Garfield County News | 1955-02-24 | Page 30 | Grand Junction is Affected by Boom

Grand Junction Is Affected by Boom Effects of the uranium In dustry's growth on Grand Junction's economy 1 reflected in the increase In salaries reported In nine major businesses In 1953 and 1954. It has been estimated that over $685,000 more was paid nut in the form of salaries dur-In 1934 than in 1953. A cut-back in salary, with accompanying layoffs, by the Denver and Rio Grande railroad amounting to approximately one mlll'on dollars cut seriously into the gains made by industrial establishments here. However, the railroad remained the top employer in the district with a total of 1.228 workers In the Grand Junction division and a payroll of $6,577,948 during 1954. In the eight other employers contacted In the survey the total payroll increase over 1953 amounted to $1,922,507, and each of the businesses was directly affected bv the uranium industry. These included Minerals Engineering, Climax Uranium and the Atomic Energy Commission. Others contacted which were directly affected by uranium through population growth were the Mountain State Telephone Sc Telegraph Co.. district schools. Mesa College, Public Service Co, and the city's newspaper. The Daily Sentinel. The Atomic Energy Commission, with its related groups, accounts for the second largest payroll In the district with 1,162 employees as of Aug. 1. 1954 as compared to 931 at the beginning of 1953. Payroll for 1954 was $4,067,000. for ABC and private installations serving it directly, such as Walker-Lybarger, U. S. Geological Service, American Smelting Sc Refining. National Lead Co., and Gallgher Co. Public Service Co, employed 132 people and reported a payroll of about $530,000 for 1954; Mountain States Telephone bad 195 workers on a payroll estimated at $831,600; Minerals Engineers, 338 employees and estimated payroll of $1,692,348; Daily Sentinel. 176 workers, payroll of $371,681: Mesa College. 58 employees and a payroll of $198,910, Mesa College's reported payroll was a drop from $204,249 during 1953 when there were 69 futltime employees, the drop-off being attributed to a cut-back in the farm training program under the Veterans Administration.