New storage concepts comes to Skagit County

Skagit Pacific Business Park is taking applications for either purchase or rental of a variety of storage units. Unlike conventional, mini-storage spaces, these spaces range from 500 to 1,000 square feet. And unlike mini-storage units, which are available for rent only, units in the Skagit Pacific Park are available for purchase. The park is the brainchild of Dan Mitzel and Jerry Whitfield.

Whitfield said he and Mitzel have seen only one similar development, in Whatcom County, but that their development offers more features. Skagit Pacific Business Park will customize units with mezzanine decks, interior offices, phone and data lines, heating and air conditioning.

Units in the park are aimed at a variety of potential tenants who require large spaces.

For example, Whitfield said many RV owners don’t have the driveway space to store their vehicles. Whitfield also cites retailers who don’t want to pay mall rents for storage and light manufacturing firms who don’t require storefronts or public access, as ideal tenants.

In addition, because units are available for sale, Whitfield hopes to attract investors who are seeking a lower maintenance real estate investment than conventional residential or commercial property.

“It’s more hands-off than other real estate investments,” Whitfield said.

Units in phase one of the development will be ready for occupancy in Spring 2003.

 

Knutzen named to development commission

Roger Knutzen of Roger Knutzen Farms is a charter member of the new Washington State Economic Development Commission. Knutzen, who lives in Burlington, is the fifth generation in his family to work the land in Skagit County, growing red, white, yellow and chipping potatoes.

Governor Gary Locke announced the commission at a ceremony in Spokane in September. The development commission is designed to provide policy oversight and long-term guidance on issues relating to the Washington economy.

 

Embroidery shop opens third location

Custom Embroidery opened their third Skagit Valley location in Burlington. Custom offers over 15,000 designs along with a number of garments to put the designs on. The new Burlington location joins their other stores in Mount Vernon and LaConner.

 

Construction at record level in Skagit County

Last year saw unprecedented construction levels in Skagit County, according to figures released by the assessor’s office.

“Skagit County has experienced a record year in new construction with the total exceeding $275 million,” said Mark Leander, assessor.

The figures come as the county assessor mailed out 2002 valuation notices to county property owners.

 

Valley Electric telecom merges with Seattle company

Valley Telecommunication Services, formerly an arm of Valley Electric, merged with PowerCom of Lynnwood recently. After the merger, PowerCom is the second largest telecommunications contractor in the state.

 

Skagit County approves economic development projects

County commissioners approved spending $700,000 for public facility projects. The money comes from a 0.8 percent rebate on sales taxes. Commissioners issued $8 million in bonds to finance public projects, with the principal and interest paid from sales tax collected.

“These funds are vital for the development and maintenance of our infrastructure in Skagit County,” said Don Munks, county commission chair.

Funded projects include:

• Public Utility District #1: Water Improvement Project, $96,000

• Skagit Regional Public Facility District: Skagit Performing Arts Center and Convention Center, $200,000

• Town of La Conner: Industrial Right-of-way Improvements, $108,000

• City of Anacortes: Reservation Road Sewer Extension, $105,000

• City of Anacortes: Archway Project, $25,000

• Town of Hamilton: Water System Improvements, $166,000

 

Minimum wage increases in new year

Washington’s minimum wage will increase by 11 cents to $7.01 an hour on Jan. 1, 2003. The increase is the result of a voter-mandated recalculation that takes place every September to account for changes in cost of living. After the increase, Washington will have the second highest minimum wage in the United States, after Alaska, where the state minimum wage will increase to $7.15.

 

Pacific Quality emphasizes healthy homes

Drawing on a background in health education and indoor air quality issues, Gary Seierstad recently brought Pacific Quality Flooring to Mount Vernon. In addition to a full line of regular carpet and flooring products, Seierstad offers products made from recycled materials and harvested from managed forests.

For him, such sustainable products follow from his conviction that we each need to be part of the solution for taking care of the environment. Changes need to start at home if they are to have wider impact, according to Seierstad and even small changes can add up.

“If every American stopped to pick up a penny and if all those pennies made it into the same penny jar, you’d have $3 million,” he said, illustrating how a series of tiny changes can come together to become a much larger force.

Earth Guard, a line of carpet carried by Pacific Quality, is made of recycled plastic. Because it’s made of non-organic material, it provides both and environmental and health benefits.

Mould and mildew can’t breed on it, Seierstad said. Carpet is a major source of entrapment of harmful particulate matter in homes. In addition to home fashion consulting, Pacific Quality will also advise people with medical concerns about appropriate choices for home floor covering.

Further more to getting to know the people of Skagit Valley, Seierstad is learning to enjoy a more immediate neighbor – the famous alligator lounging atop the Flintstones-style car is right on his property.

He is aiming his product at both home users and at schools and health care facilities where cleanliness is important.

 

Skagit receives federal funds for farmland preservation

Skagit County’s farmland legacy program received almost $667,000 to protect 900 acres of prime agricultural land on eight farms in the valley.

“This grant award supplements the financial commitment already made by the taxpayers of Skagit County to protect a critical mass of farmland and keep the agricultural industry alive here in the Valley,” said Don Munks, Skagit County commission chair.

So far, the county has received a total of $1.4 million in federal grants for farmland protection. Lands selected for the program are protected by a conservation easement, which limits non-agricultural uses for adjoining properties.

The Farmland Legacy Program is currently accepting applications from interested owners of agricultural land who want to continue to farm and receive payment for some of the equity in their farm. For information contact Rich Doenges at (360) 336-9365

 

Commonwealth Financial wins Broker of the Year

Investment Advisor recently named Commonwealth Financial Network the 2002 Broker/Dealer of the Year. The award recognizes the broker that provides its investment representatives with the best overall service. Commonwealth has won the award in six of the past seven years.

“Our success as a firm is the direct result of the cumulative successes of each and every one of our representatives,” said Joseph Deitch, chairman and CEO of Commonwealth.

Witten, Doussard and Associates is a locally-owned Commonwealth affiliate in Mount Vernon.

“We are very excited that our broker/dealer has won the award again,” said Susan Witten.

 

Interview blunders sabotage careers

OfficeTeam, a staffing service focused on skilled administrative professionals, recently released a survey of interview blunders guaranteed to make prospective employers show candidates the door.

Among the most egregious mistakes:

• One candidate showed up in the lobby, introduced herself to the receptionist, and produced two pair of shoes. She asked the receptionist to help her choose the shoes that best matched her suit.

• At the end of one interview, a job candidate asked if she could bring her boyfriend in to say hello, because she was only interested in working for the company if her boyfriend liked both the company and the hiring manger.

• In the middle of the interview, after answering the first few questions, a candidate picked up his cell phone to call his parents and let them know the interview was going well.

“In today’s job market, there is growing competiton for each opening, making it even more critical for applicants to put their best foot forward,” said Liz Hughes, executive director of OfficeTeam.

Results are from a survey of 150 exeutives, who OfficeTeam asked to describe the strangest thing they’ve ever heard of happening during a job interview.

Hughes counseled job seekers to think before they speak, focus on refining their delivery, and not panic if the interview appears to be going badly. The fundamentals of good interviewing remain the same. Emphasize what you can offer the firm, be concise, maintain eye contact and research firms before you interview with them.

While some blunders are the result of poor planning or panic, others defy explanation:

• A company sent someone to meet a candidate at the airport. When the applicant got off the airplane, he said it was far too cold to live and work in that city. He took the next flight home.

• When the hiring manager asked a candidate if he had any questions for him, the interviewee responded with a knock-knock joke.

• One candidate spoke disparagingly about his former boss, not realizing his old boss and the interviewer are related.

• A candidate brought a box of doughnuts to an early morning meeting. He ate the doughnuts during the interview, explaining he wouldn’t have a chance to eat breakfast before work.

• When an interviewer complimented a candidate on their college choice and GPA, the candidate replied “I’m glad that got your attention. I didn’t really go there.”

 

Washington unemployment up, Skagit unemployment down

State unemployment figures edged up in August. Seasonally adjusted unemployment was up one-tenth of a percentage point to 7.2 percent. National, seasonally adjusted unemployment was down 0.2 percent to 5.7 percent.

“The August numbers are further evidence that Washington’s economy is likely to experience a slow recovery,” said Sylvia P. Mundy, employment security commissioner. “Although economic signals are still mixed, it appears unlikely that the state or the nation will go into a double dip recession.”

In Skagit County, unemployment fell 0.3 percent to 6.8 percent in August. This year’s unemployment rate is 0.6 percent higher than the rate in Aug. 2001.

Statewide, gains in construction, retail and services were offset by a seasonal decline in education-related employment. Manufacturing employment also fell, with one in four lost jobs in aircraft and parts. Nationally, employment increased in services, government and construction outweighed significant losses in retail trade and manufacturing.

 

Shell presents community appreciation day

Shell Puget Sound Refinery in Anacortes held a community appreciation day Sept. 21. It was the refinery’s first open house in a number of years. Festivities included guided bus tours of the facility, food prepared by the Rotary Club, a giant slide and face painting for kids, and displays by non-profits in the city.

 

Frontier Financial announces 4th quarter dividend

Frontier Financial Corporation declared a 16-cent per share forth quarter cash dividend on Oct. 21 to shareholders of record on Oct. 7. This is the twelfth consecutive quarterly cash dividend paid by Frontier.

 

We Care files appeal of ergonomics ruling

The We Care Coalition, an association of business organizations across the state, filed an urgent appeal to the State Supreme Court of a ruling upholding the state’s ergonomics legislation.

We Care contends the ergonomic rules undermine the state’s Regulatory Reform Act.

“Cost benefit analyses, implementation plans and standard of review for significant reviews were a major part of that act and we were just starting to set Washington’s overzealous, burdensome regulatory process back on the right track,” said Amber Balch of the Association of Washington Business. Balch contends the Department of Labor and Industries didn’t do appropriate analysis before implementing the ergonomics legislation.

 

Life and health insurers’ profits up in first quarter

Life and health insurance companies posted $4.5 billion in profit in the first three months of 2002, an increase of $1.1 billion, or almost 33 percent over last year, according to Weiss Ratings. Increased profits were the result of increase in net written premiums along with declines in policy surrenders, life claims and annuity claims.

“Insurers’ revenues were buoyed by an increase in life insurance sales in the months following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks,” said Melissa Gannon, vice president of Weiss Ratings.

Weiss also found insurance company’s investment in junk bonds increased by 8 percent.

“The continued upward trend in junk bond holdings is disturbing given the high default rates this year,” Gannon said. “We hope to see the trend stop short of the dangerous levels reached in the early 1990s.”

Northern Life Insurance of Washington was upgraded by Weiss from a C+ to a B-.

 

Revenue department adds enforcement muscle

The Washington State Department of Revenue is adding 70 additional auditors, revenue officers and tax discovery agents to collect $60-million in state and local taxes. The new employees will identify unregulated businesses, increase business audits, accelerate collection of delinquent taxes and educate taxpayers about tax obligations.

“People aren’t fond of paying taxes, but they generally don’t mind paying their fair share as long as they’re not alone,” said Will Rice, agency director. “Our job is to make sure that everyone pays a fair share.”

 

Hospital charges increase, hospital stays decrease

According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, while the cost to treat patients in the hospital increased from 1993 through 2000, the length of hospital stays decreased during the same period. For example, the cost of treating a heart attack rose from $20,500 in 1993 to $28,700 in 2000. However, in 1993, patients spent more than 7 days in hospital and only 5.5 days in hospital. Data for other high-cost conditions has followed a similar trend.

According to AHRQ, rising costs can be attributed to new technologies and rising medication costs, while economic pressures have forced shorter hospital stays.

 

Suquamish receive rural development grant

The Suquamish people received more than $466,000 in a rural business enterprise grant, as part of a $6.8-million program of rural business loans and grants administered by the US Department of Agriculture.

The money is designed to improve the overall economic conditions on the Port Madison reservation.

“Expanding America’s rural economy depends on the development of new businesses and the creation of new jobs,” said Ann M. Veneman, agriculture secretary.

The USDA also announced the availability of funds for a rural business enterprise grant program. They are accepting applications from public bodies, private non-profit corporations and federal Indian tribes from incorporated communities of fewer than 50,000 people which are not becoming urbanized and from unincorporated rural areas. Grant money is to be used for financing the development of small and emerging private business enterprises located in rural areas. Businesses should employ 50 or fewer and have projected gross revenue of less than $1-million. Applications should be submitted by Oct. 28.

 

Georgia Pacific delays separation plan

Georgia Pacific announced last month they are delaying plans to separate their consumer products and packaging divisions, due to the current slump in financial markets, weakness in the building products division, and the pending sale of Unisource, its paper distribution subsidiary.

Last May, the board decided to separate into two publicly traded companies.

“Although we are committed to our planned separation, we have reluctantly concluded now is not the right time to execute the transactions,” said A.D. “Pete” Correll, chairman and CEO of Georgia Pacific. “Implementation of the organizational structure and internal processes necessary for a separation of the two businesses will continue.”

 

 

US Bank cracks top 10 Internet banking sites

US Bank’s Web site made the top 10 banking sites, according to third quarter rankings released by Gomez, a quality measurement group. US Bank’s site finished 9th, after finishing 14th and 24th in previous quarters.

“US Bank made a number of changes to its offering this year, highlighted by a change in color palette and overall visual language,” according to a report issued by Gomez.

 

Licensing offers new on-line services

Drivers can use the department of licensing Web site to schedule a DUI hearing or order replacement licenses.

To schedule a DUI hearing, users must have a valid driver’s license and a credit card to pay the $100 scheduling fee.

For a replacement license, customers must have a digital photo on file, have a license not currently suspended or revoked, have lived at the same address for 30 days and have not received an Internet replacment license in the past year.

 

Murray announces money for reading programs

Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) announced Washington State will receive $13.1 million in Reading First funds. The money will hep districts and schools improve reading education to help ensure all students can read at grade level by the end of grade three.

Money will be distributed beginning in May 2003.

 

Haggen program raises $10K for Skagit Schools

Haggen’s School Bucks program raised over $10,000 for Skagit Valley schools during the 2001-02 school year. Haggen card customers can link their cards to a participating school. Whne customers buy a specially-marked product, Haggen donates 5 cents to the selected school.

 

Port welcomes trawler company

Pacific Trawler NW Inc. signed a five year lease with the Port of Skagit County to move into the Bayview Business and Industrial Park. Currently, Pacific Trawler is headquartered in the Fairhaven district of Bellingham.

“Rightnow, we’re building eight to ten trawlers a year,” said Roger Drill, president of Pacific Trawler. “With this move, and more space, we’ll be able to increase that number to 18 and better meet our present demand.”

Currently, Pacific employs 18 people with a sales staff of four. With the move, Drill expects to hire four new employees immediately.

The company manufactures 37 and 40 foot leisure trawlers. Pacific Trawlers started in 1995 in Seattle. They are moving into the building previously occupied by Nordic Tugs.

 

Tulip poster unveiled

Last month, the poster for the 2003 Tulip Festival was unveiled at a ceremony at Skagit Valley Gardens. In addition, next year’s festival song,

Tulip Jamboree, was introduced at the gathering. For the 20th anniversary festival, organizers featured the photo artwork of Randy Dana.

 

Anacortes announces Weekend Getaway winners

Five people won vacation packages in the Anacortes Chamber of Commerce

Weekend Getaway contest. April Goucher of Seattle, Kay Cook of Seattle,

Kelly Friedman of Mill Creek, Katie Dunne of Olympia and Bonnie Fragomeni of

San Mateo, CA won and are now selecting dates for Anacortes vacation packages. Each winner receives two nights’ accommodation, dining and gifts.

“We appreciate all contestants, as there were more than 200 entries, some coming from as far away as Australia, Malaysia, India and Canada,” said Michael Broome, executive director of the Anacortes chamber.

 

Ideal Photo celebrates anniversary

Dave Groves celebrated 35 years as part of the Skagit Valley business landscape last month. In 1968, Groves started Ideal Photo as a leased department in Bert Robinson’s Discount Center.

 

Burlington facility wins new business award

Where the Heart Is in Burlington won the Senior Services of Washington new organization award for 2002. Each year, SSOW chooses a young business to recognize for their efforts to improve services for Washington’s seniors.

“We are surprised and honored to receive recognition,” said Nancy Gentry, owner of HomePlace Corporation. HomePlace operates two facilities in Burlington and one in Oak Harbor.

 

Dri-Eaz receives state quality award

Dri-Eaz, a Skagit Valley based manufacturing company specialized in revitalizing water-damaged buildings, received a Washington State Quality Award. Gov. Gary Locke presented the award at a ceremony in Olympia in September.

“It’s very important we acknowledge companies that are working hard to improve their performance,” Locke said. “These businesses are serving as great examples in the private sector.”

This was the first year Dri-Eaz applied for the quality award.

“It’s very encouraging to know we are on the right track,” said Darlene Mindrum, organizational development manager.