Business Briefs

Christmas House seeks warehouse space

EVERETT — Christmas House, a nonprofit Snohomish County charity that served 10,093 children from 3,485 low-income families throughout Snohomish County last year, needs to replace its warehouse space.

Christmas House urgently needs app

roximately 1,000 square feet or more of dry and secure storage space from Dec. 1 through Nov. 30, 2012. The space will allow Christmas House to store toys and clothing purchased throughout the year to benefit low-income families at Christmas.

More than 99 cents of every dollar Christmas House

received last year was directed toward achieving this mission. Go to www.christmas-house.org to learn more about the organization or call 425-338-2273.

Cafe @ Marina to open at Waterfront Center

EVERETT — Cafe @ Marina is sched

uled to open at the end of October at the Port of Everett’s Waterfront Center at 1205 Craftsman Way.

Tenant improvements are under way to create a 759-square-foot cafe in Waterfront Center, located across the lobby from Scuttlebutt’s restaurant. In September, the Port of Everett Commission a

uthorized a five-year lease and a five-year option for the new cafe.

“The border businesses at Waterfront Center are in place and each new lease spurs other business opportunities,” Port of Everett properties director Steve Hager said.

The cafe will employ six people and wi

ll offer coffee, smoothies, sandwiches and more. The port also has a lease in the South Marina with Meyer’s Cafe.

Imagine Children’s Museum buys property

EVERETT — Imagine Children’s Museum recently completed the purchase of a property that has been owned by the Walters family for more than 100 years.

In the late 1800s, Carl Oscar Walters, a local lumber manufacturer, purchased the property in the 3000 block of Colby Avenue. From 1948 to 1971, it was home to the Spudnut Shop, a local landmark and a favorite of downtown workers. Recently, the property has been utilized as a 19-space parking lot.

Museum executive director Nancy Johnson said the board has been interested in acquiring this property for many years.

“We recognize the museum’s strong and caring vision for the children and families of Snohomish County,” said Richard Walters, the grandson of Carl Walters. “We wanted to be a part of that, and we felt that the museum would provide the greatest benefit for the most people of Everett and Snohomish County.”

Edward Jones financial adviser offers coffee

SNOHOMISH — Sterling Gurney, a local Edward Jones financial adviser, will host a coffee club at 10 a.m. every first Thursday of the month at Edward Jones, 602 Second St. Suite C, Snohomish.

For more information, call 360-563-1042.

EvCC Ocean Academy moves to Waterfront Center

EVERETT — The Port of Everett joined with Everett Community College to site its Ocean Research College Academy program in the Port of Everett’s Waterfront Center.

ORCA, EvCC’s early college program for high school juniors and seniors, provides students with field experience in marine science.

“Waterfront Center is the perfect venue for the ORCA program because of its proximity to its main study area in Port Gardner Bay,” port commissioner Troy McClelland said. “It’s a natural partnership.”

The port established a partnership with the ocean academy when an underwater monitoring station, owned and operated by the state Department of Ecology, was installed at the Port’s Mount Baker Terminal.

The first class at Waterfront Center is expected to start in January 2012. For more information on the ORCA program, go to www.everettcc.edu/programs/mathsci/orca.

CMC Biologics to develop, manufacture antibodies with Japanese partner

BOTHELL — CMC Biologics announced the execution of an agreement with Daiichi Sankyo Co. Ltd. of Japan to provide process development support and manufacture of several clinical-stage antibodies over a three-year period.

The two companies have recently begun work on their first joint project at CMC Biologics’ Bothell manufacturing facility. Specific terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

“CMC Biologics is delighted to partner with Daiichi Sankyo, a leader among pharmaceutical companies worldwide with a heritage of scientific discovery that spans more than one hundred years,” said Gustavo F. Mahler, global chief operations officer at CMC Biologics. “We will be working closely with Daiichi Sankyo on the development and production of antibodies over the next several years.”

Bond refinancing saves county money

EVERETT — Snohomish County has approved a bond refinancing package that takes advantage of historically low interest rates, saving funds that can now be used to complete the purchase of property near Cathcart without increasing current county expenditures.

The County Council agreed to refinance bonds issued in 2003 to pay capital needs for the county campus redevelopment project, airport improvements, solid-waste transfer stations, electronic voting equipment and the sheriff’s office’s shooting range. County Executive Aaron Reardon will sign the refinancing package.

The refinancing provides substantial savings that the county plans to use to strengthen cash flow reserves at Paine Field and for expedited debt repayment on 206 acres of county-owned property on the north side of Cathcart Way west of Highway 9.

UW Bothell earns business accreditation

BOTHELL — University of Washington Bothell has earned independent accreditation of its business degree programs by recent action of the Board of Directors of AACSB International, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

Founded in 1916, AACSB International is the longest-serving global accreditation body for business schools that offer bachelors, masters and doctorate degrees in business and accounting.

UW Bothell is now one of 633 schools of business worldwide that have achieved business accreditation from AACSB International.

Port starts $1.7 million marina boatyard work

EVERETT — In September, the Port of Everett Commission awarded a nearly $1.7 million contract for the expansion of the port’s boatyard to Strider Construction Co. Inc.

In 2007, the port constructed the initial phase of the boatyard, and in early 2011 completed the remodel of the MSRC warehouse into the new Waterfront Center. The boatyard, along with the Waterfront Center, serve as the foundation for the Craftsman District.

One of the basic concepts of the North Marina Redevelopment project was to consolidate all boat repair and maintenance activities into a central area known as the Craftsman District, which is planned to be a blend of mixed-use development around a central port-controlled boatyard.

The Port of Everett’s Craftsman District services the largest public marina on the West Coast and the largest boat launch in the state. The boatyard expansion project is scheduled for completion prior to the start of the 2012 boating season.

Edmonds Chamber shares business survey findings

EDMONDS — The Edmonds Chamber of Commerce Advocacy Committee recently presented to City Council members the findings of a survey the committee conducted of chamber membership.

The survey was designed to get the business community’s input into the citywide strategic planning process. A large percentage of the membership responded and the top priority was attracting visitors, customers and new businesses to the city.

See results of the survey at www.edmondswa.com.

Canyon Creek Cabinet earns more awards

MONROE — Canyon Creek Cabinet Co. was recently recognized for its environmental initiatives and manufacturing excellence.

The Association of Washington Business presented the company with its Manufacturer of the Year award for overall manufacturing excellence at a ceremony in Spokane on Oct. 11.

As part of the award, senior students from the Art Institute of Seattle film and video program created a video for Canyon Creek. The video was shown during the awards presentation and is posted on www.canyoncreek.com.

In the other award, Seattle Business magazine named Canyon Creek Cabinet Co. one of 50 greenest companies in Washington state.

Making this list demonstrates leadership in areas of sustainability, green practices, commitment to the environment and the future of natural resources. As one of the Green 50 companies, Canyon Creek was recognized for outstanding achievements in the category of manufacturing at a ceremony held at Fremont Studios in Seattle.

Lynnwood Convention Center passes audit

LYNNWOOD — The Lynnwood Public Facilities District has announced that the Lynnwood Convention Center received a clean audit for the 2010 calendar year, according to a report issued by the state auditor’s office on Oct. 4.

This is the seventh consecutive clean audit of the Lynnwood Convention Center.

The audit examined the district’s accountability to the public for 2010. It looked at several areas, including the district’s financial condition, its compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act and safeguarding public assets.

Port of Everett bonds maintain high rating

EVERETT— Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services has declared an A- rating on the Port of Everett’s revenue bonds.

According to the September 2011 report, the Port of Everett’s “strong financial position, with solid debt service coverage” has allowed the rating service to reaffirm the port’s high rating.

Port of Everett Director John Mohr said that the A- rating, in conjunction with the port’s track record of no audit findings for 14 years, is highly commendable. He recognized Chief Financial Officer Karen Clements, the finance department and operations team for providing the needed financial stability to achieve the rating.

The port uses revenue bonds to invest in capital projects. Over the next five years, the port plans to invest approximately $230 million into its facilities for capital improvements, including international trade projects, property developments, marina improvements and public access.

Local companies cited for commute reductions

OLYMPIA — Two Snohomish County businesses have been named winners in the 2011 Governor’s Commute Smart awards, which are given to companies that successfully reduce single-occupant vehicle trips at their workplace.

Amgen received the Employer Leadership Award while Esterline Control Systems-Korry Electronics received the Employer Champion Award.

About 51 percent of Esterline-Korry staff use an alternative to driving alone. When the company relocated from Seattle, the ORCA pass program gave all employees unlimited access to buses, trains and vanpools in the region. Esterline-Korry also offers internal programs to encourage and reward employees for using commute alternatives.

Amgen’s voluntary program includes an ORCA pass program that offers all of its employees unlimited access to buses, trains and vanpools. Amgen offers a subsidy to employees who walk, bike or carpool to work regularly.

Washington Federal reopens in Edmonds

EDMONDS — The Edmonds Chamber of Commerce celebrated the grand opening of the new Washington Federal Savings Edmonds branch with a ribbon cutting on Sept. 21. The new building was built on the same site as the old branch at 229 Main St.

Cutting the ribbon were branch manager Jack Durney, Washington Federal President Roy Whitehead, senior vice president and Mid-Sound division manager Lisa King and the staff of the Edmonds branch.

UW Bothell reports record enrollment

BOTHELL — The University of Washington Bothell reported record enrollment growth.

The campus reported a head count for the 2011-2012 academic year of 3,759 students. It also counted 3,367 full-time equivalent students compared to 2,880 FTE in the 2010-2011 year. The increase in enrollment at UW Bothell now makes it the largest of the five university branch campuses in the state.

New degrees include master’s in fine arts (fall 2012) and a computing and software systems certificate. Additional science, technology and mathematics degrees will be added over the next few years. The branch includes locations in Bellevue, Everett and Mount Vernon. To learn more, go to www.uwb.edu.

Providence O’Christmas Tress fundraiser set for Nov. 28-30

SEATTLE — Providence O’Christmas Trees, a fundraiser for Providence Senior and Community Services, takes place Nov. 28-30 at The Westin Seattle. Exquisitely designed Christmas trees are displayed and then auctioned to guests.

Now in its 27th year, this holiday event has become one of Providence’s largest annual fundraisers, raising a record $1 million in 2010 to help those in need with health care, housing and hospice. This year’s goal is $1.5 million.

The three-day event culminates with the auction of the trees and a culinary creation by chef Thierry Rautureau.

This gala evening draws 700 business and community leaders, their families and friends. Advance reservations of $300 per person are required. RSVP by calling 206-938-2788 or go to www.providenceochristmastrees.org.

BioLife Solutions’ 2011 revenue up 36 percent

BOTHELL — BioLife Solutions Inc., a leading developer and manufacturer of clinical-grade biopreservation media products for cells and tissues, has announced preliminary record revenue of $715,000 for its quarter that ended Sept. 30.

This was an increase of 36 percent compared to revenue of $525,000 in the same period last year. Sequentially, third quarter 2011 revenue increased 15 percent from the second quarter of 2011.

Mike Rice, chairman and CEO, said that the company had a solid quarter of contract manufacturing revenue and is pursuing new business opportunities. It also received significant orders from distribution partners.

Jackson Hydro Project big on green measures

EVERETT — Snohomish County PUD recently received a new 45-year license for its Jackson Hydroelectric Project in the Sultan Basin. Under the new license, issued by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the project will continue to implement a range of environmental measures in and around the Spada Lake reservoir and Sultan Basin.

In recognition of its efforts to protect resources and mitigate the project’s impact, the PUD also has received certification as a “low impact facility” from the Low Impact Hydropower Institute.

The new Jackson Project license includes a series of improvements that ensure that the project continues to operate in a cost-effective manner for energy needs and public water supply while protecting fish, wildlife, recreation and cultural resources.

Enrollment grows at Trinity Lutheran College

EVERETT — Student enrollment at Trinity Lutheran College has grown for the third year in a row. Figures show 58 new students joined the college in fall 2011, pushing total undergraduate enrollment to 158 full-time equivalent students, up 11 percent from last year.

About half of the new students come from diverse ethnic backgrounds, including 17 percent Hispanic, 12 percent African-American and two from other countries. The majority are from Washington state.

Trinity is a private, regionally accredited Christian college that offers bachelor’s degrees in 10 majors and intercollegiate athletic programs. For more information, go to www.tlc.edu.

Small Business Award competition has begun

SEATTLE — The Seattle division of the U.S. Small Business Administration invites nominations for the Washington State Small Business Award competition. Any individual or organization may submit nominations. A company, owner or business advocate can also self-nominate.

The categories include Small Business Person of the Year, Small Business Exporter of the Year, SBA Young Entrepreneur of the Year, Jeffrey Butland Family-Owned Business of the Year and the Entrepreneurial Success Award.

There also will be awards for advocates. These categories include Financial Services Champion of the Year, Home-Based Business Champion of the Year, Minority Small Business Champion of the Year, Veteran Small Business Champion of the Year and Women in Business Champion of the Year.

The winner of the Washington State Small Business Person of the Year, along with other state winners, will be honored at the Washington State Awards Gala in spring 2012 and will compete for national honors.

All nominations must be received by Monday, Nov. 28. For a copy of the full nomination criteria, call 206-553-7315. Online nomination forms are available at www.sba.gov/about-offices-content/2/3157/resources/6635.

EdCC seeks nominees of distinguished alums

LYNNWOOD — The Edmonds Community College Foundation seeks nominations for its 2011 Distinguished Alumni Awards. Submit nominations by Saturday, Dec. 3 online at www.edcc.edu/foundation.

Since 1991, the foundation’s Distinguished Alumni Award has been given to 52 people for academic success, professional achievement and community service. They include outstanding community leaders who are artists, attorneys, fire chiefs, musicians, educators, therapists, entrepreneurs and engineers.

Last year’s recipients were carpenter John Littel, political and legislative director for the Pacific Northwest Regional Council of Carpenters and graduate of the college’s construction management degree program, and certified public accountant Becky Mackenstadt, a senior audit and accounting manager at Vine Dahlen PLLC in Lynnwood and graduate of the college’s accounting degree program and Central Washington University-Lynnwood’s bachelor of science in accounting and business administration program.

For more information, call 425-640-1274, email foundation@edcc.edu or go to www.edcc.edu/foundation.

Mosaic Insurance adds PEMCO to its offerings

LYNNWOOD — Mosaic Insurance Alliance, an independent insurance agency serving Snohomish County residents, recently teamed with Seattle-based PEMCO Insurance, a 62-year-old company known for its top-rated customer service.

Located at 2122 164th St. SW Suite 301, Mosaic Insurance Alliance became an independent agency last year. Principals Amy Drewel and Paul Pukis take pride in offering their clients coverage options from several top companies. Both worked in the insurance industry before opening their agency and have joined forces, in Drewel’s words, “to combine our knowledge of protecting the community with a choice of products and companies we can tailor to each customer.”

Mosaic Insurance Alliance offers a staff of six (including representatives who speak Ukrainian and Russian) to help them connect with a wide range of clients. The office is open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and evenings and weekends by appointment. It offers choices of several trusted insurers for auto, home, boat, RV, life, umbrella and commercial insurance.

For more information about PEMCO, go to [/URL]pemco.com;http://pemco.com[URL]. To learn more about Mosaic Insurance, call 425-320-4280 or go to [/URL]MosaicIA.com;http://MosaicIA.com[URL].

Orthodontist will buy Halloween candy

Dr. Jason Bourne, with offices in Lake Stevens and Marysville, will buy Halloween candy, starting on Nov. 1.

With this year’s Halloween candy buy-back program, Bourne is paying $4 per pound for up to 25 pounds of Halloween treats surrendered in his office. Half the money will go to the child who gives the candy and the rest will be donated to local Boys & Girls Clubs and the YMCA.

Last year, Bourne Orthodontics collected more than 1,700 pounds of Halloween candy, allowing them to donate over $3,400. The donated candy is sent to troops serving overseas, local homeless shelters and humanitarian groups for trips to Africa.

Now in its eighth year, Bourne’s candy buy-back has donated almost $10,000 and 5,000 pounds of candy.

Candy will be collected on Nov. 1, 3, 7 and 9 in the Marysville office at 815 State Ave. Suite 3, and Nov. 2, 8, 10 and 14 in the Lake Stevens office at 9633 Market Place Suite 104.

Ferathon laryngoscope comes in a reusable variant

BOTHELL — Verathon Inc. recently introduced the GlideScope AVL reusable video laryngoscope.

Dr. John Pacey, inventor of the GlideScope and president of Verathon Medical Canada ULC, said the device is in response to customer requests for an advanced video laryngoscope system.

Designed for first-pass success, this new reusable variant of the GlideScope AVL features a digital color monitor with DVD clarity, an anti-fogging mechanism that resists clouding, and advanced resolution output for operating room theater viewing.

Learn about Compass Health therapeutic foster care program

EVERETT — Snohomish County residents interested in becoming foster parents can learn about the Compass Health therapeutic foster care program at an information session scheduled for 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 3 at Compass Health Building 2, 4526 Federal Ave., Everett.

Participants will receive information on a variety of topics, including the special needs of foster children, what it takes to be a successful foster parent and the application and approval process.

Help will be available for filling out forms and making copies. There will be a question-and-answer period as well.

Attendees will receive a free application and information packet and two hours of pre-service training with no cost or obligation.

County protects Tualco farmland from development

EVERETT — Snohomish County has moved to protect four more farm properties from development through its Purchase of Development Rights program.

The county approved the purchase of development rights on two parcels south of Monroe in the Tualco Valley, both currently operated by Willie Green’s Organic Farm. The easement purchases were expected to close by the end of October.

In September, Snohomish County closed on two other parcels in the Tualco Valley under the program: the Cabe Farm and Hollandia Farms. The four properties total nearly 400 acres, and under the program, they will be protected from development in perpetuity.

The Tualco Valley was selected as a target area for the Purchase of Development Rights program because it traditionally has been one of Snohomish County’s most productive agricultural areas.

Since 2004, Snohomish County has embarked upon a progressive program to set aside and conserve agricultural land that is potentially at risk for development into smaller parcels.

With about 1,600 farms, agriculture is a $127 million industry in Snohomish County, according to the USDA.

EdCC joins Northwest Higher Education Coalition

LYNNWOOD — Edmonds Community College is now a member of the Northwest Higher Education Coalition, www.nwhec.org.

“Joining the coalition gives us more ways to streamline services for students and provide them with additional opportunities,” said Edmonds Community College President Jean Hernandez. “Together, our institutions drive the economic and cultural vitality or our communities and our state, so it makes sense to join forces.”

The coalition of higher education institutions in the Puget Sound area formed in 2009 to bring a collaborative approach to providing essential educational resources for communities, businesses and government. The schools are working together on seamless services for veterans, joint international initiatives and sustainability issues.

The coalition includes Western Washington University, Whatcom Community College, Bellingham Technical College, Northwest Indian College, Skagit Valley College, Everett Community College, Olympic College, Peninsula College and Edmonds Community College.

The coalition meets regularly to identify areas of collaboration. EdCC will be formally welcomed to the coalition at the Dec. 2 meeting at the Northwest Indian College.

One of the first outcomes of joining the coalition may be the establishment of concurrent enrollment in Western Washington University for Edmonds Community College’s international students.

John L. Scott launches mobile search apps

ISSAQUAH — John L. Scott Real Estate has introduced a suite of mobile device platforms for iPhone, iPad and Android users. These new apps allow home buyers to see the inside a home while standing outside.

The applications use geo-location tools to find homes. When a home buyer stops at a home they like, the app will find it instantly based on their location. Comprehensive property information and photos are instantly provided.

The geo-location tools can also point out other nearby homes for sale, find open houses and provide driving directions.

Specific searches on the John L. Scott mobile App can also be done by entering in a street address, MLS number or John L. Scott property code. General geographical searching can be narrowed down with search criteria options.

Driver licensing offices see shorter wait times

OLYMPIA — Waits at driver licensing offices are getting shorter and hundreds of thousands of people a year are eliminating the wait altogether because of new services on the DOL website.

Drivers and ID card holders can go to dol.wa.gov to change their address, replace a lost or stolen card and get a copy of their driving record. Most people can also renew their driver license or ID card online every other time it is due for renewal.

The agency typically sees the highest customer volumes and office wait times during the summer months. This year, however, office wait times were significantly lower, averaging less than 30 minutes statewide.

$1M Boeing donation boosts MLK Memorial

WASHINGTON — Boeing has donated an additional $1 million toward the effort to build a lasting memorial honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

The gift pushed the Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial Project Foundation Inc. closer to reaching the $120 million needed to fund the memorial, which was dedicated in a West Potomac Park ceremony last month. Boeing helped launch fundraising activities in 2008 with another $1 million gift to the foundation.

Jim McNerney, Boeing chairman, president and CEO, said the company honored Dr. King as a courageous and visionary leader.

Jobs Act incentives led to record SBA loan approval volume

WASHINGTON — Spurred in part by unprecedented loan volume in the year’s first quarter, small-business loans backed by the U.S. Small Business Administration in FY2011 reached the highest mark in the agency’s history, supporting more than $30 billion, continuing the rebound begun in 2009 and returning to healthy pre-recession levels in the final three quarters of the year.

During the fiscal year, which ended Sept. 30, SBA loan approvals supported $30.5 billion (61,689 loans) in lending to small businesses and start-ups through its two largest loan programs, compared to $22.6 billion (60,771 loans) in FY 2010 and $17.9 billion (50,830 loans) in FY2009.

The unprecedented quarter was prompted by the enhancements provided under the Small Business Jobs Act, which were in effect. The loan enhancements allowed SBA to raise the guarantee on its 7(a) loans to 90 percent and waive fees on both its 7(a) and 504 loans.

Washington minimum wage to increase Jan. 1

OLYMPIA — Washington’s minimum wage will increase to $9.04 per hour beginning Jan. 1, the Department of Labor & Industries announced.

L&I calculates the state’s minimum wage each year as required by Initiative 688, approved by Washington voters in 1998. The 37-cent increase reflects a 4.258 percent increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPIW) since August 2010.

Washington is one of 10 states that adjusts the minimum wage based on inflation and the CPI. The others are Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, Ohio, Oregon, and Vermont.

Washington state has the highest minimum wage, followed by Oregon. Oregon recently announced that its minimum wage will rise 30 cents to $8.80 an hour in 2012.

From SCBJ staff reports