Port's second mobile harbor crane arrives
The Port of Vancouver's second mobile harbor crane arrived at the port March 20. The port bought the crane in October 2008 from Austria-based crane manufacturer Liebherr for $4.7 million. It can lift 140 metric tons, will be assembled by the port and primarily used to lift wind energy cargo. The new crane is identical to the crane the port bought in 2006 for $3.5 million.
SBA revises loan criteria
The U.S. Small Business Administration changed its policy regarding "goodwill" loans. Goodwill – the difference between what a buyer pays for an existing business and fair market value of business assets – was originally allowed to be financed by SBA-backed loans up to, at most, half of the loan amount or $250,000. The agency will now consider requests for larger loan amounts on a case-by-base basis through August 31.
WSUV students enter sales competition
Three Washington State University Vancouver business students represented the school at the National Collegiate Sales Competition in Kennesaw, Ga.
Jonathan Tharp of Ridgefield and Bobby Castaneda and Jason West, both of Vancouver, competed with students from 50 universities at the three-day sales role-playing contest.
West placed fourth in the graduate student division.
Law could ban online tobacco sales
Legislation to ban cigarette sales online has passed initial committee reviews in Olympia.
Senate Bill 5340 and its companion, House Bill 1249, would decrease tobacco sales to minors and close a loophole in Washington law that doesn't require age verification or taxation for online sales, according to the Washington Retail Association.
