Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce

Congratulations to the 2024 BestSlope NEXTGen Award Winners! We are beyond excited to announce this year’s incredible young professionals who are making a big impact across Mesa County. These talented individuals have shown exceptional leadership, dedication, and innovation in their fields and within our community. Join us in celebrating the 2024 BestSlope NEXTGen Award winners: Melissa Asay - City of Grand Junction Dane Barslund - FCI Constructors Noah Beaver - Munro Supply, Inc. Neal Bohnen, P.E. - HCL Engineers Rob Cook - HopeWest Jack Curry - Riverside Education Centers Madison Donnafield, SHRM-CP - DWC CPAs and Advisors Nicole Gardner - JGMS Elisabeth Henry - GROWL Agency Alyssa Mackey - Hilltop Community Resources, Inc. Philip Masters - Homeward Bound of the Grand Valley Emily McAllister- West Slope Colorado Oil & Gas Association Tom Oliver - Alpine Bank Rachel Foss Peterson - Mesa County Brooklyn Reuwsaat - Business Incubator Center Faith Rodriquez - United Way of Mesa County Ben Snyder - Grand Junction Sports Commission Maxwell Weckerly - The Golf Club at Redlands Mesa These outstanding young professionals were honored at the BestSlope NEXTGen Awards ceremony at Colorado Mesa University last night. Help us congratulate these future leaders of Mesa County! We can’t wait to see how they will continue to shape the future of our community. #BestSlopeNextGen #YoungLeaders #MesaCounty #CommunityImpact #Congratulations #NextGenAwards #GrandJunction

📢 Exciting news! We’re thrilled to announce the first round of breakout sessions for the upcoming Western Slope Young Professionals Summit on October 23rd! 🌄 Whether you’re dreaming of homeownership, planning your next career move, eager to give back to your community, or exploring new career paths, there’s something here for you. Check out what we have lined up: 🏡 Home Ownership: From Dream to Realty Join Pam R Francil, Sr. Business Development Manager from the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority and Emilee Powell, Executive Director of Housing Resources of Western Colorado as they guide you through the essentials of buying a home. Get practical tips on budgeting, mortgages, and how to make your dream of homeownership a reality! 📈 Climbing the Ladder: One Step at a Time Xavier Crockett, Executive Director of Mesa County Public Health will dive into how career growth takes time, strategy, and perseverance. This session will help you identify growth opportunities, build relationships, and position yourself for success, no matter where you are on your professional journey. 🤝 Your Community Needs You: Civic Engagement 101 Learn how to make a difference in your community while building valuable leadership skills. This session covers ways to get involved, from volunteering to running for local office, and shows how civic engagement can boost your personal and professional growth. Hear from Rachel Beck, Executive Director at the Colorado Competitive Council, Andrea Lopez, External Affairs Manager at Ute Water Conservancy District and Mike Bennet, City Manager on this panel Don’t miss your chance to be part of these impactful sessions! Register today and join us for a day of inspiration, growth, and connection. ✨ Register Here: https://lnkd.in/gfM_XNHa Young Professionals Network of Mesa County #WesternSlopeYPSummit #YoungProfessionals #CareerGrowth #HomeOwnership #CommunityEngagement #CareerSuccess #Networking

Last week, we were thrilled to partner with VanWinkle Ranch and the Colorado Cattlemen's Association to co-host a very special Business After Hours Ranch Gathering with local ranchers, ag producers and our member businesses. With connections made for attendees from all across the Western Slope, new relationships forged between a diverse representation of industries, and a fully immersive experience of networking in nature, this gathering was one for the "cattle-log"! THANK YOU to VanWinkle Ranch for hosting and allowing us to experience the beauty of our local ranchlands and celebrate our agricultural roots. Additional thanks to our supporting partners, including: Grand Valley Bank, JR's Carriage Service, Merck Animal Health, and Nothing Bundt Cakes Grand Junction!

The Grand Junction Chamber's much anticipated September Quarterly Membership Luncheon and Candidate Forum convened community and business leaders for insightful conversations and Q&A with the region's Fall 2024 candidates. Attendees heard from each candidate on the major issues and topics impacting business in Mesa County, from affordable workforce housing, energy and water resources, and barriers and regulations for business. As engaged community members, it's crucial that we stay informed and involved in the election process to ensure that our region continues to thrive. We encourage everyone to get to know these candidates and their platforms, as your vote will have a direct impact on the future of business, economy and community in our region. We also recognized these businesses for their recent expansions and investments in the community! Realty One Group Western Slope Lifespan Psychiatry of Colorado This year, we have recognized nearly $90 million in capital investments and 115 new jobs created in Mesa County to date! The 2024 Quarterly Membership Luncheons are presented by Eide Bailly LLP and ImageNet Consulting, LLC. Sponsored in part by KREX5 FOX4 Westernslopenow Featured Sponsors: ASPHALT SPECIALISTS & SUPPLY, INC., Capital Business Systems, Inc., CWOA, INC., kerry phillips - Shelter Insurance, and NIGHTINGALES HOME CARE

Last week was the first-ever district-wide Workforce Development Day, hosted by Mesa County Valley School District 51, Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce and the Mesa County Workforce Center we’re thrilled to have welcomed nearly 1,400 high school juniors. These students had the unique opportunity to engage with over 20 industry-led panels, exploring various career pathways. The day also included skills-building workshops, helping students with resume writing and other essential tools for their futures. This event is a perfect example of how our community's collaborative efforts drive impactful initiatives to cultivate the future workforce and keep our economy vibrant. We couldn’t have done it without the additional support and partnership from Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce, Palisade Chamber Of Commerce, GROWL Agency, Colorado Mesa University and the many industry volunteers who made this day a success. Thank you to all involved!

🏆 Nominations are now open for the BestSlope NEXT Gen Awards! 🎉 Help us identify and celebrate young leaders who are already making an impact on the Western Slope. Nominate an inspiring young professional today and let their achievements be recognized at the Western Slope YP Summit on October 23rd! 🌟 Submit your nomination now: gjchamber.org/ypsummit This is a proud partnership between the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce and the Young Professionals Network of Mesa County

Workforce Development Spotlight! In a recent editorial, our President and CEO, Candace Carnahan, dives deep into the growing essential skills gap that employers face today. As we celebrate Workforce Development Month, explore how we can bridge this gap through collaboration, education, and innovative partnerships. Read the full editorial here: https://lnkd.in/gwjZATan #WorkforceDevelopmentMonth #EssentialSkills #MesaCounty #WorkforceSolutions #LeadershipInAction

September is Workforce Development Month! At the Grand Junction Chamber, we know that attracting and retaining a skilled workforce is the #1 priority for our local businesses. That's why we're committed to working alongside our community partners on initiatives like work-based learning, upskill/next-skill efforts, and more. Let's build a stronger, more resilient workforce together! #WorkforceDevelopmentMonth #MesaCounty #SupportLocalBusiness #WorkforceSolutions Celebrating our workforce partners! Young Professionals Network of Mesa County Mesa County Workforce Center CMU Tech Colorado Mesa University Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce Palisade Chamber Of Commerce CareerWise Colorado Mesa County Valley School District 51 Grand Junction Economic Partnership (GJEP) Grand Junction Business Incubator Center

🌟 Last week, we joined the Mesa County Commissioners for an informative visit to Innovative Textiles, a proud recipient of the Business Personal Property Tax Rebate! 🎉 We at the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce are proud to act as the liaison with the County for this program with our existing businesses across Mesa County. It is prime example of our work to support local companies with resources that encourage growth and expansion in our community. This rebate is a great opportunity for businesses like Innovative Textiles to invest in new equipment and expand operations, fueling economic development and job creation across Mesa County. 💼🌱 If you're an existing business considering new investments, we encourage you to learn more about this valuable program. Visit https://lnkd.in/gajWbrvt for details and find out how you can take advantage of this opportunity! 🤝✨ #SupportLocal #BusinessGrowth #MesaCounty #GJChamber #EconomicDevelopment

Young innovators, this is your moment! The Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) is now accepting applications. Learn how to create, pitch, and launch your own business—all before graduating high school! Don't miss out; apply today through the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce. 🌟 Visit: https://lnkd.in/dAPwJYXH