Business Briefs

Snohomish County jobless rate hits 8.3 percent

EVERETT — Snohomish County’s jobless rate has been on the rise the last two months, rising to 8.3 percent in June after hitting a nearly four-year low of 7.1 percent in April.

However, the county’s unemployment rate last month was down from 9.9 percent in June 2011, according to a report released July 24 by the Washington Employment Security Department. Compared to a year ago, 10,000 more people are employed in the county.

The county’s revised unemployment rate for May was 7.9 percent.

In June, the county shed 900 government jobs, mainly in education. Employment in education tends to fluctuate seasonally. The information services sector and nondurable goods industry also lost jobs in June.

The county’s hard-hit construction industry added 500 jobs, including contractor positions, in June. Compared to the previous June, however, construction employment remains stagnant.

Manufacturing continues to be a bright spot in the county’s employment, thanks to hiring at the Boeing Co. and its aerospace suppliers. The aerospace sector added 800 jobs in June and is up by 5,000 positions over June 2011.

Service-providing businesses also continue to add jobs. The utilities and transportation sector grew by 400 jobs in June and is up 2,500 jobs over June 2011. Retailers also increased payrolls by 300 last month. The retail industry employed 2,500 more people last month than in June the previous year.

Initial claims for unemployment benefits dropped to 3,834 last month, down from 4,583 in June 2011. The county had 8,951 continued claims in June for unemployment benefits while 650 people exhausted their benefits last month.

Michelle Dunlop, Herald Writer

Taxable retail sales increase 4.7 percent

OLYMPIA — Taxable retail sales increased 4.7 percent to $24.1 billion during the first quarter of 2012 compared to the same period in 2011, the Washington State Department of Revenue reported July 19.

Retail trade increased 4.2 percent to $11.1 billion over the first quarter of 2011. Retail trade is a subset of all taxable retail sales that includes retailers but excludes other industries such as services and construction.

Among major industries, construction was up 8 percent to $3.4 billion, accommodations and food services increased 6.6 percent to $2.8 billion, motor vehicles and parts rose 9.7 percent to $2.6 billion and general merchandise stores were up 1.9 percent to $2.2 billion.

Announcements

EVERETT — Holistic Yoga &Tai Chi, a franchise of www.bodynbrain.com, opened in Everett on July 7. Maki Perry is the owner of the new studio that is located on the corner of Hewitt and Rucker avenues. For information, call 425-512-9277.

LYNNWOOD — Fashion retailer Hennes &Mauritz, better known as H&M, will open a location in Alderwood mall this fall. The store will carry clothing and accessories for women, men, young people and children. Since the international chain opened its first store on New York’s Fifth Avenue more than 12 years ago, the U.S. has been one of the retailer’s most important markets.

EVERETT — Zyvex Marine, a division of the world’s first molecular nanotechnology company, Zyvex Technologies, and Everett-based Pacific Coast Marine announced a partnership to make the industry’s lightest and most durable doors, hatches and other marine closures using nano-composites. The components and samples made a debut at the HiPer Craft 2012 Expo in Norfolk, Va., in June.

EVERETT — The Port of Everett has signed two new leases for its Waterfront Center at 1205 Craftsman Way. ArrowCat Marine, a boat outfitter, has made arrangements to site its U.S. manufacturing operations at the Port of Everett. Bluewater Distillery signed a five-year lease for 2,592 square feet of space to produce and sell spirits on site. (See story, page 14.)

EVERETT — This academic year, Trinity Lutheran College graduated 47 students, 13 from Snohomish County, from its 11 programs. This is the largest graduating class for the college since it received accreditation as a four-year institute of higher education in 1997. More than 75 percent of 2011 graduates are already placed in employment or graduate school.

EVERETT — Whitfield’s United Insurance Agencies Inc. has affiliated with the Leavitt Group, the nation’s second largest privately held insurance brokerage. The agency will now do business as Whitfield United-Leavitt. Local agency leaders Ted Schlatter, Randy McDonald, Don Whitfield, Sean King and Jeff Olsen share ownership in the agency with the Leavitt Group. Schlatter will operate as the agency’s local managing co-owner. McDonald will manage the personal insurance department. Whitfield, having served as the company’s president and CEO for many years, will focus on mergers and acquisitions. King and Olsen are commercial insurance advisers who will continue to operate in the Everett and Oak Harbor offices.

EVERETT — Goldfinch Brothers, led by CEO Greg Goldfinch, is providing all windows for the new Bullitt Center in Seattle, said to be the greenest commercial building in the world. Goldfinch recently became the exclusive North American manufacturer of the German Shuco window system and is taking orders for other projects.

EVERETT — Fluke Corp. has announced a major expansion of its U.S. service options with Fluke CarePlans, a series of extended warranty and calibration packages featuring priority service to ensure a new level of convenience for users of Fluke handheld instrumentation.

CHICAGO — Boeing chairman, president and CEO Jim McNerney has announced that the board of directors declared a regular quarterly dividend of 44 cents per share. The dividend is payable Sept. 7 to shareholders of record as of Aug. 17.

EVERETT — Participants in Leadership Snohomish County’s Signature Leadership class and its Young Leaders Challenge are looking for community projects and events to do this fall. Community-based nonprofits and social service agencies are encouraged to submit ideas for projects or events now through Aug. 20. For information, go to www.leadershipsc.org.

EVERETT — Carol Miller, the owner and innkeeper for Everett’s Bayside Bed and Breakfast, wants the local business community to know that her historic building on Rucker Avenue is available for business meetings, private parties and more. She can provide sit-down meals for up to 40. The 1897 home was featured in Historic Everett’s Home Tour. For information, call 425-252-2201, email info@baysidebnb,com or go to www.baysidebnb.com.

EVERETT — Snohomish County PUD is finalizing plans for six additional Planet Power green energy program projects to be installed this year. These will be at Arlington High School, Assistance League of Everett, Darrington High School, Granite Falls High School, Park Place Middle School and Sultan High School. More than 3,000 customers are involved in the utility’s voluntary Planet Power green energy program. Learn more at www.snopud.com/planetpower.

EVERETT — An Everett siding contractor pled guilty to first-degree theft of more than $45,000 in sales tax he collected on jobs but never remitted to the state. Veniamin M. Semenyuk, 28, operated Quality Exterior Inc. from 2006 until the Department revoked his license in 2011. He has now paid all taxes owed plus penalties and interest and was ordered to pay an additional $600 in court costs.

LYNNWOOD — Crane Aerospace &Electronics, a segment of Crane Co., has been selected by GE Aviation to provide fuel flow transmitters for GE Aviation’s LEAP-X and Passport 20 engines. The company was also selected by Cessna Aircraft to provide the brake control system for the new Citation Latitude mid-size business jet. Crane is a major supplier of systems and components for aerospace and defense applications.

ARLINGTON — OutBack Power Technologies Inc., a designer and manufacturer of advanced power electronics for renewable energy, backup power and mobile applications, announced its new communications AXS Port Modbus-TCP Interface, which allows users to remotely communicate and control their renewable and backup energy systems for optimal performance and management. The device makes it possible to remotely monitor and control an energy system by communicating with networked components with an Ethernet connection.

OLYMPIA — State Treasurer James McIntire has announced a new opportunity for Washington residents to participate in the Buy Washington Bonds program. This program, which began last year, allows local investors to support state highway projects, jobs and the economy by purchasing State of Washington bonds. For more information, go to www.tre.wa.gov. The site includes links to brokers.

EVERETT — Trinity Lutheran College has been approved as a State Need Grant school by the Higher Education Coordinating Board of Washington State. Trinity is the only institution in the past five years that has been awarded this designation that will allow students who qualify for the state need grant to receive funding for their college education at Trinity.

MOUNTLAKE TERRACE — The City of Mountlake Terrace has added a YouTube channel, CityofMLT, to get the word out about Mountlake Terrace to potential investors, businesses and shoppers. Find the City of Mountlake Terrace Facebook, Twitter and You Tube links at www.cityofmlt.com.

BOTHELL — Cardiac Science Corp. says it will provide data from its Quinton Q-Tel Rehabilitation Management Systems to the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation’s Outpatient Cardiac Rehabilitation Registry. The Web-based registry is the first of its kind in the U.S. and will provide cardiac rehabilitation professionals with means to track, document and communicate patient outcomes and program performance.

OLYMPIA — The Employment Security Department has added new features to the Go2WorkSource.com website that will make it easier for employers and veterans to find each other. Washington is the first state in the U.S. to enhance its employment website is such a manner. A state law adopted last year gives private-sector employers a legal right to give veterans and some spouses a hiring preference.

BOTHELL — OncoGenex Pharmaceuticals Inc. has announced an update on the clinical development program for the compound Custirsen and released details on plans to initiate a Phase 3 clinical trial in non-small-cell lung cancer. Custirsen has received Fast Track designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The trial is planned to begin enrollment later this year.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Small Business Administration has joined with the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense to launch Operation Boots to Business. It is a training program for transitioning service members and veterans to help them become entrepreneurs and to create jobs. For information, go to [/URL]www.sba.gov/bootstobusiness;http://www.sba.gov/bootstobusiness[URL].

OLYMPIA — A partnership between the Washington State Housing Finance Commission, Key Bank and MacDonald Miller Facility Solutions has enabled Compass Health to retrofit their facility at the Bailey Building in Everett with plumbing, lighting and heating improvements that will save the facility approximately $85,000 annually in operational expenses, a 30 percent savings. There will be no out-of-pocket expenses to Compass Health.

BELLEVUE — AAA Washington now provides its million members in Washington and northern Idaho with emergency bicycle service. AAA members now have membership benefits that cover them on their bicycle in British Columbia, Washington, Oregon and Idaho. Bicycle service works exactly like its emergency road service for vehicles. For information, go to www.AAA.com.

Moss Adams LLP recently launched the Moss Adams FastForm, an online tool designed to give tax-exempt organizations a more efficient way to prepare Form 990. The FastForm tool helps to quickly assign internal users to complete specific sections of the form, easily track progress toward overall completion and collaborate online. Learn more at www.mossadams.com/fastform.

OLYMPIA — Washington has successfully priced its second retail sale for residents and four competitive bond sales. The total was $560 million. All qualified orders placed by state residents were filled. Retail investors purchased more than $31 million of the Series 2013B-2 Motor Vehicle Fuel Tax general obligation bonds. For information, go to www.tre.wa.gov.

Good deeds

EVERETT — Members of Machinists Union District Lodge 751 raised more than $40,000 for Guide Dogs of America in June with a series of community events, including a fun run in Everett, a motorcycle poker run, a Tulalip Casino poker tournament and a prize drawing. District 751 is the top fundraiser in North America for Guide Dogs of America.

EVERETT — Silver Lake Safeway Store Manager Bob Schroeder recently gave a $2,800 check to the Everett Gospel Mission. Safeway and Kraft joined to provide an extra award for select food banks that partnered with Safeway during a holiday food drive in December. Silver Lake Safeway is located at 11031 19th Ave. SE.

EVERETT — Union Bank and the Everett AquaSox are teaming up for the second year with the Strikeouts for Schools program. For every strikeout recorded by AquaSox pitchers in 2012, Union Bank will give $20 to the Everett Public Schools Foundation. Last season, the AquaSox pitching staff recorded at total of 625 strikeouts for a contribution of $12,500.

EVERETT — The Washington Women’s Foundation has awarded Cocoon House a $100,000 human services grant to support the relocation and renovation of the facility’s U-Turn drop-in center. The grant was one of five awarded by the foundation. The new building will allow Cocoon House to serve more teens in need of services.

MARYSVILLE — Windermere Real Estate North recently donated $8,750 to the YMCA which will go towards summer camp scholarships for kids. The office has a long-standing relationship with the YMCA, raising $100,000 total for the organization through the Windermere Foundation. A portion of the office’s recent donation comes from the Dick Wood Memorial fund.

BOTHELL — Local philanthropist Robert Rotella was recently honored at a reception held by the University of Washington-Bothell School of Business. Rotella, the CEO of Rotella Capital Management, donated 13 of his art photographs to UW-Bothell’s Eastside Leadership Center. Early in his career, Rotella’s prowess as a photographer led to his first big break in business.

LAKE STEVENS — Lake Stevens Fire has expressed thanks to the Lake Stevens Animal Hospital for their generous donation of four pet oxygen masks. Each medic unit is now equipped with a pet oxygen mask.

Kudos

SNOHOMISH — Snyder Roofing of WA LLC recently received the 2012 Firestone Building Products Partner in Quality Award. The company was among 193 roofing contractors throughout North America honored with this industry achievement. Firestone presents the award to contractors who install a minimum number of warranted Firestone roofs in each of the past five years, as well as other requirements.

LAKE STEVENS — Lake Stevens Fire recently took first place at the Annual Everett Fire Department Softball Tournament at the Boeing Softball Fields. The team was sponsored by Firefighters’ Local 3235. Lake Stevens Fire won one of two games June 23 and four of five games June 24. This is the first time they have won the tournament championship.

SNOHOMISH — Edward Jones financial adviser Sterling Gurney recently received the firm’s TNT Client Development Award for his outstanding service efforts over the past year. He was one of only 738 of the firm’s more than 12,000 advisers to be awarded. Gurney said it was an honor to be singled out.

EVERETT — Members of Snohomish County Tomorrow have received a Governor’s Smart Communities Award for their collaboration on countywide planning policies. The members, who represent 19 cities, Snohomish County and the Tulalip Tribes, cooperated during a 26-month period to draft policies consistent with the state’s Growth Management Act. Learn more at www.snoco.org/County_Services/SCT.

EDMONDS — Chermak Construction Inc. recently won four awards from different construction contests. Qualified Remodeler, a national magazine, gave two of the awards. Master Builders of King and Snohomish Counties granted the company a REX Award. The Building Industry Association of Washington also gave an award to a Chermak project.

LYNNWOOD — Hampton Inn &Suites announced that it has received a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence award. The accolade, which honors hospitality excellence, is given only to establishments that consistently achieve outstanding traveler reviews on TripAdvisor and is extended to qualifying businesses worldwide. Only 10 percent of accommodations listed on TripAdvisor receive the award.

MOUNTLAKE TERRACE — The Premera Blue Cross Mobile App built by Neudesic has been awarded the Mobile-Web Award for Outstanding Achievement in Mobile by the Web Marketing Association. The Mobile-Web Awards were judged on creativity, impact, design, content, interactivity, ease of use and use of the medium.

Shipping schedule

Port of Everett shipping schedule as of July 24. The schedule is tentative and subject to change.

July 24: Westwood Olympia, Westwood

July 30: Westwood Cascade, Westwood

July 31: CSCC Shanghai, EUKOR/Fesco

Aug. 1: Simushir, SASCO

Aug. 6: Millennium Falcon, ECL

Aug. 7: Westwood Rainier, Westwood

Aug. 14: Westwood Discovery, Westwood

Aug. 20: Selenga, SASCO

Aug. 21: Westwood Victoria, Westwood

Ship port calls 2012 YTD: 49