The Columbian

Clark County Business

Picketers greet morning drivers outside PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center on April 18.

‘People are just much more willing to fight’: More health care workers in Clark County push to unionize

May 28, 2024, 6:05am Business

Unionization efforts across the health care field continue to increase in Clark County and beyond as workers steadily organize to secure more workplace protections. Read story

Woodland mulls new rules for food trucks

May 28, 2024, 6:02am Business

Stacey Ramirez’s food truck The Islander has a spot she likes to park in at the old Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue station on Davidson Avenue. Read story

Washington State Treasurer Mike Pellicciotti, left, and his office’s communications director, Aaron Sherman, speak with The Columbian’s editorial board about Washington Saves.

Washington Saves fills gap for private-sector employees without a 401(k); plan set to launch in 2027

May 27, 2024, 6:05am Business Subscriber Exclusive

Most people who have retirement savings set their money aside in a 401(k) or similar tax-deferred accounts. But 401(k)s are not available to everyone. Read story

Fossils like these ammonites and dinosaur bones make up a portion of the inventory at Crystal Cavern in downtown Camas.

Digging into business: Castro’s Minerals finds success at sister store Crystal Cavern in Camas

May 25, 2024, 6:14am Business Subscriber Exclusive

In a world where time is fleeting and objects are made to be discarded, a beautiful rock formed over eons has a certain appeal. You feel as though you’re grasping a small remnant of Earth’s primal forces. Read story

Real estate experts encourage buyers not to let high interest rates scare them out of the housing market.

Clark County experts: Time to buy a home is now, before dip in interest rates increases competition

May 25, 2024, 6:02am Business

High interest rates are making it harder for people to buy homes in Clark County’s already hot market. But buyers shouldn’t wait for interest rates to drop, real estate agents and mortgage brokers working in Clark County say. Read story

La Bottega manager and sommelier Alisha Judge, at right, instructs Sienna Gehl, a server.

‘Bottega needs to evolve again’: Italian restaurant in Vancouver gets new owners

May 24, 2024, 6:05am Business Subscriber Exclusive

Vancouver may be growing and changing, but it still operates like a small town. Rumors of La Bottega being sold hit social media groups faster than owner Lisa Dougherty could reach out to The Columbian to explain the future for this popular Italian restaurant, deli and marketplace. Read story

The Interstate 5 Bridge crosses the Columbia River.

Interstate 5 Bridge tolling scenarios: Low-income program, weekend rates and heavy truck tolls

May 23, 2024, 5:30pm Business

Construction on a new Interstate 5 Bridge is expected to begin in early 2026, and tolling will help cover the $5 billion to $7.5 billion price tag. Read story

As air conditioning has become more common and the region’s population has continued to grow, Clark Public Utilities is now seeing peaking energy usage in both the summer and winter months.

Clark Public Utilities braces for peak energy use this summer

May 22, 2024, 6:08am Business Subscriber Exclusive

Overall demand for electricity has increased as Clark County’s population has grown. Read story

The Port of Vancouver and the Vancouver Bee Project are collaborating on a new bee habitat on port property. To prepare the property, a 40-by-100-foot tarp was laid down to kill off unwanted grasses, weeds and plants.

Port of Vancouver, Vancouver Bee Project collaborate on new bee habitat on port property

May 22, 2024, 6:06am Business

The Port of Vancouver and the Vancouver Bee Project are collaborating on a new bee habitat on port property. While it’s just a big black sheet of plastic at the moment, eventually the area will be filled with native plants and flowers that will attract native bees. Read story