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GRAND JUNCTION MAKES LIST OF "BEST PERFORMING METROS" FOR 2011


Headlight, LLC conducted an analysis of employment trends from June to September 2011 to identify the U.S. metros that experienced the highest job growth rates. Grand Junction, Colorado has been named to the list of "Best Performing Metros" for 2011. 

View the full article.

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KELLY FLENNIKEN NAMED EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF GJEP



GRAND JUNCTION, CO – Kelly Flenniken no longer will be the interim executive director of the Grand Junction Economic Partnership.

Instead, she will be the executive director of the group.

Flenniken, who’s worked at the partnership as its business development manager since 2008 and for six months has filled in for the top role, was the sole finalist in a national search, board members said Friday.

More than 80 people from around the nation applied for the position after Ann Driggers resigned in April after 10 years on the job.

View the full article.

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STATE OF COLORADO RELEASES ECONOMIC FORECAST


 

The State of Colorado has released their most recent economic forecast for planning and budgeting. It contains both summaries for the State of Colorado as well as for the U.S. economies.

To read "The Colorado Outlook, Economic and Fiscal Review" please click here.

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COLORADO EXPORT DEVELOPMENT GRANT (CEDG)

The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) invites applicants for the Colorado Export Development Grant.  This grant will provide funding for small and medium sized enterprises in Colorado and may be used for travel expenses, trade shows, business matchmaking and other direct expenses for developing a new target market.

The deadline for this grant is September 16, 2011.  For any questions, please contact Stephanie Dybsky at 303-892-8762.

To download grant information and application, click here.

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FRANK HENRY EQUIPMENT ANNOUNCES EXPANSION

GRAND JUNCTION, CO – The Grand Junction Economic Partnership (“GJEP”) is pleased to announce the expansion of local company, Frank Henry Equipment. GJEP staff provided Frank Henry Equipment with information, business referrals and overall project support.


This move will significantly expand Frank Henry Equipment’s operations. They will now occupy the facility at 1597 Cipolla Road in Fruita, a 58,000 square foot building. The building will provide Frank Henry Equipment with 45,000 additional square feet over their previous Grand Valley location and allow for significant growth to their entire operation. It is anticipated that in the next year over thirty new jobs will be created.

To view the full press release click here.

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AMERICAN TIRE DISTRIBUTORS ANNOUNCE EXPANSION

GRAND JUNCTION, CO – The Grand Junction Economic Partnership (“GJEP”) is pleased to announce the expansion of American Tire Distributors (“ATD”). GJEP began working with ATD in April, 2009. GJEP staff provided American Tire Distributors with real estate information, business referrals and overall project support and assistance.

American Tire will be constructing an 83,000 square foot facility off of 21½ Road. “GJEP is happy to have worked with American Tire Distributors over the past couple of years. We know this expansion will be creating new jobs and providing significant capital investment to our community,” says outgoing GJEP President and CEO, Ann Driggers.

View the entire release.

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APPOINTMENT OF INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

GRAND JUNCTION, CO – The Executive Committee of the Grand Junction Economic Partnership (“GJEP”) is pleased to announce the appointment of Kelly Marlin as the Interim Executive Director. This announcement follows the recent resignation of Ann Driggers and is effective immediately.

Kelly, a Colorado native, began working at GJEP in November, 2008. Kelly holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Knox College and a paralegal degree from Loyola University-Chicago. Before relocating to Grand Junction, Kelly worked in the public sector for Denver Parks and Recreation and prior to that for the City of Chicago. In 2009 she completed the International Economic Development Council’s Basic Economic Development Course and was most recently recognized as the 2011 Rookie of the Year by the Economic Development Council of Colorado.

View the full press release.

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GJEP STAFFER WINS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AWARD

GRAND JUNCTION, CO – The Grand Junction Economic Partnership (“GJEP”) is pleased to announce Kelly Marlin, Business Development Manager is the recipient of the 2011 “Rookie of the Year” award presented by the Economic Development Council of Colorado (EDCC) at their Spring Conference in Durango, CO today.

Please click here to read the full press release.

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BIG IDEAS FROM THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLANNING SESSION

Over 120 people gathered on Tuesday, February 22, 2011 at Mesa State College for a local economic development planning session.  The event proved to be a success as several ideas were presented on how to grow our local economy.  The Business Incubator Center gathered notes from the discussion, which can be found here

The planning efforts will continue by combining the results of a community survey with the ideas presented at the planning session.  The community survey has received over 600 responses.  To view results to date, click here.

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MAVERICK COMPANY ANNOUNCES WESTERN SLOPE EXPANSION

The Grand Junction Economic Partnership (“GJEP”) is pleased to announce the expansion of Colorado based Maverick Companies, LLC. Maverick began working with GJEP several months ago. GJEP staff provided Maverick with information about property as well as procedures required to begin operations.  Maverick will be located in a facility at 787 Valley Court.

To view the full press release, click here.

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GJEP RECEIVES EXCELLENCE IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AWARD

The Grand Junction Economic Partnership (“GJEP”) is proud to announce that the International Economic Development Council (“IEDC”) has selected GJEP to receive an Excellence in Economic Development award. The award recognizes GJEP’s website (www.gjep.org) as the best General Purpose Website for Communities of 25,000-250,000.

“Knowing that 80% of prospects come to GJEP through our website, this distinction really lets us know we have positioned our community to stand out in the crowd,” says Ann Driggers.

To view press releases from both GJEP and the IEDC, click here.

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SALES TAX EXEMPTION FOR AVIATION INDUSTRY

The Grand Junction Economic Partnership (“GJEP”) would like to applaud the Grand Junction City Council for their recent decision to provide for a sales tax exemption for the aviation industry. The exemption applies to aircraft components installed by companies residing in Grand Junction.

To view the full press release, click here.

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