Leadership Clark County graduates 35
The 15th class of Leadership Clark County is set to graduate June 13 at Washington State University Vancouver.
The Holland Inc. Chairman Tom Mears will be keynote speaker at the private event. Speaking from the 35-member class will be Nelson Holmberg, communications manager for the Port of Vancouver.
Leadership Clark County is a 10-month course for existing and emerging local leaders.
Port OKs $2.4M crane
The Port of Vancouver Board of Commissioners unanimously approved the $2.4 million purchase of a second mobile harbor crane.
The new equipment should be similar to the port’s first mobile harbor crane, which was purchased in 2006 and is the largest in North America, according to the port.
The second crane will let the port unload multiple ships at once and meet customer commitments, particularly in the wind power industry. The port’s handling of complete wind turbines increased 72 percent between 2005 and 2007.
The purchase is authorized for 2008, and the balance will be paid in the first part of 2009.
Reserve Trust gains duplexes
Management of the Quartermaster building and 14 duplexes in the west barracks of the Vancouver National Historic Reserve has been transferred to the Reserve Trust.
The trust plans to convert the duplexes into a historic inn and the Quartermaster building will house a future hospitality service company, according to the trust.
The Vancouver-based International Air and Hospitality Academy previously managed the buildings in the west barracks of the Reserve and will continue to operate i ts hospitality management courses there. The academy is affiliated with the Restaurant at the Historic Reserve, which provides catering and event services in the former Red Cross building.
CW chamber names business of the year
The Camas-Washougal Chamber of Commerce honored Linda and Steve Stoller, owners of Windermere/Crest Realty in Camas, as business of the year. Since founding the company in 1995, the Stollers have given time and money to local nonprofits and initiated an ongoing holiday coat and blanket drive for Washougal’s Inter-Faith Treasure House.
In addition to recognizing five local citizens, the chamber awarded two college scholarships of $1,000 each.
State steps up benefits fraud prevention
The accuracy of Washington’s unemployment payments improved almost 5 percent from 2004 to 2007, according to the Washington State Employment Security Department.
Inaccurate payments often mean workers must pay back part of their benefits and come about when wages are misreported or when claimants don’t report returning to work.
In 2007, 6.2 percent of 500 audited claims were overpaid, according to ESD. Accuracy improved with the department’s increased fraud detection and prevention efforts, cross-matching records with other state and federal agencies
BANKING + FINANCE
CCU green branch opens
Columbia Credit Union’s Grand Central branch opened June 2 at 108 Grand Blvd. in Vancouver.
The branch replaces the credit union’s Vancouver Heights location, and the new building is Columbia’s second that meets standards of the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program. The first opened in April at Washougal Crossing.
Sustainable building features include high-efficiency heating and cooling, rainwater recycling, furniture made from sustainable materials and the use of 100 percent renewable energy.
Riverview’s annual earnings drop
Earnings dropped for Vancouver-based Riverview Bancorp Inc. during its last fiscal year and fourth quarter, both of which ended March 31.
Total assets were up 8 percent for the year, from $820 million to $887 million. But annual net income was $8.6 million – 79 cents per diluted share – down from the previous fiscal year’s $11.6 million, or $1.01 per diluted share. Fourth-quarter net income was $1.2 million – 11 cents per diluted share – down 57 percent from a year ago, when it was $2.8 million, or 24 cents per diluted share.
The bank attributes the drop to slowing residential real estate sales and an increase in non-performing loans. The bank’s loan loss provision increased by $1.5 million during the last year.
Key Corp. declares dividends
Cleveland-based Key Corp., the parent company of Key Bank, declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of 37 cents per share, payable June 13.
The dividend is available to shareholders of record as of May 27. The company has assets of about $101 billion.
Local fish get $12K from Wells Fargo
Woodland-based Fish First received a $12,000 grant from Wells Fargo and Co. to help boost salmon and steelhead survival rates.
Of the grant, $3,000 will help rescue fish from streams and creeks that dry up in summer. That program saved 17,100 fish from 2007 to 2008. The other $9,000 will fund a study at the east fork of the Lewis Rivers system to aid in salmon and steelhead habitat restoration.
INNOVATION + TECHNOLOGY
Infinity upgrades wireless network
Vancouver-based Infinity Internet upgraded its wireless network to decreased its risk of interference from outside carriers.
To technology architects, the changes mean Infinity can provide 99.99 percent availability that is guaranteed over a distance with greater predictability. To the average end-user, the changes mean faster Internet use.
Infinity provides broadband wireless, collocation and dedicated servers to businesses and residential customers in the Northwest.
