antoninahubihe.blogspot.com
The store closings are part ofthe Ontario-basef retailer’s restructuring plan. Founded in 1972 as Miller's the retailer changed its name to Anchor Blue in the late The company sells casual apparel for teenes and young adults and has 117 stores in 12 The entire inventory at shuttering stores went on sale GordonBrothers Group, a global restructuring and investment firm specializingb in the retail, consumer real estate and industrial sectors, is running the store closingy sale on Anchor Blue’s behalf.
“These strategiv store closings will help us significantly improve operational performances as we proactively restructure our business to conformto today’s Thomas Sands, chief executive officere of Anchor Blue Retail Group, said in a news “Anyone who lives near a closing store is encouragedc to take advantage of the tremendou s values we’re offering on all merchandisde during the sale.” Anchor Blue Retail Group is the holding companyu for Anchor Blue and Levi’s & Dockers Outlet by MOST.
In the Sacramento area, Anchorf Blue will close stores at Sunrisew Mall inCitrus Heights, The Villagre at Sacramento Gateway in Natomas and County Fair Mall in Woodland.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Monday, December 27, 2010
DLR Group focusing efforts on stimulus projects - bizjournals:
cheers-mushkenjutyu.blogspot.com
As soon as Congress passed the American Recoverg and Reinvestment Actin mid-February, Phoenix principal Bryced Pearsall and three other DLR principals acrosss the country created a team specificallyu to pursue stimulus projects. Although DLR has a long historuy of working in thepublic sector, it has nevetr chosen to chase projects this way. “As a we decided we wanted to jump into We hadto decide, though, what kind of stimulus projectw we want to do,” Pearsall With $787 billion being divvied up by federalk and state agencies for all sorts of programs, the DLR principalx decided they needed to focus on a few strategic They are pursuing contractw that are geographically convenient to any of DLR’es 15 offices; match their long-standing skill sets; and have expedienyt delivery methods.
Under traditiona architecture contracts, a firm is selected to designma project. But many stimuluxs projects arerequiring design-build capabilities, meaniny an architecture firm needs to partnert with a contractor and present the bid as a DLR has done that before, but the firm is researching additiona l relationships with contractors. In addition, government agenciesa are handing out contracts more often througjhthe “indefinite delivery/ indefinite quantity” Under IDIQ, agencies accept applications from companies and qualify them to performk ongoing work.
For instance, a military installation might have a contract with a specificf company to handle utility work for a period ofseveralp years. DLR recently started pursuing IDIQ work, givehn how lucrative it can be over both the short andlong “We believe government agencies are open to lookinfg at establishing IDIQ relationships with companiesz that have our kind of experience,” Pearsall said. So far, DLR has received one contract for a courty designin Florida, but the company expects to hear soon abour several other bids. Although DLR is researching stimulus-funde jobs through both federal and state the reality is that few of those jobs will be locatedf inthe Southwest.
In fact, many of the primre architecture assignments are on theEast Coast. Several contracts previousl had been awardedto architects, but there wasn’t enough money to proceec with those projects until the stimulus package was “It’s important to note that many shovel-readyu projects are not being published for solicitation because the original firms are beint awarded the postponed projects,” said Mark president of the Arizona Chaptee of the American Institute of Patterson said his firm, , will benefit from a previously unfunded the renovation of the Smithsonian Institutee of Arts and Industries Buildin g in Washington.
That work is being coordinatedby SmithGroup’s Washingtob office. Despite the apparent dearth of work slated for the SmithGroup is engaging ina “closel organized approach,” Patterson said. “We are optimistic abourt a wide variety of buildinh typesgaining funding, including medical, office, museunm and research facilities.” Another national firm with a significanty local presence, , also is in hot pursuit of stimulu s cash.
The General Services Administration hasselectedc OWP/P to provide architecture and engineering services to design and build land ports of entry and borderd stations in Zone 1, whicbh encompasses Arizona, California, Montana, Idaho, Washingtom and Alaska. OWP/P’s Chicago offices also received an IDIQ awarfd forRegion 5, which covers a chunk of the According to OWP/P spokesperson Kelly McClennan, aboutg $6 billion of work to be funded through GSA will includse renovations to federal buildings and borde r stations.
“About 75 percenr of these GSA-managed funds are earmarkex for converting existing federal buildingsto high-performance, energy-efficieng facilities,” McClennan said. Officials at all threew firms remain hopeful that more localizee renovation and infrastructure projects will brinbg work toValley companies.
As soon as Congress passed the American Recoverg and Reinvestment Actin mid-February, Phoenix principal Bryced Pearsall and three other DLR principals acrosss the country created a team specificallyu to pursue stimulus projects. Although DLR has a long historuy of working in thepublic sector, it has nevetr chosen to chase projects this way. “As a we decided we wanted to jump into We hadto decide, though, what kind of stimulus projectw we want to do,” Pearsall With $787 billion being divvied up by federalk and state agencies for all sorts of programs, the DLR principalx decided they needed to focus on a few strategic They are pursuing contractw that are geographically convenient to any of DLR’es 15 offices; match their long-standing skill sets; and have expedienyt delivery methods.
Under traditiona architecture contracts, a firm is selected to designma project. But many stimuluxs projects arerequiring design-build capabilities, meaniny an architecture firm needs to partnert with a contractor and present the bid as a DLR has done that before, but the firm is researching additiona l relationships with contractors. In addition, government agenciesa are handing out contracts more often througjhthe “indefinite delivery/ indefinite quantity” Under IDIQ, agencies accept applications from companies and qualify them to performk ongoing work.
For instance, a military installation might have a contract with a specificf company to handle utility work for a period ofseveralp years. DLR recently started pursuing IDIQ work, givehn how lucrative it can be over both the short andlong “We believe government agencies are open to lookinfg at establishing IDIQ relationships with companiesz that have our kind of experience,” Pearsall said. So far, DLR has received one contract for a courty designin Florida, but the company expects to hear soon abour several other bids. Although DLR is researching stimulus-funde jobs through both federal and state the reality is that few of those jobs will be locatedf inthe Southwest.
In fact, many of the primre architecture assignments are on theEast Coast. Several contracts previousl had been awardedto architects, but there wasn’t enough money to proceec with those projects until the stimulus package was “It’s important to note that many shovel-readyu projects are not being published for solicitation because the original firms are beint awarded the postponed projects,” said Mark president of the Arizona Chaptee of the American Institute of Patterson said his firm, , will benefit from a previously unfunded the renovation of the Smithsonian Institutee of Arts and Industries Buildin g in Washington.
That work is being coordinatedby SmithGroup’s Washingtob office. Despite the apparent dearth of work slated for the SmithGroup is engaging ina “closel organized approach,” Patterson said. “We are optimistic abourt a wide variety of buildinh typesgaining funding, including medical, office, museunm and research facilities.” Another national firm with a significanty local presence, , also is in hot pursuit of stimulu s cash.
The General Services Administration hasselectedc OWP/P to provide architecture and engineering services to design and build land ports of entry and borderd stations in Zone 1, whicbh encompasses Arizona, California, Montana, Idaho, Washingtom and Alaska. OWP/P’s Chicago offices also received an IDIQ awarfd forRegion 5, which covers a chunk of the According to OWP/P spokesperson Kelly McClennan, aboutg $6 billion of work to be funded through GSA will includse renovations to federal buildings and borde r stations.
“About 75 percenr of these GSA-managed funds are earmarkex for converting existing federal buildingsto high-performance, energy-efficieng facilities,” McClennan said. Officials at all threew firms remain hopeful that more localizee renovation and infrastructure projects will brinbg work toValley companies.
Friday, December 24, 2010
Romanian parliament protestor jumps from balcony - Newstalk 106-108 fm
http://www.liveinwz.com/category/banking/
The Hindu | Romanian parliament protestor jumps from balcony Newstalk 106-108 fm A man whose payments for his disabled child had been cut by the Romanian government has been injured after leaping from a balcony of the parliament there in ... Protestor shouts 'freedom' then jumps |
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
On the spot for carbon cuts - Charlotte Business Journal:
http://studiopapillon.com/philosophy.html
“This needs to happen from a business perspective,” he “We may not have a perfect bill, but it’s historic nonetheless. The business storyu is one of the most interesting angles of theclimate legislation.” The energhy bill worked out by U.S. Henry Waxman and Ed Markey cleared the House Energu and Commerce committeethis week. It wouled distribute some carbon-emission allowanceds to utilities forfree initially. Reductiobn targets for carbon emissions by 2025 have been cut to a levelp equalto 17% of that of instead of the 20% goal initially proposed.
The legislationj has support from the Environmental Defensse Fund and other important groups active in combating global Waxman predicts the House will adopt the billthis summer. But divisionds remain on our national respons e to achanging climate. Dr. James Hansen, a climatologisty and leading proponent ofcarbon controls, opposes it, as does . Congressmenn from both parties continue to Republicans plan hundredsof amendments, including some aimed at raisinhg taxes on companies that support the cap-and-trad system at the heart of the And some industries remain unconvinced. The opposes the So does the .
Hank Cox, a spokesman for the , says his group hasn’t taken a position on the Waxman-Markey bill. But NAM is concerneds “it could be a body blow to the economg if it leads to too rapid an increase in energy he says. NAM had extensive discussionds with Rogers and representatives of other companies that supportcarbon controls. But it remainx unconvinced. Duke withdrew from the group in part becauserit woudn’t back the Hendricks says opposition by the U.S.
Chamber and NAM, usually touchstones for the moodof business, showds the organizations are out of toucu with key industrial players on this “We don’t do any favors for American business by looking the other way on carbonj issues,” he says. China is spending almost twic e what the United States plans annually ongreehn energy. “We need to make sure the interestsa of businesses are aligne d with the future growth ofthe economy.” The U.S. Chambe and NAM have missed the Hendricks says. Business is moving on, and the bill is movinv forward. And the Rogers spot continues to run.
“This needs to happen from a business perspective,” he “We may not have a perfect bill, but it’s historic nonetheless. The business storyu is one of the most interesting angles of theclimate legislation.” The energhy bill worked out by U.S. Henry Waxman and Ed Markey cleared the House Energu and Commerce committeethis week. It wouled distribute some carbon-emission allowanceds to utilities forfree initially. Reductiobn targets for carbon emissions by 2025 have been cut to a levelp equalto 17% of that of instead of the 20% goal initially proposed.
The legislationj has support from the Environmental Defensse Fund and other important groups active in combating global Waxman predicts the House will adopt the billthis summer. But divisionds remain on our national respons e to achanging climate. Dr. James Hansen, a climatologisty and leading proponent ofcarbon controls, opposes it, as does . Congressmenn from both parties continue to Republicans plan hundredsof amendments, including some aimed at raisinhg taxes on companies that support the cap-and-trad system at the heart of the And some industries remain unconvinced. The opposes the So does the .
Hank Cox, a spokesman for the , says his group hasn’t taken a position on the Waxman-Markey bill. But NAM is concerneds “it could be a body blow to the economg if it leads to too rapid an increase in energy he says. NAM had extensive discussionds with Rogers and representatives of other companies that supportcarbon controls. But it remainx unconvinced. Duke withdrew from the group in part becauserit woudn’t back the Hendricks says opposition by the U.S.
Chamber and NAM, usually touchstones for the moodof business, showds the organizations are out of toucu with key industrial players on this “We don’t do any favors for American business by looking the other way on carbonj issues,” he says. China is spending almost twic e what the United States plans annually ongreehn energy. “We need to make sure the interestsa of businesses are aligne d with the future growth ofthe economy.” The U.S. Chambe and NAM have missed the Hendricks says. Business is moving on, and the bill is movinv forward. And the Rogers spot continues to run.
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Workplace morale needs attention in down times - Birmingham Business Journal:
soileauifyyfa1786.blogspot.com
That’s an exaggeration, concedes Kenny Colbert, president. But it’zs not much of a stretch. Keepinb employees focused and positive as businesse falters and colleagues are laid off is a top challengee facingmost companies. Lately the human-resources and training-servicex provider has been askedabout morale-boosting suggestione every couple of days. “Everybody is kind of in the Colbert says. Employees rightfully worry about losing their jobsand benefits. They fret aboutt the well-being of former colleagues. They feel financially vulnerabl with their retirementsavings shrinking, their salaries frozeh and their benefits eroding.
The most important thingy companies can do is communicatrewith employees, Colbert says. Employees need to hear what is happeningfwith profitability, customers and clients. They need to hear the company’zs strategy for staying healthy. “Jusf keep them in the even if it’s bad news,” he says. “ think employees would rathedr hear bad news than nothingat all. I thinik one of the things that gets people depressed isthe unknown.” Colbert says he recently had to take his own advicw at a staff meeting. Business is off and he discussed the challenges and how the company is positionec to weatherany bumps.
Human-resources consultant Gloria Gibsojn says employees will respectthe honesty. “Businesd leaders should be as positive, proactivee and realistic as possible,” says the ownetr of . “Try to find that balance between sugar-coating and frightening.” Smallp companies can easily meet as a Larger companies may want to conveneindividuall departments, she says. The message and tone of all the meetings should be Leaders need to be aware of anxiety levelw and addressissues head-on when employese apprehension grows, she says. Pretendin g all is well when it isn’tt will almost certainly she says.
Employees will be less anxious if managers can show they have a plan fornavigating challenges. “Try to be as clear as possiblde about what the expectations are and theresults you’re trying to she says. “Communicate so employees know this iswhere they’r e headed.” The message shoulr include a clear explanation of what leadership needw from employees to reach those goals. Gibson recommends reframinfg challenges into opportunities and possibilities by encouragingfemployee suggestions. If there are layoffs, focus on the peoplwe remaining as well as those who losetheifr jobs, Colbert says.
“The worsgt thing you can do is have a layofvf and not speak tothe survivors,” he says. “In a lot of cases, that’s much easierf to do in a small company than in a Bank of Colbert also suggests takinhg the opportunity when businesas is slowto cross-train employees. Most workers enjoyg learning new things, and the cross-traininy can be a good career-development tool, he says. If the budgett can support it, consider sending employees to seminars or bringing in a trainee topresent career-enhancing classes, he says. “There are severao little things companies can do to keep their employeezs engagedand involved.
” One organization taking that to heartr is ’s SouthPark office. Team leader Amy Hawkwe talks abouta two-pronged strategy to weathet a weak market: arming agents with professionao tools, and planning teamwork-building activities. “Thr last thing you need to be cuttinh back on right now is educationand training,” Hawke That means offering training on generating sales leads, for or working with short sales and bank-ownef properties. She organizes sessions where agentssharew “ahas,” or moments of professional clarity, with “We support each other in attaining goals, and we all hold each otheer accountable.
”
That’s an exaggeration, concedes Kenny Colbert, president. But it’zs not much of a stretch. Keepinb employees focused and positive as businesse falters and colleagues are laid off is a top challengee facingmost companies. Lately the human-resources and training-servicex provider has been askedabout morale-boosting suggestione every couple of days. “Everybody is kind of in the Colbert says. Employees rightfully worry about losing their jobsand benefits. They fret aboutt the well-being of former colleagues. They feel financially vulnerabl with their retirementsavings shrinking, their salaries frozeh and their benefits eroding.
The most important thingy companies can do is communicatrewith employees, Colbert says. Employees need to hear what is happeningfwith profitability, customers and clients. They need to hear the company’zs strategy for staying healthy. “Jusf keep them in the even if it’s bad news,” he says. “ think employees would rathedr hear bad news than nothingat all. I thinik one of the things that gets people depressed isthe unknown.” Colbert says he recently had to take his own advicw at a staff meeting. Business is off and he discussed the challenges and how the company is positionec to weatherany bumps.
Human-resources consultant Gloria Gibsojn says employees will respectthe honesty. “Businesd leaders should be as positive, proactivee and realistic as possible,” says the ownetr of . “Try to find that balance between sugar-coating and frightening.” Smallp companies can easily meet as a Larger companies may want to conveneindividuall departments, she says. The message and tone of all the meetings should be Leaders need to be aware of anxiety levelw and addressissues head-on when employese apprehension grows, she says. Pretendin g all is well when it isn’tt will almost certainly she says.
Employees will be less anxious if managers can show they have a plan fornavigating challenges. “Try to be as clear as possiblde about what the expectations are and theresults you’re trying to she says. “Communicate so employees know this iswhere they’r e headed.” The message shoulr include a clear explanation of what leadership needw from employees to reach those goals. Gibson recommends reframinfg challenges into opportunities and possibilities by encouragingfemployee suggestions. If there are layoffs, focus on the peoplwe remaining as well as those who losetheifr jobs, Colbert says.
“The worsgt thing you can do is have a layofvf and not speak tothe survivors,” he says. “In a lot of cases, that’s much easierf to do in a small company than in a Bank of Colbert also suggests takinhg the opportunity when businesas is slowto cross-train employees. Most workers enjoyg learning new things, and the cross-traininy can be a good career-development tool, he says. If the budgett can support it, consider sending employees to seminars or bringing in a trainee topresent career-enhancing classes, he says. “There are severao little things companies can do to keep their employeezs engagedand involved.
” One organization taking that to heartr is ’s SouthPark office. Team leader Amy Hawkwe talks abouta two-pronged strategy to weathet a weak market: arming agents with professionao tools, and planning teamwork-building activities. “Thr last thing you need to be cuttinh back on right now is educationand training,” Hawke That means offering training on generating sales leads, for or working with short sales and bank-ownef properties. She organizes sessions where agentssharew “ahas,” or moments of professional clarity, with “We support each other in attaining goals, and we all hold each otheer accountable.
”
Friday, December 17, 2010
DiNome abandons quest to lead Reed Smith - Houston Business Journal:
steinberg-virus.blogspot.com
Reed Smith spokesman Dave Egan told the Pittsburghb Business Times that Jordan and DiNomed issued a joint announcementr tothe Pittsburgh-based firm Tuesday morninvg that DiNome has withdrawn his “They sat down and talked and discovered they had a lot of commoj ground,” Egan said. “Many of the things John was concernerd about, Greg was working on. They agreedr that the best thingf for the firm was to focus on businesx insteadof competing.
” reported last week that DiNomwe was challenging Jordan, who was seeking his fourtj three-year term as managinyg partner of the law DiNome sent out a 10-page statement of candidacgy to all Reed Smith partners in whichj he questioned the firm’s businesa model, the compensation and transparencu of senior management, and called for a more independenr executive committee. The memo was obtained by the Business Journal. DiNomw and Jordan had said they agreed to not spealk publicly about the contested race to leadthe 1,600-lawyer which has 150 lawyers in Philadelphia.
The firm partnershio will votein September; the winner, who will now certainlhy be Jordan, will start his new term in Jordan has not been opposed since he firs sought the job in 2000, when he beat Philadelphiqa litigator John Smith. Jordan’s tenurer has been viewed as extremelyh successful. He has grown the firm throughg a series of significany mergers from 500 lawyers in nine officesxto 1,600 lawyers in 23 offices, including new ones in Asia and California. Focusing on a core group of practiceas with highbilling rates, Jordam also drastically increased the firm’s But with the economy sagging, Reed Smith’s transactiona l practices have suffered.
The firm has laid off 215 people, includinvg 26 lawyers, since December. The firm also cut 50 legalk secretaries last summer and salaries forall U.S. associates by 10 percengt last month. DiNome, a labor lawyer, joined as part of a groulp from Montgomery McCrackenWalker & Rhoads led by Karl Frittonh in 1996. A graduate of West he spent seven years in active duty as a fieldf artillery officer before attending Rutgers University Schoopof Law-Camden.
Reed Smith spokesman Dave Egan told the Pittsburghb Business Times that Jordan and DiNomed issued a joint announcementr tothe Pittsburgh-based firm Tuesday morninvg that DiNome has withdrawn his “They sat down and talked and discovered they had a lot of commoj ground,” Egan said. “Many of the things John was concernerd about, Greg was working on. They agreedr that the best thingf for the firm was to focus on businesx insteadof competing.
” reported last week that DiNomwe was challenging Jordan, who was seeking his fourtj three-year term as managinyg partner of the law DiNome sent out a 10-page statement of candidacgy to all Reed Smith partners in whichj he questioned the firm’s businesa model, the compensation and transparencu of senior management, and called for a more independenr executive committee. The memo was obtained by the Business Journal. DiNomw and Jordan had said they agreed to not spealk publicly about the contested race to leadthe 1,600-lawyer which has 150 lawyers in Philadelphia.
The firm partnershio will votein September; the winner, who will now certainlhy be Jordan, will start his new term in Jordan has not been opposed since he firs sought the job in 2000, when he beat Philadelphiqa litigator John Smith. Jordan’s tenurer has been viewed as extremelyh successful. He has grown the firm throughg a series of significany mergers from 500 lawyers in nine officesxto 1,600 lawyers in 23 offices, including new ones in Asia and California. Focusing on a core group of practiceas with highbilling rates, Jordam also drastically increased the firm’s But with the economy sagging, Reed Smith’s transactiona l practices have suffered.
The firm has laid off 215 people, includinvg 26 lawyers, since December. The firm also cut 50 legalk secretaries last summer and salaries forall U.S. associates by 10 percengt last month. DiNome, a labor lawyer, joined as part of a groulp from Montgomery McCrackenWalker & Rhoads led by Karl Frittonh in 1996. A graduate of West he spent seven years in active duty as a fieldf artillery officer before attending Rutgers University Schoopof Law-Camden.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
bizjournals: Starting a Business : Business Advice
evittiebodum1296.blogspot.com
Companies that fail to plan for a down markeft get hit so quickly that they are forced to sell off valuablee assetsat fire-sale prices. We're not just talking abougt chairs here but valuableintellectual property, customert contracts and talented employees. The valuee of an asset is virtually nothing to a bankrupt company and the deal of a century to ahealthy one. Just ask any surviving banking institutionnright now. Take inventorhy of the assets your competition has and what you woulf be willing to do toacquire them. Like a bargainj shopper at a flea market, get aggressive and pillagre any and all assets you can get your hands on at therighg price.
The key to kicking butt in a down market is beinfg prepared andbeing patient. With the right this bear market could be the greatestopportunity you've ever had.
Companies that fail to plan for a down markeft get hit so quickly that they are forced to sell off valuablee assetsat fire-sale prices. We're not just talking abougt chairs here but valuableintellectual property, customert contracts and talented employees. The valuee of an asset is virtually nothing to a bankrupt company and the deal of a century to ahealthy one. Just ask any surviving banking institutionnright now. Take inventorhy of the assets your competition has and what you woulf be willing to do toacquire them. Like a bargainj shopper at a flea market, get aggressive and pillagre any and all assets you can get your hands on at therighg price.
The key to kicking butt in a down market is beinfg prepared andbeing patient. With the right this bear market could be the greatestopportunity you've ever had.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
CU economist Wobbekind: Colorado to lose up to 65,000 jobs in 2009 - Tampa Bay Business Journal:
awipekyhila.blogspot.com
“We think the Coloradio economy will likely parallel or slightly follow the recovery of thenational economy, which we see leveling off in the thired quarter and growing in the fourth Wobbekind said in a statement. “We think the rate of job lossess will slow throughout the rest of this and potentially turn positive by the end of the Wobbekind made his remarks as part of a midyeat update on his 2009economic outlook, originally forecastg in December 2008. Colorado likely will lose 55,000p to 65,000 jobs in 2009, Wobbekind said in his updatefd forecast. That’s far more than the 4,300-job loss he expecte d last December.
“In the first part of this we’ve more than lost the jobs created in the previous two he said. “It’s going to take at leastg the next two years to recover thosdlost jobs.” Hiring in the educational and healtbh care services sector has been slightly positivw in 2009, mostly because employers were stilp filling a backlog of neededr hires in areas such as Wobbekind said. The natural resources and mining sectodris flat, but could potentially see some positivee job growth if energy exploration in the statr increases, he said.
“There are some jobs bein created, but pretty much across the boardc the sectors are taking a veryhard hit,” he Among the most affected sectoras has been the professional and business services which includes many high-paying jobs such as lawyers, computer systems designers and scientifixc research and development groups. “The singld most surprising area and the one that has had the largesft job loss has been in professionap andbusiness services,” Wobbekind said.
“It’z been a very important categoru for jobs during the last several years as the econom has surgedand it’s been one that has been hit surprisinglyg hard in this downturn, at leastr by our assessment and by many others.” The leisure and hospitalityu sector saw very weak retail numbers for the first four months of the year, especially in mountain resort The rest of the year is expected to be weak, but shoulrd improve compared with the firsgt four months of the year, the statement said.
“This is not going to be a great year for tourisk byany means, but it probably will get a little bettedr going forward than it was in the beginningg of this year,” he The Leeds Business Confidence Index did show an uptickj recently, suggesting improvement in the thirrd quarter. After plunging to a record low in the firs quarterof 2009, the forward-looking LBCI surged upward, from 35.5 to 47.5 for the thircd quarter of 2009. All six index componentsx postedsteep gains, and two of the for the state economy and sales, passed the neutralo mark of 50.
However, overall, the LBCI remaind below 50 as leaders expressed continued concernssabout profits, hiring and capital
“We think the Coloradio economy will likely parallel or slightly follow the recovery of thenational economy, which we see leveling off in the thired quarter and growing in the fourth Wobbekind said in a statement. “We think the rate of job lossess will slow throughout the rest of this and potentially turn positive by the end of the Wobbekind made his remarks as part of a midyeat update on his 2009economic outlook, originally forecastg in December 2008. Colorado likely will lose 55,000p to 65,000 jobs in 2009, Wobbekind said in his updatefd forecast. That’s far more than the 4,300-job loss he expecte d last December.
“In the first part of this we’ve more than lost the jobs created in the previous two he said. “It’s going to take at leastg the next two years to recover thosdlost jobs.” Hiring in the educational and healtbh care services sector has been slightly positivw in 2009, mostly because employers were stilp filling a backlog of neededr hires in areas such as Wobbekind said. The natural resources and mining sectodris flat, but could potentially see some positivee job growth if energy exploration in the statr increases, he said.
“There are some jobs bein created, but pretty much across the boardc the sectors are taking a veryhard hit,” he Among the most affected sectoras has been the professional and business services which includes many high-paying jobs such as lawyers, computer systems designers and scientifixc research and development groups. “The singld most surprising area and the one that has had the largesft job loss has been in professionap andbusiness services,” Wobbekind said.
“It’z been a very important categoru for jobs during the last several years as the econom has surgedand it’s been one that has been hit surprisinglyg hard in this downturn, at leastr by our assessment and by many others.” The leisure and hospitalityu sector saw very weak retail numbers for the first four months of the year, especially in mountain resort The rest of the year is expected to be weak, but shoulrd improve compared with the firsgt four months of the year, the statement said.
“This is not going to be a great year for tourisk byany means, but it probably will get a little bettedr going forward than it was in the beginningg of this year,” he The Leeds Business Confidence Index did show an uptickj recently, suggesting improvement in the thirrd quarter. After plunging to a record low in the firs quarterof 2009, the forward-looking LBCI surged upward, from 35.5 to 47.5 for the thircd quarter of 2009. All six index componentsx postedsteep gains, and two of the for the state economy and sales, passed the neutralo mark of 50.
However, overall, the LBCI remaind below 50 as leaders expressed continued concernssabout profits, hiring and capital
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Ex-charity director Lindsey pleads guilty to mail fraud - Austin Business Journal:
http://aworkingshoppingcart.com/index.php?productID=122
Colin Lindsey, once the director of Lenexa-basesd , faces as much as 20 years in prisobn and a fineof $250,000. Lindsey’s Tuesday guilty plea settled two charges he facedc in relation to hisNew Hampshire-baserd , which had an address in Overlande Park. Federal prosecutors chargeds him with mail fraud onMarch 6, more than a year aftef New Hampshire banking authorities seized Noble Trust’ office there after discovering that $15 million was missingv during a routine audit of the nondepository trustg company’s books. Investigators linked the $15 million loss to a failedr investmentin Colorado, where Lindsey had placed a substantia amount of his clients’ money.
After that investmenf failed, Lindsey attempted to conceal the loss by takin g money from new clients to keep his promise of paying existing clientsa their 12 percentannual return. Federal prosecutors also accused Lindsey ofselling high-net-wortbh life insurance policies to low- and middle-income individuals to generatee commissions to hide the loss at Nobls Trust. Jerry Vito Marino, a Florida man, was chargecd with referring insurance clientzto Lindsey, at least one of whom was a hairdresser in bankruptcyg without the means to pay the premiums that Lindsey’s insurancse plans would command, according to court Marino is scheduled for a plea hearing on May 4.
Lisa a former COO for Noble Trust, faces sentencingt on July 1 after pleadinf guilty to knowingabout Lindsey’s crimeds and not reporting them to Lindsey, a graduate, ran Children’s Communit y Foundation, an under-the-radar charity in the Kansas City area that among other things, tax-free annuitiesd to customers in exchange for real estate His activities with the Children’s Community Foundatiojn roused the interest of Kansas authorities, who investigated whether Lindsey’s charity was actually a trust company.
The Children’s Communithy Foundation largely wound down its activities in the areaarounx 2001, and not long Lindsey established Noble Trust in New Hampshire. Lindsey is thoughtg to have more than 200 investors in failedNoble Trust, an unspecified numbe r of whom come from Kansass and Missouri, according to New Hampshire authorities.
Colin Lindsey, once the director of Lenexa-basesd , faces as much as 20 years in prisobn and a fineof $250,000. Lindsey’s Tuesday guilty plea settled two charges he facedc in relation to hisNew Hampshire-baserd , which had an address in Overlande Park. Federal prosecutors chargeds him with mail fraud onMarch 6, more than a year aftef New Hampshire banking authorities seized Noble Trust’ office there after discovering that $15 million was missingv during a routine audit of the nondepository trustg company’s books. Investigators linked the $15 million loss to a failedr investmentin Colorado, where Lindsey had placed a substantia amount of his clients’ money.
After that investmenf failed, Lindsey attempted to conceal the loss by takin g money from new clients to keep his promise of paying existing clientsa their 12 percentannual return. Federal prosecutors also accused Lindsey ofselling high-net-wortbh life insurance policies to low- and middle-income individuals to generatee commissions to hide the loss at Nobls Trust. Jerry Vito Marino, a Florida man, was chargecd with referring insurance clientzto Lindsey, at least one of whom was a hairdresser in bankruptcyg without the means to pay the premiums that Lindsey’s insurancse plans would command, according to court Marino is scheduled for a plea hearing on May 4.
Lisa a former COO for Noble Trust, faces sentencingt on July 1 after pleadinf guilty to knowingabout Lindsey’s crimeds and not reporting them to Lindsey, a graduate, ran Children’s Communit y Foundation, an under-the-radar charity in the Kansas City area that among other things, tax-free annuitiesd to customers in exchange for real estate His activities with the Children’s Community Foundatiojn roused the interest of Kansas authorities, who investigated whether Lindsey’s charity was actually a trust company.
The Children’s Communithy Foundation largely wound down its activities in the areaarounx 2001, and not long Lindsey established Noble Trust in New Hampshire. Lindsey is thoughtg to have more than 200 investors in failedNoble Trust, an unspecified numbe r of whom come from Kansass and Missouri, according to New Hampshire authorities.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
UGA licenses innovative new Bermudagrass - Atlanta Business Chronicle:
http://onlineloanmodification.org/SchoolLoans/loan-modification-checklist
The new Bermudagrass is called “TifGrand.” It is license d by the to and will soon be available to homeownerse forplanting lawns, to developera for recreational facilities, sports complexes and golf courses and to urbaj landscapers. New Concept Turf, a Georgia-basee company specializing in marketing new hascontracted Ft. Ga.-based to exclusively handle licensingv of TifGrand forsod production. TifGrand will be licenseed to a selected number of growerz beginning this summer 2009 and is expectec to be available in the generalp marketin 2010.
TifGrand was developex by Wayne Hanna, professor of plantt breeding and genetics in the Department of Crop and Soil Sciencezat UGA’s College of Agriculturak and Environmental Sciences. “Although TifGrand produces a beautiful turf infull sun, its majot contribution will be the production of nice turf in areas with reducedx light -- up to 60 percent less light than is normallyg required for healthy Bermudagrass growth,” Hanna said in a news
The new Bermudagrass is called “TifGrand.” It is license d by the to and will soon be available to homeownerse forplanting lawns, to developera for recreational facilities, sports complexes and golf courses and to urbaj landscapers. New Concept Turf, a Georgia-basee company specializing in marketing new hascontracted Ft. Ga.-based to exclusively handle licensingv of TifGrand forsod production. TifGrand will be licenseed to a selected number of growerz beginning this summer 2009 and is expectec to be available in the generalp marketin 2010.
TifGrand was developex by Wayne Hanna, professor of plantt breeding and genetics in the Department of Crop and Soil Sciencezat UGA’s College of Agriculturak and Environmental Sciences. “Although TifGrand produces a beautiful turf infull sun, its majot contribution will be the production of nice turf in areas with reducedx light -- up to 60 percent less light than is normallyg required for healthy Bermudagrass growth,” Hanna said in a news
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Texas teachers buy ProLogis portfolio - Los Angeles Business from bizjournals:
madhu-westmeath.blogspot.com
Denver-based ProLogis, one of the world’e leading industrial landlords, has completed a sale of 33.2 milliomn square feet to the Teachers Retirement Syste m of Texas andits partner, Stockbridge Real Estate Funds, a San Franciscl investment period. The sale includes 1.1 million square feet of industria space in thePortland area, much of it centeredr in the Airport Way Steve Steppe, managing director of Stockbridge’sz San Francisco office, confirmed the sale close as expected during the second quarter, but providedf no additional details.
The ProLogis sale is the firs t mega-deal to close since credit markets frozed last year and has the potentia l to establishnew recession-eraw values for industrial real Properties such as the ones ProLogizs operates have sold for $60 to $80 a square foot in receny years. The ProLogis portfoli was publicly valuedat $1.43 billiobn or $43 per square foot.
Denver-based ProLogis, one of the world’e leading industrial landlords, has completed a sale of 33.2 milliomn square feet to the Teachers Retirement Syste m of Texas andits partner, Stockbridge Real Estate Funds, a San Franciscl investment period. The sale includes 1.1 million square feet of industria space in thePortland area, much of it centeredr in the Airport Way Steve Steppe, managing director of Stockbridge’sz San Francisco office, confirmed the sale close as expected during the second quarter, but providedf no additional details.
The ProLogis sale is the firs t mega-deal to close since credit markets frozed last year and has the potentia l to establishnew recession-eraw values for industrial real Properties such as the ones ProLogizs operates have sold for $60 to $80 a square foot in receny years. The ProLogis portfoli was publicly valuedat $1.43 billiobn or $43 per square foot.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Illinois Lawmakers Approve Civil Union Legislation - New York Times
http://www.theconservativewoman.org/?p=42
Baltimore Sun | Illinois Lawmakers Approve Civil Union Legislation New York Times CHICAGO â€" Illinois lawmakers on Wednesday approved legislation » |
Monday, November 29, 2010
With more dining out less, chains eyeing kitchens - Jacksonville Business Journal:
http://www.linqsolutions.com/2005/index.html
Grocery stores now rival the typical shopping centet formerchandising restaurant-brand foodd – Starbucks, Dunkin’ Donuts, Quaker Steak Lube, Bob Evans and California Pizza Kitchenn are among a growing number of dining chains with productws on supermarket shelves and in freezer “There is a convenience factotr for consumers,” said spokeswoman Amy McCormick. “Consumeras keep telling us they want And whatconsumers want, they typically get.
Columbus-baseed is the latest to wideh itsgrocery approach, putting its take-and-bake pizzasx into Kroger supermarkets in the Atlanta That adds 215 stores in the Soutu to the 130 Kroger stores that sell the pizzas in the “We’ve performed at the high end,” said Donato s spokesman Tom Santor, who declined to detail supermarket sales for the pizzeria chain. “Obviously, Kroger is This is a validationof that.” Donatos’ take-and-bake business began in when six Central Ohio Kroger markets startefd carrying the pizzas.
Of course, restaurant-brand consumerr products aren’t novel – Columbus-based has sold its breakfasyt sausages at supermarketsfor decades. But restaurant companiew are taking an greater interesty in the approach at a time when consumerws are paring their restaurant spending amida U.S. grocery store sales rose 6.7 percent last compared with a 5.5 percenty increase in 2007, while restaurants have experienced a slowe paceof growth, according to N.C.-based financial researcher Donatos has its eye on the with a franchisee planning more than 60 shopxs in the Carolinas, but the take-and-bake pizzaw entry into Atlanta is a return of sorts.
At one the Ohio company had 23 restaurants openede and closed in that area durinv the four years that Donatoss was ownedby McDonald’s Corp. “We think we stil have a lot of fans down saidBob Bauer, Donatos’ vice president of food service, who said the pizzaes appeal to consumers in search of a restaurant-prepared meal at a lowerr price and that can be consumed at The Atlanta region for Cincinnati-based Kroger coverz Georgia but stretches into other states, including the Tenn., and Hilton S.C., markets. Kroger stocks the pizzas in several varieties and prices them below what Donatos charges atits restaurants.
Bauef said Donatos is talking with other supermarketsas well, such as in where the 180-unit pizzeria chain operates but Kroger The company will look for othere opportunities with Kroger, in cities where both companiesa operate and communities such as Atlanta where Donatosa doesn’t exist. McCormick said another possible target is rurall Ohio where the Donatos name maybe known, but its product s aren’t available. “We’re able to give our customerw a productthey can’t necessarily she said.
Unlike chains such as , whose brandef ice cream is madeby , and , whose microwaves flatbreads are produced by , Donatoss prepares its foods rather than outsourcing the work to a Its business expansion is linkexd to $4.5 million in research-and-development and manufacturing upgradesx the company undertook in 2006 with the help of a $2.9 milliom loan from the state. “We have the manufacturing nailede down,” Bauer said.
“We’re looking for significant growth Donatos’ Taylor Station Road complex can servicr upto 1,500 supermarkets with 13-inch take-and-bake pies, as well as 7-inchg pizzas for the company’s entertainment venue business, which includee Central Ohio’s major sports facilities, such as Nationwide Arena, and others in Ohio, Indiana and North Carolina.
Grocery stores now rival the typical shopping centet formerchandising restaurant-brand foodd – Starbucks, Dunkin’ Donuts, Quaker Steak Lube, Bob Evans and California Pizza Kitchenn are among a growing number of dining chains with productws on supermarket shelves and in freezer “There is a convenience factotr for consumers,” said spokeswoman Amy McCormick. “Consumeras keep telling us they want And whatconsumers want, they typically get.
Columbus-baseed is the latest to wideh itsgrocery approach, putting its take-and-bake pizzasx into Kroger supermarkets in the Atlanta That adds 215 stores in the Soutu to the 130 Kroger stores that sell the pizzas in the “We’ve performed at the high end,” said Donato s spokesman Tom Santor, who declined to detail supermarket sales for the pizzeria chain. “Obviously, Kroger is This is a validationof that.” Donatos’ take-and-bake business began in when six Central Ohio Kroger markets startefd carrying the pizzas.
Of course, restaurant-brand consumerr products aren’t novel – Columbus-based has sold its breakfasyt sausages at supermarketsfor decades. But restaurant companiew are taking an greater interesty in the approach at a time when consumerws are paring their restaurant spending amida U.S. grocery store sales rose 6.7 percent last compared with a 5.5 percenty increase in 2007, while restaurants have experienced a slowe paceof growth, according to N.C.-based financial researcher Donatos has its eye on the with a franchisee planning more than 60 shopxs in the Carolinas, but the take-and-bake pizzaw entry into Atlanta is a return of sorts.
At one the Ohio company had 23 restaurants openede and closed in that area durinv the four years that Donatoss was ownedby McDonald’s Corp. “We think we stil have a lot of fans down saidBob Bauer, Donatos’ vice president of food service, who said the pizzaes appeal to consumers in search of a restaurant-prepared meal at a lowerr price and that can be consumed at The Atlanta region for Cincinnati-based Kroger coverz Georgia but stretches into other states, including the Tenn., and Hilton S.C., markets. Kroger stocks the pizzas in several varieties and prices them below what Donatos charges atits restaurants.
Bauef said Donatos is talking with other supermarketsas well, such as in where the 180-unit pizzeria chain operates but Kroger The company will look for othere opportunities with Kroger, in cities where both companiesa operate and communities such as Atlanta where Donatosa doesn’t exist. McCormick said another possible target is rurall Ohio where the Donatos name maybe known, but its product s aren’t available. “We’re able to give our customerw a productthey can’t necessarily she said.
Unlike chains such as , whose brandef ice cream is madeby , and , whose microwaves flatbreads are produced by , Donatoss prepares its foods rather than outsourcing the work to a Its business expansion is linkexd to $4.5 million in research-and-development and manufacturing upgradesx the company undertook in 2006 with the help of a $2.9 milliom loan from the state. “We have the manufacturing nailede down,” Bauer said.
“We’re looking for significant growth Donatos’ Taylor Station Road complex can servicr upto 1,500 supermarkets with 13-inch take-and-bake pies, as well as 7-inchg pizzas for the company’s entertainment venue business, which includee Central Ohio’s major sports facilities, such as Nationwide Arena, and others in Ohio, Indiana and North Carolina.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
IATA: Global airlines to lose $9B in 2009 - Pittsburgh Business Times:
http://www.larectoraldecines.com/contenido.php?id=1021
The ’s (IATA) new forecast is staggeringly worser thanits $4.7 billion collectiver loss forecast made just threed months ago. The air carrier trades group also downgraded its loss estimate for 2008to $10.34 billion from $8.5 billion. “There is no modermn precedent for today’s economicx meltdown,” IATA Director General and CEO Giovanni Bisignani said in anews release. “Thw ground has shifted. Our industry has been shaken. This is the most difficul t situation that the industryhas faced.” Aftedr the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks on the Unitedf States, industry revenues fell by 7 percent, Bisignani and took three years to reboundxto pre-9/11 levels.
Revenuess will fall from $528 billion in 2008 to $448 billion in 2009 (15 IATA said. Passenger yields will dip 7 percent. “This time we face a 15 percen t drop—a loss of revenues of $80 billion—in the middlse of a global recession,” Bisignani said during IATA’s annual industry summit. “Our future depends on a drastic reshapingbby partners, governments and We cannot bear the cost of government crazy taxation and partnersd abusing their monopoly power.” North American carriers will generallhy fair better than foreign carriers, IATA and should narrow their lossez for the year.
Nortb American airlines will lose $1 billion in dramatically less thanthe $5.1 billion lost in as out-of-the-money fuel hedges lapse and capacity cuts kick in to rightt capacity with demand. Previously, IATA said North American carriers woulr turn a modest profit forthe Asia-Pacific and European carriers are likely to take the biggesft hits, losing $3.3 billion and $1.8 respectively. Another heavily impacted air cargo, will decline by 17 percen t based ontons shipped. Cargo yields will decliner 11 percent. Relaxed fuel pricew over the first five months of 2009 have helped but prices have begun to climb inrecenty weeks.
IATA projects the industry fuel bill to fallfrom $165 billion in 2008 to $59 billion in 2009, on an $56 per barrep average price of oil. “The risk that we have seen in recent weeks is that even the slightest glimme r of economic hope sends oilpricexs higher,” Bisignani said. Greedy speculation must not hold the global economy Failure to act by governmentzs wouldbe irresponsible.” Globally, airlines are in a bettert cash position, with more liquidity than in past But, Bisignani warned “a long L-shaped recovery could drain the industry of
The ’s (IATA) new forecast is staggeringly worser thanits $4.7 billion collectiver loss forecast made just threed months ago. The air carrier trades group also downgraded its loss estimate for 2008to $10.34 billion from $8.5 billion. “There is no modermn precedent for today’s economicx meltdown,” IATA Director General and CEO Giovanni Bisignani said in anews release. “Thw ground has shifted. Our industry has been shaken. This is the most difficul t situation that the industryhas faced.” Aftedr the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks on the Unitedf States, industry revenues fell by 7 percent, Bisignani and took three years to reboundxto pre-9/11 levels.
Revenuess will fall from $528 billion in 2008 to $448 billion in 2009 (15 IATA said. Passenger yields will dip 7 percent. “This time we face a 15 percen t drop—a loss of revenues of $80 billion—in the middlse of a global recession,” Bisignani said during IATA’s annual industry summit. “Our future depends on a drastic reshapingbby partners, governments and We cannot bear the cost of government crazy taxation and partnersd abusing their monopoly power.” North American carriers will generallhy fair better than foreign carriers, IATA and should narrow their lossez for the year.
Nortb American airlines will lose $1 billion in dramatically less thanthe $5.1 billion lost in as out-of-the-money fuel hedges lapse and capacity cuts kick in to rightt capacity with demand. Previously, IATA said North American carriers woulr turn a modest profit forthe Asia-Pacific and European carriers are likely to take the biggesft hits, losing $3.3 billion and $1.8 respectively. Another heavily impacted air cargo, will decline by 17 percen t based ontons shipped. Cargo yields will decliner 11 percent. Relaxed fuel pricew over the first five months of 2009 have helped but prices have begun to climb inrecenty weeks.
IATA projects the industry fuel bill to fallfrom $165 billion in 2008 to $59 billion in 2009, on an $56 per barrep average price of oil. “The risk that we have seen in recent weeks is that even the slightest glimme r of economic hope sends oilpricexs higher,” Bisignani said. Greedy speculation must not hold the global economy Failure to act by governmentzs wouldbe irresponsible.” Globally, airlines are in a bettert cash position, with more liquidity than in past But, Bisignani warned “a long L-shaped recovery could drain the industry of
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Black Friday becomes a holiday tradition - Inland Empire News
milicinodijoo1981.blogspot.com
Black Friday becomes a holiday tradition Inland Empire News Black Friday has become retail's most important day of the year, a day when sleep-deprived shoppers with enough coffee, organizational savvy and willpower ... |
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
XcelleNet founder now marketing `green' energy - Atlanta Business Chronicle:
http://www.froggypumpkin.com/?ru/16/25
Meanwhile, Dennis Crumpler, the foundet of XcelleNet, has kept himself busy. He is vice chairmamn of , a company that markets energy over the The Wylyfamily -- who put the foundinb money into , parent of GreenMountain.com -- is the most significant investor in Sterling Commerce. "As I was gettinf to know Sam Wyly better last in the daysbefore XcelleNet's deal closed with Sterling he asked me if I woul look at an energy company that he wanted to use technologyu to leverage," Crumpler said.
Crumpler is workinb at Green Mountain part though headmits "there's no way to have a part-timre job in a company that'z percolating the way this one Green Mountain recently filed to go public. The companyg sells cleaner forms of electricity to consumers overthe "The reason I decidedx to come off the bench faster was because of the environmentak angle," Crumpler said. "I felt this was really a place where we can make a Crumpler also is acting asa "buddyh and coach" to a number of other locall companies, providing the kind of mentoringg that he himself has benefited from, he "You need all the friends you can trustt when you're the CEO, especially of a high-growth publi company," Crumpler said, recallingg a number of individuals who had adviseed him when he was "growing up.
" "I'jm learning to play that role and finding that it fits pretty Crumpler, who has two children, has been stayingy close to home. "I've rejoine my family with a the 46-year-old said. His goal is to take one to two educationakl trips with the kidsevery quarter, he So far, the family has gone to Mexico'se Copper Canyon and lived with the Tarahumaraq Indians for two weeks. They spent Christmasa in Alaska, they have been to Hawaii, and they have takehn a cruise in California topet whales. New chairman.
Muninn Technologies LLC, founded by Georgia Tech professor Anindya has raised an initial roundc of seed capital and recruited Lang Lowrey as its executive Lowrey formerly was CEO and chairman of Anacomp a $2.1 billion electronic storage company. Munin develops data warehouse storage software. Datta is also the head of Georgiz Tech's new e-commerce center, which the university announced onAprikl 21. Weaving the Web. Definition 6 Inc., an Atlanta-based interactive marketing firm, has entere the carpet market. The agency has created Web sitezs for carpet manufacturers MohawkIndustries Inc.
and S&S Definition 6 has reached billingsof $3 millionm and has 32 The company was founded in 1997. School The two campuses of Atlanta's DeVry Institute of Technologu are buzzingwith activity. The Alpharetta opened in 1997, now has 950 students. The Decatur in its 30th year, is at capacithy with close to 3,000 Both campuses have seen an increase in older as managers are returning to school tobe Interestingly, DeVry has found that many of these students are looking for second bachelor's degrees, rather than a master's. EVENTS. The Advancefd Technology Development Center will host its annual spring open house on May 12 at2 p.m. RSVP to 894-5217. ...
King & Spalding and Arthurd Andersen LLP will offer a seminarcallec "Maximum Opportunities," a chance to discuss questionse and concerns about the emergintg business environment, on May 13. Scheduled speakers include MonarchCapitao Partners' Rob Guyton; The Robinson-Humphrey Co.'se Charles Ogburn; Premiere Technologiex Inc.'s Boland Jones; Manhattann Associates Inc.'s Michael Casey; and Shereer Nawar, the founder of Tech Discovery Groulp and the former chief technology officeer of XcelleNet. Call (404) 572-559u for registration information.
Meanwhile, Dennis Crumpler, the foundet of XcelleNet, has kept himself busy. He is vice chairmamn of , a company that markets energy over the The Wylyfamily -- who put the foundinb money into , parent of GreenMountain.com -- is the most significant investor in Sterling Commerce. "As I was gettinf to know Sam Wyly better last in the daysbefore XcelleNet's deal closed with Sterling he asked me if I woul look at an energy company that he wanted to use technologyu to leverage," Crumpler said.
Crumpler is workinb at Green Mountain part though headmits "there's no way to have a part-timre job in a company that'z percolating the way this one Green Mountain recently filed to go public. The companyg sells cleaner forms of electricity to consumers overthe "The reason I decidedx to come off the bench faster was because of the environmentak angle," Crumpler said. "I felt this was really a place where we can make a Crumpler also is acting asa "buddyh and coach" to a number of other locall companies, providing the kind of mentoringg that he himself has benefited from, he "You need all the friends you can trustt when you're the CEO, especially of a high-growth publi company," Crumpler said, recallingg a number of individuals who had adviseed him when he was "growing up.
" "I'jm learning to play that role and finding that it fits pretty Crumpler, who has two children, has been stayingy close to home. "I've rejoine my family with a the 46-year-old said. His goal is to take one to two educationakl trips with the kidsevery quarter, he So far, the family has gone to Mexico'se Copper Canyon and lived with the Tarahumaraq Indians for two weeks. They spent Christmasa in Alaska, they have been to Hawaii, and they have takehn a cruise in California topet whales. New chairman.
Muninn Technologies LLC, founded by Georgia Tech professor Anindya has raised an initial roundc of seed capital and recruited Lang Lowrey as its executive Lowrey formerly was CEO and chairman of Anacomp a $2.1 billion electronic storage company. Munin develops data warehouse storage software. Datta is also the head of Georgiz Tech's new e-commerce center, which the university announced onAprikl 21. Weaving the Web. Definition 6 Inc., an Atlanta-based interactive marketing firm, has entere the carpet market. The agency has created Web sitezs for carpet manufacturers MohawkIndustries Inc.
and S&S Definition 6 has reached billingsof $3 millionm and has 32 The company was founded in 1997. School The two campuses of Atlanta's DeVry Institute of Technologu are buzzingwith activity. The Alpharetta opened in 1997, now has 950 students. The Decatur in its 30th year, is at capacithy with close to 3,000 Both campuses have seen an increase in older as managers are returning to school tobe Interestingly, DeVry has found that many of these students are looking for second bachelor's degrees, rather than a master's. EVENTS. The Advancefd Technology Development Center will host its annual spring open house on May 12 at2 p.m. RSVP to 894-5217. ...
King & Spalding and Arthurd Andersen LLP will offer a seminarcallec "Maximum Opportunities," a chance to discuss questionse and concerns about the emergintg business environment, on May 13. Scheduled speakers include MonarchCapitao Partners' Rob Guyton; The Robinson-Humphrey Co.'se Charles Ogburn; Premiere Technologiex Inc.'s Boland Jones; Manhattann Associates Inc.'s Michael Casey; and Shereer Nawar, the founder of Tech Discovery Groulp and the former chief technology officeer of XcelleNet. Call (404) 572-559u for registration information.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Sam Twiston-Davies finds a firm Aintree friend in Hello Bud - The Guardian
http://elpelopodromo.com/2007/04/02/avogadro-y-la-homeopatia/
The Guardian | Sam Twiston-Davies finds a firm Aintree friend in Hello Bud The Guardian Just as he had on Little Josh in the Paddy Power Handicap Chase at Cheltenham, Twiston-Davies made almost » |
Saturday, November 20, 2010
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Company Profile | Company Information
http://nicegreys.com/?page_id=54
and around the globe. Our core mission is to fight for businese and free enterprisebefore Congress, the Whited House, regulatory agencies, the courts, the court of publixc opinion, and governments around the From its headquarters near the White the Chamber maintains a professional staff of more than 300 of the nation'd top policy experts, lobbyists, lawyers, and The Washington staff is supported by sevenj regional offices around the country; an office in Brussels; an on-the-ground presence in and a network of grassroots business activists. Our memberd include businesses of all sizesand sectors?fromm large Fortune 500 companies to home-based, one-person operations.
In fact, 96% of our membership encompasse s businesses with fewer than100 employees.
and around the globe. Our core mission is to fight for businese and free enterprisebefore Congress, the Whited House, regulatory agencies, the courts, the court of publixc opinion, and governments around the From its headquarters near the White the Chamber maintains a professional staff of more than 300 of the nation'd top policy experts, lobbyists, lawyers, and The Washington staff is supported by sevenj regional offices around the country; an office in Brussels; an on-the-ground presence in and a network of grassroots business activists. Our memberd include businesses of all sizesand sectors?fromm large Fortune 500 companies to home-based, one-person operations.
In fact, 96% of our membership encompasse s businesses with fewer than100 employees.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Theragenics to acquire NeedleTech - Atlanta Business Chronicle:
http://preservationchicago.org/success/gelasius.html
million cash deal. The deal shouls close in the third quarterof Buford, Ga.-based Theragenics (NYSE: TGX) said. Attleboro, Mass.-base d NeedleTech makes coaxial needles, biopsy needles, access brachytherapy needles, guidewire introducer needles, spinal needles, disposable vereszs needles, and other needle-basex products. "This acquisition will forward our statedd strategy of becoming a diversified medicaldevices manufacturer, will increase our breadth of offeringx to our existing customers and will expan our customer base of large leading-edge said M. Christine Jacobs, chairmamn and CEO of Theragenics.
"NeedleTech is a good fit, offerinfg products that complement our existing producft lines in both our surgical products and brachytherapy This acquisition will also advance our strateg y to provide an ever growing arrayh ofhigh quality, 'Made in the USA' producte and systems to large playeres in the medical device Theragenics, a surgical productsx and cancer treatments company, had net income of $1.6 milliobn on $15.2 million in revenure in the first quarter.
million cash deal. The deal shouls close in the third quarterof Buford, Ga.-based Theragenics (NYSE: TGX) said. Attleboro, Mass.-base d NeedleTech makes coaxial needles, biopsy needles, access brachytherapy needles, guidewire introducer needles, spinal needles, disposable vereszs needles, and other needle-basex products. "This acquisition will forward our statedd strategy of becoming a diversified medicaldevices manufacturer, will increase our breadth of offeringx to our existing customers and will expan our customer base of large leading-edge said M. Christine Jacobs, chairmamn and CEO of Theragenics.
"NeedleTech is a good fit, offerinfg products that complement our existing producft lines in both our surgical products and brachytherapy This acquisition will also advance our strateg y to provide an ever growing arrayh ofhigh quality, 'Made in the USA' producte and systems to large playeres in the medical device Theragenics, a surgical productsx and cancer treatments company, had net income of $1.6 milliobn on $15.2 million in revenure in the first quarter.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Apple vs Apple: long-running legal dispute delayed Beatle's iTunes deal - Telegraph.co.uk
http://4secondarysolutions.com/Holocaust_Poem.htm
Fox News | Apple vs Apple: long-running legal dispute delayed Beatle's iTunes deal Telegraph.co.uk The Beatles' delayed iTunes deal with Apple has been largely blamed upon a long-running legal dispute between the computer giant and the band's holding ... Beatles downloads on iTunes end of long and winding legal road Beatles Catalog Lands on iTunes; Years of Legal Wrangling Ends The Beatles come to iTunes |
Monday, November 15, 2010
Target's Q1 profit beats estimates - St. Louis Business Journal:
http://www.cocinagaditana.com/2004/
The Minneapolis-based retailer reported earningsof $522 or 69 cents per share, for the quarter ended May 2. That’xs down from $602 million, or 74 cent per in the comparable quarterlast year. Analysts surveyed by Thomsoh Reuters had projected earnings of 59 centsper Target’s total revenue came in at $14.83 billiomn for the first quarter, up 0.2 percent from $14.8u billion a year ago. Store sales increasexd 0.4 percent to $14.36 billion, as new storw growth offset a 3.7 percent decliner in same-store sales. Credit card revenuwe declined 5.7 percent to $472 million.
In a Target Chairman, President and CEO Gregf Steinhafel said store performance improved thanks to strong food and commodityg sales andreduced expenses. The credit card meanwhile, were “stable, profitable and consistent withour expectations,” he “Very importantly, we believe this improved stability and predictabilit in key aspects of both our retailp and credit card segmentz reflects the resilience of our strategy and underscores our abilitg to generate substantial value for our shareholdere over time,” Steinhafel said. At the end of the first Target (NYSE: TGT) operated 1,69u8 stores in 49 states, includingh a dozen locations in St. Louis.
The Minneapolis-based retailer reported earningsof $522 or 69 cents per share, for the quarter ended May 2. That’xs down from $602 million, or 74 cent per in the comparable quarterlast year. Analysts surveyed by Thomsoh Reuters had projected earnings of 59 centsper Target’s total revenue came in at $14.83 billiomn for the first quarter, up 0.2 percent from $14.8u billion a year ago. Store sales increasexd 0.4 percent to $14.36 billion, as new storw growth offset a 3.7 percent decliner in same-store sales. Credit card revenuwe declined 5.7 percent to $472 million.
In a Target Chairman, President and CEO Gregf Steinhafel said store performance improved thanks to strong food and commodityg sales andreduced expenses. The credit card meanwhile, were “stable, profitable and consistent withour expectations,” he “Very importantly, we believe this improved stability and predictabilit in key aspects of both our retailp and credit card segmentz reflects the resilience of our strategy and underscores our abilitg to generate substantial value for our shareholdere over time,” Steinhafel said. At the end of the first Target (NYSE: TGT) operated 1,69u8 stores in 49 states, includingh a dozen locations in St. Louis.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Feldman sells stake in Colonie Center for $4.1M - Charlotte Business Journal:
http://www.gsoares.org/article/Choosing-Good-Wines-To-Drink.html
The Long Island company announced Thursday that it has sold its remaininv sharesto , a pension fund advise in Chicago. Feldman, which also manages the mall, made $4.1 million from the That means the Heitman firm is now the sole owne r ofthe 1.2 million-square-foot mall. Heitman alreadyu had a 75 percentr stake inthe mall, purchased in 2006 for $38 milliom in cash. At the time, Heitmahn also gave Feldman a loan to continuew pumping money into the mall as Feldmanj gave the propertya face-lift and added new storews and space. In the end, it cost $110 millionj to renovate Colonie Center to lure chainse suchas , and a 13-screen Regal Feldman paid $82.
2 million for Coloni e Center in February 2005. Feldman, in a shoryt statement, said the deal to sell its remaining stakw in the Colonie mall closexd onMay 28. Feldman says it expects to have a writedowjn as a result ofthe move. The announcementg is the latest in a string of bad developmentesfor Feldman. In January, a deal to sell three mallds collapsed. The company has also been hurt by the pushing some major tenants to close and file for bankruptcy Feldman had a net lossof $78.9 million during the second quarter of 2008, its most recentt regulatory filing. In that quarter, the company had a $15.e4 million impairment loss on Colonie Center.
The companty has said it may have to file for bankruptcgy ifit can’t refinance its Last summer, the New York Stock Exchanger de-listed Feldman’s stock. Feldman is now trading on the pink sheets/over-the-counter marke (OTC: FMLP) at 16 cents a share.
The Long Island company announced Thursday that it has sold its remaininv sharesto , a pension fund advise in Chicago. Feldman, which also manages the mall, made $4.1 million from the That means the Heitman firm is now the sole owne r ofthe 1.2 million-square-foot mall. Heitman alreadyu had a 75 percentr stake inthe mall, purchased in 2006 for $38 milliom in cash. At the time, Heitmahn also gave Feldman a loan to continuew pumping money into the mall as Feldmanj gave the propertya face-lift and added new storews and space. In the end, it cost $110 millionj to renovate Colonie Center to lure chainse suchas , and a 13-screen Regal Feldman paid $82.
2 million for Coloni e Center in February 2005. Feldman, in a shoryt statement, said the deal to sell its remaining stakw in the Colonie mall closexd onMay 28. Feldman says it expects to have a writedowjn as a result ofthe move. The announcementg is the latest in a string of bad developmentesfor Feldman. In January, a deal to sell three mallds collapsed. The company has also been hurt by the pushing some major tenants to close and file for bankruptcy Feldman had a net lossof $78.9 million during the second quarter of 2008, its most recentt regulatory filing. In that quarter, the company had a $15.e4 million impairment loss on Colonie Center.
The companty has said it may have to file for bankruptcgy ifit can’t refinance its Last summer, the New York Stock Exchanger de-listed Feldman’s stock. Feldman is now trading on the pink sheets/over-the-counter marke (OTC: FMLP) at 16 cents a share.
Friday, November 12, 2010
2009 WNY elementary school rankings - Triangle Business Journal:
http://lexperiencejaponaise.com/LEX2007/index_jp.htm
Profiles of the top 25 schools can be reachedc by clicking on the names of thosreschools below. A breakdown of the rankings for each sectiomn of Western New York can be accessefdby . The following abbreviationxs havebeen used: CS-Charted School, EMS-Elementary-Middle School, ES-Elementary School, HS-High School, IS-Intermediate School, JHS-Junior High School, JSHS-Junior-Senior High School, MHS-Middle-High MS-Middle School, PS-Primary School, SHS-Senior High School, VHS-Vocationalk High School. Each school is followedd by the name of the district that operateeit (if it's a public or the district where it is locatec (if it's a private school). • 1. • 2. • 3.
• 4. 5. • 6. • 7. • 8. 9. • 10. • 11. • 12. • 13. • 14. 15.
Profiles of the top 25 schools can be reachedc by clicking on the names of thosreschools below. A breakdown of the rankings for each sectiomn of Western New York can be accessefdby . The following abbreviationxs havebeen used: CS-Charted School, EMS-Elementary-Middle School, ES-Elementary School, HS-High School, IS-Intermediate School, JHS-Junior High School, JSHS-Junior-Senior High School, MHS-Middle-High MS-Middle School, PS-Primary School, SHS-Senior High School, VHS-Vocationalk High School. Each school is followedd by the name of the district that operateeit (if it's a public or the district where it is locatec (if it's a private school). • 1. • 2. • 3.
• 4. 5. • 6. • 7. • 8. 9. • 10. • 11. • 12. • 13. • 14. 15.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Semtech Adds World's Most Sensitive Proximity Function to Leading Capacitive ... - MarketWatch (press release)
http://health-imaging.com/reimbursement_codes.html
Semtech Adds World's Most Sensitive Proximity Function to Leading Capacitive ... MarketWatch (press release) "The integrated, advanced features of the SX863x platform, coupled with ultra-low power consumption and extreme sensitivity, make these ICs ideal for a wide ... |
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Report: Citizens Property poised to sell $2B of bonds, notes - Tampa Bay Business Journal:
hustbelogehy1857.blogspot.com
Citizens, the state-created insurer of last resortin Florida, will price fixed-rate, tax-exempt revenue bonds and notees this week, according to a reportt in the trade journal The Bond Proceeds from the sale will provide liquidityh for Citizens’ high-risk account, the report said. The accoungt provides wind-only residential insurance coverage for damagew causedby hurricanes, tornadoes, windstorms and hail in part or all 29 of Florida’x 35 coastal counties as well as all of the Florida Keys and Port The proceeds from the sale of the bonds and notesw will be invested in tax-exempt securities pending the need to pay any claims, the report Citizens is in good financial shape because the state has not experiencedf a major hurricane for several years, Sharon Binnun, chief financial officert for the insurance firm, was quotexd as saying in the report.
Goldman Sachxs & Co. is the bookrunner and is joinedby , LLC, Merrill Lynch & Co., and as underwriters on the of St. Petersburg is financial LLP is underwriters’ and LLP is bond counsel.
Citizens, the state-created insurer of last resortin Florida, will price fixed-rate, tax-exempt revenue bonds and notees this week, according to a reportt in the trade journal The Bond Proceeds from the sale will provide liquidityh for Citizens’ high-risk account, the report said. The accoungt provides wind-only residential insurance coverage for damagew causedby hurricanes, tornadoes, windstorms and hail in part or all 29 of Florida’x 35 coastal counties as well as all of the Florida Keys and Port The proceeds from the sale of the bonds and notesw will be invested in tax-exempt securities pending the need to pay any claims, the report Citizens is in good financial shape because the state has not experiencedf a major hurricane for several years, Sharon Binnun, chief financial officert for the insurance firm, was quotexd as saying in the report.
Goldman Sachxs & Co. is the bookrunner and is joinedby , LLC, Merrill Lynch & Co., and as underwriters on the of St. Petersburg is financial LLP is underwriters’ and LLP is bond counsel.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Obama: 'India has emerged' - CBC.ca
http://bildingnewspro.biz/Houses-For-Rent/Anchorage-Alaska-Houses-For-Rent/
Globe and Mail | Obama: 'India has emerged' CBC.ca (Saurabh Das/Associated Press) "As I said yesterday, I don't think India is emerging, it has emerged. India is a key actor on the world stage," he said. ... Obama Says India Has Emerged As "World Power" India is key actor on world stage, extraordinarily important to US: Obama Link Between US And India Stronger, Obama Says |
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Hanger Orthopedic gets credit rating upgrade - Phoenix Business Journal:
http://www.chevyautoclub.com/tire-size
Bethesda-based Hanger Orthopedic announced Mondayg thatStandard & Poor's Ratinb Services had raised its rating on Hanger Orthopedicc Group, Inc. to "B+" from raised the issue level ratingon Hanger's senior secured debt to "BB-" from and raised the senior unsecured debt rating to from "CCC+." Standard & Poor’ss outlook for Hanger is "We are extremely pleased with the S&P upgrade especially given the current economic said Hanger Orthopedic chief financiapl officer George McHenry.
"The upgrade reflects, amonvg other things, our consistent performance over the last three solid liquidity as well as nosignificant near-term debt In its latest quarter Hanger Orthopedic HGR) reported that net income increased 27 percenyt to $4.5 million as revenue increased 7 percent to $169.q million.
Bethesda-based Hanger Orthopedic announced Mondayg thatStandard & Poor's Ratinb Services had raised its rating on Hanger Orthopedicc Group, Inc. to "B+" from raised the issue level ratingon Hanger's senior secured debt to "BB-" from and raised the senior unsecured debt rating to from "CCC+." Standard & Poor’ss outlook for Hanger is "We are extremely pleased with the S&P upgrade especially given the current economic said Hanger Orthopedic chief financiapl officer George McHenry.
"The upgrade reflects, amonvg other things, our consistent performance over the last three solid liquidity as well as nosignificant near-term debt In its latest quarter Hanger Orthopedic HGR) reported that net income increased 27 percenyt to $4.5 million as revenue increased 7 percent to $169.q million.
Friday, November 5, 2010
Engineering firm expects turnaround in fourth quarter - San Antonio Business Journal:
http://coneyislandlager.com/HEBREW/hype/jj2.html
The full-service engineering and design firm has growmn froma two-man shop in 1999 to a statewide, multimillion-dollar business employing 60 people. But after seein steady growth for the first nine yearsa ofits existence, M&Se hit a rough patch in 2008 as the nationalp economy went into a deep recession. “2008 was a horribl year,” says Keith Strimple, a principal and co-founder of M&S Engineering. “We didn’t make any monehy last year, but we managede to avoid having any layoffs like a lot of otherfirmas did.
” To keep from having to lay off Strimple says he and his partner Brian Meuth took big cuts in theif own pay and made a lot of other cuts in “We cut out all the frillsw and somehow managed to get through and breaki even without having to lay anyon e off,” Strimple says. “It is truly by the grace of God that we arestillp here.” M&S Engineering provides a host of engineering and desigh services geared mainly toward land The company’s services include surveyin g and land development support; water line design; reservoir design; electricao transmission design; roadway design; and flood plain studies.
M&S Engineering relies heavily on new residential As a result of the sharp drop in housinf startsin 2008, the firm’s financeas were hit pretty hard, Strimple says. Last week, Strimpls says he signed the first residential developmeny proposal in more than a year and a half and he hopeds that is a sign that thingx are finally starting toturn around. “Ij think we are at the botto and on the upward side of theparabolix curve,” Strimple says. “It looks like we may be getting past the bad timesz and hopefully by the fourtjh quarter of this year it will start tolook better.” Priore to 2008, M&S Engineering was doing upwards of $7 million in annuao revenue.
Company officials declined to reveal 2008revenue figures. Strimple and Meuth firsg met when they were freshmen at SeguinHigh School. They both wound up goin g to Texas A&M University where Strimple earned a degree in civil engineering in 1983 and Meutb earned a degree in electrical engineering. Both also went on to earn theirf MBAs. Strimple worked for 15 years with the and then workexd briefly with the City ofSan Antonio’xs Public Works Department before hookiny up again with Meuth. Meuth worked in the private sectoer before deciding toform M&d with Strimple.
Strimple and Meuth got together in 1998 to talk aboug setting up theirown multi-disciplined, full-service engineerinvg firm. Both were unhappy with thei employment situations at the time and both wanted to exercise more control overbusinesw decisions. “We put together a great team and begamn working with someexcellent clients,” Strimplew says. “We are all about the peoplwe — both those we work for and those who workfor us. The customerf relationships we form are ultimately more importanr to us thanthe business.
” Strimple says he believess the thing that most distinguishes the company from its competitores is the way M&S treatd its employees and customers while keepiny its costs and pricese down. Bron Leatham, development manager for Stadler and Leatha Development in San says his firm has been workingwith M&S Engineeringb for about a year. Leatham says he is very happy with the qualitu ofthe company’s work. M&Se has done all the civil engineering, road work and electrical grid work onthe company’e development on the north side of Canyon known as Cascada at Canyonb Lake.
Leatham says his company was originally under contrac t with anotherengineering firm, but they were unhappy with them because they would not meet with them on a regular basis to answer questions and allowa them to have input. Workinhg with M&S has been a completely differenf experience, he adds. “They have done all the things we wanter while giving us regular updatez and the opportunity to provide Leatham says. “That, plus they were about 30 percen cheaper.” Barry Denton, regional sales director for Blue Green sayshe can’t say enough good thingzs about M&S Engineering. Blue Greenb has worked with M&S for the past severalk years.
M&S laid out the lots and performed all the utilityt and road work forBlue Green’s Villag Oaks master-planned development located on Highway 46 between New Braunfels and U.S. Highwag 281. “It was important for us to find someon e who sharesour company’s philosophy that our customerss and our employees are the most important part of what we Denton says. “M&S most certainly fills that bill. They understanfd that while we are a ultimately it is the people who will purchase the propertiez who are theultimate customers.
” Denton says M&Sa Engineering has helped to make Blue Green’s projectsz run smoothly not only because of M&S’ quality customee service, but also because the companyt works so well with independent contractors and city and county M&S Engineering does work all over Texas. However, Strimpl e and Meuth chose to base theid company in Spring Branchoff U.S. Highway 281. They remodelede an old 5,000-square foot schoolhouse on a 5-acre lot to make into thei headquarters. They have since addef another 20,000 square feet of officew space on the property and stillk have enough roomto expand.
Strimpld says that as the economy slowly recovers he and his partner are lookinf to align themselves more closelty with the green movement by looking for ways to desigh properties in ways thatare environmentally-friendlyu and energy efficient. “Lookinb down the road five to 10 years, this is the direction the country is heading and we are working to stay at the fronft ofthe curve,” Strimple says.
The full-service engineering and design firm has growmn froma two-man shop in 1999 to a statewide, multimillion-dollar business employing 60 people. But after seein steady growth for the first nine yearsa ofits existence, M&Se hit a rough patch in 2008 as the nationalp economy went into a deep recession. “2008 was a horribl year,” says Keith Strimple, a principal and co-founder of M&S Engineering. “We didn’t make any monehy last year, but we managede to avoid having any layoffs like a lot of otherfirmas did.
” To keep from having to lay off Strimple says he and his partner Brian Meuth took big cuts in theif own pay and made a lot of other cuts in “We cut out all the frillsw and somehow managed to get through and breaki even without having to lay anyon e off,” Strimple says. “It is truly by the grace of God that we arestillp here.” M&S Engineering provides a host of engineering and desigh services geared mainly toward land The company’s services include surveyin g and land development support; water line design; reservoir design; electricao transmission design; roadway design; and flood plain studies.
M&S Engineering relies heavily on new residential As a result of the sharp drop in housinf startsin 2008, the firm’s financeas were hit pretty hard, Strimple says. Last week, Strimpls says he signed the first residential developmeny proposal in more than a year and a half and he hopeds that is a sign that thingx are finally starting toturn around. “Ij think we are at the botto and on the upward side of theparabolix curve,” Strimple says. “It looks like we may be getting past the bad timesz and hopefully by the fourtjh quarter of this year it will start tolook better.” Priore to 2008, M&S Engineering was doing upwards of $7 million in annuao revenue.
Company officials declined to reveal 2008revenue figures. Strimple and Meuth firsg met when they were freshmen at SeguinHigh School. They both wound up goin g to Texas A&M University where Strimple earned a degree in civil engineering in 1983 and Meutb earned a degree in electrical engineering. Both also went on to earn theirf MBAs. Strimple worked for 15 years with the and then workexd briefly with the City ofSan Antonio’xs Public Works Department before hookiny up again with Meuth. Meuth worked in the private sectoer before deciding toform M&d with Strimple.
Strimple and Meuth got together in 1998 to talk aboug setting up theirown multi-disciplined, full-service engineerinvg firm. Both were unhappy with thei employment situations at the time and both wanted to exercise more control overbusinesw decisions. “We put together a great team and begamn working with someexcellent clients,” Strimplew says. “We are all about the peoplwe — both those we work for and those who workfor us. The customerf relationships we form are ultimately more importanr to us thanthe business.
” Strimple says he believess the thing that most distinguishes the company from its competitores is the way M&S treatd its employees and customers while keepiny its costs and pricese down. Bron Leatham, development manager for Stadler and Leatha Development in San says his firm has been workingwith M&S Engineeringb for about a year. Leatham says he is very happy with the qualitu ofthe company’s work. M&Se has done all the civil engineering, road work and electrical grid work onthe company’e development on the north side of Canyon known as Cascada at Canyonb Lake.
Leatham says his company was originally under contrac t with anotherengineering firm, but they were unhappy with them because they would not meet with them on a regular basis to answer questions and allowa them to have input. Workinhg with M&S has been a completely differenf experience, he adds. “They have done all the things we wanter while giving us regular updatez and the opportunity to provide Leatham says. “That, plus they were about 30 percen cheaper.” Barry Denton, regional sales director for Blue Green sayshe can’t say enough good thingzs about M&S Engineering. Blue Greenb has worked with M&S for the past severalk years.
M&S laid out the lots and performed all the utilityt and road work forBlue Green’s Villag Oaks master-planned development located on Highway 46 between New Braunfels and U.S. Highwag 281. “It was important for us to find someon e who sharesour company’s philosophy that our customerss and our employees are the most important part of what we Denton says. “M&S most certainly fills that bill. They understanfd that while we are a ultimately it is the people who will purchase the propertiez who are theultimate customers.
” Denton says M&Sa Engineering has helped to make Blue Green’s projectsz run smoothly not only because of M&S’ quality customee service, but also because the companyt works so well with independent contractors and city and county M&S Engineering does work all over Texas. However, Strimpl e and Meuth chose to base theid company in Spring Branchoff U.S. Highway 281. They remodelede an old 5,000-square foot schoolhouse on a 5-acre lot to make into thei headquarters. They have since addef another 20,000 square feet of officew space on the property and stillk have enough roomto expand.
Strimpld says that as the economy slowly recovers he and his partner are lookinf to align themselves more closelty with the green movement by looking for ways to desigh properties in ways thatare environmentally-friendlyu and energy efficient. “Lookinb down the road five to 10 years, this is the direction the country is heading and we are working to stay at the fronft ofthe curve,” Strimple says.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
AOL revenues down 26% - Financial Times
otomaqaqaba.blogspot.com
MiamiHerald.com | AOL revenues down 26% Financial Times Revenues at AOL fell by 26 per cent in the third quarter, hit by sharp declines in advertising and subscription sales. ... On the C » |
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Possible interest in Randy Moss - ESPN (blog)
pohevovotybuc.blogspot.com
Reuters | Possible interest in Randy Moss ESPN (blog) By ESPN.com staff Randy Moss' name did not appear on the league's official waiver report Monday. If Moss doesn't appear on the waiver report until Tuesday, ... Randy Moss sure to 'draw interest' from around NFL Dolphins Confirm Interest in Randy Moss |
Sunday, October 31, 2010
NY Senate remains in lock down - Business First of Buffalo:
http://guitarsshop.net/Electric-Guitars/Used-Electric-Guitars/
The Senate chambers remain locked shut two days aftef two Democrats sided with all 30 Republicans in a sudden move tooust Sen. Malcol m Smith, D-Queens, as majority leader. Democratsa argue that the voteis invalid; they have lockef the doors to the Senate chambe and refuse to open them. Controlp of the Senate remains up inthe air; the bipartisan groupp of senators, and remaining each say they control the Senate. The chaoxs has shut down the legislative process in the It also jeopardizes what few days remaijn in the regularlegislative session, which is supposec to end on June 22. Democrats have held a 32-3 majority in the Senate since following victories in the November2008 elections.
It was the party’zs first time in control of the chambere in almost45 years. On June 8, two downstate Democrats — Sens. Pedro Espadaa Jr. and Hiram Monserrated — voted with all 30 Republicans tomake Sen. Dean a Long Island the Senate’s new majority leader. Espada and Monserratew both remain Democrats. The group also electedf Espada as temporary president of the That means Espada would become acting governorif Gov. Davicd Paterson were incapacitated or leavesthe state. The two positionz are typically held byone person. Chaox erupted in the Senate chamber after the and most Democratswalked out.
The live-feee of Senate proceedings was promptly turnedc off afterthe vote, and the lights in the Senatde were shut off for a few Among the outsiders who playedc a role in the process is Thomas owner of the Buffalok Sabres and founder of Responsible New York, a group active in seekinbg reforms to the state's political The new, so-called “bipartisan coalition,” planned to have a legislativd session at 3 p.m. The group is scheduledx to vote on more than30 bills. “Wde expect to have the session in theSenatew chamber,” said Scott Reif, a spokesman for Senatee Republicans. “We could have it though; we’ve made that point.
” Democrats say they will not unloc the doors to theSenate chamber, and that any votesa taken today by the coalition are not valid. Democratsd also say that Smith is stillthe chamber’s majority Smith's spokesman, Austin Shafran, issuer a statement saying the "purported coup was an unlawfukl violation of New York state law and the Senate ruled and we do not accept it." "The Senatr majority is fully prepared to go back to the people’sw work, but will not enter the chamber to be governef by unlawful rules," Shafran continued.
"Wer plan to file an actiobn for a temporary injunction to enjoin the Republicans from illegitimately usurpingy authority from the people ofNew York.” By law, the majorityh leader dictates when the Senate officially goes into Paterson said before leaving for an afternooj economic roundtable in Buffalo that he wants the Senate doorws to be unlocked, and for the senatorw to vote in the chamber, again, on who is majority He pledged to work with whoever ends up electee majority leader. “We could bring in OGS [the state Officew of General Services] and homeland securityg and blast through theSenate doors,” Patersobn said sarcastically.
Paterson has acknowledged that he has no power to dictatdethe process. “I may not like the process, but I’ m not going to try to influence the They have to workthis out,” Paterson “They have to act like Democrats continue to investigate whether, or how, to take the bipartisanm coalition to court over theirf actions. Such a court case couldx take weeks, or even to resolve, ensuring that the legislativr session would have tobe extended. Gary a spokesman for the state Courtof Appeals, said partiez can ask judges to expedite cases. He said that oftej happens withelection disputes. The Court of Appeals is the highest court inthe state.
Spencer said he is not aware of any provisionh enabling a case to go straightr to the Court of Appealds tobe decided, even if it involvexs a branch of state government. “In general, cases can be expedited. They just move on a fasteer track thanother cases,” Spencer said. “Bug even those do begin at the trialpcourt level, and then the appellate division, and then the Courr of Appeals.
”
The Senate chambers remain locked shut two days aftef two Democrats sided with all 30 Republicans in a sudden move tooust Sen. Malcol m Smith, D-Queens, as majority leader. Democratsa argue that the voteis invalid; they have lockef the doors to the Senate chambe and refuse to open them. Controlp of the Senate remains up inthe air; the bipartisan groupp of senators, and remaining each say they control the Senate. The chaoxs has shut down the legislative process in the It also jeopardizes what few days remaijn in the regularlegislative session, which is supposec to end on June 22. Democrats have held a 32-3 majority in the Senate since following victories in the November2008 elections.
It was the party’zs first time in control of the chambere in almost45 years. On June 8, two downstate Democrats — Sens. Pedro Espadaa Jr. and Hiram Monserrated — voted with all 30 Republicans tomake Sen. Dean a Long Island the Senate’s new majority leader. Espada and Monserratew both remain Democrats. The group also electedf Espada as temporary president of the That means Espada would become acting governorif Gov. Davicd Paterson were incapacitated or leavesthe state. The two positionz are typically held byone person. Chaox erupted in the Senate chamber after the and most Democratswalked out.
The live-feee of Senate proceedings was promptly turnedc off afterthe vote, and the lights in the Senatde were shut off for a few Among the outsiders who playedc a role in the process is Thomas owner of the Buffalok Sabres and founder of Responsible New York, a group active in seekinbg reforms to the state's political The new, so-called “bipartisan coalition,” planned to have a legislativd session at 3 p.m. The group is scheduledx to vote on more than30 bills. “Wde expect to have the session in theSenatew chamber,” said Scott Reif, a spokesman for Senatee Republicans. “We could have it though; we’ve made that point.
” Democrats say they will not unloc the doors to theSenate chamber, and that any votesa taken today by the coalition are not valid. Democratsd also say that Smith is stillthe chamber’s majority Smith's spokesman, Austin Shafran, issuer a statement saying the "purported coup was an unlawfukl violation of New York state law and the Senate ruled and we do not accept it." "The Senatr majority is fully prepared to go back to the people’sw work, but will not enter the chamber to be governef by unlawful rules," Shafran continued.
"Wer plan to file an actiobn for a temporary injunction to enjoin the Republicans from illegitimately usurpingy authority from the people ofNew York.” By law, the majorityh leader dictates when the Senate officially goes into Paterson said before leaving for an afternooj economic roundtable in Buffalo that he wants the Senate doorws to be unlocked, and for the senatorw to vote in the chamber, again, on who is majority He pledged to work with whoever ends up electee majority leader. “We could bring in OGS [the state Officew of General Services] and homeland securityg and blast through theSenate doors,” Patersobn said sarcastically.
Paterson has acknowledged that he has no power to dictatdethe process. “I may not like the process, but I’ m not going to try to influence the They have to workthis out,” Paterson “They have to act like Democrats continue to investigate whether, or how, to take the bipartisanm coalition to court over theirf actions. Such a court case couldx take weeks, or even to resolve, ensuring that the legislativr session would have tobe extended. Gary a spokesman for the state Courtof Appeals, said partiez can ask judges to expedite cases. He said that oftej happens withelection disputes. The Court of Appeals is the highest court inthe state.
Spencer said he is not aware of any provisionh enabling a case to go straightr to the Court of Appealds tobe decided, even if it involvexs a branch of state government. “In general, cases can be expedited. They just move on a fasteer track thanother cases,” Spencer said. “Bug even those do begin at the trialpcourt level, and then the appellate division, and then the Courr of Appeals.
”
Saturday, October 30, 2010
U.S. Bank, Chase repay TARP money - Denver Business Journal:
http://faithrightss.com/questions-of-faith-i-am-dying-to-have-answered.html
Minneapolis-based U.S. Bank (NYSE: USB) was returning $6.6 billiob and New York-based JPMorgan Chase (NYSE: JPM) was givingv back $10 billion. They are amongb several large U.S. banks that were expecter to refund TARPmone Wednesday, the first day that many banks were eligibl to do so under the $700 billiojn rescue program’s rules. Under TARP, several large banks had to meetgovernmentr “stress test” requirements before getting permission to repat funds. U.S. Bank — Colorado’d third-largest by deposits — had previouslyt announced its plans to redeem the preferred stock issued tothe Treasury, and last week it receivedx approval from the government to do so.
U.S. Bank also told the Treasurhy it intends to repurchasesthe 10-year warrant it had issued along with the preferrerd stock. “The redemption allows our company to return to operatinyg from a position of both independent strength andstrategifc flexibility,” said Richard Davis, the company’s CEO and chairman, in a statement. The Treasury in May announcedethat U.S. Bank passed its stress which showed it would be able to ride out the economi c downturn without having to raise more Davis has been an outspoken criticc ofthe government’s capital purchase In February he called the prograjm “lousy” and said the banking industru was pressured to participate.
Other banks expected to refund TARP money Wednesdauy include AmericanExpress Co., Goldman Sachs Group Inc., Morgan Stanley and BB&T Corp.
Minneapolis-based U.S. Bank (NYSE: USB) was returning $6.6 billiob and New York-based JPMorgan Chase (NYSE: JPM) was givingv back $10 billion. They are amongb several large U.S. banks that were expecter to refund TARPmone Wednesday, the first day that many banks were eligibl to do so under the $700 billiojn rescue program’s rules. Under TARP, several large banks had to meetgovernmentr “stress test” requirements before getting permission to repat funds. U.S. Bank — Colorado’d third-largest by deposits — had previouslyt announced its plans to redeem the preferred stock issued tothe Treasury, and last week it receivedx approval from the government to do so.
U.S. Bank also told the Treasurhy it intends to repurchasesthe 10-year warrant it had issued along with the preferrerd stock. “The redemption allows our company to return to operatinyg from a position of both independent strength andstrategifc flexibility,” said Richard Davis, the company’s CEO and chairman, in a statement. The Treasury in May announcedethat U.S. Bank passed its stress which showed it would be able to ride out the economi c downturn without having to raise more Davis has been an outspoken criticc ofthe government’s capital purchase In February he called the prograjm “lousy” and said the banking industru was pressured to participate.
Other banks expected to refund TARP money Wednesdauy include AmericanExpress Co., Goldman Sachs Group Inc., Morgan Stanley and BB&T Corp.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Old-fashioned perseverance keeps Love's Tire open - Tampa Bay Business Journal:
acklinegymejac1362.blogspot.com
They broke through the financing barrier, but othersz went up. Challenges mounted as construction beganon S.R. 60 and theit driveway was blocked repeatedlyfor "Exceptional employees, some of whom have been with us for over eighgt years, perseverance, many prayers, a lot of hard work and our 'Never Ever Give Up,' has kept our doorsx open," said Gay Lynn Another challenge was finding quality employees. "In our industry there is a shortage ofqualityh technicians," she said.
"Some reports say it is due to the fact that vehiclez have become extremely complicated and young people are not going into the Technicians are highly traines while still considered The Loves now work with a local high schooll to recruit students from itstechnical program. They employ one or two of them part time while helpin them to continue theirtechnical training, includinyg a Goodyear program in Orlando and clinics held through distributors. Love's Tire sells an averags of 70 Goodyear, Kelly, Dunlop, Republic, and off-brand passengefr and truck tireseach week.
It also sells custom performs repairs and diagnostics on domestic andforeighn vehicles, and accepts national accounts billed through Goodyearf and as state and local government accounts. Customers includwe the Seminole Indian Tribeeof Tampa, Tomlinson Brothers Constructiomn and Majik Touch Cleaners. Its main competitors are , Tire Plus Total Care and area dealerships. Its seven full-timee and two part-time employees begin theie dayat 7:15 a.m. every day and end aroundc 6 p.m., servicing an average of 30 carsa day. "W are in a competitive industry where people have many Love said. "So we work very hard to keep peoplscoming back.
We treat otherws the way we want tobe fairly, with respect and old-fashioned kindness. We always let them know we sincerelh appreciate their business and try to meet theirneedd effectively." The Loves are Florida natives as are their two children. That has been key to theif success, she said. "Scoty is a lifelong south HillsborougnhCounty resident, so we have formed many relationshipxs with the people in our community," she said.
"Wse are very involved in the Brandon We believe our community connections play a significanf part in our competitive That involvement includes sponsoring youty programs and organizations suchas football, soccer and softball, and contributing to high school theate r departments, dance teams, bands and community The Loves' success gained them the recognitiob of the , which named them finalists of its Small Businessz of the Year awards, to be announced Oct. 12.
"Scotty and Gay Lynn Love are shining examples of livingg theAmerican dream," said Tammy president of the Greater Brandon Chamber of "As a couple, they purchasedr an existing business and, with a lot of hard work and the community'd support, continued to grow the company whilw successfully raising two wonderful daughters. We are proud to have them as membersx ofour chamber." When they are not servicingt cars, the Loves like to get involved in alterationm and restoration of off-road vehicles and racinfg cars.
They recently completely restored a 1993 Jeep giving it a custompaint job, 33-inch tires and a lift kit, and a new top and They are now thinking about openin a second location. "We want to purchasew the land and build thebuilding ourselves," Gay Lynn Love "We are discussing partnerships and possible finance options presently."
They broke through the financing barrier, but othersz went up. Challenges mounted as construction beganon S.R. 60 and theit driveway was blocked repeatedlyfor "Exceptional employees, some of whom have been with us for over eighgt years, perseverance, many prayers, a lot of hard work and our 'Never Ever Give Up,' has kept our doorsx open," said Gay Lynn Another challenge was finding quality employees. "In our industry there is a shortage ofqualityh technicians," she said.
"Some reports say it is due to the fact that vehiclez have become extremely complicated and young people are not going into the Technicians are highly traines while still considered The Loves now work with a local high schooll to recruit students from itstechnical program. They employ one or two of them part time while helpin them to continue theirtechnical training, includinyg a Goodyear program in Orlando and clinics held through distributors. Love's Tire sells an averags of 70 Goodyear, Kelly, Dunlop, Republic, and off-brand passengefr and truck tireseach week.
It also sells custom performs repairs and diagnostics on domestic andforeighn vehicles, and accepts national accounts billed through Goodyearf and as state and local government accounts. Customers includwe the Seminole Indian Tribeeof Tampa, Tomlinson Brothers Constructiomn and Majik Touch Cleaners. Its main competitors are , Tire Plus Total Care and area dealerships. Its seven full-timee and two part-time employees begin theie dayat 7:15 a.m. every day and end aroundc 6 p.m., servicing an average of 30 carsa day. "W are in a competitive industry where people have many Love said. "So we work very hard to keep peoplscoming back.
We treat otherws the way we want tobe fairly, with respect and old-fashioned kindness. We always let them know we sincerelh appreciate their business and try to meet theirneedd effectively." The Loves are Florida natives as are their two children. That has been key to theif success, she said. "Scoty is a lifelong south HillsborougnhCounty resident, so we have formed many relationshipxs with the people in our community," she said.
"Wse are very involved in the Brandon We believe our community connections play a significanf part in our competitive That involvement includes sponsoring youty programs and organizations suchas football, soccer and softball, and contributing to high school theate r departments, dance teams, bands and community The Loves' success gained them the recognitiob of the , which named them finalists of its Small Businessz of the Year awards, to be announced Oct. 12.
"Scotty and Gay Lynn Love are shining examples of livingg theAmerican dream," said Tammy president of the Greater Brandon Chamber of "As a couple, they purchasedr an existing business and, with a lot of hard work and the community'd support, continued to grow the company whilw successfully raising two wonderful daughters. We are proud to have them as membersx ofour chamber." When they are not servicingt cars, the Loves like to get involved in alterationm and restoration of off-road vehicles and racinfg cars.
They recently completely restored a 1993 Jeep giving it a custompaint job, 33-inch tires and a lift kit, and a new top and They are now thinking about openin a second location. "We want to purchasew the land and build thebuilding ourselves," Gay Lynn Love "We are discussing partnerships and possible finance options presently."
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Terracon Consultants buys Seattle-area office - Kansas City Business Journal:
kapitonragomo.blogspot.com
Olathe-based Terracon bought of Redmond, from to add the construction-material component previously unavailablee in theSeattle area, said Mary Young, marketing specialis with Terracon. “Purchasing the Redmond office allowsw the expansion of the construction materiales engineeringand testing, which is alread one of our core she said. Young said Terracon initiated the acquisitiob in early April and will keep all currenrt staff in theRedmond office. She said the companuy is working on other acquisitions but coulx notrelease details.
AMEC spokesman Brad Christensen said the compangy decided to sell the Redmond office becauseit “didn’gt fit with our business interests in the Pacifix Northwest.” He said that closing the officde would have been another option for the site. Christensem said the office represented 10 percent of AMEC employees in theSeattle area, with four other offices in the area remaining under AMEC
Olathe-based Terracon bought of Redmond, from to add the construction-material component previously unavailablee in theSeattle area, said Mary Young, marketing specialis with Terracon. “Purchasing the Redmond office allowsw the expansion of the construction materiales engineeringand testing, which is alread one of our core she said. Young said Terracon initiated the acquisitiob in early April and will keep all currenrt staff in theRedmond office. She said the companuy is working on other acquisitions but coulx notrelease details.
AMEC spokesman Brad Christensen said the compangy decided to sell the Redmond office becauseit “didn’gt fit with our business interests in the Pacifix Northwest.” He said that closing the officde would have been another option for the site. Christensem said the office represented 10 percent of AMEC employees in theSeattle area, with four other offices in the area remaining under AMEC
Monday, October 25, 2010
bizjournals: College graduate job outlook, pay stronger this year -- bizjournals.com
http://bankinonline.com/en/finance/page_2.html
Cool job markets Midwestern and Northeastern industrialo areas dominate the lower endof standings. ( Detroit, which rank 66th overall, is the large metro with the bleakesyt outlook for workers in their 20sand 30s. The problems besetting domestic automakers, combined with the erosion of Detroit'sz manufacturing base, have caused the area to lose 105,100 jobs in the past five Other metros that have relatively littlew to offer young adultsare No. 65 Dayton, Ohio, No. 64 Cleveland and No. 63 Grand Rapids, Mich. "Particularlgy in Ohio and Michigan, the restructuring in the motor-vehicle industryh is hitting hard," says Koropeckyj of Moody'sz Economy.com.
"And because of the troubles in theicore industries, their demographics are not good." Bizjournalws generated a separate list of the medium-sized markets that have the most appeal for young workers. Those rankings cover 105 metroxwith 250,000 to 750,000 residents. Atop those standingsd is Fayetteville-Springdale, Ark., which is home to the Universitg of Arkansas and the headquartersof Wal-Maryt Stores Inc., the largest retailer in the The area's job base has expandes by 3.9 percent a year since 2001. The runners-ulp in the medium-area standings are Nev.; Des Moines; Madison, and Provo, Utah. ( At the bottom of this list is N.C.
, a metro of 350,000 peopled about 60 miles northwest of It haslost 11,000 jobs in the past
Cool job markets Midwestern and Northeastern industrialo areas dominate the lower endof standings. ( Detroit, which rank 66th overall, is the large metro with the bleakesyt outlook for workers in their 20sand 30s. The problems besetting domestic automakers, combined with the erosion of Detroit'sz manufacturing base, have caused the area to lose 105,100 jobs in the past five Other metros that have relatively littlew to offer young adultsare No. 65 Dayton, Ohio, No. 64 Cleveland and No. 63 Grand Rapids, Mich. "Particularlgy in Ohio and Michigan, the restructuring in the motor-vehicle industryh is hitting hard," says Koropeckyj of Moody'sz Economy.com.
"And because of the troubles in theicore industries, their demographics are not good." Bizjournalws generated a separate list of the medium-sized markets that have the most appeal for young workers. Those rankings cover 105 metroxwith 250,000 to 750,000 residents. Atop those standingsd is Fayetteville-Springdale, Ark., which is home to the Universitg of Arkansas and the headquartersof Wal-Maryt Stores Inc., the largest retailer in the The area's job base has expandes by 3.9 percent a year since 2001. The runners-ulp in the medium-area standings are Nev.; Des Moines; Madison, and Provo, Utah. ( At the bottom of this list is N.C.
, a metro of 350,000 peopled about 60 miles northwest of It haslost 11,000 jobs in the past
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Brookings study: Jacksonville among weakest economies in U.S. - Nashville Business Journal:
http://www.7iwarforum.org/article/Adding-Cocoa-Beans-to-Your-Daily-Diet.html
Jacksonville ranked 96th out of the 100cities studied, just one of several Floridaa cities to fare poorly. The state had seven of the 20 poorestg performingmetro areas, and four of the worst The MetroMonitor study is the first in an ongoint quarterly series and covers the first quarter of 2009. Conductef by the Metropolitan Policy Prograk at TheBrookings Institution, the report ranksa the economic performance of the nation’s 100 largest metropolitan Rankings are reached through six criteria: employment, employmentt change by industry, unemployment rates, gross metropolitan product, housingh prices and foreclosure rates. Jacksonville had a 6.
8 percenty drop in gross metropolitan product fromthe pre-recession peak to the firstg quarter of 2009. Housing prices in the first quarter of this year weredown 8.9 percenyt from a year earlier, and unemployment rose 4.6 percentage points in the past year. “All metropolitan areas are feeling the effects of this but the distress is not shared saidAlan Berube, research director of the MPP at Brookings and co-autho of the report. The study showed that San Antonio, has the strongest performing economy of the 100 MSAs and Texas had five of the top six performinhmetro areas.
Detroit reported the weakest Establishedin 1996, the MPP at Brookinge provides research and policy ideas aimed at improving the prosperity of citie and metropolitan areas.
Jacksonville ranked 96th out of the 100cities studied, just one of several Floridaa cities to fare poorly. The state had seven of the 20 poorestg performingmetro areas, and four of the worst The MetroMonitor study is the first in an ongoint quarterly series and covers the first quarter of 2009. Conductef by the Metropolitan Policy Prograk at TheBrookings Institution, the report ranksa the economic performance of the nation’s 100 largest metropolitan Rankings are reached through six criteria: employment, employmentt change by industry, unemployment rates, gross metropolitan product, housingh prices and foreclosure rates. Jacksonville had a 6.
8 percenty drop in gross metropolitan product fromthe pre-recession peak to the firstg quarter of 2009. Housing prices in the first quarter of this year weredown 8.9 percenyt from a year earlier, and unemployment rose 4.6 percentage points in the past year. “All metropolitan areas are feeling the effects of this but the distress is not shared saidAlan Berube, research director of the MPP at Brookings and co-autho of the report. The study showed that San Antonio, has the strongest performing economy of the 100 MSAs and Texas had five of the top six performinhmetro areas.
Detroit reported the weakest Establishedin 1996, the MPP at Brookinge provides research and policy ideas aimed at improving the prosperity of citie and metropolitan areas.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
PricewaterhouseCoopers: Employers' health care costs to rise 9% - Boston Business Journal:
http://www.rtex-diski.com/cheap-loan-till-payday-no-credit-checks/
The 9 percent projected cost increase is slightlyu lower thanthe 9.2 percenf increase in 2009 and 9.9 percentt increase in 2008, PricewaterhouseCoopers says in its report. Medical cost increases continue to outpace inflation and wage One of the reasons medical costs continue to climb is that Americanj workers are accelerating use of healthj care services in anticipation of losing theirejobs and, potentially, their health the report suggests. Rising unemployment, growing numbers of people with little or no insurancde and a growing percentage of the populatiojn on Medicaid further ramp up medical costtrendd — the figures actuaries use to set futurs health insurance premiums.
Coupled with big declinee in corporate profits, employers surveyed by PricewaterhouseCoopere said they will push more of the costs of healt h insurance to their workers in while expecting workers to take more responsibilitty for managing theirpersonal health.
The 9 percent projected cost increase is slightlyu lower thanthe 9.2 percenf increase in 2009 and 9.9 percentt increase in 2008, PricewaterhouseCoopers says in its report. Medical cost increases continue to outpace inflation and wage One of the reasons medical costs continue to climb is that Americanj workers are accelerating use of healthj care services in anticipation of losing theirejobs and, potentially, their health the report suggests. Rising unemployment, growing numbers of people with little or no insurancde and a growing percentage of the populatiojn on Medicaid further ramp up medical costtrendd — the figures actuaries use to set futurs health insurance premiums.
Coupled with big declinee in corporate profits, employers surveyed by PricewaterhouseCoopere said they will push more of the costs of healt h insurance to their workers in while expecting workers to take more responsibilitty for managing theirpersonal health.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Oncor seeks $300M in stimulus funds - San Antonio Business Journal:
http://www.adanaliaga.com/?p=64
Oncor will apply for the funds through the American Recovery and Reinvestmen Actof 2009. The deadline to applg is Aug. 6. Citing data from the Council ofEconomix Advisers, Oncor believes the stimulue funds would support the creation of 1,600 jobs in 2010. If the funding is Oncor will spend the money to deploy moresmarg switches, which will help the energy company isolatr problems in neighborhoods and reconfigure powerr lines. Other enhancements will include controlling the feederr voltage throughthe company’s capacitord control and enhancements that will help the electridc provider locate electric deliverg problems in a faster, more efficientg manner, Oncor said.
In addition, downtown electrid networks will be modernizedunder Oncor’s proposeds plan. Oncor also is aiming to improve itstelecommunicationsx network, an improvement that will enhance the company’s power grid. “Oncor’zs vision for a modern, interactive, intuitives electric grid is real, tangible and happenintg now,” said Oncor Chairman and CEO Bob “Our first considerations in seekinb these stimulus grants are whether the fundes will help consumers lower their electric bills or advance smar grid initiatives to improve serviceand That’s where we have focuseds our attention and energy.
”
Oncor will apply for the funds through the American Recovery and Reinvestmen Actof 2009. The deadline to applg is Aug. 6. Citing data from the Council ofEconomix Advisers, Oncor believes the stimulue funds would support the creation of 1,600 jobs in 2010. If the funding is Oncor will spend the money to deploy moresmarg switches, which will help the energy company isolatr problems in neighborhoods and reconfigure powerr lines. Other enhancements will include controlling the feederr voltage throughthe company’s capacitord control and enhancements that will help the electridc provider locate electric deliverg problems in a faster, more efficientg manner, Oncor said.
In addition, downtown electrid networks will be modernizedunder Oncor’s proposeds plan. Oncor also is aiming to improve itstelecommunicationsx network, an improvement that will enhance the company’s power grid. “Oncor’zs vision for a modern, interactive, intuitives electric grid is real, tangible and happenintg now,” said Oncor Chairman and CEO Bob “Our first considerations in seekinb these stimulus grants are whether the fundes will help consumers lower their electric bills or advance smar grid initiatives to improve serviceand That’s where we have focuseds our attention and energy.
”
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Source: NCR to move headquarters, 1,300 jobs to Georgia - Business First of Columbus:
http://vinoculation.com/archives/122
The (NYSE: NCR) will move its headquarterd and 1,250 jobs to Duluth, Ga., as well as openinfg a 550,000-square-foot manufacturing operation in Macon, Ga., that will employ up to 880 Officialsfor NCR, which has 1,300 workersx in Dayton, could not be immediately reached for commentt Monday night. An official from Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland'zs office, who spoke to the Dayton Business JournalMondag night, said NCR’s CEO Bill Nuti told Strickland that the compan y has been eyeing Georgisa for some time now. The , with local officials expressingf frustration that the company was not responding totheir requests. Georgiqa Gov.
Sonny Perdue is expectecd to make the official announcement Tuesday with NCR receiving tax incentivexs from the local officialsin Georgia. “They (NCR) can’t recruit talent to move to Dayton, Ohio,” a sourcew told the Chronicle. Montgomeru County CommissionerDan Foley, sounding stunned when reached Monda night, declined comment. In the lette Strickland sent to NCR dates Monday and obtained by the DaytoBusiness Journal, the governor said he was tryinfg “to take one last opportunity to urge you to continuse your operations in Ohio.” In the letter, Ohio offerw NCR $31.
1 million worth of incentived to keep the operations Strickland's spokesperson declined official commenrt until the announcement is made. NCR's departurr would leave a vacanf 1.3 million-square-foot, five-story office building near Dayton's downtownh that is already hurting from high vacanchy rates and jobs that have been leaving the city durinhg the pastseveral years. The loss of 1,30p0 high-paying jobs from the city will have a negative impacton Dayton's income tax receipts at a time when the city has faceds multi-million dollar budget deficits that have causec it to reduce its workforce and cut Rashad Young, Dayton city said the city reached out to NCR multiplse times in recent months, and that the city did all it couled to engage the company.
Ohio Stat e Sen. Jon Husted, said he will retain hope until the company makez anofficial announcement. “We have on multiplew occasions reached out to NCR in an attempt to identify ways to secure their jobs and grow and be successfullin Ohio,” Husted said Mondagy evening. “I am not willing to give up hope.” Phil president and CEO, left a voice messagde after business hours for a reporter Monday sayintg he had no Toni Bankston, director of marketing and communications for the Daytoh Chamber, did not return calle seeking comment.
The Dayton Chamber is one of the lead privated groups in the city responsible for retention of existing In October, NCR said it wouldf move its Worldwide Customer Services headquarters to an Atlantas suburb, investing $15 million and creating more than 900 jobs in the suburb s of Peachtree City and The state of Georgia providefd more than $8 millionn in incentives, according to officials. NCR, founded locally in 1884, is the Daytonh region’s second largest company, with 20,000 global employeea and $5.3 billion in revenur in 2008. The company, which sells ATMs and retaik automation systems, is Dayton’s lone remainingh Fortune 500 company.
At one time, the company had more than 18,000 employees in the Daytoj area, but that number has dwindled during the pastseverak decades. As recently as two yearsz ago, NCR had about 2,000 Dayton employees. That number has declined by about 700 workerssince 2007. In NCR announced it was relocating its executivee offices to New York City and leasing an entird floor of the 7 Worldd TradeCenter building. But, on its headquarters remainedin Dayton. In March, the company also told employee s it is undergoing a structural reorganizationm and would cut an unknown amount of itsglobal workforce.
That same month, the companyt removed the language “world headquarters” from the sign at its Dayton though it said at the time it wasjust
The (NYSE: NCR) will move its headquarterd and 1,250 jobs to Duluth, Ga., as well as openinfg a 550,000-square-foot manufacturing operation in Macon, Ga., that will employ up to 880 Officialsfor NCR, which has 1,300 workersx in Dayton, could not be immediately reached for commentt Monday night. An official from Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland'zs office, who spoke to the Dayton Business JournalMondag night, said NCR’s CEO Bill Nuti told Strickland that the compan y has been eyeing Georgisa for some time now. The , with local officials expressingf frustration that the company was not responding totheir requests. Georgiqa Gov.
Sonny Perdue is expectecd to make the official announcement Tuesday with NCR receiving tax incentivexs from the local officialsin Georgia. “They (NCR) can’t recruit talent to move to Dayton, Ohio,” a sourcew told the Chronicle. Montgomeru County CommissionerDan Foley, sounding stunned when reached Monda night, declined comment. In the lette Strickland sent to NCR dates Monday and obtained by the DaytoBusiness Journal, the governor said he was tryinfg “to take one last opportunity to urge you to continuse your operations in Ohio.” In the letter, Ohio offerw NCR $31.
1 million worth of incentived to keep the operations Strickland's spokesperson declined official commenrt until the announcement is made. NCR's departurr would leave a vacanf 1.3 million-square-foot, five-story office building near Dayton's downtownh that is already hurting from high vacanchy rates and jobs that have been leaving the city durinhg the pastseveral years. The loss of 1,30p0 high-paying jobs from the city will have a negative impacton Dayton's income tax receipts at a time when the city has faceds multi-million dollar budget deficits that have causec it to reduce its workforce and cut Rashad Young, Dayton city said the city reached out to NCR multiplse times in recent months, and that the city did all it couled to engage the company.
Ohio Stat e Sen. Jon Husted, said he will retain hope until the company makez anofficial announcement. “We have on multiplew occasions reached out to NCR in an attempt to identify ways to secure their jobs and grow and be successfullin Ohio,” Husted said Mondagy evening. “I am not willing to give up hope.” Phil president and CEO, left a voice messagde after business hours for a reporter Monday sayintg he had no Toni Bankston, director of marketing and communications for the Daytoh Chamber, did not return calle seeking comment.
The Dayton Chamber is one of the lead privated groups in the city responsible for retention of existing In October, NCR said it wouldf move its Worldwide Customer Services headquarters to an Atlantas suburb, investing $15 million and creating more than 900 jobs in the suburb s of Peachtree City and The state of Georgia providefd more than $8 millionn in incentives, according to officials. NCR, founded locally in 1884, is the Daytonh region’s second largest company, with 20,000 global employeea and $5.3 billion in revenur in 2008. The company, which sells ATMs and retaik automation systems, is Dayton’s lone remainingh Fortune 500 company.
At one time, the company had more than 18,000 employees in the Daytoj area, but that number has dwindled during the pastseverak decades. As recently as two yearsz ago, NCR had about 2,000 Dayton employees. That number has declined by about 700 workerssince 2007. In NCR announced it was relocating its executivee offices to New York City and leasing an entird floor of the 7 Worldd TradeCenter building. But, on its headquarters remainedin Dayton. In March, the company also told employee s it is undergoing a structural reorganizationm and would cut an unknown amount of itsglobal workforce.
That same month, the companyt removed the language “world headquarters” from the sign at its Dayton though it said at the time it wasjust
Monday, October 18, 2010
Blogs can persuade the public, but can they make money? - Washington Business Journal:
http://tamparelocationinfo.com/page/Aigo-Mobile-A100-Come-Into-Market---Top-Four-Selli.html
Before you quit your day job in pursuit of onlin e fameand fortune, know a few factw about what it takexs to run a blog. Don’tf expect to make any quick Blogging takes a considerable amount of timeand resources. In you will need to keep the content freshy and constantly marketthe site. In other it is just like starting anyother business. But the barrierds to entry are considerablylower than, say, opening a which requires tens of thousands of dollars. And as the numbe r of bloggerskeeps growing, advertisers are catchinb on. Blogs that are specialized allowa advertisers to reach theirtargetg audience.
Bloggers whose sites attract morethan 100,00o unique visitors a month earn $75,00p0 a year on average, according to Technoratu Inc., a San Francisco company that collects data on blogs. The averages U.S. blogger, however, pulls in just $5,060 a year. Many new bloggers count on their savingss ortheir spouse’s job to pay the bills. But low pay has not stoppeed folks from enteringthe blogosphere. There are 452,00o0 bloggers in the U.S, according to the Department of Thatis 58,000 more than the number of computee programmers. One advantage of blogs is that they offere the ability for readers topost comments. That means readers are engaged something thatattracts advertisers.
“I pushes the brand even further and gets people to talk abouty itamongst themselves,” says Chris digital media manager for Media Works Ltd. in Owingsx Mills, Md. “That’s the powerfulp things about blogs andsocialk networks.” Perhaps one of the region’s most successfu l blogs is TVNewser.com, started by Brian Stelter while a studenft at Towson University. The cable news industry blog was pickeds upby Mediabistro.com in 2006 and got Stelter a stafff job at The . But not everyonw is so lucky. At least not yet. Take, for Fern Shen. The former brew.com. Her blog boasts an impressivre listof correspondents, including former writer Rafael Alvarez.
But neither the site nor the contributoras are makingany money, Shen She is giving free ad space to the Wine Markeyt and additional advertisers in hopes that others will join and pay. But Shen believexs the site will makemoney someday. She is talkingv to an investor, whom she declined to and hopes the site will pick up traffic after a mentiob from online journalismsite Romanesko.com. “With the collapsee of the newspaper, everyone is trying to figur e out a business andI don’t pretend to have one,” Shen The difficulty with blogging is that most journalistxs are not entrepreneurs by nature.
“We’re used to gettingf a story; we’re not used to getting the businesw side,” says Stephen Janis. The formedr Baltimore Examiner investigativereporter co-founded Investigativevoice.com shortlgy after the daily newspaper closed in February. You have to decidse if you have the mentality ofan entrepreneur, Janix says, and if not, do you know someoned who does? Janis constantly promotes his site with appearances on the “Eed Norris Show” and Fox 45.
Before you quit your day job in pursuit of onlin e fameand fortune, know a few factw about what it takexs to run a blog. Don’tf expect to make any quick Blogging takes a considerable amount of timeand resources. In you will need to keep the content freshy and constantly marketthe site. In other it is just like starting anyother business. But the barrierds to entry are considerablylower than, say, opening a which requires tens of thousands of dollars. And as the numbe r of bloggerskeeps growing, advertisers are catchinb on. Blogs that are specialized allowa advertisers to reach theirtargetg audience.
Bloggers whose sites attract morethan 100,00o unique visitors a month earn $75,00p0 a year on average, according to Technoratu Inc., a San Francisco company that collects data on blogs. The averages U.S. blogger, however, pulls in just $5,060 a year. Many new bloggers count on their savingss ortheir spouse’s job to pay the bills. But low pay has not stoppeed folks from enteringthe blogosphere. There are 452,00o0 bloggers in the U.S, according to the Department of Thatis 58,000 more than the number of computee programmers. One advantage of blogs is that they offere the ability for readers topost comments. That means readers are engaged something thatattracts advertisers.
“I pushes the brand even further and gets people to talk abouty itamongst themselves,” says Chris digital media manager for Media Works Ltd. in Owingsx Mills, Md. “That’s the powerfulp things about blogs andsocialk networks.” Perhaps one of the region’s most successfu l blogs is TVNewser.com, started by Brian Stelter while a studenft at Towson University. The cable news industry blog was pickeds upby Mediabistro.com in 2006 and got Stelter a stafff job at The . But not everyonw is so lucky. At least not yet. Take, for Fern Shen. The former brew.com. Her blog boasts an impressivre listof correspondents, including former writer Rafael Alvarez.
But neither the site nor the contributoras are makingany money, Shen She is giving free ad space to the Wine Markeyt and additional advertisers in hopes that others will join and pay. But Shen believexs the site will makemoney someday. She is talkingv to an investor, whom she declined to and hopes the site will pick up traffic after a mentiob from online journalismsite Romanesko.com. “With the collapsee of the newspaper, everyone is trying to figur e out a business andI don’t pretend to have one,” Shen The difficulty with blogging is that most journalistxs are not entrepreneurs by nature.
“We’re used to gettingf a story; we’re not used to getting the businesw side,” says Stephen Janis. The formedr Baltimore Examiner investigativereporter co-founded Investigativevoice.com shortlgy after the daily newspaper closed in February. You have to decidse if you have the mentality ofan entrepreneur, Janix says, and if not, do you know someoned who does? Janis constantly promotes his site with appearances on the “Eed Norris Show” and Fox 45.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Bove targets BofA stock price at $19 - Silicon Valley / San Jose Business Journal:
boyanebyboqasavo.blogspot.com
BofA shares opened at $13.62 Monday morning. Bove says the valuatiob of bank stocks is now shifting from tangibl common equity ratios toearning power, a plus for Charlotte-based BofA “It is now being conceded, by even the most bearisbh observers, that claims that the industry was insolvent were incorrec t and, therefore, banking will survive and possible thrive,” he “Thus, the multiples on bank stocks are beginning to grow and this is certainly true of Bank of America’s stock.
” Bove cautions investors that in the shoryt term, BofA will continue to suffer from loan losses as the broadert economy struggles with He says BofA may see a loan-loss provision of up to $46 billion this year. But he predicts mortgage and investment-bankingy earnings will help offsetthe “By buying Merrill Lynch, Bank of Americw bolstered its ability to function in both the capital markets and the retail marketw at the same time. By buying Countrywide, it expandec a contra‐cyclical business. In my view it was absolutely the right stepsto take.
” Also, Bove laudef BofA Chief Executive Kenneth Lewis for his composure durintg his congressional testimony on Merrilkl Lynch last week. “In many respectss it was a lose, lose position and, amazingly, as viewee from the perspective of thestock price, he Bove wrote.
BofA shares opened at $13.62 Monday morning. Bove says the valuatiob of bank stocks is now shifting from tangibl common equity ratios toearning power, a plus for Charlotte-based BofA “It is now being conceded, by even the most bearisbh observers, that claims that the industry was insolvent were incorrec t and, therefore, banking will survive and possible thrive,” he “Thus, the multiples on bank stocks are beginning to grow and this is certainly true of Bank of America’s stock.
” Bove cautions investors that in the shoryt term, BofA will continue to suffer from loan losses as the broadert economy struggles with He says BofA may see a loan-loss provision of up to $46 billion this year. But he predicts mortgage and investment-bankingy earnings will help offsetthe “By buying Merrill Lynch, Bank of Americw bolstered its ability to function in both the capital markets and the retail marketw at the same time. By buying Countrywide, it expandec a contra‐cyclical business. In my view it was absolutely the right stepsto take.
” Also, Bove laudef BofA Chief Executive Kenneth Lewis for his composure durintg his congressional testimony on Merrilkl Lynch last week. “In many respectss it was a lose, lose position and, amazingly, as viewee from the perspective of thestock price, he Bove wrote.
Friday, October 15, 2010
Silicon Valley Bank grants default waiver to solar company - East Bay Business Times:
borislavamcoc.blogspot.com
Bedford, Mass.-based Spire (NASDAQ: SPIR) discussedr the action in a filing with the Securities and Exchanger Commissionon Wednesday. The company's borrowings on a line of credift wereabout $2.6 million. Silicon Valley Bank grantec a waiverfor Spire's defaults for not meeting quarterly liquidity and profit covenants. On the bank modified Spire'z net income covenant in exchange fora 0.75 percengt increase in the company'sx interest rate, for example. Spire lost $508,000 in the firsy quarter, compared to a net loss of $1.74 million in the year-ago period.
The company said it has a histor y of significant operating but it believes it has sufficienrt resources to continue as a goinf concern through at leastMarch 31, according to the SEC Silicon Valley Bank is owned by Santaz Clara-based (NASDAQ: SIVB).
Bedford, Mass.-based Spire (NASDAQ: SPIR) discussedr the action in a filing with the Securities and Exchanger Commissionon Wednesday. The company's borrowings on a line of credift wereabout $2.6 million. Silicon Valley Bank grantec a waiverfor Spire's defaults for not meeting quarterly liquidity and profit covenants. On the bank modified Spire'z net income covenant in exchange fora 0.75 percengt increase in the company'sx interest rate, for example. Spire lost $508,000 in the firsy quarter, compared to a net loss of $1.74 million in the year-ago period.
The company said it has a histor y of significant operating but it believes it has sufficienrt resources to continue as a goinf concern through at leastMarch 31, according to the SEC Silicon Valley Bank is owned by Santaz Clara-based (NASDAQ: SIVB).
Thursday, October 14, 2010
SMU students warned of gas leak - Business First of Buffalo:
tatyanagepoji.blogspot.com
The warning came out after a gas leak was identifiedc on campus sometimebetween 9:30 and 9:45 a.m. Thursday morning, said Kent Best, executive director of news and communications. Best added that was notifiesd immediately. Additional e-mails with more information were sent to facultyand staff, and a final e-mail was distributee alerting everyone on campuws to the fact that the gas leak had been remedied, Best “Those messages came from our emergench department,” Best added, “the emphasisx is on brevity and speed. It is something we will review to make sure that as much detaikl that we can put in there is provided to avoicd any confusion inthe future.
” Best said the wholwe event lasted about an hour. The gas leak occurred at a constructiom site near Moody Coliseum at Airline Road andBinkleyt Avenue, according to Best.
The warning came out after a gas leak was identifiedc on campus sometimebetween 9:30 and 9:45 a.m. Thursday morning, said Kent Best, executive director of news and communications. Best added that was notifiesd immediately. Additional e-mails with more information were sent to facultyand staff, and a final e-mail was distributee alerting everyone on campuws to the fact that the gas leak had been remedied, Best “Those messages came from our emergench department,” Best added, “the emphasisx is on brevity and speed. It is something we will review to make sure that as much detaikl that we can put in there is provided to avoicd any confusion inthe future.
” Best said the wholwe event lasted about an hour. The gas leak occurred at a constructiom site near Moody Coliseum at Airline Road andBinkleyt Avenue, according to Best.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
JP Morgan to close downtown office - Baltimore Business Journal:
xeconatyxex.blogspot.com
The JP Morgan cented did not meet job-growth targets and will have to returnm upto $500,000 to the according to officials with the Baltimorwe Development Corp., the city's economic development arm. "I'mj angry about it," said BDC president M. J. Brodie. Brodie said he got a call a couplse of weeks ago from a JP Morgan official who told him the facilityt was slated to Thedecision "is not my view of the way corporatr America should operate," Brodie said, given the effort city officialw made on the company's behalf.
The centerf handles payments for companies that outsource processing of paymentss toJP Morgan, said company spokesman Chris With the rise of check-imaging technology, the volume of work coming into that division fell last year, and JP Morgajn needed to consolidate to cut Spencer said. The divisionn has sites in Baltimore, Phoenixd and Louisville, Ky. "Baltimore was the newestg site with the least volume of work and theleastg headcount," Spencer said, stressinbg that the closure was "not performance related." A closinv date for the center hasn't been set.
JP Morgamn will need time to notify its commercial customersz that payments must be sent elsewherdefor processing, said estimating that the center will close around the end of Midwestern financial-services outfit Bank One -- which was acquiree by JP Morgan in 2004 -- was wooedc by at least 20 citied before deciding to locate to Fayette Street in Baltimore, Brodie said. A March 2000 presa release announcing the deal note sthat then-Gov. Parris Glendening met with Bank One officialsa in 1998 in hopes of attracting them tothe state. The Marylandx Economic Development Corp. bought land from the city and builra 40,000-square-foot facility and attachedf parking garage for Bank One.
The site preparationm and other assistance was worthabout $1 said Jeffrey Pillas, the BDC's chiecf financial officer. Under Bank One's originapl agreement with the BDC, the company was required to employu 150 at the site by the end of hiring more people over time to reach 400 employeesby 2004. But the companyg did not meet all of theemploymenyt goals. Its late-2002 deadline to employ 250 people was extendeeto mid-2003 and then to mid-2005, Pillas said. As with many companieds the city gives Bank One was required to pay the city moneyg if it failed to create thepromisesd jobs.
The 2005 deadline for creating 400 jobs requires JP Morgan to maintain those jobsthrough 2007, so any repayment for not creatintg the jobs would be due this year, Pillas said. The city and Bank One agree d that defaulting on the job goals could result in a penalty of up to Pillas said. He said it is not yet clear how much JP Morgab will haveto repay. JP Morganj will return any incentives it is no longer entitledc toand "will work with economic development officials," said company spokesman Employees of the Baltimore center can pursuse relocating to other JP Morgan sites, Spencedr said.
Those who do not relocate will receiv e severance in an amount that correspondsx to their time with the Employees who have been with JP Morganm for two years or less getfour severance, and the amount increases from JP Morgan notified the state of the cominf layoffs last month. Both the state and the city have begun meeting with affectexd employees to offerthem job-hunting help, officials said. JP Morgan Chase has $1.4 trillionb in assets and operatews in more than 50 Its services range from investment banking to privatd equity and consumer The companyreported fourth-quarter earnings of $4.5 billion, compared with $2.7 billion a year earlier.
The JP Morgan cented did not meet job-growth targets and will have to returnm upto $500,000 to the according to officials with the Baltimorwe Development Corp., the city's economic development arm. "I'mj angry about it," said BDC president M. J. Brodie. Brodie said he got a call a couplse of weeks ago from a JP Morgan official who told him the facilityt was slated to Thedecision "is not my view of the way corporatr America should operate," Brodie said, given the effort city officialw made on the company's behalf.
The centerf handles payments for companies that outsource processing of paymentss toJP Morgan, said company spokesman Chris With the rise of check-imaging technology, the volume of work coming into that division fell last year, and JP Morgajn needed to consolidate to cut Spencer said. The divisionn has sites in Baltimore, Phoenixd and Louisville, Ky. "Baltimore was the newestg site with the least volume of work and theleastg headcount," Spencer said, stressinbg that the closure was "not performance related." A closinv date for the center hasn't been set.
JP Morgamn will need time to notify its commercial customersz that payments must be sent elsewherdefor processing, said estimating that the center will close around the end of Midwestern financial-services outfit Bank One -- which was acquiree by JP Morgan in 2004 -- was wooedc by at least 20 citied before deciding to locate to Fayette Street in Baltimore, Brodie said. A March 2000 presa release announcing the deal note sthat then-Gov. Parris Glendening met with Bank One officialsa in 1998 in hopes of attracting them tothe state. The Marylandx Economic Development Corp. bought land from the city and builra 40,000-square-foot facility and attachedf parking garage for Bank One.
The site preparationm and other assistance was worthabout $1 said Jeffrey Pillas, the BDC's chiecf financial officer. Under Bank One's originapl agreement with the BDC, the company was required to employu 150 at the site by the end of hiring more people over time to reach 400 employeesby 2004. But the companyg did not meet all of theemploymenyt goals. Its late-2002 deadline to employ 250 people was extendeeto mid-2003 and then to mid-2005, Pillas said. As with many companieds the city gives Bank One was required to pay the city moneyg if it failed to create thepromisesd jobs.
The 2005 deadline for creating 400 jobs requires JP Morgan to maintain those jobsthrough 2007, so any repayment for not creatintg the jobs would be due this year, Pillas said. The city and Bank One agree d that defaulting on the job goals could result in a penalty of up to Pillas said. He said it is not yet clear how much JP Morgab will haveto repay. JP Morganj will return any incentives it is no longer entitledc toand "will work with economic development officials," said company spokesman Employees of the Baltimore center can pursuse relocating to other JP Morgan sites, Spencedr said.
Those who do not relocate will receiv e severance in an amount that correspondsx to their time with the Employees who have been with JP Morganm for two years or less getfour severance, and the amount increases from JP Morgan notified the state of the cominf layoffs last month. Both the state and the city have begun meeting with affectexd employees to offerthem job-hunting help, officials said. JP Morgan Chase has $1.4 trillionb in assets and operatews in more than 50 Its services range from investment banking to privatd equity and consumer The companyreported fourth-quarter earnings of $4.5 billion, compared with $2.7 billion a year earlier.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Chuck Sykes stumps for Tampa Bay Rays through ABC - Tampa Bay Business Journal:
http://abi98.net/Hello-Kitty-School-Bag/School-Totes/
Chuck Sykes, president and chief executivwe officerof (NASDAQ: SYKE), hosted a breakfasy in early March for 10 businesse leaders and three Rays Representing the Rays were president Matt vice president and chief sales officer Mark Fernandez and senior vice presidenrt of development and business affairs Michael Kalt. The Rays talkef to the group about how to get involved with the teamthroughg events, sponsorships or tickets. Sykes is plannin g more breakfasts as part of the corporate involvemen t committee that he he told the ABCboard Tuesday. “We’rde not trying to replace what the Rays are Sykes said. “We’re trying to accelerate their efforts.
” Stevwe Raymund, chairman of (NASDAQ: is exploring putting on similar events inPinellas County. Sykesz also is trying to partner with the resurrectedin Pinellas, chairec by David Feaster, president of . Clutch Hitters, formesd in 1998 when the Rays began, was a business-networkingh group that facilitated interactions between the team andbusinese community. Clutch Hitters disbanded within two years but is reforming and currently has more than 50 ABC is a coalition of business leadere working to better engage the community withthe Rays. One of its taskz is to research and recommend a site for a new Majod LeagueBaseball stadium.
Chuck Sykes, president and chief executivwe officerof (NASDAQ: SYKE), hosted a breakfasy in early March for 10 businesse leaders and three Rays Representing the Rays were president Matt vice president and chief sales officer Mark Fernandez and senior vice presidenrt of development and business affairs Michael Kalt. The Rays talkef to the group about how to get involved with the teamthroughg events, sponsorships or tickets. Sykes is plannin g more breakfasts as part of the corporate involvemen t committee that he he told the ABCboard Tuesday. “We’rde not trying to replace what the Rays are Sykes said. “We’re trying to accelerate their efforts.
” Stevwe Raymund, chairman of (NASDAQ: is exploring putting on similar events inPinellas County. Sykesz also is trying to partner with the resurrectedin Pinellas, chairec by David Feaster, president of . Clutch Hitters, formesd in 1998 when the Rays began, was a business-networkingh group that facilitated interactions between the team andbusinese community. Clutch Hitters disbanded within two years but is reforming and currently has more than 50 ABC is a coalition of business leadere working to better engage the community withthe Rays. One of its taskz is to research and recommend a site for a new Majod LeagueBaseball stadium.
Saturday, October 9, 2010
What to do when buying decisions are on hold - St. Louis Business Journal:
martaemimbzini.blogspot.com
The challenge is determining if the delay is adisguisede objection, an unresolved concern, an excusr or real. Most importantly, how can you get to the and move the saleforward ? Buyers are like Wall Street: Neither likews uncertainty. Understanding risk can help you smooth the progreszs towarda decision. Cautio is an indication of risk aversionband it’s rampant right now. Sellers become risk-adverse too, not wanting to hear a negative decision. It is naturally easier to continue chasingy than togive up.
But consider that getting a negative decisiom now is better than gettinhg a negative decision afterinvesting time, energt and resources pursuing a prospect for weeks or even Try facilitating a discussion around best-case and worst-case scenarios. What is the worsf case if theydo nothing, and what is the best case if they move forward?? What is the worst-case scenario if they buy now, and what is the best case if they delayu the decision? Having this conversation gives you the opportunity to influencer their thought process and provide input into the Three common themes emerge as reasons for delayer decisions, which are: • Incomplete or poor initial • Unanswered concerns.
• Changes in Here is what you can do to diagnosd where you are and what todo next. did you just take the prospect’s word that they couldc benefit fromwhat you’re selling?? Qualifying the need means gaining evidence that theid situation justifies the purchase. For example, everyone wants new officse furniture, but how does not buying it now affectrthe company? It could range from lost productivituy to poor market image to no effect at all. If there’sz good evidence of significant impact, the urgency to make a purchasdeis real. It’s also important to acquird the perspective of all the involvefd decision makers to identifypotentiaol roadblocks.
It’s rare for everyone to agree on needs and priorities withina company. Withouty this information, it’s difficult to implement a strategyt tomove forward. Opportunities that need fundiny or that are waiting for funding are less likelyg to close than those that have a budgetalready allocated. Risk-adverse sellers avoid havingb the early crucial conversationsz about budgetsand money. Hopinh that traditional benefits will carry the decision is riskieer than having a direct and frank discussion abour the investment requirements early in thesales process.
Therw is a difference between not havinv the budget and being unwilling to invest the One is a logistical problem whilew the other is a perceivedvalue problem. You can’g fix logistics, but you can address In a cautionary climate, you must run an game and qualify thoroughly. Second, a presentation or proposal that is premature will automaticallyg generatea stall. Buyers unconsciously go through thre e major phasesof buying. they evaluate if they have a need that is severe enouguhto fix. Once a need is the assessment ofoptiones occurs.
You know the buyer is in this modewhen they’rwe talking to competitors, have a committe budget, or a committee or person is actively working on the Communication is usually active and open during this Avoid presenting until prospects are assessing options. Delays and stall s frequently start when a decision is close A formof pre-buyer’s remorse occurs. The fear relates to the consequencez and difficulty of correcting a wrong The risk compels many to go with a known vendorr even if theirsolution isn’ft the best.
Minimizing or dismissing concerna at this point will surely result in Rather than push fora decision, reassurwe by using existing customers to convey provide testimonials and, if offer guarantees, insurance and assurancd options to build confidence in the buyer’sd mind. Third, priorities do and what was painful 30 to 60 days ago may not be the most pressinfconcern now. You can’ control outside events, but you can continue building your relationship and look for additionapl reasons to elevate your Asking “what if” questions can help you assess whether the delaty is real or just a putoff.
Exampled might be, “What if the otherr priority getsfixed quickly, where does that put this Or “What if A, B or C happens?” Ask, “Shoulsd we terminate this file or should we keep it to determine the extent of the Prospects are reluctant to provide negative information The best option is to avoid investing time and energt on unlikely opportunities and finding thosde that have a greater chance of
The challenge is determining if the delay is adisguisede objection, an unresolved concern, an excusr or real. Most importantly, how can you get to the and move the saleforward ? Buyers are like Wall Street: Neither likews uncertainty. Understanding risk can help you smooth the progreszs towarda decision. Cautio is an indication of risk aversionband it’s rampant right now. Sellers become risk-adverse too, not wanting to hear a negative decision. It is naturally easier to continue chasingy than togive up.
But consider that getting a negative decisiom now is better than gettinhg a negative decision afterinvesting time, energt and resources pursuing a prospect for weeks or even Try facilitating a discussion around best-case and worst-case scenarios. What is the worsf case if theydo nothing, and what is the best case if they move forward?? What is the worst-case scenario if they buy now, and what is the best case if they delayu the decision? Having this conversation gives you the opportunity to influencer their thought process and provide input into the Three common themes emerge as reasons for delayer decisions, which are: • Incomplete or poor initial • Unanswered concerns.
• Changes in Here is what you can do to diagnosd where you are and what todo next. did you just take the prospect’s word that they couldc benefit fromwhat you’re selling?? Qualifying the need means gaining evidence that theid situation justifies the purchase. For example, everyone wants new officse furniture, but how does not buying it now affectrthe company? It could range from lost productivituy to poor market image to no effect at all. If there’sz good evidence of significant impact, the urgency to make a purchasdeis real. It’s also important to acquird the perspective of all the involvefd decision makers to identifypotentiaol roadblocks.
It’s rare for everyone to agree on needs and priorities withina company. Withouty this information, it’s difficult to implement a strategyt tomove forward. Opportunities that need fundiny or that are waiting for funding are less likelyg to close than those that have a budgetalready allocated. Risk-adverse sellers avoid havingb the early crucial conversationsz about budgetsand money. Hopinh that traditional benefits will carry the decision is riskieer than having a direct and frank discussion abour the investment requirements early in thesales process.
Therw is a difference between not havinv the budget and being unwilling to invest the One is a logistical problem whilew the other is a perceivedvalue problem. You can’g fix logistics, but you can address In a cautionary climate, you must run an game and qualify thoroughly. Second, a presentation or proposal that is premature will automaticallyg generatea stall. Buyers unconsciously go through thre e major phasesof buying. they evaluate if they have a need that is severe enouguhto fix. Once a need is the assessment ofoptiones occurs.
You know the buyer is in this modewhen they’rwe talking to competitors, have a committe budget, or a committee or person is actively working on the Communication is usually active and open during this Avoid presenting until prospects are assessing options. Delays and stall s frequently start when a decision is close A formof pre-buyer’s remorse occurs. The fear relates to the consequencez and difficulty of correcting a wrong The risk compels many to go with a known vendorr even if theirsolution isn’ft the best.
Minimizing or dismissing concerna at this point will surely result in Rather than push fora decision, reassurwe by using existing customers to convey provide testimonials and, if offer guarantees, insurance and assurancd options to build confidence in the buyer’sd mind. Third, priorities do and what was painful 30 to 60 days ago may not be the most pressinfconcern now. You can’ control outside events, but you can continue building your relationship and look for additionapl reasons to elevate your Asking “what if” questions can help you assess whether the delaty is real or just a putoff.
Exampled might be, “What if the otherr priority getsfixed quickly, where does that put this Or “What if A, B or C happens?” Ask, “Shoulsd we terminate this file or should we keep it to determine the extent of the Prospects are reluctant to provide negative information The best option is to avoid investing time and energt on unlikely opportunities and finding thosde that have a greater chance of
Friday, October 8, 2010
Massey Services, Inc. Company Profile | Company Information
viningocouqyl1601.blogspot.com
Based in Orlando, Florida, Massey providezs service to over 150,000 residentialp and commercialPest Prevention, Termite Protectionn and Lawn, Tree & Shrub Care customers throughout Florida, Georgiw and Louisiana. Our company employs over 700 trained, professionall service, sales, technical, administrative and management people. On a given day we have over 624 vehicles in SinceFebruary 1985, when Harvey L. Massey purchasedd the business (previously known as Walker Chemical andExterminatinf Company), we have grown from four service centerss to 55 and prospects for continued growth and expansion are betterr than ever. Massey Services is widelg recognized asthe industry's leader.
We are membersa of the National PestManagemenft Association, Professional Lawn Care Florida Turfgrass Association, Florida Pest Management Association and Georgia Pest Control Association. We also enjoy membershi in more than two dozen local Chamberof Commerce, Home Builder Associations, Hotel/Motel and Restaurant Our Company is a stronfg advocate and generous contributor to communith based organizations in all of the communitiess where we do business. Massey Services is committed, abovee all, to total customer satisfaction inevery way.
Massey providesz beneficial services, which protect health, property and the quality of our Dating backto 1985, the company adheres to the highes standards of ethical and professional business practices...
Based in Orlando, Florida, Massey providezs service to over 150,000 residentialp and commercialPest Prevention, Termite Protectionn and Lawn, Tree & Shrub Care customers throughout Florida, Georgiw and Louisiana. Our company employs over 700 trained, professionall service, sales, technical, administrative and management people. On a given day we have over 624 vehicles in SinceFebruary 1985, when Harvey L. Massey purchasedd the business (previously known as Walker Chemical andExterminatinf Company), we have grown from four service centerss to 55 and prospects for continued growth and expansion are betterr than ever. Massey Services is widelg recognized asthe industry's leader.
We are membersa of the National PestManagemenft Association, Professional Lawn Care Florida Turfgrass Association, Florida Pest Management Association and Georgia Pest Control Association. We also enjoy membershi in more than two dozen local Chamberof Commerce, Home Builder Associations, Hotel/Motel and Restaurant Our Company is a stronfg advocate and generous contributor to communith based organizations in all of the communitiess where we do business. Massey Services is committed, abovee all, to total customer satisfaction inevery way.
Massey providesz beneficial services, which protect health, property and the quality of our Dating backto 1985, the company adheres to the highes standards of ethical and professional business practices...
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Jean Georges out, D
http://pfivenetwork.com/desktop-backgrounds-fiat.html
Management at Chambers Hotel, where Jean-Georges Vongerichten had launched theChambers Kitchen, said the chef’s operatiojn would be leaving effective July 20. Vongerichten’s Culinary Concepts by Jean-Georges, will be replacesd by Cliff Atkinson, the Chambers Hotel'xs general manager, said the restaurant was stilldoing well, with 150 to 200 dinersz a night, but it was more financiallu lucrative to bring in (He declined to say how much.) The hotel planzs to change the name, menu and look of the restauranty by mid-August. No plans have been finalized atthis time. The deal is a big win for D’Amic & Partners, which last montj after a 22-year run.
The restaurantt company still owns two dozen restaurants and catering locationss in Minneapolisand Florida, including the Italian-themed Campiello, the modernisyt chophouse Cafe and Bar Lurcat, the casual eateries D’Amici & Sons and the upscale-Mexican restaurant Masa. is without a doubt, the most exciting hote l property in theTwin Cities,” said Richard president of D’Amico & in a news release. “We are confident that we can develop restaurant, bar and catering conceptsx that complement [its] quality and creativity.
” Chambers owneer Ralph Burnet said that D’Amico Cucina’s closing was unrelated to Chambers’ plans, but did offefr the hotel a chance to work with the restaurany and catering chain. “Ir this was going to happen, the timing almosft couldn’t be better,” Burnet said. “There seemxs to be a bit of serendipityy atplay here. Richard D’Amico and his partnerse have a lot of exciting ideasd about what they can bringto Chambers.” Both Chamberws and Vongerichten’s company described theitr separation as amiable. Culinary Concepts continues to grow its numbe of properties around the with upcoming openingsin Washington, and Boston.
This isn’t the first time that an award-winninhg chef has come and gone from theTwin Cities. Chef Marcuss Samuelsson extended hissuccessful Scandanavian-theme d New York restaurant, Aquavit, to the Twin Cities in the late but the restaurant closed its locatiobn in the IDS Center in 2003. Executives blamed a drop-offg in business travel after the Sept. 11, terrorist attacks.
Management at Chambers Hotel, where Jean-Georges Vongerichten had launched theChambers Kitchen, said the chef’s operatiojn would be leaving effective July 20. Vongerichten’s Culinary Concepts by Jean-Georges, will be replacesd by Cliff Atkinson, the Chambers Hotel'xs general manager, said the restaurant was stilldoing well, with 150 to 200 dinersz a night, but it was more financiallu lucrative to bring in (He declined to say how much.) The hotel planzs to change the name, menu and look of the restauranty by mid-August. No plans have been finalized atthis time. The deal is a big win for D’Amic & Partners, which last montj after a 22-year run.
The restaurantt company still owns two dozen restaurants and catering locationss in Minneapolisand Florida, including the Italian-themed Campiello, the modernisyt chophouse Cafe and Bar Lurcat, the casual eateries D’Amici & Sons and the upscale-Mexican restaurant Masa. is without a doubt, the most exciting hote l property in theTwin Cities,” said Richard president of D’Amico & in a news release. “We are confident that we can develop restaurant, bar and catering conceptsx that complement [its] quality and creativity.
” Chambers owneer Ralph Burnet said that D’Amico Cucina’s closing was unrelated to Chambers’ plans, but did offefr the hotel a chance to work with the restaurany and catering chain. “Ir this was going to happen, the timing almosft couldn’t be better,” Burnet said. “There seemxs to be a bit of serendipityy atplay here. Richard D’Amico and his partnerse have a lot of exciting ideasd about what they can bringto Chambers.” Both Chamberws and Vongerichten’s company described theitr separation as amiable. Culinary Concepts continues to grow its numbe of properties around the with upcoming openingsin Washington, and Boston.
This isn’t the first time that an award-winninhg chef has come and gone from theTwin Cities. Chef Marcuss Samuelsson extended hissuccessful Scandanavian-theme d New York restaurant, Aquavit, to the Twin Cities in the late but the restaurant closed its locatiobn in the IDS Center in 2003. Executives blamed a drop-offg in business travel after the Sept. 11, terrorist attacks.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Brady, Quinn spar over creating Illinois jobs - WHO-TV
http://bracesguide.com/duringbraces/duringbraces02.html
Brady, Quinn spar over creating Illinois jobs WHO-TV He says that making Illinois more business friendly will help to create jobs. "You can't be for jobs and against business," he said. ... |
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Sign of revival: Demand grows for white-collar workers - The Business Journal of the Greater Triad Area:
proklofuxaanygez.blogspot.com
Official government statistics, which can lag a month or two, have shownh a leveling off of major layoffs and an incremental decrease in regionalunemployment rates, but some recruiters and employmenr agents say there appears to be more activitgy happening in real time that may be reflecte d in the data soon. “We had the best month we’vw had all year” in May, in termsx of direct placementsin permanent, full-tim jobs, said Gary Graham Jr., president of in Greensboro. He decline to share exact numbersof full-time workerse placed recently, but he said temporary assignments have also from around 140 or 150 per week early this year to an averages of about 250 per week now.
Piersa Clarkson, director of executive recruiting atin Winston-Salem, said he’es seeing strong signals of increased confidence, particularlyt in financial industries such as banking and mortgags financing that have suffered some of the biggesyt scares during the “I think most of the layoffs are probably in the past now. Most companiew are beyond that stage,” Clarkson While he didn’t have solid numbere to report as evidence of arebound yet, he said inquiries from employers are up, and resumess from freshly unemployed job-hunters have tapered off. “ think everyone is kind of over the initial shocko of being in a recessioh andthere aren’t as many he said.
“Without those uncertainties, companies can starty to feel like it’s OK to start hiring again.” The cautiouse optimism is also reflected in the latest Manpowe r EmploymentOutlook Survey, though that report showeed that any hiring rebound might not be evenly distributed around the Job growth is likely to be slow at best in Greensborok and High Point duringh the next three months, the survey found, with 7 percentt of firms planning to hire more workerd and 14 percent stillo expecting to reduce payrolls.
But at the same time the surveyufound Winston-Salem has one of the best hiringy outlooks in the country, with 22 percent of companiew planning to step up hiring while only 7 percengt expect to cut jobs further. Only Barnstablwe Township in Massachusettsand Anchorage, Alaskza had better net employment the survey found. It’d hard to find too much to celebrate in the most recenft unemployment figures released bythe N.C. Employmeny Security Commission. The good news is that the unemploymeng rate dropped in boththe Greensboro/High Poing and Winston-Salem areas in April. In the rate fell from 11.4 percent to 11.1 percenft and in Winston-Salem from 10.2 to 9.
7 Both of those percentages are stilol wellabove pre-recession levels and have been kept high by continuingt job losses in the manufacturing and constructiohn sectors. White-collar workers have also been impactesdby layoffs, but to varying degrees. workers in health and education and governmentg fields are the only ones to have seen net job increase over thepast year. The Employmen Security Commission says education and health services jobs increased by 2.1 percent through April, and government jobs grew by 2.4 But other white-collar employees have been hit as hard as theirt blue-collar brethren, or even worse.
In Winston-Salem, for example, total jobs in the “professiona l and business services” classification fell by 3,009 from April 2008 to April or 11.1 percent. By comparison, the manufacturing secto r in Winston-Salem contracted by 2,700 jobs or 9.7 percent. Manufacturinf has taken the harder hit in Greensboro andHigh Point, Those jobs have contracted by 6,600, or 10.8 percent, durin the year, compared to shrinkag of 8.6 percent, or business and professional jobs. If the executive and professionakl ranks are seeing earlyg signs of a rebouncd it might not have an immediate and direct impact onunemploymenf rates, but it’s still a good sign, said the executive recruiter.
There may be feweer total jobs in the executive suits than on afactory floor, but those executives are ofteh being hired to plan strategies for growth down the That might be what will eventually start to bringb Triad unemployment rates back down to earth, he “I’ve been through other recessions and poor job and it’s always the higher-level executive placementas that are the firstt to be hired” when a rebouncd is coming, Clarkson said. “Then it trickles down to the mid andentryg levels. I think we’re at the beginning of those improvementw now.
” While employment agents say most of the positiver indicators are showing upin white-collar classifications, some companiews in the manufacturing sector say they’rew seeing some opportunities for growthb too. At DAC Products, whicyh makes product and brandinbg displays at factories in Rural Hall and East President Tony Smithsaid he’s added 20 jobs so far this year and now has a headcountf of around 105.
The new employees are primarily in a new division that is makingg institutional furniture for customers such as Plans for the new division were alreadgy under way when the economy dropped sharplylast fall, but Smitjh said he and his brothers, who co-ownb the company, decided to go aheade and invest about $500,000 in the new employees and the equipmenty they’d need to make furniture. It looks like that investmentt will get backto break-even by the end of the year and then starr adding to DAC’s bottom line, Smitn said. The federal stimulus legislation that passesd in February seems to be giving his new furniturse divisiona boost.
“Aw lot of that government stimulus is going into areaes like schools and public libraries and military and that’s where a lot of our orders are coming Smith said.
Official government statistics, which can lag a month or two, have shownh a leveling off of major layoffs and an incremental decrease in regionalunemployment rates, but some recruiters and employmenr agents say there appears to be more activitgy happening in real time that may be reflecte d in the data soon. “We had the best month we’vw had all year” in May, in termsx of direct placementsin permanent, full-tim jobs, said Gary Graham Jr., president of in Greensboro. He decline to share exact numbersof full-time workerse placed recently, but he said temporary assignments have also from around 140 or 150 per week early this year to an averages of about 250 per week now.
Piersa Clarkson, director of executive recruiting atin Winston-Salem, said he’es seeing strong signals of increased confidence, particularlyt in financial industries such as banking and mortgags financing that have suffered some of the biggesyt scares during the “I think most of the layoffs are probably in the past now. Most companiew are beyond that stage,” Clarkson While he didn’t have solid numbere to report as evidence of arebound yet, he said inquiries from employers are up, and resumess from freshly unemployed job-hunters have tapered off. “ think everyone is kind of over the initial shocko of being in a recessioh andthere aren’t as many he said.
“Without those uncertainties, companies can starty to feel like it’s OK to start hiring again.” The cautiouse optimism is also reflected in the latest Manpowe r EmploymentOutlook Survey, though that report showeed that any hiring rebound might not be evenly distributed around the Job growth is likely to be slow at best in Greensborok and High Point duringh the next three months, the survey found, with 7 percentt of firms planning to hire more workerd and 14 percent stillo expecting to reduce payrolls.
But at the same time the surveyufound Winston-Salem has one of the best hiringy outlooks in the country, with 22 percent of companiew planning to step up hiring while only 7 percengt expect to cut jobs further. Only Barnstablwe Township in Massachusettsand Anchorage, Alaskza had better net employment the survey found. It’d hard to find too much to celebrate in the most recenft unemployment figures released bythe N.C. Employmeny Security Commission. The good news is that the unemploymeng rate dropped in boththe Greensboro/High Poing and Winston-Salem areas in April. In the rate fell from 11.4 percent to 11.1 percenft and in Winston-Salem from 10.2 to 9.
7 Both of those percentages are stilol wellabove pre-recession levels and have been kept high by continuingt job losses in the manufacturing and constructiohn sectors. White-collar workers have also been impactesdby layoffs, but to varying degrees. workers in health and education and governmentg fields are the only ones to have seen net job increase over thepast year. The Employmen Security Commission says education and health services jobs increased by 2.1 percent through April, and government jobs grew by 2.4 But other white-collar employees have been hit as hard as theirt blue-collar brethren, or even worse.
In Winston-Salem, for example, total jobs in the “professiona l and business services” classification fell by 3,009 from April 2008 to April or 11.1 percent. By comparison, the manufacturing secto r in Winston-Salem contracted by 2,700 jobs or 9.7 percent. Manufacturinf has taken the harder hit in Greensboro andHigh Point, Those jobs have contracted by 6,600, or 10.8 percent, durin the year, compared to shrinkag of 8.6 percent, or business and professional jobs. If the executive and professionakl ranks are seeing earlyg signs of a rebouncd it might not have an immediate and direct impact onunemploymenf rates, but it’s still a good sign, said the executive recruiter.
There may be feweer total jobs in the executive suits than on afactory floor, but those executives are ofteh being hired to plan strategies for growth down the That might be what will eventually start to bringb Triad unemployment rates back down to earth, he “I’ve been through other recessions and poor job and it’s always the higher-level executive placementas that are the firstt to be hired” when a rebouncd is coming, Clarkson said. “Then it trickles down to the mid andentryg levels. I think we’re at the beginning of those improvementw now.
” While employment agents say most of the positiver indicators are showing upin white-collar classifications, some companiews in the manufacturing sector say they’rew seeing some opportunities for growthb too. At DAC Products, whicyh makes product and brandinbg displays at factories in Rural Hall and East President Tony Smithsaid he’s added 20 jobs so far this year and now has a headcountf of around 105.
The new employees are primarily in a new division that is makingg institutional furniture for customers such as Plans for the new division were alreadgy under way when the economy dropped sharplylast fall, but Smitjh said he and his brothers, who co-ownb the company, decided to go aheade and invest about $500,000 in the new employees and the equipmenty they’d need to make furniture. It looks like that investmentt will get backto break-even by the end of the year and then starr adding to DAC’s bottom line, Smitn said. The federal stimulus legislation that passesd in February seems to be giving his new furniturse divisiona boost.
“Aw lot of that government stimulus is going into areaes like schools and public libraries and military and that’s where a lot of our orders are coming Smith said.
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