Mesa State still big engine of Grand Junction-area economy

Mesa State College’s place in the economic grand scheme is twofold but contradictory.
On one hand, the college is tightening its belt in the face of slashed state support. With the economy shedding jobs, Mesa State is re-examining where resources are devoted to ensure it gears its programs to job opportunities for graduates.
On the other, Mesa State is still a powerhouse for the Western Slope in uncertain economic times.The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment projects several industries to increase in Grand Junction through 2016, including construction management, projected to grow by 73.8 percent; nursing by 42.4 percent; and mechanical engineering by 41.2 percent.
For these industries, Mesa State has added programs to meet the need, such as a degree in mechanical engineering, which is offered in partnership with the University of Colorado, a degree in construction management and expanded programs in nursing.
The Grand Junction Economic Partnership ranked the college, with 1,267 employees, as the third-largest employer in the area in 2008.
The board of trustees committed to giving college employees an inflationary pay increase this year, and Foster said he doesn’t believe in furloughs or freezing salaries despite the budget constraints.