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Opinion Business Briefs Business People Almanac
n GRAND JUNCTION CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HONORS BUSINESSES FOR EXPANSIVE EFFORTS
Six businesses were recognized for expansions resulting in a total of nearly $3 million in capital investments and 40 additional jobs. The Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce honored the businesses during its latest quarterly membership luncheon. Networks Unlimited was recognized for moving into larger and renovated quarters at 515 S. Seventh St. in downtown Grand Junction. At 18,000 square feet, the building offers three times more space than the former location for the information technology services firm. The project cost $2.4 million and resulted in four more jobs. Bank of Colorado was honored for opening a branch location at 2452 Patterson Road near Mesa Mall. The branch opened in remodeled quarters on the first floor of the four-story building. The project cost $250,000 and resulted in three new jobs. Timberleaf Trailer was recognized for an expansion involving a $155,000 capital investment and five new jobs. Land Title Guarantee Co. was honored for a $95,000 remodeling project at its operation at 2454 Patterson Road. Six employees were added to the staff. The Christi Reece Group real estate firm was recognized for a capaital investment of $82,424 and the addition of two jobs. Maid 2 Impress was honored for 20 additional jobs. The latest expansions bring the numbers for 2021 expansions recognized by the chamber to more than $34 million in capital investments and 171 additional jobs. n RESULTS OF EMPLOYEE TURNOVER SURVEY CONFIRM NEED FOR BETTER PAY AND BENEFITS
The results of a survey confirming increased employee turnover also confirm the importance of higher wages and more flexibility, according to the owner of staffing service franchise in Western Colorado, “Colorado has the highest quit rate in the nation. Companies need to consider becoming an employer of choice in their communities by offering competitive salaries and benefits along with flexible work-life balances,” said Nina Anderson Nina Anderson, the owner of an Express Employment Professionals franchise with offices in Grand Junction and Montrose. Express Employment Professionals commissioned the Harris Poll to conduct the survey of more than 1,000 hiring decision makers in the United States. Of those responding, 42 percent reported increased employee turnover costing businesses an average of $26,511 annually in recruiting costs abd lost productivity. For 21 percent of the respondents, the cost to replace employees topped $50,000 a year. The most common reasons employees cited for leaving were more advancement opportunities and better pay and benefits. Express Employment Professionals has a total of more than 830 franchises in the United States and four other countries. Anderson operates a franchise with offices at 725 Pitkin Ave. in Grand Junction and 525 E. Main St. in Montrose. For more information, call 242-4500 in Grand Junction or 249-5202 in Montrose or visit https://www.expresspros.com/grandjunctionco or https://www.expresspros.com/montroseco.
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n ROCKY MOUNTAIN HEALTH PLANS DONATION TO SUPPORT YOUTH DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS Rocky Mountain Health Plans in Grand Junction has donated $300,000 to fund youth development efforts across Western Colorado. The donation to the YouthZone will help the Glenwood Springs-based organization expand its services to school-based settings and deliver mental health and substance abuse support to least 470 youth and their families a year. “There couldn’t be a better time to increase support for youth mental health,” said Jami Hayes, executive director of YouthZone. “This generous support from Rocky Mountain Health Plans will help us serve more young people as we’re seeing the needs skyrocket.” Alyssa Rose, executive director of Rocky Mountain Health Plans community and state, said health care providers have seen a growing need for mental heatlth and substance abuse support for youth and families. “We are honored to support YouthZone and expand access to mental health services to meet the needs of youth who need support.” Rocky Mountain Health Plans, a UnitedHealth Group company, completed a $5 million pledge to establish the Healthy Youth/ Strong Colorado Fund in partnership with the Colorado attorney general’s office. The donation is part of a $30 million contribution by UnitedHealth Group to nonprofit organizations in Colorado to promote health equity. The donation follows a $50 million payout from a lawsuit against the federal government seeking unpaid funds from an Affordable Care Act program. Funding also was allocated to three youth corps, including the Western Colorado Conservation Corps based in Grand Junction. In addition, funding will promote science, technology, engineering and math education among women and people of color to diversify the health care work force as well as other programs across the Western Slope. n NOMINATIONS DUE JAN. 6 FOR AWARDS HONORING BUSINESSES AND INDIVIDUALS Nominations will be accepted through Jan. 6 for annual awards honoring businesses and individuals. The Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce will present Business of the Year awards to firms with fewer than 25 employees and those with more than 25 employees. The chamber also will present its Citizen of the Year award. The award presentations are planned as part of the annual chamber banquet scheduled for Jan. 28 at the Grand Junction Convention Center. Nominated businesses and individuals will be evaluated on the basis of why they deserve the awards and what they’ve done to make Grand Junction a stronger and more vibrant community. Nomination forms are available on the chamber website at https://gjchamber.org. F
December 23, 2021-January 5, 2022
NOTEWORTHY
A Grand Junction-based environmental and regulatory compliance services firm has acquired another environmental services company. HRL Compliance Solutions announced its acquisition of Storage Tank Technology. “I am very excited about Herman Lucero the potential and added value this acquisition will provide to not only our combined client base, but also to our employees,” said Herman Lucero, founder and owner of Brett Redd HRL Compliance Solutions. Brett Redd, the previous owner of Storage Tank Technology, agreed. “Same great company, same great people, lots of new capabilities.” Discussions about the acquisition started in 2019, were put on hold during 2020 and then resumed in 2021. The acquisition was finalized on Dec. 1. Lucero said the acquisition strengthens the services and skills HRL Compliance Solutions offers as well as blends skills and disciplines the two companies couldn’t provide operating individually. HRL Compliance Solutions operates offices in Western Colorado as well as New Mexico and Pennsylvania. The firm provides drilling, engineering, environmental and regulatory consulting, field services and unmanned aerial systems imagery to clients in a variety of industry sectors across the country. For more information, about HRL Compliance Solutions, visit www.hrlcomp.com.
