Clark offers new degree options
Clark College will offer new alternative study options for degree seekers in the fall.
Students will have the option to work toward an Associate of Arts degree by attending classes on Mondays and Wednesdays only, covering the same material as a typical five-day-a-week class. A full-time student could earn an A.A. degree in two years, according to the college.
Clark’s two-year weekend degree program will let students attend class one weekend per month and complete coursework online. The program lets students earn a direct transfer A.A. degree accepted at most Washington State four-year colleges and universities.
Students enrolled in Clark’s online classes more than doubled in three years, from 670 students from 2005 to 2006, to 1,350 students from 2007 to 2008.
CW Port rotates duties
Port of Camas-Washougal Commissioner Alan Hargrave will serve as board president of the three-member commission from January through June, a rotation commissioners voted on last year. Port Commissioner Bill Ward will serve as vice president through 2009 and Port Commissioner Jim Caroll will be secretary of the board through June, and take on the role of president from July through December. In July, Hargrave, 57, will serve as board secretary. Hargrave is serving his third elected term on the port commission.
BG Chamber fills board seats
The Battle Ground Chamber of Commerce has named officers for one-year terms in 2009.
The executive board includes Chairwoman Julie Bocanegra of Columbia Credit Union, Chair Elect Doug Quinn of Clark Public Utilities, Vice Chair Mike Harden of Battle Ground Printing, Secretary Shelly Fleming of Fleming Marketing Group and Treasurer Wayne Rivers of Battle Ground-based Wayne Rivers CPA.
The chamber's board members are Beverly Brissler of Coldwell Banker, Bonnie Franklin of Riverview Community Bank, Rodger Lance of Lance Insurance, Tyler McMahon of Superior Home Loans and Michele Freeman of West Coast Bank.
On board terms lasting till Dec. 31, 2011 are Tom Opdahl of Opdahl Chiropractic, Scott Collard of J.S. Collard Design, Loren Joner of The Joner Law Firm, Tammy Haas of Anchor Bank, Tammy Bachofner of Prudential Northwest, MaryBeth Lynn as an ad hoc member with the Battle Ground School District and Past Chairman Denis Marsh of Nies Insurance
Community Choices makes board appointments
Board of directors at Vancouver-based nonprofit Community Choices elected officers for 2009 and appointed four new members in December.
Incoming officers are Chair John Wiesman of Clark County Public Health, Vice Chair Rhonda Turner of Legacy Salmon Creek Hospital and Secretary-Treasurer Kristy Weaver of Pacific Continental Bank.
New board members are Patty Duitman, operations director of the Fort Vancouver Regional Library District; Vancouver dentist Daniel Kim; community volunteer Florence Wager; and Joseph Ludwig, Tektronix's senior director of worldwide sales operations and director of Americas marketing.
REAL ESTATE + DEVELOPMENT
NBS secures $18M for apartments
NBS Financial Services helped the developer of Mission Hills Apartments in Clark County acquire an $18 million loan for phase two of the complex.
Executive Vice President Blake Hering, Jr. and Vice President Todd B. Harding arranged the long-term fixed rate loan from State Farm Life Insurance Co. NBS Financial also arranged financing for the first phase of the project.
The development covers 32 acres with 556 units. More than 60 units were rented in October.
Columbian returns to Eighth Street
Facing possible bankruptcy, The Columbian Publishing Co. moved its headquarters back to 701 W. Eighth St. in Vancouver Dec. 22.
The newspaper's six-story headquarters on West Sixth Street were listed for sale at $41.5 million in October.
BANKING + FINANCE
Banner declares dividend
Walla Walla-based Banner Corp. declared a quarterly cash dividend of 5 cents Dec. 17.
The dividend is equal with the previous quarter and will be paid Jan. 12 to shareholders of record Dec. 31.
Banner Corporation is a $4.6 billion bank holding company operating in Washington, Oregon and Idaho.
RETAIL
Agave Jeans opens Ridgefield HQ
Operations at Agave Jeans’ new headquarters commenced in December at Ridgefield Commerce Center.
For two years, the designer denim company was based in downtown Vancouver; prior to that, it was in the Los Angeles area. Designer and Chief Executive Officer Jeff Shafer chose Clark County for its workforce, shipping availability and proximity to companies such as Nike and Columbia Sportswear.
The 22,000-square-foot facility houses Agave’s corporate office and distribution center. Vancouver-based RSV Construction Services Inc. built the facility in about six months.
The structure includes pre-engineered steel and pre-painted exterior architectural panels for low maintenance.
Agave grossed $10 million in 2007.
