VBJ goes weekly
As of Feb. 13, the Vancouver Business Journal is a weekly publication. The locally-owned publisher of the VBJ, Brown Warrior Publishing LLC, has made the commitment to provide more news more often to its readers.
The format of the off-week edition is delivered in a different format – now on a double-sided 8.5-inch by 11-inch sheet of paper – and will grow as support for it grows.
The VBJ is also making more of a commitment to boost its online presence. Both changes are an attempt to better serve readers with more information about local business and business issues.
SEH to add jobs, expand facility
SEH America will double the size of its Vancouver facility and add hundreds of new jobs. The announcement,
made during Mayor Royce Pollard’s Feb. 26 State of the City address, did not include a timetable for the additions. The company plans to invest hundreds of millions of dollars into the project, in addition to CEO Chihiro Kanagawa’s donation of up to $1 million for the construction of a Japanese garden at Clark College.
State unemployment jumps again
Washington’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 7.8 percent in January, up from December’s 7.1 percent. The state lost an estimated 7,000 non-agricultural jobs in January, as well as 4,900 manufacturing jobs and 2,400 construction jobs.
Washington had 56,000 fewer jobs than the same period in 2008, totaling 303,750 unemployed workers – the highest number ever in Washington.
Washington exports at record level
Washington exports increased to $66.8 billion in 2008, a $400 million increase from 2007, according to the state Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development. The state ranks as the fourth largest exporter in total value in the United States.
Agricultural exports were especially strong, led by a 90 percent increase in cereal exports compared to 2007. While exports of aerospace products fell by nearly 20 percent, growth in the industrial machinery, forest products and high-tech equipment sectors made up for the loss.
Governor signs unemployment bill
Gov. Chris Gregoire has signed House Bill 1906, which will give residents receiving unemployment insurance an additional $45 a week in benefits, on top of a federal increase of $25 a week.
The bill also allows some employers to reduce employee hours by up to half while workers receive partial unemployment benefits. The new measures are expected to inject at least $480 million into Washington’s economy.
Stilwell Baker expands services
Portland-based Stilwell Baker Inc. has added new electrical engineering and project management services. The engineering design company, which opened its Vancouver location in July 2008, said the additional services will assist clients who outsource their circuit board development projects.
Controversial climate bill makes progress
Cap-and-trade legislation, House Bill 1819, passed the Washington State House Ecology and Parks Committee, the House Committee on General Government Appropriations and was passed March 2 to the Rules Committee, which will decide whether the bill will receive a second reading.
The bill, requested by Gov. Chris Gregoire, would limit the amount of carbon emitted from manufacturing and energy-producing businesses. Opponents of the bill say it will create extra expense for employers, causing some companies to leave the state.
Governor’s office updates economic recovery website
The office of Gov. Chris Gregoire has launched an overhauled economic recovery website, providing new links to state agencies with recovery plans and contact information that local governments can use to apply for funds.
The office plans to continue adding content, including information that allows the public to track approved projects at www.recovery.wa.gov.
Census office to hire 4,000 workers in 2009
The Washington State Census Office will add 4,000 temporary employees in 2009 to assist with the 2010 Census. The statewide count, conducted every 10 years, determines the amount of federal funding and number of seats in congress granted to the state.
More information is available at the United States Census Bureau’s website, www.census.gov/rosea/www/emply.html.
Clark County honors tourism industry
Clark County announced the winners of its 2009 tourism awards, honoring workers, companies, events, and programs for their contributions to local tourism, which generated $392 million in the local economy in 2008. Bethany Vineyard and Winery won the Outstanding Tourism Service Award; the Waterfront Renaissance Trail won the Outstanding Ecotourism Award; the Chelatchie Prairie Railroad Assocation won the Outstanding Cultural Tourism Award; Beaches Restaurant and Bar won the Restaurant Excellence Award; Pendleton Woolen Mills won the Retail Excellence Award; the Vancouver Wine and Jazz Festival won the Outstanding Event Award; and Chad Naeve of the Heathman Lodge won the Rising Star Award.
SBA upgrades small business podcasts
The U.S. Small Business Administration has upgraded its podcast lineup. Topics include marketing to the federal government, going green and business plan development, and will be updated regularly. The podcasts are less than ten minutes long and are available at the SBA website, www.sba.gov/tools/audiovideo/Podcasts/index.html.
CREDC, rotary club seek service award nominations
The Columbia River Economic Development Council and the Rotary Club of Vancouver are looking for nominations for the 2009 Vocational Service Award. The award honors individuals who are committed to their business or profession and leave a lasting impact on the community. To receive a nomination form, contact Paula Johnson at paula@oneillandassociates.com or 360-606-2961.
Nonprofit will develop senior transportation program
The Vancouver-based nonprofit Human Services Council is one of eight recipients of demonstration grant funds from the National Center on Senior Transportation. The nonprofit will use $86,033 for the creation of a service providing rides to the elderly, initially in Clark County. Services are expected to expand into Cowlitz, Wahkiakum, Skamania and Klickitat counties.
Northwestern Mutual wins excellence award
Wisconsin-based Northwestern Mutual, which has an office in Vancouver, was ranked 23rd in Training magazine’s 2009 “Training Top 125.”
The list is the publication’s annual award for excellence in organizational training programs. Each company is judged based on a variety of factors, including corporate universities, evaluation procedures and internal best practices.
Assessor plans property tax meeting
Clark County Assessor Linda Franklin has scheduled a public meeting for property owners to learn more about their 2009 tax statements. The meeting will be held at the Vancouver Public Service Center on March 11, 2009, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
BANKING+FINANCE
KeyBank honored for customer service
KeyBank was named one of BusinessWeek’s 2009 top 25 customer service champs. Ranked 11th, KeyBank – which has a location in Vancouver – is the only financial institution on the list. The magazine recognized the bank for its addition of online tools for small businesses and new protections against check fraud.
Bank adopts FDIC corrective program
The Dalles-based Columbia River Bank has been issued a FDIC regulatory order to improve its soundness, stemming from results of an examination of financial and lending data prior to June 30, 2008.
The bank did not concede or admit to any of the provisions in the order, but has agreed to make changes to increase its safety, including reducing delinquent loans, reducing loans to borrowers in the real estate market and creating plans to maintain liquidity.
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
Clark College to award anniversary scholarships
Two new scholarships will be awarded to Clark College students as part of the college’s 75th anniversary celebration. Each award, given to an incoming and continuing student, provides $3,000 towards a year’s tuition and $750 for supplies at the campus bookstore. The scholarships were donated by Portland-based Arnerich Massena & Assoc. Inc.
More information is available at Clark’s website, www.clark.edu/anniversaryscholarship.
