering

ownership to 20 percent or more of its employees.

Certified businesses will be included in statewide branding campaigns and will be among the first to receive information from the office. Certification also signifies a business is locally owned and operated.

The employee ownership office offers a loan program and plans to offer a new grant and other programs in coming months.

More information about the employee ownership office is available online from the website located at https://choosecolorado.com.

F

Page 22

The Business Times

December 10-23, 2020

Do you bring your professional baggage home?

I pointed out in my previous column the problems with bringing personal baggage to work. I described how even long-term top performers can stumble and fall when they’re unable to effectively manage personal issues in the workplace. I also elaborated on the domino effect these uncontrolled issues can have on other team members, workplace culture, customers and businesses.

Consider now the other side of the coin. When people bring their professional baggage home, it affects their personal lives. This situation can alienate children, damage and even destroy marriages and cause others to avoid these unhappy and often angry people altogether. Perhaps you know the child, spouse or friend of those unable — or who simply lack the tools — to manage their professional Marcus lives.

Straub Enduring an excessive amount of professional pressure can lead to a whole host of self-sabotaging behaviors that affect personal lives. When people are unhappy at work, they tend to eat and sleep poorly, stop exercising and neglect their well-being. Alcohol, prescription medication and even illicit drug abuse can occur.

As these factors pile up and despair sets in, people could become visibly depressed and withdrawn. If they’re unable or unwilling to seek the assistance they need, the effects become an unavoidable consequence.

This doesn’t have to be the case, however.

Just like personal challenges, professional challenges belong solely to those experiencing them. They alone have the power to address the professional stressors they experience — or choose not to.

I’m not suggesting you avoid talking to your loved ones and friends. What I am suggesting — urging even — is those who love you don’t deserve to bear the brunt of your frustrations and unhappiness on an ongoing basis.

Let’s be clear. I’m not suggesting you avoid talking to your loved ones and friends about the troubling and frustrating situations you face at work. In fact, trusted, caring and honest family and friends can prove invaluable in addressing professional issues. What I am suggesting — urging even — is those who love you don’t deserve to bear the brunt of your frustrations and unhappiness on an ongoing basis.

If handled correctly, your home and personal life can offer a safe environment where you can take a welcome break from the stress, frustrations and hardships you experience at work. It’s a profound and life-changing choice to leave professional issues at work and enjoy time with family and friends as a healthy timeout during which you can relax, refresh and recharge.

Realizing life is not all about your work — work is only part of your life — will help you strike a balance leading to greater happiness and success both on and off the job. When you go home, truly go home by leaving work where it belongs — at work. This mindset will serve you and those around you well.

In some instances, a different career path or another change could be in order. As a coach and consultant, I’ve

worked with many business owners and team members who weren’t fulfilled or happy. Their work didn’t align with their behaviors, competencies, motivations and purposes. These people felt trapped by fear of the unknown, finances and a host of other self-imposed limitations. With guidance, they overcame their limitations and have gone on to create professional lives they now enjoy.

Even with the help of family, friends and a qualified coach, there will be days that don’t go well and push you to the limits of managing your actions, emotions, thoughts and words. Maintaining balance in your professional and personal lives requires self-awareness, self-control and new-found tools to address your issues.

If you find yourself struggling to be happy at work, at home or both, take the empowering step of seeking out a qualified coach who can help you understand your situation and how to make necessary changes.

You might believe the professional and personal aspects of your life aren’t connected, but they are. In fact, they have profound effects on each other. You want those effects to be positive, not negative. When you’re happy and fulfilled at work, you’ll bring a version of yourself home that enhances your personal life.

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

F

December 10-23, 2020

The Business Times

Efforts protect public and economic health Mesa County Public Health (MCPH) shares the many ways we work across sectors and with community partners to improve health outcomes and the overall quality of life for residents.

Still, the connection with such economic development partners as the Grand Junction Economic Partnership and local chambers of commerce might not have been obvious.

The coronavirus pandemic has highlighted how these partnerships can be essential to promoting overall community health.

Small businesses employ almost half of American workers. When the pandemic forced measures to limit crowds and reduce capacity, traditional lifelines through economic security Jeff Kuhr or other relief funds were difficult for some to access.

A National Academy of Sciences study found the majority of businesses planned to seek funding through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. However, many businesses anticipated problems with accessing the program, such as bureaucratic hassles and difficulties establishing eligibility.

Businesses that were able to obtain some financial relief find those funds are now exhausted as we enter what health experts believe will be our most challenging period yet.

A local program supporting local businesses was born through partnerships. The Variance Protection Program was launched in July.

Mesa County was among the first in Colorado to begin the reopening process, but residents said they weren’t yet comfortable with a transition from staying at home to interacting with groups of people.

We also heard from businesses that had found innovative ways to ensure customer safety. They were increasing cleaning, checking employees for illness, requiring the use of face coverings and rearranging furniture to create more space. They wanted a way to showcase their work and welcome customers back.

The Variance Protection Program highlights best practices

Page 23

The collaboration between MCPH and the business community might be more prominent during the pandemic, but the two have long worked together to protect community health. and the local businesses that implement them.

Consumers who might have been apprehensive about shopping in person were assured safety measures were in place.

Businesses got advice from MCPH about how to navigate these challenging times — along with certification the measures they put in place would be effective in slowing the spread of illness.

Consumers were more comfortable, and businesses were more confident they were doing their part. It was a win win.

The collaboration between MCPH and the business community might be more prominent during the pandemic, but the two have long worked together to protect community health. The Blue Ribbon Award, for example, is presented to retail food establishments that go above and beyond to ensure the highest quality food safety measures are consistently in place in their facilities.

The Variance Protection Program has received statewide attention and could be expanded to other areas. The Mesa County program will provide a roadmap of sorts for other areas to follow as they reopen businesses and protect public health.

We can balance community and economic health through partnerships. MCPH is proud to be a community partner.

Jeff Kuhr is executive director of Mesa County Public Health.

Connect with the health department through social media on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MesaCountyPublicHealth and Twitter @WeAreHealthyMC. F

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

Page 24

RentaSpace.DiegoCorp.com

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

December 10-23, 2020

How to underpromise and overdeliver If you really want to impress your clients and referral sources, make an end-of-the-year resolution to underpromise and overdeliver. This simple goal serves many purposes. First, you’ll stay out of trouble from overcommitting. Second, you’ll impress clients and referral sources by showing them you’re a valuable and reliable part of their team.

If you’re estimating the time required to complete something, for example, figure 20 percent more hours. This will give you a cushion in case things don’t go as planned.

If everything goes well, your client gets the most valuable resource — additional reaction, planning or production time.

If you habitually finish ahead of schedule, you can charge more since you take less time and provide your clients the one thing they can’t manufacture — time.

Janet So how, exactly, do you underpromise Arrowood and overdeliver? Here are some ideas to consider implementing or adapting: n Design your projects so they exceed normal standards or requirements — often called overengineering. But only bid or promise to the norm or baseline. Make sure your cost estimate or pricing structure allows for possibly exceeding, but always meeting, whatever you promise. n Provide quicker delivery than you estimated. The extra reaction and planning time you give your clients is invaluable. n Split cost savings with your client. If you find a less expensive source for materials or products, split the difference in what you bid versus actual cost with your clients. You win, and so do they. n Make safety a top priority. If you complete a project with few — or no — Occupational Safety and Health Administration violations, that will result in big savings in cost and time for you and your client. Build and maintain a record for staying

well within OSHA or other industry standards for compliance.

If your job site gets shut down for an OSHA or other compliance violation, it will cost both you and the client in terms of money and scheduling. n Sharpen your forecasting skills to ensure you properly price your goods, products and services. Leaving out key pricing components like overhead or shipping makes meeting deadlines or cost constraints difficult, if not impossible.

As George Bradt wrote in a recent Forbes column: “Getting on the right side of delivering your forecasts is important for your business, your personal brand and your bonus. Your business needs to anticipate what to make and deliver to run effectively and efficiently. Delivering what you say you’re going to deliver impacts your personal credibility. And bonuses are given to people that overdeliver. Putting all three together leads you to underpromising and overdelivering at the right level to enable the business, strengthen your personal brand and maximize your bonus.”

Rather than promising the moon and stars, reliability is what businesses — and people — need and want from you. Your referral sources and centers of influence want to see a track record of performance and staying within your cost estimates so they can comfortably refer their clients to you.

The bottom line? Your company and personal brands are at stake every time you take on a new project or client. It only takes one “gee did that vendor mess up” to obliterate 99 cases of “wow that vendor is great — always delivering more than expected on time or ahead of schedule and at or under budget.”

Janet Arrowood is founder and managing director of the Write Source, a Grand Junction-based firm that offers a range of services, including grant and proposal writing, instruction and technical writing. Reach her at janet.arrowood@thewritesourceinc.com.

For more information, visit www.TheWriteSourceInc.com.

F

December 10-23, 2020

The Business Times

Page 25

Right skin care products can reverse effects of aging As important as what’s not in your skin care products, is what’s actually in them. Look for clinically proven products that accelerate skin renewal and reverse premature aging. There are products that can reverse your skin age up to a decade.

Get enough sleep and exercise regularly. n Avoid harmful chemicals in skin care products. There are only 11 banned skin care ingredients in the United States compared to nearly 1,400 in Europe. There are thousands of skin care products on the market, but the bulk of them aren’t doing your skin any favors. Find a company that doesn’t use harmful ingredients and provides a “free of” list. The largest “free of” list I found includes 2,500 items. Avoid coal tar, heavy metals, hydroquinone, lanolin, mercury, parabens, petroleum, phthalates, solvents, synthetic colors and toluene, to name just a few.

As important as what’s not in your skin care products, is what’s actually in them. Look for clinically proven products that accelerate skin renewal and reverse premature aging. There are products that can reverse your skin age up to a decade. Skin age is determined by facial wrinkles, firmness, hyperpigmentation, radiance, sagging and skin texture and tone.

Here are some ingredients to look for and what they do: n Lotus japonicus. This activates a key protein to regenerate cells and produce more collagen, elastin and fibrillin. Fibrillin is a glycoprotein essential for the

formation of elastic fibers found in connective tissue. n Antioxidants like vitamins B, C and E. Antioxidants protect the skin by reducing and counteracting free radical production. Free radicals can assault your skin, damaging healthy skin cells and creating oxidative stress. Antioxidants protect your skin and reduce pigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles. A significant amount of these is needed to do the job. Look for products containing at least 20 percent. n Muscadine grape. Muscadine grape polyphenols protect and repair cellular DNA while blocking collagen and elastin breakdown. n Schisandra chinensis. This provides more nutrients and energy to the skin. n Cactus extract. This moisture magnet attracts moisture in the outer layers of the skin. n Blend of four forms of hyaluronic acid. This retains up to 1,000 times its weight in water, locking in moisture and forming a reservoir deep within the skin. n 100 percent plant-based squalene. This helps build a protective barrier to reduce water loss, sealing in hydration for lasting results. n Skin care products that are dermatologist and ophthalmologist tested and non-comedogenic.

Achieving younger, healthier looking skin is possible in dry climates if we take the necessary steps. By the way, a good skin care regimen offers a great gift for the holidays.

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

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

F

THE BUS NOVEMB

ER 26-

THE DE

FINITIVE

In this

n Be pr ep

SOUR

issue

ared Busines to slow ses can take steps as well the spread of CO advent as prepare for VID of positive the cases. n Open fo r

2

busines An adv isor s opened y business has in Grand to connec Junctio n outsou t other firm rced cus s with tomer service n Ro s.

4

DECEMB

INES News S TIMES HolTid

CE FO

R GRAN

D JUNC

ER 9, 202

0

VOLUME

TION BU

SINES

mCeonstsrreibaangyds uteos rs Op S NEWS

SINCE

xing m

A Christm as bison scu tree joins the symbol lpture as icon s in dow ic nto Grand Junctio wn n during the hol idays.

atters Colora do ran ks 21s the 50 t am sta compar tes in the late ong system ison of how tax st s affect busines ses. n Holdin

6

g stea

The une dy holds stemployment rate County ady in Mesa force andeven as the wor k labor dem and gro n Se w.

t for su

17

ccess By help gradua ing recent coll tes workpla ease into ege the can alsoces, employer ir s help the mselve s.

19

n Depa

rtmen

ts Busine ss Busine Briefs ss Peo 28 Contri butors ple 30 News 19-24 Opinio n 2-16 Trends 26-27 17-18 Busines

s Times

photo

1994

THEBUS

27, ISS

INESS

by Phil

Castle

UE 22

TIMES

n Grand urged Valley reside stayingto shop loca nts safe. Pa l while ge 2

inion B Bus5ine usiness Briefs ss Peop le

ute ta

kes flig Allegian ht nonstop t expects to offe Grand air service bet r Junctio ween n Califor nia sta and Southern rting in Februa ry. n Ta

PRS U.S. POS RT STD TAG PERMIT E PAID The Bus NO. 67 609 Nor iness Times Grand Jun th Ave., Suite 5 ction, CO 81501

Our skin is our largest organ and endures the most exposure to the elements. Living in a dry climate creates special challenges. The sun, wind and dry air can wreak havoc on our skin.

Achieving healthy skin begins on the inside. But using high-quality topical skin care products without harmful ingredients is essential as well.

Here are some tips for maintaining healthy skin: n Protect yourself from the sun.

A lifetime of sun exposure can cause wrinkles, age spots and other skin problems — as well as increase the risk of skin cancer. Use sunscreen, Patti Reece one without harmful ingredients. Seek shade. Avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the rays are strongest. Wear protective clothing. Cover your skin with tightly woven long-sleeved shirts, long pants and wide-brimmed hats. n Don’t smoke. Smoking makes your skin look older and contributes to wrinkles. Smoking also damages collagen and elastin, the fibers that give your skin strength and elasticity. n Eat a healthy diet. This is important to help you look and feel your best. Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins. Some research suggests a diet rich in fish oil or fish oil supplements and low in unhealthy fats and processed or refined carbohydrates promotes younger-looking skin. Drink plenty of water to keep your skin hydrated. A humidifier, especially in the winter, can help as well. n Manage stress and exercise. Uncontrolled stress can make your skin more sensitive and trigger acne breakouts and other problems. To encourage healthy skin — and a healthy state of mind — take steps to manage your stress.

Almana c

.COM

Contributors Opinion Bold predictions for random, 2015 The acts might be Votes on year taxingBusiness matters A new affords Briefs more likeeffects not-so-bold repeats but the are profound affect business prospects a new opportunity Business People Almanac to meet local needs THE he BUSINESS usiness T T Times IMES

PAGE age 26 22

Besides deciding the presidency and control of the U.S. House and Senate, voters in some states also weighed in directly on an assortment of policy measures affecting their states’ economies, small businesses and competitiveness.

Here’s a look at four key votes: n Colorado faced an odd the law A new year almost always bringsvoters an opportunity for choice a freshgiven start and intobetter. election day would have led to increasing the renewed ambition toheading do things income rate 4.5 percent to 4.63 percent.

In business, thatstate’s usually boils tax down tofrom providing customers better products A vote for Proposition 116 would have the process rate at must and services faster and at lower cost than competitors.

Part set of the 4.55 percent, with a “no”what votethey leaving the 4.63 rate in include listening to customers to determine actually needpercent and then effect.all, Voters went forgood the lower taxthe rate by aand votegreatest of meeting that need. After it does little to offer latest if 57.9what percent to 42.1 percent. nobody actually wants you’re selling. n Athat measure would eliminated state Just like the businesses belongintoIllinois the group, thehave Grand Junctionthe Area constitutional prohibiting graduated income of Chamber of Commerce invariably protection starts out the new yearawith a reassessment tax. If it voters had approved this they measure, state the services and resources provides and how well match withlegislators members Raymond the new had passed of taxthe increases 2021.ofThose would have needs. Jeff Franklin,already chairman chamberforboard directors, Keating included replacing the current flat personal income rate personifies this approach in describing what he considers his role for thetax coming of 4.95 percent with a progressive income tax system with year: listen to members, determine their needs and then meet those needs. It’s a rates ranging from 4.75 percent to 7.99 percent.

The corporate income tax would role with which Franklin is familiar as market president of Bank of Colorado. haveThe increased percent 7.99structured percent. Add in thein state’s property processfrom will7take on a to more approach whatpersonal the chamber replacement tax of 2.5 percent, and theaptly totalcalled corporate tax rate would have plans as the resumption of a program Listening to Business.

Under the increased from 9.5owners percentparticipate to 10.49 percent.

Fortunately, Illinois votersbarriers didn’t to program, business in in-depth interviews to identify approve this destructive, anti-small business tax increase.

This state constitutional growth and other problems they encounter. amendment 53.3 percent voting nothe andproverbial 46.7 percent The newlost, yearwith offers a good time to join club.voting yes. Given the need toadvertiser hit 60 percent to pass, thisdowas resounding rejection byTimes?

Illinois As an or reader, what youa need from the Business voters.

While business journals traditionally gather and report the relevant news to n Incommunication California, Proposition 15 would have undone of the historic true as readers, isn’t necessarily a one-way street.part That’s especially Proposition 13e-mail property taxthe measure by peeling off commercial properties to be Web sites and make dialogue more convenient than ever. assessed market value.

A yes vote haveThey resulted in large taxneeds increases Goodatpublications don’t exist in would a vacuum. respond to the of on businesses, including, course, smallwhat’s enterprises. advertisers and readers.ofThey provide needed.Voters rejected the measure by a vote 52 percent 48 percent.

Soofwhat do you to need? n Finally, in Arizona, weighed in on increasing top personal Is there additional newsvoters coverage that would help keep the youstate’s informed about income tax ratedevelopments? from 4.5 percent 8 percent — that a 78would percent in the local business Aretothere features beincrease interesting or rate — applied incomes moremake than your $250,000 single payers and $500,000 useful?

Is there to advice that of would jobs afor little easier? for those filing jointly.

Also, rate thresholds would be indexed It’s equally important to the ask top what you don’t need.

Withnot limited time tofor inflation.

Proposition 208, seemingly designed to hit the line of produce content and limited space in which to publish it, bottom would time andsmall space be businesses in the state, passed 51.7 percent to 48.3 percent. better devoted to something else?

The irony in these that two so-called What’s good?

Whatresults isn’t? is What’s needed?

Whatliberal isn’t?states and one that has beenLet drifting in that direction rejectedComment higher taxes.

While Arizona is considered us know.

Send us an e-mail. online on the Business Times Web asite more conservative state, voters there a tax increase measure that willto at www.thebusinesstimes.com.

Youapproved could even write an old-fashioned letter undo a great deal of positives achieved in recent years on the income tax front. the editor if you’d like. Your feedback, both positive and negative, is valued and Arizona’s economy and competitiveness will take a hit accordingly. will be carefully considered.

Good publications are the result of not only the efforts of their staffs, but also Raymond J. Keating is chief economist forand the readers.

Small Business & Entrepreneurship collaborative efforts involving advertisers Council. advocates for policies initiatives encourage Like The any group other good business, we wantand to listen to ourthat customers, find out entrepreneurship and small business growth.

Reach Keating through the website what they need and then meet those needs. at www.sbecouncil.org.

It’s a new year. Please help us to do so.

F ✦

THE BUSINESS TIMES

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

Publisher/Owner: Craig R. Hall

Editor: Phil Castle

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

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

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

As that many of you know, I’m a member It’s time of year when of the Grandand Junction Lions Club.abound.

In fact, resolutions prognostications I’m second vice president a My favorite saying applied—tobarring New Year’s coup, second to the throne, where aI resolutions is in in line saying they’re basically will reign supreme to in break less than bunch of promises thetwo firstyears. week That’s LionsAnd humor forI you. don’t a of January. while won’tWe predict take ourselves seriously except whole lot, I cantoo pretty much— accurately when nail a we fewdo. things that without question mythe friends will As make news.and You will see these are business associates pretty, well, predictable: understand, one ofone: ■ Prediction those is some raffle There times will be ticket season sort ofselling weather event, from early January natural disaster or to carnival day in heinous occurrence February.

I’m proud where someone will of my raffle ticketand selling be interviewed say success only because the following: “I’ve I have people neverwonderful seen anything who buyin from like that my me year Craig Hall after year It’s — although lifetime.” as if this Craig Hall I’ve lostissome buyers who’ve become person a required Lions andatcompeting attendee every newssellers — to help make the Grand Junction Lions Carnival reporting event. While I understand most one of the biggest single-day fund-raisers people’s perspective can indeed be limited in country. within, their own personal by,the or contained As Lions,it we’re experiences, is too proud much of to the ask to accomplishment.

But we’re just as proud consult some historical perspective before of the community weYes, servethis having suchcan saying such a thing? response aapply generous, caring heartBut forwhen thoseitincomes need to some events. and incredibly for thedisasters, nonprofits. to weather andso natural I’mYou’re pretty the Grand Junction Lions have surereason this isthe simply history repeating itself. given MILLION to nonprofits in Same around as it has$8for millions and millions of the community over its century of service. years.

More important, the planet made it!

And, forwere the 2021 raffle season, the Whatyes, didn’t certain species.

How’s needs going to be greater than ever due that forareperspective? to the■COVID-19 pandemic. the fun Prediction two: When But it comes to a and frolicking aboutthat the occurs parade,between carnival crime or something and rafflethe sales arerequired fodder for my early humans, other attendee at all January edition events column. news reporting is the person who column more says Today’s this: “They we’reisjust thepersonal. nicest And in 2020 should It’ssomething been people, and inasnoit way didbe.

I see alike hard on all Exactly. of us noNo matter thisyear coming.” one one’s does station Personally, my highs most ofinthelife. time when it comes to and lows have and beenacquaintances. about all I canPeople take. should But neighbors I’m still standing, are so others. be surprised at whatasgoes onmany from time to Battered andneighborhoods, bruised? Perhaps.

Less time in their towns andwell off? manythey circumstances, forpeople sure. are with In people know because But enjoy my good.I can Andstill for do thegood timesthings, that they shouldn’t family and keep thewith doors open duerepeat to be shocked — like politicians, the goodness others who’ve helped offenders and of terrorists — where’s the me when Ithat needed most.doesn’t I’m forever interview says, it“This surprise amazed how God knows just when to me in theatleast.” put those perfect people into my life.

■ Prediction three: Something good And there you have the will happen economically, andreason the behind the Grand Junction government will takeLions creditClub for it.random The most acts ofexample kindnessisprogram. program recent gas prices,The where people began 2004.

Its intention about ask meinwhy I won’t credit thewasn’t president for being for nonprofits or low gasa fund-raiser prices. My answer is simple: involving sales or makes anything Government never theelse priceyou’ve of heard aboutgoGrand Lions something down Junction and simply takesdoing credit out in thenews. community.

Andisthere as to for good Gas pricing subject some relatedNow to that lastarepoint. many doozies global factors. there No, randomanswers acts of kindness is allsome aboutof government to addressing people people on for a personal level. them tohelping keep prices stable Americans, And that’s what I love it. them in but our government has about none of a nutshell, Grand Junction place.InThe only things it has in placeLions in the

DJecember 10-23, 2015 2020 ANUARY 15-28,

are crisp $100 bills to hand out longgiven run always hurt consumers.

Another randomly individuals. Even though this fact is thatto unemployment reaches a certain year different wayAnd to disperse level requires based onathe economy. while the those dollarsmight to members we won’t government brag theasnumber is low, meet as athan group, Past Gregg it’s more likely thePresident government did Palmer willtoregale on abeing Zoomlow something cause the thatclub number meeting about origin the random — and not in a the good way. of Conversely, when acts of kindness and the thenpeople turn business picks up,program it’s because the to members to tell their whofloor needover to buy widgets who were not own heartfelt storiesbecause of who the theireconomy money went buying widgets was to and how due it helped someone in need. contracting to natural (or unnatural, Over thecaused) years, reasons, I’ve heard hundreds government decided we of stories LionsThe have used these better buyabut somehow widgets. government most important My favorite was had nothing to dodollars. with this. one of Lion out four: shopping and seeing ■ aPrediction In keeping with a mom shopping toys and thingsChristmas the government does,for I predict the goodies and will theymanipulate could just the tellnumbers — you to government know what I mean — that was a mom make the claim the economy is getting wishing she could do hard moreitfor her kids.to better because of how is working Well, outofof Grand Junction help all usnowhere “workingaAmericans.”

Now Lion uppedsay, her“Craig, shopping you might youbudget always to saymake this aabout Christmas morning enjoyable for President Obamamore because you don’t kids who deserve it most.

I knowI that like him.”

You’re right in a sense. don’tone well something knowbecause the man,I did but what I knowsimilar of himfor anda friend in need. his thinking, I don’t like it or him one iota.

There about money Before youare go stories off, however, I didn’tgoing like to pay for utility prescriptions, day care President Bushbills, and his bailouts, stimulus and groceries — some and to some his abandoning the random free market save because a GrandAnd Junction knew the free market.

I don’tLion know himof a friend friend’s friend who does, was having either. or What the government and the trouble making only thing it canends do, ismeet. hurt Sometimes the economy.

Lions together and or pool moneyin Unlessget it does nothing puttheir criminals to others.

The Grandwith Junction jailhelp instead of partnering them,Lions nothing have bought playground forlook the government does willequipment help. Always kids withway, special needs.the They’ve gottensays at it this whatever government together to whatever buy cars for it is doing, the veterans name of working the law it their way back into ourthe community.

I could is passing, or whatever name or goal of go but you get gist. theon, bureaucracy it isthepresenting to the Over the years sinceopposite its inception, people, expect the polar to occur. the random kindness I guess acts whatofI’m saying program is that has put someit’s $300,000 intoout ourofcommunity perhaps time to get our own through theseThere’s personal interactions. perspective. plenty of history Although reasonsresearch will be different books andthe historical out therethis to year, stories will that be very the beginthe to understand all ofmuch this has same.

A Grand Junction is going to happened before.

And it Lion will again, hear about see someone and whether theortopic is people in orneed, government. $100The willbest findrecommendation its way to help. That’s what is to find makes random of kindness so special some books or acts try that whole Google to me. There’s Well, along how God will help thing. a lotwith of information on the someone find me atThe the truth right is place and the Great Depression. it wasn’t right a restoration of my faithgot even time. a goodIt’s one until the government at a time when it’salso desperately on involved.

There’s plenty ofneeded research both ends of a wonderful transaction. on the medieval warm period when the The Grand could with planet was muchJunction warmerLions than today not do it lot without your support.

Thankwell a whole less people (and warmer you.

And remember before man was hereduring at all).this Andseason yep, of giving thebeen deserving in our people have killingnonprofits other surprised community localwas service doing people sinceand history firstclubs written. everything theirresearch power towill helphelp them Maybeinsome stop and fortunate.

Try to we’ll give abe all ofthose theseless trends.

Otherwise, little more. saying we’ve never seen anything like it in It willAnd change your life just our lives. not in a good way.as much.

Craig Craig Hall Hall is is owner owner and and publisher publisher of of the the Business Times. Reach Reach him him at at 424-5133 424-5133 Business Times. or or publisher@thebusinesstimes. publisher@thebusinesstimes.com.

F ✦

December 10-23, 2020

The Business Times

Page 27

Especially this holiday, Free market plays a role businesses have reason in Christmas celebrations to blow their own horns ’Tis the season. For, among other things, holiday newsletters. You know, those annual missives you receive, typically from distant relations.

You only met once, and that was at a family reunion 15 years ago in Iowa.

But every year since, they’ve confided in intimate detail what’s occurred in their lives. And it’s always amazing. Too good to Phil Castle be true, in fact.

Your second cousin Fred won the Ironman World Championship. And Aunt Ethel, bless her heart, received Nobel prizes for both chemistry and physics.

Before I poke too much fun at holiday newsletters, let me confess two things.

First, I enjoy newsletters. If only for the reassurance at least once a year family and friends are doing well. Incredibly well, judging by what they write. Second, I send out newsletters myself.

My bragfest this year includes the announcements my oldest son, Zach, received his MBA from Dartmouth and went to work for Goldman Sachs. My youngest son Alex — the CPA — was promoted at the big accounting firm where he works. Oh, that’s right. I almost forgot.

An entry based on my novel “Small Town News” won the Colorado Gold Rush Literary Award in the mystery and thriller category.

No kidding. As humor columnist and author Dave Barry reiterates so eloquently: I’m not making this up.

Needless to say, I’ve got a lot of blessings to count. And I do. With gratitude.

Near the end of what might charitably be called an interesting year for holiday newsletters, I’m reminded of the opening line by Charles Dickens: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.”

For me, the best of 2020 exceeded the worst. Best of all, family and friends remain safe, even those who tested positive for COVID-19. I’m relieved.

But I’m also reminded that for many people, that’s not the case. For some, 2020 has been a nightmare from which they can’t seem to awake. And for those who’ve lost loved ones, the pandemic has been heart-rending. My condolences and prayers go out to you.

Business owners and managers have faced unprecedented challenges, among them limits on how many customers can patronize their establishments at a given time. Others have somehow managed entire staffs working from home.

And some enterprises couldn’t survive and closed their doors. Their absences diminish our economies as well as our communities and lives.

I want to read about real accomplishments.

About businesses that have maintained staffing.

About businesses that have developed new ways to provide products and services. Most of all, I want the reassurance businesses remain open and ready to serve their customers.

The situation makes me wonder what kinds of holiday newsletters businesses might send out this year.

Many businesses do — not only as a way to market during the holidays, but also thank customers for their loyalty. But what if business newsletters were more like family newsletters?

For starters, any business that’s faced and survived the onslaughts of the pandemic should celebrate the courage and perseverance required of those efforts. As far as I’m concerned, the louder businesses blow their own horns, the better.

To heck with accolades or milestones, exaggerated or not. I want to read about real accomplishments. About businesses that have maintained staffing. About businesses that have developed new ways to provide products and services. Most of all, I want the reassurance that businesses remain open and ready to serve their customers.

I can’t write holiday newsletters for businesses, of course. But I can share their news in other ways. Moved to a different location? Changed operations? Added a new product line or service? Hired a new employee? Let me know. Submit a news release or provide the details in an email. That’s my address right there at the bottom of the page.

That applies not only during the holidays, but also throughout the year.

I allocate space in every issue for short stories about businesses and business people. Some of the news releases I receive serve as the basis for longer stories. And some of those stories come with cover photos.

I look forward to the newsletters I’ll receive this holiday season. I also look forward to every opportunity I get to share news about Grand Valley businesses.

As for Cousin Fred and Aunt Ethel.

Well, what can I say? You guys rock.

Phil Castle is editor of the Business Times.

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

F

The celebration of Christmas in America follows an interesting journey.

In the 1600s, Puritans weren’t allowed to exchange gifts, light a candle or sing Christmas carols.

Many traditions observed today trace their roots to pre-Christian winter festivals. According to Celtic legend, mistletoe brings good luck, heals wounds and wards off evil spirits. The tradition of kissing under the mistletoe began in the Victorian era. Dutch immigrants during the 17th century brought with them the legend of Sinter Klaas. In 1773, Santa first appeared in the media as St. A Claus. Congress proclaimed Christmas a federal holiday in 1870.

The character of Santa Claus is based on St. Nicholas, a legendary Christian bishop who provided for the poor and needy. He also loved children and enjoyed giving gifts to Phyllis them secretly. During the early 1800s, Washington Irving Hunsinger included Saint Nicolas in a book about New York. Clement Moore is believed to have written the poem that became known by the title “The Night Before Christmas.”

F.W. Woolworth first brought glass ornaments to the mass market in the United States when he imported them from a small German supplier. Candy canes have a long history dating back centuries in Germany, where they were reportedly given to young children to keep them quiet through the Christmas nativity service.

The tradition of sending Christmas cards began in the 1800s, along with the introduction of Santa Claus in stores.

By 1890, the Salvation Army had begun the practice of sending individuals dressed in Santa suits into the streets of New York City to solicit donations to pay for holiday meals for the needy.

By the early 1900s, Santa’s image The free market had been standardized to portray a bearded, overweight man dressed in has promoted and a red suit with white trim. Coca Cola provides the Christmas included Santa images in its Christmas and winter seasonal advertisements. While working for Montgomery Ward, Robert May wrote a traditions we enjoy. poem about Rudolph, the ninth reindeer.

Christmas remains About 10 years later, Johnny Marks wrote the song “Rudolph the Red-Nosed a sacred religious Reindeer,” which Gene Autry made holiday for many, but famous. worldwide commercial Some people believe and cultural industries commercialism blurs the true meaning of Christmas. The word Christmas have developed around comes from Christ mass, a Christian the holiday. commemoration of the birth of Christ.

Still, the beautiful decorations, Christmas cards and trees, delicious foods, fireplace stockings, gift ideas and wrapping, holiday concerts, Nativity scenes, parades and many other products and traditions associated with the season survived because consumers made them successful. Thanks to the free market economy, consumers have choices.

This brief examination of the celebration of Christmas demonstrates how the free market has promoted and provided the Christmas and winter seasonal traditions we enjoy. Christmas remains a sacred religious holiday for many, but worldwide commercial and cultural industries have developed around the holiday.

Enjoy the season. Merry Christmas.

Phyllis Hunsinger is founder of the Freedom & Responsibility Education Enterprise Foundation in Grand Junction. The foundation provides resources to students and teachers in Western Colorado to promote an understanding of economics, financial literacy and free enterprise. For more information, visit www.free-dom.us.com.

A former teacher, principal and superintendent, Hunsinger wrote “Down and Dirty: A ‘How To’ Math Book.” Reach Hunsinger by email at phyllis@free-dom.us.com.

F

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

Page 28

Opinion Business Briefs Business People Almanac

n BRAY CARES FOUNDATION AWARDS GRANTS TO MESA COUNTY NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS

The Bray Cares Foundation in Grand Junction awarded five grants worth a total of $20,000 to help nonprofit organizations meet housing needs in Mesa County.

Grants were awarded to: n Foster Alumni Mentors to provide rental assistance and support for those who formerly were in foster care. n Grand Valley Catholic Outreach for its Stop Eviction rental assistance program. n Habitat for Humanity of Mesa County to support efforts to provide affordable housing for families. n HomwardBound of the Grand Valley to shelter homeless individuals and families. n Karis for its transitional living program for homeless youth.

Bray Real Estate established the Bray Cares Foundation and works with the Western Colorado Community Foundation to provide funds to organizations addressing housing-related needs in Mesa County.

The Bray Cares Foundation also is involved Caring for Our Home Community, a program that purchases meals from locally owned restaurants that are in turn provided to people who need assistance. The program raised nearly $50,000 to help nonprofits feed individuals and families.

Additional donations are sought through the Western Colorado Community Foundation website at https://wc-cf.org to help feed people during the holidays. n GET THE PICTURE: ENTRIES SOUGHT FOR AGRICULTURAL PHOTO CONTEST

Entries will be accepted through Dec. 31 for an annual competition for photography depicting the Colorado agricultural industry.

Entries must be submitted to the Colorado Department of Agriculture by e-mail with an official entry. Visit the website at www.colorado.gov/pacific/agmain/best-show-photographycontest for entry forms and contest rules.

Photographs must be taken in the 2020 calendar year and relate to Colorado agriculture in some way. That includes crops, farmers’ markets, harvests, livestock, people and urban agriculture as well photographs taken with drones. Entries will be evaluated on theme, creativity and technical quality.

The winner will receive $175, second place $150 and third place $100. Other awards and honorable mentions also will be presented. Winners will be announced in January.

Winning photos will be displayed on the Colorado Department of Agriculture website and also used in digital and print communications.

The Business Times

SHARE YOUR NEWS

NOTEWORTHY

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

The Mesa County Workforce Center and Western Colorado Area Health Education Center in Grand Junction are among the winners of statewide awards recognizing efforts to promote apprenticeships.

The workforce center and health education center were among three winners of awards for partnerships.

The Business Experiential Learning Commission hosted a virtual event in which the Colorado Apprenticeship Awards were presented.

“As Coloradans continue to feel the pandemic’s effects on the state’s economy and work force, apprenticeships will be a critical part of our recovery and move us toward a more equitable economy,” said Noel Ginsburg, chairman of the commission and chief executive officer of the CareerWise apprenticeship program.

“Apprenticeships can help Coloradans learn in-demand skills in growing industries while earning a paycheck. And employers benefit by finding the talent they need to grow.”

Joe Barela, executive director of the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment agreed. “The winners of the Colorado Apprenticeship Awards show that when employers, workers, government and other community partners work together, we can help expand economic prosperity within our communities and across the state.”

Award winners also included programs, employers, mentors and apprentices.

For more information about programs and services available from the Mesa County Workforce Center, call 248-0871 or visit https://mcwfc.us.

For more information about the Western Colorado Heath Education Center and learning experiences for health care providers, call 434-5474 or visit www.wcahec.org.

n GRAND VALLEY POWER ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR SUMMER YOUTH EVENT SPONSORSHIPS Grand Valley Power will accept applications through Jan. 13 for high school students who want to attend an annual youth tour and leadership camp in the summer.

GVP will sponsor three high school juniors or seniors to attend the Colorado Youth Tour set for Jan. 15 to 20 and Cooperative Youth Leadership Camp set for the Glen Eden Resort in Colorado on July 17 to 22.

Students attending the tour will learn about electric cooperatives, talk to elected officials, tour attractions and network with their peers.

Students attending the camp will learn about issues related to the electric industry and how cooperatives work.

Sponsorships are available to students who will be at least 16 and whose parents or legal guardians are members of GVP. Students must complete an application and 500-word essay. Applications and information are available online from www.gvp.org/youthleadership-programs.

Organized in 1936, Grand Valley Power serves more than 18,000 consumers in Mesa County and surrounding areas. For more information, log on to www.gvp.org. n MONTROSE KOA RECEIVES RECOGNITION FOR CUSTOMER SERVICE, QUALITY REVIEWS A Kampgrounds of America location in Montrose has once again received national recognition for its operations.

The Montrose Black Canyon National Park KOA Journey received the 2021 President’s Award and Founder’s Award. The awards honor campgrounds and operators that receive high scores in customer service from campers and annual quality reviews.

“Our campground owners and their staffs work so hard to ensure each and every guest has a truly exception experience.

So its a pleasure to recognize this work,” said Toby O’Rourke, president and chief executive officer of KOA.“These KOA owners have made the right investments in their campgrounds to make them the very best in North America.”

The Montrose Black Canyon National Park KOA Journey is located at 200 N. Cedar Ave. For more, call (970) 249-9177 or visit https://koa.com/campgrounds/montrose-black-canyon-natl-park.

F

Freddy’s offers gift card promotion for the holidays Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers will offer a holiday promotion through Dec. 24 in which every purchase of a $25 gift card will come with a $5 bonus gift card.

“A gift card from Freddy’s makes a fun stocking stuffer, and it’s the perfect way to give the gift of great taste to your loved ones this holiday season,” said Scott Redler, co-founder and chief operating officer. “The promotion applies to every $25 you spend on gift cards. That means if you purchase $50 worth of gift cards, you get two bonus cards for you.”

December 10-23, 2020

The offer is valid for gift card purchases made in restaurants or online at www.freddyusa.com. Bonus gift cards will be valid from Jan. 1 to Feb. 15.

Established in 2002, Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers has expanded to a total of more than 375 locations in 32 states across the country.

In Grand Junction, restaurants are located at 737 Horizon Drive and 2489 U.S. Highway 6 & 50.

F

December 10-23, 2020

The Business Times

Page 29

Page 30

Opinion 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.

Sam McRickard has joined West Star Aviation as a project manager at the company’s facilities in Grand Junction. (Photo courtesy West Star Aviation) n PROJECT MANAGERS JOIN WEST STAR AT FACILITIES IN GRAND JUNCTION Sam McRickard and Jason Mital have joined West Star Aviation as project managers at company facilities in Grand Junction.

McRickard brings to his duties experience in project management positions at Cirrus for research and development programs as well as engineering design and certification.

“Sam’s previous experience in Jason Mital program management will be valuable to the West Star team and be an extra asset to our customers,” said Dave Krogman, general manager of West Star Aviation in Grand Junction.

McRickard welcomed the move.

“I am eager to be working directly with customers again and passionate about helping them get exactly what they envision when transforming Dave Krogman their aircraft and leaving with the best experience possible from West Star.”

Mital brings to his duties more than 25 years of experience in corporate aviation, including project management with Elliot and Jet Aviation. He also worked as a turbine shop mechanic and quality control inspector with Garrett Aviation.

“Jason will bring a wealth of knowledge to West Star, and his extensive experience will benefit the team immensely,” Krogman said.

Mital said he’s excited to join the company. “I was interested in West Star based on the prestige they held within the industry and am excited to offer my skills to the No. 1 MRO in the business.”

West Star Aviation provides maintenance, repair and overhaul services at facilities in Grand Junction, Aspen and Denver as well as in Arizona, Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, Tennessee and Texas. The company has been selected for seven consecutive years as the top MRO services provider in a survey conducted for Professional Pilot magazine.

For more information, call (800) 922-2421 or visit the website at www.weststaraviation.com.

Mke Moran

Cynthia Castaneda Mary Kruse

n GRAND JUNCTION REAL ESTATE FIRM HONORS TOP AGENTS FOR NOVEMBER John Sabal, Mike Moran, Cynthia Castaneda and Mary Kruse were honored as the top-performing agents for November at Weichert RealtorsHeiden Homes Realty in Grand Junction.

Sabal posted the highest dollar volume in sales for the month. Moran had the most closed transactions.

Castaneda and Kruse tied for the most John Sabal new listings.

Weichert Realtors-Heiden Homes Realty operates offices at 735 Rood Ave. For more information, including properties for sale and rent, visit www.heidenhomes.com. n STUDENTS BEGIN LATEST PROGRAM AT YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS ACADEMY A total of 12 middle and high school students have started the latest program offered through the Young Entrepreneurs Academy in Grand Junction.

Coordinated by the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce, the academy turns students into the chief executive officers of startup ventures. Over the course of the seven-month program, students come up with new products and services, write business plans, pitch their ideas to investors and develop their brands. By the end of the program, they oversee fully functioning enterprises they can continue to operate.

The latest class includes Miguel Ambriz Jr., Chance Clement and Charlotte Douglas from West Middle School; Karlene Jimenez and Braeden Kassaw from Redlands Middle School; Nikolas Miller and Julie Shively from Caprock Academy; Qualay Calvin from Grand Mesa Middle School; Levi Fink from Mesa County Community School; Jace Mizushima from Holy Family School; Caydence Lusher from Central High School; and Mielyn Recker from Fruita Monument High School.

F

December 10-23, 2020

Dec. 10 n Grand Junction Master Networks referrals group Zoom meeting, 9 a.m. Dec. 10 and 17. New members welcome — but only one per profession.

216-7723 Dec. 14 n Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce free virtual presentation on the economic outlook for 2021 for Mesa County, Colorado and the United States, noon. www.gjchamber.org or 242-3214 Dec. 15 n Weichert Realtors-Heiden Home Realty free real estate career night presentation, 5:30 p.m., 735 Rood Ave., Grand Junction. Social distancing will be maintained during the event. Call for reservations. 245-7777 Dec. 16 n Western Colorado Human Resource Association virtual member presentation by attorney Alicia Severn on employment law compliance and planning, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. WCHRA members participate at no charge. Guests pay $10 and Colorado Mesa University students pay $5 www.wchra.org Upcoming n Business Incubator Center webinar on business startups, 9 to 10:30 a.m. Jan. 12 and 13. Admission $55, which includes access to Fast Trac classes.

243-5242 or www.gjincubator.org n Business Incubator Center business startup workshop, 1 to 3:30 p.m. Jan 27, 2591 Legacy Way, Grand Junction. Admission $55, which includes access to Fast Trac classes. www.gjincubator.org or 243-5242 n Business Incubator Center Leading Edge business planning and management course for startups and existing ventures, 6 to 8 p.m.

Wednesdays Jan. 27 to April 14. Tuition $275 per person, $100 for an additional participant from the same business. www.gjincubator.org or 242-3214 n Business Incubator Center webinar on business startups, 1 to 2:30 p.m. Feb. 9 and 10. Admission $55, which also includes access to Fast Trac classes. 243-5242 or www.gjincubator.org n Business Incubator Center business startup workshop, 6 to 8:30 p.m. Feb. 23. Admission $55, which also includes access to Fast Trac classes.

243-5242 or www.gjincubator.org n Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce annual trip to the Colorado Legislature, Feb. 25 and 26. www.gjchamber.org or 242-3214 n Business Incubator Center webinar on business startups, 9 to 10:30 a.m. March 10 and 11.

Admission $55, which includes access to Fast Trac classes. 243-5242 or www.gjincubator.org n Business Incubator Center business startup workshop, 9 to 11:30 a.m. March 23. Admission $55, which includes access to Fast Trac classes.

243-5242 or www.gjincubator.org F

December 10-23, 2020

The Business Times

Page 31

Page 32

The Business Times

December 10-23, 2020