Go Code Colorado awards $75,000 to public data apps

DENVER – Three teams using public data to solve business problems walked away with $25,000 each Thursday night at the 2016 Go Code Colorado final competition.

The three were among 10 finalists that advanced from challenge weekend competitions in Colorado Springs, Denver, Durango, Fort Collins and Grand Junction to win the third annual statewide app challenge:

Hively, of Colorado Springs, created a platform for companies to connect with potential employees based on personality match. Denver-based Foodcaster developed an app to help food trucks find the best location to park. And Regulation Explorer of Fort Collins created a platform that helps energy companies determine the best location sites to drill for oil and gas based on government regulations such as proximity to schools.

Consumer sentiment jumps in May to highest in year

WASHINGTON – Americans turned more optimistic about the economy in May than the previous month, buoyed by low interest rates on home and car purchases.

The University of Michigan says its index of consumer sentiment rose to 94.7 in May, the highest in nearly a year. That’s up from 89 in April.

Consumer spending accounts for roughly 70 percent of U.S. economic activity. The economy slowed to a crawl in the first three months of this year, growing just 0.8 percent at an annual rate. Yet most analysts expect growth to rebound in the April-June quarter.

Verizon, unions reach deal in principle

NEW YORK – Striking Verizon employees may be back to work next week after the company and its unions reached an agreement in principle for a four-year contract.

About 39,000 landline and cable employees in nine Eastern states and Washington, D.C., have been on strike since April. They had been working without a contract since last August.

Labor Secretary Thomas Perez said Friday that the agreement is being written and will be submitted for approval from union members of Communications Workers of America and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

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