Best in County noms period still open
The nomination window for the Clark County Chamber of Commerce’s Best in County Awards is now open until Nov. 30.
Awards will be given in categories of visibility, networking, public advocacy, business services and training programs.
Nominations may come from within an organization. For nomination guidelines and more information write to info@clarkchamber.com or call 360-258-1181.
The awards presentation will be from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. Dec. 11 at the Hostess House, 10017 N.E. Sixth Ave. in Hazel Dell.
Dodge dealer offers Business Link services
Alan Webb Dodge of Vancouver is now offering local businesses special vehicle services, consultation, discounts and networking opportunities through Business Link.
Business owners who require one or more vehicles for their operations can join Business Link at no cost. Members are not required to own Dodge or Chrysler vehicles to receive services.
The program allows qualified dealerships like Alan Webb Dodge to act as fleet managers for small businesses. Member benefits include on-the-job rebates, fleet pricing, on-site fleet consultations and vehicle inspections, plus one-on-one time with advisors trained in fleet maintenance and updates.
At the local dealership, vehicles like the 2008 Ram 4500 and 5500 Chassis Cabs are exclusively available through Business Link. Members can also take advantage of networking events, a newsletter and member-to-member discounts.
Alan Webb Dodge is among 10 percent of dealers to qualify for the program based on its quality of service.
Big Al’s wins excellence award
Big Al’s Family Entertainment Center in Vancouver recently received the 2007 Brunswick Center of Excellence award.
Big Al’s owners are Al, Sandee, Daniel and Melissa Kirkwood with Dean and Kelly Gaylor. Their bowling center was recognized for its business development strategy and implementation along with management, operations, customer service, marketing and sales.
The owners were new to the industry before opening the business in 2006, but are already planning for up to three new locations in the next five years.
Farmers market returns for winter
The Vancouver Farmers Market is hosting an outdoor winter market through Dec. 22 on the west side of Esther Street.
The market is open Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., rain or shine. It will feature agricultural, food and arts and crafts vendors. Seasonal music will be featured starting Nov. 10.
Interested vendors can join this market at any time. For more information call Mike Lesh, 360-772-6139, or visit www.vancouverfarmersmarket.com.
R+D
Parkview half sold
The Parkview at Vancouvercenter has closed on nearly half of the condominiums in the 112-unit development. The project opened in July with studios and one- and two-bedrooms starting at $118,900.
Vancouvercenter is a two-block development offering residential, Class A office and retail space.
New children’s justice center named for county prosecutor
The Child Abuse Intervention Center in Vancouver was recently renamed the Arthur D. Curtis Children’s Justice Center at an open house in its new facility.
Curtis has been Clark County’s prosecuting attorney since 1981 and is a longtime child protection advocate. He was an originator of the center’s vision and has chaired its board since its beginning in 1990.
The center’s new facility is at 601 West Evergreen, Suite 101 in Vancouver. Development of the site has been in the works for several years.
D+C
CRC begins test drilling
Test drilling for the Columbia River Crossing project began Nov. 18 near the Interstate Bridge and is expected to continue every day through February.
The tests will determine the type and stability of soils under the Columbia River to help refine bridge foundation designs and pier placement plans. Tests will begin with a drill mounted on a barge anchored downstream of the Interstate Bridge. In mid-December, up to three project barges could be in the river at any time. Project staff are coordinating with the U.S. Coast Guard to avoid interfering with sea traffic.
The project area is a five-mile stretch of Interstate 5 from State Route 500 in Vancouver to Columbia Boulevard in Portland and includes the Interstate Bridge. Project staff are weighing options for a bridge that will either replace or supplement the existing I-5 bridge. Designs for both options would put a new structure west of the existing bridge.
WD
Ultimate Staffing to video holiday greetings for soldiers
Military personnel serving overseas will receive video holiday greetings from Vancouver this year, thanks to a new technology at Ultimate Staffing Services.
In normal use, Video Select lets employers screen job candidates in short video clips sent by email. This fall the technology at 120 Ultimate Staffing offices nationwide will be used to make holiday e-messages for those serving overseas.
Those interested can call 360-944-2127 or email vancouver@ultimatestaffing.com. Ultimate Staffing is a division of Roth Staffing Cos., based in Orange, Calif.
ESD honors county biz for hiring vets
Vancouver-based SEH America and Ridgefield-based United Natural Foods were honored by the state Employment Security Department for their efforts to employ military veterans.
Silicon wafer production company SEH America has hired 97 veterans since 2005, which represents 13 percent of its workforce. It also employs 11 National Guard and Reserve members.
United Natural Foods, a wholesale distributor of natural and organic foods, employs seven veterans on its 21-person staff, representing 33 percent of its workforce. The company also employs one reservist, who recently returned from active duty.
County loses a few jobs, state unemployment is the same
Clark County’s employment decreased by 200 jobs in October for a total of 137,100 jobs, according to Regional Economist Scott Bailey’s regional labor report for the state Employment Security Department.
Compared to last October, job counts were higher by 3,000 jobs or 2.2 percent.
Washington’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained unchanged in October from September’s 4.8 percent rate, according to ESD reports.
I+T
Wacom introduces interactive pen-on-screen
Wacom Technology Corp. in Vancouver recently announced the U.S. debut of the Cintiq 12WX, its new tool for direct use on computer screens.
Uses of the 4.4-pound pen-on-screen tool include storyboarding animations, compositing for post production, designing graphics and retouching photos. The Cintiq 12WX can work as a companion monitor or alone. Its estimated street price is $999.
Accompanying the Cintiq 12WX is a patented, cordless and battery-free pen.
Wacom Technology’s global parent company is Wacom Co. Ltd. in Japan.
Cricket offers local unlimited wifi
Cricket LCW announced a new mobile broadband internet service in the Vancouver area this month.
The new service will provide Cricket customers with unlimited wireless internet access in Vancouver, Portland, Salem and Eugene. Cricket’s digital signal can be picked up throughout those cities with a card that inserts into a laptop computer.
Internet customers will not be required to sign a contract or go through a credit check. The service is $35 a month for current Cricket customers and $40 a month for new customers.
Cricket LCW plans to expand its mobile-broadband coverage in 2008 with comprehensive coverage from Vancouver to Eugene. Its phone service was launched in Vancouver in 2006.
Cricket services are offered by Leap Wireless International Inc. of San Diego. Cricket LCW is joint venture between Cricket Communications Inc., CSM Wireless and WLPCS Management to bring Cricket service to the local area.
News Edge builds Waxie network
New Edge Networks of Vancouver recently installed a managed private wide area network for Waxie Sanitary Supply of San Diego.
New Edge built a 15-site network in PLACE for Waxie, one of the largest distributors of sanitary maintenance supplies in the western states.
The new system replaces a legacy frame relay network. Along with teleconferencing, it will power Waxie’s planning software and customer management system, plus inventory control, internet access and email.
New Edge is the business communications unit of EarthLink Inc., based in Atlanta.
GWI releases new help desk software
Vancouver-based GWI Software released c.Support Version 6.5 software for information technology helpdesks.
The new software is built to work with Microsoft technologies and c.Support’s Asset Management program. New features include feedback and rankings, directory synchronization and a c.Support desktop redesign.
A no-cost upgrade for current users will be available by the end of 2007.
B+F
Share to match state funds for housing grant
Share of Vancouver has received a $70,000 grant to fund Individual’s Development Accounts for clients in its transitional housing program.
The grant came from the state of Washington Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development. The state office also partnered Share with the Lower Columbia Action Committee in Kelso thanks to a $4 million federal grant.
Under the grant, Share clients will receive bank savings accounts for a future asset, helping 50 households become self-sufficient. Over the course of three years participants will save up to $4,000 to use make a down payment on a home, purchase a car or computer, start a business or pursue higher education.
Clients will save money in a restricted savings account at Pacific Continental Bank, and Share will provide a two to one match through the grant. Community Housing Resource Center, Vancouver Toyota and SCORE will partner with Share to provide program resources and education.
Wells Fargo to adds 50 Vancouver jobs
Wells Fargo Financial will expand its Vancouver service center by hiring about 50 new full-time staff.
The recruiting process should be complete it by the end of November. The new hires will bring the facility’s staff total to 525.
The job openings are for collectors with annual salaries from $25,000 to $30,000. The local service center is at 521 S.E. Chkalov Drive.
H+H
County health board seeks advisory council apps
Clark County’s Board of Health is looking for applicants to fill two vacancies on the county’s public health advisory council.
The first vacancy is open to dentists practicing in the county, and the second is open to those living in the county and representing consumers of public health services.
Those interested may submit a resume and letter of interest to Jennifer Clark, Clark County Board of Commissioners, P.O. Box 5000, Vancouver, WA 98666 or via e-mail to jennifer.clark@clark.wa.gov by Nov. 30.
