Business Examiner

Jul. 2, 2009 at 11:21am

People on the move

Edward Jones Financial Advisor Paul Muldoon of Olympia recently received the Winner's Circle Award for his outstanding sales and service efforts during the past year. Muldoon was one of only 492 of the firm's more than 12,000 financial advisors to receive the Winner's Circle award.

Posted in BE Daily, Lakewood, Olympia, Tacoma, Workforce by News Room | Email News

Jul. 2, 2009 at 11:19am

Nonresidential construction job losses jump

Job losses in the nonresidential construction sector surged in June to 11,700, according to the July 2 employment report by the U.S. Labor Department. On a year-over-year basis, nonresidential building construction employment fell by 88,700, or 10.8 percent, to 734,600.

Posted in BE Daily, Building, Law and Legislation by News Room | Email News

Jul. 2, 2009 at 11:16am

Coates to serve as Tacoma Power superintendent

Power Management Manager Ted Coates will serve as the new superintendent of Tacoma Power starting Aug. 1. He succeeds Gary Armfield, who will retire on July 31.

Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Tacoma by News Room | Email News

Jul. 2, 2009 at 8:03am

DSHS stops admissions to Auburn adult home

The state Department of Social and Health Services has stopped admissions to Joportia Adult Family Home, which is privately operated at 29005 45th Ave. S. in Auburn.

Posted in BE Daily, Health care, Law and Legislation, South King County by News Room | Email News

Jul. 2, 2009 at 8:02am

Heavy holiday traffic expected on US 101

One-way, alternating traffic across the new Purdy Creek Bridge on U.S. 101 in Mason County is expected to cause significant delays during the Independence Day weekend.

Posted in BE Daily, Building, Mason County by News Room | Email News

Jul. 1, 2009 at 2:07pm

Murray draws attention to nursing shortage

As access to health care is broadened through national health care reform, Sen. Patty Murray believes even more nurses and other health care workers will be needed locally and across the nation in the future.

In an effort to bring attention to the local and national shortage of nurses and other critical health care workers, Murray held a news conference at St. Anthony Hospital in Gig Harbor today.

Posted in BE Daily, Health care, Law and Legislation, Pierce County, Workforce by Breanne Coats | Email Breanne

Jul. 1, 2009 at 1:36pm

Bates president announces resignation

Bates Technical College President David Borofsky announced that he will resign from his post effective Dec. 31, to pursue other opportunities. He has served as the college's president for the past five years.

Posted in BE Daily, Education, Pierce County, Tacoma, Workforce by Breanne Coats | Email Breanne

Jul. 1, 2009 at 11:48am

McKenna warns consumers about debt-relief scams

Attorney General Rob McKenna today praised the Federal Trade Commission for tackling a Tacoma company that preyed on financially strapped consumers. He did urge consumers to take advantage of low-cost credit counseling services, but to be smart about their choices.

Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Lacey, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Mason County, Olympia, Pierce County, South King County, Tacoma, Thurston County, Tumwater by Hilary Reeves | Email Hilary

Jul. 1, 2009 at 11:44am

State sheriffs want immigration fix

In a letter to state Sens. Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, the Washington State Sheriff's Association issued an urgent call for changes to the immigration system.

The association cited a number of impacts caused by the broken U.S. immigration system, including expense on local courts and jails; erosion of trust between communities and law enforcement; and distracting law enforcement from their primary objective � public safety and crime prevention.

Posted in BE Daily, Lacey, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Mason County, Olympia, Pierce County, South King County, Tacoma, Thurston County, Tumwater by Hilary Reeves | Email Hilary

Jul. 1, 2009 at 11:41am

Boeing to development spacecraft system

An industry team led by Boeing has received a contract from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency for work on Phase 2 of the Fast Access Spacecraft Testbed program. The $15.5 million cost-plus-fixed-fee contract is currently funded to $13.8 million.

The program aims to develop a new, ultra-lightweight High Power Generation System that can generate up to 175 kilowatts � more power than is currently available to the International Space Station.

Posted in BE Daily, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Military/Security, Pierce County, Workforce by Hilary Reeves | Email Hilary

Jul. 1, 2009 at 11:29am

BLOG WATCH: No free parking

Feed Tacoma is reporting that parking expert Donald Shoup will speak in Tacoma later this month at the annual Pacific Intermountain Parking & Transportation Association Conference & Trade Show. Shoup's main points are that parking minimums are destructive to urban areas and that off-street parking requirements should be removed allowing the market to determine how much parking is built, and curb parking rates should be set at the minimum cost possible in order to create a 15 percent curb vacancy.

Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Building, Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Pierce County, Tacoma, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality by Hilary Reeves | Email Hilary

Jul. 1, 2009 at 11:29am

Tumwater to lose manufacturer

Albany International Corp. disclosed today that it will discontinue operations at its process belt manufacturing facility in Tumwater. The European-based conglomerate also is closing plants in France and Germany.

Similar steps have been taken by the company during the last few years in North America, as the global paper and paperboard industry continues to shift capacity from traditional paper markets to new emerging markets.

Posted in BE Daily, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Thurston County, Workforce by News Room | Email News

Jul. 1, 2009 at 11:21am

COFFEE BREAK: Keepin' cool

Today is the start of what forecasters predict will be a five-day stretch of sunshine, with temperatures expected to top 90 degrees � a definite "heat wave" for Western Washington natives, though non-natives often scoff.

The Business Examiner would like to know how extreme weather affected your hometown? More than 100 degrees at 100-percent humidity? Wind chill of 50 below? How did you cope?

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 Hilary Reeves | Email Hilary

Jun. 30, 2009 at 2:03pm

South Sound topless club owners indicted

The owners and operators of Fox's topless dance club in Parkland are included in a criminal indictment released today by the U.S. Attorney for Western Washington in Seattle.

Frank Colacurcio Sr., 92, and his son, Frank Colacurcio Jr., were named by a federal grand jury that alleges racketeering, money laundering and other offenses related to suspected prostitution at the entertainment firms specializing in strippers and dancers without clothes.

Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Pierce County, Tacoma by News Room | Email News

Jun. 30, 2009 at 1:51pm

WSDOT uncovers overtime pay fraud

The Washington State Department of Transportation this week announced that an internal payroll audit has uncovered at least $67,000 in unearned overtime and compensation time charges by an employee over the past two years.

WSDOT continues its investigation and has referred the case to Washington State Patrol and Pierce County Prosecutors Office to investigate potential criminal charges.

Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Olympia, Pierce County, Workforce by Breanne Coats | Email Breanne

Jun. 30, 2009 at 12:01pm

TRA, Franciscan launch Federal Way imaging center

Two Northwest health care organizations, TRA Medical Imaging and Franciscan Health System have teamed up to launch a state-of-the-art outpatient medical imaging center in Federal Way.

Posted in BE Daily, Health care, South King County, Startups/Minority Businesses, Technology by Breanne Coats | Email Breanne

Jun. 30, 2009 at 11:47am

Bank robbery shuts down Fife strip

A robbery at the Fife branch of Bank of America forced the evacuation of a busy business strip along Pacific Highway and the on and off-ramp of Interstate 5 at 54th Avenue due to police activity as officers search for suspects this morning. One suspect is reportedly already in custody. The area was closed for several hours and opened at noon.

Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Pierce County by News Room | Email News

Jun. 30, 2009 at 11:07am

Puyallup firm lands click device contract

Puyallup-based Qwizdom has announced a partnership with text book publisher CTB/McGraw-Hill that will have the local firm provide student response devices, or "clickers," that give educators the ability to engage and motivate students, while instantly gathering assessment data.

Posted in BE Daily, Education, Pierce County, Thurston County by News Room | Email News

Jun. 30, 2009 at 11:06am

Heritage joins Russell 3000 Index

Heritage Financial Corp. CEO Brian L. Vance announced that the Olympia-based bank has been added to the small-cap Russell 2000 Index within the broad-market Russell 3000 Index, according to a list of additions posted June 29, 2009 on www.russell.com.

Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Olympia, Pierce County, Retirement and Investing by News Room | Email News

Jun. 30, 2009 at 11:05am

Murray to announce cure to nursing shortage

Sen. Patty Murray will hold a news conference at St. Anthony Hospital in Gig Harbor tomorrow as a way to bring attention to the local and national shortage of nurses and other critical health care workers.

Posted in BE Daily, Health care, Law and Legislation, Workforce by News Room | Email News

Jun. 30, 2009 at 10:57am

People on the move

Promotions, awards and recognitions in the South Sound

Pamela Transue, president of Tacoma Community College, has been selected as president of the Washington Association of Community and Technical Colleges. WACTC is the organization of community and technical college presidents; its primary role is to develop policy recommendations for the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges in Olympia, and for the state community college system.

Marcie Pickett-Johnson will join the teaching staff of the award-winning early learning program at the Hands On Children's Museum. Marcie currently works as the Museum's Education Program Coordinator and as the primary substitute teacher for the Museum's innovative preschool that combines the arts and sciences in a rich, dramatic play setting. Prior to joining the museum, Marcie developed and taught programs for preschool through 5th grade for the University Of Oregon's Museum Of Art and was a founding member of the Blue Tower Arts Foundation in Eugene, Ore.

Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Building, Education, Thurston County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Workforce by News Room | Email News

Jun. 29, 2009 at 2:12pm

Thousands drawn to Taste

The Emerald Queen Casino Taste of Tacoma held this past weekend in Point Defiance Park attracted more than 250,000 people.

Posted in BE Daily, Tacoma, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality by News Room | Email News

Jun. 29, 2009 at 2:09pm

Household purchases don't aid disabled

The telemarketers' pitch seems innocent enough: They want people to buy trash bags, light bulbs or gift cards at jacked-up prices. They claim the purchases will help the homeless or support employment for those with disabilities. But state officials and consumer advocates are warning residents not to be misled by these sales calls.

Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Tacoma, Workforce by News Room | Email News

Jun. 29, 2009 at 2:01pm

TAM announces shortlist of selected design firms

Tacoma Art Museum received 95 submissions in response to its recent call for design concepts to redesign the museum's plaza and perimeter and create a landmark civic space that enlivens downtown Tacoma. Submissions were received by individuals and firms from Tacoma, Portland, Seattle, Vancouver, Richmond and New York.

The shortlist of finalists includes a BCRA design team led by David Wright as well as four other teams from Seattle.

Posted in BE Daily, Building, Law and Legislation by News Room | Email News

Jun. 29, 2009 at 2:00pm

Murray announces $26 million for state health centers

U.S. Sen. Patty Murray announced today that $26.5 million has been made available for health centers in Washington. The money, which is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act's Capital Improvement Program, will go toward updating and renovating health centers across the state.

Posted in BE Daily, Human Resources , Law and Legislation by News Room | Email News

Jun. 29, 2009 at 10:01am

Around the Sound

Business-related events in the Sound Sound

Capital Medical Center will hold an open house celebrating the newly remodeled Cardiac Cath Lab and state-of-the-art cardiac imaging equipment from 6 to 8 p.m. tomorrow, at Capital Medical Center, 3900 Capital Mall Dr. SW in Olympia.

Lakewood Chamber of Commerce will hold its General Membership Luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, at Great American Casino - 10117 South Tacoma Way. Cost is $20 for members and $30 for non members. RSVP at (253) 582-9400.

Posted in BE Daily, Health care, Lakewood, Military/Security, Olympia, Thurston County, Workforce by News Room | Email News

Jun. 29, 2009 at 10:00am

Lyon wins national award

Ernst & Young has announced the award recipients of its Entrepreneur Of The Year award in the Pacific Northwest. This group of leading entrepreneurs was selected by an independent judging panel made up of regional business, academic and community leaders. Jeffrey S. Lyon, president of the Tacoma GVA Kidder Mathews office was among the honorees.

Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Building, Workforce by News Room | Email News

Jun. 29, 2009 at 9:58am

Survivor fatigue is increasing concern, survey finds

Corporate downsizing is on a record pace through the first five months of 2009 and is expected to remain heavy through the end of the year. The decision to make job cuts is not an easy one and, in most cases, does not bring an end to the challenges facing a company that is forced to enact them. According to a new survey, one of the biggest challenges employers must address in the wake of a layoff is keeping the surviving employees engaged and focused.

Posted in BE Daily, Charities/Non-profits, Workforce by News Room | Email News

Jun. 29, 2009 at 9:58am

Firms predict their rebound ahead of nation one

Respondents to the fourth annual Manufacturing and Wholesale Distribution National Survey say they expect their companies to rebound from the current recession beginning in late 2009 and early 2010. In general, companies predict an earlier rebound for their own businesses than for their industry or the U.S. economy in general.

Posted in BE Daily, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Workforce by News Room | Email News

Jun. 29, 2009 at 6:25am

Business school is always in session at BE

Streaming video covers business topics

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

Posted in BE Daily, Health care by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Jun. 29, 2009 at 6:24am

BE part of the conversation

Comment on the news

Visit BusinessExaminer.com, 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.

Posted in BE Daily by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Jun. 29, 2009 at 6:15am

Forward the BE Daily to a friend

You are one of more than 3,500 business savvy individuals receiving the BE Daily e-mail from the Business Examiner.

Posted in BE Daily, Lacey by Tyler Anderson | Email Tyler

Jun. 26, 2009 at 9:29am

Sound Community buys 1st Security branch

Sound Community Bank, a subsidiary of Sound Financial Inc., has announced that it is acquiring the Tacoma office of 1st Security Bank of Washington. In the transaction, Sound will purchase the deposits, deposit-related loans and assume the lease at the branch located at 2941 South 38th St.

The acquisition of the office is expected to close in the third quarter of 2009. Sound plans to move the operations of its Lakewood Towne Center branch to this office during the fourth quarter of 2009.

Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Lakewood, Tacoma by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Jun. 26, 2009 at 9:29am

Kent Station adds tenants

Tarragon has announced that new retailers, restaurateurs and an office tenant have recently signed leases in Kent Station, bringing the south King County shopping center to a total of 95 percent leased.

Posted in BE Daily, Building, Law and Legislation, South King County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Jun. 26, 2009 at 9:28am

Flow reports revenue dip

Flow International Corp., a Kent-based developer and manufacturer of industrial waterjet machines for cutting and cleaning applications, reported quarterly revenues of $43.7 million, which compares to $48.7 million last quarter and $63.3 million in the year-ago quarter.

Posted in BE Daily, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, South King County by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Jun. 26, 2009 at 6:26am

Around the Sound

Business-related events in the South Sound

Capital Medical Center will hold an open house celebrating the newly remodeled Cardiac Cath Lab and state-of-the-art cardiac imaging equipment from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, June 30, at Capital Medical Center, 3900 Capital Mall Dr. SW in Olympia.

Posted in BE Daily, Building, Charities/Non-profits, Education, Health care, Lacey, Lewis County, Mason County, South King County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Jun. 25, 2009 at 10:36am

Conflicting economic forecasts cloud the future

The newly-arrived chief economist for Tacoma Public Utilities, Bill Dickens, said this week that he strongly believes "we will see economic growth in the South Sound in fourth quarter 2009 and continuing into (at least) the first half of 2010."

While the author of "Economics for the 'Hood'" told a Needs Assessment breakfast meeting of United Way of Pierce County that "we will see a reversal of this slump and move back to the 2- or 2.5- percent annual growth" rate that is the long-term trend for the area.

Posted in BE Daily, Charities/Non-profits, Education, Health care, Human Resources , Pierce County, Tacoma, Workforce by News Room | Email News

Jun. 25, 2009 at 10:16am

Commercial real estate values off 35%

Building owners, landlords under pressure

Though he has seen some increased activity in the latest 90 days, GVA Kidder Mathews Chairman and CEO Jeff Lyon told Tacoma Pierce County Chamber directors this morning that the broad values of commercial real estate have dropped 35 to 50 percent in the past two years.

And problems will worsen for property owners � and lenders � as an estimated $600 billion to $800 billion in commercial property debt around the nation comes due in the next two or three years.

Posted in BE Daily, Building, Pierce County, South King County, Tacoma, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality by News Room | Email News

Jun. 25, 2009 at 9:11am

People on the move

Promotions, awards and recognitions in the South Sound

The Lacey branch of PC Home Loans has announced the arrival of Jann Anderson as loan officer assistant to Team Irish. Anderson has more than seven years of experience in the mortgage banking industry. In her position, she will be responsible for assisting with the origination of home loans and serving the local community and realtor network in securing home loans for clients. The branch has also announced the arrival of Brad Diefenderfer as a junior loan officer with Team Anderson. His experience includes more than 15 years in sales management. Along with assisting Shawn Anderson, he will be responsible for coordinating his own production of home loans as well as serving the local community and realtor network.

Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Building, Health care, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Pierce County, South King County, Thurston County, Workforce by News Room | Email News

Jun. 25, 2009 at 9:10am

Tacoma feed maker fined

A company in Tacoma that makes animal feed is facing a $14,641 fine from the Department of Ecology for reportedly refusing to follow clean water rules.

Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Pierce County by News Room | Email News

Jun. 25, 2009 at 9:10am

Commercial spaces open up around South Sound

The latest news from the commercial spaces market isn't all that good for owners with vacancy signs on their properties, according to the latest Colliers International market report for the South Sound.

Posted in BE Daily, Building, Pierce County, South King County by News Room | Email News

Jun. 25, 2009 at 9:09am

State takes action against local health care workers

The Washington State Department of Health has revoked or suspended the licenses, certifications or registrations of health care providers in the South Sound.

Posted in BE Daily, Health care, Law and Legislation, Pierce County, Thurston County by News Room | Email News

Jun. 24, 2009 at 9:48am

SBA 504 loans can now go toward debt

Small businesses seeking to expand will be able to refinance existing loans used to purchase real estate and other fixed assets as a result of permanent changes to the U.S. Small Business Administration's 504 Certified Development Company loan program. The changes were authorized in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Startups/Minority Businesses by News Room | Email News

Jun. 24, 2009 at 9:41am

South Sound follows national trend in dropping home prices

National housing prices fell 10.2 percent in April compared to a year ago representing the smallest year-over-year decline recorded in 2009, according to newly released data from First American CoreLogic and its LoanPerformance Home Price Index. April's decline was a 0.5-percent improvement from the 10.7 percent decline in March.

Posted in BE Daily, Building, Pierce County, Tacoma, Thurston County by News Room | Email News

Jun. 24, 2009 at 9:40am

Financial uncertainty to dampen holiday plans

AAA projects the number of Americans traveling this Fourth of July holiday weekend will decrease 1.9 percent from 2008, with approximately 37.1 million people planning to travel 50 or more miles away from home. Travel originating in Washington mirrors the national trend with a decrease of 1.9 percent.

Posted in BE Daily, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality by News Room | Email News

Jun. 24, 2009 at 9:40am

62nd Airlift Wing welcomes new commander

Col. Kevin J. Kilb will take command of the 62nd Airlift Wing from Col. Jeffrey L. Stephenson in a change of command ceremony at 10 a.m. Friday.

Posted in BE Daily, Military/Security, Pierce County, Workforce by News Room | Email News

Jun. 24, 2009 at 9:39am

Russell survey: managers seek risk again

The riskiest equity category � emerging markets � and the riskiest fixed income category � high yield bonds � were the asset classes that managers were most bullish about in the latest Investment Manager Outlook, a quarterly survey of investment managers conducted by Tacoma-based Russell Investments.

Some 74 percent of managers surveyed were bullish on emerging market equities, and 66 percent were bullish on high-yield bonds. Managers turned to high yield and corporate bonds as well as equities of nearly every style and sector.

Posted in BE Daily, Retirement and Investing, Tacoma by News Room | Email News

Jun. 24, 2009 at 9:38am

Oberto names new president

After conducting a national search, Oberto Sausage Co. announced today that Tom Ennis will become its new president. The company has its main operations and manufacturing facility in Kent.

Posted in BE Daily, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, South King County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality by News Room | Email News

Jun. 24, 2009 at 9:36am

Blog Watch: Tech talk

Andrew Fry held court at a gathering of tech people last week and noted a surprising number of technology companies that were within walking distance of the restaurant.

Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Olympia, Pierce County, Tacoma, Technology, Thurston County by News Room | Email News

Jun. 24, 2009 at 9:35am

COFFEE BREAK: summer plans

The Business Examiner would like to know how or if the state of the economy has changed your summer plans.

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

Posted in BE Daily, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Workforce by News Room | Email News

Jun. 23, 2009 at 2:03pm

Boeing postpones first flight of 787

Boeing has announced that the first flight of the 787 Dreamliner will be postponed due to a need to reinforce an area within the side-of-body section of the aircraft.

Posted in BE Daily, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Retirement and Investing, Workforce by News Room | Email News

Jun. 23, 2009 at 1:20pm

Job expo comes to Tacoma

The Northwest Job Expo will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 24 at the Tacoma Dome Exhibition Hall.

Posted in BE Daily, Tacoma, Workforce by News Room | Email News

Jun. 23, 2009 at 1:19pm

AG calls data breach a costly lesson

TJX Companies, Inc., agreed to pay $9.75 million to 41 attorneys general as a part of a settlement that follows the states' investigation concerning the retailer's data security practices. Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna said $2.5 million will fund a Data Security Trust Fund to be used by the states to advance enforcement efforts and policy development in the field of data security.

Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Technology, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality by News Room | Email News

Jun. 23, 2009 at 12:40pm

Tarragon chosen for East Bay development

The Port of Olympia Commission authorized an exclusive negotiation agreement with Tarragon of Seattle for development of the East Bay District in downtown Olympia at its meeting yesterday. Negotiations are expected to last from 120 to 180 days and result in a contractual agreement for the development.

Posted in BE Daily, Building, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Olympia, Startups/Minority Businesses, Thurston County by Breanne Coats | Email Breanne

Jun. 23, 2009 at 12:15pm

People on the move

Promotions, awards and recognitions in the South Sound

Wilcox Farms Inc., the century-old Northwest egg producer, has received the esteemed Food Alliance certification for its cage-free and organic egg production. Food Alliance, a national non-profit organization, offers the most comprehensive certification program for sustainably produced food in North America. Farms and processing facilities receiving the certification are audited regularly by an independent, third party inspector and judged on safe and fair working conditions, humane treatment of animals and protection of the environment. Wilcox Farms, celebrating their centennial year, said they understand their role in being good stewards of the land, environment and as an employer. This certification reinforces the company's vision.

Kitsap Credit Union has promoted Ana Barnett as the newest branch manager to serve the Gig Harbor community at its Olympic Plaza branch on Point Fosdick Drive NW. Barnett has more than 10 years experience working for the credit union, most recently serving as the Belfair assistant manager.

Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Education, Pierce County, Startups/Minority Businesses, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Workforce by Breanne Coats | Email Breanne

Jun. 23, 2009 at 11:52am

Kent council passes multi-family tax exemption

With a unanimous vote, the Kent City Council approved an ordinance giving downtown developers of multi-family, mixed-use housing complexes an eight-year property tax exemption.

"We expect the waiver to encourage development in the downtown core," said Councilmember Elizabeth Albertson, Chair of the Planning and Economic Development Committee. "Although we've been successful in attracting businesses and cultural facilities, we need to increase the number of residents living downtown to support the viability of our urban center."

Posted in BE Daily, Building, Law and Legislation, South King County, Startups/Minority Businesses by Breanne Coats | Email Breanne

Jun. 23, 2009 at 11:44am

YMCA expansion begins

The expansion of the YMCA of Tacoma Pierce County to Kitsap County began last Friday with the unveiling of the new "Future Home of the YMCA."

"It was a great day filled with inspiration and dreams coming true," said Bob Ecklund, YMCA President and CEO. "We can't wait to break ground next summer and replace this sign with a community hub for the people of Kitsap County."

Posted in BE Daily, Building, Charities/Non-profits, Pierce County, Startups/Minority Businesses by Breanne Coats | Email Breanne

Jun. 22, 2009 at 2:11pm

Ferries sold for scrap

Washington State Department of Transportation Ferries Division has sold four 1927-built Steel Electric class vessels to Eco Planet Recycling Inc. of Chula Vista, Calif. The total combined sale price for all four ferries is $200,000.

The Washington State Department of General Administration approved the sale last Wednesday, followed by completion of the signature process on Thursday. Receipt of the payment was confirmed late on Friday, June 19.

Posted in BE Daily, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation by Jeff Rounce | Email Jeff

Jun. 22, 2009 at 1:29pm

Boeing dividend stated, stock drops

Chicago-based Boeing Co. today declared a regular quarterly dividend of 42 cents per share. The dividend is payable Sept. 4 to shareholders of record as of Aug. 7.

The company's Chairman, President and CEO Jim McNerney reported the action taken by its board of directors.

Posted in BE Daily, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Pierce County by Jeff Rounce | Email Jeff

Jun. 22, 2009 at 10:51am

Russell opens new 'frontier' fund

Russell Investments today announced the launch of one of the first multi-manager institutional funds with a specific frontier markets investment mandate.

The Frontier Markets Equity Fund will invest primarily in countries that are not generally considered part of developed markets or the core emerging markets, but that have demonstrated an openness and accessibility to foreign investors.

Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Tacoma by Jeff Rounce | Email Jeff

Jun. 22, 2009 at 10:42am

Stimulus dollars set for highway safety work

State transportation offcials have advertised a series of contracts this week worth up to $12 million to improve safety on 32 highways across Washington. It is projected these will help support approximately 120 jobs this year.

The governor and state Legislature targeted federal American Reinvestment and Recovery Act funds for the installation of center-line rumble strips on more than 650 miles of highway and the retrofit of more than 29 miles of cable median barrier.

Posted in BE Daily, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Mason County, Thurston County by Jeff Rounce | Email Jeff

Jun. 22, 2009 at 9:56am

Stores remove dough linked to E. coli

State health officials ordered that Nestl� TOLL HOUSE refrigerated cookie dough products be taken from store shelves this weekend, after the products have been linked to at least 66 E. coli infections in 28 states, including five cases in Western Washington.

Posted in BE Daily, Health care, Pierce County, South King County, Thurston County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Jun. 22, 2009 at 9:55am

Stores busted for selling minors alcohol

More than a dozen Tacoma businesses failed liquor compliance checks conducted by the Washington State Liquor Control Board and Tacoma Police Department earlier this month. Two teams of officers checked 45 businesses for sales/service of alcohol to minors.

Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Tacoma, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Jun. 22, 2009 at 9:54am

Shoppers set to return for July 4th holiday

Even in the midst of an economic downturn, Americans plan to show their patriotism with their wallets this July 4, according to a shopping plans survey.

Posted in BE Daily, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Jun. 19, 2009 at 1:36pm

Port cleared of whistleblower claims

The state Auditor's Office has finished an audit of the Port of Centralia and found no basis to the allegations whistleblowers made against the port.

Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Thurston County by News Room | Email News

Jun. 19, 2009 at 1:31pm

Tacoma adult home cited

The state Department of Social and Health Services has stopped admissions to Helen's Place, a privately operated adult family home at 1022 129th St., Tacoma.

The adult family home is licensed to Claudia Kolano.

Posted in BE Daily, Health care, Law and Legislation, Retirement and Investing, Tacoma by News Room | Email News

Jun. 19, 2009 at 11:23am

Commission expected to name East Bay developer

Port of Olympia Commissioners are expected to select a developer for the East Bay Redevelopment Project at their regular meeting on Monday.

The short list includes: Lorig, Seattle; MJR Development, Kirkland; and Tarragon, Seattle. Commissioners will base their selection on the developers' responses to the evaluation criteria: development concept, market analysis, preferred transaction structure, community benefit and capability of developer.

Posted in BE Daily, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Olympia by News Room | Email News

Jun. 19, 2009 at 10:32am

Mobile meat testers now on the road

Washington State University Extension officials hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to launch of the USDA Mobile Meat Processing Trailer, which will bring USDA certified slaughter services to small and midsized farms throughout Pierce, Lewis, Thurston, Mason, King and Kitsap counties.

Posted in BE Daily, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Mason County, Pierce County, South King County, Thurston County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality by News Room | Email News

Jun. 19, 2009 at 9:59am

Six buses on the way thanks to $11.4 million grant

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood Announces that $11.4 million in Federal Recovery Act money has been tagged to go toward transit upgrades in Pierce County.

Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Pierce County by News Room | Email News

Jun. 19, 2009 at 6:59am

COFFEE BREAK: siren call

The Business Examiner asked readers on Wednesday what drew them to their local farmer's market. Here are some of those responses:

Posted in BE Daily, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Olympia, Pierce County, Thurston County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality by News Room | Email News

Jun. 18, 2009 at 1:47pm

Tacoma Goodwill store draws crowd

People started lining up more than an hour before opening, and sales were brisk throughout the day today during the opening of the new North Tacoma Goodwill Store.

The store, located in the Sixth Avenue Place, is holding a grand opening weekend through Sunday. Shoppers will have the opportunity to win a DVD player, iPod nano and $50 gas cards daily throughout the event. Donors of gently used clothes, shoes, household items and e-cycling during the grand opening weekend will receive a 50 percent-off drink coupon to nearby Cutters Point coffee.

Posted in BE Daily, Charities/Non-profits, Tacoma, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Workforce by News Room | Email News

Jun. 18, 2009 at 1:46pm

Coast Guard funding could bring jobs to Kent

U.S. Senator Patty Murray today announced that she included $155.5 million for two major Coast Guard priorities in the 2010 Homeland Security Appropriations bill. The funding will support the building of Coast Guard Response Boats at Kvichak Marine in Kent.

Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, South King County by News Room | Email News

Jun. 18, 2009 at 10:16am

People on the move

Promotions, awards and recognitions in the South Sound

The Parkland-Spanaway Rotary Club installed its new Board of Directors. Brian Salva of Heritage Bank will serve as club president. Rich Foster of KeyBank will serve as president elect. Bob Johnston of Grand Departures Funeral Services will continue as secretary. Janet Detering will continue as treasurer, and Jay Peterson of Erickson McGovern Architects will serve as the immediate past president. Board members include: Will Detering, Cathy Hamel, Kathie Bolen, Judy Keller, Ardell Samdal, Helen Bush and Bill Davis. Monica Hurley was awarded the annual Service Above Self award at the banquet.

Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Workforce by News Room | Email News

Jun. 18, 2009 at 10:15am

'Great Recession' is near an end

The introduction to the Economic and Revenue Forecast Council's monthly Revenue Forecast said a lot.

Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Workforce by News Room | Email News

Jun. 18, 2009 at 10:14am

Average wage, unemployment benefits rise

Despite the slow economy, the average annual wage in Washington increased by 3.4 percent last year, to $46,256, according to the Employment Security Department.

Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Workforce by News Room | Email News

Jun. 17, 2009 at 1:12pm

COFFEE BREAK: siren call

The Business Examiner would like to know what items would, or do, draw you to farmer's markets.

Posted in BE Daily, Lacey, Lakewood, Lewis County, Mason County, Olympia, Pierce County, South King County, Tacoma, Thurston County, Tumwater by News Room | Email News

Jun. 17, 2009 at 1:00pm

Wintergrass move leaves sour note

Wintergrass leaves Tacoma on a sour note.

Organizers of the 16-year-old music festival, known as Wintergrass, announced the event that brought thousands of people to the city will be moving elsewhere in 2010.

Posted in BE Daily, Tacoma, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality by News Room | Email News

Jun. 17, 2009 at 12:59pm

Furlough days set to start in Sumner

The City of Sumner and its employee labor unions agreed to take four furlough days without pay throughout the remainder of 2009 to help save money in response to lower revenue coming in 2009. The first day will be July 6. City Hall will be closed as will the Sumner Senior Center, city shops, and the Sumner City Cemetery. The estimated budget savings will be $20,000 per day closed.

Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Pierce County, Workforce by News Room | Email News

Jun. 17, 2009 at 12:58pm

Earnings dipped in May

Real average weekly earnings fell by 0.3 percent from April to May after seasonal adjustment, according to preliminary data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. A 0.3 percent decrease in average weekly hours and a 0.1 increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers were partially offset by a 0.1 percent increase in average hourly earnings.

Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Workforce by News Room | Email News

Jun. 17, 2009 at 9:10am

Blog Watch: mixed messages

Tacomamama has a note about the North Tacoma Goodwill store opening tomorrow.

Posted in BE Daily, Lacey, Startups/Minority Businesses, Tacoma, Technology by News Room | Email News

Jun. 16, 2009 at 12:33pm

People on the move

Promotions, awards and recognitions in the South Sound

Greg Richards, Automotive Collision Repair instructor at Clover Park Technical College has been asked to speak at an upcoming I-CAR webinar regarding a class taught at Clover Park Technical College. Targeted at autobody shops in the Pacific Northwest, the webinar will focus on the use of waterborne coatings � the next generation of automotive paint. Richards is the only college representative with an audience of as many as 1,000 online participants.

Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Building, Olympia, Pierce County, Tacoma, Workforce by News Room | Email News

Jun. 16, 2009 at 12:32pm

Construction materials costs edge up

After eight months of decline, prices of construction materials increased 0.5 percent in May, according to the Producer Price Index report by the U.S. Labor Department. However, prices are still down by 5.3 percent on a year-over-year basis.

Posted in BE Daily, Building, Workforce by News Room | Email News

Jun. 16, 2009 at 12:31pm

Father's Day sales on the rise

Despite the economic downturn and general retail sales plummeting, this Father's Day looks as though it will mean dads are going to be more dandyman than handyman, as sales of pamper items and services are expected to increase 35.7 percent, according to industry research firm IBISWorld.

Posted in BE Daily, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality by News Room | Email News

Jun. 16, 2009 at 12:31pm

Washington�s unemployment rate up in May

Washington's unemployment rate rose to 9.4 percent in May, tying the U.S. unemployment rate, according to the state Employment Security Department.

Posted in BE Daily, Human Resources , Law and Legislation, Workforce by News Room | Email News

Jun. 15, 2009 at 10:47am

Columbia increases loan loss for second quarter

Columbia Banking System, Inc. today announced that based on current information available to the Tacoma-based bank, it expects to make a provision for loan losses of some $21 million for the second quarter of 2009.

Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Pierce County, Retirement and Investing, Tacoma by News Room | Email News

Jun. 15, 2009 at 10:47am

State takes action against health workers

The Washington State Department of Health has taken action against health care providers in the South Sound.

Posted in BE Daily, Health care, Law and Legislation, Pierce County, Thurston County by News Room | Email News

Jun. 15, 2009 at 10:45am

ACS to hire 200 people in Tumwater, Auburn

Affiliated Computer Services is hiring 200 people in Washington, 100 at its Tumwater customer care center and another 100 at its Auburn center.

These positions are part of a plan to hire some 560 people at four locations nationwide to handle the company's rise in business volume.

Posted in BE Daily, South King County, Technology, Thurston County, Tumwater, Workforce by News Room | Email News

Jun. 12, 2009 at 2:16pm

Olympia celebrates its Kiplinger rating

In a year that has caused more financial trouble for almost every business sector than many can remember, people in the greater Olympia area are enjoying the fact that they have something to celebrate.

Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine has listed Olympia as the sixth best city in the nation in terms of job markets, growth potential, access to heath care and quality of life issues. This year, the magazine selected boomtowns that offer employment opportunities and the worker talent to create new and well-paying positions in future years.

Posted in BE Daily, Health care, Lacey, Olympia, Thurston County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Tumwater, Workforce by Breanne Coats | Email Breanne

Jun. 12, 2009 at 9:14am

State disciplines local health care providers

The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against health care providers in the South Sound.

Posted in BE Daily, Health care, Law and Legislation, Pierce County, Thurston County by News Room | Email News

Jun. 12, 2009 at 9:11am

Stimulus jobs listed at WorkSource

Gov. Chris Gregoire is requiring state agencies that create jobs using American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds, as well as the contractors they hire using ARRA funds, to post newly created positions on the state's WorkSource Web site. Gregoire is also urging job seekers in Washington state who want to apply for economic stimulus jobs to visit their local WorkSource career center.

Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Workforce by News Room | Email News

Jun. 12, 2009 at 9:10am

Troubled loans increase in first quarter

Despite the infusion of nearly $200 billion of federal bailout money into the banking system since last October, the nation's banks had another rough quarter in the first three months of 2009. And, according to an analysis of federal bank data by American University's Investigative Reporting Workshop, it appears that mid-sized banks are suffering more than the largest banks.

The analysis is a continuation of BankTracker, a first-of-its-kind project by the Workshop and msnbc.com that found bad loans among America's banks had increased nearly 149 percent in 2008.

Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Law and Legislation by News Room | Email News

Jun. 11, 2009 at 12:10pm

Flow finalizes bank deal

Flow International Corp., a Kent-based developer and manufacturer of industrial waterjet machines for cutting and cleaning applications, has closed a $40 million, two-year revolving senior secured credit line that replaces the previous loan package and provides the firm greater flexibility during the economic slowdown.

Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, South King County by News Room | Email News

Jun. 11, 2009 at 12:09pm

New seller's permits could be issued by October

The Department of Revenue may begin issuing new, free seller's permits to wholesalers who forgo paying sales taxes by October of this year.

Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality by News Room | Email News

Jun. 11, 2009 at 12:08pm

Kent apartment changes hands

The purchase of Waterford at the Lakes, a 344-unit apartment complex located in Kent closed this week.

Posted in BE Daily, Building, Retirement and Investing, South King County by News Room | Email News

Jun. 11, 2009 at 12:06pm

People on the move

Promotions, awards and recognitions in the South Sound

Clover Park Technical College president John Walstrum announced that Amy Goings, vice president for College Relations and Resource Development, has been accepted into the Washington Executive Leadership Academy for two-year colleges. WELA is the community and technical colleges' effort to build future higher education leaders.

Posted in BE Daily, Charities/Non-profits, Lewis County, Pierce County, South King County, Thurston County by News Room | Email News

Jun. 11, 2009 at 11:41am

Mason General goes digital with mammograms

Digital mammography is now available at Mason General Hospital. With this addition, diagnostic imaging at Mason General is all digital, including MRIs, CT scans, X-rays, and ultrasounds.

Posted in BE Daily, Health care, Mason County by News Room | Email News

Jun. 11, 2009 at 11:41am

State disciplines local health care providers

The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against health care providers in the South Sound.

Posted in BE Daily, Health care, Law and Legislation, Pierce County, Thurston County, Workforce by News Room | Email News

Jun. 11, 2009 at 11:40am

Candle maker damaged by flames

A fire damaged a two-story garage along O'Leary Street in unincorporated Thurston County yesterday that was home to Long-life Beeswax Candles, a candle-manufacturing operation.

Posted in BE Daily, Olympia by News Room | Email News

Jun. 11, 2009 at 11:40am

BBB issues warning about Tacoma credit repair operation

The Better Business Bureau issued a consumer alert across the United States and Canada about automated telemarketing calls from a Tacoma firm that promise to lower interest rates on credit card debts.

Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Charities/Non-profits, Law and Legislation by News Room | Email News

Jun. 11, 2009 at 11:39am

New Chrysler to honor state's 'lemon law'

The new Chrysler Group and Fiat have agreed to honor the "lemon law" rights of Washington car buyers when the new company takes control of the U.S. auto maker, Attorney General Rob McKenna said.

Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation by News Room | Email News

Jun. 10, 2009 at 12:00pm

Downtown studies combined

Many business owners and watchers of Olympia's downtown redevelopment argue that the few square miles of commercial space in the state's capital city is the most researched patch of land on the planet, considering all of the business, parking, social service, demographic and land use studies agencies and consultants have conducted during the passing decades.

Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Olympia by News Room | Email News

Jun. 10, 2009 at 11:59am

Large firms aren't the draw they once were

Few people today want to work at large organizations, those with 10,000 or more employees.

When asked what size organization they would prefer to work for given today's economy, 71 percent of business leaders chose a medium or small organization, according to a worldwide survey of senior executives and managers conducted by NFI Research. Some 40 percent said they would rather work in a medium organization, while 31 percent chose a small organization. Only 14 percent prefer a large company.

Posted in BE Daily, Human Resources by News Room | Email News

Jun. 10, 2009 at 11:58am

CEOs continue to jump ship

Turnover among the nation's CEOs rose by 47 percent in May, as 115 companies announced leadership changes last month compared to 78 in April. It was the highest number of CEO departures since last December, according to the latest report released by global outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc.

Posted in BE Daily, Human Resources , Workforce by News Room | Email News

Jun. 10, 2009 at 11:58am

Work over I-5 in Olympia brings closures

Motorists should expect lane closures on Interstate 5 in Olympia Thursday through Saturday, while crews prepare the Capitol Boulevard Bridge for painting.

Posted in BE Daily, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Olympia, Thurston County by News Room | Email News

Jun. 10, 2009 at 11:57am

AG announces settlement with drug maker

Attorney General Rob McKenna today announced that Washington will receive more than $2.6 million as part of a $95.5 million global settlement with Aventis Pharmaceutical, Inc, to resolve allegations that the company and its corporate predecessors shortchanged taxpayer-funded health care programs.

Posted in BE Daily, Health care, Law and Legislation by News Room | Email News

Jun. 10, 2009 at 11:56am

Asarco clean up tab moves forward

Washington cleared a major hurdle recently in its efforts to collect nearly $164 million to help repair environmental damage caused by bankrupt mining giant Asarco.

Posted in BE Daily, Building, Law and Legislation, Tacoma by News Room | Email News

Jun. 10, 2009 at 11:52am

Blog Watch: tech talk

Business news from the Blogosphere

While many businesses are just getting used to the idea of using social media for their operations, some folks are taking the concept in new directions. Such is the case of Twitter surgery outlined on Andrew Fry's blog.

Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Tacoma, Technology, Workforce by News Room | Email News

Jun. 10, 2009 at 11:51am

Coffee Break: summer work

The Business Examiner would like to know how the weather affects your productivity.

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

Posted in BE Daily, Workforce by News Room | Email News

Jun. 9, 2009 at 1:42pm

BE announces this year's 40 Under Forty roster

The Business Examiner's 40 Under Forty program recognizes outstanding South Sound business and community leaders under the age of 40. They are selected by an alumni panel that reviews candidate profiles and then provides the BE direction in the selection of the 40.

Posted in BE Daily, Lewis County, Mason County, Pierce County, Thurston County, Workforce by News Room | Email News

Jun. 9, 2009 at 1:35pm

Car maker reshuffle brings change to Tacoma dealership

Today is the deadline for Chrysler dealerships on the "hit list" to end their franchise agreement as part of the auto maker's bankruptcy restructuring plan.

That means Tacoma Dodge is now set to operate as Tacoma Auto Mall, without a major anchor car brand. It will continue to provide a service department, lube and oil service and sell preowned vehicles.

Posted in Law and Legislation, Pierce County by News Room | Email News

Jun. 9, 2009 at 12:35pm

Manufacturers operating e-cycle pay off loan

Electronics manufacturers in the state are paying back the state for the start-up loan they received two years ago when they took responsibility for the state's e-cycle program. The state's law was the first in the nation requiring manufacturers to fully finance the collection and recycling of computers, TVs and monitors.

Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Technology by News Room | Email News

Jun. 9, 2009 at 12:34pm

Taxpayers getting return on bank bailout loan

The trade association that represents many of the nation's banks seized on the news today that more banks are repaying their Capital Purchase Program funds to the Treasury Department.

Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Law and Legislation by News Room | Email News

Jun. 9, 2009 at 10:59am

People on the move

Promotions, awards and recognitions in the South Sound

Gordon Financial Group, Inc. has announced Lauren Rodriguez as its new Business Development officer. She is located in the firm's Federal Way office and responsible for sales and marketing for the south King and Pierce County markets. "Lauren is a high caliber individual that possesses the skills necessary to produce exceptional results for our clients," said AJ Gordon, managing partner.

Tom Lally has joined the Altman Insurance Agency in Olympia as a personal lines agent. Lally specializes in auto, home, renters, life, motorcycle and boat insurance. Altman Insurance has served South Sound communities since 1991 and focuses on providing service and value to clients and to the community. Lally will continue the tradition of providing that kind of service for all personal lines policies. He was previously the Director of Business Development for the Washington State Restaurant Association.

Posted in BE Daily, Charities/Non-profits, Education, Health care, Human Resources , Lacey, Law and Legislation, Olympia, Pierce County, South King County, Tacoma, Thurston County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Workforce by Breanne Coats | Email Breanne

Jun. 9, 2009 at 10:42am

Retail imports still below a million containers

Import cargo volume at the nation's major retail container ports, including Tacoma, remained below the 1 million mark in April and was the third-slowest month in the past five years, according to the monthly Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation and IHS Global Insight.

Posted in BE Daily, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Pierce County, Tacoma by News Room | Email News

Jun. 9, 2009 at 9:33am

Employment survey indicates sluggish hiring ahead

U.S. employers plan to keep their staffing levels relatively stable during the third quarter, according to the seasonally adjusted results of the latest Manpower Employment Outlook Survey, conducted quarterly by Manpower Inc. Based on additional data, the outlook was revised down 2 percent to account for seasonal variations.

Posted in BE Daily, Workforce by News Room | Email News

Jun. 9, 2009 at 9:33am

Court sides against Kent mover

Thurston County Superior Court issued a consent decree preventing a Kent-based residential moving company from doing business in Washington.

Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, South King County by News Room | Email News

Jun. 9, 2009 at 9:32am

TacomaACTS seeks business partners

Tacoma Alliance for Clean Technology and Sustainability, facilitated by the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber, is soliciting applicants for its pilot program for "green businesses." Businesses in all industries and sizes are encouraged to apply.

Posted in BE Daily, Pierce County, Tacoma by News Room | Email News

Jun. 9, 2009 at 9:14am

Line of credit lowered?

The Business Examiner's editorial staff is continuing its work on a story that explores the plight of business owners whose credit lines have been re-evaluated by their banking institutions.

Posted in BE Daily, Lacey, Lakewood, Lewis County, Mason County, Olympia, Pierce County, South King County, Tacoma, Thurston County, Tumwater by Hilary Reeves | Email Hilary

Jun. 8, 2009 at 2:18pm

State finds recession is on the mend

The state's Economic and Revenue Forecast Council concluded in a release today that the worst of the "Great Recession" is over.

Posted in BE Daily, Building, Law and Legislation, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Jun. 8, 2009 at 10:19am

State�s second swine flu death occurs in Pierce County

The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department received news that a Pierce County woman in her 20s, with a confirmed case of swine flu has died after being hospitalized for two weeks.

Posted in BE Daily, Health care, Pierce County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Jun. 8, 2009 at 10:19am

Uninsured in state jumps nearly 21 percent

Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler has announced that last year's 726,000 uninsured has spiked 21 percent to a record 876,000.

Posted in BE Daily, Health care, Law and Legislation, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Jun. 8, 2009 at 10:18am

Lakewood set for new restaurant chain

Anyone who has driven by the corner of Main Street and Gravelly Lake Drive couldn't help but notice the slab of high-profile, undeveloped land at the corner of the Lakewood Towne Center development.

Posted in BE Daily, Building, Lakewood, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Jun. 8, 2009 at 10:18am

Governor announces aerospace council formation

Gov. Chris Gregoire has formed the Washington Council on Aerospace to oversee state efforts to ensure that Washington remains the leading location in the world in which airplanes are designed and built.

Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Jun. 8, 2009 at 9:46am

Point Ruston developers, unions sign 'harmony' deal

Local union leaders and the developers of the Point Ruston project signed a labor harmony agreement Friday. The agreement was signed by 16 unions of the Pierce County Building and Construction Trades Council.

"Our commitment to creating family-wage jobs is one of our company's core values," said Mike Cohen, principal of the Point Ruston project. "And we know that employing union labor will result in the highest standards of craftsmanship and quality for the people who will live and work in Point Ruston."

Posted in BE Daily, Building, Pierce County, Tacoma, Workforce by Hilary Reeves | Email Hilary

Jun. 5, 2009 at 1:13pm

Businesses rally forces to weather economic downturn

As the economy continues to lump and lines of credit either dry up or fail to form from the start, small businesses are feeling financial pinches from several sides. Business owners and managers are looking for answers.

Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Olympia by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Jun. 5, 2009 at 12:56pm

Accident at scrap metal yard claims life

Emergencies crews responded to a 911 call at Joseph Simon & Sons on Tacoma's waterfront this morning about a man being trapped under some metal. The man was pronounced dead at the scene. He was not identified and the scrap metal dealer will remain closed through the weekend.

Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Jun. 5, 2009 at 12:55pm

Goodwill needs donations now

Citing the challenging economy, Tacoma Goodwill CEO Terry A. Hayes announced an urgent need for donations, especially of gently used clothes and household items.

"Donations have slowed as a result of these tough times," Hayes said. "Even one box of donated goods helps support Goodwill's job training and placement services, which are seeing record public need."

Posted in BE Daily, Charities/Non-profits by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Jun. 5, 2009 at 12:53pm

Former Chehalis hospital sells

Providence Health and Services of Washington completed the sale of the former Chehalis Hospital, a 66,200-square-foot medical facility that sold for $2.5 million to a Spokane developer. Evan Parker, Ted Sipila and Amy Robinson of GVA Kidder Mathews represented Providence in the sale.

Posted in BE Daily, Building, Health care by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Jun. 5, 2009 at 12:42pm

Stimulus package helps struggling sector, group said

Unemployment in the construction sector has climbed to 19.2 percent as an additional 59,000 construction workers lost their jobs in May, according to new federal data.

Posted in BE Daily, Building, Law and Legislation by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Jun. 5, 2009 at 11:46am

Pierce County chamber joins statewide benefit program

The Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber has joined a statewide network for health and other employee benefit programs. Called the Business Health Trust, the plan provides insurance products and services through chambers of commerce in Washington state, such as the Greater Seattle, Greater Spokane and Tri-Cities Chambers.

Business Health Trust will be available to the chamber member companies that employ between two and 99 people beginning Aug. 1. Products include the full range of health insurance and employee benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life, long-term disability, and employee assistance plans.

Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Health care, Pierce County, Startups/Minority Businesses, Tacoma by Breanne Coats | Email Breanne

Jun. 5, 2009 at 11:39am

COFFEE BREAK: cruisin'

The Business Examiner asked in the Coffee Break question this week what it would take for you to buy an American car now given the state of the domestic car industry. Here are some of the responses:

Posted in BE Daily, Lacey, Lakewood, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Mason County, Olympia, Pierce County, South King County, Tacoma, Thurston County, Tumwater by Breanne Coats | Email Breanne

Jun. 4, 2009 at 1:23pm

Home sales rising, inventory shrinking

The Puget Sound's housing market is seeing a reduction in inventory � about 20 percent fewer listings than a year ago � and double-digit increases in the number of pending sales, according to Northwest Multiple Listing Service brokers, who notched 7,160 pending sales during May.

Posted in BE Daily, Building by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Jun. 4, 2009 at 11:45am

PLU to host TOC North American Conference

Pacific Lutheran University will be hosting the Theory of Constraints Takes Flight: North American Regional Conference later this week thanks in large part to visiting professor Carol Ptak. By using her connections and a little bit of nagging, Ptak was able to draw 56 speakers to this four-day gathering including some big names like Dr. Eli Goldratt, Dr. Lisa Lang and John Ricketts.

"To me, what this conference is all about is figuring out how we turn around the economy in the Northwest," said Ptak, who really wants owners and managers to know that "in this crazy bad economic time there is an alternative that will position their business for sustainable success."

Posted in BE Daily, Education, Human Resources , Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Pierce County, Retirement and Investing, Startups/Minority Businesses, Tacoma, Technology, Workforce by Breanne Coats | Email Breanne

Jun. 4, 2009 at 11:20am

Washington job openings continue to decline

Washington job vacancies in April were 35 percent fewer than six months earlier, according to the latest job-vacancy report from the Employment Security Department.

Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Jun. 4, 2009 at 11:19am

Thurston surplus items set for sale

Thurston County will be holding an auction, selling surplus items online. Items will be available for purchase starting June 9 and bidding will close June 16.

Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Thurston County by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Jun. 4, 2009 at 11:18am

PSE offers payment plans on energy bills

Puget Sound Energy is encouraging customers to consider budget payment plans, available assistance programs and energy-efficiency measures to help manage their energy costs during this economic downturn and eventual recovery.

Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Jun. 4, 2009 at 11:18am

I-5 down to one lane in Chehalis

Drivers can expect delays on northbound Interstate 5 starting tonight as construction crews take the interstate down to one lane between Chamber Way and Mellen Street in Chehalis.

Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Mason County by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Jun. 4, 2009 at 11:12am

People on the move

Promotions, awards and recognitions in the South Sound

Julie Anderson has announced that she is seeking election as Pierce County Auditor. Anderson is serving her second term as an at-large member of the Tacoma City Council and is the current as deputy mayor.

Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Building, Thurston County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Jun. 3, 2009 at 11:38am

COFFEE BREAK: cruisin'

The Business Examiner would like to know what it would take for you to buy an American car now given the state of the domestic car industry.

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

Posted in BE Daily by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Jun. 3, 2009 at 11:38am

Blog Watch: health code

The AWB blog has an item on the national debate about changes in the works for health care for Americans.

Posted in BE Daily, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Jun. 3, 2009 at 11:13am

Four behind bars after Wal-Mart shooting

Three men and a woman are in custody on charges related to the robbery of an armored car outside a Lakewood Wal-Mart Tuesday afternoon that resulted in the shooting death of one of the Loomis security guards. Lakewood investigators booked the suspects into jail early this morning with the assistance of Pierce County Sheriff's deputies and federal agents.

Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Pierce County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Jun. 3, 2009 at 11:13am

Thurston set to hold hearing on zone changes

The Thurston County Planning Commission will hold a public hearing tonight on the current compliance with the state Growth Management Act. The hearing will be held at 7 p.m. in Room 280, of Building One of the Thurston County Courthouse, 2000 Lakeridge Dr. SW, in Olympia.

Posted in BE Daily, Building, Thurston County by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Jun. 3, 2009 at 11:12am

South Sound bucks national jobless trend

Unemployment rates were higher in April than a year earlier in all 372 metropolitan areas, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today. Tacoma and Olympia posted jobless rates of 8 percent, both down from 8.7 percent and 8.1 percent respectfully posted in March.

Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Olympia, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Jun. 3, 2009 at 11:11am

Construction jobs continue to fall

Construction employment fell in 276 of the nation's largest 299 metro areas from April 2008 to April 2009, according to a new analysis of government data conducted by the Associated General Contractors of America's chief economist Ken Simonson. The industry argues that the data highlights the need for the federal government to move quickly to invest stimulus funds without needless requirements that could hamper recovery efforts, he noted.

Posted in BE Daily, Building by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Jun. 2, 2009 at 12:23pm

Day of Caring puts leaders to work

United Way of Pierce County held its annual Leadership Day of Caring today putting more than 75 business leaders and volunteers to work throughout the county.

Volunteers spent the morning performing projects for eight local agencies and non-profit organizations. Some of the projects included planting flowers and hanging baskets with developmentally disabled people, talking with students as they learn English as their second language and sprucing up local parks.

Posted in BE Daily, Charities/Non-profits, Law and Legislation, Pierce County, Tacoma by Breanne Coats | Email Breanne

Jun. 2, 2009 at 11:21am

State car dealers hope for short GM bankruptcy

Even though yesterday's bankruptcy of General Motors may have been anticipated for some time, Executive Vice President Vicki Giles Fabr� of the Washington State Auto Dealers Association said the move marks a historically sad day for American business.

"Obviously, this was not a preferred option," she said. "But the key now is to get out of bankruptcy as quickly as possible."

Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Jun. 2, 2009 at 9:43am

Safety checks to target West Coast trucks

Law enforcement officers from Canada to Mexico will be participating in the annual commercial vehicle "ROADCHECK" this week.

Posted in BE Daily, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Jun. 2, 2009 at 9:18am

People on the move

Promotions, awards and recognitions in the South Sound

Patty Binion, a two-year employee in Mason General Hospital's materials department, was selected by her peers to be "Employee of the Month" for May. Her nominator described her as "The best. She is knowledgeable, warm, friendly, considerate and compassionate. Patty is a great supporter of the Hospital."

Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Education, Health care, Mason County, Pierce County, Technology, Thurston County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Jun. 2, 2009 at 9:16am

Russell Indexes surge upward

The Russell Global Index increased 10.3 percent for May amid a generally positive month for markets worldwide. Some leading benchmarks for the month included the Russell Greater China Small Cap Index which boomed by 26 percent, Russell BRIC Index, up 24.8 percent and Russell Emerging Europe Large Cap Index, up 23.7 percent.

Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Tacoma by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Jun. 2, 2009 at 9:16am

L&I warns of heat danger for outdoor workers

With temperatures expected to reach into the high 80s around Puget Sound this week, the Department of Labor and Industries has issued a reminder that everyone working outdoors in hot weather can be at risk of heat-related illness.

Workers should: drink as much as one cup of water every 15 minutes, know the signs and symptoms of heat-related illness; pace the work and take breaks; wear lightweight, light-colored clothing and avoid alcohol, caffeine and heavy meals.

Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Jun. 1, 2009 at 1:22pm

Insurance rates lower for some

Businesses and residents within East Olympia Fire District 6 should be eligible to receive a reduction in their fire insurance costs based on the fire departments new substantially lower Fire Protection Classification Rating, which takes effect today.

Washington Survey and Rating Bureau concluded an in-depth evaluation of the district, with the outcome being the current rating of 8 will be lowered to a 5 for areas with hydrants and a 6 for the remaining areas.

Posted in BE Daily, Lacey, Olympia, Thurston County, Tumwater by Jeff Rounce | Email Jeff

Jun. 1, 2009 at 11:56am

Moveable Feast highlighted area's culinary talent

The ingredients -- 45 people, three buses, five restaurants and sunny weather -- created the perfect recipe for finding culinary bliss yesterday at Puyallup/Sumner Chamber of Commerce's first Moveable Feast event. Designed as a progressive dinner "restaurant style," the Moveable Feast provided an opportunity for participants to sample foods, taste wines, meet new friends and discover new local restaurants.

Posted in BE Daily, Pierce County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality by Breanne Coats | Email Breanne

Jun. 1, 2009 at 11:34am

Boys and Girls Club benefits from race event

Steve Sloboda of Windermere Real Estate/Paragon Co. joined together with Trey Affolter of Keller Williams and The Varsity Grill to host "A Night at the Races" on Friday and raised $4,000. The third-annual event was a special, virtual horse racing event that benefitted the Boys and Girls Clubs of South Puget Sound's East Side Branch.

Posted in BE on the road, Charities/Non-profits, Tacoma by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Jun. 1, 2009 at 11:25am

Jobless checks go direct deposit

Laid-off workers should consider having their unemployment benefits deposited directly into their bank accounts, say officials with the state's Employment Security Department.

Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Jun. 1, 2009 at 11:24am

Construction spending posts increase, again

For the fourth straight month, private nonresidential construction spending increased, rising 1.8 percent in April, according to a report by the U.S. Census Bureau released today.

Posted in BE Daily, Building, Law and Legislation by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Jun. 1, 2009 at 10:26am

Realty firm goes 'social'

As a part of its ongoing technology partnership with Microsoft, John L. Scott Real Estate has entered into the social networking space through the launch of JLSconnect.

JLSconnect augments the previous "Property Tracker" service found on www.JohnLScott.com, which provides the ability for individuals to log in and save "favorite" properties. It adds new social networking capabilities to the Web experience that makes it possible for people to easily share and exchange comments on interested properties with others.

Posted in BE Daily, Building, Lewis County, Pierce County, South King County, Thurston County by Jeff Rounce | Email Jeff

Jun. 1, 2009 at 10:23am

PSE still targets conservation, alternatives

Expanded energy conservation and renewable-power development, augmented by more natural gas-fired power generation, continue to anchor Puget Sound Energy's strategy for meeting customers' growing energy needs, according to the company's newly updated long-range resource plan.

"As our plan notes, energy efficiency is still the best strategy for avoiding the costs and the risks of a volatile energy market," said Kimberly Harris, executive vice president and chief resource officer for PSE. "For us, conservation is still our first choice for providing the new energy resources this region needs."

Posted in BE Daily, Lacey, Olympia, South King County, Thurston County, Tumwater by Jeff Rounce | Email Jeff

Jun. 1, 2009 at 10:18am

New funding for WWEE

Washington Women's Employment and Education (WWEE) reports receiving several grants in April and May totaling $61,700.

The support came from the Sequoia Foundation, Baker Foundation, Women's Funding Alliance, Florence B. Kilworth Foundation, Muckleshoot Charity Fund, Puyallup Tribe of Indians and Lagu Foundation.

Posted in BE Daily, Charities/Non-profits, Pierce County, Tacoma by Jeff Rounce | Email Jeff

Jun. 1, 2009 at 10:13am

Chase comes to town

New name, colors on 187 branches

Chase � Washington's new bank � today unveiled its bright blue octagon logo and name on 187 bank branches and 255 ATMs in Washington, reaching consumers and businesses formerly served by WaMu.

By the end of 2009, all former WaMu branches across the country will be operating on the Chase computer system, allowing customers to conduct their business at more than 5,000 Chase branches in 23 states.

Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Lewis County, Mason County, Pierce County, Thurston County by Jeff Rounce | Email Jeff

Jun. 1, 2009 at 9:15am

DaVita extends Tacoma lease

After a long wait, news has finally arrived that at least one of the two big downtown Tacoma businesses will stay in the city.

DaVita Inc., a leading provider of kidney care services for those diagnosed with chronic kidney disease, has completed negotiations to extend its lease on office space at 1423 Pacific Avenue as well as in the Columbia Bank Center. DaVita has nearly 900 employees located in Tacoma.

Posted in BE Daily, Health care, Pierce County, Tacoma, Workforce by Breanne Coats | Email Breanne

May. 29, 2009 at 11:07am

United Way of Pierce County receives national recognition

United Way of Pierce County received from United Way of America the Best of LIVE UNITED award for the best branding and marketing implementation for last year. The local organization tied with New York City.

Posted in BE Daily, Charities/Non-profits, Pierce County by Breanne Coats | Email Breanne

May. 29, 2009 at 10:25am

Tacoma contractor pleads guilty to stealing taxes

A Tacoma plumbing contractor plead guilty yesterday to stealing sales tax he collected from customers and continuing to operate a business after his license was revoked.

Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Pierce County, Tacoma by Breanne Coats | Email Breanne

May. 28, 2009 at 12:14pm

Voelpel named Puyallup�s new economic development director

The News Tribune's main business columnist Dan Voelpel has been named Puyallup's new economic development director.

Posted in BE Daily, Pierce County, Tacoma, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

May. 28, 2009 at 10:15am

Fire damages Chehalis laminating plant

Officials from Department of Ecology, Lewis County Fire District No. 6 and the Washington State Patrol are examining the scene of a fire that started at a business in Chehalis late last night.

Posted in BE Daily, Building, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

May. 28, 2009 at 9:56am

People on the move

Promotions, awards and recognitions in the South Sound

Sally Fisher has joined BergerABAM as project manager/environmental scientist. Fisher's experience includes environmental planning and permitting for in-water and transportation projects; environmental site assessment, investigation, and remediation; design and contract document preparation for dredging and remediation projects; and construction support. She has excellent working knowledge of federal, state and local regulations related to permitting, contaminated soil and groundwater, and dredge material characterization.

Posted in BE Daily, Building, Charities/Non-profits, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Pierce County, Technology, Thurston County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

May. 28, 2009 at 9:54am

WaMu, now Chase, announces business loans

Washington Mutual will officially become JPMorgan Chase on June 1, following the government-forced sale of the ailing thrift to the international banking company. The move comes as Chase announces its loan volume in the state topped more than 66,000 new loans and lines of credit, totaling approximately $1.7 billion, to individuals, families and businesses during the first three months of the year.

Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Building, Lacey, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Mason County, Olympia, Pierce County, South King County, Startups/Minority Businesses, Tacoma, Thurston County, Tumwater, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

May. 28, 2009 at 9:53am

Swine flu monitoring shifts focus

The recent outbreak of a new strain of swine flu has become widespread in the state and around the nation, but the state Department of Health is changing its monitoring strategy so officials are focusing on hospitalized patients and fatal cases instead of the general public.

"While most illnesses in this outbreak have been fairly mild, our public health advice remains the same," said State Health Officer Dr. Maxine Hayes. "It's important to wash your hands often whether you're sick or not, cover your cough and sneeze, and stay home if you're sick. Seasonal flu kills an estimated 36,000 people a year nationwide, so take this advice seriously."

Posted in BE Daily, Education, Health care, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Mason County, Olympia, Pierce County, South King County, Tacoma, Thurston County, Tumwater, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

May. 28, 2009 at 9:52am

City shuts discussion of door tax

Fife City Council members formally abandoned a proposal to raise money for street improvements by imposing an annual $100-per door tax on warehouse and distribution businesses that have delivery doors. The council voted down the plan last night at a regular council meeting.

Posted in BE Daily, Building, Lakewood, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Pierce County, Tacoma, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

May. 28, 2009 at 9:51am

Clouds might be lifting on state economy

The state Economic and Revenue Forecast Council's preliminary forecast for June suggests stability and improvement are likely on the way.

Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Education, Health care, 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

May. 27, 2009 at 12:56pm

Providence welcomes new chief executive

Medrice Coluccio has joined Providence Health & Services as chief executive of its Southwest Washington region. Coluccio is replacing Scott Bond, who is leaving Providence after nearly 30 years of service with the organization, the last 15 in Southwest Washington.

Posted in BE Daily, Charities/Non-profits, Health care, Lewis County, Mason County, Olympia, Thurston County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

May. 27, 2009 at 11:43am

Green jobs event targets business leaders

Local small business leader Dave Corzine and the Tacoma MoveOn Council will host a visit to a Clean Energy project tomorrow as a way to highlight job and business options in a clean energy economy. During the visit, David Winchester and Corzine will speak about the potential for expansion of these businesses and further job creation in the South Sound.

Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Pierce County, Tacoma, Technology, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

May. 27, 2009 at 11:43am

Swiss owner's memorial set for Saturday

The memorial service for Gayl Bertagni has been set for Saturday at the Swiss Pub in Tacoma. Bertagni co-owned the Tacoma landmark and died in an accident when her truck rolled over onto her while she was on her way to a picnic last weekend.

Posted in BE Daily, Tacoma, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

May. 27, 2009 at 11:41am

WSDOT completes I-5 widening in Lewis

The first of five improvement projects on Interstate 5 in Lewis County is being delivered ahead of schedule as the Washington State Department of Transportation continues building projects that support drivers and the economy. WSDOT and its contractor, Scarsella Bros. Inc., began work on the LaBree Road interchange in July 2007 and it will be functionally complete later this week, which is a full season ahead of schedule.

Posted in BE Daily, Building, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

May. 27, 2009 at 11:41am

Chambers Bay gets site visit from tourney organizers

Representatives from the United States Golf Association, golf course architect Robert Trent Jones Jr., KemperSports and Pierce County met recently at Chambers Bay to assess progress and preparations for the 2010 U.S. Amateur and 2015 U.S. Open Championships.

Posted in BE Daily, Charities/Non-profits, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Pierce County, Tacoma, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

May. 27, 2009 at 11:39am

Olympia makes 'Best Cities' list

Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine has listed Olympia as the sixth best city in the nation in terms of job markets, growth potential, access to heath care and quality of life issues. This year, the magazine selected boomtowns that offer employment opportunities and the worker talent to create new and well-paying positions in future years.

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

May. 27, 2009 at 11:37am

Blog Watch: real money, fake world

News from around the Blogosphere

An item on Andrew Fry's blog will get the old noggin rattled. He writes about the potential business of currency conversion between all of the online communities. See most developers of online games that involve people connecting in real time to solve problems, build online communities or complete missions make their money from their efforts by selling online "currency" that is then used in the game. People send real money for virtual money to buy "toys" for their online pet or special weapons for their Warrior. Someone could make a lot of money being a virtual money changer.

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

May. 27, 2009 at 11:36am

COFFEE BREAK: tourist talk

The Business Examiner would like to know how you feel about the rise of tourism as an economic engine of the South Sound.

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

May. 26, 2009 at 12:56pm

Falling home prices slow

National housing prices fell 11.5 percent in March compared to a year ago, down slightly from an 11.7 annual percent decline in February, according to newly released data from real estate data source First American CoreLogic and its Home Price Index.

Posted in BE Daily, Building, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Mason County, Olympia, Pierce County, South King County, Tacoma, Thurston County, Tumwater, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

May. 26, 2009 at 11:44am

People on the move

Promotions, awards and recognitions in the South Sound

Washington Business Bank announced the promotion of two of its officers. Vaughn Reece has been promoted to an assistant vice president and is a loan review officer. Reece joined the bank in 2007 and was promoted to loan review officer in 2008. Joanna West has been promoted to a vice president and is the director of marketing. West joined the bank in 2006 and was promoted to an assistant vice president in 2008.

Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Charities/Non-profits, Pierce County, Tacoma, Thurston County, Workforce by Breanne Coats | Email Breanne

May. 26, 2009 at 10:06am

Tacoma groups joins forces for Tall Ships Festival

The Tacoma Tall Ships Organization and the Tacoma Waterfront Association announced today that they are joining forces to begin planning for the 2011 Tall Ships Tacoma Festival.

The move, officials said, is a reflection of the urgent need to begin planning for the next festival, which has been difficult for the local Tall Ships effort since it has also been working to pay its debts from the 2008 event.

Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Pierce County, Tacoma, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

May. 26, 2009 at 9:47am

Sewer project set to mark rebirth of neighborhood

Lakewood officials will hold a ground breaking ceremony in Tillicum at the vacant lot behind Kings Barbershop just west of Union Avenue on Thursday. The ceremonial shovel turn will mark what is expected to prompt a building boom in the area of south Pierce County, since the addition of sewer lines means higher densities and larger developments will be possible in the one-time resort area.

Posted in BE Daily, Building, Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Pierce County by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

May. 22, 2009 at 1:26pm

Globe Awards honors businesses that triumph with trade

No matter the economic climate, do not give up on international trade. This was the urging speakers gave to the audience at the World Trade Center Tacoma's Globe Awards dinner and auction held last night at Hotel Murano's Bicentennial Pavilion.

Keynote speaker Robert Marcovitch, president of K2 Sports, said his company would have remained stagnant if it had not been for their international markets, which have helped the company become a world leader in its industry. He asked the audience to make everyday a celebration of international trade and to applaud each others efforts as businesses begin to venture out into foreign markets.

Posted in BE Daily, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Pierce County, Tacoma by Breanne Coats | Email Breanne

May. 22, 2009 at 11:28am

Unemployment benefits: mostly accurate in 2008

The state's Employment Security Department today announced that a large majority of unemployment benefits were paid accurately in 2008, even as the demand for benefits increased.

Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

May. 22, 2009 at 11:20am

Pierce groups partner for nurse training

Federal stimulus dollars and a partnership between three Pierce County organizations will allow qualified licensed practical nurses to have another opportunity to become registered nurses in Tacoma beginning this summer.

Posted in BE Daily, Charities/Non-profits, Education, Health care, Law and Legislation, Tacoma by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

May. 22, 2009 at 11:19am

Local dealers to fight car closure

Tacoma Dodge and Milam Jeep are on Chrysler's list of dealerships it wants to close in an effort to aid the bankrupt car maker, but they have no plans to shut their doors when the June 9 deadline comes. They have announced they plan to fight to keep their franchises open.

Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Pierce County, Tacoma by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

May. 22, 2009 at 11:16am

COFFEE BREAK: tourist spots

The Business Examiner asked in the Coffee Break question this week what spots readers take out-of-town guests when they find themselves serving as tour guides. Here are some of the responses:

Posted in BE Daily, Building, Charities/Non-profits, Education, Health care, Human Resources , Lacey, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Olympia, Pierce County, South King County, Startups/Minority Businesses, Tacoma, Thurston County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

May. 21, 2009 at 12:35pm

St. Anthony steps toward full operations

St. Anthony Hospital in Gig Harbor will open an additional 16 beds on Tuesday, as more doctors and their patients turn to the facility to provide care for overnight hospital stays.

Posted in BE Daily, Building, Health care, Pierce County by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

May. 21, 2009 at 12:00pm

Pierce County Health Care Champions honored last night

There are countless champions in the thriving health care market, and the Business Examiner in partnership with the Pierce County Medical Society honored some of them last night at the BE's annual recognition event held at The Museum of Glass in downtown Tacoma.

Posted in BE Daily, Health care, Pierce County, Tacoma, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

May. 21, 2009 at 11:50am

MultiCare reaches out at South Hill Mall

As part of its ongoing community drive, MultiCare Good Samaritan Health Center has unveiled a new health kiosk at South Hill Mall. This is a new version of the health care kiosk the hospital group has operated at the Puyallup mall for years. The new kiosk offers more privacy to patients. It will be used to provide health services such as childhood vaccinations, flu shots and blood pressure screening.

Posted in BE Daily, Health care, Pierce County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

May. 21, 2009 at 11:50am

Advancing Leadership applications due tomorrow

Applications are due tomorrow for the Advancing Leadership program. Anyone living or working in Federal Way who is interested in strengthening his or her leadership skills, developing a stronger network of local leaders in business, nonprofit and government, and becoming more involved in the community are encouraged to apply.

Posted in BE Daily, Education, South King County by Breanne Coats | Email Breanne

May. 21, 2009 at 11:49am

TRA gets larger with Olympia addition

TRA Medical Imaging, a Tacoma-based medical imaging provider in the South Sound, has announced the acquisition of Olympia-based Northwest Radiology Group. The main office of Northwest Radiology Group is located at 500 Lilly Road NE, in the Memorial Medical Plaza. Under the agreement, Northwest Radiology Group owner, Randall Patten, M.D. and staff will become TRA employees.

Posted in BE Daily, Health care, Olympia, Pierce County, Tacoma, Thurston County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

May. 21, 2009 at 11:48am

State targets brokerage to recoup investment losses

The Washington State Investment Board filed a lawsuit yesterday to recover more than $100 million in losses related to its purchase of investments from Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc.

Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Olympia, Pierce County, Retirement and Investing, Technology, Thurston County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

May. 21, 2009 at 11:47am

SR 16 on-ramp set to close for two years

Crews rebuilding the Nalley Valley Viaduct are scheduled to close the ramp from Sprague Avenue to westbound State Route 16 on Monday. About 2,200 vehicles a day use this ramp, which will remain closed until the fall of 2011.

Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Pierce County, Tacoma, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

May. 21, 2009 at 11:42am

People on the move

Promotions, awards and recognitions in the South Sound

Mark Jensen has joined Hentschell and Associates Inc., a Tacoma insurance brokerage. Jensen has been very active in the contractors surety bond sector for more than 25 years.

May. 20, 2009 at 1:28pm

As budget passes, fight continues

Gov. Chris Gregoire signed the state budgets earlier this week that call for some $70 billion in spending during the next two years. But even though the spending plan is now law, calls for changes are continuing.

The calls for further cuts and changes come because only about half of the state's $9 billion shortfall was covered by cuts and higher fees. The rest came from savings, stimulus money and deferred payments.

Posted in BE Daily, Building, Charities/Non-profits, Education, Lacey, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Mason County, Military/Security, Olympia, Pierce County, South King County, Tacoma, Technology, Thurston County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Tumwater, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

May. 20, 2009 at 1:26pm

Reseller tax rules tighten with new law

Gov. Chris Gregoire has signed legislation to curtail abuse of resale certificates that cost state and local governments more than $100 million annually in unpaid sales tax revenue.

Gregoire said plugging this loophole will help improve compliance at a time when state and local governments are facing serious budget challenges.

Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Building, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Mason County, Olympia, Pierce County, South King County, Tacoma, Thurston County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

May. 20, 2009 at 1:14pm

Blog Watch: potty break

A roundup from the Blogosphere

The AWB blog has an item about a change in the law that will affect most retailers and restaurants in the South Sound in one way or another. New state law requires that retail establishments make their restroom facilities available to customers or potential customers provided that three or more employees are working, and it's considered "reasonably safe" for a customer to access the restroom. Fines for noncompliance cost $100.

May. 20, 2009 at 1:13pm

COFFEE BREAK: Tourist spots

The Business Examiner would like to know the types of places you take out-of-town visitors when you find yourself an impromptu tour guide of the South Sound.

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

May. 20, 2009 at 10:56am

AWB honors organizations for excellence in community service

The Association of Washington Business honored 31 businesses and non-profit organizations Tuesday night for outstanding efforts in community service during its annual.

Posted in BE Daily, Charities/Non-profits, Olympia, Pierce County, South King County, Tacoma, Thurston County by Breanne Coats | Email Breanne

May. 19, 2009 at 2:35pm

State disciplines health care providers in the area

The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against health care providers in the South Sound.

Posted in BE Daily, Health care, Law and Legislation, Pierce County, Thurston County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

May. 19, 2009 at 11:11am

State's jobless rate stayed the same in April

Washington's unemployment rate did not rise in April, the first time in more than a year that the rate did not increase from one month to the next, according to the state Employment Security Department.

Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

May. 19, 2009 at 11:10am

Gay 'all but marriage' bill signed, may go to ballot

The Attorney General has released the ballot title and summary for the domestic partnership Referendum 71, following Gov. Chris Gregoire's signing of Senate Bill 5688 yesterday.

Posted in BE Daily, Education, Health care, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Olympia, Pierce County, Retirement and Investing, South King County, Tacoma, Tumwater, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

May. 19, 2009 at 11:09am

Gig Harbor hospital now serves military patients

St. Anthony Hospital in Gig Harbor has become part of the TRICARE network, which is the health care program that serves active-duty service members, National Guard and Reserve members, retirees, their families and survivors.

Posted in BE Daily, Health care, Law and Legislation, Military/Security, Pierce County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

May. 19, 2009 at 11:06am

People on the move

Promotions, awards and recognitions in the South Sound

Tacoma's Commencement Bank has announced that it has agreed to be the 2009 Tacoma Farmers Market "Platinum Peach Partner," the highest sponsorship level. Commencement is a local bank with products and services designed to help businesses and individuals meet their financial needs and goals. Commencement Bank is one of the leading banks in Washington State with remote deposit capture, allowing business customers the convenience to make deposits from their office without going to the bank.

Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Building, Health care, Law and Legislation, Olympia, Pierce County, Tacoma, Thurston County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

May. 18, 2009 at 2:57pm

Venture to file quarterly report later

Venture Financial Group, the parent company of Venture Bank, has filed a Notification of Late Filing with federal regulators. It expects to be current with all reports within 15 days.

The DuPont-based bank stated it was unable to timely file the first quarter financial results because it has not completed its financial statements for the period. It is also still working to complete the year-end 2008 10-K filing.

Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Pierce County, Thurston County by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

May. 18, 2009 at 12:35pm

Olympia broke ground on City Hall

Construction on Olympia's new City Hall has officially begun � officials held a ground breaking this morning.

Posted in BE Daily, Building, Law and Legislation, Olympia, Thurston County by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

May. 18, 2009 at 12:33pm

SBA now has fully guaranteed loan offer

Small businesses suffering financial hardship as a result of the slow economy may be eligible to receive temporary relief to keep their doors open and get their cash flow back on track through to a new loan program announced today by the Small Business Administration.

Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Mason County, Startups/Minority Businesses, Tacoma, Thurston County, Tumwater by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

May. 18, 2009 at 12:33pm

Business owners remain optimistic

A recent Wells Fargo/Gallup Small Business Index survey concluded that small business owners are optimistic about the future. The "future expectations" score on the index rose nine points to an index number of 10, while the "present situation" score dropped 6 points to negative 11. A score of zero means small business owners, as a group, are neutral � neither optimistic nor pessimistic � about their companies' situations. The index high of 114 occurred in November 2006.

Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Building, Education, Law and Legislation, Pierce County, Startups/Minority Businesses, Tacoma, Thurston County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

May. 18, 2009 at 12:31pm

Workplace safety is focus of new ad campaign

The state Department of Labor and Industries has partnered with four business and labor organizations to develop an advertising campaign to raise awareness about the importance of workplace safety in Washington.

May. 18, 2009 at 12:30pm

Lacey development to showcase gold standard

The First Park Meridian Campus in Lacey is the site of the state's first large distribution center to seek LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

Posted in BE Daily, Building, Lacey, Thurston County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

May. 18, 2009 at 12:17pm

Sumner leaders take paycut to help budget

Several City of Sumner leaders announced last week that they are taking 2 percent pay cuts to help with the city's budget. This voluntary reduction is being taken by Mayor Dave Enslow and City Administrator John Doan. They are being joined by the majority of the leadership team representing Police, Public Works, Community Development and Administration departments.

"As leaders in the organization, we chose to make this contribution to help the city," said Enslow. "This was one more small thing we could do personally to help."

In addition to continuing to find more efficiencies, city officials are considering the creation of a tax on the city's stormwater utility and implementing up to six furlough days before the end of the year.

Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, South King County, Workforce by Breanne Coats | Email Breanne

May. 15, 2009 at 2:22pm

State disciplines local health care providers

The state Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions against health care providers in the South Sound:

Posted in BE Daily, Health care, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Olympia, Pierce County, Tacoma, Thurston County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

May. 15, 2009 at 2:21pm

East Bay proposals prompt open house

Business and development watchers in the South Sound will have an opportunity to hear three developers present their conceptual designs for the redevelopment of East Bay at a public open house set for 5:15 p.m. on Wednesday, May 20, at Washington Middle School, located at 3100 Cain Road SE in Olympia.

Posted in BE Daily, Building, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Olympia, Thurston County by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

May. 15, 2009 at 2:20pm

Anticipate delays around Nisqually bridge

Motorists traveling north on Interstate 5 near the Pierce-Thurston County line should expect delays through Monday.

Posted in BE Daily, Building, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Pierce County, Thurston County by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

May. 15, 2009 at 1:28pm

YMCA thanks donors, supporters

The goal of the YMCA of Tacoma-Pierce County 2009 Celebration of Philanthropy was not to ask its highest level investors, community partners and leaders for more money. Rather the event held last night at the Museum of Glass, stuck to its promise and was just used as a way for the association to say thanks.

In fact, YMCA president and CEO Bob Ecklund said one of his goals is that the nonprofit says "thank you" more than it asks for something.

Posted in BE Daily, Charities/Non-profits, Pierce County, Tacoma by Breanne Coats | Email Breanne

May. 15, 2009 at 10:53am

Radio show marks rise in business activism

Radio talk show host Mike Siegel held a location broadcast of his "Sound Business" radio show this morning from the Great American Casino in Lakewood.

Posted in BE Daily, Building, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Pierce County, South King County, Thurston County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

May. 15, 2009 at 10:52am

State dollars give boost to UP Town Center

University Place's Town Center development got a lift from the state in this year's legislative session.

Posted in BE Daily, Building, Law and Legislation, Pierce County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

May. 15, 2009 at 10:52am

Donations save museum from closure

The Lakewood History Museum no longer is threatened with having to close because of a lack of money to pay its rent thanks to business and individual donations that totaled more than $13,000.

Posted in BE Daily, Building, Charities/Non-profits, Education, Lakewood, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

May. 14, 2009 at 12:30pm

OMAX settles patent case

OMAX, a Kent-based waterjet developer, has announced the settlement of the outstanding patent litigation with Flow Corp., another Kent waterjet developer it had thought to merge with until talks ended earlier this week.

Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, South King County by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

May. 14, 2009 at 12:30pm

Former Mariner highlights tourism event

Grown men seemed genuinely star struck at the Olympia Lacey Tumwater Visitor and Convention Bureau annual meeting this morning at the Indian Summer Golf and Country Club.

Posted in BE Daily, Olympia, Thurston County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Tumwater, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

May. 14, 2009 at 12:29pm

Foreclosure rates in Tacoma increase

Foreclosure rates in Tacoma have increased for the month of March over the same period last year, according to First American CoreLogic, a collector of national, state and local data on home prices, foreclosure and delinquency activity, real estate sales volume and mortgage loan activity.

Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Pierce County, Tacoma by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

May. 14, 2009 at 12:28pm

Materials prices for contractors dipped in April

Continuing on a downward trend, the price of construction materials fell 0.4 percent in April, according to the U.S. Labor Department. On a year-over-year basis, construction material prices have dropped 3.7 percent.

Posted in BE Daily, Building, Law and Legislation, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

May. 14, 2009 at 12:23pm

People on the move

Promotions, awards and recognitions in the South Sound

GVA Kidder Mathews has announced that its chairman and CEO, Jeffrey Lyon, is a finalist for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Award in the Pacific Northwest. The awards program recognizes entrepreneurs who demonstrate extraordinary success in the areas of innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities. Lyon was selected as a finalist from nearly 65 nominations by a panel of independent judges. Regional award recipients are eligible for consideration for the national program.

Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Charities/Non-profits, Education, Health care, Lacey, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Olympia, Pierce County, South King County, Tacoma, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

May. 13, 2009 at 1:05pm

Lakewood Chamber hosts radio show

Radio talk show host Mike Siegel will be featuring members of the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce on his program, "Sound Business," on his show from 6 to 9 a.m. on Friday, on KKOL 1300 AM. The show will broadcast live from the Great American Casino at the corner of State Route 512 and South Tacoma Way.

Posted in BE Daily, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Pierce County, Tacoma, Technology, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

May. 13, 2009 at 11:11am

Olympia station to go all news

KOMO Newsradio, AM 1000 will simulcast on 97.7 FM in Olympia as the "The Eagle" shifts from a classic rock format to one that offers all news. The deal will take affect Friday.

Posted in BE Daily, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Olympia, South King County, Technology, Thurston County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

May. 13, 2009 at 11:11am

Parking is set to get more expensive, might bring garage

The Olympia City Council has approved a parking plan that could eventually lead to the construction of a long-anticipated parking garage downtown. It would be funded partially through higher parking fees that were also approved.

Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Olympia, Thurston County by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

May. 13, 2009 at 11:10am

Retail sales suggest shoppers only seeking basic needs

Consumers need more proof that the economy is slowly turning around as April retail sales around the nation show people continuing to cut back on their discretionary spending.

Posted in BE Daily, Charities/Non-profits, Law and Legislation, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

May. 13, 2009 at 11:09am

Wilcox Farms marks 100 years of operation

While the brand and its products have changed slightly over the years, Wilcox Family Farms seems solid for its age. It turns 100-years-old and has announced tours and events set for the rest of the year.

Posted in BE Daily, Building, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Pierce County, Tacoma, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

May. 13, 2009 at 11:08am

Retail sales declined last year

Taxable retail sales in the state declined 4.3 percent, to $113.2 billion last year, the Washington State Department of Revenue has reported.

Retail sales in Pierce dropped 6.6 percent to $11.7 billion, while Thurston sales dropped 5.13 percent to $3.9 billion.

Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Building, Charities/Non-profits, Education, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Olympia, Pierce County, Retirement and Investing, Startups/Minority Businesses, Tacoma, Technology, Thurston County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

May. 13, 2009 at 11:07am

Governor signs landmark transportation bill in Tacoma

Gov. Chris Gregoire visited Tacoma today to sign the historic transportation budget, which includes the largest two-year construction budget ever approved for the Washington State Department of Transportation.

Posted in Banking/Financial Services, Building, Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Olympia, Pierce County, Tacoma, Thurston County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

May. 13, 2009 at 11:05am

Blog Watch: when is free trade, fair

The Washington Policy Center has an item about the current thoughts on free trade versus fair trade when it comes to dealings with developing countries.

May. 13, 2009 at 11:03am

COFFEE BREAK: got port?

The Business Examiner would like to know what you think is the top export, by value, from South Sound port operations. Don't cheat by visiting the Port of Tacoma or the Port of Olympia Web sites.

May. 12, 2009 at 12:08pm

Success of golf events could lead to repeat business

The stage is being set for the 2010 U.S. Amateur Championships, a crowd of tourism watchers learned at Chambers Bay this morning.

The Tacoma Regional Convention and Visitor Bureau organized the event, "Tourism Links: Tee Up for Success," to provide hoteliers and tourism watchers a glimpse of things to come as the tournament nears. The amateur golf event that will be held at Chambers Bay will bring a few hundred golfers to the area and up to 5,000 spectators during the six day-event.

Posted in BE Daily, Pierce County, Tacoma, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

May. 12, 2009 at 8:22am

Staycation might be over

AAA is projecting the number of Americans traveling on vacation this Memorial Day holiday weekend will increase 1.5 percent from 2008 with some 32.4 million travelers taking a trip of 50 or more miles away from home. Last year, 31.9 million Americans traveled during the same period; a dramatic decline from the 35.3 million travelers who vacationed in 2007.

Posted in BE Daily, Lewis County, Mason County, Pierce County, South King County, Thurston County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

May. 12, 2009 at 8:20am

State economics report gives mixed messages

The monthly economics report from the Washington State Economic and Revenue Forecast Council give the economy mixed marks, depending on the industry. But even mixed signals are good these days.

Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Olympia, Pierce County, Retirement and Investing, Startups/Minority Businesses, Technology, Thurston County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Tumwater, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

May. 12, 2009 at 8:19am

Flow, OMAX deal dies

Flow International Corp., a Kent-based developer and manufacturer of industrial waterjet machines for cutting and cleaning applications, has announced that it will not exercise its option to acquire OMAX Corp.

Posted in BE Daily, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Retirement and Investing, South King County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

May. 12, 2009 at 8:13am

People on the move

Promotions, awards and recognitions in the South Sound

Flow International Corp., a developer and manufacturer of industrial waterjet machines for cutting and cleaning applications, announced the appointment of Allen Hsieh as vice president and Chief Financial Officer. Hsieh will oversee all of the Kent-based firm's financial functions from the company's headquarters and report directly to Charley Brown, president and CEO.

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, Tacoma, Thurston County, Tumwater, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

May. 11, 2009 at 2:36pm

LeMay museum plans move forward

LeMay's board of directors approved the proposed museum's financing plan and elected to move forward to prepare for an anticipated ground breaking this fall for construction of the first phase of the LeMay �America's Car Museum in Tacoma.

Posted in BE Daily, Building, Charities/Non-profits, Pierce County, Tacoma, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

May. 11, 2009 at 1:45pm

Swine flu claims first victim

A Snohomish County man in his 30s with underlying heart conditions died last week with what appears to be complications of swine-origin influenza. This is the first death in Washington associated with the new flu strain.

Posted in BE Daily, Health care, Law and Legislation, Mason County, Olympia, Pierce County, South King County, Tacoma, Thurston County, Tumwater, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

May. 11, 2009 at 10:28am

Westsound closed, sold to Kitsap Bank

Everything happened in a matter of hours. State banking officials closed Bremerton-based Westsound Bank Friday as a move to protect deposits.

No public deposits were lost in what is expected to be a seamless takeover and transfer of accounts to Kitsap Bank, which state and federal banking officials helped coordinate. All deposits will transfer to the new bank with the exception of some brokered deposits that the FDIC will pay out directly; there will be no need to liquidate the collateral for the benefit of the uninsured local government deposits.

Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Mason County, Pierce County, Retirement and Investing by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

May. 11, 2009 at 10:27am

Grads face tough job hunt this summer

For the more than 2.3 million students collecting their associate and bachelor's degrees this year, the job market will be incredibly competitive.

Posted in BE Daily, Lacey, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Mason County, Olympia, Pierce County, Retirement and Investing, Tacoma, Thurston County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Tumwater, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

May. 11, 2009 at 8:31am

Business Examiner offers online community for BE readers

The Business Examiner Newspaper Group recently launched an online community to foster connections between small business owners, managers and supporters in the Sound Sound. Those who complete a brief registration process can immediately access the BE network to find business leads, exchange ideas through interest groups, comment on stories, share their thoughts about the business news of the day, post events and share updates.

May. 8, 2009 at 1:54pm

Fife door tax set for action

Fife City Council is stepping forward with a plan to place a tax on delivery doors within the city limits as a way to help fund road repairs. The Loading Dock Door Tax is set for the May 26 council agenda.

Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Pierce County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

May. 8, 2009 at 1:53pm

LeMay museum update set for discussion

The Tacoma City Council is scheduled to receive an update from LeMay Museum staff on the progress towards phase one of the museum at the council's study session on Monday.

Posted in BE Daily, Building, Law and Legislation, Pierce County, Tacoma, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

May. 8, 2009 at 1:52pm

 Nonresidential construction job loss slows

The pace of layoffs in the nation's nonresidential building construction sector slowed in April, according to an employment report by the U.S. Labor Department.

"The latest employment report indicates that the nation lost more than half a million jobs in April and revisions to earlier months bring that number to more than 600,000," said Anirban Basu Associated Builders and Contractors Chief Economist. "Normally, this would be viewed as very bad news, but some observers are interpreting the latest jobs numbers as additional evidence of economic stabilization."

Posted in BE Daily, Building, Law and Legislation, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

May. 7, 2009 at 1:31pm

AG announces major victory in foreclosure scam case

The Washington Attorney General's Office declared a major victory for consumers today in response to a judge's order that a notorious foreclosure rescue scammer must pay more than $3.2 million to victims plus $179,000 in penalties for violating the Consumer Protection Act.

Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Building, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Pierce County, Tacoma, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

May. 7, 2009 at 1:30pm

Retail import volume hits five-year low

Import cargo volume at the nation's major retail container ports improved in March compared to February's seven-year low, but was still at its lowest level in five years and remained below the 1 million container mark, according to the monthly Port Tracker report released by the National Retail Federation and IHS Global Insight.

Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Pierce County, Tacoma, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

May. 7, 2009 at 1:29pm

State, Taylor settle inlet dispute

Washington State Department of Natural Resources and Taylor Shellfish have announced that they have settled the dispute concerning activities on Totten Inlet. The agreement resolved ownership of the disputed tidelands, ownership and access to remaining shellfish product, and settled any issues regarding past use of the tidelands.

Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Mason County, Olympia, Pierce County, Tacoma, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

May. 7, 2009 at 1:28pm

Lakewood bank expands with mortgage arm

Northwest Commercial Bank has opened a full-service mortgage department and will operate it as a wholly-owned division of the Lakewood-based bank.

Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Building, Lakewood, Pierce County, Startups/Minority Businesses by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

May. 7, 2009 at 1:22pm

People on the move

Promotions, awards and recognitions in the South Sound

Clover Park Technical College Foundation has announced the addition of three board members, Ty Cordova, Mary Green and Steve Brewer. Cordova is the Marketing and Public Affairs manager for State Farm Insurance in DuPont. Green is a retired elementary school administrator. Brewer is the factory superintendent at the Composite Manufacturing Center in Frederickson.

May. 6, 2009 at 4:08pm

Federal Way City Council parts ways with city manager

The Federal Way City Council voted at its May 5 meeting to authorize Mayor Jack Dovey to sign a separation agreement with City Manager Neal Beets. The effective date for Beets' separation was at the close of the meeting.

"The city council determined that the council wants to go in a different direction, and this agreement works for both the city and for Mr. Beets," said Dovey.

Posted in BE Daily, Human Resources , Law and Legislation, South King County by Breanne Coats | Email Breanne

May. 6, 2009 at 2:07pm

Liquor Control Board boosts price of booze

The Washington State Liquor Control Board today voted to increase the state markup on liquor to generate some $80 million in revenue during the next two-year budget cycle.

Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

May. 6, 2009 at 10:59am

Local YMCA expands to Kitsap County

The YMCA of Tacoma-Pierce County is going to need a name change soon. This adjustment is needed since the local organization is expanding its service area to include Kitsap County.

The nonprofit has been authorized to begin raising funds for a new YMCA in Silverdale. Kitsap County Board of Commissioners approved an agreement Monday between Kitsap and the YMCA to build a new facility on the Central Kitsap Community Campus.

Posted in BE Daily, Charities/Non-profits, Pierce County, Startups/Minority Businesses, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality by Breanne Coats | Email Breanne

May. 6, 2009 at 10:46am

Local firms close while national outlook improves

Two local companies shut their doors as a survey of businesses shows job cuts around the nation are beginning to slow.

Posted in BE Daily, Lacey, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Pierce County, Tacoma, Thurston County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

May. 6, 2009 at 10:41am

EFF announces report on grade school performance

The Evergreen Freedom Foundation has announced the release of its "Report Card on Washington State's Elementary Schools 2009."

Posted in BE Daily, Education, Lacey, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Mason County, Olympia, Pierce County, Tacoma, Thurston County, Tumwater by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

May. 6, 2009 at 10:40am

Retailers now have quick access to industry reports

The National Retail Federation has unveiled an online Retail Reference Center to host original research, case studies, emerging industry trends, innovative ideas and benchmarking reports submitted by NRF's associate members. The information will be free for all retail and associate members, is non-promotional and will serve to educate, inform and support the NRF community.

Posted in BE Daily, Charities/Non-profits, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

May. 6, 2009 at 10:39am

Kreidler cracks down on insurers

Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler issued nearly $300,000 in fines and pulled several insurance agents' licenses when they failed to follow the rules in the first few months of the year.

Posted in BE Daily, Health care, Law and Legislation, Pierce County, Retirement and Investing, South King County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

May. 6, 2009 at 10:21am

Blog Watch: horsing around

Exit133.com has an item about how the former Stable & Storehouse along the 600 block of Commerce Street is on the market. It sits just below the Elks Building and next to Old City Hall. The price tag is $1.5 million.

Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, 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, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Tumwater, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

May. 6, 2009 at 10:20am

COFFEE BREAK: trouble giving

The Business Examiner would like to know how the economy has affected your community contributions.

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

May. 5, 2009 at 12:54pm

Pending sales bump with improved affordability, incentives

Northwest Multiple Listing Service members reported pending sales for April surged 11.4 percent compared to last April � and rose 21.3 percent from March. Brokers reported 6,918 pending sales during April across the 19 counties that make up the Northwest MLS market area that includes the South Sound. That volume is up from the year-ago total of 6,208, and the March figure of 5,701 pending sales.

Posted in BE Daily, Building, Mason County, Pierce County, South King County, Tacoma, Thurston County by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

May. 5, 2009 at 11:26am

Gay marriage bill could face a vote

Washington Values Alliance has filed Referendum 71 that seeks a public vote on Senate Bill 5688, which broadened the rights and responsibilities of registered domestic partners in Washington when it passed the legislature this session. The bill is commonly called "everything but marriage."

Posted in BE Daily, Human Resources , Law and Legislation by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

May. 5, 2009 at 11:26am

CDC confirms nine swine flu cases in state

Federal health officials have confirmed nine swine flu cases in Washington, which joins 38 other states that have confirmed cases. Of those, seven cases were found in King County. The other two were in in Snohomish and Spokane counties. The nine people are all recovering.

Posted in BE Daily, Health care, Law and Legislation, South King County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

May. 5, 2009 at 11:22am

Avure bought by firm in growth strategy

Avure Technologies, a Kent-based developer of high pressure processing systems, announced today that it has been acquired by Milestone Partners, a private equity firm that specializes in leveraged buyouts and recapitalizations of middle-market businesses.

Posted in BE Daily, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Retirement and Investing, South King County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

May. 5, 2009 at 10:34am

Weyerhaeuser posts quarterly loss

Weyerhaeuser Co. today reported a net loss of $264 million for the first quarter, or $1.25 per share, on net sales of $1.3 billion. This compares with a net loss of $148 million, or $0.70 per share, on net sales from continuing operations of $2 billion for the same period last year.

Posted in BE Daily, Building, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Mason County, Pierce County, South King County, Tacoma, Thurston County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

May. 5, 2009 at 10:30am

Wells Fargo now offers small business advice

As part of the 2009 Small Business appreciation campaign, Wells Fargo has introduced a new online educational video resource to help small business owners manage their businesses. The Business Insight Series video library offers advice and solutions on a range of topics, including financing and credit, marketing, health care and security.

"We know how important it is for small business owners to have access to resources and information � especially in today's challenging economy," said Marc Bernstein, head of Wells Fargo's Business Direct Lending and Small Business Segment. "The Wells Fargo Business Insight Series addresses key areas of concern for small business owners and provides them with strategies and tips to help them succeed financially."

May. 5, 2009 at 10:24am

People on the move

Promotions, awards and recognitions in the South Sound

Scott A. Shelton, managing partner of Westgate Capital Consultants in Tacoma, has earned the Accredited Investment Fiduciary designation, awarded by Fiduciary360. The AIF designation signifies knowledge of fiduciary responsibility and the ability to implement policies and procedures that meet a defined standard of care. The designation is the culmination of a two-day course and examination awarded by the Center for Fiduciary Studies, which is associated with the University of Pittsburgh. Fiduciary360 is an organization offering training, tools and resources to promote a culture of fiduciary responsibility and improve the decision making process of fiduciaries.

Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Pierce County, Retirement and Investing, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

May. 5, 2009 at 10:10am

Goodwill honors businesses, participants at breakfast

Jobs change lives.

This statement was repeated numerous times at Tacoma Goodwill's Ready to Work breakfast. It was used to stress the work Goodwill continues to do in the South Sound, illustrated by many of those who have benefited from the nonprofit's job programs.

While Goodwill continues to work to place people in jobs around the South Sound, it also used this morning's event to honor businesses and program participants for their accomplishments.

Posted in BE Daily, Building, Charities/Non-profits, Education, Pierce County, Tacoma, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Workforce by Breanne Coats | Email Breanne

May. 4, 2009 at 12:21pm

Commercial construction spikes, still troubled

Nonresidential construction spending for March reported by the Census Bureau today showed increases in manufacturing construction at huge refinery and steel-mill projects. While that might seem like a good sign, Ken Simonson, chief economist for the Associated General Contractors of America, said those projects were well underway before the downturn started and do not illustrate an improved economy.

Posted in BE Daily, Building, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Military/Security, Pierce County, South King County, Tacoma, Thurston County, Tumwater by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

May. 4, 2009 at 10:31am

Deployment protest leads to downtown arrests

An effort to protest the deployment of military personnel and equipment from Fort Lewis led to arrests of almost a dozen people this weekend.

Anti-war protesters attended to block a convoy of Stryker vehicles as they flowed from the Fort Lewis gate to Tacoma to be loaded onto cargo ships bound for the combat zones.

Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Military/Security, Pierce County, Tacoma, Thurston County by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

May. 4, 2009 at 10:29am

Swine flu medications arrive, few cases reported

Following just-in-case procedures, truckloads of medication and other medical supplies needed to treat swine flu have started to arrive in the state as a precautionary measure in case they're needed to help treat people if the number of cases grows.

Posted in BE Daily, Education, Health care, Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Olympia, Pierce County, South King County, Tacoma, Thurston County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Tumwater by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

May. 1, 2009 at 1:31pm

Russell Indexes: small-caps surge

The small-cap Russell 2000 Index reflected an increase of 15.5 percent for April, marking the second-largest monthly gain in 30 years of available data. Only February of 2000 offered a greater return of 16.5 percent. Even with this recent surge, however, the index continued to reflect a negative year-to-date return of minus 1.8 percent through April.

Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Pierce County, Retirement and Investing, Tacoma by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

May. 1, 2009 at 10:32am

Care costs continue to grow

The cost of long-term care in Washington is rising at a rate outpacing inflation, putting significant financial pressure on those in or near retirement, according to an annual study by Genworth Financial. At the same time, the current economic downturn has led to a decline in home values and investment returns for many state residents, creating further financial planning challenges for many in the state.

Posted in BE Daily, Charities/Non-profits, Health care, Lacey, Lakewood, Mason County, Olympia, Pierce County, Retirement and Investing, South King County, Tacoma, Thurston County, Tumwater, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

May. 1, 2009 at 10:31am

Liquor license suspension issued for McCabe�s

The Washington State Liquor Control Board today issued an emergency liquor license suspension up to 180 days for McCabe's American Music Cafe, located at 2611 Pacific Ave. The suspension is effective immediately. During the suspension period, the liquor control agents will take action to revoke the restaurant and lounge license permanently.

Posted in BE Daily, Health care, Law and Legislation, Pierce County, Tacoma, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

May. 1, 2009 at 10:29am

Commerical real estate market in limbo

Market report on Puget Sound commercial spaces complied by GVA Kidder Mathews and CB Richard Ellis suggest a market in wait.

Posted in BE Daily, Building, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Olympia, Pierce County, South King County, Tacoma, Thurston County, Tumwater, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

May. 1, 2009 at 10:27am

South King did well in state construction budget

A significant flood control project, congestion relief for the Covington area and a study for commuter rail were among the projects the state legislature has funded in the state's two-year construction and transportation budget, Sen. Claudia Kauffman, D-Kent announced.

Posted in BE Daily, Building, Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, South King County by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Apr. 30, 2009 at 7:48am

Federal stimulus boosts Sounder extension

Sound Transit has awarded a contract for track and signal improvements on the Tacoma-to-Lakewood rail corridor, boosted by a $4.6 million federal stimulus infusion that will help bring commuter rail service to South Tacoma and Lakewood.

Posted in BE Daily, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Apr. 30, 2009 at 7:47am

Flow announces strategic alliance

Flow International Corp., a Kent-based developer and manufacturer of ultrahigh-pressure waterjet technology, recently announced the formation of a strategic alliance with KUKA Robot Group, the global leader in robotic automation.

Posted in BE Daily, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Retirement and Investing, South King County, Technology by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Apr. 30, 2009 at 7:46am

Balfour to get much needed repairs thanks to state funds

Tacoma's historic Balfour Dock Building on the Foss Waterway will get much needed seismic bracing now that the governor's request for $750,000 for the work was included in the budget the legislature approved this week.

Built in 1900, the Balfour Building is the original home of the Port of Tacoma.

Posted in BE Daily, Building, Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Pierce County, Tacoma by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Apr. 30, 2009 at 7:45am

Heritage posts loss, maintains strong liquidity

Heritage Financial Corp. CEO Brian L. Vance reported a net loss during the first three months of the year, compared to net income of $2.6 million for the same quarter last year.

"As we continue to manage through a very volatile economic climate, we are seeing many of our business customers experience difficulties, and we are reminded once again that the banking industry's performance typically mirrors our customer's performance in good times and difficult times," Vance said. "Not unlike many other businesses, we also have posted a small loss for the quarter. Our loss this quarter was primarily the result of necessary loan loss provisioning reflecting the current risk in our loan portfolio. Our coverage ratio, which is loan loss reserves as a percentage of non-performing loans, continues to be one of the strongest on the West Coast."

Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Building, Charities/Non-profits, Education, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Olympia, Pierce County, Retirement and Investing, Thurston County by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Apr. 30, 2009 at 2:13am

People on the move

Promotions, awards and recognitions in the South Sound

Charlotte Braden, a registered nurse at St. Clare Hospital in Lakewood, has been named the 2009 Pierce County Nurse of the Year by the Pierce County Nurses Association. She is a charge nurse in the hospital's 10-bed Intensive Care Unit, where she cares for critically ill and injured patients. This is the ninth time in the past 11 years that the Pierce County Nurse of the Year has been a member of the St. Clare staff. The award-winner is chosen by the association, which is affiliated with the Washington State Nurses Association. Nurses are nominated by their co-workers and peers. The award ceremony will be held May 8 at the Landmark Convention Center in Tacoma. The ceremony also will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Pierce County Nurses Association.

Posted in BE Daily, Building, Health care, Lakewood, Mason County, Pierce County, Tacoma, Technology, Thurston County by Breanne Coats | Email Breanne

Apr. 29, 2009 at 2:35pm

Know who to call

BE offers industry contact information

You are just a few mouse clicks away from accessing thousands of detailed contract records on business and industries around the Sound Sound. These can be searched for and purchased individually or as part of an industry list. Many of these industry lists appear in the print edition of the Business Examiner as a featured list. These lists and more then are updated and appear in the annual Book of Lists published in the last issue of December.

Apr. 29, 2009 at 10:23am

Trade leaders forecast slow recovery

Audience members expecting to hear good news on the state and future of the economy didn't get much of it at the Port of Tacoma's panel discussion "Meeting the Challenges of Global Economic Change" this morning at Hotel Murano.

"We are suffering like everybody else," Port of Tacoma Director Tim Farrell said.

Posted in BE Daily, Building, Health care, Human Resources , Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Olympia, Pierce County, Retirement and Investing, South King County, Tacoma, Technology, Thurston County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Tumwater, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Apr. 29, 2009 at 10:10am

COFFEE BREAK: lawmaker score card

The Business Examiner would like to know how you think the legislature did as it dealt with its historic budget shortfall and a growing economic slowdown.

Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Building, Charities/Non-profits, Education, Health care, Human Resources , Lacey, Law and Legislation, 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

Apr. 29, 2009 at 10:09am

Blog Watch: a shout out to unions

The AWB blog gave unions some credit as it marked yesterday as Worker Memorial Day with families and friends from 81 Washingtonians killed on the job in 2008. They gathered for the annual ceremony at the state Department of Labor and Industries office in Tumwater. The pro-business group pointed out that it was labor unions that established the first Workers Memorial Day in 1989 as a way to boost awareness of job safety.

Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Building, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Mason County, Military/Security, Olympia, Tacoma, Technology, Thurston County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Apr. 29, 2009 at 9:51am

City approves LeMay loan

The Tacoma City Council gave the greenlight last night for the LeMay Car Museum to tap into a city loan program to help fund the first phase of the car collection museum, slated for a parking lot of the Tacoma Dome.

Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Pierce County, Tacoma, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Apr. 29, 2009 at 9:50am

Feed mill cited for water violations

A Chehalis mill that produces animal feed is being fined $14,000 by the state Department of Ecology for ongoing industrial stormwater violations that threaten the health of Dillenbaugh Creek.

Posted in BE Daily, Building, Health care, Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Thurston County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Apr. 29, 2009 at 8:54am

TLRC breaks ground on wellness center

Tacoma Lutheran Retirement Community broke ground yesterday on the first Pierce County green senior wellness center with an audience of about 120 watching and cheering.

The Emerson Wellness & Clark Aquatic Center will be about 5,000 square feet with an exercise room, an exercise therapy pool and a spa therapy pool. The estimated cost of the project, including all fees and taxes, is $2.245 million.

Posted in BE Daily, Building, Health care, Pierce County, Tacoma by Breanne Coats | Email Breanne

Apr. 28, 2009 at 1:53pm

Noise, lane closures planned for Tacoma

Drivers and workers in and around the Nalley Valley are in for a heavy dose of daytime noise starting this week, as crews on the Interstate 5 and State Route 16 Westbound Nalley Valley project begin driving piles for temporary bridges.

Posted in BE Daily, Building, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Tacoma, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Apr. 28, 2009 at 1:05pm

Teens face uphill battle in summer job search

The recession, which has already caused payrolls to shrink by more than 5 million jobs, will make it extremely difficult for teenagers to find employment this summer, according to an outlook released Tuesday by global outplacement consultancy Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc.

Posted in BE Daily, Education, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Mason County, Olympia, Pierce County, Retirement and Investing, Startups/Minority Businesses, Tacoma, Thurston County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Apr. 28, 2009 at 12:33pm

Mason General purchases health center

Mason General Hospital recently signed an agreement to purchase Mountain View Women's Health Center � a local gynecologic and obstetric clinic in Shelton, founded in 1994 by Jonathan A. Gold. M.D. The acquisition takes effect July 1.

Posted in BE Daily, Health care, Mason County by Breanne Coats | Email Breanne

Apr. 28, 2009 at 12:15pm

Half of workforce worries about jobs

Some 40 percent of working Washingtonians are concerned about losing their jobs, as a shaky economic environment continues to create woes in the workplace, according to data released today in the Washington State Workplace Confidence Survey.

Posted in BE Daily, Education, Workforce by Breanne Coats | Email Breanne

Apr. 28, 2009 at 11:48am

People on the move

Promotions, awards and recognitions in the South Sound

The Central Station Alarm Association announced that Alarm Center, Inc-Lacey. Has renewed the prestigious CSAA Five Diamond Certification. This Certification testifies that 100 percent of their central station operators have achieved proficiency and certification by passing the CSAA Central Station On-Line Operator Training Course. These courses cover virtually all phases of central station communications with customers, law enforcement, fire and emergency services communications centers. This critical area of communications is the life-saving link between the residential or business properties and the law enforcement, fire and emergency services in local areas.

Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Building, Charities/Non-profits, Education, Human Resources , Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Olympia, Pierce County, Startups/Minority Businesses, Technology, Workforce by Breanne Coats | Email Breanne

Apr. 27, 2009 at 2:24pm

Sonic opens first Puyallup drive-in

Pierce County residents now has a new landmark restaurant where they can order their meals and eat right from the comfort of their own vehicles. Sonic opened its first local drive-in today in Puyallup.

Posted in BE Daily, Building, Pierce County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Apr. 27, 2009 at 12:50pm

Carpenters' union responds to Point Ruston allegations

Eric Franklin, communications director for the Pacific Northwest Regional Council of Carpenters, responded this morning to allegations leveled at the union by Point Ruston developer MC Construction Consultants.

Last week, Point Ruston LLC filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court against the Pacific Northwest Regional Council of Carpenters, Jobs With Justice Education Fund and individual representatives of both organizations. The lawsuit alleges that the carpenters' union and Jobs With Justice have violated federal labor laws prohibiting threatening activities, interfered with contractual relations and prospective business expectancies, trespassed, engaged in property damage and made false and defamatory statements regarding on-site environmental issues and the health and safety of working conditions.

Franklin began by categorically denying any involvement in property damage.

"Slashed tires, vandalism � in no way have we ever participated in or been party to that," he said. "That's completely false."

Posted in BE Daily, Building, Health care, Law and Legislation, South King County, Tacoma by Hilary Reeves | Email Hilary

Apr. 27, 2009 at 12:30pm

Lawmakers greenlight state home-loan program

When the Legislature passed the state budget, it included a budget proviso authorizing the State Treasurer to invest $25 million in a short-term loan program in order to provide an advance payment of the federal first-time home buyers' tax credit. This program was designed to allow potential home buyers to use the tax credit as down payment when closing the sale of their first home. The budget now goes to Gov. Chris Gregoire for her signature.

The state program makes the $8,000 federal tax credit for first-time home buyers available at the closing of a home sale instead of when a buyer files a tax return. The plan is that homebuyers would repay the $8,000 after filing an amended tax return and receive a tax refund.

The budget plan creates a Tax Credit Advance Loan Program and authorizes the state Treasurer to deposit $25 million in a financial institution giving it the ability to open a line of credit to the State Housing Finance Commission to provide the down payment loans. The deposit would not deplete state funds, but would provide liquidity for the financial institution to lend its own funds.

Posted in BE Daily, Building, Law and Legislation by Breanne Coats | Email Breanne

Apr. 27, 2009 at 11:38am

Orting business owner initiates town treasure hunt

A local business owner created an interactive treasure hunt game in hopes of bringing more customers into Orting.

Kim Farnes, co-owner of Around the Corner Cafe has locked herself in a shed and with her is $1,800 worth of prizes that were donated by local merchants. Every merchant who donated an item has a key that might open the "treasure chest." If a customer finds the correct key, he or she will win all of the prizes and Farnes gets to escape the shed and go home.

Posted in BE Daily, Pierce County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality by Breanne Coats | Email Breanne

Apr. 27, 2009 at 10:48am

Weyerhaeuser to consolidate exporting facilities

Weyerhaeuser Co. will close its Bay City log export facility in Aberdeen, affecting some 54 employees. The facility will inventory and clear remaining logs from the yard during the next 30 days before closing permanently.

"We are taking this action due to continued weak demand for wood and wood products," said Rich Wininger, vice president of Weyerhaeuser's Western Timberlands operations. "We will consolidate log sorting and exporting at our other facilities in the region, located at Longview and Olympia."

Posted in BE Daily, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, South King County, Workforce by Breanne Coats | Email Breanne

Apr. 24, 2009 at 2:02pm

L&I settles with Goodwill

Tacoma Goodwill will pay the state Department of Labor & Industries $13,300 for safety violations that contributed to the death of employee Nicholas Miller last spring. Miller, 27, had been employed in Goodwill's Supported Employment program for people with developmental disabilities.

The nonprofit appealed the department's original $49,800 fine, which was issued in October. The settlement modifies L&I's initial position and now lists three citations that involve the implementation of Goodwill's Accident Prevention Program, general record keeping procedures and safety improvements surrounding a box-moving machine, also called a "tipper."

Posted in BE Daily, Charities/Non-profits, Law and Legislation, Tacoma by Hilary Reeves | Email Hilary

Apr. 24, 2009 at 1:55pm

LeMay loan set for resolution

The Tacoma City Council will consider a resolution Tuesday that allocates money from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development program for a $3.5 million loan to assist with the development of the first phase of the Harold E. LeMay Museum on land that is now part of the Tacoma Dome parking lot.

Posted in BE Daily, Charities/Non-profits, Law and Legislation, Pierce County, Tacoma, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Apr. 24, 2009 at 1:46pm

Good Samaritan hosts send-off party for Army squadron

MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital hosted a send-off party today for the Eighth Squadron, First Cavalry Regiment, Fifth Brigade, Second Infantry Division from Fort Lewis. However, unlike some other departure ceremonies, this party at the Children's Therapy Unit in Puyallup had more smiles than tears.

During the last year and a half, a partnership has developed between the local hospital and the squadron. This partnership emerged from the squadron's interest in learning about how to run a hospital in order to facilitate similar services to communities where they are deployed. Both Army and hospital officials stated at the event that they will keep in contact while the squadron is in Afghanistan.

Posted in BE Daily, Health care, Military/Security, Pierce County by Breanne Coats | Email Breanne

Apr. 24, 2009 at 11:09am

State releases proposed operating budget

More than $3 billion in federal stimulus money and $2 billion from reserve coffers has halved the state's $9 billion spending gap. Lawmakers have until Sunday to pass a budget tight enough to close the remaining $4 billion spending gap � and they are well on their way.

Legislative leaders released a proposed operating budget today, a 515-page document that includes provisions to increase college tuition up to 14 percent per year for two years at four-year institutions and 7 percent per year for two years at two-year colleges. The budget also cuts 40,000 people from the state's Basic Health Plan and provides no cost-of-living raises for teachers.

Posted in BE Daily, Education, Health care, Lacey, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Mason County, Olympia, Pierce County, South King County, Tacoma, Thurston County, Tumwater by Hilary Reeves | Email Hilary

Apr. 24, 2009 at 7:34am

Puyallup practice honored with BBB award

Every year, the Better Business Bureau of Alaska, Oregon and Western Washington presents the Business of the Year Torch Awards to companies that honor ethical business practices and demonstrate excellence in the local marketplace. Sound Family Medicine, a private, single-specialty family practice based in Puyallup, has received the BBB's Innovative Business Practices Torch Award.

Posted in BE Daily, Charities/Non-profits, Health care, Law and Legislation, Pierce County by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Apr. 24, 2009 at 7:33am

State disciplines health care providers

The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against health care providers in the South Sound.

Posted in BE Daily, Health care, Law and Legislation, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Apr. 24, 2009 at 7:32am

Rainier reports quarterly loss

Rainier Pacific Financial Group, Inc. announced its first quarter results and recognized a net loss of $4.6 million, or a loss of $0.77 per diluted share. This is compared to net income of $1.4 million, or $0.24 per diluted share, for the same period in 2008.

The loss for the first quarter of 2009 was primarily attributable to non-cash pre-tax other-than-temporary impairment charges of $8.5 million relating to six of the bank's 15 investment holdings in pooled trust preferred collateralized debt obligation securities, which are collateralized by trust preferred securities issued by more than 500 banks and 39 insurance companies geographically dispersed across the United States.

Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Pierce County, Tacoma by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Apr. 23, 2009 at 1:48pm

Daffodil Storage breaks ground in Tacoma

Daffodil Storage broke ground yesterday on its newest self storage location at the corner of 38th and Union Avenue. The 100,000-square-foot, four-story structure will house more than 800 radiantly heated storage units, provide upper-floor access via extra-large, street loading elevators and state-of-the-art security.

More than 30 people braved the chilly weather to attend the groundbreaking. With construction workers in the background, company officials took a few minutes to invite neighbors, Daffodil customers from other stores, as well as local community leaders to the construction site to announce their positive news.

"The addition of a new storage at the corner of 38th and Union, while architecturally revitalizing the neighborhood, will ultimately fill a much needed gap of self storage for business and residential customers in this area," said Jeff Oldright, operations manager.

Posted in BE Daily, Building, Pierce County, Startups/Minority Businesses, Tacoma, Workforce by Breanne Coats | Email Breanne

Apr. 23, 2009 at 1:39pm

Sterling announces $20 million loss

Sterling Financial Corp., parent company of Sterling Bank, announced a net quarterly loss of $20.4 million, reflecting a provision for credit losses of $65.9 million but not including the payment of $4.3 million in preferred dividends to the U.S. Department of the Treasury under its Capital Purchase Program.

After the payment of preferred dividends, earnings available to common shareholders were negative $24.8 million, or $0.48 per common share.

Posted in BE Daily, Lewis County, Mason County, Olympia, Pierce County, Tacoma, Thurston County, Tumwater by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Apr. 23, 2009 at 10:12am

Gig Harbor hospital marks 1,000th patient

St. Anthony, the newest hospital in Washington, is also the first and only full-service hospital on the Key Peninsula. The facility opened just last month and has already seen its 1,000th patient. It employs some 500 physicians, nurses, surgical techs, diagnostic imaging technologists and other health care professionals.

Posted in BE Daily, Building, Health care, Pierce County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Apr. 23, 2009 at 10:11am

Columbia declares dividend, 'very well capitalized'

Tacoma's Columbia Banking System, Inc. has announced net income applicable to common shareholders of $419,000 for the first quarter, compared to $11 million for the same quarter of 2008.

On a diluted, per-common-share basis, net income for the quarter was $0.02, a decline from $0.61 in 2008. Columbia paid $1.1 million in preferred stock dividends, compared to $470,000 in the fourth quarter of 2008, attributed to the company's participation in the U.S. Treasury's Capital Purchase Program.

Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Tacoma by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Apr. 23, 2009 at 10:11am

11 Tacoma businesses sold alcohol to minors during sting

A multi-agency sting targeting businesses that sell alcohol to minors found that 11 Tacoma businesses failed liquor compliance checks and were cited.

Two teams of officers checked 49 businesses for sales of alcohol to minors. The 11 businesses were cited for selling alcohol to investigative aides working with police and liquor enforcement officers.

Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Tacoma, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Apr. 23, 2009 at 10:10am

State seeks tighter restrictions on discount health plans

As health care costs rise and more people lose their employer-sponsored health insurance, some are turning to discount health plans. Unfortunately, many people who buy these plans think they're buying real health insurance. A bill requested by Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler and signed today by Gov. Chris Gregoire establishes clear disclosure requirements for discount health plans and new consumer protections for the people who buy them.

Posted in BE Daily, Health care, Law and Legislation by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Apr. 23, 2009 at 10:10am

South Sound home prices hit 2004 levels

National housing prices fell 12.2 percent in February from a year ago and have declined for the last 24 consecutive months, according to newly released data from real estate data source First American CoreLogic and its Home Price Index. Throughout the past three months there has been a small but noticeable acceleration in home price decline, reversing what appeared to be a stabilizing trend in the fall of 2008.

Posted in BE Daily, Building by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Apr. 23, 2009 at 10:09am

Senator wants to kill isthmus plans

State Sen. Karen Fraser added an amendment to a House bill working its way through the legislative process. The amendment put a two-year building moratorium on the land between Capitol Lake and Budd Inlet. The area of Olympia is at the center of debate about the future development of the city's waterfront, with some siding with more dense developments while others want the area open for park and recreational uses.

Posted in BE Daily, Building, Law and Legislation, Olympia by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Apr. 23, 2009 at 10:02am

People on the move

Promotions, awards and recognitions in the South Sound

A Tacoma Public Schools Board of Directors member will lead a new partnership of agencies providing career, educational and development services for at-risk young adults. Kurt Miller started as director of the Resources for Education and Career Help partnership April 13. The agencies will be located in Tacoma Goodwill's new Milgard Work Opportunity Center, under construction at South 27th Street and Tacoma Avenue South.
The partnering agencies include: Bates Technical College, Clover Park Technical College, Tacoma Community College, Tacoma Community House, Vadis, Tacoma Public Schools, Centro Latino, Job Corps, Metropolitan Development Council, Work Force Central and Tacoma Goodwill. Miller was chosen from a regional search of more than 200 candidates. Miller has been working as development director for the Pacific Harbors Council, Boy Scouts of America. He has spent the past five years as director of Educational Initiatives, Northwest Leadership Foundation. In that capacity, he managed a $2.5 million state grant that created TEACH Tacoma, providing after-school programs through a partnership of agencies. He has been a member of the Tacoma school board since 2003.

Posted in BE Daily, Charities/Non-profits, Education, Health care, Olympia, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Apr. 23, 2009 at 9:16am

Russell sets 'best offer' deadline

The debate and speculation surrounding Russell Investments is almost at an end. The Tacoma-based investment giant has set a deadline of the end of May for Tacoma and Seattle to finalize their offers to land the company's headquarters.

Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Pierce County, Retirement and Investing, Tacoma, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Apr. 22, 2009 at 1:46pm

Developer files suit against 'ongoing and escalating' actions

Point Ruston LLC filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court yesterday against the Pacific Northwest Regional Council of Carpenters, Jobs With Justice Education Fund and individual representatives of both organizations.

The suit alleges that the carpenters union and Jobs With Justice violated federal labor laws prohibiting threatening activities, interfered with contractual relations and prospective business expectancies, trespassed, engaged in property damage and made false and defamatory statements regarding on-site environmental issues and the health and safety of working conditions.

"During the course of the past year, the carpenters' union and Jobs with Justice have participated in protracted, ongoing and escalating threatening activities and spread fear about the environmental safety of our site," said Loren Cohen, manager of legal affairs for Point Ruston developer MC Construction Consultants. "There are no health and safety issues on our site. We're the most regulated site in Tacoma and never have we not been in compliance."

Posted in BE Daily, Building, Law and Legislation, Tacoma by Hilary Reeves | Email Hilary

Apr. 22, 2009 at 1:43pm

United Way honors volunteers, organizations

United Way of Pierce County honored key volunteers and organizations who embody the spirit of "LIVE UNITED" at the annual Community Celebration April 21.

Brown & Brown Insurance received the night's highest honor, the Spirit of Pierce County Award, for their demonstration of the highest standards of civic engagement and community-based philanthropy.

In addition, Mike Tucci, Sr., Phil Hayes, Jim Krueger and Tiffany Coleman were named Community Volunteers of the Year for their involvement in the early learning efforts, the community and Youth United respectively.

Posted in BE Daily, Charities/Non-profits, Pierce County by Breanne Coats | Email Breanne

Apr. 22, 2009 at 1:39pm

YWCA annual celebration draws crowd

The YWCA of Pierce County's annual celebration luncheon at the Hotel Murano drew several hundred people to mark the agency's successes, aid its future and listen to
actor and advocate Victor Rivas Rivers challenge them to take a collective stand against domestic violence. Rivers is an actor, author, former professional football player, domestic violence prevention advocate, survivor and father.

Posted in BE Daily, Charities/Non-profits, Pierce County, Retirement and Investing, Tacoma by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Apr. 22, 2009 at 1:28pm

TrueBlue reports net loss for quarter

Tacoma-based day labor provider TrueBlue, Inc. today reported a net loss of $5.3 million, or $0.12 per diluted share for the quarter, compared to net income of $8.8 million or $0.20 per diluted share for the first quarter of 2008.

"Our bottom line results were better than expected due to aggressive and well executed cost management throughout the organization," said TrueBlue CEO Steve Cooper. "Our first priority is to provide exceptional customer service at each of our brands. At the same time, we are scaling costs to match current demand for our services."

Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Pierce County, Retirement and Investing, Tacoma, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Apr. 22, 2009 at 10:47am

Social Media forum set for Friday

If you are an executive who values your time, yet senses that you need to understand the basics of Social Media you owe it to yourself to attend this 90-Minute Briefing for Executives.

This fast-paced, information-packed presentation introduces you to the "low cost, high impact" Social Media tools popularized on the Internet. It identifies specific, practical ways to use Social Media strategies to drive revenues and lead your competition.

Apr. 22, 2009 at 10:43am

Boeing reports quarterly earnings

The Boeing Co.'s quarterly net income was $0.6 billion, with earnings per share of $0.86. That is down 47 percent and includes the previously announced $0.38 per share reduction.

Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Pierce County, Retirement and Investing, South King County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Apr. 22, 2009 at 10:42am

Mortgage rates continue fall

The weekly average rate borrowers were quoted on Zillow Mortgage Marketplace for 30-year mortgages fell during the past week. Last week's rate was 5.06 percent, down from 5.10 percent the week prior, according to the firm's Mortgage Rate Monitor.

Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Building, Law and Legislation, Retirement and Investing, Startups/Minority Businesses, Technology, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Apr. 22, 2009 at 10:42am

Weyerhaeuser to halt retirement matching

Forest product giant Weyerhaeuser Co. has announced it will temporarily stop the company's practice of matching employee 401K retirement savings contributions beginning May 1.

Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Building, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Retirement and Investing, South King County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Apr. 22, 2009 at 10:39am

Blog Watch: family leave

News from the Blogosphere

The AWB has a piece about the state's Family Leave Act, the 2007 law that is set to begin this October but has yet to be funded.

TacomaGeekery has an item about a report in the Wall Street Journal that suggests Washington is fourth from the top in small business tax friendliness.

Posted in BE Daily, Health care, Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Olympia, Startups/Minority Businesses, Technology, Thurston County, Tumwater, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Apr. 22, 2009 at 10:38am

COFFEE BREAK: summer plans

The Business Examiner would like to know with the recession in full swing, how has the downturn affected your summer plans?

Apr. 21, 2009 at 2:47pm

Tumwater Chamber announces executive's departure

Tumwater Chamber of Commerce President David Bills announced to the members and participants of the regular Lunch Forum today that Sandra Kozlowski is no longer the executive director of the Tumwater Chamber. Kozlowski had announced the news late last week. She had been at the post for about a year.

"I can say it was by mutual agreement," Bills said at the meeting, where he noted that there are still details that need to be worked out about Kozlowski's departure from the chamber.

Kozlowski said her sudden departure from the chamber was a surprise to her, but there has been no misdoings or misgiving, but rather some decisions being made that she disagreed with in general.

Posted in BE Daily, Thurston County, Tumwater, Workforce by Breanne Coats | Email Breanne

Apr. 21, 2009 at 1:36pm

Investigators find cause of fair ride accident

After an investigation by governmental and private investigators specializing in amusement rides, the contributing factor for the Lolli Swing incident at the Spring Fair in Puyallup on April 17, has been determined to be deteriorating soil conditions.

This is the first soil-related incident with this or any ride since Funtastic Rides, Inc.'s inception in the early 1950s. The fair has no record of such an occurrence in its 109 years.

Posted in BE Daily, Health care, Law and Legislation, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Apr. 21, 2009 at 12:31pm

Acupuncturist suspended following accusations

A Gig Harbor acupuncturist accused of inappropriately touching two clients has been immediately suspended by the state Department of Health.

Posted in BE Daily, Health care, Law and Legislation, Pierce County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Apr. 21, 2009 at 12:30pm

Sales tax plan set for voters

The House Health and Human Services Appropriations Committee voted eight to seven today on a bill that would place a proposition on the statewide ballot in November that would temporarily raise the state's sales tax by 0.3 percent as a way to backfill government funding for health and education.

Posted in BE Daily, Education, Health care, Law and Legislation, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Apr. 21, 2009 at 10:32am

Good Samaritan bids farewell to military partners

For the past year and a half, a partnership has developed between MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital and the Eighth Squadron, First Cavalry Regiment, Fifth Brigade, Second Infantry Division from Fort Lewis. This partnership emerged from the squadron's interest in learning about how to run a hospital in order to facilitate similar services to communities where they are deployed.

Posted in BE Daily, Health care, Military/Security, Pierce County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Apr. 21, 2009 at 10:24am

Corporate debt sticks through bankruptcy

As more and more companies consider bankruptcy to deal with sky-high debt and an economy in recession, new research by University of Iowa finance professor Erik Lie suggests the move might provide only limited help for many.

Lie's study, to be published later this year, suggests companies that enter bankruptcy emerge too soon and still have too much debt when compared to peer companies to survive long term. The companies also tend to be less profitable than their peers, raising even more questions about their long-term viability.

Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Law and Legislation by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Apr. 21, 2009 at 10:23am

Retailer poll suggests support for secret union balloting

With Congress poised to consider legislation making it easier to form unions in retail stores, a new poll conducted for the National Retail Federation suggests that four out of five people surveyed support secret ballots in union organizing elections, and that support is even stronger among union members.

Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Apr. 21, 2009 at 10:21am

Federal dollars flow into area

Small businesses looking to tap into the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act dollars have several industries to target for their contracting efforts.

Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Education, Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Olympia, Tacoma, Thurston County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Apr. 21, 2009 at 10:15am

People on the move

Promotions, awards and recognitions in the South Sound

The Pacific Grill Event Center was packed for the Sixth Annual New Tacoma Awards at the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber's quarterly City Center Luncheon. Officials from chamber and Absher Construction presented the 2009 New Tacoma Awards winners for the following four categories: The Ghillarducci Award went to Hotel Murano and recognized its successful new development, renovation or beautification. There were 13 nominees for this award.
The Union Station Award went to Gintz Group and recognized leading organizations, companies or individuals that have built or sustained momentum for revitalization. There were 6 nominees for this award. The Popham Award went to Benjii Bittle, deputy executive director of the Broadway Center for the Performing Arts. This award was named in honor of the late News Tribune Columnist Art Popham, and recognizes the individual who has done the most to build community spirit. There were 11 nominees for this award. The Schoenfeld Award went to hello, cupcake and recognized exemplary performance and pizzazz as a retailer. There were 8 nominees for this award.

Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Building, Charities/Non-profits, Education, Health care, Lakewood, Olympia, Pierce County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Apr. 20, 2009 at 10:24am

Downtown landmark up for sale, again

The Gintz Group has decided to put Tacoma's Luzon building up for sale. The price is $400,000. The Tacoma developers bought the location in late 2007 and had plans to renovate the building into a mixed-use complex. The firm bought the site after an Oakland, Calif.-based developer backed away from the site.

Posted in BE Daily, Building, Tacoma by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Apr. 20, 2009 at 10:23am

Small business bill passes during session

While most Washingtonians were enjoying a sunny weekend that saw temperatures reach the mid-70s, the state Legislature was busy passing bills, including Senate Bill 5042 sponsored by Sen. Derek Kilmer, D-Gig Harbor.

Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Pierce County, Startups/Minority Businesses, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Apr. 20, 2009 at 10:22am

Robbers hit Olympia eatery

At approximately 7 p.m. Friday, Olympia police officers responded to the report of an armed robbery that had just occurred at Lee's Buffet, located at 2628 Capital Mall Drive SW.

Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Olympia, Thurston County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Apr. 20, 2009 at 10:21am

Fair breaks 20-year attendance record

Despite a slumping economy, a record-breaking 118,557 guests attended the 20th celebration of the Spring Fair in Puyallup this weekend. However, the event did not go without incident. On Friday evening, the Lolly Swing in the Kiddyland area of the midway left its foundation with 16 riders aboard as the ride tilted, landing on its side. While six children were transported to the hospital for observation, all were released the same evening with minor injuries. The cause is still under investigation.

Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Pierce County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Apr. 20, 2009 at 10:20am

Local venture capitalists expect upturn in portfolio

After several consecutive quarters of negative predictions, the state's venture capital community is more optimistic about the quarter ahead, according to the recent Venture Capital Outlook Survey from the Washington Technology Industry Association. In this latest survey, participants were notably more positive about revenue growth, new and continuing investments and employment.

Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Retirement and Investing, Startups/Minority Businesses, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Apr. 17, 2009 at 3:02pm

Tumwater Chamber chief leaves suddenly

Sandra Kozlowski is no longer the executive director of the Tumwater Chamber. Officials there are being mum about the situation and want to wait until a forum next week to present the staff shift to its members before announcing news.

Kozlowski has not formally commented on her sudden departure, which she confirmed yesterday.

Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Tumwater, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Apr. 17, 2009 at 11:32am

State to consider bridge tolls, roads revenue

Tacoma Narrows Bridge tolls and the latest transportation review forecast will be among the topics of discussion when the Washington State Transportation Commission meets next week in Olympia.

The meeting will be held Wednesday, April 22, at the Transportation Building, 310 Maple Park Ave. SE in Olympia, starting at 9 a.m. and adjourning at 12:30 p.m. The meeting is open to the public and people wishing to address the Commission may do so during the public comment period scheduled for 10:15 a.m.

Posted in BE Daily, Building, Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Olympia, Pierce County, South King County by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Apr. 17, 2009 at 11:31am

Business climate endangered by bill, lawmaker charges

Under a bill proposed Wednesday, just 11 days until the anticipated end of the 2009 legislative session, corporate officers could be held personally responsible for the financial debt of their corporations.

Senate Bill 6169 was introduced by Sen. Margarita Prentice, a Renton Democrat who chairs the Senate Ways and Means Committee. Some fear the bill is a way to further find money to fund government programs.

Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Olympia, Pierce County, Retirement and Investing, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Apr. 17, 2009 at 11:30am

Weyerhaeuser declares dividend

Weyerhaeuser Co. has declared a dividend of 25 cents per share on the common stock. The dividend comes as the company sheds business arms and mills that have been affected by the downturn.

Posted in BE Daily, Building, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Retirement and Investing, South King County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Apr. 17, 2009 at 11:30am

South Sound Bank posts solid quarter

South Sound Bank, a Olympia-based community bank, posted strong profits for the first quarter of 2009, $20,000 more than first quarter 2008. This financial outcome resulted in the board of directors declaring a 5 percent stock dividend for all stockholders. The 2009 first quarter end net profit was $546,400.

Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Olympia, Retirement and Investing, Thurston County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Apr. 17, 2009 at 7:26am

Around the Sound

Business-related events in the South Sound

Join Washington Women's Employment & Education April 20 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Joeseppis Italian Restaurant for a "Takeover."WWEE will receive 25 percent of all food sales (excluding taxes and alcohol) purchased during the event. This includes dine in or takeout food. No Reservations needed for this Monday, April 20 fundraiser . Visit www.joeseppis.com.

The Tacoma City Council is scheduled to consider a resolution at noon April 21 that would award a $16.9 million contract to Quigg Bros, Inc., for rehabilitation of the Hylebos Bridge in the Tacoma Tideflats. Also at that meeting will be the first reading of an ordinance that would remove the requirement for off-street parking in new developments within the area of downtown Tacoma designated as the International Financial Services Area. City Council members are also scheduled to hold a public hearing at 5:30 p.m. that day to consider the submittal of an application to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development for a $3.5 million Community Development Block Grant Section 108 loan to assist with the development of Phase I of the Harold E. LeMay Museum.
The meetings will be held at the Tacoma Municipal Building North, 733 Market St., Room 16. Audio from the session will be broadcast live on TV Tacoma and on www.tvtacoma.com. On-demand audio archives are available on the Web within 24 hours of the meeting at www.tvtacoma.com.

Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Charities/Non-profits, Education, Human Resources , Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Mason County, Olympia, Pierce County, Tacoma, Thurston County, Workforce by Breanne Coats | Email Breanne

Apr. 16, 2009 at 11:13am

Soon homeowners might get advance on tax credit

The state Senate Ways and Means Committee unanimously adopted an amendment to the state budget authorizing the state to invest $25 million in a short-term loan program in order to provide a cash advance on the federal, first-time home buyers' tax credit, allowing potential home buyers to utilize the tax credit as down payment when closing the sale of their first home instead of receiving a credit next year. The budget, with this proviso authorizing the advance loan program, must be adopted by the full Senate and House, and signed by the Governor before it becomes effective.

Posted in BE Daily, Building, Law and Legislation by Breanne Coats | Email Breanne

Apr. 16, 2009 at 9:41am

Sea Grill GM takes position at El Gaucho

The Mackay Restaurant Group has just confirmed that Mike Neumann, general manager of the Sea Grill in Tacoma, has taken a position as captain at nearby El Gaucho Tacoma.

Sea Grill closed on March 29. Both restaurants were part of the Mackay Restaurant Group, which also includes El Gaucho Bellevue, and Troiani Ristorante Italiano and Waterfront Seafood Grill in Seattle.

Posted in BE Daily, Human Resources , Tacoma, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality by Hilary Reeves | Email Hilary

Apr. 16, 2009 at 8:40am

Puget Sound foreclosures now double 2008 rates

Puget Sound saw foreclosure activity increase from 974 in March 2008 to 1,982 in March 2009, according to Default Research, a provider of Puget Sound foreclosure information. The county with the largest increase was King at 139 percent, while Pierce increased 64 percent.

Posted in BE Daily, Building, Law and Legislation, Pierce County, South King County, Tacoma by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Apr. 16, 2009 at 8:39am

Gay marriage almost law in all but name

Washington is set to become a state that will recognize gay marriage and the rights and responsibilities that go along with that label. The state just won't call is marriage, if the bill approved by legislators yesterday is signed into law as expected. Gov. Chris Gregoire has already said she supports the bill.

Posted in BE Daily, Human Resources , Law and Legislation, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Apr. 16, 2009 at 8:38am

Washington nurses are founding members of a new national union

Washington State Nurses Association, the oldest and largest nurses union representing more than 15,000 registered nurses in the state, is a founding member of the National Federation of Nurses and is playing a leadership role as the new national nurses union launches.

Posted in BE Daily, Health care, Law and Legislation, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Apr. 16, 2009 at 8:34am

Lakewood commuter rail nears opening with latest contract

The contract to upgrade some seven miles of track between Tacoma and Lakewood is set for a Sound Transit vote, marking one of the last milestones for the rail to pass before the trains start running. The vote is set for today.

Posted in BE Daily, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Apr. 16, 2009 at 8:31am

People on the move

Promotions, awards and recognitions in the South Sound

Washington Business Bank President and CEO, Jon M. Jones, has announced the results of the 2009 meeting of the shareholders. Re-elected to the board were: Bill Carlson, Ernest Grubb, Eugene Johnson, Jon M. Jones, Don Paradise, Dick Rokes, Laura Skillings, Kirk Veis and Mike Zittel, who was elected chairman. Skillings is vice-chair and Veis is secretary.

The American Red Cross Mount Rainier Chapter announced the appointment of Michael Patton as its new chief executive officer. He will oversee operations in the five counties within the local Red Cross chapter's jurisdiction which include the communities of Pierce, Thurston, Mason, Lewis and Grays Harbor counties. Prior to accepting his new position, Patton served as the development director for the American Red Cross King and Kitsap Counties Chapter in Washington State. A 13 year veteran, he began his Red Cross career as a fundraiser with the American Red Cross Santa Clara Valley Chapter in San Jose, Cali. "Michael Patton was chosen from over 100 applicants following a nationwide search for the position," said Michael Devers, chairman of the board of directors for the chapter. "He brings a wealth of fundraising and non-profit management experience to our local Red Cross. We are excited about his passion for the organization and his leadership skills."

Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Lacey, Lewis County, Mason County, Olympia, Pierce County, Technology, Thurston County, Tumwater, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Apr. 15, 2009 at 2:59pm

Today is layoff day at Russell Investments

Managers and human resource directors are making the rounds at the offices of Russell Investments today as they formally notify 20 percent of the Tacoma-based financial services company's workforce that the economic slowdown has affected their jobs.

The company has 2,000 employees around the world, and some 1,100 of those work in Tacoma. Officials would not release where the cuts were made.

Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Pierce County, Tacoma, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Apr. 15, 2009 at 10:07am

ESM, earthmine launch street-level, 3-D mapping system

ESM Consulting Engineers, LLC has become the first project partner with Earthmine inc., to provide street-level 3-D mapping to gather, analyze and communicate location-based information. This service has never before been provided in the Northwest, and is now available through ESM.

The Federal Way company is focused on providing customized services to a wide range of market segments including; infrastructure and asset management, GIS database population and verification, transportation, railroads, engineering and construction, real estate, architecture and design, homeland security, disaster management and emergency services, and other companies that deliver innovative solutions that link information to locations.

Posted in BE Daily, Building, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, South King County, Technology by Breanne Coats | Email Breanne

Apr. 15, 2009 at 9:46am

Study: Bad bosses keep being bailed out

Recent headlines of corporate misdeeds, poor performance and bailouts may be just the tip of the iceberg of a widespread lack of confidence in bosses, suggests a new national study.

Some 86 percent of U.S. adults feel that highly visible corporate calamities are similar to the much less conspicuous � but more far-reaching, ill-advised daily actions of managers that go unnoticed until it is too late.

"Bosses are expected to be accountable in any economy, but against the backdrop of a downturn and lean workforce, there seems to be less tolerance for poor decision making," said Lynn Taylor, an expert on workplace issues and CEO of Lynn Taylor Consulting.

Posted in BE Daily, Human Resources , Workforce by Breanne Coats | Email Breanne

Apr. 15, 2009 at 9:01am

COFFEE BREAK: predictions

The Business Examiner would like to know what the future holds. What is in your future as a worker, manager or business owner and what are you doing about it?

Apr. 15, 2009 at 8:58am

Blog Watch: bad mood

The AWB's Olympia business watch has some sober news. Residents are apparently depressed about the economy and their future.

"Our recent survey of Washington voters finds the electorate in a sour mood, largely fueled by the state of the economy," the Moore Information Survey stated. "Today, a 51-percent majority of the state's voters describe things in Washington as headed 'off on the wrong track,' while just 37 percent say things are headed in the 'right direction.' "

The remaining 12 percent has no opinion. Historically, voter "mood" is directly correlated with the state of the economy � in good economic times, optimism soars, and in bad economic times, hopes fade.

Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Olympia, Pierce County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Apr. 15, 2009 at 7:53am

Prices inch up

The Consumer Price Index increased 0.2 percent in March, before seasonal adjustment, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today. The index has decreased 0.4 percent over the last year, the first 12 month decline since August 1955.

Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Apr. 15, 2009 at 7:52am

Earnings remain largely flat

Real average weekly earnings were about unchanged from February to March after seasonal adjustment, according to preliminary data released today by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor. A 0.3 percent decrease in average weekly hours was offset by a 0.2 percent increase in average hourly earnings and a 0.1 percent decrease in the Consumer Price Index for urban wage earners and clerical workers.

Posted in BE Daily, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Apr. 15, 2009 at 7:51am

Retail imports hit seven year low

Import volumes at the nation's major retail container ports hit its lowest level in seven years in February as the number of containers dropped below the 1 million mark for the first time in half a decade, according to the monthly Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation and IHS Global Insight.

Numbers began climbing again in March and April, but the 1 million mark won't be seen again before May, and imports will continue to see significant declines compared with last year at least through the summer.

Posted in BE Daily, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Pierce County, Tacoma, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Apr. 14, 2009 at 11:06am

Washington�s unemployment rate grew to 9.2 percent

Washington's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 9.2 percent in March 2009, up from February's revised rate of 8.3 percent, according to the state Employment Security Department.

"As the recession continues to deepen, it provides some comfort to know that unemployment benefits are available for an extended period for eligible workers," said Employment Security Commissioner Karen Lee.

Posted in BE Daily, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Mason County, Olympia, Pierce County, Tacoma, Thurston County, Tumwater, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Apr. 14, 2009 at 11:05am

Sales disappoint retailers in first quarter

Several months of stronger-than-expected retail sales provided hope that the industry was poised to bounce back, but March retail sales demonstrate that the industry is continuing to struggle. According to the National Retail Federation, retail industry sales for March decreased 0.6 percent seasonally adjusted from February and dropped 3.7 percent unadjusted over last year.

Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Apr. 14, 2009 at 11:04am

Materials prices dip for contractors

Construction materials prices fell for the sixth consecutive month dipping 0.6 percent in March, according to a recent report by the U.S. Labor Department. On a year-over-year basis, construction input prices have fallen 1.9 percent.

Posted in BE Daily, Building, Law and Legislation by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Apr. 14, 2009 at 11:03am

Gregoire testifies on behalf of aerospace legislation

Gov. Chris Gregoire testified before the state House Committee on Community and Economic Development and Trade yesterday, urging legislators to move forward with her proposed legislation to create a Washington Council on Aerospace.

"We spend a lot of time and energy working to recruit and retain companies in the state of Washington," Gregoire said. "But now, we need to step up those efforts."

Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Military/Security, Olympia, South King County, Technology, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Apr. 14, 2009 at 11:02am

PPI continues decline

The national Producer Price Index for Finished Goods decreased 1.2 percent in March, seasonally adjusted, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today.

This decline followed a 0.1 percent advance in February and a 0.8 percent increase in January. At the earlier stages of processing, prices received by producers of intermediate goods fell 1.5 percent after decreasing 0.9 percent a month earlier, and the crude goods index declined 0.3 percent following a 4.5-percent drop in February.

Posted in BE Daily, Building, Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Apr. 14, 2009 at 11:02am

Recovery, Reinvestment Act helps small businesses

A piece of small business recovery legislation, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, passed two months ago and is now funded. Here are some key highlights for small businesses:

Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Startups/Minority Businesses, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Apr. 14, 2009 at 10:59am

People on the move

Promotions, awards and recognitions in the South Sound

A celebrated civil engineer and national leader in public works administration is Centralia College's 2009 Distinguished Alumnus Award recipient. Former Lewis County resident and 1948 graduate of Centralia College Jean L. DeSpain was selected to receive the college's highest award and will speak at commencement in June. A product of the Boistfort school system, DeSpain graduated from Centralia College and went on to earn his bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering at the University of Washington in 1951.

Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Building, Charities/Non-profits, Law and Legislation, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Apr. 13, 2009 at 2:57pm

Collections report shows large fall

The latest collection report from the state Department of Revenue was released today. The news is not good. The seven-page report states that revenue collections are down 13.7 percent below their year-ago level after specific changes were factored into the formula. Unadjusted, the decline was 19.1 percent for the mid-March to mid-April collection period.

Posted in BE Daily, Charities/Non-profits, Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Apr. 13, 2009 at 1:28pm

KeyBank reaches lending goal ahead of schedule

KeyBank has announced that it has provided more than $2 billion in capital to qualified women-owned businesses through its Key4Women program, surpassing its 2007 pledge to lend these funds to women-owned businesses by 2012. The bank has also announced it will lend another $3 billion by the year 2012.

Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Mason County, Pierce County, Startups/Minority Businesses, Thurston County by News Room | Email News

Apr. 13, 2009 at 9:53am

Economists go on offensive against tax hikes

More than two dozen economists have signed an open letter to state elected officials warning that tax increases will damage Washington's economy and hamper economic recovery. This comes as lawmakers are grappling with a large budget shortfall and are considering tax and fee increases.

Posted in BE Daily, Charities/Non-profits, Law and Legislation, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Apr. 13, 2009 at 9:53am

Rushforth sells to Midwest firm

One of the South Sound's largest independent commercial construction companies is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Adolfson & Peterson Construction of Minneapolis. Randy Rushforth will remain as chairman of the firm, though without having to make the day-to-day decisions.

Posted in BE Daily, Building, Pierce County, Retirement and Investing, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Apr. 10, 2009 at 1:37pm

Washington receives $1.73 million to protect environment from diesel emissions

Port of Tacoma to receive $638,000

Gov. Chris Gregoire and state Department of Ecology Director Jay Manning announced today that $1.73 million in federal stimulus grants, including $638,000 to the Port of Tacoma, will be distributed throughout Washington to reduce harmful emissions from diesel engines.

The state will receive the money from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act. The department will use the funds to bolster the Washington clean diesel program.

Posted in BE Daily, Health care, Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Tacoma, Workforce by Breanne Coats | Email Breanne

Apr. 10, 2009 at 1:28pm

Lakewood examines Joint Base Lewis-McChord

The City of Lakewood hosted a regional workshop yesterday to identify local impacts as a result of growth at Fort Lewis and McChord Air Force Base which will merge in 2010 as "Joint Base Lewis-McChord."

Business representatives from local chambers of commerce joined together with officials from the state and federal government, installation staff, as well as about 90 representatives from cities, counties, school districts, fire departments and utility providers from both Pierce and Thurston counties participated. More than 30 agencies were represented.

Posted in BE Daily, Building, Military/Security, Pierce County by Breanne Coats | Email Breanne

Apr. 10, 2009 at 12:21pm

Puyallup man sentenced to 10 years for embezzlement

Puyallup resident Brett Smith was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Tacoma to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and $2.5 million in restitution for mail fraud.

Smith was the leader of a scheme to embezzle $2.4 million from Manke Lumber Co. He began working for Manke in 2004 as a log scaler. A scaler weighs, measures and inspects logs delivered to the lumber mill to determine their grade and value. Based on that information, Manke Lumber would mail checks to those people who were being compensated for the logs. Between November 2004 and July 2006, Smith and others entered into a scheme to create false records that prompted Manke to send checks to conspirators for logs that were never delivered to the mill.

In his plea agreement Smith admits he submitted false paperwork for more than 1,500 loads of logs worth more than $2.5 million. In all, Smith submitted false log intake information in at least 20 different names.

Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Pierce County, Tacoma by Hilary Reeves | Email Hilary

Apr. 10, 2009 at 11:17am

Legislators sound off on aerospace legislation

Gov. Chris Gregoire announced legislation today to form an aerospace competitiveness council to maintain Washington's edge in the aerospace industry.

A flurry of state legislators have released responses to the news. Sen. Claudia Kauffman, D-Kent, issued the following statement:

"Washington state and Puget Sound is the birthplace of commercial aviation. For 93 years, Boeing has been a critical part of our community and an important employer for our neighbors and families. We live and compete in a global economy today, and we need to make sure we're doing everything we can to remain competitive as a state."

Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, South King County by Hilary Reeves | Email Hilary

Apr. 10, 2009 at 11:13am

COFFEE BREAK: Sunny Days

In Wednesday's BE Daily, we asked readers whether they thought sunnier days were on their third-quarter horizon. These were among the responses:

"In the past five weeks, we have seen our Pilates attendance triple since the same time last year. Alongside the dark and gloomy news, our small Pilates studio is looking very bright. The value of the dollar might be going down on paper, but our clients are valuing it more than ever."

Patrick and Crystal McCabe
CORE Conditioning Studio

Posted in BE Daily, Health care, Pierce County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality by Hilary Reeves | Email Hilary

Apr. 9, 2009 at 1:28pm

Tacoma Arts Commission awards $265,000

The Tacoma Arts Commission recently announced that its Anchor Fund program has provided $265,000 to 12 Tacoma arts organizations.

"From visual and performing arts, to training our future artists and reaching out to all of our citizens, our Anchor Fund arts groups truly enrich people's lives and contribute to a vibrant Tacoma," said Sarah Idstrom, vice-chair of Tacoma Arts Commission.

Posted in BE Daily, Charities/Non-profits, Tacoma, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality by Breanne Coats | Email Breanne

Apr. 9, 2009 at 12:46pm

Fourth-quarter taxable retail sales down 11 percent

Taxable retail sales declined 10.8 percent to $27.7 billion during the fourth quarter of 2008, the state Department of Revenue reported today.

Retail trade was down 11.9 percent to $12.1 billion when compared to the fourth quarter of 2007. Retail trade is a subset of all taxable retail sales that excludes construction, services and other non-retail businesses. Retail trade is a better measure of consumer purchases.

Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Lacey, Lakewood, Lewis County, Mason County, Olympia, Pierce County, South King County, Tacoma, Thurston County, Tumwater by Hilary Reeves | Email Hilary

Apr. 9, 2009 at 12:40pm

EPA awards stimulus money to state departments

In a move that stands to create jobs, boost local economies, improve aging water infrastructure and protect human health and the environment, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded more than $41 million to the state Department of Health.

This new infusion of money will help the state and local governments finance many of the overdue improvements to water projects that are essential to protecting public health and the environment across the state.

The money, provided by the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009, will go to the state's Drinking Water State Revolving Fund program. The program provides low-interest loans and "principal forgiveness" for drinking water systems to finance infrastructure improvements.

Posted in BE Daily, Lacey, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Mason County, Olympia, Pierce County, South King County, Tacoma, Thurston County, Tumwater by Hilary Reeves | Email Hilary

Apr. 9, 2009 at 10:28am

People on the move

Promotions, awards and recognitions in the South Sound

Columbia Bank has named Scott Hamilton vice president and deposit relationship manager. He has more than 20 years of experience in domestic and global financial services companies. He also worked as the Publisher of Destination: Puget Sound magazine. Hamilton is a graduate of the University of Puget Sound and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in politics and government/public administration.

Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Building, Charities/Non-profits, Health care, Pierce County, Tacoma by Breanne Coats | Email Breanne

Apr. 9, 2009 at 10:17am

CEO turnover spikes, but below 2008 levels

After falling to a five-year low in February, turnover among the nation's chief executive officers saw a resurgence in March, as 114 CEO departures were announced that month. That was up 39 percent from the 82 chief executive changes recorded the previous month, according to the latest report on CEO turnover released by global outplacement consultancy Challenger, Gray & Christmas Inc.

Despite the surge, CEO departures in March were 7.3 percent lower than the same month a year ago, when 123 CEOs left their posts. This marks the third consecutive year-over-year decline in monthly CEO departures.

Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Technology, Workforce by Breanne Coats | Email Breanne

Apr. 8, 2009 at 2:35pm

BLOG WATCH: to tax, or not to tax?

A roundup of notes from the Blogosphere

The AWB blog has an item on the emerging dispute between the state's economists and other economists from across the nation on whether or not higher taxes actually stimulate the economy.

According to Ken Balsley, Radio Station KGY and the Port of Olympia have reached a tentative agreement which allows the station to stay at its current location for another five years.

Posted in BE Daily, Lacey, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Mason County, Olympia, Pierce County, South King County, Tacoma, Thurston County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Tumwater by Hilary Reeves | Email Hilary

Apr. 8, 2009 at 1:35pm

State announces $27 million in economic recovery grants

Gov. Chris Gregoire and Employment Security Commissioner Karen Lee announced today that $27 million in federal stimulus grants are being distributed throughout Washington to provide training opportunities, financial assistance and employment services to low-income adults and dislocated workers.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act authorized additional funding for local training and employment-assistance programs sponsored through the federal Workforce Investment Act. The goal is to substantially increase the number of adults who have the skills to fill jobs that are in demand in their communities.

Posted in BE Daily, Lacey, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Mason County, Olympia, Pierce County, South King County, Tacoma, Thurston County, Tumwater, Workforce by Hilary Reeves | Email Hilary

Apr. 8, 2009 at 1:33pm

COFFEE BREAK: sunny days

The recent sunny days have finally brought that inspirational feeling of spring to many in the South Sound. With this in mind, the Business Examiner would like to know whether you see a break in the clouds for your business as you look ahead to the third quarter.

Apr. 8, 2009 at 12:31pm

State gets $10 million for disability employment program

A federal stimulus grant of $10.4 million gave employment programs for people with disabilities in our state a significant boost this month.

This one-time grant falls under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 Vocational Rehabilitation State Grants program to "implement innovative strategies to improve employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities."

Posted in BE Daily, Education, Lacey, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Mason County, Military/Security, Olympia, Pierce County, South King County, Tacoma, Thurston County, Tumwater, Workforce by Hilary Reeves | Email Hilary

Apr. 8, 2009 at 11:49am

Click! expands its HD programming

Click! Cable TV responded to local customer demand for more high-definition programming by adding 17 new HD channels as well as four other new channels to its channel line up today.

"In less than a year we will have added 31 new HD channels," said Mitch Robinson, Click! Cable TV marketing and business operations manager.

Posted in BE Daily, Pierce County, Tacoma, Technology by Breanne Coats | Email Breanne

Apr. 8, 2009 at 11:17am

Rush breaks ground on Puyallup medical facility

Rush Commercial recently broke ground on a new medical and dental building in Puyallup. A comprehensive Franciscan Health System facility will occupy the majority of the space, neighbored by the relocated dental offices of Aaron D. Smith, currently of Fircrest.

Located at the corner of 152nd and Canyon Road in Puyallup, the 21,861 square-foot design/build project is scheduled to open in the fall. As the only state-of-the-art medical facility in the area, the Franciscan Medical Pavilion Canyon Road will provide a significant service offering to the region including family care, physical therapy and "prompt-care," plus extended hours and weekend services. Design plans include an on-site pharmacy, x-ray facilities, and ample parking for comprehensive and convenient community use.

Posted in BE Daily, Building, Health care, Pierce County, Startups/Minority Businesses by Breanne Coats | Email Breanne

Apr. 7, 2009 at 1:01pm

BCRA launches Green Spring campaign

Throughout month of April, BCRA will hold its third annual Green Spring campaign. A campaign to activate each staff member into living a healthier, more sustainable, environmentally responsible life, this year's Green Spring theme is Economic Sustainability.

To promote economic sustainability, BCRA is gathering local businesses for a corporate challenge of sorts. By the end of April, BCRA will report the ratio of expenses spent on local products and services versus those spent nationally or globally. They hope this "conscious accounting" will stimulate other local businesses and even local public agencies to buy local, spurring positive economic activity in the Tacoma/Pierce County area.

Results of BCRA's accounting review will be made available on the company's Web site at the end of April.

Posted in BE Daily, Building, Charities/Non-profits, Pierce County, Tacoma by Breanne Coats | Email Breanne

Apr. 7, 2009 at 11:47am

Unclaimed property tops $600 million

The state Department of Revenue is puzzled by the number of people who fail to seek out more than $600 million in unclaimed property that has piled up since the 1950s. Only last fall, businesses turned over $83 million in unclaimed property owed to 300,000 individuals.

The department recently mailed claim forms to the last-known addresses of the latest batch of names it received from employers, utilities, banks, escrow agents and other businesses. While some recipients respond by mailing back claim forms or by going to the department's Web site, to search for unclaimed property, many don't.

Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Lewis County, Mason County, Pierce County, South King County, Thurston County by Breanne Coats | Email Breanne

Apr. 7, 2009 at 9:59am

People on the move

Promotions, awards and recognitions in the South Sound

Anthony Hemstad has been named the new executive director for the World Trade Center Tacoma. Members of the center's Executive Committee and Board of Directors selected Hemstad after a competitive process conducted since the start of the year. Hemstad had been consulting and lobbying on his own for a variety of clients. Previous to that he served as city manager in Maple Valley for almost six years. He lived overseas from 1990 to 2002 when he was one of the founding faculty members of the first private college in post-Communist Czechoslovakia. He later founded his own public affairs consultancy that became one of the largest in Central Europe, with a staff more than 40 people and offices in four countries at its high point. Before living in Europe, Hemstad worked in Washington, D.C. for three U.S. Senators � including Dan Evans and Slade Gorton. He worked on both international trade and foreign relations issues for Sen. Evans.

Linda Geary, secretary in environmental services and safety, was selected as Mason General Hospital's March "Employee of the Month" by her peers. Her nominator called her "an amazing lady who has been behind the scenes of a very successful department." An interesting fact about Geary is that she was born at Mason General Hospital, and now comes to work every day to help it remain a top healthcare provider in the area. "I just love working here," she said. "I enjoy the work and the employees. Everyone works hard to help each other out."

Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Health care, Lacey, Mason County, Olympia, Pierce County, Tacoma, Thurston County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Workforce by Breanne Coats | Email Breanne

Apr. 7, 2009 at 9:54am

O Bee Credit Union opened in Lacey

O Bee Credit Union opened yesterday its new Lacey branch. This 5,000-square-foot building has a three-lane drive-up, safe deposit boxes and many other products and services that come with a financial institution.

Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Lacey, Startups/Minority Businesses, Thurston County by Breanne Coats | Email Breanne

Apr. 6, 2009 at 2:06pm

Pending sales increase with help of tax credit

Pending sales around Western Washington for the month of March reached the highest level in six months, according to the latest figures from Northwest Multiple Listing Service.

Compared to February, last month's pending sales surged 25 percent, rising from 4,559 transactions to 5,701. There were 1,043 Pierce County pending sales and 320 in Thurston County. Last month's volume was down 5.6 percent when compared to 12 months ago, but it was the highest monthly total since September when brokers reported 5,982 pending sales.

Posted in BE Daily, Building, Pierce County, Thurston County by Breanne Coats | Email Breanne

Apr. 6, 2009 at 1:46pm

State disciplines local health care providers

The state Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against health care providers in the South Sound.

In Pierce County the Nursing Assistant Program suspended the credential of Lareina Larson. Larson failed to comply with a previous order. The Nursing Assistant Program indefinitely suspended the credential of Ronald Roberts. Roberts failed to respond to department inquiries about a complaint made against him regarding allegations of sexual misconduct. The Nursing Assistant Program also indefinitely suspended the credential of Falesefulu Taupau. While working at an adult care facility, Taupau failed to follow proper procedures when a patient went missing.

Posted in BE Daily, Health care, Law and Legislation, Pierce County, Thurston County, Workforce by Breanne Coats | Email Breanne

Apr. 6, 2009 at 11:51am

Economy hits technology sector

Firms in the U.S. technology sector announced planned job cuts totaling 84,217 during the first quarter, up 27 percent from 66,312 in the previous quarter. It was the largest quarterly job-cut tally for the sector since 2002, when 133,511 layoffs were announced in the fourth quarter, according to the report released by global outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas Inc.

Posted in BE Daily, Technology, Workforce by Breanne Coats | Email Breanne

Apr. 6, 2009 at 11:42am

FW Advancing Leadership seeks class

Applications are now being accepted for the 2009-10 Advancing Leadership program. Anyone living or working in Federal Way who is interested in strengthening his or her leadership skills, developing a stronger network of local leaders in business, nonprofit and government, and becoming more involved in the community are encouraged to apply.

An ideal class would include people with varied backgrounds, cultures and interests, from both the business and private sectors, who together represent a balanced cross-section of the city population.

Posted in BE Daily, Education, South King County by Breanne Coats | Email Breanne

Apr. 6, 2009 at 10:48am

Free coffee at Seattle's Best

Seattle's Best Coffee celebrates 39 years of coffee history with its specially blended Anniversary Roast coffee and several offers for customers to enjoy throughout the month of April.

Today, customers can enjoy a free small coffee at participating Seattle's Best Coffee cafes. All this week, customers who are 39 years old get a free medium coffee. Starting Friday and ending Sunday, guests who buy a pastry will receive a free medium cup of Anniversary Roast. The following weekend, customers can buy a medium cup of Anniversary Roast for 39 cents. Finally, during the last weekend of the month, guests can buy a 12-ounce or larger bag of coffee and receive one medium beverage for free.

Posted in BE Daily, Lacey, Lakewood, Lewis County, Olympia, Pierce County, South King County, Tacoma, Thurston County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Tumwater by Hilary Reeves | Email Hilary

Apr. 6, 2009 at 10:40am

DOR wins two national awards

The state Department of Revenue won both of the 2009 national awards announced by the Federation of Tax Administrators today, one for its efforts to help taxpayers adjust to a major change to sales tax laws and another for innovative ethics training of its employees.

The federation named Washington co-winner of its 2009 Award for Taxpayer Service and Education for its Streamlined Sales Tax Initiative, a program to help businesses deal with a major change to the sales tax law. The other co-winner was the California Board of Equalization, recognized for its Tax Appeals Assistance program.

Posted in BE Daily, Lacey, Lakewood, Lewis County, Mason County, Olympia, Pierce County, South King County, Tacoma, Thurston County, Tumwater by Hilary Reeves | Email Hilary

Apr. 6, 2009 at 10:26am

Around the Sound

Business-related events in the South Sound

"Breakfast with Congressman Adam Smith," co-sponsored by the City Club of Tacoma and the Chamber, is set for Wednesday at 7:30 a.m. at the Landmark Convention Center.

Bayview School of Cooking Director Nancy Hebb will illustrate the versatility and magic of the yellow citrus jewel in her daily cooking regimens in the class "When Life Give You Lemons" on April 14 at 6 p.m. at Bayview, on the second-floor mezzanine of Bayview Thriftway in downtown Olympia. Visit www.BayviewSchoolofCooking.com.

Looking for ways to bump up your business' bottom line? The City of Tacoma's Community and Economic Development Department wants to help you learn how to do just that. At "Reboot your Business: Finding Opportunities in the Present Economy," a free Economic Gardening workshop, speaker Tina Janni will provide insights on how business owners can navigate through economically turbulent times and position their businesses for future success. Tacoma business owners can choose between two free sessions: April 16 between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. or April 17 between 8 and 10 a.m. The workshops will take place at Bates Technical College in the Clyde Hupp Board Room, located at 1101 S. Yakima Ave. Participants should enter through the courtyard on South 12th Street. For more information, e-mail cclifford@cityoftacoma.org.

Posted in BE Daily, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Military/Security, Pierce County, Tacoma, Thurston County by Breanne Coats | Email Breanne

Apr. 3, 2009 at 10:36am

Russell has another official suitor

While officials and business groups from cities around Puget Sound have said they were interested in being the new home of Russell Investment Group, few of them have gone public with their offers. That changed now that the Downtown Seattle Association announced plans to make a formal pitch to the international finance company's officials to relocate the company to Seattle when its leases in Tacoma run out.

Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Pierce County, Tacoma, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Apr. 3, 2009 at 10:35am

Centralia plant agrees to go greener

State Department of Ecology officials and the owners of TransAlta, the Centralia power plant that burns coal to generate electrical power, have reached an agreement to cut down greenhouse gas emissions. The plant is the only one of its kind in the state.

Posted in BE Daily, Building, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Mason County, Pierce County, Thurston County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Apr. 3, 2009 at 10:34am

Recession quickened as year ended

The March 2009 Washington Economic and Revenue Forecast was released yesterday and showed just how cool the state's economy really is.

The pace of job loss in Washington accelerated sharply in the fourth quarter of 2008. Washington nonfarm payroll employment fell at a 4.4-percent annual rate in the fourth quarter of 2008 following a 0.1 percent decline in the third quarter and a 1 percent decline in the second quarter.

The Boeing strike exaggerated the fourth quarter job loss, but even without the strike, nonfarm payroll employment would have fallen at a 3.3 percent annual rate. Excluding the temporary impact of the machinists' strike, manufacturing employment fell at a 7.1 percent rate in the fourth quarter with aerospace declining at a 2.5 percent rate and all other manufacturing employment falling at a 9 percent rate.

Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Mason County, Olympia, Pierce County, Retirement and Investing, South King County, Tacoma, Thurston County, Tumwater, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Apr. 3, 2009 at 10:33am

Nisqually River bridge gets special treatment

Crews begin structural repairs to the northbound Interstate 5 Nisqually River Bridge later this month.

"This is a special kind of work," said Kim Mueller, assistant project engineer. "Most bridge repairs fall under the seismic retrofit or routine maintenance categories. The bridge is strong and stable, but we're making structural repairs to extend its service life."

Posted in BE Daily, Building, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Pierce County, Thurston County by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Apr. 3, 2009 at 10:32am

State income tax plan gets cold reception

Senate lawmakers introduced a proposal to start a state income tax. The plan's debut did not go well.

Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Apr. 3, 2009 at 10:32am

Nonresidential construction jobless rate jumps in March

Employment in the nation's nonresidential construction industry continued to fall as 15,400 jobs were lost in March, according to the recent report by the U.S. Labor Department. For the first quarter of this year, the industry shed 49,800 jobs, and on a year-over-year basis, job losses reached 90,700 from March 2008. Nonresidential construction employment now stands at 753,700.

Posted in BE Daily, Building, Law and Legislation, Mason County, Pierce County, Tacoma, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Apr. 2, 2009 at 2:45pm

Stimulus funds help purchase Intercity Transit hybrid buses

Intercity Transit will purchase its first six hybrid diesel-electric buses thanks in large part to $2.334 million in federal stimulus funds recently identified for the public transportation provider through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Posted in BE Daily, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Olympia, Technology, Thurston County by Breanne Coats | Email Breanne

Apr. 2, 2009 at 11:48am

Employee benefits fall victim to economy

The economy seems to be taking its toll on employee benefits in Washington state. According to a new report released today by the state Employment Security Department, medical, dental, vacation and retirement benefits all took a hit last year.

For example, the percentage of employers that offered medical insurance to full-time employees fell from 66.3 percent in 2007 to 56.5 percent in 2008. Fewer firms offered medical coverage to part-time employees as well, slipping from 11.2 percent in 2007 to 9.8 percent in 2008.

Posted in BE Daily, Building, Health care, Law and Legislation, Workforce by News Room | Email News

Apr. 2, 2009 at 11:47am

SR 16 gets crossover barriers on both ends of Narrows

The drive across the Tacoma Narrows is safer than ever, and with a new crossover barrier installation project set to begin in May that level of safety grows even more.

State road officials this week awarded Sumner-based Petersen Brothers, Inc. a $199,000 contract to install crossover barriers in the medians on State Route 16 on both the Gig Harbor and Tacoma ends of the two bridges.

Posted in BE Daily, Building, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Pierce County by News Room | Email News

Apr. 2, 2009 at 11:46am

State disciplines local health care providers

The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against health care providers in the South Sound.

In Grays Harbor County, the Nursing Assistant Program charged Brandon M. Paschke with unprofessional conduct. He was convicted of distributing sexual material that relates/describes sexual conduct with a child via the Internet or computer.

Posted in BE Daily, Health care, Law and Legislation, Mason County, Pierce County, Thurston County, Workforce by News Room | Email News

Apr. 2, 2009 at 11:45am

People on the move

Promotions, awards and recognitions in the South Sound

Phil Jones is now president and CEO of Harborstone Credit Union. He most recently held the position of President and chief operating officer and is active in the community and has served on the volunteer boards of both the South Sound YMCA and the Olympia Symphony. Steve Crosby was promoted to senior vice president and chief operations officer and has worked for Harborstone since 1996 in a variety of positions. He's active in the community and currently serves as the treasurer of the Clover Park Technical College Foundation Board. Ken Bloomfield was recently promoted to vice president of marketing and has worked for Harborstone since 2002. He previously served as the credit union's senior marketing manager. Mike DeCius was promoted to vice president of Information Systems and most recently served as the credit union's Information Systems Manager. Theresa Walyor was promoted to vice president of Project and Process Management and has worked for Harborstone since 1987 in a variety of positions. She served most recently as the manager of Applications Support. Harborstone's Community Relations Manager Mary Moss recently celebrated her 30 year anniversary of employment with the credit union and has served in a number of positions during her time. She is also involved in the local community and currently serves as the Chair of the Board of Trustees for Clover Park Technical College.

Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Health care, Olympia by News Room | Email News

Apr. 1, 2009 at 1:22pm

Gig Harbor business acquired former rival

Control Solutions, Inc, a supply chain management and mobility solutions company headquartered in Gig Harbor, has completed the acquisition of Compsee, Inc., a mobility systems company, from parent company, McRae Industries, Inc.

The acquired group will continue to operate under the Compsee name, with Compsee's Melbourne, Fla. sales and customer services headquarters becoming the combined company's East Coast sales and operations center.

Posted in BE Daily, Pierce County, Technology by Breanne Coats | Email Breanne

Apr. 1, 2009 at 11:47am

Recovery funds total $23 million for training programs

Gov. Chris Gregoire and Employment Security Commissioner Karen Lee have announced that $23 million in federal stimulus grants are being distributed throughout Washington to pay for summer employment and training programs for at-risk youths and young adults.

Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Building, Law and Legislation, Olympia, Tacoma, Thurston County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Apr. 1, 2009 at 11:46am

Job cuts slow down for second month

The number of planned job cuts announced by United States employers declined for the second consecutive month in March, falling 19.3 percent to 150,411 from 186,350 in February, according to the job-cut report released today by global outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc.

Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Mason County, Olympia, Pierce County, South King County, Tacoma, Thurston County, Tumwater, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Apr. 1, 2009 at 11:45am

Unemployment rates bump up

Unemployment rates were higher in February than a year earlier in all 372 metropolitan areas, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor has reported. Of those areas, 14 recorded jobless rates of at least 15 percent, while 20 areas registered rates below 5 percent.

Washington, as a whole, posted an unemployment rate of 9.3 percent. The greater Tacoma area's unemployment rate was 8.7 percent and Olympia posted a jobless rate of 7.6 percent.

Apr. 1, 2009 at 11:43am

CTED releases online small business guide

Washington State Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development released the 2009 Guide for Small Business in Washington State. The comprehensive guide provides entrepreneurs and small business owners clickable access to a variety of resources needed to start and successfully manage a business.

Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Building, Charities/Non-profits, 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

Apr. 1, 2009 at 11:42am

Early results in for Shelton sediment study

The Washington Departments of Ecology and Health are evaluating the preliminary results from a sediment study conducted last fall in Shelton Harbor and Oakland Bay.

The preliminary data indicates the presence of dioxins in the surface samples. Health experts believe that people can continue to eat shellfish harvested in Oakland Bay. Shellfish don't accumulate dioxins well because of their low fat content.

Posted in BE Daily, Building, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Mason County, Olympia, Technology, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Apr. 1, 2009 at 11:39am

Blog Watch: counter strikes

A roundup of notes from the Blogosphere

The AWB blog has an item that illustrates the concept of trickle-down politics. It seems a bill in Alaska would charge a $16 a barrel tax on North Slope crude bound for Washington in a retaliatory strike over lawmakers in Olympia considering the lifting of a fuel tax exemption on Alaskan fuels. The Washington bill would rate $500 million for the state coffers, of which some $7 million would come from Alaska. Folks in the land of the midnight sun think that is unfair and have opted to play hardball with its own tax on fuel bound for the Evergreen state.

Apr. 1, 2009 at 11:38am

COFFEE BREAK: tough calls

The Business Examiner would like to know what is the most challenging business decision you have had to make.

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

Mar. 31, 2009 at 1:45pm

Bomb threat closed business strip in Fife

Fife police, Tacoma firefighters and Seattle's bomb squad responded to an alert of a suspicious package in an alley by the Costco Business Center in Fife this morning.

Posted in BE Daily, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Pierce County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Mar. 31, 2009 at 1:40pm

EDC lunch honors Thurston companies

The Thurston Economic Development Council honored the role private businesses and non-profit organizations play in creating the area's diverse economy at its annual meeting held at the Great Wolf Lodge today.

Posted in BE Daily, Charities/Non-profits, Startups/Minority Businesses, Thurston County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Mar. 31, 2009 at 10:42am

Researcher finds bright spot in delayed retirement

From the finding a silver lining desk, there is this item. The recession has crimped the retirement dreams of America's aging Baby Boomers � and that's good news for the economy, said a noted financial planner and Texas Tech University professor.

Posted in BE Daily, Retirement and Investing, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Mar. 31, 2009 at 10:41am

Kent rolls out streamlined permit process

Getting a building permit in Kent is about to become easier. From building a backyard deck to a new commercial development, a plan to make it easier and faster for people to get building permits was hailed as a critical step toward boosting the local economy.

Posted in BE Daily, Building, Law and Legislation, South King County by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Mar. 31, 2009 at 10:40am

Arbor village opens its doors

Arbor Village Continuing Care Retirement Community, at 24004 114th Place SE in Kent, will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony for its memory care community, The Lodge at Arbor Village, on April 2, from noon to 2 p.m.

Posted in BE Daily, Building, Health care, Retirement and Investing, South King County by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Mar. 31, 2009 at 10:38am

McCabe's cited for alcohol violation

The troubled dance club, McCabe's American Music Cafe, in downtown Tacoma was cited for alcohol violations following a joint undercover operation conducted by the Washington State Liquor Control Board and the Tacoma Police Department. The establishment now faces a 30-day suspension of its liquor license, scheduled to begin on May 14. The bar has been the target of city action to close for reported liquor violations.

Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Pierce County, Tacoma, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Mar. 31, 2009 at 10:32am

People on the move

Promotions, awards and recognitions in the South Sound

Eisenhower & Carlson has announced three new employees. Heather L. Burgess, has joined firm as a member. Her practice is in the area of real estate and land use. Evan W. Marques has joined the firm as an associate practicing in the areas of business transactions and general litigation matters, and Deidra A. Nguyen has joined the firm as an associate practicing in the area of general litigation, including real estate and employment law.

Alexander Foster of Graham, retail sales representative with Verizon Wireless in Washington State, has earned membership in Verizon Wireless' President's Cabinet. The honor is reserved for those ranking in the top 1 percent nationally in sales during 2008. Foster earned the distinction by demonstrating exceptional sales leadership and customer service in assisting customers with wireless productivity tools; including wireless data applications like Mobile Broadband, V CAST and other Verizon Wireless multimedia and data solutions. The recognition places him as one of the company's top performers among its more than 18,000 sales executives across the country in 2008.

Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Building, Health care, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Technology, Tumwater, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Mar. 30, 2009 at 2:21pm

Venture CEO in talks with investors

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. made public Friday a directive requiring Venture Bank to raise more capital or sell itself by April 14.

"The regulators like the use of deadlines � they love them," said Jim Arneson, Venture Bank's president and chief executive officer. "This is one of many that have been discussed. We're continuing to work, and we're encouraged by the interest that's been shown by investors."

Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Pierce County, Thurston County by Hilary Reeves | Email Hilary

Mar. 30, 2009 at 1:53pm

Walgreens to stop filling Medicaid scripts

As a result of extreme reimbursement cuts in the State of Washington Medicaid program, Walgreens today announced it will withdraw 44 of its pharmacies from the state's Medicaid program as of May 1.

These 44 pharmacies represent more than 60 percent of the company's total Medicaid business in the state and are found in communities large and small. Walgreens operates 111 pharmacies throughout Washington.

Posted in BE Daily, Health care, Law and Legislation by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Mar. 30, 2009 at 1:52pm

Layoff-avoidance program sets record participation

With more than 1,000 employers and counting, the state's program for helping employers minimize layoffs has more participants than at any other time in its 25-year history.

Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Mar. 30, 2009 at 1:52pm

Annuity sales bill signed into law

Gov. Chris Gregoire will sign a bill later today establishing suitability standards for the sale of annuities. The legislation, ESSB 5671, requested by Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler, requires insurers and agents selling fixed and variable annuities to confirm that the insurance product is suitable for the consumer.

Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Building, Law and Legislation, Retirement and Investing by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Mar. 30, 2009 at 1:51pm

World Vision aids Fargo flood victims

Amid historic flooding in Fargo, N.D., Federal Way-based relief organization World Vision is dispatching an initial truckload of emergency supplies and sending staff to assess the needs of affected families.

"It's devastating for children and families to see their homes flooded and be forced to evacuate. But with this historic disaster happening on top of the economic downturn, people are going to be hurting even more," said Phyllis Freeman, World Vision's director for domestic disaster response.

Posted in BE Daily, Charities/Non-profits, South King County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Mar. 30, 2009 at 1:51pm

Tacoma Mall tax break goes to a vote

Tacoma City Council is scheduled to hear the final reading of an ordinance tomorrow that would extend the suspension of accepting applications for the limited property tax exemption for all multi-family developments in the Tacoma Mall mixed-use center.

Posted in BE Daily, Building, Tacoma by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Mar. 30, 2009 at 1:50pm

Panattoni cuts ribbon on DuPont Civic Center

The City of DuPont has officially moved into its new Civic Center. The two-building center houses City Hall in one building and police and fire departments in the other. The new location will allow for a much more efficient City Hall and expanded services for police and fire.

Posted in BE Daily, Building, Law and Legislation, Pierce County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Mar. 30, 2009 at 1:49pm

Contractors say new rules would hurt industry

The proposed "card check" legislation currently being debated by state lawmakers could pose a threat for the nation's union construction, workers according to a new analysis released by the Associated General Contractors.

The analysis singled out provisions in the bill, known as the Employee Free Choice Act, requiring federal arbitrators to settle all but the briefest of contract negotiations as particularly problematic.

Posted in BE Daily, Building, Law and Legislation, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Mar. 27, 2009 at 1:42pm

State takes action against health care workers

The Washington State Department of Health has revoked or suspended the licenses, certifications, or registrations of these health care providers in the South Sound.

Posted in BE Daily, Charities/Non-profits, Education, Health care, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Pierce County, Thurston County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Mar. 27, 2009 at 12:00pm

BE subscription gift cards to Sea Grill redeemable at El Gaucho

If you are a recent Business Examiner subscriber and have received a Sea Grill gift card for subscribing to the publication, that gift card can now be redeemed at El Gaucho in downtown Tacoma.

Posted in BE Daily, Tacoma, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality by Breanne Coats | Email Breanne

Mar. 27, 2009 at 11:40am

Recovery Act doubles small business bond guarantee

Small businesses that need surety bonds to compete for construction and service contracts may qualify for U.S. Small Business Administration-backed bonds of up to $5 million. The higher amount, a result of the recently approved federal Recovery Act, is more than double the previous $2 million maximum surety bond guaranteed by SBA.

Through SBA's Bond Guarantee program, SBA guarantees bid, payment and performance bonds. Surety bonds protect the project owner against financial loss, if contractors default or fail to perform.

Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Mason County, Pierce County, Thurston County by Breanne Coats | Email Breanne

Mar. 27, 2009 at 11:32am

Vacancy rates continue climb around South Sound

The quarterly real estate report by the local Colliers International office shows big jumps in vacancy rates around the South Sound spread through the different categories of commercial real estate spaces. That translates into a stronger market for renters looking for spaces that were out of their price range just a few months ago. But they shouldn't expect big discounts since some areas remain strong.

Posted in BE Daily, Building, Pierce County, South King County, Tacoma by Breanne Coats | Email Breanne

Mar. 27, 2009 at 11:28am

Docking door tax under review in Fife

Fife is considering tax options to pay for road improvements around the city and is looking at charging an annual tax on businesses based on the number of loading doors they have.

The $100-a-door tax charged annually as part of a company's business license is a way to avoid taxing the actual number of delivery trucks rolling through the warehouse-heavy city, since those rules would fall under federal, interstate commerce control and not local discretion.

Posted in BE Daily, Building, Law and Legislation, Pierce County, South King County by Breanne Coats | Email Breanne

Mar. 26, 2009 at 2:20pm

Governor signs revisions to distressed property law

Gov. Chris Gregoire has signed into law Senate Bill 5221, which allows real estate agents to help homeowners struggling to sell their homes without concerns for increased liability once again. The bill amends a law targeting foreclosure scams by clarifying that real estate agents are not "distressed home consultants" when they are providing home sale services.

Posted in BE Daily, Building, Law and Legislation, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Mar. 26, 2009 at 2:07pm

BE recognizes area's Top Places to Work

The Business Examiner, along with about 175 guests, honored South Sound businesses last night at its Top Places to Work event held at the Sharon McGavick Conference Center at Clover Park Technical College. This program recognizes outstanding company cultures in the South Sound.

This event was presented by Tacoma Goodwill Industries and sponsored by Powell Human Resources, Heritage Bank, Versoria, Fast Transact, Panagiotu Pension Advisors and American Family Insurance. Tacoma Public Utilities was a contributing sponsor.

Mar. 26, 2009 at 1:36pm

People on the move

Promotions, awards and recognitions in the South Sound

Vadium Technology, Inc., a local early stage technology company, has announced the appointment of Dale Miller as senior vice president of sales and marketing. Miller brings more than 30 years of leadership and international sales experience, with such highly respected companies as Global Crossing and AT&T.

Posted in BE Daily, Building, Olympia, Pierce County, Tacoma, Technology, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Mar. 26, 2009 at 1:34pm

Locke confirmed as Commerce secretary

Former Gov. Gary Locke has been confirmed as secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trad

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