vestock, and energy mining (gas and
oil). Major energy companies had once again invested large amounts of money due
to increases in oil and natural gas prices (such as in the years 2005–2008).
However, a major drop (in the summer of 2008) of market natural gas prices led
to reduced gas well drilling and related capital expenditures in the area,
significantly slowing the Grand Junction economy in 2009. Reports given in 2009
suggested that Grand Junction had once again been hard-hit economically, with
one report by April 2010 listing the area as having had the largest percentage
drop in employment of any "small city" in the entire United States.
By 2008, Grand Junction was being
discovered by the "nation's elite business and leisure travelers" for
private jet travel, with nearby Powderhorn Resort and other ski resorts a major
attraction
