By: Curtis Englehart | Executive Director, GJEP

Originally published in the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel  (August 18, 2024)

Over the past month, our community has celebrated significant milestones within business innovation, education, and healthcare. These achievements demonstrate our community’s collaborative spirit and forward-thinking approach as we make strides in local economic development.  

In preparation for the back-to-school season, members of our community came together to witness the ribbon cutting of the newly built Grand Junction High School and tour the new state-of-the-art facility, celebrating the culmination of years of planning and collaboration.  

The original Grand Junction High School, built in 1956, had served generations of students but was in dire need of replacement due to serious foundation, structural, and safety issues. In 2021, voters recognized the importance of investing in our future, starting with local schools, and approved a $115 million bond measure to support the construction of the new high school. This significant milestone was made possible by the support of our community, and their role in this initiative will have a lasting impact for years to come.  

Strong schools are the foundation of a thriving community, and the new Grand Junction High School is more than a building, it is a testament to our shared commitment to fostering the next generation of leaders and innovators. As School District 51 continues to identify ways in which we can support students, the repair and modernization of outdated facilities will undoubtedly enhance our student’s learning experience, providing the tools they need to succeed in a rapidly changing world. This investment in their future underscores how much we value and believe in our students.  

Investments into our education system and healthcare within our community are essential to building a sense of security and care for all residents. Last month, MarillacHealth broke ground on its new 27,000-square-foot facility at 512 29 ½ Rd. Serving as their new center of operations, the facility will feature 24 medical exam rooms, four behavioral health consult rooms, 15 dental operatories, an in-house pharmacy, and administrative offices. Over the years, MarillacHealth has grown to serve over 14,000 residents in Mesa County and Montrose.  

 Its new location will now be able to serve residents throughout Mesa County, especially in the Clifton area. The new MarillacHealth facility, along with continuing investments from our hospitals, including Community Hospital and St. Mary’s Regional Center, is a testament to our community’s commitment to ensuring residents have access to comprehensive, quality health care.  

And at the GJEP office, this last month we welcomed our 29th business into the Rural Jump-Start Program. Locally born startup Grand Valley Ice aims to fill a significant gap in Mesa County by providing clear, premium quality cocktail ice to local bars, restaurants, and liquor stores. Grand Valley Ice works to address a local market need as Mesa County’s growing population and thriving tourism industry have led to increased demand in upscale alcoholic beverage establishments with a notable absence of a reliable source of clear cocktail ice for crafting premium beverages.  

Our team worked closely with Grand Valley Ice during their Rural Jump-Start application, which will now provide the company with lucrative financial incentives and tax relief, helping them get established and add to Mesa County’s economic base. We look forward to continuing to support their business as they begin operations.  

The Rural Jump-Start Program, a statewide initiative to create more job opportunities in rural areas, was born locally in Mesa County and has been a tremendous economic development tool for our community since its inception in 2016. To date, the program has been used locally to help create 112 new primary jobs and a projected 333 potential jobs. Each new business and job opportunity strengthens our economy and reinforces our region’s reputation as a place where entrepreneurs and employees can thrive.  

Lastly, I had the pleasure of joining a delegation of local community leaders led by Colorado Mesa University’s President John Marshall for an informative discussion in Boulder related to quantum computing and its impact on Colorado’s future. We had the opportunity to learn about the incredible work and research happening at the University of Colorado Boulder in the realm of quantum computing.  

The unique partnership between Colorado Mesa University and CU Boulder continues to drive innovation and support our emerging workforce so that collectively, we can continue attracting new and diverse industries to add to our economic base in Colorado and Mesa County.  

In 2023, the federal government designated Colorado as a tech hub focused on the development of quantum technology, opening the eligibility for the state to begin pursuing funding through the CHIPS & Science Act.  Given the rapid advancement in technology, particularly quantum computing, Colorado is poised to become a leader in this field, and Mesa County stands to benefit from the economic opportunities that will result.  

Through education, healthcare, business innovation, and new technological advancements, our community has laid the groundwork for our current and future generations to thrive. By uniting and investing in these critical areas, we are not only responding to the needs of today but also preparing for the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow. Our community’s future is bright, and we look forward to continuing this journey of progress together.  

To explore available opportunities for business development in Mesa County, please get in touch with us by visiting www.gjep.org/contact-us.