Business Examiner

Dec. 1, 2008 at 10:30am

Around the Sound

Business-related events

Business owners not previously able to afford health insurance for their employees have a new tool available to them – government subsidies for employee health insurance. The state's Health Insurance Partnership combines public and private resources to help small employers and their employees purchase health insurance in the marketplace. A free educational workshop on HIP is being offered Thursday between 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. at the Phoenix Inn Suites in Olympia. Employers eligible for the subsidies are those: not currently offering health insurance; have between two and 50 employees; and have workforces that have half of their workers earning less than $10 an hour. The workshop is being sponsored by the Thurston County Chamber affiliated Chamber Benefit Services Fund, a leader in small business health insurance solutions. The event is held in cooperation with the Washington Health Care Authority and Choice Regional Health Network. Reservations are requested at (360) 357-3362 or www.ThurstonChamber.com.

The Lakewood Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring its annual Holly-Jolly Christmas Auction on Thursday between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. at the Great American Casino. For $20 admission, guests can enjoy a lovely plated lunch, visit with Santa, enjoy holiday music, as well as take advantage of shopping for family, friends, co-workers and employees in a casual setting. Reservations are required, call (253) 582-9400.

Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, BE on the road, Building, Charities/Non-profits, Education, Health care, Human Resources , Lacey, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Mason County, Military/Security, Pierce County, Retirement and Investing, South King County, Startups/Minority Businesses, Tacoma, Technology, Thurston County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Tumwater, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Dec. 1, 2008 at 10:18am

BE part of the conversation

Comment about the news

Visit BusinessExaminer.com and voice your thoughts on today's news and read comments from other people in the South Sound's business community. The BE blog also offers RSS functions so you can see only the local or industry business news that you want, as it happens.

Comments (1) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, BE on the road, Building, Charities/Non-profits, Education, Health care, Human Resources , Lacey, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Mason County, Military/Security, Olympia, Pierce County, Retirement and Investing, South King County, Startups/Minority Businesses, Tacoma, Technology, Thurston County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Tumwater, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Nov. 28, 2008 at 8:30am

Business school is now in session at BE

Streaming video covers business topics

The Business Examiner has added a feature to its Web site that features expert advice from the PBS show Small Business School as well as links to gain free access to full shows featuring a range of business topics. New tips will be added each business day.

Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Building, Charities/Non-profits, Education, Health care, Lacey, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Mason County, Military/Security, Olympia, Pierce County, Retirement and Investing, South King County, Startups/Minority Businesses, Tacoma, Technology, Thurston County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Tumwater, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Nov. 26, 2008 at 10:07am

Blog Watch: road warriors

Tacoma's downtown blog has an item about the Dome District's thoughts about Sound Transit's plans for the train extension through the area. It makes for interesting reading about this changing neighborhood.

Kevin Freitas writes about the filming of the Toyota Commercial in downtown Tacoma last week. He also has pictures of the filming.

Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, BE on the road, Building, Charities/Non-profits, Education, Health care, Human Resources , Lacey, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Mason County, Military/Security, Olympia, Pierce County, Retirement and Investing, South King County, Startups/Minority Businesses, Tacoma, Technology, Thurston County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Tumwater, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Nov. 26, 2008 at 10:06am

COFFEE BREAK: Holiday blessings or worries

The Business Examiner would like to know your thoughts about the upcoming holiday season. Are your primed for the deep discounts you will likely find in stores or are you wondering if you will have a paycheck by the time the credit card bill comes due? Are you trimming back on gift giving this year?

Nov. 21, 2008 at 2:18pm

Storm damages reach $7.2 million

As flood waters recede, the process of damage assessment has begun for the Veterans Day storm. To date governmental costs and damages have reached $7.2 million in Pierce County. This includes roads and levees that were damaged, as well as costs incurred by jurisdictions responding to the floods. Six private residences reported a total damage loss of $45,000.

Pierce County is encouraging all jurisdictions and citizens to report flood damage. A presidential disaster declaration and FEMA assistance may be available if Washington State meets a total of $7.8 million in allowable disaster damages.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Building, Law and Legislation, Military/Security, Pierce County, Thurston County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Nov. 19, 2008 at 12:19pm

Blog Watch: road warriors

The RAMP blog has an item about the state's congestion map that charts congestion around the South Sound bottlenecks. The map isn't pretty.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Building, Charities/Non-profits, Lakewood, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Military/Security, Olympia, Pierce County, Tacoma, Technology, Thurston County, Tumwater, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Nov. 19, 2008 at 12:18pm

COFFEE BREAK: down times

The weather is bad. The news about the local, state and national economy is bad. Retirement accounts are lighter.

The Business Examiner would like to know how you are feeling about your job and what you are doing to ease the stresses in your life.

To reply to the poll, send an e-mail to news@BusinessExaminer.com. Poll results will be published in Friday's BE Daily.

Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, BE on the road, Building, Charities/Non-profits, Education, Health care, Human Resources , Lacey, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Mason County, Military/Security, Olympia, Pierce County, Retirement and Investing, South King County, Startups/Minority Businesses, Tacoma, Technology, Thurston County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Tumwater, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Nov. 12, 2008 at 11:40am

Companies worried about employees in current economy

The recent economic downturn has increased stress levels across the country, and U.S. employers are taking notice.

According to a new poll by Free & Clear, a national leader in healthy behavior change, 86 percent of companies are concerned about the level of stress among their employees, and 88 percent of employers believe the tough economy has had a negative effect on workers' stress levels.

Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Building, Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Military/Security, Olympia, Pierce County, South King County, Startups/Minority Businesses, Tacoma, Technology, Thurston County by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Nov. 11, 2008 at 10:04am

People on the move

Promotions and recognitions

Diane Bingaman has joined Landes Mertz & Co. as a tax manager. Bingaman has a broad base of compliance experience, including federal and multi-state individual and small business returns. Her specialized area of interest is not-for-profit organizations. She is a member of the Washington Society of Certified Public Accountants, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and Capital Centennial Rotary Club. She is a 2008 graduate of LEAD Thurston County and currently serves as the treasurer for South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity.

Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Charities/Non-profits, Health care, Human Resources , Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Military/Security, Olympia, Tacoma by Hilary Reeves | Email Hilary

Oct. 31, 2008 at 11:33am

Tacoma firm partners on port security venture

Tacoma-based Erudite, Inc., a developer of cargo security and counter-terrorism technology, and California-based VeriTainer Corp., a provider of crane-mounted security solutions, announced today that they are teaming up to deploy an imaging system to detect nuclear materials hidden in cargo containers.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Military/Security, Technology by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Oct. 29, 2008 at 11:58am

Reservist loan program extended

Recent Legislative changes will make a U.S. Small Business Administration loan program more accessible to small businesses facing financial loss when the owner or essential employee is called to active military duty by extending the application period, increasing the unsecured loan threshold and raising the maximum loan limit.

Changes to the Military Reservist Economic Injury Disaster Loan program became effective yesterday.

"The SBA is proud to be able to support the men and women who serve in America's military services," said SBA Acting Administrator Sandy K. Baruah. "Their service is not only honorable and selfless, but it makes them more talented and resourceful employees when they return home. That makes it doubly important that the small businesses they left when they were called to active duty are still operating when they come home."

Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Military/Security, Pierce County, South King County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Oct. 29, 2008 at 11:55am

Blog Watch: street talk

The BIA blog for downtown Tacoma has a string about a national movement for "complete streets" that are designed for all types of users of all ages and abilities, pedestrians, cyclists, transit, trucks, cars, wheelchairs, skateboarders and other users. The post has specific examples of proposed changes for main streets around the city.

Crosscut.com has a chart of newspaper endorsements from around the state about key issues on the Nov. 4 ballot.

Olyblog.net has an ongoing roster of places to eat around the city.

Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Building, Charities/Non-profits, Education, Health care, Human Resources , Lacey, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Mason County, Military/Security, Olympia, Pierce County, Retirement and Investing, South King County, Startups/Minority Businesses, Tacoma, Technology, Thurston County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Tumwater, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Oct. 29, 2008 at 11:53am

COFFEE BREAK: Key election issue

The election is almost here. Many people have already voted thanks to the expansion of vote-by-mail programs. The Business Examiner would like to know what issue drove you to vote the way you did this election?

To reply to the poll, send an e-mail to news@BusinessExaminer.com. Poll results will be published in Friday's BE Daily.

Oct. 28, 2008 at 10:27am

People on the move

Promotions and recognitions

Mary Bridge Children's Hospital and Health Center's Vice President and Administrator Mady Murrey is the 2008 recipient of the VHA West Coast Passion Award. Nominated by a colleague, Murrey was awarded for setting high goals, motivating members of a multi-disciplinary team and being visionary, innovative, caring and optimistic with staff and patients. Murrey first came to Mary Bridge in 1991 as a trauma nurse and in 2004, she became administrator. Since then, she has added important new services to Mary Bridge, including a new technology called Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation, which provides cardiac and respiratory oxygen to patients with decreased cardiovascular function. She worked collaboratively with multiple departments and community leaders to assure this lifesaving technology was available to children. Also under her leadership, the outpatient clinics in Puyallup, Olympia, Silverdale, Covington and Gig Harbor have made specialized pediatric care more available to children across the region.

Local community partners and members of Washington Women's Employment & Education's Director's Circle celebrated the accomplishments of successful participant, LeAnn Brinkman, last week at the organization's annual Benefactor Appreciation Event at The Tacoma Club. Upon sharing her story of domestic violence and near homelessness, LeAnn received a standing ovation from WWEE's guests. Key Bank, Purcell Advisory Services and Brown & Brown Insurance were sponsors of the event.

Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Building, Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Mason County, Military/Security, Pierce County, South King County, Tacoma, Thurston County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Oct. 27, 2008 at 10:17am

McChord squadron deploys today

Some 150 airmen from McChord's Eighth Airlift Squadron will leave this afternoon for the war zone to support the Global War on Terror for a four-month deployment. It has been less than a year since the squadron returned home from its last deployment in 2007.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Military/Security, Pierce County by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Oct. 22, 2008 at 9:44am

Coffee Break: The home stretch

With just two weeks remaining in the election season, politicians across the board are stepping up their efforts to get your vote. Both the federal and local races are heating up, particularly surrounding issues that affect the nation's business communities.

The Business Examiner wants to know who you're voting for and why. Which county council, gubernatorial and presidential candidate would best represent you and your business?

Oct. 14, 2008 at 10:25am

Navy Federal opens McChord branch

Navy Federal Credit Union recently opened its newest branch in Lakewood – its fifth branch in the state. The McChord Branch has the potential to serve more than 100,000 Department of Defense personnel and their families assigned to McChord Air Force Base and Fort Lewis.

Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Lakewood, Military/Security by Hilary Reeves | Email Hilary

Oct. 13, 2008 at 11:22am

In this issue of the Business Examiner

The latest print edition of the Business Examiner is now in mail boxes and newsstands around the South Sound.

Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Building, Charities/Non-profits, Education, Health care, Human Resources , Lacey, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Mason County, Military/Security, Olympia, Pierce County, Retirement and Investing, South King County, Startups/Minority Businesses, Tacoma, Technology, Thurston County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Tumwater, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Oct. 8, 2008 at 6:05am

Are you a Fastest Growing Company?

Nominations are now being accepted online for the South Sound's annual Fastest Growing Companies recognition program.

Fastest Growing Companies are defined as having strong growth in revenue and wage expense from fiscal years 2005 through 2007. Results are collected, calculated and verified confidentially by Moss Adams, the 12th largest accounting and consulting firm in the United States.

Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Building, Education, Human Resources , Lacey, Lakewood, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Mason County, Military/Security, Olympia, Pierce County, Retirement and Investing, South King County, Tacoma, Technology, Thurston County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Tumwater, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Oct. 7, 2008 at 10:25am

Showcase set for day of business networking

Thurston County Chamber's Business Showcase set for tomorrow is ready to offer South Sound businesses with the opportunity to network with each other, learn about products in the marketplace and attend sessions on ways to improve their operations.

Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Building, Charities/Non-profits, Education, Human Resources , Lacey, Law and Legislation, Military/Security, Olympia, Pierce County, South King County, Tacoma, Thurston County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Tumwater, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Oct. 3, 2008 at 8:31am

Speak up: BE wants your opinion

The Business Examiner would like you to take five minutes out of your day to help us grow and improve our BE Daily service.

It is our goal to provide timely and relevant news coverage, while making the BE Daily interesting and valuable for our readers and advertisers. The information you provide in the survey link below is invaluable in helping us reach that goal.

Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, BE on the road, Building, Charities/Non-profits, Education, Health care, Human Resources , Lacey, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Mason County, Military/Security, Olympia, Pierce County, Retirement and Investing, South King County, Startups/Minority Businesses, Tacoma, Technology, Thurston County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Tumwater, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Oct. 1, 2008 at 11:53am

Blog Watch: talk, technology, talk

The talk around the downtown Tacoma blog is all about planning for the future and the need to build its mix of offerings.

Andrew Fry has an update on the South Sound Technology conference shaping up for later this fall at the University of Washington Tacoma.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Lakewood, Lewis County, Mason County, Military/Security, Pierce County, South King County, Technology, Thurston County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Sep. 30, 2008 at 10:47am

Local troops tapped for deployment

The news from Fort Lewis is that I Corps, the headquarters at the Pierce County installation, will be deployed for duty in Iraq. The move marks the first time since the Korean War, more than 50 years ago, that the I Corps Headquarters has deployed in support of combat operation.

"We are prepared to deploy as an expeditionary war-fighting headquarters to Iraq. I am very proud of the professionalism of this Corps' headquarters," said Lt. Gen. Charles Jacoby, Jr., commanding general, I Corps. "The Soldiers and staff of this unit are well prepared to face this challenging mission in Iraq and begin a new chapter in our Corps' history."

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Military/Security, Pierce County, Tacoma, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Sep. 29, 2008 at 10:18am

BCRA principal: zoo project applies to other industries

Animal Avenue is the newest exhibit at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, a $2.9 million project designed and engineered, in part, by Tacoma-based BCRA.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Building, Charities/Non-profits, Education, Military/Security, Tacoma, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality by Hilary Reeves | Email Hilary

Sep. 25, 2008 at 10:58am

Women of Influence event held

View pictures from the BE's event

The Business Examiner celebrated its sixth annual Women of Influence class last night at Clover Park Technical College's Sharon McGavick Student and Conference Center. The program recognized outstanding female leaders in the South Puget Sound.

Pictures of the event can be viewed here if you missed the event or want to relive it. The recognition program will also be the subject of next month's South Sound Business Report broadcast, which airs on a number of channels throughout the South Sound.

Sep. 22, 2008 at 10:25am

Around the Sound

Business-related events

The Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce's AM Mixxer will be held at 7:30 a.m. Sept. 23 at Washington State Employees Credit Union, at 2015 Kresky, Ave. in Chehalis. This ambassador hosted event features a business to the membership and allows for extensive networking opportunities for business people.

The Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber's Good Morning! Power Networking Breakfast will be held at 7:30 a.m. Sept. 23 at La Quinta Inn & Suites Conference Center. People can hear a presentation by Marya Gingrey, of Edge LearningInstitute, on "How to Create a Creative, Cooperative Team Culture." Cost is $15 prepaid or $25 at the door.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Charities/Non-profits, Military/Security, Pierce County, Thurston County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Sep. 19, 2008 at 10:25am

Business Guide now online

The Business Examiner's Small Business Resource Guide can now be downloaded for free.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Mason County, Military/Security, Olympia, Tacoma, Thurston County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Sep. 17, 2008 at 2:11pm

L&I plan calls for comp hike of 3 percent

The Department of Labor & Industries today proposed a 3 percent increase in 2009 workers' compensation rates. Average premiums would go up by just under 2 cents per hour worked.

Sep. 17, 2008 at 11:19am

COFFEE BREAK: investment worries

With all the bad news from Wall Street these days about billion dollar firms going into bankruptcy or falling into governmental receivership, the Business Examiner would like to know how comfortable you feel about your own financial situation.

Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, BE on the road, Building, Charities/Non-profits, Education, Health care, Human Resources , Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Mason County, Military/Security, Olympia, Pierce County, Retirement and Investing, South King County, Startups/Minority Businesses, Tacoma, Technology, Thurston County, Tumwater, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Sep. 15, 2008 at 10:01am

Manufacturer lands Army contract

The Army and RT London in Hawks Prairie have agreed to a $6 million contract. The local furniture company will provide furniture for Fort Lewis barracks.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Building, Lacey, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Military/Security, Thurston County by Breanne Coats | Email Breanne

Sep. 10, 2008 at 12:27pm

Tanker delayed for next administraton

The Department of Defense notified Congress and the two competing contractors, Boeing and Northrop Grumman, that it is terminating the current competition for a $35 billion U.S. Air Force airborne tanker replacement.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Building, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Military/Security, South King County by Breanne Coats | Email Breanne

Sep. 10, 2008 at 11:28am

Joint Base discussion encouraged

Representatives from McChord Airforce Base and Fort Lewis met with the Military Affairs Committee of the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber in Tacoma this morning to discuss plans for Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Plans have not been finalized and community input is welcomed as the opening January 2010 date approaches.

Capt. Suzanne Ovel and Joseph Jimenez, Joint Base public affairs representative, said plans are still being finalized, but the two government entities' contracting offices are looking to consolidate.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Military/Security, Pierce County, Tacoma by Breanne Coats | Email Breanne

Sep. 4, 2008 at 11:09am

Boeing strike delayed until Friday

Even though Boeing machinists overwhelmingly voted last night to strike, union negotiators have called for them to report to work through Friday. The delay will allow negotiators to work with federal mediators and Boeing officials to develop a new contract and avoid a walk out. The contract covers 27,000 workers, mostly in Washington, Oregon and Kansas.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Military/Security, Pierce County, South King County, Tacoma, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Sep. 4, 2008 at 11:08am

Accounting, IT hiring to be flat

A net 1 percent of chief financial officers in the Puget Sound expect to add accounting and finance staff during the fourth quarter of 2008, according to a recent Robert Half International Financial Hiring Index. While 7 percent of executives surveyed plan to add staff during the quarter, another 6 percent anticipate reductions in personnel. The majority of respondents, 85 percent, foresee no change in hiring.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Building, Education, Human Resources , Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Military/Security, Olympia, Pierce County, Retirement and Investing, South King County, Startups/Minority Businesses, Technology, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Sep. 4, 2008 at 11:06am

Jobs was mixed picture in August

Today's National Employment Report from Automatic Data Processing shows employment decreased by 33,000 in August. The report is based on actual payroll data and measures the change in total nonfarm private employment each month.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Human Resources , Lacey, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Mason County, Military/Security, Olympia, Retirement and Investing, Tacoma, Thurston County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Tumwater, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Sep. 3, 2008 at 2:18pm

Spending, inflation on the rise

The state Economic and Revenue Forecast Council forecast determined that final sales increased 3.9 percent in the second quarter of the year, following a 0.9 percent gain in the first quarter as inventory accumulation continued to decline.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Mason County, Military/Security, Olympia, Pierce County, Tacoma, Thurston County, Tumwater, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Sep. 2, 2008 at 12:04pm

McChord supplies New Orleans

A C-17 Globemaster III from McChord Air Force Base provided rapid deployment of a four-man team and 15,500 pounds of cargo from the 615th Contingency Response Wing at Travis AFB, Calif., into New Orleans International Airport in preparation for Hurricane Gustav Saturday morning.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Charities/Non-profits, Health care, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Military/Security, Pierce County by Breanne Coats | Email Breanne

Aug. 28, 2008 at 1:59pm

Boeing improves contract offer

Boeing today presented what it calls its best – and final – contract offer to almost 27,000 employees represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers in Washington, Oregon and Kansas.

The contract offers a general wage increase of 11 percent during the next three years, increases to cost-of-living adjustments and adds to the pension program.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Health care, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Mason County, Military/Security, Olympia, Pierce County, Retirement and Investing, South King County, Tacoma, Technology, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Aug. 27, 2008 at 1:08pm

COFFEE BREAK: Class act

With students heading back to school, the Business Examiner would like you to think back to your own classroom days and come up with the best lesson you ever learned during those years. Was it to be organized and do the work? Was it that cheaters prosper? Was it that geometry is applicable to everyday life?

Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, BE on the road, Building, Charities/Non-profits, Education, Health care, Human Resources , Lacey, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Mason County, Military/Security, Olympia, Pierce County, Retirement and Investing, South King County, Startups/Minority Businesses, Tacoma, Technology, Thurston County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Tumwater, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Aug. 25, 2008 at 11:04am

BE Reader Survey

Dear BE Daily Subscriber,

Please take five minutes to provide your feedback on the BE Daily.

The Reader Survey contains 28 questions that are about you, your business and the BE Daily. Your feedback will guide us in creating new features as well as ensuring the news and information we send you is relevant and easy to use.

Click here to take survey

Thank you for being a BE Daily reader and for your valuable feedback! If you have already submitted your questionnaire, thank you!

Emily West
General Manager
ewest@BusinessExaminer.com

Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, BE on the road, Building, Charities/Non-profits, Education, Health care, Human Resources , Lacey, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Mason County, Military/Security, Olympia, Pierce County, Retirement and Investing, South King County, Startups/Minority Businesses, Tacoma, Technology, Thurston County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Tumwater, Workforce by Emily West | Email Emily

Aug. 18, 2008 at 11:41am

Army divers to clear tire piles

As part of a joint clean-up effort, 20 members of the U.S. Army Dive Company are taking to the waters of Puget Sound to remove hundreds of old tires located offshore at Saltwater State Park in south King County.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Military/Security, Olympia, Pierce County, South King County, Tacoma by News Room | Email News

Aug. 15, 2008 at 9:07am

Smog expected to hit South Sound

The high-pressure system over western Washington pushing temperatures into the 90s this week may also create unhealthful levels of air pollution.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Health care, Lacey, Lakewood, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Mason County, Military/Security, Olympia, Pierce County, South King County, Tacoma, Thurston County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Aug. 11, 2008 at 9:24am

Boeing union calls for pension review

In a move it says is meant to ensure the pension program of 21,400 technical employees at The Boeing Co. is not being secretly used to fund executive retirement benefits, the union representing the employees is demanding the company disclose the extent and funding source of its executive pension plans.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Military/Security, Pierce County, Retirement and Investing, South King County, Technology, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Aug. 7, 2008 at 11:14am

Flow lands Airbus contract

Flow International Corp., a Kent-based developer and manufacturer of industrial waterjet machines for cutting and cleaning applications, has announced that it has received purchase orders for four systems under the recently awarded contract to exclusively supply Airbus with one version of its abrasive waterjet systems to support the production of its upcoming A-350, a long range, mid-sized, wide-body airliner designed to compete with the Boeing 777 and Boeing 787 when it goes into service in 2013.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Military/Security, South King County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Aug. 7, 2008 at 11:13am

Prisons want to do business

The Department of Corrections is looking for businesses to operate in prisons and provide offenders with job skills that help them live crime-free lives after they return to their communities.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Human Resources , Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Military/Security, Olympia, Pierce County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Jul. 30, 2008 at 12:29pm

COFFEE BREAK: Favorite gadget

The Business Examiner would like to know what gizmo or gadget you could never live without. Cell phones don't count unless you use them in unique ways.

Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Building, Military/Security, Olympia, Retirement and Investing, South King County, Technology, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Jul. 23, 2008 at 11:24am

BE's 40 Under Forty photos are online

The Business Examiner's sold out 40 Under Forty event last night recognized outstanding South Sound business and community leaders under the age of 40.

Jul. 23, 2008 at 10:34am

Blog Watch: military matters

The blog 5views.com has a run down of the Air Expo at McChord this weekend and thoughts about the support of the military in the South Sound.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Military/Security, Tacoma, Technology by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Jul. 22, 2008 at 11:01am

People on the move

Promotions and recognitions

Meta Dooley is the new senior vice president for strategic planning and business development for Franciscan Health System, one of the largest private employers in the South Puget Sound region that includes St. Joseph Medical Center in Tacoma and hospitals in Federal Way, Lakewood, Enumclaw and Gig Harbor. Her appointment was announced July 15 by Franciscan President and CEO Joe Wilczek. She will direct system-wide strategic planning, business plan development for service lines and facilities, and advocacy for the 6,300-employee organization that is based in Tacoma and has hospitals, medical clinics and other care facilities in Pierce, King and Kitsap counties.

Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Health care, Human Resources , Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Mason County, Military/Security, Olympia, South King County, Tacoma, Technology, Thurston County, Tumwater by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Jul. 21, 2008 at 10:16am

Air Expo 2008 draws huge crowds

More than 300,000 people from around the state attended the Air Expo this weekend at McChord Air Force Base.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Military/Security, Pierce County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Jul. 18, 2008 at 3:11pm

Expo 2008 set to land this weekend

McChord Air Force Base will be open to the public this weekend as part of Air Expo 2008. Gates open at 8 am, flying starts at 11 am and admission is free. The event draws thousands of tourists to the area.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Building, Military/Security, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Jul. 18, 2008 at 11:48am

Residents are savvy about ID theft

A recent poll conducted by PEMCO Insurance suggests that while the state has one of the highest per-capita rates of identity theft in the nation, Washingtonians are aware of the risks and are taking the precautions necessary to prevent identity fraud.

Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Health care, Human Resources , Law and Legislation, Military/Security, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Jul. 16, 2008 at 1:50pm

Blog Watch: Military minded

The Ranger's blog has an update from Adam Smith about all things military in the South Sound. Military bases will certainly become larger players in the local economy in the near future. And remember, the Air EXPO is this weekend.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Health care, Military/Security, Olympia, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Jul. 11, 2008 at 9:24am

BE's 40 Under Forty event is sold out

Read about honorees on line

The Business Examiner's 40 Under Forty event, scheduled for later this month, is sold out. The event will recognize outstanding South Sound business and community leaders under the age of 40.

Jul. 9, 2008 at 8:48am

Blog Watch: growing pains

The AWB blog in Olympia has an interesting comparison between workforces in Washington and in North Carolina in terms of union membership. Washington is fifth with 20 percent of its workforce unionized. North Carolina is 31st.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Building, Education, Law and Legislation, Military/Security, Olympia, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Jul. 8, 2008 at 11:19am

Women of Influence being sought

The Business Examiner is seeking nominations for its annual Women of Influence award program. The publication and event recognizes outstanding female leaders in the South Sound. Honorees are selected by an independent panel of judges who review the applications and nomination forms and make selections based on the nominee's impact in the South Sound business community.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Charities/Non-profits, Human Resources , Lacey, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Mason County, Military/Security, Olympia, Pierce County, Retirement and Investing, South King County, Startups/Minority Businesses, Tacoma, Thurston County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Tumwater, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Jul. 7, 2008 at 9:43am

Military growth draws DOD chief

Secretary of Defense Robert Gates will visit Fort Lewis today and tomorrow. Gates' visit is part of his ongoing efforts to visit military installations to meet with troops and their families.

This is Gates' first visit to Fort Lewis since being sworn in late 2006.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Military/Security, Pierce County, Thurston County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Jun. 30, 2008 at 11:01am

Local Guardsmen sent to fires

A team of local National Guardsmen has been deployed to California to help with firefighting efforts. There are roughly 1,000 wildfires burning more than 150,000 acres in California.

The team is taking one of two chinook helicopters the state owns for use in fighting forest fires.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Military/Security by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Jun. 26, 2008 at 9:08am

Veterans get business-aid boost

The state's Linked Deposit Program, once available only to businesses registered through the Office of Minority and Women Owned Business, was expanded during the 2008 Legislature to include Washington state Veteran and Servicemember Owned Businesses.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Military/Security, Pierce County, South King County, Startups/Minority Businesses, Tacoma, Thurston County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Jun. 26, 2008 at 9:07am

Fort Lewis fares well in budget

Fort Lewis could see $330 million in improvements in the coming years if the Congressional Appropriations Committee budget becomes law. The budget is $20 million more than what President George Bush sought for the anchor South Sound Army installation. Other military bases throughout the state would see another $140 million in improvements under the plan. McChord Air Base's 262nd Information Warfare Aggressor Squad would see about $8 million in inprovements. The Air National Guard unit is working to develop anti-cyber warfare systems.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Building, Law and Legislation, Military/Security, Pierce County by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Jun. 13, 2008 at 11:12am

Bad math adds to Boeing tanker fight

An error in how Air Force officials tallied the projected life span of the tanker design proposed by Boeing reportedly low-balled its useful life expectancy. That math error resulted in the Boeing tanker plan being unfairly viewed as being more expensive than it actually was, officials now report.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Military/Security by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Jun. 9, 2008 at 6:59am

Topia CEO pens lesson on biz growth

Janine Terrano, CEO and founder of Tacoma-based Topia Technology, one of the fastest growing companies in Washington, has contributed her knowledge and experiences on growing a successful small business in the newly released book, Small Business Growth Strategies.

Comments (1) | Posted in BE Daily, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Military/Security, Pierce County, Tacoma, Technology by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

May. 13, 2008 at 8:01am

Tanker deal faces Congressional vote

The Congressional Armed Services Committee is preparing to vote this week on legislation for the multibillion dollar aerial tanker contract that Boeing Co. lost out to a tanker design plan proposed by Northrop Grumman and partner European Aeronautic Defence & Space, the parent company of Airbus. Officials at the bid-winning companies are stepping up their efforts to battle charges that federal tax dollars will flow overseas if the contract goes through as proposed.

Comments (0) | Posted in Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Military/Security, South King County, Technology, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

May. 1, 2008 at 3:01pm

Impact of bases ripples through area

The forum "Fort Lewis: Community Impacts of a Growth Installation" today highlighted the growing economic pull military operations linked to Fort Lewis and McChord Air Force Base have on South Sound businesses and how future growth will continue to affect the region.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Building, Education, Lacey, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Military/Security, Olympia, Pierce County, Tacoma, Thurston County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Apr. 28, 2008 at 12:52pm

McChord center gets national nod

The Western Air Defense Sector at McChord Air Force Base has learned it will receive the Air Force Organizational Excellence Award for having "distinguished itself by exceptionally meritorious service" from late 2005 to mid 2007. The award will be presented May 4 to Sector Commander Col. Paul D. Gruver by Brig. Gen. Gary Magonigle, Commander of Washington Air National Guard.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Military/Security, Pierce County by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Apr. 22, 2008 at 1:41pm

South Sound loses businesses leaders

Two notable South Sound business leaders have recently died.

Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Military/Security, Pierce County by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Apr. 3, 2008 at 8:53am

People on the move

Promotions and recognitions

The Pierce County Dental Society has added five new members: Dr. Robert Chen and Chai-Yu Su of Lakewood; Song-Yan Guo and Ronald Sabins of Tacoma; and Sara Soleimani of Graham.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Military/Security, Pierce County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Mar. 25, 2008 at 3:24pm

Legislators discuss tanker impact

United States Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell participated in an Aerospace Small Business Roundtable today at University of Washington Tacoma that allowed the South Sound's aerospace subcontractors to discuss the impact a recent military tanker decision is expected to have on their businesses.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Military/Security, Pierce County, South King County by Hilary Reeves | Email Hilary

Mar. 20, 2008 at 12:52pm

Local soldiers headed to Iraq, again

Washington National Guard officials say that the 81st Heavy Brigade Combat Team based at Camp Murray has been ordered to go back to Iraq in mid August.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Military/Security, Pierce County by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Mar. 19, 2008 at 10:37am

Blog Watch: Growing pains

News from the Blogosphere

The Tacoma Sun has an interesting item that uses the City of Tacoma's www.govme.com mapping site to look at land-use changes and their impact on the city. This is why there is an Internet.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Building, Health care, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Military/Security, Pierce County, Thurston County by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Mar. 10, 2008 at 10:50am

Patriot Loans top $100 million

In the eight months since its launch, the U.S. Small Business Administration's Patriot Express Loan Initiative has produced 1,007 SBA-guaranteed loans amounting to more than $100 million. The average loan amount was nearly $101,000, the administration announced today.

Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Mason County, Military/Security, Pierce County, Retirement and Investing, South King County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Mar. 7, 2008 at 10:23am

Gig Harbor picks public works director

The City of Gig Harbor has announced that David Stubchaer will become its new Public Works director starting in May.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Military/Security, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Mar. 6, 2008 at 10:27am

Tacoma Mall prepares for protest

Fort Lewis officials are alerting soldiers and their families to avoid the Tacoma Mall between noon and 5:30 p.m. March 15 because of a planned anti-war protest at the commercial center of Pierce County.

Mall officials are preparing accordingly.

Comments (36) | Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Military/Security, Pierce County by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Mar. 1, 2008 at 10:35am

Boeing loss not the final word, say officials

The Boeing Co. has lost a bid to build 179 tankers for the U. S. Air Force, according to the Associated Press. The estimated $30 billion to $40 billion deal was handed instead to Los Angeles-based Northrup Grumman Corp. and European Aeronautic Defence and Space Co., the makers of Airbus planes. The decision will not affect Boeing operations in Frederickson, which makes parts for Boeing's 787 line.

Comments (2) | Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Military/Security, Pierce County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

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