Local Business

Rising consumer demand fertilizes organic industry's political power

Traditional agriculture's backers resist sharing government benefits

WASHINGTON — The organic food industry is gaining influence on Capitol Hill, prompted by its entry into traditional farm states and by increasing consumer demand.

Riverview Bank to celebrate 90th anniversary Tuesday

Vancouver-based Riverview Community Bank will celebrate its 90th anniversary on Tuesday. Customers are invited to visit any Riverview branch on that day for complimentary cake and refreshments.

Columbia Bank makes changes downtown

It will close branch, move staff to ex-West Coast Bank site

Columbia Bank will consolidate its two downtown Vancouver branches into one office in late summer, the bank's CEO said after a bank-sponsored forecast breakfast event on Thursday.

Legacy Salmon Creek remodel under way

Hospital grows to handle influx of Kaiser patients

Preparing for an influx of patients in October, Legacy Salmon Creek Medical Center has kicked off a $6 million project to remodel and equip a portion of the hospital, including the addition of four labor and delivery rooms, and one new surgical suite.

Clark County, CREDC begin to rebuild relationship (with video)

Agency will receive pass-through funding, Commissioner Madore will get a seat on its board

Two months after the split between the Columbia River Economic Development Council and Clark County appeared permanent, the two sides say they will give it another go.

Liquor stores keep flowing into Clark County

Total Wine & More, the nation's biggest chain, opens today near Vancouver mall

Another large liquor store chain — the nation's biggest — has arrived in Vancouver to cash in locally on the state's newly privatized market for selling hard liquor.

Clark County home sales gain momentum

Clark County home sales continued to rise in April, as increasing numbers of homeowners listed houses for sale and interested buyers quickly snapped up the inventory.

April unemployment rate in Washington drops to 7 percent

OLYMPIA — Washington's unemployment rate dropped to 7 percent in April, and the state added an estimated 3,800 jobs last month, according to numbers released Wednesday.

Northwest Pipe profit nearly double over last year

Vancouver-based Northwest Pipe Co. has reported a profit of $9.5 million, or $1 per diluted share, for the first quarter of this year. That compares with a profit of $4.7 million, or 50 cents per diluted share, for the January-to-March period in 2012.

Local fuel prices spike by 26 cents in past week

Tight supplies and refinery issues on the West Coast are sending retail gas prices dramatically higher in this region, AAA reported today. Vancouver's average price for regular unleaded leaped by 26 cents a gallon, to $3.94.

Port crafts response in case of oil spill

Operation that would export crude brings environmental risk

When Tesoro Corporation and Savage Companies recently said they'd launch a crude oil operation at the Port of Vancouver, the announcement raised the possibility of new jobs and private capital investment.

Small local theaters raise glass to bill's signing

Alcohol will be permitted in Kiggins, Liberty auditoriums

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee signed a bill Tuesday that allows small movie houses, such as the Kiggins Theatre in downtown Vancouver and the Liberty Theatre in Camas, to serve beer and wine in their auditoriums even when children are present.

CRC close to mitigation deal with Oregon Iron Works

Company would be negatively impacted by a lower I-5 bridge over the Columbia River

Oregon Iron Works, one of the companies that would be negatively impacted by the Columbia River Crossing project, is close to reaching a mitigation deal with the CRC, Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee said this week.

Farm bill: Still a little something for everyone

WASHINGTON — The Senate Agriculture Committee has approved a massive five-year farm bill that would cut spending while also creating new subsidies for farmers.

Washington View: Who says congress and the president can't move quickly?

Air travelers received a bit of good news recently: A bill to put air traffic controllers back to work whisked through the House and Senate and flew into the White House for President Obama's signature.