The Grand Junction Economic Partnership (previously known as the Mesa County Economic Development Council) was born in 1984, two years after "Black Sunday", the closure of the Exxon Colony Shale Project. Concerned with the drastic rise in unemployment and the number of shrinking businesses, local civic and business leaders met to form an organization focused on economic development. This organization was formed with the mission to, "promote the common interests of all residents of Mesa County, Colorado, including its businesses, cities and towns, for the enhancement of economic conditions and the economic base of the county, encouraging development of new businesses and local industry, and improvement of employment opportunities for the residents of the county."The organization had several successes in the first few years of operation including the recruitment of large companies such as; Choice Hotels International, Reynolds Polymer Technology, and Refrigeration Hardware Supply to name a few.Today, the Grand Junction Economic Partnership works to enhance the economic vitality, creating a strong, diverse economy and an improved quality of life for all Mesa County residents.