Business Briefs
Published 11:06 am Tuesday, July 30, 2013
SMOKEY POINT — Leadership from Switzerland’s UniversityHospital Zurich (USZ), one of the largest and most important teaching hospitals in Europe, visited The Everett Clinic’s Smokey Point Medical Center in mid-July to get ideas from its award-winning design and lean care delivery systems.
In the next 15 years, USZ will invest about $3 billion to rebuild its campus. It plans to use leading technologies and world-class processes for better efficiency and patient care.
The Everett Clinic at Smokey Point provides comprehensive care in one location and reduced wait times for patients. It’s an efficient, flexible and patient-focused care environment.
Most recently, Smokey Point received a National Healthcare Design Award from the American Institute of Architects. It opened Sept. 4, 2012, in a two-story 60,000-square-foot space, and now houses 20 medical specialties.
Community-minded corporations sought for state award
OLYMPIA — People can now nominate their favorite community-centric corporations for Washington’s highest civics award.
Secretary of State Kim Wyman has announced that her office is accepting nominations for a 2013 Corporations for Communities Award. The nomination deadline is August 31.
The Corporations for Communities program began in 2009 as a way to recognize exceptional Washington businesses that demonstrate a commitment to giving in order to improve local or regional social and environmental conditions. The program is run by the Secretary of State’s Corporations and Charities Division.
Nomination forms can be found online at www.sos.wa.gov/corps/corpsforcommunities.
Wyman will choose one large and one small corporation from among the public’s nominations this summer. Her selections will receive a National Association of Secretaries of State Medallion, the highest civics honor that the state awards. Anyone can nominate businesses for the award. Any for-profit corporation, limited liability corporation (LLC) or limited partnership is eligible for the award. Nominees must be registered with the Office of Secretary of State and must be in compliance with state and federal laws. Winners will be announced by early October.
Announcements
EDMONDS — Ailsa Kellam, director of development and communications for the Edmonds Chamber of Commerce since March 2012, is resigning from the chamber staff to pursue other business interests. Kellam said she intends to remain in the area and is “excited and supportive” of the city and its business community. She will continue to consult with the chamber on communications and marketing leading up to the annual Taste of Edmonds, Aug. 9-11. Chamber President Ron Clyborne said the group will examine its long-term staffing needs and structure and will complete that study before naming Kellam’s successor.
ARLINGTON — Affordable Dental Care turned their grand opening into a fundraiser for Lacey Ernst, a local 4-year-old girl in need of a heart transplant. The July 27 event turned the company’s parking lot in Cumulus Park into a business fair.
OLYMPIA — State regulators have approved a multi-year rate plan for Puget Sound Energy that will raise electric and gas rates beginning July 1 but limit increases for the next three to four years. The newly approved rates will generate $9.1 million for natural gas operations, including those in Snohomish County.
LYNNWOOD — According to the Lynnwood Convention Center 2012 annual report, the facility generated more than $2.5 million in gross event revenue last year and was responsible for generating more than $20.3 million in economic impact for the local area. Throughout 2012, the Lynnwood Convention Center played host to more than 400 events drawing more than 88,000 visitors.
EDMONDS — Swedish Cancer Institute, a major cancer-care network in Washington state, recently announced the acquisition of four Versa HDT systems, a sophisticated radiation treatment system designed to enhance the management of cancer care and treat a broad spectrum of tumors throughout the body. The first of systems will be installed later this year at SCI’s facility on the Swedish/Edmonds campus.
MOUNTLAKE TERRACE — The Washington State Auditor’s Office issued a clean opinion in its Independent Auditor’s Report on the Mountlake Terrace 2012 financial statements. It also issued a clean opinion on its single audit, which covered projects financed by federal grants. A single audit is required for all government entities that receive more than $500,000 in federal grant awards in one year.
OLYMPIA — The Washington State Liquor Control Board has approved the proposed rules that, if ultimately enacted, will help govern Washington State’s system of producing, processing and retailing recreational marijuana. Public hearings on the proposed rules are now being scheduled. The WSLCB will soon post the dates and locations on its website at www.liq.wa.gov.
EVERETT — New lights at Everett Civic Auditorium are estimated to save $7,517 per year and 81,956 kilowatt hours per year. Snohomish County PUD reimbursed the Everett Public Schools, which owns the auditorium, almost $10,000 for the cost of the project because the new LED bulbs will save energy.
EVERETT — Snohomish County PUD now offers improved rebates to businesses for exterior lighting. Rebates are available for 17 types of efficient outdoor lights, including for security lighting, parking lots and streetlights. To receive an additional 15 percent rebate on exterior lighting, complete a qualifying lighting project by Nov. 29. To learn more, call 425-783-1700 or go to www.snopud.com/LTG.
BOTHELL — Ivar’s Restaurants announced it will open a new Bothell restaurant in August. The 2,020-square-foot Ivar’s Seafood Bar will feature seating for 94 guests. It will be located in the Lakeside at Canyon Creek Shopping Center, 24016 Bothell-Everett Highway. This marks the return of Ivar’s to Bothell after closing its former location in the city three years ago.
TULALIP — Tulalip Resort Casino will open a new sports bar this year. The Draft Sports Bar &Grill will offer drinks, American food and major sporting event viewing on large screen HDTVs. Located adjacent to the hotel lobby, it will be open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.
LAKE STEVENS — Sport Clips Haircuts for men has opened at 8933 Market Place NE, Lake Stevens. This is the first location of the nationwide chain in the city. Sport Clips stylists specialize in male hair care and stay up to date on industry trends. Walk-ins are welcome. The new store offers large flat- screen TV sports viewing and free MVP upgrades.
MUKILTEO — The Future of Flight Foundation welcomed 32 students from Brazil for the second year in a row as part of the Brazilian government’s Scientific Mobility Program, which provides scholarships to undergraduate students for a year of study abroad. Partial support of this year’s program came from a $83,515 grant from Boeing to the Future of Flight Foundation.
WASHINGTON — Members of the Washington congressional delegation urged the U.S. Small Business Administration to approve the state’s request for Economic Injury Disaster Loans for businesses affected by the I-5 Skagit River bridge collapse. Economic Injury Disaster Loans help businesses cover uninsured expenses and financial obligations after a disaster.
OLYMPIA — The state Department of Labor and Industries is promoting two programs: Stay at Work and File Fast. Stay at Work reimburses qualified employers half an injured worker’s base wages when he or she is given a light-duty or transitional job during recovery. FileFast is replacing the paper process and can improve claim receipts. For information, go to www.WorkingSolutions.Lni.wa.gov.
SEATTLE — Naval architecture and marine engineering firm Jensen Maritime has announced the delivery of the first of two Jensen-designed ABS machinery class ocean-going tugboats to Hyak Maritime, a marine equipment and vessel owner based in Dover, Del. The craft was built by JT Marine of Vancouver. Hyak’s second tug is scheduled to be delivered by the end of 2013.
OLYMPIA — To respond more rapidly and cost effectively to environmental threats from the state’s growing number of derelict vessels, the Washington Department of Ecology is developing a new water quality permit for vessel deconstruction. Find out more, provide comments and get on a mailing list by contacting Vincent McGowan at vincent.mcgowan@ecy.wa.gov or 360-407-6433.
Kudos
MOUNTLAKE TERRACE — Mountlake Terrace was awarded a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for its 2011 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report by Washington Finance Officers Association. This is the sixth straight year that the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada has recognized the city for its annual financial report.
SEATTLE — Western Governors University’s Teachers College has been honored by the National Council on Teacher Quality for having one of the nation’s best teacher preparation programs. Headquartered in Seattle, WGU was the only online university to be included in the list, which was based on ratings of more than 1,100 colleges and universities across the U.S.
EVERETT — For the second year in a row, Workforce Development Council Snohomish County has been named one of the Best Companies to Work For in Washington by Seattle Business Magazine. WFDCSC will host a top company learning opportunity to share best practices with businesses and non-profit agencies. Email samantha.brown@wdcsc.org to learn more about the event.
EVERETT — For the second year in a row, the Industrial Designers Society of America has honored the industrial design team at Fluke Corp. with a prestigious International Design Excellence Award. The Fluke team won a bronze award in the commercial and industrial products category for its work on the Fluke 805 Vibration Meter.
EVERETT — For the third year in a row, The Everett Clinic has been named to the list of 100 Best Companies to Work For by Seattle Business magazine. The clinic was recognized for workplace environment, corporate culture and leadership. It ranked 17th, up from 18th last year, in the large company category.
BOTHELL — BioLife Solutions, a developer, manufacturer and marketer of proprietary clinical grade hypothermic storage and cryopreservation freeze media for cells and tissues, has been named as one of the best places to work in Washington by Seattle Business magazine.
EVERETT — Origin East West Marketing of Everett announced that the president of the company, David Cook, has received an award from the Vermont Association of Broadcasters. It was for creative copywriting of a radio commercial for an insurance company.
EVERETT — Snohomish County PUD improved to fourth place, up from seventh place last year, in J.D. Power’s 2013 Electric Utility Residential Customer Satisfaction Study for the West Region: Midsize Segment. On a 1,000-point scale, PUD received 667points. The top winner, Clark Public Utilities, scored 724.
MOUNTLAKE TERRACE — The Government Finance Officers Association awarded the City of Mountlake Terrace its Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the preparation of the 2013/2014 biennial budget. The city’s biennial budget was rated outstanding as a policy document. In order to receive the award, the city had to satisfy nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation.
EVERETT — Trailside, the Boys &Girls Club of Snohomish County, held a grand opening and community celebration of its newly built basketball court on July 26. The basketball court was made possible by the collaboration of McKinstry and Leadership Snohomish County. The Trailside Boys &Girls Club offers free memberships to youth ages 5 to 18.
KIRKLAND — AAOA Healthcare has been named to the 100 Best Companies to Work For list, complied by Seattle Business magazine. AAOA Healthcare is the association health plan sponsored by the Affiliated Associations of America.
BELLINGHAM — Western Washington University was named one of the best colleges in the nation to work for by The Chronicle of Higher Education. WWU, which has been honored three years in a row, is the only four-year university in the state recognized this year.
Good deeds
SNOHOMISH — On June 19, the Snohomish Community Food Bank welcomed eight employees from Liberty Mutual Insurance’s Seattle office who came to paint the south entry to the building, which doubles as the produce room. The Liberty Mutual employees who volunteered participated through the company’s annual Serve with Liberty campaign.
MUKILTEO — The Mukilteo Food Bank says it is now 2,520 pounds of food heavier and many dollars richer thanks to Mukilteo QFC and Albertsons shoppers who donated and to broker volunteers who offered their time and effort for Windermere’s Community Service Day. The food bank also thanks Albertsons, QFC, Opus Bank and Starbucks for continued support.
Everett shipping schedule
The Port of Everett shipping schedule as of July 29. The schedule is subject to change.
July 30: Westwood Pacific, Westwood
July 31: Selenga, SASCO
Aug. 5: Ocean Seagull, ECL; STX Gloris, Formark
Aug. 6: Westwood Columbia, Westwood
Aug. 11: Providana, Westfal-Larsen
Aug. 13: Westwood Cascade, Westwood
Aug. 15: Kaijin, Glovis; Bright Stream, ECL
Aug. 20: Westwood Olympia, Westwood
Aug. 22: Kunashir, SASCO
Aug. 27: Westwood Discovery, Westwood
Aug. 28: Madame Butterfly, EUKOR
Aug. 29: Selenga, SASCO
Ship port calls 2013 YTD: 64
Barge port calls 2013 YTD: 34
Ship port calls 2012: 101
Barge port calls 2012: 66
