2025 GJEP Western Colorado Economic Summit
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX) — The Grand Junction Economic Partnership (GJEP) held its 2025 Western Colorado Economic Summit Thursday inside the Colorado Mesa University (CMU) ballroom.
'This is our third year in a row with a sellout crowd,' said Executive Director of GJEP Curtis Englehart.
'This is really just a showcase of the areas partnerships and collaborations that we have in place.'
The event kicked off at 8 a.m. and continued until 2 p.m. WesternSlopeNow caught two of the event speakers after their presentations. CMU Vice President of External Relations Derek Wagner discussed ways to improve and grow the workforce in the Grand Valley by offering those looking to complete their education a way to do so.
'The CMU Promise is a promise that we made to families statewide, that basically say, if you make $70,000 or less, you can come to this university, and we will find a way to pay for your tuition.'
Click here to learn more about CMU Promise.
Also taking the stage this morning was District 51 Superintendent Dr. Brian Hill. Hill talked about the challenges and successes currently facing D51, even though it is one of the least funded districts in the state.
'We do have financial challenges as a state and as a school district, being one of the lowest funded school districts in the state, but we've also been able to accomplish some really great things.'
Like community support for its students in apprentices, work-based learning opportunities and several construction projects around the district. Some are funded by bonds.
'We are able to do a $190 million bond without raising the tax rate. But we have over $600 million worth of differed maintenance needs in our buildings. So, this will take care a huge chunk of that.'
As for the future of the Western Slope economy, Englehart has a positive outlook.
'The future looks really bright on the Western Slope and in Mesa County.'
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
KREX LIVE Coverage of 'No Kings' Rally in Grand Junction
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX) — Across the country, demonstrations called 'No Kings' protests have been taking place protesting President Donald Trump and his administration. The demonstration in Grand Junction is scheduled to take place at Canyon View Park and the 24 Road Interstate 70 overpass at 10 a.m., Saturday, June 14. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Trump admin's pause on Job Corps could hurt certain Mesa County residents, Weiser says
MESA COUNTY, Colo. (KREX) – Job Corps in Collbran – the only center in Colorado – is facing an uncertain future after the U.S. Department of Labor announced freezing the program. Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, along with 17 other AGs, urged a federal court to protect the national program that provides career training and housing for those with a low-income background. Although operations at the center in Collbran will continue, its future remains in doubt, Weiser said. 'Despite facing financial hardship and other adversity in their lives, the students who enroll in Job Corps and live at centers like the one in Mesa County are working to improve their lives by learning important skills like carpentry, masonry, or even wildland firefighting,' said Weiser. 'This reckless decision will rob hardworking young people of a chance to better themselves and their communities, and risks leaving thousands of vulnerable young people homeless. I am urging the court not to allow the Trump administration to continue with this cruel and illegal plan.' A bipartisan group and U.S. Rep Jeff Hurd have asked the Trump administration to keep Job Corps running. According to Weiser, many students were either homeless or living in foster care. They also do not have another place to go if the center closed, the Colorado attorney general said. In a brief filed Friday, Weiser and the other AGs said, 'in the 60 years since Congress created Job Corps, millions of young Americans from low-income backgrounds have been served by the program's unique combination of education, training, housing, health care and community.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
GJPD issues statement on ‘No Kings' protest
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX) — There are several thousand 'No Kings' protests taking place across the country this weekend, including here in the Grand Valley. On Saturday, protests will take place in Grand Junction starting at 10 a.m. at Canyon View Park stretching to the 24 Road overpass and in Montrose at 12:30 p.m. at the Rotary Park. Earlier this week, WesternSlopeNow reached out to the Grand Junction Police Department to learn of the possible security measures the department will put in place during the demonstrations. WesternSlopeNow was emailed this statement. 'The Grand Junction Police Department is aware of the planned 'No Kings' protest. As with every public event, we are working closely with local organizers to ensure that everyone can exercise their rights safely and peacefully. The safety of all participants, bystanders, and members of the community remains our top priority.' WesternSlopeNow will have full coverage of the 'No Kings' protest here in Grand Junction. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
