Briefs: Three new hires at Reid Middleton in Everett

Three new hires at Reid Middleton in Everett

Reid Middleton, an Everett-based engineering, planning and surveying firm, has hired Kevin Aguilar and Drew Nielson as designers and Kim Means as a project surveyor for its Everett office. Aguilar has previous experience at Structural Hawaii and Seattle City Light. Nielson interned at a management company in Alaska. Means has a Washington state PLS and over 20 years of experience.

Lynnwood pharmaceutical firm receives state Safer Chemistry Champion Award

Genzyme, a Lynnwood-based pharmaceutical firm, has received a Safer Chemistry Champion Award from the Washington Department of Ecology. The company was honored for establishing an orphan chemical program last year to allow off-spec, expired or rejected chemicals to be used by other companies or research institutions, leading to a major cuts in its hazardous waste generation and disposal costs.

More than 240 students participated in BECU’s financial reality fairs

BECU’s Closing for Good initiative on Oct. 20 allowed more than 1,300 employees to visit 21 high schools around the Puget Sound to lead financial reality fairs for more than 3,000 students. In this region, more than 240 students participated in the financial reality fairs located at Cascade High School and Tulalip High School.

Whole Foods grants $6,000 low-interest loan to local producer

Whole Foods Market has awarded Seattle-based Four Seasons Gourmet Foods with a $6,000 low-interest loan as part of the Local Producer Loan Program. Through the program, Whole Foods Market is committed to providing $25 million in low-interest loans to small local growers, producers and food artisans. The check presentation took place at the Lynnwood Whole Foods Market store Oct. 31.

State agency debuts new website for unemployment claim information

Job seekers receiving unemployment benefits in Washington can now access certain information about their claims on their computers or mobile devices. The Washington Employment Security Department debuted a new website at https://secure.esd.wa.gov that the agency believes will provide answers to many common questions. Claimants will need to provide an email address and sign in through a SecureAccess Washington account.