Strictly Business: Asking the big questions
It's a reflection of the Port of Vancouver's desire to do the right thing that it held a public workshop last week to discuss how to handle crude oil safely, including how to clean up potential oil spills in the Columbia River.
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.
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.
CREDC invites tech leaders to mingle at GeekDrinks
Clark County jobs promoter launches bimonthly networking events
Clark County's largest nonprofit jobs promoter and business recruiter is launching a new bimonthly series of networking events aimed at bringing the leaders of local technology companies together to kindle ideas, and to boost the industry's growth and competitiveness.
Call about utility bill could be a scammer
Somebody has been asking for payments via phone
Attention Clark Public Utilities customers: A scammer wants inside your wallet.
Some Northwest coal efforts fade
Three of six projects proposed for region have been scuttled
The Pacific Northwest is no longer as big a target for global energy companies looking to export coal from the West Coast to energy-hungry China and other countries.
United Grain, union trade charges
Company acknowledges that replacement workers are being used
As union dockworkers and United Grain Corp. square off at the Port of Vancouver, both parties also are lobbing unfair labor practice charges at each other to the National Labor Relations Board.
Police show up in force at Port of Vancouver
Preparing for a large labor protest, Vancouver police arrived at the Port of Vancouver this morning with a dozen police cars and two motorcycles. No illegal incidents occurred, and there was no large crowd, according to a police spokeswoman.
Port of Vancouver pursuing purchase of crucial parcel
It would pave way for development of another property
It's no secret the Port of Vancouver wants to move westward, expanding, installing more rail and inviting additional employers to set up shop.
Strictly Business: On the austere road to ruin
You may have missed it, but a smart group of folks recently told us that our infrastructure — roads, bridges, mass transit, airports, and power and water lines — are in terrible shape.
Nike campaign was broad, complex
Documents shed light on recruiting effort
Washington state officials, eyeing the rare opportunity to capture a big piece of a Fortune 500 corporation and to transform Clark County's economy with one masterstroke, pursued a planned expansion by Nike Inc. with everything they had.
Port of Vancouver report: Transportation = jobs
Event touts importance of trade; union airs grievances
There's a chance your job exists because of Washington state's strong links to international trade — built on road, river and rail connections. And if you think moving goods and services regionally and around the world just adds to the traffic jam during your morning commute, think again.
Barrett posts 35% surge in net revenue
After $111.6M in 1Q, Vancouver-based firm plans to get bigger
Barrett Business Services Inc., the Vancouver-based supplier of staffing and outsourced human resources services, reported surging net revenue Wednesday, hauling in $111.6 million in the January-to-March period. The company's revenue is up 35 percent from $82.4 million in the first quarter of 2012.
The Big Divide: The road ahead
Growth prospects promising, with or without the Columbia River Crossing
Will we build on the recent gains in the months and years ahead or will we lose our footing and slide? The answer is hazy. The momentum-stalling fight over the Columbia River Crossing is a big reason why.
Jobs gain continues Clark County's slow recovery
Steady improvement evident in battered local labor market
Clark County's slowly recovering economy maintained that pace in March, a state Employment Security Department report showed Tuesday, by eking out 100 new jobs in a month that typically sees a decline in payrolls.
Port of Vancouver may host crude-oil facility
Project could create up to 80 permanent jobs in Vancouver
North Dakota's oil boom is bringing crude oil — and jobs — to the Port of Vancouver.
Companies announce deal to handle crude oil at the Port of Vancouver
Tesoro Corporation and Savage Companies say they'll construct and operate facilities to store, load and unload crude oil at the Port of Vancouver.
The Big Divide: Competing political wills block the way
Competing political wills block the way Before CRC, Clark County tackled its economic woes by parties putting differences aside for the common good but not anymore
Part 1 of a 3-part series: Conflict over the Columbia River Crossing has fractured Clark County as proponents of a new bridge say the project will spur the sluggish economy and ease traffic congestion in the region while critics say it's too costly and includes light rail that many people do not want.
The Big Divide, Day 3: The Road Ahead
Growth prospects promising, with or without the Columbia River Crossing
Earth movers trundle over mounds of dirt where roads and utilities will open the way for new businesses at the Port of Vancouver. By the end of August, the port's $5.3 million investment on this long-dormant 108 acres will have bought infrastructure for about half of the new Centennial Industrial Park. The goal: attract businesses that will provide 500 family-wage jobs.
The Big Divide: Competing political wills block the way
Clark County's political and business leaders who've steered the county's growth strategy for decades are under fire by critics girding to capsize their priorities. Most business and civic groups, as well as local governments, see a new Interstate 5 bridge as a main ingredient of Clark County's future prosperity. But their critics aim to sink the proposed CRC, in part because the $3.4 billion Interstate 5 Bridge replacement project will bring light rail into Clark County. If they're successful, CRC opponents will tear into the very fabric of the leadership elite's sense of what the county needs to thrive.
ILWU sees Temco pact useful in other talks
Grain official: Using it as basis for negotiations is a 'nonstarter'
The International Longshore and Warehouse Union, in its dispute over a new employment contract with Northwest grain terminal operators, views a temporary agreement it signed with U.S.-based Temco as a road map for resolving its differences with three other companies.
Former HP site may draw more lease deals
Economic development group expecting more activity to follow Integra agreement
The relocation of at least 500 people employed by the telecom firm Integra from Portland to a portion of the former Hewlett-Packard campus in Vancouver may be a harbinger of additional lease deals at the 735,000-square-foot site at 18110 S.E. 34th St.
PeaceHealth, CHI suspend negotiations over forming partnership
Vancouver-based PeaceHealth and Colorado-based Catholic Health Initiatives say they've suspended talks over forming a 50-50 partnership aimed at launching a massive new health care network in the Northwest.
Employment rises in Clark County
Encouraging growth is still below old rates, has recovered just 46 percent of lost jobs
Five years after the first financial catastrophe of the 21st century, Clark County is finally flexing some real muscle, dropping its role as an economic laggard, exceeding the growth rate of the nation and pulling closer to that of the state, the most recent labor market data show.
Port of Vancouver Commissioner Oliver will run for second term
Port of Vancouver Commissioner Jerry Oliver, whose current six-year term ends Dec. 31, says he'll run for re-election to the port's three-member board.
ACLU says faith-based hospitals jeopardize reproductive, end-of-life care
Hospitals are supposed to be places of healing, but Washington's hospitals are becoming places of conflict between religion and government over health care services.
Gov. Inslee to visit WaferTech in Camas
Roundtable on CRC, visit to Crestline site also on his agenda
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee will pay a visit to WaferTech in Camas on Friday as part of his stopover in Clark County, Inslee's spokeswoman, Jaime Smith, confirmed.
Union: Grain companies agree to resume talks
Workers have been locked out since Feb. 27
Union dockworkers, locked out for more than three weeks in a contract dispute with United Grain Corp. at the Port of Vancouver, say the company and two other operators of Northwest grain-export terminals have agreed to return to the bargaining table.
Local business recruiter unveils a fresh website
CREDC is increasing visibility, implementing plan
The Columbia River Economic Development Council, Clark County's largest nonprofit jobs promoter and business recruiter, has launched a new website offering a more user-friendly format and up-to-date information about the state and local business climate.
Clark County making gradual economic recovery
It shed 300 jobs from December to January, gained 2,200 over a year
Clark County’s economy didn’t begin 2013 with a bounce in its step, instead shedding 300 jobs on a seasonally adjusted basis from December to January.
County, CREDC formalize their split
Economic development group plans to proceed with one member fewer
The divorce is final. Clark County government and its erstwhile economic development contractor — the Columbia River Economic Development Council — have officially parted ways, Lisa Nisenfeld, president of the CREDC, said Monday.
UPDATE: Union workers at Port of Vancouver stage hourlong work stoppage
Dockworkers return to jobs after show of support for locked-out union members
All union dockworkers walked off their jobs at the Port of Vancouver for an hour this morning, apparently in a show of support for fellow union members in their dispute with United Grain Corp.
President Obama appoints Oregon Iron Works' Chandra Brown to manufacturing post
President Obama has appointed Chandra Brown, vice president of Oregon Iron Works, as the U.S. Department of Commerce's deputy assistant secretary for manufacturing.
UPDATE: ILWU files unfair labor practice charge against United Grain
Two sides trade verbal blows as lockout continues
The International Longshore and Warehouse Union filed an unfair labor practice charge Monday against United Grain and its Japanese parent company, the union said in a Tuesday morning statement.
United Grain files suit against union official
Company alleges Vancouver resident sabotaged equipment
United Grain Corp., locked in a contract dispute with the International Longshore and Warehouse Union at the Port of Vancouver, has filed a lawsuit against the union official it alleges sabotaged the company’s equipment, accusing him of causing more than $300,000 in damages to the company.
Nautilus reports robust $13.6M profit
Operating results hailed as best in 5 years by one official
Nautilus Inc., the Vancouver-based manufacturer of fitness equipment, reported robust financial results Monday, including a fourth-quarter profit of $13.6 million, with one senior official calling them "the best operating results we've reported in over five years."
Shifting snowfall patterns hurt economies that rely on winter visitors
Anyone involved in the winter tourism industry knows what uncertainty feels like.
Union asks grain operators for more talks
Inslee takes interest in Day 3 of lockout at Port of Vancouver
Union dockworkers and United Grain Corp. launched a fresh round of maneuverings Friday over their three-day standoff at the Port of Vancouver. Developments included a letter — obtained by The Columbian — that was sent by the International Longshore and Warehouse Union to United Grain and other grain terminal operators. The letter urged the terminal operators to return to the bargaining table sometime in the next two weeks in light of a separate deal the ILWU struck with another company.
Lockout's ripple effects felt
A sense of anticipation and dread settled over the standoff between United Grain Corp. and union dockworkers at the Port of Vancouver on Thursday, with the company’s managers taking on cargo-handling duties as locked-out union members expected replacement workers to be brought in soon from out of state.
Updated: Port of Vancouver designates area for protests, warns union and United Grain to follow guidelines
In a letter sent Wednesday to United Grain and the ILWU, Port of Vancouver Executive Director Todd Coleman outlined the port's expectations of both parties in their dispute over a labor contract
United Grain Corp. accuses ILWU of sabotage, locks out workers (with video)
Union calls accusation unfounded
Wednesday's lockout by United Grain — following months of contentious negotiations between it and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union — triggered a fresh round of finger-pointing, prompted union picket lines to form and left a ship hauling more than 1,800 Subaru vehicles unable to unload its cargo at the port.
Port of Vancouver OKs $50M line of credit, pay raise
Money to pay for projects; executive director will get 2.5% bump to $191K
The Port of Vancouver will secure a $50 million line of credit from KeyBank to pay for rail and other public works projects, thanks to a unanimous vote Tuesday by the port's Board of Commissioners.
Port of Vancouver may secure a $50M line of credit
Decisions on funding for projects, director's pay expected Tuesday
The Port of Vancouver's three elected commissioners are poised today to secure a $50 million line of credit to help pay for the port's rail and other public works projects. They're also expected to review the annual salary of the port's executive director, Todd Coleman, who would add managing that line of credit to his other responsibilities.
Local hospitals embrace change
PeaceHealth finalizes merger, works on new partnership; Legacy adopts ‘lean’ management principles
To say Clark County’s two dominant hospitals — PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center and Legacy Salmon Creek Medical Center — are embracing change would be an understatement. Whether through internal initiatives or outside partnerships, both organizations are hunting for ways to cut costs, improve care and boost efficiencies, even as federal health care reform steadily becomes reality.
Vancouver port continues its mission
Boosting industrial, marine growth while creating jobs are top goals
With regional and international lines of business, the Port of Vancouver maintains a steady mission: boost industrial and marine growth, and create jobs.And, for several years now, it’s been a heady time for the port — the third-largest port in Washington and the second largest on the Columbia River. Counting everyone from China and Japan to Europe and South America as trading partners, the 100-year-old port’s business is 85 percent exports and 15 percent imports. It handles everything from steel and wind turbines to automobiles and bulk minerals. Occupying four miles of waterfront, the port has no encroachment problems from urban development.Its 2,127 acres of property includes more than 100 acres ready for development and — on its west side — more than 500 acres planned for future development.
VIDEO: Senator Murray slams anti-CRC move
U.S. Sen. Patty Murray today sharply criticized the decision by two Clark County commissioners to pull funding from the Columbia River Economic Development Council, the county's veteran jobs promoter and business recruiter
PeaceHealth looks for revenue boost
Some options to increase collections could change employees' situations
PeaceHealth is considering two options to boost its annual net revenue by at least $20 million. One alternative involves outsourcing hundreds of workers to a contract employer.
Walter Neth, who helped his family grow Columbia Machine, dies
Walter Neth, who helped grow his family's Vancouver-based business, Columbia Machine Inc., into a global builder of concrete products-making equipment and package-moving palletizers, died Saturday. He was 91.
North county sites seek Clark College's orbit
Ridgefield, Battle Ground parcels eyed as possible satellite campus for Vancouver-based college
Tri-Mountain Golf Course has long been a potential target for higher development with its Cascade Mountains views and proximity to Interstate 5 near La Center and Ridgefield.
Records reveal Vancouver, state's efforts to court Nike
Gregoire, CREDC, port were part of campaign to entice sportswear giant
The city of Vancouver aggressively sought an expansion of Nike Inc. in Clark County, offering at least $8.1 million for the project and pitching the company on expanding at the former Hewlett-Packard site now owned by SEH America, public records obtained by The Columbian show.
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