In September 2020, 23 individuals within our business community made the commitment to grow their leadership skills, discover more about the community they call home, and work together to continue the strength of our economy for many years to come. Over the next 10 months, this next-generation of business leaders dedicated one day a month…
Close to 80 businesses have been launched over the past 8 years through the Young Entrepreneurs Academy! The Young Entrepreneurs Academy, (YEA!) takes students in grades six through twelve through the process of starting and running real businesses over the course of a full academic year. Students work in close cooperation with local leaders of…
During an evening full of fun, reflection, and gratitude, the Grand Junction Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Banquet, held June 11th, hit the mark at the FIRST big event since before the pandemic hit last March. Attendees were treated to conversation and comradery as they enjoyed the evening’s festivities which included dinner, networking, auctions, and a…
Shane Kinkennon, Certified Executive Coach and Leadership Expert discusses the impact of how you show up daily and the difference it makes. As the economy slowly reemerges from pandemic turmoil, are you adapting your mindsets about leadership to what your business now asks of you? Are you investing the energy and thoughtfulness necessary to maneuver…
As we move into summer, while we still have challenges, we have a lot to celebrate. Let’s celebrate all of the graduations (including our very own Mesa County Leadership Class). Let’s celebrate School District 51 and Colorado Mesa University for successfully completing a year of in-person learning. Let’s celebrate the return of JUCO, Country Jam…
We at the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce (GJACC) proudly declare our goal to “represent business and promote economic growth” in our mission statement. To ensure we are always moving forward towards that mission, the work isn’t always sexy and sometimes it can be just downright dirty! In the words of famous “Dirty Jobs”…
COVID – 19 may have postponed our biggest party of the year, but plans are starting to take shape as the Chamber’s Annual Banquet countdown has begun. With special focus going into the details that will allow an IN-PERSON event under the safest circumstance possible, we hope many of you will save the date and…
In rural communities such as ours, it takes everyone rowing in the same direction to accomplish significant tasks, which alone one person may not be able to pull off. Community and Economic Development is conducted by community members, all of us. It is a process where local people can not only create more jobs, income…
What a difference a few short weeks can make! In my January column, I assured you that we would get back to in person networking as soon as it was safe to do so. That time has come! Today, as I write this, we’ve seen over 26,000 vaccinations administered and daily case counts falling to…
At the 2021 YEA! Investor Panel held on March 17th, Meilyn Recker, CEO of Rezcue was named the 2021 Grand Junction Area Chamber’s Saunders’s Scholar. Meilyn will be competing in the Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) Semi-Final Virtual Competition, tentatively scheduled for June 12th, for the chance to win up to $30,000 in college scholarships…