Vancouver Business Journal

Financial Literacy for the next generation

To graduate from high school, students in Washington have to pass tests showing their proficiency at math, writing and reading. But when it comes to balancing a check book, handling a credit card wisely and interacting in the world of business, there’s an even harsher exam, with just one question at its core: do they sink or do they swim? The answer may affect today’s students for the rest of thei...

Land for jobs: Clark County’s major obstacle

There are a lot of moving parts to creating a shovel-ready parcel of land for the industrial or commercial real estate market. To name a few, there’s purchase negotiations, zoning, roads, water and sewer, telecommunication services, power supply, stormwater issues, wetland issues and multiple layers of permits. Having a plentiful supply of such parcels would, according to Lisa Nisenfeld, president...

Financial institutions step up in support of Share

Seven local financial institutions answered a recent challenge to match (or beat) a $1,000 Brick Campaign donation by Columbia Credit Union at the new Share Fromhold Service Center (2306 NE Andresen Rd., Vancouver).

Responding to the challenge was Riverview Community Bank, Columbia Bank, Umpqua Bank, Wells Fargo, Regents Bank, iQ Credit Union and Home Street Bank. In total, the institutions raise...

Oakiwear: Enabling playtime

The challenges of parenthood often compel mothers and fathers to be resourceful. For Susan Simper, that ingenuity has turned into a budding business adventure.

The mother of twin boys spends a lot of time with her kids at nearby creeks catching crawdads and playing in the mud. Consequently, she spends a lot of time cleaning up, too.

“I had a hard time finding really good things that they could w...