PRESS RELEASE
DATE: January 21, 2026
CONTACT: Robyn Miley
EMAIL: rmiley@gjincubator.org
CELL: 816.506.2914
OFFICE : (970) 243-5242
ADDRESS: 2591 Legacy Way · Grand Junction, CO 81503
WEB: www.gjincubator.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Economic Impact of Agriculture in Western Colorado Study Released
The Business Incubator Center, in partnership with Colorado Mesa University, officially released a landmark Western Slope agriculture economic impact report on Monday, January 19, at the Business Incubator Center
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (January 21, 2026) — The Business Incubator Center (BIC), in partnership with Colorado Mesa University (CMU) has released the Economic Impact of Agriculture in Western Colorado study, an in-depth report examining agriculture across Mesa, Delta, Montrose, Garfield, and Rio Blanco counties. The study was commissioned by the Business Incubator Center as part of its AgriWest Initiative to better understand agriculture’s economic role and long-term needs across the Western Slope. The study was led by Dr. Nathan Perry of Colorado Mesa University and provides a region-wide snapshot of agriculture through time-series Census trends, producer survey results and economic contribution modeling.
The study was formally launched at the Business Incubator Center during a presentation attended by agricultural producers, partners, stakeholders, and local leaders. The report brings together data and producer feedback to help strengthen regional understanding of agriculture’s economic footprint and the conditions shaping the industry today.
Quotes
“This study confirms what we see every day on the ground: agriculture is a core economic driver and a complex business sector. Farms and ranches are capital-intensive enterprises facing real pressures, from water and labor to succession and financing. This report gives us a shared, data-driven foundation to align capital, policy and innovation in ways that strengthen long-term viability for producers and the regional economy.” – Dalida Sassoon Bollig, CEO, Business Incubator Center
“As producers, we need more than awareness, we need solutions we can actually use. Successful agricultural businesses are built on the right culture: a family culture that understands and supports what it takes to keep their businesses going year after year. That isn’t something you can easily teach or replace. Through AgriWest, we’re focused on strengthening support systems by connecting producers to business guidance and practical resources that recognize agriculture as a complex business.” – Janie VanWinkle, AgriWest Fellow, Business Incubator Center
Study Highlights
Key findings from the report include:
- Agriculture supports 9,123 total jobs across the five-county region
- Agriculture contributes $281.7 million in total GDP and $719.1 million in total output
- Total labor income from agriculture is $107.7 million
- Agriculture generates $20.3 million in combined state and local tax revenue, plus $33.9 million federally
- In a producer survey, 8% reported being directly impacted by drought in the past three years
- Across the region, 35–44% of producers are over age 65, while less than 8% are under age 35
- In all counties studied, over 80% of farms generate less than $100,000 annually
The report also outlines emerging growth potential identified by producers in areas including direct-to-consumer marketing, agritourism, niche products, and resilient local food systems.
Next Community Presentations Scheduled
BIC, in collaboration with CMU, will continue sharing findings through additional public presentations, offering community members the opportunity to hear directly from the study team and engage with the data.
Upcoming presentations:
Presentation #2: Garfield & Rio Blanco Counties
Date: Thursday, January 29th, 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Location: Garfield Fairgrounds and Event
Center, 001 Railroad Ave, Rifle, CO 81650
Meal Sponsored by Garfield County Farm Bureau
Presentation #3: Delta & Montrose Counties
Date: Friday, January 30th, 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Location: Montrose County Event Center
1036 N 7th St, Montrose, CO 81401
Meal Sponsored by Montrose County
Read the Full Report HERE: https://gjincubator.org/agriwest/
About the Study
The report includes three core sections:
- Time-series agricultural Census data trends;
- Producer survey insights from across the region, and;
- Economic contribution model measuring the role of agriculture in jobs, wages, GDP, and tax revenue.
About BIC:
Celebrating 40 years of service, the Business Incubator Center (BIC) is the Western Slope’s anchor institution for entrepreneurship and economic growth. BIC fuels economic diversification in Mesa County and the surrounding region through five core pillars: Business Development, Business Funding & Loans, Space & Tools, Grants & Incentives, and Innovation. Over four decades, BIC has helped launch, grow, and stabilize 33% of all businesses in Mesa County and supports hundreds of small businesses each year, strengthening the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem at every stage of growth.
Learn more at www.gjincubator.org.
About the AgriWest Initiative:
AgriWest is a pioneering economic development initiative at BIC aiming to strengthen agricultural sustainability and food security across Western Colorado. AgriWest works to diversify the sector, create jobs, and support long-term economic resilience. Its mission is to connect farmers, ranchers, and growers to resources, innovation, and one another, helping preserve the region’s agricultural heritage while preparing producers for challenges such as water scarcity and rapidly evolving technologies. AgriWest is shaping a more resilient and future-ready agricultural landscape for generations to come. AgriWest is a BIC initiative, developed in partnership with the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) and the International Economic Development Council (IEDC).
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