Published: Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Business Briefs: Port of Everett OKs moorage rate hike
The Port of Everett commission unanimously agreed to a 2.5 percent increase in moorage rates at its marina Tuesday. Port staff had said the May 1 rate hike is needed to continue to pay for marina maintenance and major projects, and commissioners agreed. Some boat owners had complained about the increase, saying a recession wasn't the time to charge more. Several said they'd consider moving to a different marina. But commissioners said a small increase now is better than a huge one later. They said boaters need to pay for marina costs rather than forcing the port to take money from the property tax it levies on district residents.
Consumers cut credit card use
Consumer borrowing plunged in February by more than analysts expected as Americans cut back their use of credit cards by a record amount. The Federal Reserve said Tuesday that consumer borrowing dropped at an annual rate of $7.48 billion in February, or 3.5 percent, from January. Wall Street economists expected borrowing to slide by only $1 billion, according to a survey by Thomson Reuters. The decline was led by a record drop in borrowing on credit and charge cards, which fell at an annual rate of $7.8 billion, or 9.7 percent. That is the sharpest drop in dollar terms since federal records began in 1968, and the steepest percentage fall since 1978. The report shows consumers reluctant to ramp up spending as employers shed millions of jobs and the economy is mired in a recession.
Guinness offers anniversary stout
The makers of Guinness are touting a new stout beer in the U.S., a maltier, fizzier version of its older, creamier sibling, the world's best-selling stout. "This is more about refreshment and zing," said Guinness master brewer Fergal Murray, who created the new carbonated brew. The limited-edition Guinness 250 Anniversary Stout celebrates Arthur Guinness' signing of a 9,000-year lease in 1759 at St. James's Gate Brewery in Dublin, still the company's flagship brewery. When it arrives in U.S. bars and stores April 24, the anniversary brew will be the first new stout Guinness has exported to the U.S. since it brought over Guinness Draught in the mid 1960s.
Chryslers unveils new Jeep SUV
It sounds crazy: Just a week after the White House scolded Chrysler LLC for relying too much on gas guzzlers, the company is heading to a marquee auto show Wednesday to unveil a new SUV. Chrysler insists the Jeep Grand Cherokee, which clocks in at 20 mpg in its two-wheel-drive version and 19 in four-wheel-drive, is a crowd favorite and a crucial part of its lineup. "This is a very important vehicle for us. It's one of the primary legs of the Chrysler stool," Chrysler spokesman Rick Deneau said. "Customers have told us they want this vehicle and that it's the right size."
Herald staff, news services
Consumers cut credit card use
Consumer borrowing plunged in February by more than analysts expected as Americans cut back their use of credit cards by a record amount. The Federal Reserve said Tuesday that consumer borrowing dropped at an annual rate of $7.48 billion in February, or 3.5 percent, from January. Wall Street economists expected borrowing to slide by only $1 billion, according to a survey by Thomson Reuters. The decline was led by a record drop in borrowing on credit and charge cards, which fell at an annual rate of $7.8 billion, or 9.7 percent. That is the sharpest drop in dollar terms since federal records began in 1968, and the steepest percentage fall since 1978. The report shows consumers reluctant to ramp up spending as employers shed millions of jobs and the economy is mired in a recession.
Guinness offers anniversary stout
The makers of Guinness are touting a new stout beer in the U.S., a maltier, fizzier version of its older, creamier sibling, the world's best-selling stout. "This is more about refreshment and zing," said Guinness master brewer Fergal Murray, who created the new carbonated brew. The limited-edition Guinness 250 Anniversary Stout celebrates Arthur Guinness' signing of a 9,000-year lease in 1759 at St. James's Gate Brewery in Dublin, still the company's flagship brewery. When it arrives in U.S. bars and stores April 24, the anniversary brew will be the first new stout Guinness has exported to the U.S. since it brought over Guinness Draught in the mid 1960s.
Chryslers unveils new Jeep SUV
It sounds crazy: Just a week after the White House scolded Chrysler LLC for relying too much on gas guzzlers, the company is heading to a marquee auto show Wednesday to unveil a new SUV. Chrysler insists the Jeep Grand Cherokee, which clocks in at 20 mpg in its two-wheel-drive version and 19 in four-wheel-drive, is a crowd favorite and a crucial part of its lineup. "This is a very important vehicle for us. It's one of the primary legs of the Chrysler stool," Chrysler spokesman Rick Deneau said. "Customers have told us they want this vehicle and that it's the right size."
Herald staff, news services
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