Business Examiner

Dec. 1, 2008 at 12:23pm

Russell lookalike site violated state law

A California man's mirror-image version of Russell Investments' site violated the state's anti-phishing law, said the Washington Attorney General's Office.

Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Tacoma, Technology by Breanne Coats | Email Breanne

Dec. 1, 2008 at 10:30am

Around the Sound

Business-related events

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

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

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

Dec. 1, 2008 at 10:18am

BE part of the conversation

Comment about the news

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

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

Nov. 28, 2008 at 8:30am

Business school is now in session at BE

Streaming video covers business topics

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

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

Nov. 26, 2008 at 10:07am

Blog Watch: road warriors

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

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

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

Nov. 26, 2008 at 10:06am

COFFEE BREAK: Holiday blessings or worries

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

Nov. 24, 2008 at 12:15pm

State launches video to help businesses with tax planning

Washington State has launched a multi-agency streaming video that gives new and small businesses easy-to-understand basics on how to plan for, prepare and pay state business taxes and insurance premiums.

The video guides business owners through the process as they face their tax reports. It answers basic questions, such as: which taxes, and what rate, businesses will have to pay; how and when to file state taxes; and what steps business owners should take to plan ahead.

"Small businesses play a critical role in growing our state's economy," Gov. Chris Gregoire said. "We need to provide Washington's small business owners with as much information as possible so they can successfully develop and build their companies — and this video helps achieve that. A strong business climate will keep Washingtonians employed, and contribute to our state's growth."

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Olympia, Pierce County, Technology, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Nov. 21, 2008 at 2:22pm

Technology is about innovation, UWT conference told

The ninth annual South Sound Technology Conference was held at the William W. Philip Hall on the University of Washington, Tacoma campus and offered a host of views on the state of technology, particularly in the South Sound.

"Technology is such an important part of this economy," said UWT Vice Chancellor Beth Rushing, noting that the university and its Institute of Technology feed into that growing industry by providing local businesses with well-trained workers. "We definitely see education as a driver of economic development."

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Technology, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Nov. 19, 2008 at 12:21pm

Great American Smokeout set for tomorrow

Tobacco Quit Line (1-800-QUIT-NOW)

Tomorrow is the 33rd annual Great American Smokeout as a way to provide an opportunity for people to take the first step toward quitting smoking and improving their health.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Health care, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Mason County, Olympia, Tacoma, Technology, Thurston County, Tumwater, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Nov. 19, 2008 at 12:19pm

Blog Watch: road warriors

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

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

Nov. 19, 2008 at 12:18pm

COFFEE BREAK: down times

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

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

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

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

Nov. 18, 2008 at 1:49pm

TCC forum questions employers use of networking sites

Tacoma Community College's Center for Ethical Development kicked off a forum series today that examines business issues to promote ethical decisions in the workplace with a program titled "Internet Privacy? Ethical Implications of Social Networking."

Connecting with people on the Internet has exploded through social and business networking sites in the past few years. This event focused on the ethical implications involved in posting information, altering or creating identities or examining social networking information to influence life decisions like hiring or student screening for college admission.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Education, Human Resources , Tacoma, Technology by Breanne Coats | Email Breanne

Nov. 18, 2008 at 1:23pm

Health care, transportation, green 'fads' top WPC watch list

The Washington Policy Center held its Pierce County 2008 Small Business Issue Forum this morning in Tacoma in partnership with the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Health care, Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Pierce County, Tacoma, Technology by Hilary Reeves | Email Hilary

Nov. 18, 2008 at 10:28am

UTC delays need for new area code

Washington telecommunication companies will have at least four more years to assign customers phone numbers using the 360 area code, the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission said today. As a result, Western Washington phone customers will avoid the need for a new area code and mandatory10-digit local dialing.

Because of the increased demand for new telephone numbers, the Federal Communications Commission earlier estimated that a new area code would have to be added in 2010 in the territory currently using the 360 area code.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Pierce County, South King County, Technology, Thurston County by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Nov. 17, 2008 at 11:21am

Around the Sound

Business events

Washington Policy Center's research staff will be the guests of honor at a Good Morning! Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber Small Business Forum breakfast. Business owners and managers can ask the research staff questions and voice concerns about small business issues in the state at the 7:30 a.m. Nov. 18 event held at La Quinta Inn and Suites Conference Center, 1425 East 27th St. Cost is $15 or $25 for nonmembers. Call (253) 627.2175.

Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Building, Pierce County, South King County, Technology, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Nov. 17, 2008 at 10:28am

Comcast boosts Internet speeds

Comcast announced it is launching a new generation of Internet and download speeds for business and residential customers in Washington.

With the new service, the communications company will offer download speeds of up to 50 megabytes per second. Wideband will also enable customers to double speeds at no additional cost.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Pierce County, Tacoma, Technology, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Nov. 14, 2008 at 12:20pm

Financial crisis freezes consumer spending

As expected, consumers put their wallets into hibernation as the full scope of the financial crisis took hold in October. The National Retail Federation reports that retail sales for October decreased 0.5 percent from September.

Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Pierce County, Retirement and Investing, South King County, Startups/Minority Businesses, Tacoma, Technology, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Nov. 13, 2008 at 2:54pm

People on the move

Promotions and recognitions

Washington State Tourism Commission has elected Kimberly Bennett, CEO of the Southwest Washington Convention and Visitors Bureau, to serve as co-chair of the commission. She takes over the role from Kris Watkins of the Tri-Cities Visitor and Convention Bureau. Washington State Tourism Commission co-chairs are elected to serve for one-year.

The Museum of Glass is the recipient of the Art Alliance for Contemporary Glass Annual Award for 2008. The award was presented to Museum of Glass Director Timothy Close at the Sculpture Objects and Functional Art exposition in Chicago. AACG is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to further the development and appreciation of art made from glass.

Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Charities/Non-profits, Education, Olympia, Pierce County, Tacoma, Technology, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Nov. 12, 2008 at 11:40am

Companies worried about employees in current economy

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

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

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

Nov. 10, 2008 at 9:43am

Pierce-based effort seeks speed record

A joint effort between American and Canadian engineers, called North American Eagle, is set to test its 50,000-horsepower F-104 jet car in an attempt to travel more than 800 mph to bring the land speed record back to the United States. The title is currently held by an English team. North American Eagle is based in a hangar at Shady Acres Airport near Spanaway.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Technology, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Nov. 6, 2008 at 12:03pm

McKenna cracks down on 'erotic services'

Attorney General Rob McKenna today announced an agreement in which the online classified site Craigslist.org will deter and crack down on inappropriate content and illegal activity in its "erotic services" section.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Technology by Hilary Reeves | Email Hilary

Nov. 5, 2008 at 12:24pm

Blog Watch: chitter, chatter

Tech blogger Andrew Fry has a note about the fate of daily newspapers and mentions some details about TNT blogmeister Mark Briggs, who is leaving the Tacoma daily for work in the private sectors. He will be the CEO of Serra Media, a provider of Web solutions for media companies.

A Federal Way blog has a mention about the planned closure of the Circuit City.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Mason County, Pierce County, Technology, Thurston County by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Nov. 5, 2008 at 12:08pm

TSA approves Tacoma firm's security measures

The Transportation Security Administration has approved four biometric readers from Sagem Morpho for use in critical pilot tests of the Transportation Worker Identification Credential program at U.S. port operations in Los Angeles, New York and Long Beach. The selection by TSA puts the Tacoma technology firm among the elite developers of biometric security devices whose technologies will define future TWIC specifications.

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

Nov. 5, 2008 at 12:06pm

Rainier Connect moves to Brewery District

Rainier Connect, a telecommunications provider serving Pierce and Lewis Counties, today moved to the Tacoma Historic Brewery District. An anchor tenant in this historic district, Rainier Connect has purchased the buildings that were formerly home to the Pacific Brewery and Malting Company in order to accommodate the company's recent and projected growth.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Pierce County, Tacoma, Technology by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Nov. 5, 2008 at 12:06pm

Puget Energy reports third-quarter financials

Puget Energy today reported a net loss of $8.2 million, or six cents per diluted share, for the third quarter, compared to a net income of $11.4 million, or 10 cents per share, in the third quarter of 2007. For the first nine months of 2008, Puget Energy reported net income of $105.2 million, or 81 cents per share, as compared to $129.1 million, or $1.10 per share, for the same period of 2007.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Pierce County, South King County, Technology, Thurston County by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Nov. 5, 2008 at 12:05pm

Justice, McKenna persuade search engine ad changes

Attorney General Rob McKenna today announced that Yahoo! Inc. and Google Inc. have abandoned their proposed advertising agreement after being informed that the United States Department of Justice, joined by several states, would bring an antitrust lawsuit to block the deal. Fifteen states participated in the investigation, which was led by Washington, California, New York and Texas.

"Google and Yahoo compete aggressively for online search advertising and for search syndication deals with partner sites," said McKenna. "After a detailed investigation, state and federal antitrust enforcers concluded that the pact between these online giants would harm competition and innovation."

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

Nov. 4, 2008 at 11:59am

People on the move

Promotions and recognitions

Venture Bank recently hired Tasha Wilkinson as a customer service representative at the bank's Eatonville Financial Center. Venture Bank also hired Jennifer Stanley as a customer service representative at the bank's Fircrest Financial Center.

Washington State University entomologist and eco-toxicologist John Stark has been named the new director of the WSU Puyallup Research and Extension Center. Stark succeeds Jon Newkirk who has been director of the center for the past four years. Newkirk recently resigned as director at the historic Puyallup facility but will continue his affiliation with WSU as director of the WSU Extension Western Center for Risk Management Education in Spokane. WSU Dean of the College of Agricultural, Human and Natural Resource Sciences Dan Bernardo praised Newkirk for helping to set a new course for the 21st century at the facility that was established in 1894.

Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Building, Education, Health care, Human Resources , Lacey, Lakewood, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Olympia, Pierce County, South King County, Startups/Minority Businesses, Tacoma, Technology, Thurston County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Nov. 3, 2008 at 2:53pm

Chuckals launches audio division

Tacoma-based Chuckals Office Products has launched a new audiovisual division, adding LCD projectors, security systems and similar products to a mix that already includes office furniture, printing and cleaning and breakroom products in addition to its traditional office supplies business.

Joining the firm to help spearhead the new division will be Mike Hall, an AV specialist from Abolins, a Tacoma-based audiovisual products reseller that closed earlier this year.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Building, Pierce County, Tacoma, Technology by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Oct. 31, 2008 at 11:33am

Expedia reports quarterly results

Expedia, Inc., which operates a large call center in downtown Tacoma. today announced financial results for its third quarter.

Revenue increased 10 percent for the third quarter, primarily driven by increased worldwide merchant hotel revenue and advertising and media revenue. North America revenue increased 7 percent, Europe revenue increased 16 percent and other revenue increased 24 percent.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Retirement and Investing, Tacoma, Technology, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Oct. 31, 2008 at 11:33am

Tacoma firm partners on port security venture

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

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

Oct. 29, 2008 at 11:55am

Blog Watch: street talk

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

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

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

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

Oct. 29, 2008 at 11:53am

COFFEE BREAK: Key election issue

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

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

Oct. 27, 2008 at 11:03am

Marketing guide now available online

The Business Examiner has posted a free marketing guide on its Web site
www.BusinessExaminer.com/marketing.

Comments (1) | Posted in BE Daily, Technology, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Oct. 22, 2008 at 10:27am

State sets voter record

With the election two weeks away, Washington has just surpassed the 3.6 million mark for registered voters for the first time in state history, according to David Ammons, communications director for the Office of the Secretary of State.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Lacey, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Mason County, Olympia, Pierce County, South King County, Tacoma, Technology, Thurston County, Tumwater by Hilary Reeves | Email Hilary

Oct. 22, 2008 at 9:59am

Blog Watch: Political roundup

The Association of Washington Business' Olympia Business Watch explains the reasoning behind the AWB's myriad endorsements.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Lacey, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Olympia, Pierce County, South King County, Tacoma, Technology, Thurston County by Hilary Reeves | Email Hilary

Oct. 22, 2008 at 9:44am

Coffee Break: The home stretch

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

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

Oct. 20, 2008 at 10:57am

Oak Harbor Freight target of radio protests

The Teamsters Union has launched a nationwide radio ad on Air America as part of its negotiations with Auburn-based freight hauler Oak Harbor Freight Lines. The radio campaign condemns clothing retailer the Gap Inc. for using Oak Harbor Freight Lines to move its merchandise on the West Coast. The retailer is Oak Harbor's largest customer, according to a release.

Some 600 Oak Harbor Freight Lines workers in Oregon, Washington and Idaho walked off the job and into picket lines Sept. 22 in protest of what they call the freight company's violations of U.S. labor laws and hostile efforts by company representatives to intimidate workers.

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

Oct. 14, 2008 at 10:25am

Boeing talks collapse

Boeing officials announced the second round of mediated talks with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers have ended without a contract and that no new talks are scheduled.

Comments (1) | Posted in BE Daily, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Pierce County, South King County, Technology, Thurston County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Oct. 14, 2008 at 10:22am

SBA offers online export training

A new online course will help small businesses explore exporting opportunities in international markets. Global Enterprise: A Primer on Exporting is a free, self-paced course that provides practical guidance on exploring international markets.

The new course is available from the Small Business Administration training Web site.

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

Oct. 13, 2008 at 11:22am

In this issue of the Business Examiner

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

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

Oct. 8, 2008 at 1:01pm

COFFEE BREAK: bail out or life line?

The Business Examiner would like to know what your thoughts are on the $700 billion package that is now law for the government to buy "toxic debt" as a way to free up financial markets.

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

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Technology, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Oct. 8, 2008 at 1:00pm

Blog Watch: world news

The AWB has commentary on Boeing's CEO lamenting about the state of the company if it has to compete with other companies and be saddled with the high demands of its machinists.

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

Oct. 8, 2008 at 12:52pm

Kent Center sells naming rights to ShoWare

Kent officials today agreed to terms for a facility naming rights partnership with ShoWare by VisionOne. ShoWare will also be the exclusive ticketing service for the new home of the Seattle Thunderbirds and the Puget Sound region's newest, and the nation's first "green" entertainment venue.

"This opportunity allows VisionOne to showcase our innovative ticketing service – ShoWare – in an emerging entertainment environment like Kent," said VisionOne Senior Partner Ralph Fasi. "Our partnership with the City of Kent will provide a firm foothold for ShoWare in the ticketing market for larger venues and sports teams in the region and throughout the United States."

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Building, South King County, Technology, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Oct. 8, 2008 at 6:05am

Are you a Fastest Growing Company?

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

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

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

Oct. 3, 2008 at 8:31am

Speak up: BE wants your opinion

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

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

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

Oct. 1, 2008 at 11:53am

Blog Watch: talk, technology, talk

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

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

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

Sep. 30, 2008 at 10:46am

Boat servicer expands in downturn

Commencement Bay Marine Services, a full-service boat repair and haul-out service on the Thea Foss Waterway, has announced it will expand its workforce from the recently closed Olympic Boat Center.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Building, Human Resources , Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Mason County, Olympia, Pierce County, South King County, Tacoma, Technology, Thurston County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Tumwater, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Sep. 29, 2008 at 10:16am

Small biz index plummets

The Small Business Research Board's Small Business Confidence Index decreased to 30 points in the second quarter of 2008, a downturn of nearly 14 points, or 31 percent, from the previous quarter, according to a report issued today.

The greatest decrease in confidence is among businesses in the Western states, where the index decreased to 27.7 from the 59 points recorded in the previous study, according to the report co-sponsored by International Profit Associates. Businesses in the Western states reported they are most pessimistic about the improvement of the overall economy.

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

Sep. 26, 2008 at 2:58pm

Historic documents now available online

Building on its groundbreaking efforts in using technology to open up public records, the Office of Secretary of State will be making hundreds of thousands of historic corporations documents available to the public online, free of charge.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Olympia, Technology by Hilary Reeves | Email Hilary

Sep. 26, 2008 at 2:02pm

Click! offers debates on demand

Click! Cable TV has partnered with C-SPAN to offer the presidential and vice presidential debates through its Video on Demand service for free.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Tacoma, Technology by Hilary Reeves | Email Hilary

Sep. 25, 2008 at 10:58am

Women of Influence event held

View pictures from the BE's event

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

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

Sep. 23, 2008 at 12:11pm

State tech exports top $3 billion

The group AeA, a technology trade association representing all segments of the high-tech industry around the nation, has released its annual report detailing national and state trends in the trade of high-tech goods.

Tech exports from Washington grew by $43 million from 2006 to 2007. Washington's tech exports grew steadily every year since 2002, increasing by 27 percent from 2001 to 2007. Washington ranked sixth nationwide for consumer electronics exports, which have increased 26 percent since 2001.

"When most people think of Washington's high-tech economy they think of one thing: software," said J.D. Hammerly, President of The Glarus Group and Chairman of the AeA Washington Council. "But tech manufacturing exports from Washington have been steadily growing for five straight years."

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Technology, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Sep. 19, 2008 at 11:15am

State government named among top techies

Washington has been named as one of the most digitally-advanced state governments in the nation, according to the Digital States Survey. The comprehensive, biennial study examines best practices, policies and progress made by state governments in their use of digital technologies to better serve citizens and streamline operations.

Washington jumped to sixth place from its previous rating at 16th in 2006. Ratings were made after judges examined technology issues such as service delivery, infrastructure, collaboration, and leadership.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Technology, Thurston County by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Sep. 17, 2008 at 2:11pm

L&I plan calls for comp hike of 3 percent

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

Sep. 17, 2008 at 11:23am

Conference board releases fund report

The Conference Board Working Group on Hedge Fund Activism has released its final recommendations for those corporations and institutional investors that may find themselves involved in an activism campaign mounted by hedge funds.

Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Retirement and Investing, Technology, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Sep. 17, 2008 at 11:19am

COFFEE BREAK: investment worries

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

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

Sep. 10, 2008 at 9:57am

COFFEE BREAK: strike talks

The Business Examiner would like to know what you think about the strike by Boeing machinists. Whose side are you on?

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

Sep. 9, 2008 at 10:35am

PSE banks heavily on infrastructure

Puget Sound Energy is investing some $421 million in service-area infrastructure improvements this year, of which about $247 million is earmarked for capacity and reliability upgrades, and about $174 million is allocated to meet growing customer needs.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Building, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Olympia, Pierce County, South King County, Technology by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Sep. 4, 2008 at 11:08am

Accounting, IT hiring to be flat

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

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

Aug. 28, 2008 at 2:22pm

PSE wants increase in gas rates

Puget Sound Energy today filed a request with the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission to pass through the higher costs the utility pays for purchasing natural gas supplies for its customers.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Building, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Mason County, Olympia, Pierce County, South King County, Tacoma, Technology by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Aug. 28, 2008 at 1:59pm

Boeing improves contract offer

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

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

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

Aug. 28, 2008 at 12:46pm

Tacoma Power goes greener

When Washington voters passed Initiative 937 two years ago, they established a law that requires Washington utilities to meet a portion of their customers' power needs with renewable energy. Tacoma Power took a significant step recently toward meeting that requirement by signing a contract with Iberdrola Renewables Inc. for renewable energy credits.

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

Aug. 27, 2008 at 1:08pm

COFFEE BREAK: Class act

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

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

Aug. 27, 2008 at 10:51am

Washington joins suit against EPA

Washington has joined 12 other states, the District of Columbia, and the City of New York in a suit against the federal Environmental Protection Agency for failing to adopt regulations to control oil refinery emissions that contribute to global warming. The suit alleges that the EPA's refusal to require new or renovated oil refineries to install technologies that control pollution violates the federal Clean Air Act.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Olympia, Technology by News Room | Email News

Aug. 26, 2008 at 1:33pm

People on the move

Promotions and recognitions

ManorCare of Tacoma has announced the three new employees at its facility: Tina Irwin, administrator; Eric Dobry, director of nursing; and Janice Suarez-Pena, human resources director. Each of these individuals comes with a wealth of knowledge, experience and solid leadership abilities.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Building, Health care, Lakewood, Olympia, Pierce County, Tacoma, Technology, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Aug. 25, 2008 at 11:04am

BE Reader Survey

Dear BE Daily Subscriber,

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

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

Click here to take survey

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

Emily West
General Manager
ewest@BusinessExaminer.com

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

Aug. 20, 2008 at 10:11am

Bates lands rural television grant

Agriculture Under Secretary for Rural Development Thomas C. Dorr today announced nearly $5 million in public television digital transition grants to fund 19 projects in 18 states, including Washington.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Charities/Non-profits, Pierce County, Tacoma, Technology by News Room | Email News

Aug. 20, 2008 at 10:08am

Konnects adds new service

Tacoma-based Konnects, a social networking site provider geared toward business professionals, has announced a new set of features that extend the company's vision to provide individuals and businesses with a means to connect, generate new contacts and conduct transactions online.

Comments (1) | Posted in BE Daily, Technology by News Room | Email News

Aug. 15, 2008 at 2:14pm

Local firm set for national honors

Santosh J. Kuruvilla, president of Exeltech Consulting in Lacey is one of 10 small business leaders from across the nation who will be vying for the National Minority Small Business Person of the Year honors by the U.S. Small Business Administration. The award will be announced during the 26th National Minority Enterprise Development Week conference in Washington, D.C. next month.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Lacey, Technology, Thurston County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Aug. 14, 2008 at 11:38am

SiteCrafting continues its expansion

SiteCrafting, a Tacoma-based Web design and application development firm, has been experiencing successful sales growth and executing growth initiatives despite economic slowdown in the region.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Pierce County, Tacoma, Technology, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Aug. 13, 2008 at 10:02am

State AGs fight online fraud

The Washington Attorney General's Office is at the frontlines in the fight against online fraud, according to a new report by the Center for American Progress and the Center for Democracy and Technology.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Olympia, Technology by News Room | Email News

Aug. 13, 2008 at 9:55am

Blog Watch: just bagging it

The Association of Washington Business has a note about TNT columnist Peter Callaghan's thoughts on Seattle's pending rule to add a 20-cent charge on all paper and plastic bags as a way to aid the environment and cut down on litter by lowering the number of disposable bags shoppers carry. The trouble with that plan is that those bags come from wood in Washington. Fewer bags means fewer trees need to be harvested and the timber industry takes another hit.

Comments (0) | 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, Technology, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Aug. 12, 2008 at 10:46am

People on the move

Promotions and recognitions

Arbor Village, a continuing care retirement community in Kent that is operated by Cascade Living Group, has named Brian Prouty as director of sales and marketing for the campus. Prouty will be responsible for informing potential residents and their families about the continuing care community, establishing relationships with community members and training the marketing staff for the campus. Prouty has more than eight years of experience in sales and marketing specific to the senior health care industry. He also has experience as an activity director and executive director in the senior care industry. Through his experience working with a nationally recognized senior housing company, Prouty gained skill in opening and establishing senior communities. His focus on a teamwork, enthusiasm and fresh ideas gives Prouty successful solutions for seniors and their families. Prior to joining Arbor Village, he has held positions with the YMCA of Greater Seattle and King County Boys & Girls Clubs.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Retirement and Investing, South King County, Tacoma, Technology, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Aug. 11, 2008 at 9:24am

Boeing union calls for pension review

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

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

Aug. 8, 2008 at 11:04am

Pacific Gateway now available online

Readers of the Port of Tacoma's magazine will learn about the region's growing base of warehousing and import distribution centers. Another article examines how industry leaders are addressing the growth of international trade in the Pacific Northwest and intermodal rail system capacity.

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

Aug. 4, 2008 at 10:35am

KIRO to simulcast on 97.3 FM

Beginning Aug. 12, KIRO radio will simulcast all programming on 97.3 FM and 710 AM.

"Puget Sound residents have shown great support for the quality news and stimulating talk on 710 KIRO. This is why KIRO has been a perennial audience leader in the region," said Rod Arquette, KIRO/KTTH program director. "Due to the significant number of radio listeners who use FM on a daily basis, we can best serve the local community by making KIRO's product available to the broadest possible audience."

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Lacey, Lakewood, Lewis County, Mason County, Olympia, Pierce County, South King County, Tacoma, Technology, Thurston County, Tumwater, Workforce by News Room | Email News

Aug. 1, 2008 at 10:41am

Coffee Break: gizmo responses

The Business Examiner asked readers to talk about the one gizmo or gadget that they couldn't live without. Here are some of the responses:

Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Charities/Non-profits, Health care, Human Resources , Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Technology, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Jul. 30, 2008 at 12:29pm

COFFEE BREAK: Favorite gadget

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

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

Jul. 30, 2008 at 12:29pm

Blog Watch: technology

Andrew Fry gives a glimpse of what to expect at the annual South Sound Technology Conference in the fall. The umbrella topic this year will be "Innovation and Technology."

The AWB has an item about "checkbook voters" and what they think about the economy.

Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Law and Legislation, Pierce County, Technology, Thurston County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve

Jul. 29, 2008 at 9:51am

People on the move

Promotions and recognitions

The Martin Firm has announced that Ashleigh Guidoux has joined the firm as lead creative designer. In her position, Guidoux is responsible for partnering on campaign development and concepts, and designing a wide variety of advertising projects, including newspaper, billboard, magazine, direct mail and logo design. Prior to joining The Martin Firm, she was an executive team leader for Target Corp. She received her bachelor of science degree, with an emphasis in marketing, from San Diego State University. She also served as a summer intern at the University Place firm while attending college.

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

Jul. 25, 2008 at 2:00pm

Chinese delegates visit Franciscan lab

A delegation of 17 clinical lab directors and medical equipment sales managers from Shanghai, China visited St. Joseph Medical Center in Tacoma today to tour the Franciscan Health System hospital's fully-automated laboratory, which is the only one of its kind in Washington.

Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Health care, Tacoma, Technology, Workforce by News Room | Email News

Jul. 24, 2008 at 10:34am

High-impact firms dot the state

Firms experiencing rapid growth in recent years can be found around Washington.

Comments (0) | Posted in B


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