Empowering Business Growth in Mesa County, Colorado
YOUR GATEWAY TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & BUSINESS RESOURCES
Discover resources and support available to help your business thrive in Mesa County and Colorado’s Greater Grand Junction Area. Whether you are relocating to the region, expanding an existing business, or need assistance navigating available resources, we’re here to help.
Your Partners In Business Growth & Development
The Grand Junction Economic Partnership (GJEP) is dedicated to fostering economic development in Mesa County including the City of Grand Junction, City of Fruita, Town of Palisade, and surrounding areas.
Our mission is to support business relocations and expansions, driving economic growth and enhancing the quality of life in our community. We offer no-cost business development services including navigating program and incentive eligibility, site selection and real estate assistance, providing key community connections, and removing barriers for your business.
Our Network Is Your Network
EXPLORE KEY RESOURCES
Programs & Tax Incentives
Site Selection & Real Estate Support
Workforce Development
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)
Featured State & Local Incentives
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Rural Jump-Start Zone Tax Credit Program
New and expanding businesses in Mesa County may be eligible for this “tax holiday” for up to eight years, that includes zero state income taxes; zero state and local sales and use taxes; zero county and municipal real and business personal property taxes; and zero state income taxes for employees.
Strategic Fund Incentive
The Strategic Fund Incentive supports and encourages new business development, business expansions, and relocations that generate new jobs throughout the State of Colorado. It is a cash incentive program for eligible businesses that create net new full-time jobs in the State of Colorado that are maintained for at least one year.
Opportunity Zones
Opportunity Zones are economically distressed community where certain new investments may be eligible for preferential tax treatment. There are seven Opportunity Zones in Colorado’s Grand Valley, which encompass most of central Grand Junction, including the new downtown river district, as well as Powderhorn Mountain Resort on the Grand Mesa.
Job Growth Tax Incentive
A performance-based program for businesses pursuing job creation projects that would otherwise not occur in Colorado. Businesses that create at least 20 net new jobs in Colorado within a credit period may be eligible for a state income tax credit equal to 50% of FICA paid.
Innovative Housing Incentive Program (IHIP)
A business located in Colorado that has 500 or fewer employees and that manufactures certain types of housing may apply for funding through the program. Funding may be awarded through grants for operating expenses and for incentives for units manufactured based on criteria established by the office such as affordability, location where the unit is installed in the state, or meeting energy efficiency standards. Funding may also be awarded through loans that fund a new housing manufacturing factory or the expansion of an existing housing manufacturing factory.
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Enterprise Zone
Mesa County is a designated Colorado Enterprise Zone, providing businesses with tax credits for specific (pre-certified) business operations, including hiring new employees, providing employees with health insurance and job training, obtaining a new business facility, and purchasing new equipment, if they locate or expand in a designated “enterprise zone.”
Colorado FIRST / Existing Industry Customized Job Training
Customized job training programs that increase transferable job skills that support both the company’s economic competitiveness and enhance worker’s resumes and long-term employment opportunities. The program focuses on companies relocating to, or expanding in, Colorado and provides funds only to net new hires.
Manufacturing Sales and Use Tax Exemption
A local sales tax exemption on purchases of machinery and machine tools over $500 to be used directly and predominantly in manufacturing tangible personal property for sale.
Advanced Industries Export Grant
The Advanced Industries Export Grant helps Colorado-based advanced industries technology businesses who want to export or are currently exporting. This grant is for small- and medium-sized businesses. It reimburses for international business development and marketing costs. Businesses can apply for up to $15,000 and up to 50% of the approved expenses.
The Global Consultant Network is also funded through this program. Colorado-based businesses can receive consulting support to help them expand into other countries. Consulting services typically last between three and eight months.
Consultants offer these services:
- Market entry services
- In-country partner meetings
- Other services (cost dependent on service)
Advanced Industries Early-Stage Capital and Retention Grant
The Advanced Industries Early-Stage Capital and Retention Grant helps Colorado-based advanced industries technology businesses develop and commercialize advanced technologies that will be created or manufactured in Colorado. Projects can receive up to $250,000. This grant award maximum can be lifted for projects that impact more than one advanced industry.
The market typically under-invests in early-stage technologies. The grant’s goal is to fill the gap left by the market. The grant is not meant to compete with existing funding.
The Global Business Development (GBD) division administers this grant in partnership with Colorado’s advanced industry trade associations and receives final approval from the Economic Development Commission.
Business Success Stories
