According to Dr. Richard Wobbekind, head of the Business Research Division in the Leeds School of Business, Colorado University, “The Mesa County economy is performing extremely well.” Insights into why the economy is stronger and what the economy may look like in 2019 were presented at the Chamber’s Annual Economic Outlook luncheon in December.
With a growing labor force of 76,282 (up .9% from September, 2017) and an unemployment rate of just 3.6% (exceptionally low by historical standards) the county is seeing sales tax collections grow by 9.5% and wage growth over the past four quarters has grown by 3.5%. Perhaps some of the best news came in the form of how the Mesa County economy has diversified in the last 25 years (a goal of all Economic Development Partners including the Chamber). Our traditional economic drivers of agriculture, energy and health care continue to thrive. Manufacturing, tourism, outdoor recreation, aviation and aerospace, technology and IT have emerged as strong and growing industries as well.Wobbekind is bullish on our future growth. He notes in the Colorado Business Economic Outlook 2019, “The business and economic outlook for Mesa County is extremely positive. A low unemployment rate, growing diversification of industries, strong real estate market and unique development opportunities position Mesa County well for continued growth in 2019.”
To download a copy of the Economic Outlook go to:
www.colorado.edu/business/business-research-division/colorado-business-economic-outlook
EXPANDING BUSINESSES were also recognized at our December luncheon.
Click here to download the full version of the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce January 2019 Newsletter.