Three Snohomish County companies are among the 2004 Business of the Year winners in Western Washington, the Better Business Bureau announced Friday. Mortgage Lending Investment Associates of Mountlake Terrace won the large-business award for customer service. Everett-based Randy’s Ring and Pinion won the large-business award for community involvement. America’s Maid Service of Edmonds won the American Spirit Award.
Smokey Point hosts north county expo
Four dozen businesses from the Marysville and Arlington areas are expected to display goods and services at today’s Business Expo at the Hawthorn Inn &Suites, 16710 Smokey Point Blvd. The free event, which will feature door prizes and giveaways, will run 9:30a.m.-3 p.m. Sponsors include the Greater Marysville Tulalip, Arlington and Smokey Point chambers of commerce.
Nastech project fights drug abuse
Nastech Pharmaceutical Co. of Bothell and a collaborating company are developing an abuse-resistant drug delivery technology. A patent application says the new invention would activate the drug only after it is swallowed and reaches the small intestine. That could reduce the number of patients abusing tablets or capsules containing pain-reducing narcotics such as OxyContin.
September hotel occupancy strong
A strong summer for Snohomish County’s hotels spilled over in September, according to figures from Smith Travel Research. Nearly 68 percent of rooms at surveyed hotels and motels were occupied during September, up from 58 percent in the same month of 2003. The average nightly rate for rooms also was up slightly, to $65.70. The year-to-year occupancy jump was the largest among the 19 Washington counties Smith Travel tracked.
Bank parent to pay 7.25-cent dividend
The parent company of Whidbey Island Bank said Friday it will pay a quarterly dividend of 7.25 cents. Washington Banking Co. will pay the dividend Nov. 24 to shareholders of record as of Nov. 8. The size of the payment is unchanged from the previous quarter.
Washington Post sees profits jump
The Herald’s parent company reported a sharp jump in profits Friday. Washington Post Co. earned $82.5 million in its third quarter, the company reported, well above the $19.9 million it earned in the year-ago period. Revenues rose 16 percent to $820 million from $706.1 million in the same period a year ago on strong growth throughout the company’s businesses, especially education and broadcasting.
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