The Business Times Volume 27 Issue 21

THE BUSINESS T IMES News NOVEMBER 12-25, 2020

VOLUME 27, ISSUE 21

THE DEFINITIVE SOURCE FOR GRAND JUNCTION BUSINESS NEWS SINCE 1994

In this issue

n Election analysis

2

THEBUSINESSTIMES.COM

Trends the dots Connecting

Contributors Opinion 2 Business Briefs 4 Business People Almanac

The state director of a small business advocacy group says he was pleased overall with election results in Colorado.

n SBA-backed lending increases in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. See page 2

n More restrictive Public health restrictions have been imposed as positive cases of COVID-19 increase in Mesa County.

n Engaging efforts A Grand Junction consulting firm focuses on practices to engage employees and improve operations and profits.

n Making wine fine A grant from a renowned vintner will fund research and scholarships to advance the Colorado wine industry.

5

n Real rebound

19

Real estate activity has rebounded in Mesa County to surpass sales and dollar volume levels from a year ago.

n Tired of tiring?

21

Employers play a key role in promoting the benefits of a good night’s sleep and rejuvenating employees.

n Departments Almanac Business Briefs Business People Contributors News Opinion Trends

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

The U.S. Small Business Administration backed nearly $82 million in lending in Mesa County under the Paycheck Protection Program. Two more loans worth a total of more than $2.3 million were issued under the SBA 504 loan program.

Business Times illustration by Phil Castle

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November 12-25, 2020

TrendsConnecting Contributorsthe dots Opinion Business Briefs Business People Almanac

Director: Businesses fare well in election

Leader of state group hails voter approval of Colorado measures Phil Castle

The Business Times

Tony Gagliardi says he’s pleased overall with the results of an election in which Colorado voters repealed a property tax amendment, cut income tax and instituted an approval process for new fees.

The state director of the National Federation of Independent Business said he was less pleased with the passage of another measure creating a paid family and medical leave program he said will impose a “ o n e - s i z e - f i t s - a l l ” Tony Gagliardi mandate on businesses.

The results of races between candidates constituted a mixed bag, Gagliardi said, with the defeat of Cory Gardner in his bid for re-election to the U.S. Senate, but the victory of Lauren Boebert to represent the Third Congressional District in Western Colorado.

“One silver lining from election night is that a number of incumbent pro small business legislators will be returning to their respective chambers,” Gagliardi said.

That included Janice Rich, the incumbent in House District 55, and Matt Soper, the incumbent in House District 54.

Among other statewide measures on a lengthy ballot, Colorado voters approved Amendment B repealing the so-called Gallagher Amendment to the Colorado Constitution.

Approved in 1982, the amendment set different assessment rates on residential and nonresidential property in Colorado, shifting over time a greater proportion of the property tax burden from homeowners to businesses.

See ELECTION page18

SBA-backed lending increases in midst of a pandemic

A Dan Nordberg

Frances Padilla

federal agency backed nearly $82 million in lending in Mesa County during the 2020 fiscal year under the provisions of a program intended to offer businesses support in the midst of a pandemic.

According to the Colorado District Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration, 2,751 loans worth a combined $81.7 million were issued in Mesa County under the Paycheck Protection Program. Two more loans worth a total of more than $2.3 million were issued under the SBA 504 loan program.

The numbers don’t include loans issued under the SBA 7 (a) guarantee program because county by county breakdowns weren’t available.

Statewide, more than 165,000 businesses used PPP and disaster support loans. A total of 1,514 loans worth a combined $870 million were issued through the 7(a), 504 and microlending programs.

“The SBA played a monumental role in supporting small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, evidenced by the thousands of Paycheck Protection Program and Economic Injury Disaster Loans approved to urban and rural Colorado businesses since March,” said Dan Nordberg, administrator of a six-state SBA region that includes Colorado.

“The SBA’s historic lending achievement is a testament not only to the dedicated public servants within the agency, but also to the grit of small business owners and entrepreneurs across the state,” Nordberg said.

Frances Padilla, director of the Colorado District Office of the SBA, said lending activity during the 2020 fiscal year indicates small businesses need access to capital and her agency plays an important role in providing that access.

See LENDING page 16

STORY AND ILLUSTRATION BY PHIL CASTLE

Increase in COVID-19 cases prompts Mesa County restrictions Public health restrictions have been imposed in Mesa County in the aftermath of an increase in positive COVID-19 cases.

The changes move Mesa County from what was once one of the least restrictive counties in Colorado to one step away from returning to stay-at-home orders.

The change limits retailers, restaurants, offices and gyms to 25 percent of capacity.

Businesses certified through a variance protection program for implementing public health recommendations

will be allowed to continue to operate under less restrictive conditions. More than 100 businesses have been certified so far through the program.

Meanwhile, the City of Grand Junction and Mesa County Libraries were among those announcing operational changes in response to the changing restrictions.

Mesa County Public Health announced Mesa County moved effective Nov. 7 to what’s described as level orange of the state safer at home pandemic response. That’s one step away from the level red of stay-at-home orders. At

one point, Mesa County was among the Colorado counties approved for the level green protect our neighbors phase.

As of Nov. 8, 2,443 positive cases of COVID-19 had been reported in Mesa County with 27 people hospitalized as of that date. Eighteen deaths have been attributed to COVID-19 in the county since the onset of the pandemic.

Out of those who tested positive, 1,303 have recovered and 423 experienced no symptoms For the two-week period ending on Nov 8, 1,112 positive See COVID-19 page 16

November 12-25, 2020

The Business Times

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well-rounded perspective to new Mesa County role Phil Castle

as well as New England and Canada.

Whidden said people who work in information technology aren’t just “geeks,” Frank Whidden brings what he but offer an important perspective because considers a well-rounded perspective to his they’re familiar with nearly every aspect of new job as Mesa County administrator. operations and how work gets done. They Whidden worked also tend to think about new and potentially in information better ways of doing things in asking and technology and holds answering “what if ” questions. “They know a master’s degree in how to effect change in an organization.” computer information Whidden expects to bring that same systems. But he also approach to his duties as administrator. holds a doctoral Whidden said it’s his role to help degree in applied county commissioners make and then management and implement decisions. The commissioners decision making and Frank Whidden in turn represent the residents of the worked for more than county and express their will, he said. “We 20 years as a minister. Whidden has work for the people.” worked for large and small organizations Whidden said he also considers himself in both the private and public sectors. a liaison between the commissioners and Whidden expects to draw on all of his county staff, and one of the priorities is to Bernadette and Haggerty basedfeel in Grand experiences in Tim helping Mesaoperate Countya consulting make sure firm employees valued.Junction Whidden focusing on business practicessaid thathe improve employee commissioners make andleadership carry out decisions. hopes not only to engagement improve morale, and Valuing in turn, operations and profits.

(Business photo by that Phil will Castle) staff and making the county but Times also take steps make Mesa an employer of choice is among the County an organization for which people priorities, Whidden said. So is planning want to work. that results in sustainable funding and Meanwhile, Whidden expects the balanced budgets on a long-term basis. county to continue policies and initiatives Meanwhile, Mesa County will that support local business and economic continue to pursue efforts that promote a development. There are additional steps friendly business environment and that can be taken to make it easier for local economic development, Whidden said. businesses to sell products and services to Phil Castle Whidden officially county, he added.

YOUR INFORMATION The Business began Times working as theFOR county administrator at the beginning of Mesa County will keep working with Forgovernment more information the year. He succeeds Tom Fisher, who was other entities,about organizations Tim Haggerty considers wages paid Haggerty and his consulting hired as county manager in Summit andTim institutions on fostering an environment to employees not so much an expense, but firm, visit theexisting websitebusinesses located at and County, Utah. that supports an investment. The success of a business www.timothyhaggerty.com Whidden joined Mesa County in new businesses, he said. or depends, he believes, on the return on that attracts email info@timothyhaggerty.com.

August 2011 as information technology Whidden said there could be a investment. director. In April 2014, he became deputy opportunities to encourage the additional Employees who don’t enjoy their county administrator for resource development of businesses that provide jobs — or, for that matter, like their He said he worked as plant director at management in a staffing reorganization services to the agricultural industry as well bosses — could end up costing businesses an Ocean Spray facility in New Jersey that that eliminated four director positions. as promoteproduction Mesa County as a distribution in decreased productivity and increased increased 76 percent, reduced Before joining Mesa County, center for the region. absenteeism and turnover. That’s not to costs 12 percent and twice logged more Whidden worked for a company providing important thing isoftooperations consider mention the effects of their complaints to than The 1 million man-hours information technology services to issues from a well-rounded perspective, anyone who’ll listen, Haggerty said. without a lost-time accident. colleges and universities. In that role, he Whidden said. “We won’t be myopic as we But engaged employees could more Haggerty holds a bachelor’s degree managed IT systems and services for look at things.” than double the investment in their wages in economics and sociology from Regis institutions in Alabama, Arizona, Illinois in improved operations and customer University in Denver✦as well as a master’s The Business Times

Grand Valley consulting firm focuses on engaging efforts to boost ROI in employees

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

service, he said.

The difference between disgruntled and engaged employees could be what Haggerty terms servant leadership and management practices that empower and impassion employees.

The notion isn’t far-fetched, he said.

“If people like their jobs and like the people they work with, they do better jobs.”

Haggerty and his wife, Bernadette, operate Timothy Haggerty LLC, a Grand Junction-based consulting firm focusing on business and management practices that improve employee engagement.

Tim Haggerty brings to the venture more than 40 years of experience in operational management for what was at the time Coors Brewing Co. and then Ocean Spray.

of business administration degree from the University of Denver.

Haggerty said he and his wife moved to Grand Junction about two years ago after accepting an early retirement package.

He said he realized he wasn’t ready for retirement and instead launched the consulting firm. He also leads courses on communications, employee engagement and management at Western Colorado Community College in Grand Junction.

Haggerty said many business owners and managers recognize the emotional benefits of servant leadership, but also need to take into account the financial benefits.

Employees who hate their jobs and likely their bosses might return as little as 3 cents on a dollar invested in wages, he said.

See ENGAGING page 14

November 12-25, 2020

The Business Times

Grant to provide funding to advance wine industry

Renowned vintner supports college program A grant will fund research and college scholarships to advance the Colorado wine industry.

The Winiarski Family Foundation — an organization established by renowned California vintner Warren Winiarski and his wife, Barbara — bestowed a $150,000 grant to Colorado Mesa University and Western Colorado Community College.

The grant will be used to establish the Warren Winiarski, Gerald Invancie Institute of Viticulture and Enology to advance the Colorado wine industry through applied research.

The grant also will establish an endowed scholarship for students at the WCCC viticulture and enology program.

WCCC graduated its first group of students from the program in December 2018.

Once $50,000 in additional contributions are obtained in a matching fund challenge, support will total $200,000.

“Support of a world-renown figure like Mr. Winiarski doesn’t happen every day, and I congratulation the instructors, students and graduates of our program for earning his belief in our program and community,” said CMU President Tim Foster. “The family’s financial generosity will help us significantly, but Mr. Winiarski’s reputation will help us immeasurably.”

Jenne Baldwin-Eaton, a former Grand Valley winemaker who directs the WCCC viticulture and enology program, also welcomed the grant and what the funding will do for the Colorado wine industry.

“Mr. Winiarski has set an example of what can be achieved through collaboration, clear vision, hard work and

FOR YOUR INFORMATION To contribute to the $50,000 matching fund program for the Warren Winiarski, Gerald Ivancie Institute of Viticulture and Enology, visit the website at SupportingCMU.com/give-now or contact Rick Adleman at radleman@coloradomesa.edu. tenacity,” Baldwin-Eaton said.

Winiarski established Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars. His 1973 Cabernet Sauvignon vintage won the Judgment of Paris — a victory that put Napa Valley on a global wine map. His Arcadia Vineyards is planted in Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Merlot.

Winiarski was inducted into the California Hall of Fame and was awarded the Wine Enthusiast magazine Wine Star for American Wine Legend.

Winiarski also has ties to the Colorado wine industry. In 1968, Ivancie recruited him to help start Ivancie Winery in Denver.

Liz Meyer, chief executive officer of the CMU Foundation, said contributions are sought for the matching fund program.

“We are going to find creative ways to reach out to all those in Western Colorado and beyond who love wine and care about its future. They can make an additional investment knowing that this institute is a tangible way to help improve the wine business in Colorado for generations of winemakers.”

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County sales tax collections reflect increasing retail activity Sales tax collections, a key measure of retail activity, continue to increase in Mesa County.

The county reported collecting a total of nearly $3.7 million in sales and use taxes in October. That’s an increase of more than $400,000 and 12.2 percent over the same month last year. October collections reflect September sales.

As of press deadline, the City of Grand Junction hadn’t yet posted on its website sales, use and lodging tax collections for October.

County sales tax collections in October increased more than $347,000 or 11.6 percent over the same month last year. Use tax collections — most on vehicles purchased outside the county, but used in the county — increased $53,700 or 18.4 percent.

County tax collections on retail sales rose 30.7 percent on a year-over-year basis with gains in every category of products except clothing. Collections on internet sales jumped nearly 192 percent.

Sale tax collections also increased in

the home improvement and construction sectors, but fell in the hotel and restaurant sector as well as the oil and natural gas sector.

County sales and use tax collections through the first 10 months of the year totaled almost $33.3 million. That’s an increase of almost $1.4 million and 4.3 percent over the same span in 2019.

A 5.3 percent increase in sales tax collections more than offset a 5.2 percent decrease in use tax collections, a far smaller source of revenue.

Year-to-date county tax collections rose 20.4 percent on retail sales.

Collections on internet sales jumped nearly 208 percent.

The biggest year-to-date gains in tax collections were reported in the home improvement, wholesale, professional and construction sectors.

The biggest declines were reported in the hotel and restaurant sector as well as the oil and gas and rentals sectors.

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November 12-25, 2020

Program offers help in navigating health insurance market Phil Castle

The Business Times

Help is available for individuals and small businesses struggling to navigate the health insurance market.

“Our goal here is to guide people,” said Christie Higgins, a community access manager for Hilltop Community Resources who oversees Hilltop’s Health Access.

The program offers assistance in comparing various health insurance Christie Higgins options and enrolling for coverage.

Hilltop’s Health Access operates a certified assistance site for Connect for Health Colorado, the state health

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

To schedule an appointment or obtain more information about Hilltop’s Health Access, call 244-0850 or visit www.hilltopshealthaccess.org. care exchange. Higgins said that means staff has received training and understands the various insurance plans offered on the exchange.

Assistance is available over the phone, online and in person to evaluate coverage options and enroll, Higgins said. People have until Dec. 15 to enroll for coverage starting in January and until Jan. 15 for coverage beginning in February.

It pays to shop, Higgins said, in finding the best

coverage for the lowest price. Depending on their income, people could qualify for tax credits that could save them thousands of dollars on insurance premiums over the course of a year, she said. Last year, thousands of Colorado residents didn’t take advantage of tax credits that could have reduced the cost of their insurance.

Hilltop’s Health Access also can help businesses with fewer than 50 employees evaluate and arrange for health care coverage, Higgins said.

Staff can help employees explore options and enroll for coverage. Some employees who work for businesses that offer group health coverage could have different needs or struggle to pay for their part of coverage, she said.

“We would encourage businesses to reach out to us,” Higgins said.

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Clinic adds to cardiology care in Grand Valley

A new cardiology practice is scheduled to open in Grand Junction.

The SCL Health Medical Group and St. Mary’s Medical Center announced plans to open the SCL Health Heart & Vascular Institute clinic in November. The clinic will be located at the Life Center at 2686 Patterson Road.

“We are thrilled to be able to provide the people of the Grand Valley with more choices and improved access when it comes to comprehensive heart care,” said Dr. Elizabeth Buisker, Elizabeth Buisker medical director of the SCL Health Medical Group in Western Colorado.

“We have the unique ability to connect our local cardiologists with our regional heart and vascular care experts in order to provide fully integrated care,” Buisker said.

Drs. Yogesh Patel and Kurt Spriggs were scheduled to begin seeing patients at the new clinic the first week of November.

Dr. Clyde Sullivan is scheduled to join the practice in December and Dr. Jennifer Springer in January.

The clinic builds on other efforts to expand access to cardiac care in Western Colorado.

In 2019, SCL Health opened the Heart & Vascular Institute, a 46,000-square-foot addition to St. Mary’s Hospital. The institute includes a hybrid operating room, three heart catheterization labs, 10 cardiac short stay medical suites, seven cardiac testing rooms, an electrophysiology lab and cardiac rehabilitation gymnasium.

A radial lounge allows for wrist catheter entry.

A study conducted at that time by the Grand Junction Economic Partnership calculated the economic contributions of constructing the institute topped $90 million.

The institute contributes $3.8 million a year to the Grand Valley on an ongoing basis.

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November 12-25, 2020

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November 12-25, 2020

Federal land activities contribute $19 billion in Colorado Energy development, recreation and other activities on public lands in Colorado managed by the U.S. Department of Interior accounted for a total of nearly $19 billion in economic contributions during the 2019 fiscal year.

Those activities also supported 62,425 jobs, according to the latest economic report from the federal agency.

Nationwide, activities resulted in $336 billion in economic activity and supported 1.9 million jobs.

“Especially this year, public lands have been a critical place of refuge for the American people and will continue to support the economic vitality of our country,” said Interior Secretary David Bernhardt.

Colorado ranked fourth among states where activities on public lands accounted for the largest contributions to economic output, value added and employment. Economic output estimates the total value of goods and services

supported by Department of Interior activities. Value added represents the difference between output and the costs of inputs. Employment numbers estimate the total number of jobs supported by Department of Interior managed activities.

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.

Recreation — including visits to national parks, monuments and wildlife refuges — accounted for $2 billion in economic output, $1.2 billion in value added and 17,400 jobs.

The Department of Interior payroll in Colorado accounted for $727 million in economic output, $425 million in value added and 4,790 jobs.

Grants and payments accounted for $420 million in

economic output, $279 million in value added and 3,500 jobs.

Livestock grazing and timber production accounted for $125 million in economic output, $8.9 million in value added and 1,540 jobs.

Other states with the largest contributions from activities on lands managed by the Department of Interior included top-ranked New Mexico, followed by Wyoming and California.

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.

An estimated 501 million recreational visits to public lands during the 2019 fiscal year accounted for $60.6 billion in economic output and 469,000 jobs.

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Mineral lease district awards three grants for testing equipment and fire district efforts

The Mesa County Federal Mineral Lease District has awarded a total of $200,000 in grants.

The district board awarded an $88,400 grant to Colorado Mesa University and Mesa County School District 51, a $61,600 grant to the East Orchard Mesa Fire Protection District and a $50,000 grant to the Lower Valley Fire Protection District.

CMU and the school district will use the grant for a droplet digital polymerase chain reaction machine for COVID-19 testing. The machine, the first of its kind in use in Western Colorado, will speed test results.

The East Orchard Mesa Fire Protection will use the grant to replace a 50-year-old water tender truck with a newer model.

The vehicle will be used throughout the Grand Valley to fight fires.

The Lower Valley Fire Protection District will use the grant to pay for improvements to its new Loma fire station, including paving, fencing and landscaping.

The Mesa County Federal Mineral Lease District distributes federal mineral leasing funds to local public entities to support infrastructure, construction and public service projects that address the effects of energy development.

Since its inception in 2011, the district has awarded more than $8.1 million to entities in Mesa County. For more information, visit the website located at www.mesaFML.org.

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November 12-25, 2020

Health care professionals sought for Utah program

A cancer institute is recruiting health care professionals in the Grand Valley to provide care to patients under a program planned for Utah.

The Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah seeks nurse practitioners and others for its Huntsman at Home sites in Carbon, Emery and Grand counties starting in early 2021.

Additional information is available online at the website located at www.huntsmancancer.org/careers.

The Huntsman Cancer Institute launched the Huntsman at Home program in 2018 in the Salt Lake City area to provide services to cancer patients and their families in their homes as an alternative to clinical or hospital settings.

Thanks to a gift from the Huntsman family through the Huntsman Foundation, the program will expand to address the needs of patients living in rural areas.

According to an evaluation of the Huntsman at Home program presented in July at the American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting, cancer patients experienced improved outcomes at reduced costs compared to a control group of patients who didn’t participate in the program.

The initial goal for the expanded Huntsman at Home program is to provide supportive care and treatment for complications through a combination of home and virtual visits.

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Grant supports hunger relief effort

The Western Colorado Community Foundation will use a $197,000 grant to increase efforts to alleviate hunger.

The Colorado Health Foundation, a statewide philanthropic organization supporting food access and security, awarded the grant.

The grant will build on the efforts of the Western Colorado Community Foundation and Mesa County Hunger Alliance, said Anne Wenzel, president and executive director of the community foundation. The alliance is a coalition of more than 20 relief organizations and agencies that share resources and best practices to meet needs.

“Our community foundation is thrilled to receive the support to continue building our community’s efforts to alleviate hunger,” Wenzel said. “What I find even more important than the generous funding from the Colorado Health Foundation is the incredible vote of confidence this support provides to the hunger alliance’s efforts.”

The Western Colorado Community Foundation manages charitable funds for a seven-county region. For more information, visit https://wc-cf.org.

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Land trust acquires “missing link” for trail A 20-acre parcel characterized as a missing link has been purchased to continue a trail in the Grand Valley.

The Colorado West Land Trust purchased the land from a local real estate developer, conserved the property for public open space and transferred ownership to the City of Grand Junction.

A $156,920 grant from Great Outdoors Colorado as well as contributions from the City of Grand Junction and other local donors made the purchase possible.

The parcel will enable the continuation Libby Collins of the Monument Trail and a connection from the Colorado Riverfront Trail to the corner of South Camp and Monument roads.

“This purchase is part of a larger dream to preserve more open space for trails while conserving the natural beauty that has always made the monument corridor a special place,” said Libby Collins, special projects manager at the Colorado West Land Trust.

The final phase of development for the Monument Trail will connect the Lunch Loop trail head with South Camp Road. The completion of the Monument Trail also will create a 10-mile paved bicycle and pedestrian loop that connects downtown Grand Junction as well as other neighborhoods and popular recreation areas.

Kaart, a geographic information services and surveying company based in Grand Junction, was among the supporters of the acquisition.

“As we grow our local economy and develop land for commercial and residential real estate, it’s important to also preserve land for its natural beauty and recreation opportunities,” said Aaron Young, chief executive officer of Kaart.

Mandy Harter, a real estate professional and mountain bike rider, also donated to the acquisition. “These outdoor recreation amenities are important for supporting home values. They are also really important for building a stronger sense of community by providing access to the outdoors for all ages and abilities.”

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BLM marks 20th anniversary of McInnis Canyons The U.S. Bureau of Land Management celebrated the 20th anniversary of establishing a 123,000-acre conservation area in Western Colorado and Eastern Utah.

The McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area was established in 2000 and named for Scott McInnis, a former U.S. representative who now serves as a Mesa County commissioner.

“This is a special place for so many people, and its designation exemplifies BLM’s excellence in conservation stewardship,” said Jamie Connell, Colorado state director of the BLM. “It is clear that the local community has immense pride in this national conservation area and without them, its success would not be possible.”

The conservation area offers a venue for biking, hiking

and hunting as well as livestock grazing. The area also is home to threatened and endangered species as well as cultural and paleontological resources. The Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness in the core of the conservation area offers more than 75,000 acres of red rock canyons and the second highest concentration of natural arches in North America.

Local partners come to the area to conduct volunteer and youth education programs.

Collin Ewing, manager of the McInnis Canyons, said the area offers a resource. “To me, this area serves as a perfect illustration of the BLM’s multiple use mission and the critical role that strong local partnerships play in supporting our public lands.”

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November 12-25, 2020

Using longer trains expected to speed Moab tailings effort

The use of additional rail cars is expected to accelerate a project to remove uranium mill tailings from a site near Moab, Utah.

The U.S. Department of Energy announced the change to train shipments from Moab to a disposal site near Crescent Junction about 30 miles to the north.

North Wind Portage, a contractor working on the project, joined with the Union Pacific Railroad to evaluate rail car positioning in loading and unloading areas.

While 144 containers previously were transported on a train, it was determined additional rail cars could be added to move an additional 24 containers each week.

That means an additional 815 tons of mill tailings and other contaminated materials can be moved each week.

“It is imperative that we recalibrate our thinking around innovation and creativity to continuously examine how we do business and strive to noticeably reduce the amount of tailings at Moab,” said Russell McCallister, federal cleanup director.

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Novemember 12-25, 2020

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November 12-25, 2020

Engaging

Continued from page 4 By one estimate, 75 percent of people who quit their jobs do so because of their supervisors, Haggerty said.

In contrast, employees who like their jobs and bosses could return $2 or more on a dollar invested in wages, Haggerty said.

That means businesses that don’t pay attention to the benefits of servant leadership in engaging employees could lose thousands or even millions of dollars a year. Even small improvements in engagement could result in big differences in profitability, he said. “How much more successful could you be?”

Haggerty said he customizes his services to clients, but there are some common approaches involved.

It can help to conduct a survey to assess employee engagement. It’s also helpful to assess the emotional intelligence of employees and their abilities to be aware of, control and express their emotions.

In addition, it’s possible to identify and correct mismatches between the tasks employees are expected to carry out and their abilities to do so, he said. “We force people to do things they’re not good at.”

Communication constitutes another important issue, Haggerty said.

Business leaders should meet regularly with employees to talk about what why they choose to work, what they like and dislike about their jobs and what their expectations include.

Business leaders and employees often share some expectations, Haggerty said, among them the exchange of a good day’s work for a good day’s pay, providing quality products and services and a safe workplace free from harassment.

It’s important that business and business leaders define missions and visions, then strive to align operations to achieve those objectives, he said.

Effective leadership isn’t about command and control, but rather serving employees — empowering them to do their jobs and helping them serve as leaders, too.

Haggerty said his services can help businesses of all sizes in every industry sector. “There’s not an organization out there that can’t benefit from this.”

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Lending

Continued from page 2 “Every day, small businesses continue to show their fortitude through challenging conditions,” Padilla said.

“The SBA is focused on providing the support needed.

We remain committed to ensuring our state’s more than 655,000 small businesses have access to the programs and resources available.”

In Mesa County, 2,751 businesses received a total of nearly $82 million through the Paycheck Protection Program created under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The program offered loans of up to 2.5 months of payroll for a business.

Repayments on the portion of loans used for payroll will be forgiven if staffing levels as measured by the number of full-time equivalent positions at the time of application remained the same on June 30.

Two loans worth a total of more than $2.3 million were issued in Mesa County under the SBA 504 loan program to finance land, buildings and equipment.

Information about the number and amount of loans issued under the SBA 7(a) program weren’t available on a county by county basis for the 2020 fiscal year.

The SBA doesn’t make direct loans through the 7(a)

The Business Times

November 12-25, 2020

PPP LENDING IN MESA COUNTY Here’s a look at Paycheck Protection Program loans issued in Mesa County by location and total amount.

Clifton 81 $2,367,051 Collbran 12 $246,264 De Beque 8 $238,042 Fruita 213 $5,764,128 Glade Park 14 $199,447 Grand Junction 2,210 $66,705,021 Loma 56 $1,693,372 Mack 21 $568,842 Mesa 3 $27,700 Palisade 116 $3,646,380 Whitewater 17 $274,357 Total: 2,751 $81,730,604 and 504 programs. By guaranteeing repayment of a portion of the loans, however, the agency enables lenders to extend financing to businesses that might not otherwise qualify under conventional terms.

The Colorado District Office of the SBA backed 1,514 loans worth a total of more than $870 million through the 7(a), 504 and microloan programs during the 2020 fiscal

year. That’s a 3.8 percent increase over the previous year.

Nationwide, 5.2 million PPP loans worth a total of more than $525 billion were issued. Economic injury disaster loans accounted for another $191 billion, while $20 billion in advances were issued through that program.

The SBA backed about 42,000 loans worth a total of more than $22.5 billion under the 7(a) program. More than 7,000 loans worth a combined $5.8 billion were issued under the 504 program. In addition, 5,800 loans worth a total of nearly $85 million were issued under the microloan program.

Of the totals for the 7(a) and 504 programs, $7.5 billion went to minority owned businesses, $3.2 billion went to women-owned businesses and nearly $835 million went to businesses operated by military veterans.

SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza hailed the numbers.

“In addition to the tremendous amount of aid provided by the CARES Act via the PPP and EIDL programs, our regular loan programs showed solid year-over-year improvement, especially within our 504 and microloan programs.”

“SBA’s small, but dedicated, team of professionals punched far above its weight this year,” Carranza said.

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COVID-19

Continued from page 2 cases of COVID-19 were reported in Mesa County.

Testing also has increased with more than 63,000 tests administered in the county. Out of that, 3.72 percent of tests have come back positive — 9.33 percent over the past two weeks.

Over the last two weeks, 11 percent of positive cases were attributed to exposure in such settings as nursing homes, shelters and jails. Another 8 percent of cases were attributed to contact with family members and 6 percent to contact in places of employment. The source of exposure to the largest proportion of cases remained unknown.

Mesa County School District 51 reported on Nov. 9 that four or more cases of COVID-19 were confirmed over a 14-day period in Fruita and Grand Junction high schools as well as East Middle School, Independence Academy and Orchard Avenue Elementary. Most of staff and students who tested positive for COVID-19 were exposed outside the schools.

The City of Grand Junction announced changes in response to the restrictions, canceling the final weekend of a flag football program as well as public swimming sessions and lessons at the Orchard Mesa Pool.

City Hall remains open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. But the senior center remains closed.

Mesa County Libraries announced changes that limit capacity at all locations and suspend in-person programs until further notice. Masks and social distancing are required for all people using the libraries.

The central library in Grand Junction is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, but closed on Sundays. The Clifton and Fruita branches are open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. The hours at other branches remain unchanged.

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November 12-25, 2020

The Business Times

Page 17

THE he B BUSINESS usiness T T Times IMES

PJANUARY age 18 15-28, 2015

Election

November 12-25, 2020 PAGE 15

St. Mary’s expands COVID-19 training

Grand Junction’s Largest Local Payroll Provider

purposes. The leave will be funded by fees paid by workers in Service is our First Concern!”

“Excellence and employers.

Gagliardi said Proposition 118 Time exemptsisemployers money. Let us help you save some of both. with fewer than 10 employees from contributing to the plan SCL Health St. Mary’s in Grand Junction has — but not the employees. expanded a training program to help health care In a statewide race between candidates, former Colorado workers in the region respond to a potential surge Gov. John Hickenlooper, a Democrat, defeated Sen. in COVID-19 infections.

U.S. Payroll TaxCory Filing Quarterly & Year End Gardener, a Republican, in his bid for re-election.

A $79,000 grant received from the federal Tax Reporting Multi-State Payroll Lauren Boebert, a Rifle restaurateur who won a andDeposit Colorado of Public Direct & “PayDepartment Cards” Time Keeping Systemsgovernment Republican primary election against five-term incumbent Health and Environment funded the training.

This season,

Online HR Support Web-based Time Clocks U.S. Rep Scott Tipton, went on to win the general election In June, St. Mary’s also received a $50,000 grant to

Handbook Development Web-based Payroll save time, the Third Congressional District. to represent Boebert help expand training for responding to COVID-19 New Hire Reporting Workers’ Compensation defeated and Democratic challenger Diane Mitsch Bush, a infections. energy Retirement Plans Mobile Scheduling former county commissioner and state legislator from St. Mary’s conducted its first onsite workshop your backSprings. with Steamboat at Colorado Canyons Hospital and Medical Center Gagliardi said Boebert will bring to her duties her in Fruita. snow removal experiences as a small business owner.

“We are so thrilled to be able to execute this critical In races for seats in the Colorado House of training for health care workers beyond our walls. The services from Representatives, two Western Colorado incumbents were training is intense and is completed over a two-month The Landscape among the winners. Janice Rich, a Republican from Grand period. It includes everything from self assessment to Junction, defeated Scott Beilfuss in House District 55. Matt a hands-on workshop,” said Erin Minnerath, infection Center.

Soper, a Republican from Delta, beat AliceMarie Slavenprevention manager at St. Mary’s.

Emond in House District 54.

The goal, Minnerath said, is to train health In Mesa County, Janet Rowland was elected to the care workers on best practices for donning and county commission in District 3, defeating Dave Edwards. doffing personal protection equipment, identifying Rowland, a Republican, served on the commission from and isolating patients with COVID-19 and 2005 to 2013. Cody Davis, also awww.autopaychecks.com Republican, defeated implementing infection prevention strategies.

Kathryn Bedell in District 1.

Deanna Hofer, infection control coordinator In other election results, voters approved 7A, Avenue at Colorado Canyons Hospital and Medical Center, 441 Measure Colorado a property tax increase to raise additional funding for the welcomed the training. “We were very excited to Grand Junction, COparticipate 81501in this project. We have gained practical Colorado River District.

Voters also approved Measure 2A, allowing the City of training tools that we can take and share with the Grand Junction to keep tax revenues above limits imposed rest of our organization,” by the state constitution.

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Continued from page 2 Gagliardi said the repeal of the Gallagher Amendment will offer more stability and predictability.

Colorado voters also approved Proposition 116, cutting the state income tax rate from 4.63 percent to 4.55 percent.

Gagliardi welcomed the cut. “We should have done that a long time ago.”

In addition, voters approved Proposition 117. The measure requires state lawmakers to put on the ballot on new fees expected to bring in at least $100 million in the first five years.

Gagliardi said the NFIB long has opposed the use of fees to get around constitutional limits on raising taxes — in particular business filing fees.

The NFIB brought a lawsuit alleging the Colorado Secretary of State repeatedly violated the Colorado Taxpayers Bill of Rights in raising business filing fees. The lawsuit maintained the increased charges were actually tax hikes that should have been submitted for approval to Colorado voters. According to the lawsuit, more than $20 million a year in business filing fees were used to fund unrelated functions.

The Colorado Supreme Court ruled there were insufficient facts in the record to resolve the dispute and declined to decide whether increased business filing fees should be viewed as taxes.

Gagliardi said he was disappointed in the passage of yet another ballot measure in Proposition 118 creating a paid family and medical leave program.

NFIB members — most of them small business owners — don’t oppose paid leave, Gagliardi said. Rather, they oppose the provisions Proposition 119 imposes and what Gagliardi said amounts to $1.3 billion in new taxes.

Proposition 118 guarantees employees can take at least 12 weeks of paid leave from their jobs for family medical

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News Trends Real estate sales accelerate Contributors Opinion Business Briefs Business People Almanac

November 12-25, 2020

The Business Times

Page 19

INDICATORS AT A GLANCE

n Business filings

t New business filings in Colorado, 31,221 in the second quarter, down 1.7% from the second quarter of 2019.

n Confidence

t Consumer Confidence Index 100.9 in October, down 0.4. s Leeds Business Confidence Index for Colorado, 47.9 for the fourth quarter, up 3.6. n National Federation of Independent Business Small Business Optimism Index 104 for October, unchanged.

n Foreclosures

t Foreclosure filings in Mesa County, 2 in October, down from 16 in October 2019. t Foreclosure sales in Mesa County, 2 in October, down from 9 in October 2019.

n Indexes

s Conference Board Employment Trends Index, 97.57 for October, up 1.24. s Conference Board Leading Economic Index 107.2 for September, up 0.7% s Institute for Supply Management Purchasing Managers Index for the manufacturing sector, 59.3% for October, up 3.9%.

n Lodging

t Lodging tax collections in Grand Junction, $135,823 for September, down 24.3% from September 2019.

n Real estate

s Real estate transactions in Mesa County, 579 in October, up 16.5% from October 2019. s Dollar volume of real estate transactions in Mesa County, $186 million in October, up 10.1% from October 2019.

n Sales

s Sales and use tax collections in Grand Junction, $5 million for September, up 1.4% from September 2019. s Sales and use tax collections in Mesa County, $3.7 million for October, up 12.2% from October 2019.

n Unemployment t Mesa County — 5.7% for September, down 0.5. t Colorado — 6.4% for September, down 0.3. t United States — 6.9% for October, down 1.0.

But low residential inventory continues to affect Mesa County market Phil Castle

The Business Times

Real estate activity has rebounded in Mesa County to surpass sales and dollar volume levels from a year ago.

Activity might have been even more brisk if low inventories hadn’t hampered residential transactions.

“These numbers are definitely tempered by that,” said Annette Miller, senior vice president at Heritage Title Co. in Grand Junction.

Robert Bray, chief executive officer of Annette Miller Bray Real Estate in Grand Junction, said low inventories have not only limited transactions, but also pushed median sales prices higher.

“The median is moving.”

Miller said 579 real estate transactions worth a total of $186 million were reported in Mesa County in October. Compared to the same month last year, transactions increased 16.5 percent and dollar volume rose 10.1 percent.

Seven large transactions worth a combined $11 million bolstered dollar volume, Miller Robert Bray said, including the sale of the Best Buy property near Mesa Mall for $2.9 million, the sale of a home in Redlands Mesa for $1.85 million and the sale of vacant commercial land along the Interstate Highway 70 Business Loop for $1.65 million.

Through the first 10 months of 2020, 4,654 transactions worth a collective $1.43 billion were reported, Miller said. Compared to the same span in 2019, transactions increased 1.5 percent and dollar volume 2.7 percent.

October was the first month in which year-to-date transactions outpaced last year since April. The five-month span reflected in part the effects of the coronavirus pandemic and related restrictions which at first prohibited showings and open houses.

A recent surge in positive cases of COVID-19 in Mesa County could affect real estate activity again, Miller said.

But other factors also have been in play, she said, including low interest rates on mortgages as well an increase in the number of people capable of moving because of remote work — some from big cities to more rural areas and others on a more localized basis. Labor markets also affect real estate markets, she added.

According to numbers tracked by Bray Real Estate, 383 residential real estate transactions worth a total of $123 million were reported in October. Compared to the same month last year, transactions increased 3.5 percent and dollar volume rose 17.1 percent.

Through the first 10 months of 2020, 3,3331 residential transactions worth a total of $1 billion were reported. Compared to the same span in 2019, transactions were down about six-tenths of a percent and dollar volume was up 4.8 percent.

Bray said low housing inventories have slowed the pace of sales while increasing the price. Fewer homes are available. Many of the homes that are available are in higher price ranges.

As of the end of October, there were 374 active residential listings in Mesa County. That’s half the number from a year ago.

The median price of homes sold in October rose 15.1 percent to $305,000 compared to the same month last year. The median price for homes sold year to date increased 11.8 percent to $285,000.

Miller and Bray said they expect real estate sales for 2020 to come close to 2019, remaining at one of the highest levels in more than a decade. “We do still have a healthy market,” Miller said.

Meanwhile, property foreclosure activity has slowed nearly to a halt, Miller said, with two foreclosure filings and two foreclosure sales in October. Through the first 10 months of 2020, 83 filings and 28 sales were reported, down 54.6 percent and 69.9 percent, respectively, from the same span in 2019.

The 27 resales of foreclosed property over the first 10 months of 2020 was less than 1 percent of all real estate transactions and a fraction of the 10 percent threshold Miller considers indicative of a healthy market.

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Small Business Optimism Index holds steady A measure of optimism among small business owners remains unchanged on a mix of positive and negative expectations for the months ahead.

The National Federation of Independent Business reported its Small Business Optimism Index held steady at 104 in October. The latest reading remains slightly higher than the historical average of 100 for the 46-year-old index.

“Leading up to the presidential election, small businesses continued to focus on stabilizing their businesses, but were uncertain about the future economic conditions due to Bill Dunkelberg COVID-19 government regulations on all levels,” said Bill Dunkelberg, chief economist of the NFIB. “We see solid momentum going into the fourth quarter, and another good quarter could get the GDP back to its 2019 closing levels.”

The results of the survey were collected before the election, and there could be uncertainty moving forward related to election results, the spread of the coronavirus pandemic and possible government-mandated shutdowns.

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 October, four of 10 components of the index advanced, five retreated and one remained unchanged.

The proportion of those responding to the survey upon

which the index was based who reported higher earnings over the past three months rose nine points from September. But at a net negative 3 percent, more owners still reported lower than higher earnings. Among those reporting higher profits, 70 percent cited increased sales. Among those reporting lower profits, 52 percent blamed decreased sales and 7 percent labor costs.

Since June, the component tracking earnings trends has rebounded 32 points.

A net 11 percent of respondents expect higher sales, up three points.

A net 12 percent plan to increase inventories, up a point to a record high. A net 4 percent said current inventories were too low, down a point.

A net 27 percent of respondents said they expect the economy to improve over the next six months, down five points.

A net 27 percent reported plans for capital outlays, down a point. A net 13 percent said they consider now a good time to expand, unchanged.

A net 18 percent of respondents reported plans to increase staffing, down five points. A net 33 percent reported at least one unfilled job opening, down three points.

At the same time, 22 percent cited finding qualified labor as their single most important business problem, ahead of taxes, government regulations and poor sales. In the construction sector, 35 percent of respondents said finding qualified workers was the top concern.

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The Business Times

Page 20

November 12-25, 2020

U.S. labor estimates show Confidence index declines jobs up, jobless rate down Payrolls swelled and the unemployment rate retreated in October as labor conditions continued to improve in the United States.

Nonfarm payrolls grew 638,000 and the jobless rate fell a point to 6.9 percent, according to the latest U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates.

Both the increase in payrolls and decrease in the unemployment rate exceeded expectations.

Initial estimates for payroll gains in September and October were revised upward a total of 15,000.

Payrolls have increased in each of the last six months, but employment remains 10.1 million below February and the onset of the coronavirus pandemic in the U.S. For October, the number of people counted among those unsuccessfully looking for work fell 1.5 million to 11.1 million.

The number of those on temporary layoffs declined 1.4 million to 3.2 million.

Another 6.7 million were counted among those working part time because their hours were cut or they were unable to fin full-time positions.

The labor participation rate increased three-tenths of a point to 61.7 percent.

That’s 1.7 points below the February level.

Payroll gains in October were spread out among a number of industry sectors.

Employment increased 271,000 in leisure and hospitality, 208,000 in professional

Labor index rises

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

The Conference Board reported its Employment Trends Index rose 1.24 points to 97.57 in October. The index has increased six straight months, but remains 11.1 percent below a year ago.

“The Conference Board expects job growth to slow,” said Gad Levanon, head of the Conference Board Labor Markets Institute.

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and business services and 104,000 in retail trades. Payrolls increased 84,000 in construction, 79,000 in health care and 63,000 in transportation and warehousing.

Government payrolls dropped 268,000 with the layoffs of 147,000 temporary employees working on the 2020 census.

The average workweek for employees on private, nonfarm payrolls held steady at 34.8 hours. The manufacturing workweek lengthened three-tenths of an hour to 40.5 hours.

Average hourly wages on private, nonfarm payrolls rose 4 cents to $29.50.

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A measure of consumer confidence has slipped on less upbeat expectations for business and labor conditions.

The Conference Board reported its Consumer Confidence Index fell four-tenths of a point to 100.9 in October. A component of the index tracking current conditions increased. But a component tracking the short-term outlook decreased.

Lynn Franco, senior director of economic indicators at the Conference Board, said the short-term outlook for jobs has softened. “There is little to suggest that consumers foresee the economy gaining momentum in the final months of 2020, especially with COVID-19 cases on the rise and unemployment still high.”

Lynn Franco The business membership and research group bases the index on the results of monthly household surveys. Economists closely monitor the index because consumer spending accounts for more than two-thirds of economic activity.

For October, more optimistic assessments of current conditions pushed up the present situation component of the index 5.7 points to 104.6.

The proportion of those who responded to the survey upon which the October index was based who described business conditions as “good” slipped a tenth of a point to 17.5 percent. But the share of those who said business conditions were “bad” fell 3.1 points to 33.9 percent.

The proportion of those who called jobs “plentiful” increased 2.9 points to 26.5 percent. The share of those who said jobs were “hard to get” decreased four-tenths of a point to 19.9 percent.

Less upbeat responses pulled down the expectations component of the index 4.5 points to 98.4.

The share of those who expected business conditions to improve over the next six months fell four-tenths of a point to 36.3 percent. The proportion of those who anticipated worsening conditions rose 1.2 points to 17 percent.

The share of those who expected more jobs to become available in the months ahead rose three-tenths of a point to 33.2 percent. But the proportion of those who anticipated fewer jobs increased more — 4.1 points to 20.2 percent.

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Leading index continues to increase, but signals slowing ahead A monthly index forecasting economic conditions in the United States continues to increase, but at a pace that signals slowing.

The Conference Board reported its Leading Economic Index (LEI) rose seven-tenths of a percent to 107.2 in September. The gain was the fifth in as many months.

Ataman Ozyildirim, senior director Ataman Ozyildirim of economic research at the Conference Board, said the economy is projected to expand in the fourth quarter, but at annual rate of 1.5 percent. “Furthermore, downside risks to the recovery may be increasing amid rising new cases of COVID-19 and continued labor market weakness.”

The LEI increased 3.6 percent in the past six months, reversing a 7.3 percent decline over the six months before that. Strengths among leading indicators have been more widespread than weaknesses.

Gross domestic product, the broad measure of goods and services produced in the country, grew at an annual rate of 33.1 percent in the third quarter after contracting 31.4 percent in the second quarter.

For September, five of 10 indicators of the LEI advanced, including building permits, interest rate spread and leading credit and new orders indexes. A decrease in average weekly claims for unemployment insurance also bolstered the index.

New orders for capital goods and stock prices retreated.

Average weekly manufacturing hours, consumer expectations for business conditions and new orders for consumer goods held steady.

The Coincident Economic Index, a measure of current conditions, rose two-tenth of a percent to 101.7. The index increased 3.5 percent over the previous six months.

For September, three of four indicators advanced: nonfarm incomes, personal income and sales. Industrial production declined.

The Lagging Economic Index, a measure of past performance, slipped a tenth of a percent to 107.6. The index decreased 1.2 percent over the past three months.

For September, two of seven indicators advanced: the cost of services and inventories. Commercial and industrial financing, consumer credit and the cost of labor declined.

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

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Trends Contributors Opinion Tired of feeling tired?

Business Briefs Business People Almanac

November 12-25, 2020

The Business Times

Page 21

COMING ATTRACTIONS

n The Business Incubator Center in Grand Junction has scheduled presentations on bookkeeping and startups The next bookkeeping boot camp is set for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 17 at the center, located at 2591 Legacy Way. Participants will learn how to set up and track business accounting records as well as learn how balance sheets, income statements and cash flow projections are prepared and what they indicate about business operations. Admission is $75, which includes lunch.

A two-part webinar on how to start a business is set for 9 to 10:30 a.m. Nov. 18 and 19.

A startup workshop is set for 9 to 11:30 a.m. Dec. 8.

The webinar and workshop will cover the business planning process, financing and other topics. Admission is $55, which includes admission to Fast Trac classes.

The next Leading Edge business planning course is scheduled to begin in February with weekly classes for 12 weeks.

The course will cover a range of topics related to starting and running businesses.

Participants will write a business plan and test their models for financial viability. Admission is $275 for one person and an additional $100 for a partner or employee.

For more information about upcoming events, services and programs offered at the Business Incubator Center, call 243-5242 or visit the website at www.gjincubator.org. n The Colorado Building Farmers program has scheduled a virtual course on the principles of business planning and management.

The course is scheduled for Thursday nights Dec. 3 to Feb. 4. Participants will explore how to build farm businesses, plan for new markets, improve accounting and financial analysis and manage risks in crop and livestock enterprises. Participants will present their business plans at the end of the course and receive a certificate of completion.

Admission ranges from $50 to $200.

To register or obtain more information, visit the website at https://buildingfarmers.com.

Employers play a role in promoting the benefits of a good night’s sleep Have you ever put off sleep to knock out just one more item on your to-do list? If so, your choice likely backfired. It turns out our brains have lists of their own that can only be tackled while we’re asleep. Robbing our brains of enough time to perform these tasks not only impedes our ability to complete our daytime responsibilities effectively and efficiently, but also harms our health.

What items are on our brain’s to-do list while we snooze? According to a growing body of research from the Center for Human Sleep Science at the University of California Berkeley, here are some of the most essential: n Sort memories into separate bins labeled “important” and “useless,” then cement the former and recycle the latter to optimize the human operating system. n Turn on the cerebral sewage system to flush toxic proteins and prevent the buildup Rebecca linked to Alzheimer’s disease.

Weitzel n Preserve and protect our anti-cancer immune cells and repair DNA to reduce the risk of developing breast, colorectal and lung cancers. n Reboot the cardiovascular system by lowering heart rate and blood pressure to slash the risk of a fatal heart attack. n Regulate hormones linked to appetite and daytime cravings to reduce the risk of weight gain. n Replenish mental and physical capacity to allow for up to 16 hours of high levels of performance, focus and productivity the next day.

Given such an important list of tasks, why do we routinely dismiss the importance of sleep — or worse, brag about how we can get by on just four hours of sleep. Much of our attitude about sleep is tied to a culture that values hard work and spurns perceived laziness.

But equating sleep with idleness reveals a disconnection between our perception of sleep and how important it really is to well-being.

This chasm between the perception and reality of sleep is an area in which employers can swoop in as heroes to rescue people. With the National Safety Council finding that 63 percent of Americans report their sleep needs aren’t met during the week — as well as those who believe their sleep needs are met even when they’re not — employers enjoy a unique opportunity to set the record straight and influence behavior. By influencing workers, employers create a ripple effect that benefits businesses, community health, children and our health care system. This heroic effort involves a three-pronged approach: n First, educate your employees about sleep. Start with a campaign to teach them how much is enough. Almost all experts agree seven to eight hours is ideal for adults. Children and teen-agers

Much of our attitude about sleep is tied to a culture that values hard work and spurns perceived laziness. But equating sleep with idleness reveals a disconnection between our perception of sleep and how important it really is to well-being.

need more. Our sleep requirements remain about the same as we age, although common barriers to good sleep tend to arise. That includes the use of certain medications and decreases in physical activity. n Second, encourage evidence-based sleep-promoting tactics — daily exercise, regular bedtimes, daily exposure to sunlight, resisting the snooze button and avoiding caffeine or alcohol in the evening.

A note about alcohol: It’s a sedative, not a sleep aid. While you might fall asleep more quickly after imbibing, you’re not inducing restorative sleep. You might also create workplace promotions with such rules of thumb as a tech curfew in which individuals commit to ditching their devices at least an hour before bedtime. n Third, take an inventory of the ways in which your organization’s culture, environment, job demands, schedules, shifts and unwritten rules could be improved to enhance the ability of employees to get adequate rest and sleep. Helpful interventions to consider include ensuring employees work no more than 10 hours a day or 50 hours a week. Create a culture that expects and rewards sufficient breaks, especially for workers in physically or cognitively demanding jobs.

Establish a policy that gives shift workers a minimum of 12 hours between shifts to recover. Offer remote work options to reduce long commutes. Encourage leaders to share how they prioritize sleep. Build sleep education into your safety and wellness programs.

Just imagine the collective improvements in your business and our community if more workers gave their brains the necessary time to perform the essential nightly tasks of repair and rejuvenation.

Still not convinced? Perhaps you should sleep on it.

Rebecca Weitzel is president and co-founder of Good Life Wellness Solutions, which provides affordable and easy to implement workplace well-being solutions, an online platform, consulting and education services tailored to small businesses. Contact Weitzel at (970) 216-6390 or rebecca@goodlifewellnesssolutions.com or visit the website at www.GoodLifeWellnessSolutions.com.

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Event to focus on keeping young professionals on West Slope The Western Colorado Human Resource Association has scheduled a presentation on keeping young professionals working in Western Colorado.

The program is set for 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 18 at Bookcliff Country Club, 2730 G Road in Grand Junction. The program also will be offered virtually.

WCHRA members attend at no charge. Guests pay $25 to attend in person, $10 to participate virtually. Colorado Mesa University students may attend in person for $5.

The event will include a presentation on keeping young professionals on the Western Slope, including those who graduate from CMU based in Grand Junction.

Paola Perez and Madison Donnafield, both seniors at CMU studying business administration and human resource management, will lead the presentation. Perez and Donnafield serve as president and vice president, respectively of the Society

FOR YOUR INFORMATION To register for or obtain more information about the Western Colorado Human Resource Association and its upcoming membership program, visit the website at www.wchra.org. for Human Resource Management student chapter at CMU. Perez and Donnafield will discuss ways to communicate with young professionals, show them they’re valued members of an organization, involve them in decision-making and set them up for success.

Perez is an HR intern with the City of Grand Junction.

Donnafield is an HR intern with Monument Health.

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Page 22

The Business Times

November 12-25, 2020

How to untie yourself from day-to-day operations Most business owners dream of wealth, freedom and happiness — the opportunity to exert greater control over their destinies. They start their companies to achieve professional, personal and financial independence and often use these to travel, relax, give back and enjoy their lives.

For many owners, however, this remains a dream because they lack the mindset, processes and people to make it a reality.

A number of key factors contribute to the inability of a business to run effectively without the owner’s constant presence. Understanding these factors and making the necessary adjustments will position you to realize your dreams: n The owner is the only team Marcus member who can handle all aspects Straub of the business: If you’ve created a situation in which you’re the only one who can effectively run your business, you’re tied by necessity to daily operations. Your success here lies in hiring competent individuals with positive attitudes and who care and then providing them with ongoing professional development so they can excel and become leaders in their own right. n The owner micromanages and fears giving up control: If you’re an owner who believes no one else will run your business the way you do, you’re right. You’re unique, and so is your overall perspective of your business.

Even so, it’s likely there are individuals who could do an excellent — if not better — job than you. Relinquishing control appropriately can be learned and is made easier once competent team members, trust and effective delegation are in place. n The owner hasn’t mastered the art of delegation or

If you’re an owner who believes no one else will run your business the way you do, you’re right. You’re unique. Even so, it’s likely there are individuals who could do an excellent — if not better — job than you.

understands the value of empowering the team: Learning to delegate tasks and projects to your team members is liberating for you and empowering to them. There are crucial components to effective delegation. Every business owner I coach is amazed at the freedom they gain, the ownership their team members take on and how much smoother their business runs once effective delegation is implemented. n The business lacks structure, processes and a system of practical procedures. To achieve your goals, it’s imperative you put in place a system of simple and effective processes and operational procedures to effectively deal with situations that will inevitably arise. Business owners are often surprised and always delighted to discover how easy these are to create as well as how appreciated and liberating they are to everyone involved. n Managers aren’t competent enough to run the business: One enlightening aspect of delegation is it allows business owners to discover who’s capable of taking on the job and who’s not. If you already have a manager or managers in place and through planned and effective delegation and careful observation you discover they’re not capable of running day-to-day operations, you face two choices: develop them or replace them.

n The owner hasn’t built a team to effectively run the business in his or her absence: The fear associated with releasing day-to-day operations can be overcome by building a team to run the business — and run it well — without the owner’s presence. When the success of your business depends solely upon you, you trap yourself into a job. But when you build a competent team and the responsibility for the success of the business depends on a team approach, everyone benefits, including the owner.

While there’s much to consider in developing successful hands-off leadership, qualified business coaching and training can help you achieve your dreams of a thriving business. As you adopt a more powerful mindset; implement necessary structures, processes and systems; hire potential leaders — and let go of those who aren’t — and offer them ongoing assistance in developing their potential, your dreams of greater freedom , happiness and success will be realized.

Countless businesses thrive under the day-to-day leadership of managers and team members while owners provide general oversight, direction and new ideas. This can be your reality, too, as you release your fears and build a powerful team to handle daily operations.

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.

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November 12-25, 2020

The Business Times

Thanks for a healthy business response November is all about giving thanks. At Mesa County Public Health, we’re thankful for the strong community partnerships that have made our response to the coronavirus pandemic more manageable.

As we gather to give thanks this year, we want to thank you. In a year full of unknowns, we’re fortunate to have businesses in our community that stand with us and work to improve the overall health of our community.

Businesses in Mesa County have stepped up. As things changed, evolved and changed again, you ensured those in our workforce who might be more vulnerable to COVID-19 were protected and helped employees who expressed concerns. This month, consider thanking your Jeff Kuhr employees for playing an important public health role with increased cleaning, symptom checks, working from home and other COVID-related actions that help ensure illness in Mesa County remains low. Business policies that encourage remote work, ensure distancing and increase handwashing and mask use have made our community safer. Thank you.

Many businesses incorporated teleworking and social distancing into their everyday operations. It’s possible that in February you weren’t familiar with the term social distancing. You quickly learned it means avoiding large gatherings and maintaining distance — at least 6 feet — from others when possible. You implemented strategies to improve employee and customer safety through such adaptations as flexible work hours, increased space between employees and customers, online meetings and touchless payments. You added partitions, curbside pickup and delivery options and so much more. Thank you.

There are certain places where COVID-19 spreads more easily. Avoid the three Cs to protect yourself and others from the spread of COVID-19. We ask our community to avoid: n Close contact settings such as close range conversations.

Page 23

The Mesa County Public Health team can be a resource to your business to help implement safety procedures.

We regularly provide education to businesses, community organizations, schools and such congregate care settings as nursing homes. n Confined and enclosed spaces with poor ventilation. n Crowds and places with many people nearby.

We also want to remind you we’re here for you. As case counts increase, the Mesa County Public Health team can be a resource to your business to help implement safety procedures. We regularly provide education to businesses, community organizations, schools and such congregate care settings as nursing homes.

Since March, we’ve added staff and resources to help our community remain informed and ready.

If you have questions about local public health orders or how your business can protect our community from the spread of illnesses like COVID-19, log on to health.mesacounty.us or send an email to healthinfo@mesacountuy.us.

Our team is here to help, but we couldn’t do it without each of you. Our community partners are part of our team, too. If we approach this as a community, we have a much greater chance of reducing illness quickly. Thank you.

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

RentaSpace.DiegoCorp.com

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The Business Times

November 12-25, 2020

Layoffs ahead? Comply with notification law Layoffs loom in almost every industry. If your company hasn’t yet been affected, great. But if you’re looking at layoffs, furloughs or other reductions in force, you need to know about and understand the provisions of the Worker Readjustment and Retraining Notification Act — or WARN. What is WARN, and why should you care? According to the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, “WARN is a law that requires employers to provide employees experiencing employment loss with a 60-day notice prior to a layoff, although some exceptions apply. The WARN [Act] protects workers, their families and communities from the impact of mass layoffs.”

Janet Who needs to file a WARN? Arrowood Employers that experience an event triggering a WARN, including mass layoffs, plant closings or the sale of a business. There are a number of exceptions, so a visit to the CDLE website at https://cdle.colorado.gov/employers/layoff-separations/ worker-adjustment-retraining-notification constitutes a critical first step.

Here are some highlights from the CDLE website to help you file a WARN notice: n A WARN notice must be provided to either affected workers or their representatives — a labor union, for example — as well as the State Dislocated Worker Unit and to the appropriate unit of local government. No particular form of notice or record is required, but the content of the WARN notification must be specific and provided in writing. Failure to provide adequate notice to employees could result in prosecution and penalties. n Sample WARN letters can be viewed online at

Who needs to file a WARN? Employers that experience an event triggering a WARN, including mass layoffs, plant closings or the sale of a business.

No particular form of notice or record is required, but the content of the WARN notification must be specific and provided in writing.

Failure to provide adequate notice to employees could result in prosecution and penalties.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Km1mSUnCGE 3EtZQTnZEUwxbdDTOcDZmNx6bviTwl2jI/edit#gid=0 Resources also are available to help you avoid layoffs or other staff reductions.

Colorado rapid response representatives can give you additional ideas and resources to reduce or eliminate the need for layoffs.

Representatives also provide services to assist you and your employees if layoffs are unavoidable. Some of the specific services they can help with are: n Information on WARN requirements. n Job placement assistance. n On-site layoff transition workshops. n Guidance for employers for establishing an on-site career or outplacement center to assist employees with employment needs

n Steps to reduce attrition prior to the layoff date.

There are dozens of Colorado Workforce Centers across the state, including one in Grand Junction. Some centers are staffed full-time, while others are satellite centers staffed on a set schedule. The Mesa County Workforce Center is located at 512 29 1/2 Road. There are also centers in Delta, Gunnison, Montrose and Rifle.

Access could limited and may be by appointment only due to coronavirus pandemic restrictions. Services include: n Access to job listings. n Computer and internet access. n Career counseling and training for job seekers. n Recruitment of workers, prescreening and referral services. n Tax credits and training reimbursement for employers. n Self-service or staff-assisted options.

Colorado Workforce Centers have career counselors to help connect workers and job seekers with local employment, training and educational opportunities as well as any available funding. The centers also help workers improve their interview skills and resumes. Employers have access to business services representatives to connect them to funding and training opportunities while also helping them recruit, hire and retain talent.

Knowing your requirements and available services is essential to ensure layoffs and other force reductions are handled in a compliant manner.

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.

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November 12-25, 2020

The Business Times

Page 25

Don’t overlook vitamin D in boosting immunity The coronavirus pandemic has infected millions of people in the United States and continues to spread faster than many expected. Without a vaccine, experts say the best way to avoid infection is to wash your hands regularly, practice social distancing, wear a mask and keep your immune system healthy.

Most people think first of vitamin C when considering immunity, but overlook another powerful vitamin that boosts their immune systems.

And the best thing about this vitamin is they can get it for free.

Vitamin D is a unique vitamin most people don’t get enough of. By one estimate, 40 percent of American adults suffer a vitamin D deficiency.

Vitamin D is sometimes called Patti Reece the sunshine vitamin because it is produced naturally when skin is exposed directly to sunlight. Unless you live in the northern part of the country, 20 minutes to 30 minutes of direct sunshine on your arms, legs and face several times a week should be enough to provide the vitamin D you need.

Vitamin D has long been recognized for its essential role in bone health. Working in concert with other vitamins, minerals and hormones, vitamin D promotes bone mineralization.

Lack of vitamin D can lead to a loss of bone density that can contribute to osteoporosis and broken bones. In children, a vitamin D deficiency can cause rickets, a rare disease that makes bones weak and soft, stunts growth and, in severe cases, leads to skeletal deformities.

What many don’t know is that vitamin D provides other health benefits: n Fights disease: Vitamin D plays an important role in

Vitamin D plays an important role in maintaining a healthy immune system and regulating cell growth and differentiation. A study suggests supplemental vitamin D could help prevent cancer.

maintaining a healthy immune system and regulating cell growth and differentiation. A study suggests supplemental vitamin D could help prevent cancer, in particular breast, colon and prostate cancers. n Combats depression: Research has shown vitamin D could play an important role in regulating mood and warding off depression. In one study, scientists found that people with depression who received vitamin D supplements noticed a lessening of their symptoms. n Promotes weight loss: Some evidence suggests getting enough vitamin D could enhance weight loss and decrease body fat. This study found that women who fulfilled their vitamin D requirements experienced more weight loss.

Researchers are also studying vitamin D for its possible connections to several medical conditions, including cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure and such autoimmune conditions as multiple sclerosis.

Most people don’t get enough vitamin D from their diets because few foods naturally contain vitamin D. Depending on where you live, the time of year and other environmental factors, you might not get enough vitamin D from the sun, either.

Here are some examples of people who might benefit from vitamin D supplements:

n Vegans who avoid foods rich in vitamin D. n People who’ve undergone bariatric or gastric bypass procedures that affect the body’s ability to absorb nutrients. n Older people who’re less likely to spend time outdoors and whose systems are less efficient in synthesizing vitamin D from food. n People with darker skin tones who require more sun exposure to produce the same amount of vitamin D as light-skinned people.

Supplementing with vitamin D is critical for so many people. But not all supplements are manufactured in a way that’s easily absorbed or have been tested for purity and efficacy.

Use a vitamin D supplement that provides 2,000 international units of cholecalciferol, the most potent form of vitamin D. Use a supplement that represents the culmination of recent scientific research, including two industry leading vitamin D studies.

Use a supplement clinically proven to deliver vitamin D3 into the bloodstream to aid in calcium absorption to maintain strong bones and teeth, support a healthy heart and immune system and facilitate healthy cell development.

It’s important, too, to use a vitamin D supplement that’s gluten free and contains no artificial flavors, colors, sweeteners or preservatives.

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.

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Contributors Opinion Bold predictions for 2015 No matter where you are, A new year affords Best electionBusiness result? there’ll Briefs always be two Americas more like not-so-bold repeats Malice toward none a new opportunity Business People Almanac to meet local needs THE he BUSINESS usiness T T Times IMES

PAGE age 26 22

As usual, Abraham Lincoln put it best in exhorting his fellow citizens to strive to finish the work to achieve a just and lasting peace. The final paragraph of Lincoln’s second inaugural address in 1865, delivered just weeks before his assassination, began with these still-familiar words: “With malice toward none, withAcharity for all ...” always brings an opportunity for a fresh start and new year almost Elections are — andthings arguably should be — processes that inspire passion renewed ambition to do better. in voters in choosing betweenboils different different points of view and In business, that usually downcandidates, to providing customers better products different visions forand the at appropriate government.

Elections should must have and services faster lower costroles than of competitors.

Part of the process consequences.

That’s kind of the include listening to customers to point. determine what they actually need and then But nearly as important who’slittle elected after votes are meeting that need.

After all, as it does goodistowhat offerhappens the latest andthegreatest if counted.

In the United States, the long tradition of a peaceful transfer of power, nobody actually wants what you’re selling. evenJust between rivals and rivalthat factions, an essential one.Junction The alternative like the businesses belongremains to the group, the Grand Area undermines self-governance which ournew country founded.

Here’s theof Chamber of the Commerce invariablyupon starts out the year is with a reassessment other thing: No political party of any morewith important than the services andpolitician resourcesor it provides and how wellstripe they is match members the constituencies they’re supposed to represent. needs. Jeff Franklin, the new chairman of the chamber board of directors, The tradition extendsinbeyond politicians and parties tohisthe populace. personifies this approach describing what he considers role for the coming How people behave after elections? theyand accept results whether year: do listen to members, determine theirDo needs thenthe meet those—needs.

It’s a happy, sadwhich or ambivalent —familiar and move on? Or president do they refuse to accept the results role with Franklin is as market of Bank of Colorado. and instead cling will to grudges? people treat others in with whom they might The process take on aHow moredostructured approach what the chamber have disagreed during the election after the election? plans as the resumption of a program aptly called Listening to Business. Under the It would be refreshing, although hopelessly to expect peoplebarriers to program, business owners participate in in-depthnaive, interviews to identify to suddenly come together, to they hold encounter. hands and sing “Kumbaya.” But there should growth and other problems be anThe expectation people respect thejoin election process. Just new year that offers a good time to the proverbial club.as their should be a As realization that far unites us. Despite our perceived an advertiser or more reader, whatus dothan you divides need from the Business Times? differences, most of us want the same things: Rewarding work, safe andnews healthy While business journals traditionally gather and report the relevant to families and the continued freedom to make our ownstreet. choices.

In especially other words, readers, communication isn’t necessarily a one-way That’s truelife, as liberty andand thee-mail pursuitmake of happiness.

Web sites the dialogue more convenient than ever.

Elections afford opportunities —atovacuum. maintain the respond status quo Good publications don’t exist in They to if thevoters needssoof choose or change directions, keep some in power or elect new ones. advertisers and readers.

They to provide what’sleaders needed.

But elections also afford the opportunity to reset the dynamic and change the So what do you need? conversation — what some us as children called a do-over.

Is there additional newsofcoverage that would help keep you informed about 2020 developments? election offers aAre desperately needed a chance if notorto localThe business there features thatdo-over, would be interesting reunite country, at least make theacountry at bit less divided. useful? aIsdivided there advice thatthen would maketoyour jobs little easier?

Although we might disagree, we what need you not remain disagreeable.

It’s equally important to ask don’t need.

With limited time to There’s no more important time to come together as one produce content and limited space in which to publish to it, respond would time andcountry space be to the ravages pandemic,else? to address enduring inequalities ... to form a more better devoted of to asomething perfect union.

What’s good? What isn’t? What’s needed? What isn’t?

Just as know. the country faced existential crisis inonline the midst ofBusiness a civil war, Let us Send us an e-mail.

Comment on the Times Web horrendous challenges persist.

A lot of work lies ahead to achieve a just and site at www.thebusinesstimes.com. You could even write an old-fashioned letter to lasting peace. the editor if you’d like. Your feedback, both positive and negative, is valued and an opportunity will There’s be carefully considered.after the election to work together more closely to address problems common to us all. of not only the efforts of their staffs, but also Good publications are the result How willefforts we proceed?

How will we behave?

How will we treat our fellow collaborative involving advertisers and readers.

Americans?

Like any other good business, we want to listen to our customers, find out we’llthen listen once again to the words of Lincoln: “With malice whatHopefully, they need and meet those needs. toward all.”

It’s none, a newwith year.charity Pleasefor help us to do so.

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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.

I’m nearly at a loss for words.

Actually, that’s theofwrong way to put it It’s that time year when because I could a book with abound. example resolutions and write prognostications after examplesaying of what my headline My favorite applied to Newasserts.

Year’s And, no, isn’t they’re basically a resolutions is this in saying going the Johnto break the first week bunch to ofbe promises Edwards’ of I won’t predict a of January.version And while two Americas whole lot, I canabout pretty much accurately haves and have nail a few thingsnots. that without question This is more will make theabout news.the You will see these are ins versus outs. pretty, well,thepredictable: What■you’ll get today Prediction one: will bewill some There be answers some to know sort—ofI don’t weather event, why thisdisaster old NFL natural or film Craig Hall clip is stuck in my heinous occurrence head the famous where—someone will Vince Lombardiand line. be interviewed say“What the hell’s going on out here?” the following: “I’ve a national level, we have an neverOn seen anything election like that in in which my the two Americas can’t be any further apart.

I simply can’t fathom lifetime.”

It’s as if this CraigtwoHall how a guy lost his previous runs person is a who required for president in hisnews own party; picked a attendee at every running who couldn’t draw enough reportingmate event.

While I understand most interest make it to can the first primary; people’stoperspective indeed be limited couldn’t draw more thantheir 100 people to a by, or contained within, own personal rally for the few he lefttohis experiences, it istimes too much askbasement; to and whosome neverhistorical campaigned on anything consult perspective before specific he was goingYes, to dothis canresponse beat an can saying such a thing? incumbent whoevents. had more for apply to some Butvotes whencast it comes him than any in historyI’m with a to weather andincumbent natural disasters, pretty track record of getting things done. itself. sure this is simply history repeating of for course, thereand aremillions two SameUnless, as it has millions of Americas. the media big tech years. MoreAsk important, theand planet made it! exactly who were should be in species. and whoHow’s should What didn’t certain be one party gets to act out in thatout. forAnd perspective? any manner it seestwo: fit to accomplish ■ Prediction When it comesthe to a above. crime or something that occurs between First,the weother haverequired “glitches.”

Well,atit’s humans, attendee all only glitch if events you believe news areporting is the every person“glitch” who works in the same wayjust of the taking votes says this: “They we’re nicest away incumbent them people,from and the in no way did Iand see gives something to contender key swing states.

Good likethe this coming.”inExactly.

No one does to have yourit favor. most of glitches the time in when comes to Next, and we have the blatantPeople violation neighbors acquaintances. should of constitutional mandate giving be the surprised at what goes on from time to state legislatures power to write election time in their neighborhoods, towns and laws.

The U.S. Court people told are with people theySupreme know because Pennsylvania to good. And for the the law timeswas thatclear theyand shouldn’t sequester thatwith came in after the laws be shockedvotes — like politicians, repeat written byand theterrorists State Legislature. offenders — where’sYet, the the secretary Pennsylvania ignored interview of thatstate says,of“This doesn’t surprise the stay counted the votes — 700,000 me in theand least.” or more — anyway.

■ Prediction three: Something good Now, add in the power Facebook, will happen economically, andofthe Google, YouTube andcredit Twitter, which government will take for it.

The most have censored recentconsistently example is gas prices,conservative where people voices election — and for ask me throughout why I won’tthe credit the president well before — My while usingisalgorithms low gas prices. answer simple: to rig resultsnever or keep voices Government makes the from price being of heard.

Justgo this morning, almosttakes all the something down and simply credit voices my Facebook accounts who’ve for goodonnews.

Gas pricing is subject to been votingNow lawsuits manytracking global factors. therehave are been silenced.

I won’t even into thesome left- of government answers to get addressing wing cluster has become.

A final them to keep Drudge prices stable for Americans, note here is the facthas these search engines but our government none of them in and platforms where I do research. place.

The onlyare things it has inmy place in the

NJovember 12-25, 2015 2020 ANUARY 15-28,

Headlines — which didn’t used to be an opinion would attract my attention. long run— always hurt consumers.

Another Ifact should read this to learn reaches more about is that unemployment a certain what the hell’s going on outAnd here.while Nowthe I level based on the economy. either don’t might see it or thethe results are isrigged government brag number low, to onethe side.

And it’s getting it’sonly moreresearch than likely government did worse every something to day. cause that number being low If you’re for Conversely, other in groups, — and not in alooking good way. when look no further than NFL or business picks up, it’sthe because theNBA. people Top in leagues the who athletes need to buy widgetsthat whosupport were not latest forwas the buyingmedia-controlled widgets because narratives the economy in crowds can a positive COVID-19 contracting duehave to natural (or unnatural, test and guess what?reasons, That’s right, they’re government caused) decided we separated fivewidgets. days and back to better buy for some Thethen government business as usual making had nothing to do with this.millions while telling to not infect planet by doing ■ us Prediction four: the In keeping with the right If someone my kid’s things thething. government does, in I predict the pod at her school tests positive, it’s a to government will manipulate the numbers 14-day quarantine withiscontact make the claim the along economy getting tracing for more anyoneto better because of quarantines how hard it isfor working within of whereAmericans.” she’s breathed. help all50 of feet us “working Now This also to our you might say, doesn’t “Craig, happen you always say this esteemed, all-knowing governoryou when he about President Obama because don’t got No right sir. He’s important like exposed. him.” You’re in a too sense.

I don’t to be quarantined he’s got mask know the man, butbecause what I know of him and mandates — Ihint: theyit work, the his thinking, don’tiflike or himwhy one is iota. pandemic andI worse?

— to Before yougetting go off, worse however, didn’t like extend, to his make sure stay closed Presidentcounties Bush and bailouts, stimulus and his lordabandoning knows what theelse freeshould marketthe to save national electionAnd fraud holdknow up. You the free market.

I don’t himand me?

We’d getting form letters fromthe the either.

Whatbethe government does, and local healthit department to stay home and only thing can do, is hurt the economy. do nothing.

Two Americas Unless it does nothing or putindeed. criminals in Closer of to partnering home? If you’re in business, jail instead with them, nothing you already know. health look the government doesOur willcounty help. Always department the biddingsays at it this way,continues whatever to thedogovernment of governor by limiting many it isour doing, whatever the namehow of the law it customers a business have on its of is passing, or whatevermay the name or goal premises at any itgiven time — unless the bureaucracy is presenting to the it’s apeople, big box store,the then all opposite are welcome. expect polar to occur.

Worse, if youwhat conform to the isdemands I guess I’m saying that of the chamber, and perhaps it’s timelocal to getpaper out of ourhealth own department can plenty get a “variance” perspective.you There’s of history which allows you to research have more — books and historical outpeople there to once finally getthat to you even beginthey to understand all of thisthough has they lack the personnel timely inspect happened before.

And ittowill again, all those the who’ve is until whether topicapplied. is peopleThat or government. they The shut best you recommendation down because theisrating to find you fortry passing a testGoogle on a certain somereceived books or that whole day doesn’t stop an of employee or customer thing.

There’s a lot information on the from COVID-19 outside — or, Greatcatching Depression.

The truth is it wasn’t let’s honest, businessgot on evenbe a good oneinside until — theyour government any day after.

A virus knows how to involved.

There’s alsoonly plenty of research do or two things, nonewhen of them on one the medieval warmand period the involves intentions. planet was much warmer than today with So, you bet,people there are twowarmer Americas. a whole lot less (and well The America thathere gives privileges before man was at special all). And yep, to somehave while keeping others the people been killing otherunder surprised boot of since government. whatwritten. is it based people history And was first on? Merit, freedom?

It’s Maybesafety some or research willNope. help stop based on behavior, attitudes andwe’ll thinking. all of these trends. Otherwise, be And in time, you, too, will be like in the saying we’ve never seen anything it in wrong America. our lives.

And not in a good way.

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.

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November 12-25, 2020

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Another mess to clear up: Lesson of making a pencil Is a cluttered desk really applies to economic woes a sign of genius at work?

I’ve heard a cluttered desk is a sign of a cluttered mind. I’ve also seen evidence for just the opposite. A cluttered desk is a sign of genius. A quote attributed to no less a genius than Albert Einstein poses a good question: Of what, then, is an empty desk a sign?

The debate over whether cleanliness really is next to godliness or there are circumstances in which a mess actually could be nice has raged almost as long as there have been desks. That’s been Phil Castle more than 800 years.

On one side of the debate, efficiency experts argue people are more productive when their workspaces are organized with a place for everything and everything in its place.

There’s even an indication an orderly work environment encourages people to act more generously and make healthier choices. Nothing wrong with any of that.

On the other side of the debate, researchers demonstrate in studies that people working in disorderly environments feel less constrained and more creative.

There’s additional anecdotal proof of the correlation between cluttered desks and genius in the photographs of the famous messes of not only Einstein, but also Mark Twain, Thomas Edison and Steve Jobs. Smart and busy people don’t have time to straighten up.

For employers intent on creating productive and creative workplaces, the issue is anything but academic.

I work at two desks — one in the office and one at home. They’re both cluttered. Actually, make that disastrous.

Picture the aftermath of a tornado that’s ripped through a trailer park.

It’s not like I suffer from any shortage of storage. I’ve got a filing cabinet at work. The rolltop desk at home features eight drawers and no less than 19 cute cubbies. I know. I counted them.

Yet, both desks remain blanketed under paperwork, most of which I haven’t touched since I deposited it there years ago.

If archaeologists ever unearth the mound atop my desk at work, they can apply stratigraphy to their discoveries.

Stories and notes from 2020 litter the top.

But the deeper archaeologists dig, the further they’ll travel back in time. Near the bottom, they might even retrieve my notes for the stories I wrote about Y2K. My desk at home is no less crowded with not only my laptop computer and printer, but also files and books.

The crowning touch, so to speak, are the baseball caps I brought back as souvenirs from scuba diving resorts.

I suppose it might be more efficient to maintain a militaristically clean desk. Still, there’s an argument to make for the benefits of a workspace that’s both comfortable and comforting.

I taped quotations and affirmations to an eye-level spot on my desk at home to serve as ready reminders.

“Court the muse,” one sign suggests.

There’s more good advice: “Write with confidence and authority.”

I also clipped and displayed comic strips.

My favorite “Pearls Before Swine” strip by Stephan Pastis pictures in the first panel two characters talking.

“Where were you last weekend?” one asks.

“I went to a writers retreat,” the other says.

The next panel shows four writers sprinting away, the pages of what are presumably their manuscripts flying behind. One writer screams. “Run. Run. Writing’s too hard.”

Exactly.

Framed snapshots constitute the most prized possessions of all cluttering my desk at home. My two sons and beloved late wife in Hawaii. My brother and me diving the shark tank at the Denver Aquarium.

In one sense, it’s a shame the bric-a-brac at home covers a beautiful 19th century heirloom. The desk belonged to my wife and before that her father and grandfather. My wife kept the desk in the conference room at her law office. Her grandfather served as a storekeeper and lay judge in a small town in Northwest Colorado. I expect my sons will one day cherish their mom’s desk as much as she did. I’m just borrowing it until then.

I suppose it might be more efficient to maintain militaristically clean desks.

Still, there’s an argument to make for the benefits of workspaces that are both comfortable and comforting.

I’m distracted by the odds and ends that surround me in my office and at home. But I’m also reminded of all the blessings I have to count. That’s a good place from which to tell stories.

Is my mind cluttered? I don’t believe so. Do I boast an IQ of 160? Not likely.

Thankfully, this much is certain: My mind’s not empty.

Phil Castle is editor of the Business Times.

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

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Are you wondering why the economy is sputtering in trying to restart after the tremendous interruption to our collective lives by the COVID-19 virus?

Perhaps the best explanation for this exists in an essay published in 1958 by Leonard E. Read and titled “I, Pencil.”

The essay is written from the point of view of the pencil, who acknowledges that because of its simplicity, the pencil is taken for granted. Yet, as the pencil states, “Not a single person on the face of this earth knows how to make me.” Wood, lacquer, printed labeling, graphite lead, a bit of metal and an eraser is all that meets the eye upon examination of the wooden pencil.

As Read explains, the family tree of the pencil begins with cedars from Northern California and Oregon. He describes the countless people making saws, trucks, ropes and Phyllis other gear necessary for harvesting cedar logs. It takes many Hunsinger more people with numberless skills to mine ore, make steel, and fabricate and ship products. That’s not to mention mining graphite from Sri Lanka and mixing it with clay from Mississippi. Or producing the rubber-like product, factice, made from rapeseed oil from Indonesia mixed with sulfur chloride and pumice from Italy. The detail with which Read describes the creativity, labor, skills and resources that go into a pencil is astounding.

What’s even more astounding, Read writes, is that all of the cooperation required to manufacture a pencil is done without any central planning. There’s no mastermind directing actions. None of the people performs a task because they want to buy or own a pencil. Individuals act in their own interests. The millions of people involved in making pencils exchange abilities and knowledge for goods and services they need or want.

The lesson from “I, Pencil,” is This division of labor is universal and can be seen in action throughout our free market economy. what makes possible Left to their own creativity and our incredibly diverse labor, people exchange resources and knowledge for goods and services. When economy. Relationships these exchanges are uninterrupted, the among various resulting commerce expands as if the producers must be work of an “invisible hand,” which developed, resources Adam Smith described in “The Wealth of Nations.” This is true of uninterrupted identified, market supply chains, voluntary exchanges and analyses completed the division of knowledge. and appropriate Restarting an economy is far more difficult than turning one off. “I, Pencil” workers hired. shows how the pencil is created by millions of creative people, each contributing abilities and knowledge despite not knowing how to produce the final product. This division of labor is what makes possible our incredibly diverse economy. Relationships among the various producers must be developed, resources identified, market analyses completed and appropriate workers hired. When this process is interrupted, as it was with the coronavirus pandemic, the economy must be rebuilt. It’s impossible to shut everything down and then expect to say the word and everything will be as before.

The lesson from “I, Pencil” is that faith in a free people allows the creative knowhow and productive patterns to respond automatically to the needs of humanity. The lesson from the pandemic is the engine of voluntary exchange and the freedom to respond to needs has been crippled by an unprecedented government overreaction to a health crisis.

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.

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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.

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Opinion Business Briefs Business People Almanac

n ST. MARY’S MEDICAL CENTER INVESTS $300,000 IN HOMEWARD BOUND PATHWAYS FAMILY SHELTER

St. Mary’s Medical Center in Grand Junction will invest $300,000 over three years in the HomewardBound Pathways Family Shelter.

The shelter, which opened in July, provides families with a place to eat and sleep as well as educational and training programs to help people become self-sufficient.

“For 124 years we have embraced a Bryan Johnson commitment to caring for our community, especially the poor and vulnerable. This investment is keeping with that commitment,” said Bryan Johnson, president of St. Mary’s Medical Center.

Greg Moore, executive director of HomewardBound of the Grand Valley, praised the investment. “We are thrilled to have the partnership and support of St. Mary’s. Their commitment to our Pathways Family Shelter is incredibly generous and will change the path Greg Moore for the betterment of countless local families.”

With nearly 19,000 square feet of space, the Pathways Family Shelter offers 140 beds for women and families as well as people in recovery for substance abuse. The facility is equipped with a commercial kitchen, laundry services and a children’s library and play area.

In addition to the $300,000 investment, St. Mary’s provides HomewardBound food from the hospital kitchen as well and laundry services for linens.

The Pathways Family Wellness Center scheduled to open in November will offer primary and behavioral health diagnostic, treatment and respite services.

Johnson said the collaboration constitutes a win-win situation.

“Oftentimes when a homeless individual is discharged from the hospital, they need a safe place to go to continue on their road to recovery. They no longer need the acute care that is provided

by St. Mary’s Medical Center, but they do still require care and oversight. The wellness center will help to bridge the gap while at the same time offering preventive care to hopefully eliminate the need for a future emergency room visit.”

Moore said assistance from St. Mary’s enables HomewardBound to help others. “Our guests typically are depleted of health, home, purpose and community. From the moment of arrival, our goal is to switch their focus from basic survival to building a foundation of stability. It truly takes a village to help people get healthy and return to self-sufficiency. St. Mary’s is part of our village.”

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Donations will be accepted through Nov. 20 for an annual pet food drive organized by the VCA Tiara Rado Animal Hospital in Grand Junction.

Collections from the drive go to the Community Food Bank, which in turn provides dog and cat food.

“Many of our clients have four-legged family members who are just as important to feed during times of crisis,” said Alisha Wenger, executive director Alisha Wenger of the Community Food Bank.

“Our partnership with VCA Tiara Rado Animal Hospital provides the majority of our annual pet food needs so we can offer pet food as an add-on option to any client requesting assistance throughout the year,” Wenger said. “We love being able to offer this benefit to our clients, and we couldn’t do it without VCA Tiara Rado Animal Hospital and their clients.”

The Community Food Bank provides food to about 3,000 people a month.

Donors to the pet food drive can drop off pet food, cash or checks at the VCA Tiara Rado Animal Hospital located at 2245 3/4 Broadway.

VCA provides a range of pet health care services in North America in operating a network of veterinary hospitals and clinical laboratories as well as supplying diagnostic imaging equipment to the veterinary industry.

VCA Tiara Rado Animal Hospital provides a range of veterinary services for dogs, cats, reptiles and pocket pets.

Services include alternative care, hospitalization, internal medicine, preventative care, rehabilitation and surgery.

For more information, call 243-4007 or visit the website at www.vcahospitals.com/tiara-rado.

n WEST STAR AVIATION ANNOUNCES INSTALLATION OF BONGIOVI AUDIO SYSTEM West Star Aviation announced its first installation of a Bongiovi audio system in a Hawker 900XP. West Star completed the installation at its facilities at the Grand Junction Regional Airport.

The audio system is unique in turning interior panels into speakers and placing tranducers on the backs of the panels to give the aircraft cabin a sleeker look.

“The dynamic range and frequency Walt Marcy spectrum coverage is phenomenal throughout the aircraft,” said Walt Marcy, avionics technical sales manager for West Star Aviation in Grand Junction.

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. . n APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED THROUGH APRIL 30 FOR LOW-INCOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM Applications are available through April 30 for the low-income energy assistance program (LEAP). The program offers assistance to individuals and families to pay winter heating costs.

Those applying for LEAP benefits must meet eligibility requirements and income guidelines. If applicants are financially eligible to receive LEAP benefits, payments are sent directly to utilities and show up as credits on the applicants’ bills.

Applications are accepted online at www.colorado.gov/PEAK or by calling (866) 432-8435. Applications are available at the Mesa County Department of Human Services at 510 29 1/2 Road.

Information also is available by calling (866) 432-8435 or visiting the website at www.colorado.gov/cdhs/LEAP. F

Group out to raise 100 grand in Grand Valley Grand Valley Young Life has scheduled a virtual event with a goal of raising $100,000 in five days.

“We’re taking our inspiration from the 100 Grand candy bar,” said Luke Feather, area director. “This year has been tough on all of us. But the kids we serve need the vital support from our program. We are setting out to raise 100 grand for the Grand Valley in five days.”

The event is set for Nov. 16 to 20. Donations will be accepted at www.gvyounglife.com.

November 12-25, 2020

“It’s that easy. A click of the button to donate will make a huge difference in a child’s life,” Feather said.

Young Life staff and volunteer interact with adolescents through a variety of ways, Feather said. “Every function of our organization is about the kids and what we can do to inspire them to experience life as God designed it to be lived, through community, adventure and relationships. They are our future, and we need to give them the best foundation possible. It’s truly life-changing for our kids.”

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Opinion BusinessBriefs Briefs Business BusinessPeople People Almanac Business Almanac

n COMMUNITY HOSPITAL HIRES CHIEF COMPLIANCE OFFICER

Landon Brown has joined Community Hospital in Grand Junction as chief compliance officer.

Brown succeeds Scott Houska, who retired after a career in nursing, law and health care compliance.

Brown brings to his duties more than six years of experience in health care compliance, mostly recently as Landon Brown hospital compliance officer for the Abrazo Community Health Network and Tenet Health in Phoenix. He’s handled health care audits and investigations to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations. He holds a law degree from Mississippi College and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Utah.

Brown said he’s excited to join Community Hospital.

“The opportunity to join a health care organization in a smaller town such as Grand Junction gives more meaning to the work we do as compliance officers.”

Chris Thomas, president and chief executive officer of Community Hospital, welcomed the addition. “We have built an extremely successful compliance program over the years, and we are confident Landon will be a strong asset to continue moving the program forward in a positive direction.”

For more information about Community Hospital, call 242-0920 or visit www.YourCommunityHospital.com. n XCEL ENERGY NAMES AREA MANAGER FOR COMMUNITY RELATIONS Brad McCloud has joined Xcel Energy as area manager for community relations in Western Colorado.

McCloud brings to his duties more than 10 years of experience with EIS Solutions, most recently as western regional director of the government relations and public affairs firm. He worked for energy Brad McCloud and telecommunications firms, water districts and nonprofit groups on a variety of issues. He also worked on candidate and issue election campaigns in Colorado and Utah.

He serves as chairman-elect of the Club 20 coalition of businesses and governments in Western Colorado.

Xcel Energy supplies electricity to 3.6 million customers and natural gas to 2 million customers in a total of eight western and Midwestern states. For more information, visit www.xcelenergy.com.

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Toni Heiden-Moran Cynthia Castaneda Kathy Tomkins

n GRAND JUNCTION REAL ESTATE BUSINESS HONORS TOP AGENTS FOR OCTOBER Toni Heiden-Moran, Cynthia Castaneda and Kathy Tomkins were honored as the top-performing agents for October at Weichert Realtors-Heiden Home Realty in Grand Junction.

Heiden-Moran, owner and broker of the firm, posted the highest dollar volume in sales and most closed transactions for the month. Castaneda and Tomkins tied for the most new listings.

Weichert Realtors-Heiden Home Realty operates offices at 735 Rood Ave. For more information, including property for sale and rent, visit www.heidenhomes.com or call 245-7777. n BROKER ASSOCIATE JOINS TEAM AT GRAND JUNCTION REAL ESTATE FIRM Erika Burch has joined Hummel Real Estate in Grand Junction as a broker associate.

Burch brings to her duties experience with home construction and marketing as well as selling factory built modular homes.

She said she most enjoys helping people achieve their dreams and will work to provide solutions best suited Erika Burch for individual lifestyles.

Hummel Real Estate operates offices at 316 Main St. For more information, call 314-7490 or visit the website at https://hummelrealestate.com.

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Mesa County residents appointed to state boards Three Mesa County residents were appointed to state boards.

Palisade Police Chief Deb Funston was reappointed to the Peace Officers Standards and Training Board. The board oversees the certification of training programs, academies and instructors of police officer candidates.

Jed Jerome Balestrieri of Grand Junction and Steven Chin of Whitewater were appointed to the Justice Assistance Grant Board. The board advises the Division of Criminal Justice on issues related to federal block grants designated to improve the criminal justice system.

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November 12-25, 2020

Nov. 12 n Grand Junction Master Networks referrals group Zoom meeting, 9 a.m. Nov. 12 and 19. New members welcome — one per profession. 216-7723 n Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce Welcome Thursday Friends networking group, noon, Fiesta Guadalajara, 103 U.S. Highway 50. 858-3894 n Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce free webinar on changing pandemic guidelines for businesses, 2 p.m. 242-3214 Nov. 16 n Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce Business Builders networking group, noon Nov. 16 and 23, various locations. 858-3894 Nov. 17 n Bookkeeping boot camp, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Business Incubator Center, 2591 Legacy Way, Grand Junction. Admission $75, which includes lunch. 243-5242 n Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce Women in Business Bunco night, 5 p.m., Suds Brothers Brewery, 127 E. Aspen Ave. Reservations required. 858-3894 n Free presentations on real estate careers, 5:30 p.m.

Nov. 17 and Dec. 1, Weichert Realtors-Heiden Home Realty, 735 Rood Ave., Grand Junction.

Call for reservations. 245-7777 Nov. 18 n Business startup webinar, 9 to 10:30 a.m. Nov. 18 and 19. Admission $55. 243-5242 n Western Colorado Human Resource Association monthly member program and presentation on keeping young professionals on the Western Slope, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Bookcliff Country Club, 2730 G Road, Grand Junction. Members attend at no additional charge. Guests pay $25 to attend in person or $10 for virtual participation. www.wchra.org n Palisade Chamber of Commerce business after hours, 5:30 to 7 p.m., St. Katheryn Cellars and Talon Winery, 785 Elberta Ave. Admission $6 in advance, $8 at the event. 464-7458 Nov. 19 n Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce Welcome Thursday Friends networking group, noon, Rib City Grill, 455 Kokopelli Drive, Unit E. 858-3894 Upcoming n Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce Welcome Thursday Friends networking group, noon Nov 26, Strayhorn Grill, 456 Kokopelli Drive. 858-3894 n Young Professionals Network of Mesa County before hours event, 7 to 8:30 a.m. Dec. 2, Kiln Coffee Bar, 326 Main St., Grand Junction. www.ypnmc.org n Colorado Building Farmers virtual course on the principles of business planning and management, Thursday nights Dec. 3 to Feb. 4. Admission $50 to $200. https://buildingfarmers.com n Business startup workshop, 9 to 11:30 a.m.

Dec. 8, Business Incubator Center. Admission $55.

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