Business Briefs for April 2010

Bothell health tech company eyes award

SonoSite of Bothell has been selected as a finalist for the 2010 Edison Best Products Awards. The product that has been nominated is the NanoMaxx portable high-resolution ultrasound tool. Most recently, the portable diagnostic device was used by physicians in Haiti to assist earthquake victims. Edison Award finalists were selected by a rigorous peer-reviewed voting system, which comprised an estimated 2,000 members of the not-for-profit Marketing Executives Network Group and academic researchers. Winners are selected by the Marketing Executives Network Group, a nonprofit association.

Economic Development Council wins award

The Economic Development Council of Snohomish County has received an award for a program that helps small and minority-owned businesses compete for government contracts. The Public Agency of the Year Award came from the Northwest Minority Supplier Development Council. The Economic Development Council works with businesses, citizens, and government to support and develop the county’s economy.

PUD looks for local solar energy projects

Snohomish County Public Utility District is seeking proposals from local organizations for solar energy demonstration projects to be installed on new or existing buildings in the utility’s service area. Proposals are due by Apr. 16.

The intent is to create a greater commitment to promoting clean, renewable energy in the Northwest. Overall, the PUD plans to award up to 10 solar project grants this spring. The demonstration projects are to be funded through customer contributions made to Planet Power, a voluntary PUD green energy program with over 3,100 participants. Interested organizations can get more details from the Bonneville Environmental Foundation or the PUD at www.snopud.com/planetpower.

Grant for disabled vet transportation services

Catholic Community Services at the Everett Family Center has been awarded a grant to provide transportation services to disabled veterans who live in rural and outlying areas. This service is free of charge and a service-connected disability is not required. Volunteer drivers will pick up veterans and transport them to the VA Hospital in Seattle/American Lake, the VA Clinics in Lake City and Mount Vernon, local Vet Centers, grocery store, commissary, haircuts and other essential personal hygiene appointments.

United Way announces award winners

United Way has recognized donors and employers who ran outstanding fundraising campaigns to benefit children and families in Snohomish County through United Way’s Local Community Fund. In addition, Suyteang Lee of Renton, Hope Willson of Camano Island and Carol Johnson of Marysville won a year’s worth of gas, groceries and rent as winners of the United Way “Taking Care of Basics” Sweepstakes.

Some of the other award winners included AMT-A Division of Senior Services LLC and Work Opportunities recognized with the President’s Award. The Chair Challenge Award winners were Anne LeGrand, General Manager and Senior VP of Philips Healthcare, Ultrasound Division and Dave Brooks, CEO of Providence Regional Medical Center Everett. The Employee Campaign Manager of the Year Award winners were Barbara Rosenberger of AMT and Kristie Dutton, Everett Public Schools.

Strategic Tourism Plan update underway at Office of Economic Development

Last fall the Snohomish County Office of Economic Development began to update the 2000 Strategic Tourism Plan to gauge the current pulse of the local tourism industry and to identify potential opportunities and possible obstacles to tourism development. The updated plan, when completed, should offer evaluation and development of strategies to grow the Snohomish County tourism industry, a major source of income in this region. Snohomish County tourism is said to generate 9,610 jobs, $203.2 million in payroll, $14.7 million in local taxes and $51.6 million in state taxes.

The deadline for plan submissions was last month and the results are currently under review.

BTI Events to provide logistical support for World University Games through 2015

BTI Events, a subsidiary of Basketball Travelers Inc., will provide logistical support for the World University Games and World University Championships through 2015 as part of a new partnership announced by BTI and the United States International University Sports Federation. The World University Games, also known as the Universiade, is one of the largest international sports competitions in the world. Under the new partnership, BTI Events’ first task is to help with the selection and support of teams for the 2011 Winter and Summer Games.

Brightwater Outfall project award finalists

HWA GeoSciences, Inc. of Lynnwood is a finalist in the American Council of Engineering Companies’ 44th annual Engineering Excellence Awards competition for providing geotechnical engineering services for the Brightwater Marine Outfall project in Edmonds. The nominated project team developed a simple and cost-effective seismic restraint for the outfall employing sheet piling that will resist extreme seismic loads, and ensure Brightwater Marine Outfall’s operational integrity in an earthquake. This anchor system reduced project costs by $8 million, and cut two years off the construction schedule. The project was among 163 engineering projects across the nation that were being recognized as preeminent engineering achievements for 2009.

H’Arts benefit auction raises record number of donations for Schack Art Center

Over 350 attendees and 205 donors helped the Arts Council of Snohomish County raise more than $250,000 at the H’Arts Auction in February. It was a 65 percent increase over previous years. All auction proceeds are earmarked to support the $6 million capital campaign for the Schack Art Center, which is now nearly complete. Following two silent auctions, a live auction included enthusiastic and highly competitive bidding on 45 pieces of art created by renowned regional and emerging artists, as well as international masters that included Dante Marioni and Preston Singletary. Attendees donated more than $70,000 towards a new 1,000 lb. glass melting furnace. The total was three times more than the Arts Council has ever raised towards purchase of a single similar item. For more information, visit www.artscouncilofsnoco.org.

Mill Creek’s Signs Now one-year anniversary

Local business partners David and Rani Bal held a one-year anniversary open house recently for their Signs Now center, located at 18002 Bothell-Everett Highway. The open house attracted over 50 guests, including local clientele, key business leaders, business entrepreneurs, and chamber ambassadors. As part of the celebration, guests were offered a tour of the facilities and were asked to provide testimonials. The company offers outdoor and indoor signage, banners, window and vehicle graphics, exhibit and trade show graphics, ADA signage, dimensional letters, directional systems and other visual communications tools.

Funding found for two top

local transportation projects

The House and Senate have agreed on a transportation budget that includes funding for two projects in Snohomish County to improve safety and spur future economic development. The state Department of Transportation will receive $500,000 for the planning stage of a major overhaul of the SR-9 and SR-204 intersection, a major bottleneck. Another $200,000 will be allocated for a traffic light at the intersection of 132nd and 39th near Archbishop Murphy High School to improve safety.

Sen. Steve Hobbs, D-Lake Stevens said these projects will not only create jobs, they will help prepare for future growth.

County hosts recreation expo and carnival

Snohomish County is hosting a Spring Recreation Expo at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds April 24-25. The free entry event will feature outdoor and leisure-related exhibits along with carnival rides and favorite fair food. It is produced by Snohomish County Parks and Recreation and co-sponsored by outdoor gear company REI. For more information go online at www.evergreenfair.org

New building for Sno-Isle Tech Skills Center

A fire destroyed part of the campus last spring at the Sno-Isle Tech Skills Center, run by the Mukilteo School District. But now the organization is settled into a new high tech building. Sno-Isle enrolls around 800 students in job-training programs. Some of the building’s special features include motion-activated lighting, a wireless sound system and a whiteboard that connects to the Internet and saves notes onto a computer. A top-of-the-line ventilation system allows for soldering stations.

Ace Hardware acknowledges local growth

A number of independent Ace Hardware stores have recently opened in the Seattle region, according to Ace Hardware’s headquarters. Some of these newer stores are located in Snohomish County. dmonds Ace Hardware is located in Old Mill Town Plaza in Edmonds. Ace Hardware of Silver Lake celebrated a high profile grand opening with the Everett Chamber of Commerce last July.

Bipartisan Travel Promotion Act passes

U.S. Congress has passed the Travel Promotion Act to create economic growth and thousands of new American jobs by encouraging more international travelers to visit the United States. Amy Spain, Executive Director of the Snohomish County Tourism Bureau, said that such legislation should increase visitor spending significantly beginning next year. The Travel Promotion Act is estimated to drive $4 billion in new consumer spending annually, provide $321 million in new federal tax revenue each year and create 40,000 U.S. jobs nationwide. Further, it is expected to reduce the federal budget deficit by $425 million over the next 10 years, according to the Congressional Budget Office.

Noted local business owner passes away

Glenn Ingraham, founder of Glenn’s Welding in Lynnwood, died recently. The well-known company, which is still family owned and operated, has offered fabrication and repair services for many years and has been used by such large and varied entities as Snohomish County PUD, the Washington State Reformatory, grocery stores, churches, fire stations and more.

PUD breaks conservation record

Snohomish County Public Utility District has achieved its highest level of conservation in its history through partnering with its customers on a broad range of energy-saving measures. This enabled it to beat its 2009 conservation goal by 22 percent. Collectively, consumers and local businesses lowered their bills by about $5.4 million.

In addition, business customers completed nearly 700 projects with the PUD and through other regional energy efficiency programs — the highest number of projects on record. Almost half of these were lighting projects, which were streamlined in large part due to stronger PUD relationships with “trade ally” contractors that work to install the lighting. The PUD also partnered with the City of Everett and Snohomish County to secure nearly $2.2 million in federal stimulus funds for energy efficiency projects in homes and businesses throughout the county to be completed this year and in 2011.

EvCC to provide Project Management Training beginning this month

Everett Community College’s Corporate &Continuing Education Center has been approved by the Project Management Institute as a registered education provider for project management training. Classes start this month. EvCC can now provide the project management training necessary to earn and maintain credentials as a Project Management Professional, Program Management Professional and other Project Management Institute professional credentials. Project Management Institute is a leading professional membership organization for project managers that sets the industry quality standard for project management training, including quality criteria for course content, instructor qualification and instructional design.

Port of Bellingham to have airport expansion

Port of Bellingham officials approved a $26.3 million runway expansion project at Bellingham International Airport. When complete, a plane as large as a Boeing 757 will be able to use the airport. Work on the expansion project will begin in May and is expected to be completed in October. The Federal Aviation Administration is paying 95 percent of the runway expansion project’s cost. Currently, Alaska Airlines, Horizon Air, and Allegiant Air have operations at Bellingham international Airport and more than 320,000 passengers were served last year.

Historic Downtown Snohomish’s new officers

The Historic Downtown Snohomish Board of Directors elected new officers for 2010 on Mar. 11. The new President is Kimberly McIlrath, proprietor of Faded Elegance on First Street. Deverie Wood, owner of Light in Glass Publishing, remains for a second term as Vice President. Andy Papadatos, owner of The Snohomish Bakery and former organization president will take the position of Treasurer. Lisa Steffan, owner of Central Banc Mortgage on First Street is the new secretary.

Washington State Attorney General

announces plans for Boys &Girls Clubs

Boys &Girls Clubs serve more than 159,000 children in Washington state each year but there is only one club in Washington specifically for Native American children. Washington State Attorney General Rob McKenna has announced plans to help the Boys &Girls Clubs open several new facilities to help serve Native Americans. Grant money from consumer protection settlements with a variety of firms, including drug companies will facilitate the expansion. Boys &Girls Clubs provide after-school programs during times when children are often unsupervised and at risk of participating in destructive behaviors, including crime and drug abuse. Clubs promote and enhance the development of children by instilling a sense of competence, usefulness, belonging and influence.

Village Theatre-produced musical by Emmy Award winning author comes to Everett

A play by Emmy Award winning author Randy Rogel, “The Gypsy King” will run Apr. 30-May 23 in downtown Everett at the Village Theatre. Author Randy Rogel is a friend of Village Theatre and winner of three Emmy Awards (with 10 nominations), a Peabody Award, and two Annie Awards.

Local 4G speed trials for Verizon look good

Verizon Wireless’ 4G network will be available to more than 100 million customers in about 30 markets across the U.S. by the end of 2010. Since last August, Verizon has been testing its upcoming 4G network in Seattle and the tests demonstrate wireless data speeds across the 4G network are significantly faster than the current 3G network speeds. Trials have indicated the network is capable of peak download speeds of 40 to 50 megabits per second and peak upload speeds of 20 to 25 Mbps.

Community Transit Swift buses

increase ridership on Highway 99

Although CommunityTransit reported decreased overall ridership of 4.6 percent in 2009, the new Swift bus service has increased Highway 99 ridership by 11 percent after just three months of service.

Community Transit launched Swift, the state’s first bus rapid transit line, along the Highway 99 corridor on the last day of November 2009. On the first day of service alone, 1,523 riders used Swift. In December, Swift had an average of 1,699 weekday fares. January saw an average of 2,367 weekday fares while February had an average of 2,660 weekday fares.

By contrast, other transit ridership dropped 8 percent from Feb. 2009 to Feb. 2010, mirroring what is happening in the rest of the country. The American Public Transportation Association recently released a report showing an overall decrease of 3.8 percent in transit ridership in the U.S. during 2009.

Despite Swift’s good reception, Community Transit Board of Directors approved a 15 percent cut in bus service last month to take effect June 13. Among the budget balancing cuts is a suspension of all Sunday and holiday bus and DART service, including Swift.

Snohomish County Job Fairs invite exhibitors

Businesses are invited to exhibit at one of the upcoming at the Snohomish County Job Fairs to be held Apr. 29 and Oct. 7 at Everett Community College. The fairs are well advertised and open to the public. Benefits of signing up to be an exhibitor include multi-media advertising, listing on the Job Fair Web site with links, listing in special edition Official Program to be inserted in The Herald, networking with other businesses, meeting hundreds of qualified applicants, create higher profile with community, continental breakfast and a catered lunch. Details and vendor or exhibitor registration forms are online at www.snocojobfair.com.

Sleep Country USA offers new jobs in Everett

The regional staff of Sleep Country USA will roughly increase by 34 new positions. These are in the areas of sales and operations employees, warehouse workers and drivers. The increase will increase the current Sleep Country USA local workforce by 10 percent. The move is part of the company’s overall strategy to increase sales staff to better serve customers. No experience is necessary and employees will receive a comprehensive two-week training program to enhance their success. Company Vice President Mike Estes said the organization hopes to capture a greater market share through increased customer service.

Providence Children’s Association gives grant

Nonprofit organization, Choice &Consequence, has received a $12,000 grant from the Providence General Children’s Association for “The Real Inside Story” substance abuse prevention program to be delivered to ten Snohomish County schools with a focus in Monroe and Sultan School Districts.

Photo &Sound Saving opens in new location

Photo &Sound Saving, a nationally recognized full service media transfer company, has moved to Lynnwood, WA. The company first opened in Stanwood in 2004. Photo &Sound Saving offers conversion services for photos, slides, 8mm/16mm home movie film, camcorder tapes, video tapes, BETA, worldwide formatted tapes, records, reel to reel tape recordings, 8-track tapes, and audio cassettes.

Homebuyer services still available

for Snohomish County residents

Snohomish County has teamed-up with HomeSight, a Puget Sound nonprofit, to offer education and counseling to residents looking to purchase a home or save one they currently have. HomeSight offers assisted loan opportunities for those meeting income thresholds as well as advice on how to navigate a difficult financial market. More information is available by calling HomeSight at 206-723-4355 or go online at www.homesightwa.org.

New legislation allows Washington

to put money in local credit unions

Governor Chris Gregoire has signed legislation that allows public units to deposit funds in chartered credit unions. The credit unions will become part of the list of eligible public depositaries effect July 1, 2011.

The move adds 70 local, Washington-grown credit unions to the list of 105 public depositaries and brings with it more community-based banking choices for the state’s public units.

It also strengthens the safety of public dollars by diversifying risk at a time of escalating bank failures and unscrupulous behavior by too-big-to-fail financial institutions that currently hold the vast majority of Washington state’s public funds. Currently, Bank of America, KeyBank and U.S. Bank hold 67 percent of all Washington state public deposits. Studies have shown that credit unions generally offer better rates of return on savings and investment products than banks. The new law, however, will limit public deposits in credit unions by any single public unit to $100,000.

Imagine Children’s Museum celebrates

the visit of its one-millionth visitor

Imagine Children’s Museum, located in Everett, has welcomed its one millionth visitor. Casey and Briana Zachary and their two young children received a surprise greeting by museum staff along with a lifetime museum membership and a basket full of items from the museum store.

Nancy Johnson, Executive Director of the organization, said that the museum has experienced tremendous growth over the last five years, culminating in over 208,000 visitors just last year. They also sold a record 4,700 family memberships.

Imagine Children’s Museum has also won several awards. They won Nickelodeon’s Parents Connect “Best Museum” award two years in a row, KING 5’s Best of Western Washington award, the City of Everett Richard Wendt Award for Excellence in the Cultural Arts as well as national recognition for its innovative programming through the Association of Children’s Museum. Recently Charity Navigator, a leading independent evaluator of charities in America, awarded the Museum a high 4-star rating for its ability to effectively manage and grow its finances.

City Bank scrambles to avoid forced sale

City Bank, based in Lynnwood, has only until April 10 to raise enough money to prevent a forced sale by the government. If it fails to raise the capital, the organization will be sold by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

Bank President and CEO Martin Heimbigner, who just took the position in January, said the bank has engaged an investment banking firm and is trying to sell its assets to real estate investors. The bank was hard-hit by the recession and the abrupt drop in home sales because of its large percentage of investment in land and homes.

Evergreen Beauty &Barber College’s

two campuses win prize

Evergreen Beauty &Barber College took both first- and second-place prizes for top school at the Second Annual Reign of Styles Hair Competition on Mar. 7. Specifically, the Everett campus took first place while the Bellevue campus took second place. The event was held at the Seattle Center Exhibition Hall and was hosted by Ralph Porter. Judges for the event were Jeina Montgomery, Frank Kettrell, Rod Fender and Deborah Taylor.

Stimulus dollars to pay for improvements

Community Transit will add improvements to the surface-level parking at the Mountlake Terrace Transit Center through use of use Federal stimulus money. The transit center has already added a parking garage. According to Community Transit, the surface-level parking is over 25 years old and in need of repair. The proposed new surface is permeable pavement that will reduce puddles and water run-off.

Estimated cost for the project is $425,000 most of which is to come from American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds. When the work is complete, the transit center will have room for nearly 900 vehicles between the recently opened garage and the surface parking.

Tourism funding applications being accepted

Snohomish County is currently accepting applications from public and nonprofit agencies for projects that develop and promote tourism in the county. The money from Snohomish County hotel and motel room rental revenue can be used for marketing purposes only and not for capital improvements.

Application packages are due into the Snohomish County Office of Economic Development by 5 p.m. on Apr. 26. Snohomish County’s Lodging Tax Advisory Committee reviews the applications and the Snohomish County Executive and County Council have final approval. Historically, individual project allocation has averaged about $5,000. More information is available from Wendy Becker at 425-388-3186 or wendy.becker@snoco.org.

Historic delivery of Boeing 777 freighters

Boeing has delivered two 777 Freighters to Southern Air Holdings, Inc. This makes Southern Air the world’s first aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance operator to feature the 777 Freighter. According to Kevin Schemm, vice president of sales for North America for Boeing Commercial Airplanes, the 777 Freighter is the largest, most capable twin-engine freighter on the market and will offer great advantages for Southern Air and its partner, THAI Cargo. The 777 Freighter flies greater distances nonstop, and achieves the lowest trip costs of any large twin-engine freighter.

More business offerings, including evening classes, have been added at UW Bothell

University of Washington Bothell is now accepting applications for a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration with concentrations in Entrepreneurship, Finance, and, International Business. This is at its Bellevue-based Eastside Leadership Center. Chancellor Kenyon S. Chan has said that the new addition will offer students another venue to pursue the highly sought-after degree. Classes will be offered on Monday and Wednesday evenings for the convenience of working professionals. The BA in Business Administration from the Eastside Leadership Center is a self-sustaining degree completion program. More information is available from www.uwb.edu/babusiness/elcbabusiness.

Settlement reached with Penguin Windows

An agreement that identifies acceptable marketing practices in the window sales industry was part of the settlement reached between the Attorney General’s Office and Mukilteo-based Penguin Windows. Penguin denied any wrongdoing but agreed to the restrictions on its marketing tactics.

Penguin agreed to the Attorney General’s Office terms and will pay $95,000 in attorneys’ fees and legal costs. The Attorney General’s Office agreed to suspend $25,000 in civil penalties provided Penguin abides with consumer protection laws in the future.

Structural Design Associates new location

A grand opening officially celebrated the opening of Structural Design Associates new offices at 2802 Rockefeller Avenue in Everett. The event took place Mar. 25. Structural Design Associates is a professional engineering company that provides comprehensive structural engineering services for both residential and commercial projects such as single family residences, multi-family residences, concrete masonry buildings, concrete tilt-up structures, retention vaults, retaining walls, deep foundations, seismic retrofits, and more.

County tourism takes dip in January

Tourism is a $911.6 million industry in Snohomish County and ranks fourth as a state industry following software, aerospace, and agriculture and food. As 2010 began, Snohomish County ranked third in room occupancy at 47.2 percent. This figure was down 1.6 percent over 2009. The drop has local tourism officials concerned because the 2009 figure was at a main part of the recession. King County, however, had 48.4 percent occupancy in January, down 7.7 percent over last year.

Cypress Semiconductor Top for Commuters

Community Transit honored Cypress Semiconductor at the recent Visionary Awards for the company’s support of employees who commute. Rather than eliminate free bus passes for interested employees due to budget cuts, the company switched to ORCA (One Regional Card for All). The bulk rates allowed Cypress Semiconductor to reduce its costs and increase effectiveness by reducing single-occupant vehicle trips to their worksites by 10 percent.