CCU earns second LEED gold
Columbia Credit Union's Grand Central branch, 108 Grand Blvd. in Vancouver, earned Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Gold Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.
The credit union's Washougal branch was awarded Gold Certification earlier this year.
The Grand Central branch was completed in June 2008, and in its first year used about half the gas and electricity and 40 percent less water than comparable branches.
The building's notable green features include an omni-directional skylight, a cistern for rainwater collection, porous concrete, FSC certified lumber, corn fiber work station panels and guest chairs made from recycled seat belts. Unemployment
trends continue
Clark County's unadjusted unemployment rate dropped slightly in May, down from 13.9 percent in April to 13.2 percent, while Washington's rate inched up from 8.9 percent in April to 9.2 percent in May, according to the Employment Security Department.
The national rate followed suit, climbing from 8.6 percent in April to 9.1 percent in May.
Clark County added 200 nonfarm jobs in May, to reach a total of 131,500 jobs. Seasonally-adjusted employment fell by 300 jobs.
Since last May, the county has lost 4,600 jobs (down 3.4 percent). Changes at the industry level were small in May, and tended to follow typical seasonal patterns.
Appraisal firms to merge
As of July 1, Premier Appraisal Group Inc. and Cornerstone Appraisal Group Inc. will merge to form NW Valuation Group LLC. Both are Vancouver-based residential real estate appraisal firms.
Jeffrey Shull and John Rose are partners in the new venture, which will have seven accredited appraisers in Clark County.
Surgical practices affiliate with Southwest Medical Group
Two surgical practices representing 10 general surgeons have merged into Southwest Medical Group, which is part of Southwest Washington Health System.
Pacific Surgical Specialists and Columbia Surgical Specialists are located near Southwest Washington Medical Center's campus on East Mill Plain Boulevard. The surgical practice will be called Southwest Medical Group Surgical Specialists.
The practice includes physicians who specialize in bariatric surgery, breast reconstruction, colorectal surgery, gallbladder and stomach surgery, hernia repair, vein surgery and other general surgical procedures.
