For more than a decade, the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce’s Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) has given Mesa County students something bigger than an introduction to entrepreneurship: the opportunity to build and launch a real business. Now in its 12th year locally, YEA! takes students in grades 6–12 through a 20-week entrepreneurial journey from…
One of the greatest investments we can make in the future of Western Colorado is investing in the people who will lead it. That’s the vision behind the 2026 Western Slope YP Summit. On Wednesday, August 19, the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce and the Young Professionals Network (YPN) of Mesa County will once…
Last weekend, the Mesa Mall was transformed into something different: a marketplace of student-owned businesses. The annual Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) Trade Show gave local students the opportunity to showcase businesses they have spent months developing and preparing to launch. Through the afternoon, shoppers stopped by booths to learn about products and services, ask questions,…
Funding is currently available through the Chamber’s West Slope Works program to help employers offset costs associated with Registered Apprenticeship Programs. The Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce, through its role as a Qualified Apprenticeship Intermediary, has grant funding available to support apprenticeship-related expenses, including mentor or journey worker wages, instructor costs, training supplies, and…
Running a business is not easy. Behind every storefront, service, and job is a long list of challenges that do not always make headlines. Tight margins. Workforce pressures. Rising costs. Constant change. Yet, across Mesa County, businesses show up every day anyway. They solve problems, support employees, and keep our local economy moving forward. That…
September marks Workforce Development Month, and at the Grand Junction Chamber, this is a time for us to reflect on the partnerships, programs, and people that prepare Mesa County for the future. Workforce development is more than just filling jobs; it’s building strong, sustainable connections between education, business, and community – ensuring that our region…
The Young Professionals Network (YPN) of Mesa County has been buzzing with energy—and it’s not just the coffee at our morning meetups. Over the past several months, YPN has been steadily growing its presence in the Grand Junction business community through a consistent calendar of meaningful, connection-driven events. Designed specifically for professionals in their 20s…
Ever notice how a new administration—local, state, or federal—can shake up the job market? One minute you’re exploring opportunities in renewable energy or infrastructure; the next, funding shifts, priorities change, and you’re rethinking your next move. For young professionals in Mesa County, this kind of pivot is nothing new. That’s exactly why the Young Professionals…
The Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce has released the 2024 Investment Report detailing key strategies, activities, and impacts on our business community and economy. A year of representation, resources, and relationships, 2023 signified immense growth for the organization. Representing over 700 members and serving over 35,000 employees, investment in the Chamber is a significant…
For over 30 years, the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce’s celebrated Leadership Program has fostered community and business leaders. By providing unique opportunities for participants to develop their leadership abilities and increase their understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing their community, participants gain valuable insights on how they can become civically engaged to…