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Grand Junction Economic Partnership reports job gains, $48M in capital investment in 2025
Summary
The Grand Junction Economic Partnership told Mesa County commissioners it helped create 224 net new jobs in 2025, projects 943 additional hires over multiple years, reported roughly $48 million in capital expenditures and estimated nearly $195 million in total economic impact.
The Grand Junction Economic Partnership reported to the Mesa County Board of Commissioners on March 24 that its work helped produce 224 net new jobs in 2025 and is associated with roughly $48 million in capital investment for projects supported by the organization.
Curtis Engelhart, executive director of the Grand Junction Economic Partnership, told the board GJEP has four strategic goals: attract primary jobs through targeted business recruitment; promote Mesa County's business assets; assist with business relocation and expansion through customized service packages; and collaborate with regional partners. "A quality job is anything that pays over the median annual earnings in Mesa County," Engelhart said.
Engelhart said the 224 direct jobs carried an average annual wage "just under $68,000," about 10% higher than the Mesa County average he cited (about $57,000). He said GJEP projects an additional 943 jobs that will be hired over a multiyear schedule as expanding or relocating businesses phase in hiring. Engelhart also reported a total economic impact of "just under $195,000,000" for 2025 and stated, as a summary metric, that "for every $1 invested in GJEP, we generated $202 in economic impact."
The presentation covered outreach tactics used in 2025, including a site-selector familiarization tour and an economic summit scheduled for April 23 with keynotes, breakout sessions and networking events. Engelhart said site selectors and targeted industry outreach are part of a pivot away from broad trade-show attendance toward more focused recruitment. He listed aerospace and aviation, manufacturing and technology, health care, transportation and logistics, and the outdoor economy as industries GJEP is prioritizing for recruitment and expansion.
Commissioners asked how capital expenditures (CapEx) were calculated; Engelhart replied CapEx is self‑reported by companies. Commissioners praised GJEP's regional work and engagement in communities such as Clifton. Chair remarked on a recent meeting concerning a potential meat‑packing project and applauded GJEP's role dating back decades in helping diversify the local economy.
The board did not take formal action on the presentation; Engelhart left time for commissioner questions and feedback and then concluded the update.
