badillodacyroic1505.blogspot.com
May 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH) today announced that it has priced $650 million of 9.125% senior unsecured notes (the "Notes"). The offering was increased from a previousluy announced sizeof $600 The Notes, due June 1, 2017, will be issuec at 96.577% of the principal amount to yield The transaction is expected to close May 27, 2009, subject to certaimn closing conditions. Ashland intends to use the net proceeds from the together withavailable liquidity, to repay in full its existingh $750 million bridge loan and to pay fees and expense s in connection with the offering and the repaymen of the indebtedness.
The Notes are bein g sold in the United States to qualified institutional buyers in relianced on Rule 144A and outsidwe the United States in compliance withRegulation S, under the Securitiess Act of 1933. These Notes have not been registered undefr the Securities Act or any states securities laws and may not be offered or sold in the Unitedc States absent registration or an applicable exemptiojn fromregistration requirements. This press release does not constitutew an offerto sell, or the solicitatio n of an offer to buy, the nor shall it constitutee an offer, solicitation or sale in any jurisdiction in which such solicitation or sale is unlawful. Ashland Inc.
(NYSE: ASH) providea specialty chemical products, services and solutions for many ofthe world' s most essential needs and industries. Serving customerws in more than 100 it operates through fivecommercial units: Ashland Aqualon Functional Ingredients, Ashland Hercules Watee Technologies, Ashland Performance Materials, Ashlanf Consumer Markets (Valvoline) and Ashland Distribution. To learbn more about Ashland, visit . SOURCE Ashland Inc.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Monday, September 26, 2011
So you want to be in pictures? Here's the scoop - Vancouver Sun
onesawava.wordpress.com
So you want to be in pictures? Here's the scoop Vancouver Sun "As a rule, we want three trades, meaning hands-on skills in three different trades," said IATSE's Chris Sturges. "The reason is you need to be able to pick up any kind of tool and be able to use it, and understand the mechanics of a foreign task ... |
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Md. colleges given $11M to combat nursing shortage - Triangle Business Journal:
zemlyanikiyri.blogspot.com
The grants, being divvied among 17 Marylandnursing schools, will be used to lure facult y and students, and improve technology at the Maryland’s nursing shortage is expectedc to reach 10,000 by 2016, according to the . The currengt vacancy rate of nurses at state hospitals is8 percent. The economixc downturn has helped the industry because many retirede nurses have come backto work, but once the recession ends the shortagee will worsen, said Carmela Coyle, CEO of the Marylaned Hospital Association. The first round of grants will increase the number of nursesw graduating by 300 students and add 20 faculty positionse at nursing programs acrossthe state.
“Ths number of nurses graduating from Maryland schools are simplgynot enough,” said Ronald B. president of and co-chair of the “Who Will campaign at a press conference Monday. “Wer cannot take our eye off thenursing demand.” The campaign’sd goal is to add 1,500 new nursing The program has raisec $15.5 million to date through the state’s businesx community, including funds from the Baltimore construction form , , the region'e largest hospital system, and , the region'ss largest health insurer. Greater Baltimore Medical Center, for gave $500,000.
The goal is to raise $20 million from the private sectodr by the end ofthe year, and then raise an additionh $40 million in state, local and federap funds. • • • • • ; and, • .
The grants, being divvied among 17 Marylandnursing schools, will be used to lure facult y and students, and improve technology at the Maryland’s nursing shortage is expectedc to reach 10,000 by 2016, according to the . The currengt vacancy rate of nurses at state hospitals is8 percent. The economixc downturn has helped the industry because many retirede nurses have come backto work, but once the recession ends the shortagee will worsen, said Carmela Coyle, CEO of the Marylaned Hospital Association. The first round of grants will increase the number of nursesw graduating by 300 students and add 20 faculty positionse at nursing programs acrossthe state.
“Ths number of nurses graduating from Maryland schools are simplgynot enough,” said Ronald B. president of and co-chair of the “Who Will campaign at a press conference Monday. “Wer cannot take our eye off thenursing demand.” The campaign’sd goal is to add 1,500 new nursing The program has raisec $15.5 million to date through the state’s businesx community, including funds from the Baltimore construction form , , the region'e largest hospital system, and , the region'ss largest health insurer. Greater Baltimore Medical Center, for gave $500,000.
The goal is to raise $20 million from the private sectodr by the end ofthe year, and then raise an additionh $40 million in state, local and federap funds. • • • • • ; and, • .
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Small businesses seek relief from product safety law - bizjournals:
ywyjihu.wordpress.com
Congress passed the Consumer Products Safeth Improvement Act in August 2008 in responsed to the discovery of high lead contenrt in toys importedfrom China. But U.S. businessed contend the law has made it impossible for them to sell productse that pose no health threat to Manufacturers complainthe law’s requirementd to test and certify children’se products for lead and phthalatesw — and attach permanent tracking labels — are unreasonabld and too costly for many small Supporters of the legislation contend that the has done a poor job of providintg guidance to businesses on how to complt with the legislation.
They also maintain the commission has the authority to exclude certain classes of products fromthe law’s requirementzs if they don’t pose a health But Nancy Nord, acting chairwoman of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, testifierd at a May 14 House heariny that the agency is “hamstrung by the law’s sweepiny reach and inflexibility.” The commission has “nog yet been able to identify any products that wouled meet the law’s requirements for she said. On Jan. 30, the commissioj did issue a one-year stay of enforcementf for the law’s testing and certification requirements. “I t was very clear people were not ready to meet the Nord said.
But this stay of enforcement did not relieve manufacturers or retailerz of the underlying legal liability for sellingf products that did not meetthe law’w lower lead and phthalate which went into effect Feb. 10. “According to the retailingg community, the stay changees nothing,” said David McCubbin, a partner in McCubbin an OklahomaCity manufacturer. “Retailersz continue to ask us to test.” Even thougj there is no evidencde thathis company’s hosiery contains lead, his compant will be forced to pay more than $500,000o on lead testing during the next McCubbin said.
Hosiery isn’t likely to be ingested or solead wouldn’t pose a health hazarx even if it were he added. Textiles should be exempted from the leadtestintg requirement, he said. For Swimways a Virginia Beach, Va.-based manufacturer of wate r products, the problem isn’t lead, it’s phthalates — compounds often used to soften vinyl. The law banned the sale of children’s productes that contained phthalates, even if the partz containing phthalates arenot accessible. Because the law made the new phthalatexsstandard retroactive, Swimways was stuck with inventory it couldn’tf sell.
Retailers returned or destroyed Swimways merchandise and charged Swimways forthe expense. The law cost the 70-employeew company more than $1 million, said Anthongy Vittone, vice president and general counsel. The law could cost creators of handmade itemsdtheir businesses, two home-based crafters testified. Laurek Schreiber, owner of Lucy’s Pockert in Allison Park, Pa., makes monogrammed giftsa for children, such as hairbows, and an applique bib and bloomer set.
Congress passed the Consumer Products Safeth Improvement Act in August 2008 in responsed to the discovery of high lead contenrt in toys importedfrom China. But U.S. businessed contend the law has made it impossible for them to sell productse that pose no health threat to Manufacturers complainthe law’s requirementd to test and certify children’se products for lead and phthalatesw — and attach permanent tracking labels — are unreasonabld and too costly for many small Supporters of the legislation contend that the has done a poor job of providintg guidance to businesses on how to complt with the legislation.
They also maintain the commission has the authority to exclude certain classes of products fromthe law’s requirementzs if they don’t pose a health But Nancy Nord, acting chairwoman of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, testifierd at a May 14 House heariny that the agency is “hamstrung by the law’s sweepiny reach and inflexibility.” The commission has “nog yet been able to identify any products that wouled meet the law’s requirements for she said. On Jan. 30, the commissioj did issue a one-year stay of enforcementf for the law’s testing and certification requirements. “I t was very clear people were not ready to meet the Nord said.
But this stay of enforcement did not relieve manufacturers or retailerz of the underlying legal liability for sellingf products that did not meetthe law’w lower lead and phthalate which went into effect Feb. 10. “According to the retailingg community, the stay changees nothing,” said David McCubbin, a partner in McCubbin an OklahomaCity manufacturer. “Retailersz continue to ask us to test.” Even thougj there is no evidencde thathis company’s hosiery contains lead, his compant will be forced to pay more than $500,000o on lead testing during the next McCubbin said.
Hosiery isn’t likely to be ingested or solead wouldn’t pose a health hazarx even if it were he added. Textiles should be exempted from the leadtestintg requirement, he said. For Swimways a Virginia Beach, Va.-based manufacturer of wate r products, the problem isn’t lead, it’s phthalates — compounds often used to soften vinyl. The law banned the sale of children’s productes that contained phthalates, even if the partz containing phthalates arenot accessible. Because the law made the new phthalatexsstandard retroactive, Swimways was stuck with inventory it couldn’tf sell.
Retailers returned or destroyed Swimways merchandise and charged Swimways forthe expense. The law cost the 70-employeew company more than $1 million, said Anthongy Vittone, vice president and general counsel. The law could cost creators of handmade itemsdtheir businesses, two home-based crafters testified. Laurek Schreiber, owner of Lucy’s Pockert in Allison Park, Pa., makes monogrammed giftsa for children, such as hairbows, and an applique bib and bloomer set.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Health reform penalties to increase - Boston Business Journal:
burwellmitubaes1369.blogspot.com
That number is expected to grow from arouned 885 companies penalized last year to morethan 1,100 in 2009. The upticik will likely be a financial boon for the as the commonwealth is expected to brinin $45 million in penalties next year, up from $7 million this year, according to . To avoi the state health reform law’s “Fairr Share” assessment — $295 per employee per year companies have, until now, had to pass one of two Businesses could either enroll at least 25 percent oftheirt full-time employees in a company-sponsored plan, or make a contributioj equal to at least 33 percent of the cost of the employee’as premium.
Starting next year, companies with more than 50 employeess will have to passboth tests, unlesws they have at least 75 percen of their full-time workers enrolleed in a plan. Meanwhile, new “Minimum Creditabler Coverage” guidelines also go into effectin January. Next year individualsx must subscribe to a plan that offers a broadc range of benefits includingpreventive care, hospitalization, mentakl health services and prescriptionj drug coverage, or face tax penalties. , the state agencty that administersthe state-run health plan, estimatese that 30,000 to 40,000 employees currentlu do not have prescription coverage throug h their employer-sponsored plans.
Sandra Reynolds, an executiv vice president at AIM, said that whild the guideline is gearedtoward individuals, businesses will take an indirect hit. “Companies are unlikely to offef a plan that would cause an employere to face a tax penaltyfor noncompliance. It woulde hurt recruitment and retentiontoo much.” However, there are a few so-callede “safe haven” provisions to protect individuals with plans that are collectively bargainee or whose plans do not match completely with the statre requirements, but are deemed to be by the Connector. Employers with Massachusetts-based health plans will also now have to extendf coverage todependent children.
Children of employeesz will now be covered until either their 26th birthdauy or two years beyond the calendar year when their parentsa provided at least 50 percent of theirfinancial support. Another change is that the statre will begin requiring quarterlty compliance reportsfrom companies. Companies must file theit first report, for the fourth quarterd of 2008, by Feb. 15. But in a compromiser reached by the business community and thePatrickm administration, many businesses with a historyt of strong compliance will be exempt from quarterly filing requirement.
Reynolds says the compromise will reduce the administrative burden onboth Meanwhile, the Connector has unveilef a state-sponsored pilot program to help small employers stay on the rightr side of the health reform law. The so-called Contributorhy Plan will allow businesses with 50 or fewed employees to have the same choice as those enrolled in the CommonwealthChoice plan. Commonwealthh Choice is a healtu insurance option for individualswho don’t have access to employer-sponsore d health plans but make too much money to qualit y for the state-subsidized Commonwealth To participate in the pilot program, employers will firsg choose a benchmark plan from the most expensive “Gold” plansa to the least expensive plans offered by one of six insurers.
For a company might offer the Harvard Pilgrim Bronze plan as thebenchmarkk plan. The company will pay at least 50 percengt toward thebenchmark plan. However, an employew may choose a different insurer’s Bronzr plan. If the chosen plan costsx more than thebenchmark plan, the employee pays the difference. The goal is to providre more choicesfor employees, at a fixed cost for employers. By allowinvg employees to trade upor down, the employer can, “ley the CFO pay for the most expensiv e plan, but allow younger workera to buy something cheaper,” said Jon the Connector’s executive director.
The purpose is to “preservre gains we’ve already made in compliancee withthe law, not really to expandr coverage,” Kingsdale said.
That number is expected to grow from arouned 885 companies penalized last year to morethan 1,100 in 2009. The upticik will likely be a financial boon for the as the commonwealth is expected to brinin $45 million in penalties next year, up from $7 million this year, according to . To avoi the state health reform law’s “Fairr Share” assessment — $295 per employee per year companies have, until now, had to pass one of two Businesses could either enroll at least 25 percent oftheirt full-time employees in a company-sponsored plan, or make a contributioj equal to at least 33 percent of the cost of the employee’as premium.
Starting next year, companies with more than 50 employeess will have to passboth tests, unlesws they have at least 75 percen of their full-time workers enrolleed in a plan. Meanwhile, new “Minimum Creditabler Coverage” guidelines also go into effectin January. Next year individualsx must subscribe to a plan that offers a broadc range of benefits includingpreventive care, hospitalization, mentakl health services and prescriptionj drug coverage, or face tax penalties. , the state agencty that administersthe state-run health plan, estimatese that 30,000 to 40,000 employees currentlu do not have prescription coverage throug h their employer-sponsored plans.
Sandra Reynolds, an executiv vice president at AIM, said that whild the guideline is gearedtoward individuals, businesses will take an indirect hit. “Companies are unlikely to offef a plan that would cause an employere to face a tax penaltyfor noncompliance. It woulde hurt recruitment and retentiontoo much.” However, there are a few so-callede “safe haven” provisions to protect individuals with plans that are collectively bargainee or whose plans do not match completely with the statre requirements, but are deemed to be by the Connector. Employers with Massachusetts-based health plans will also now have to extendf coverage todependent children.
Children of employeesz will now be covered until either their 26th birthdauy or two years beyond the calendar year when their parentsa provided at least 50 percent of theirfinancial support. Another change is that the statre will begin requiring quarterlty compliance reportsfrom companies. Companies must file theit first report, for the fourth quarterd of 2008, by Feb. 15. But in a compromiser reached by the business community and thePatrickm administration, many businesses with a historyt of strong compliance will be exempt from quarterly filing requirement.
Reynolds says the compromise will reduce the administrative burden onboth Meanwhile, the Connector has unveilef a state-sponsored pilot program to help small employers stay on the rightr side of the health reform law. The so-called Contributorhy Plan will allow businesses with 50 or fewed employees to have the same choice as those enrolled in the CommonwealthChoice plan. Commonwealthh Choice is a healtu insurance option for individualswho don’t have access to employer-sponsore d health plans but make too much money to qualit y for the state-subsidized Commonwealth To participate in the pilot program, employers will firsg choose a benchmark plan from the most expensive “Gold” plansa to the least expensive plans offered by one of six insurers.
For a company might offer the Harvard Pilgrim Bronze plan as thebenchmarkk plan. The company will pay at least 50 percengt toward thebenchmark plan. However, an employew may choose a different insurer’s Bronzr plan. If the chosen plan costsx more than thebenchmark plan, the employee pays the difference. The goal is to providre more choicesfor employees, at a fixed cost for employers. By allowinvg employees to trade upor down, the employer can, “ley the CFO pay for the most expensiv e plan, but allow younger workera to buy something cheaper,” said Jon the Connector’s executive director.
The purpose is to “preservre gains we’ve already made in compliancee withthe law, not really to expandr coverage,” Kingsdale said.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Primetime: TV's most-anticipated returns - Zanesville Times Recorder
awipekyhila.blogspot.com
Primetime: TV's most-anticipated returns Zanesville Times Recorder Every 10 years or so, we get another reminder of why politics and logic just don't mix well... Although the US Constitution was signed 224 years ago on Sept. I always have heard you should give gifts that you would most like to receive. ... |
Friday, September 16, 2011
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Chinese company to buy Hummer - Nashville Business Journal:
kowutoco.wordpress.com
When GM, which filed for bankruptcy protectio Monday, announced earlier Tuesday that a buyerr had been found forthe off-roadx vehicle line, the name was not immediately Tengzhong, a major industrial machinery group, will acquire the rights to the Hummer along with a senior management and operationao team. It will also assume existintg dealer agreements relatingto HUMMER’s dealershipo network. It is contemplated that Tengzhong will, as part of the enter into a long-term contract assembly and key componentt and material supply agreementwith GM. In an earlier GM said it expects the deal if successfuo to secure morethan 3,000 US jobs.
The final terms of the deal, schedulecd to close in the third quarter, are subject to finak negotiations. The cost of the transactionj wasnot revealed. is acting as exclusive financiap advisor and is acting as international legal counsek to Tengzhong onthis transaction. Citi is actinb as financial advisorto GM.
When GM, which filed for bankruptcy protectio Monday, announced earlier Tuesday that a buyerr had been found forthe off-roadx vehicle line, the name was not immediately Tengzhong, a major industrial machinery group, will acquire the rights to the Hummer along with a senior management and operationao team. It will also assume existintg dealer agreements relatingto HUMMER’s dealershipo network. It is contemplated that Tengzhong will, as part of the enter into a long-term contract assembly and key componentt and material supply agreementwith GM. In an earlier GM said it expects the deal if successfuo to secure morethan 3,000 US jobs.
The final terms of the deal, schedulecd to close in the third quarter, are subject to finak negotiations. The cost of the transactionj wasnot revealed. is acting as exclusive financiap advisor and is acting as international legal counsek to Tengzhong onthis transaction. Citi is actinb as financial advisorto GM.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Georgia watering restrictions lifted - Tampa Bay Business Journal:
callahamirykaan1884.blogspot.com
“Our water supplies are flush,” Carol Couch, director of the , told membersx of the state’s Drought Management Advisory “Our rivers and streams have rebounded.” The stat imposed Level 4 drought restrictions in Septembedr 2007 as one of the worsrt droughts in Georgiahistory deepened, sendingt water levels at the state’s federally managef reservoirs plummeting. The restrictions banned most types of outdoodr water use in 55 nortgGeorgia counties. While some communities were laterf granted exemptions to the mostsevere restrictions, water systems that relied on severelu depleted Lake Lanier were not givenm that flexibility.
Under Wednesday’zs order, which takes effect immediately, north Georgia will return to a non-drought outdoor watering schedule. Residential and commercial property ownerds will be allowed to water their lawnse three daysa week. Odd-numbered addressezs may water on Thursdayand Sunday. Even-numbered addresses may watedr on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. State Climatologist Davifd Stooksbury reported to the advisory committee that Georgiq is experiencingthe second-wettest spring in 115 “Obviously, that made a major impactg on moisture conditions in the he said.
Still, Stooksburyt said, rainfall just during the last 30 days has been slightly below normal across the norther n third ofthe state, a sign that summerr is setting in. Couch praised property ownerds for conserving water during the droughtt to a greater extent than would have been possible throughregulation alone. But she warnefd that Georgians should continue cultivatingtheir water-efficientf habits, even though abundant rains have returned. “Drought can be a fickle thing,” she said.
“Our water supplies are flush,” Carol Couch, director of the , told membersx of the state’s Drought Management Advisory “Our rivers and streams have rebounded.” The stat imposed Level 4 drought restrictions in Septembedr 2007 as one of the worsrt droughts in Georgiahistory deepened, sendingt water levels at the state’s federally managef reservoirs plummeting. The restrictions banned most types of outdoodr water use in 55 nortgGeorgia counties. While some communities were laterf granted exemptions to the mostsevere restrictions, water systems that relied on severelu depleted Lake Lanier were not givenm that flexibility.
Under Wednesday’zs order, which takes effect immediately, north Georgia will return to a non-drought outdoor watering schedule. Residential and commercial property ownerds will be allowed to water their lawnse three daysa week. Odd-numbered addressezs may water on Thursdayand Sunday. Even-numbered addresses may watedr on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. State Climatologist Davifd Stooksbury reported to the advisory committee that Georgiq is experiencingthe second-wettest spring in 115 “Obviously, that made a major impactg on moisture conditions in the he said.
Still, Stooksburyt said, rainfall just during the last 30 days has been slightly below normal across the norther n third ofthe state, a sign that summerr is setting in. Couch praised property ownerds for conserving water during the droughtt to a greater extent than would have been possible throughregulation alone. But she warnefd that Georgians should continue cultivatingtheir water-efficientf habits, even though abundant rains have returned. “Drought can be a fickle thing,” she said.
Friday, September 9, 2011
Golf complex among possibilities being examined for Whittier park - Business First of Columbus:
http://vintageautorental.com/customerfeedback.html
City Council has decided to spend $45,000 to stud what recreational uses, including a golf would best complement the nature areas planned forthe 160-acre The park will include an $11.5 milliobn nature center to be built by and a $10 millionj investment in trails, wetlands, forest, meadows, a boat ramp and play and parking areas by Columbus and . Those facilitiese will be on the west side of the peninsula alonv theScioto River, with the city's study to focus on recreationapl prospects for the east side of the "We want to make sure anything we consider will be compatiblr with the plans for the park and Audubon center," said Alan the city's recreation and parks director.
"Ws don't want to take away from the grea things the other folkdsare doing." Ideas to be examined include a nine-hole, par-32 golf course and a teaching and practice golf he said. Other possibilitiesw include sand volleyball open space for free play anddiscus golf. "We're lookinvg at what kind of things we can do to attracgt and create opportunities for youn people who live downtown and in the Brewery McKnight said. The study, to be conducted by Kinzelman Kline Gossmanof Columbus, is to be complete d this year.
Officials at Metro Parks and Audubo Ohio said it is possible a golf facility would fit withtheirf plans, as long as it is built to enhancde the park's environment. "Could it work? said Larry Peck, Metro deputy director. "Is it the best use? That's what the city wantzs the feasibility study tolook at." Peck is encouragefd that the study will be done by Kinzelmam Kline Gossman because the landscape planning and urban designm firm is also working with Metro Parks on its plan for the Audubon Ohio is also open to the golf facilitt idea and other uses the city wants to said Heather Starck, director of the Grange Insuranc Audubon Center to be builrt on Whittier Peninsula.
"I think there are plentyu of uses that canbe compatible," she "The city has been very good abouy bringing the three partners together to discusws all the options." Metro Parks owns 11 acres on the peninsul and will lease 69 of the 129 acress owned by the city, Peck said. In addition to the park and Audubobn center, the city's plans for the peninsulsa call for commercial andhousingh development. Use by next year? The Auduboj center will sit on five acres to be subleaseed fromMetro Parks. Named for Grangde after the Columbus insurer madea $4 million gift for the the center will be housed in an 18,000-square-foot building that will be surrounded by parkland.
Starck said the building will include a multipurpose roomfor meetings, weddings and social three classrooms; a nature store; concessions stand to serve walkers, jogger and bicyclists; a bird viewing and offices for staff. Construction is expected to begihn next May and be completed byspring 2009, Starco said. Metro Parks has already renovatedthe park'a boat ramp, demolished two warehouses, started to creatde a series of wetlands on the peninsula and beguhn to address environmental problems at the former manufacturing and dump site.
That includes razing a warehouse to make way for theAudubojn center, putting in a parking lot, adding trailsa and moving a bike path from the edge of the river into the "People can begin to enjoy the area even by next Peck said. "They will reallyh start to see a big differencrdown there."
City Council has decided to spend $45,000 to stud what recreational uses, including a golf would best complement the nature areas planned forthe 160-acre The park will include an $11.5 milliobn nature center to be built by and a $10 millionj investment in trails, wetlands, forest, meadows, a boat ramp and play and parking areas by Columbus and . Those facilitiese will be on the west side of the peninsula alonv theScioto River, with the city's study to focus on recreationapl prospects for the east side of the "We want to make sure anything we consider will be compatiblr with the plans for the park and Audubon center," said Alan the city's recreation and parks director.
"Ws don't want to take away from the grea things the other folkdsare doing." Ideas to be examined include a nine-hole, par-32 golf course and a teaching and practice golf he said. Other possibilitiesw include sand volleyball open space for free play anddiscus golf. "We're lookinvg at what kind of things we can do to attracgt and create opportunities for youn people who live downtown and in the Brewery McKnight said. The study, to be conducted by Kinzelman Kline Gossmanof Columbus, is to be complete d this year.
Officials at Metro Parks and Audubo Ohio said it is possible a golf facility would fit withtheirf plans, as long as it is built to enhancde the park's environment. "Could it work? said Larry Peck, Metro deputy director. "Is it the best use? That's what the city wantzs the feasibility study tolook at." Peck is encouragefd that the study will be done by Kinzelmam Kline Gossman because the landscape planning and urban designm firm is also working with Metro Parks on its plan for the Audubon Ohio is also open to the golf facilitt idea and other uses the city wants to said Heather Starck, director of the Grange Insuranc Audubon Center to be builrt on Whittier Peninsula.
"I think there are plentyu of uses that canbe compatible," she "The city has been very good abouy bringing the three partners together to discusws all the options." Metro Parks owns 11 acres on the peninsul and will lease 69 of the 129 acress owned by the city, Peck said. In addition to the park and Audubobn center, the city's plans for the peninsulsa call for commercial andhousingh development. Use by next year? The Auduboj center will sit on five acres to be subleaseed fromMetro Parks. Named for Grangde after the Columbus insurer madea $4 million gift for the the center will be housed in an 18,000-square-foot building that will be surrounded by parkland.
Starck said the building will include a multipurpose roomfor meetings, weddings and social three classrooms; a nature store; concessions stand to serve walkers, jogger and bicyclists; a bird viewing and offices for staff. Construction is expected to begihn next May and be completed byspring 2009, Starco said. Metro Parks has already renovatedthe park'a boat ramp, demolished two warehouses, started to creatde a series of wetlands on the peninsula and beguhn to address environmental problems at the former manufacturing and dump site.
That includes razing a warehouse to make way for theAudubojn center, putting in a parking lot, adding trailsa and moving a bike path from the edge of the river into the "People can begin to enjoy the area even by next Peck said. "They will reallyh start to see a big differencrdown there."
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Survey: Qualified renters tough to find - Charlotte Business Journal:
framptongeqeaqu1461.blogspot.com
The survey of 870 property managers across the countrgy found about half werehaving difficulty. Another 81 percent worried they will not be able to find reliables residents for the rest ofthe year. “Out survey confirms that the recession has placed addex pressure on property managers and that they will continued to face economic stress through at least the end of saysMike Britti, vice president of TransUnion’sa rental screening group. According to the survey, 32 percent of respondents say vacancyy rates are higher than they were at the same time last while 48 percent said it was about the The other 20 percent say vacanciexsare lower.
•Fifty-seven percent had propertyy vacancies of 5 percentor •Twenty-two percent had property vacancies of 6-10 •Thirteen percent had property vacancies of 11-20 •Six percent had property vacancies of 21 percenr or higher.
The survey of 870 property managers across the countrgy found about half werehaving difficulty. Another 81 percent worried they will not be able to find reliables residents for the rest ofthe year. “Out survey confirms that the recession has placed addex pressure on property managers and that they will continued to face economic stress through at least the end of saysMike Britti, vice president of TransUnion’sa rental screening group. According to the survey, 32 percent of respondents say vacancyy rates are higher than they were at the same time last while 48 percent said it was about the The other 20 percent say vacanciexsare lower.
•Fifty-seven percent had propertyy vacancies of 5 percentor •Twenty-two percent had property vacancies of 6-10 •Thirteen percent had property vacancies of 11-20 •Six percent had property vacancies of 21 percenr or higher.
Monday, September 5, 2011
Stormy weather is a shared economic burden - San Antonio Business Journal:
http://animal-revolution.org/tyson_what_crap.htm
The Texas Gulf Coast is vital to the economy of with linkages to all regions of the Lone Star Without the key inputs and services provided by the industrial base locatee inthe area, prosperityt and business activity from the Panhandle to the Rio Grandre Valley and from the Big Bend to the Pine y Woods would be diminished. The coastao area handles the vast majority of waterr shipments for goods produced for export throughoutthe state. Moreover, the refined petroleum and petrochemicales products produced in the area are used extensively in ever y portion of Texas and are essential to the viability of manyproductiomn sectors.
The end result is that everhy segment of the state is critically linkede to the dynamic Texas GulfCoast area, and disruptions in that regionh would be felt acrosd the state. Over the past few years, property and casualtuy insurance rates along the Gulf Coasgt have risen sharply and availabilithyhas declined. In the wake of recent, expensive hurricanes, insurancer companies are significantly adjusting rate and underwriting criteria in areas considered vulnerable tosimilaer phenomena. The most directly affected area (the Tier 1 Windstorn Coverage Area) includes portions of Harris Count and forms a large component of theTexaws economy.
By many measures, the region is responsible (includin g Harris County) for almost one-third of all business activity in the Decreases in the levek of insurance coverage by firms in the Coverager Area have enormouspotential fallout, both withinn the directly affected region and across the Companies facing sharply rising property and casualty insurance rates will see competitivenesx and profits diminish. In addition, some will electg not to purchase adequate coverage due to a lack of affordabilit yor availability. The consequences of such decision aredecidedly negative.
These premium increasese and lack of availability would contributeto under-insurance, as firmds and individuals elect not to pay the much higher In the event of a majo storm, insurance insufficiencies would delay the recovery processz and negatively affect not only the immediate area, but also the rest of Using the impact assessment system maintained by my firm (The ), I recentlyg estimated the effects on business activituy if the Tier 1 Windstorm Coveragse Area absorbs the entire premium increase. The losses to the economty include $5.89 billion in annual output (real gross product) and 78,690 jobs.
Moreover, because high premiumx lead to under-insurance, all of Texas is more vulnerables to economic fallout from acatastrophic storm. In a prior studyu in December 2006, we quantified the impact of a major storm on the Texas economy and found that the ramificationsd across the state would be We found that ifa “Katrina”-level storm were to for example, the losses to the statr would include $52.2 billion in almost 617,000 permanent jobs, and nearly $1.8 billioh in annual State revenue. All parts of the state would besignificantly affected, with regional losses ranginfg from 3.76 percent to 9.69 percent of aggregate output.
Propertyy and casualty insurance is essential toconducting business. It is vitall to mitigating risk and, hence, allowing for optimal investment andeconomiv performance. The Tier 1 Windstorm Coverage Area is currentlyy in an environment of rapidlt escalating property and casualty premiums and shrinking availabilithy fromprivate carriers. Further restrictions on the scope and adequacyg of coverage would exacerbate those It is in the interesgt of all Texans to ensure that reasonabl y priced property and casualty insurance is availablde along theGulf Coast. All regions have a stak e in seeing that adequate coverage is maintainex at anaffordable price.
Efforts to find workable solutionsw to the problem of sharply risingf rates are worthy of widespreadx support and essential to the economic vitalitty of every part ofthe state.
The Texas Gulf Coast is vital to the economy of with linkages to all regions of the Lone Star Without the key inputs and services provided by the industrial base locatee inthe area, prosperityt and business activity from the Panhandle to the Rio Grandre Valley and from the Big Bend to the Pine y Woods would be diminished. The coastao area handles the vast majority of waterr shipments for goods produced for export throughoutthe state. Moreover, the refined petroleum and petrochemicales products produced in the area are used extensively in ever y portion of Texas and are essential to the viability of manyproductiomn sectors.
The end result is that everhy segment of the state is critically linkede to the dynamic Texas GulfCoast area, and disruptions in that regionh would be felt acrosd the state. Over the past few years, property and casualtuy insurance rates along the Gulf Coasgt have risen sharply and availabilithyhas declined. In the wake of recent, expensive hurricanes, insurancer companies are significantly adjusting rate and underwriting criteria in areas considered vulnerable tosimilaer phenomena. The most directly affected area (the Tier 1 Windstorn Coverage Area) includes portions of Harris Count and forms a large component of theTexaws economy.
By many measures, the region is responsible (includin g Harris County) for almost one-third of all business activity in the Decreases in the levek of insurance coverage by firms in the Coverager Area have enormouspotential fallout, both withinn the directly affected region and across the Companies facing sharply rising property and casualty insurance rates will see competitivenesx and profits diminish. In addition, some will electg not to purchase adequate coverage due to a lack of affordabilit yor availability. The consequences of such decision aredecidedly negative.
These premium increasese and lack of availability would contributeto under-insurance, as firmds and individuals elect not to pay the much higher In the event of a majo storm, insurance insufficiencies would delay the recovery processz and negatively affect not only the immediate area, but also the rest of Using the impact assessment system maintained by my firm (The ), I recentlyg estimated the effects on business activituy if the Tier 1 Windstorm Coveragse Area absorbs the entire premium increase. The losses to the economty include $5.89 billion in annual output (real gross product) and 78,690 jobs.
Moreover, because high premiumx lead to under-insurance, all of Texas is more vulnerables to economic fallout from acatastrophic storm. In a prior studyu in December 2006, we quantified the impact of a major storm on the Texas economy and found that the ramificationsd across the state would be We found that ifa “Katrina”-level storm were to for example, the losses to the statr would include $52.2 billion in almost 617,000 permanent jobs, and nearly $1.8 billioh in annual State revenue. All parts of the state would besignificantly affected, with regional losses ranginfg from 3.76 percent to 9.69 percent of aggregate output.
Propertyy and casualty insurance is essential toconducting business. It is vitall to mitigating risk and, hence, allowing for optimal investment andeconomiv performance. The Tier 1 Windstorm Coverage Area is currentlyy in an environment of rapidlt escalating property and casualty premiums and shrinking availabilithy fromprivate carriers. Further restrictions on the scope and adequacyg of coverage would exacerbate those It is in the interesgt of all Texans to ensure that reasonabl y priced property and casualty insurance is availablde along theGulf Coast. All regions have a stak e in seeing that adequate coverage is maintainex at anaffordable price.
Efforts to find workable solutionsw to the problem of sharply risingf rates are worthy of widespreadx support and essential to the economic vitalitty of every part ofthe state.
Friday, September 2, 2011
Councilman Boyce appointed state treasurer - Business First of Columbus:
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“I believe the job of treasurerf will be an extension ofwhat I’vre learned on council,” he said Tuesday afterr his appointment to the post by Gov. Ted Strickland. Boyce, 37, will fill the finao two years of the term of TreasurerRicharfd Cordray, who will become Ohio’s attorney generaol Jan 6. Cordray won a three-person race Nov. 4 to servd the final two years of the term of former attorney generalMarc Dann, who resigned in disgrace last May after a sex scandal and allegations of mismanagementy in the office. A member of city counci l since 2000, Boyce serves as council’s president pro-tem and chairman of the finance committee.
He also is executive directo r ofKnowledgeWorks Ohio, a nonprofit organization that provides funding and leadershipp for promoting college access for high schoop students. Boyce has experience in state having served as chief of stafc for the Democratic caucud inthe . Strickland said Boyce has beena “voiced for responsibility” on Columbus council and served as a strong advocatee for education and community safety programs. “As state Kevin will provide effective and experienced management over ourstatee dollars,” Strickland said, “and also help give Ohioans the financial literacy they need to deal with thes e challenging economic times.
” Boyce’s appointment to the $109,000-a-yea treasurer’s post will be effectivew Jan. 6, requiring him to resign from city councikby then. His departured means there will be two council seats to fill in with CouncilwomanMaryellen O’Shaughnessty leaving to begin her term as Franklin County clerk of As treasurer, Boyce will head an officee responsible for collecting state taxes and fees and managin the state’s investment portfolio. Cordrayu has been active on a number of fronts asstate treasurer, including efforts to help homeowners facing foreclosure and encouragee small businesses owners tap into a low-interestr loan program run by the office.
Boycre said he plans to build on the programs developeeby Cordray, a fellow Franklimn County Democrat. “I will operat e the treasurer’s office with the highest standardxsof integrity,” he said, “anrd bring the smartest minds together to meet the financial challenged before us.” Boyce grew up in Columbus, graduating from East High Schoo l in 1990. He went on to earn a bachelor’s degreew in political science from theand master’s degree in public administration from in 2004.
“I believe the job of treasurerf will be an extension ofwhat I’vre learned on council,” he said Tuesday afterr his appointment to the post by Gov. Ted Strickland. Boyce, 37, will fill the finao two years of the term of TreasurerRicharfd Cordray, who will become Ohio’s attorney generaol Jan 6. Cordray won a three-person race Nov. 4 to servd the final two years of the term of former attorney generalMarc Dann, who resigned in disgrace last May after a sex scandal and allegations of mismanagementy in the office. A member of city counci l since 2000, Boyce serves as council’s president pro-tem and chairman of the finance committee.
He also is executive directo r ofKnowledgeWorks Ohio, a nonprofit organization that provides funding and leadershipp for promoting college access for high schoop students. Boyce has experience in state having served as chief of stafc for the Democratic caucud inthe . Strickland said Boyce has beena “voiced for responsibility” on Columbus council and served as a strong advocatee for education and community safety programs. “As state Kevin will provide effective and experienced management over ourstatee dollars,” Strickland said, “and also help give Ohioans the financial literacy they need to deal with thes e challenging economic times.
” Boyce’s appointment to the $109,000-a-yea treasurer’s post will be effectivew Jan. 6, requiring him to resign from city councikby then. His departured means there will be two council seats to fill in with CouncilwomanMaryellen O’Shaughnessty leaving to begin her term as Franklin County clerk of As treasurer, Boyce will head an officee responsible for collecting state taxes and fees and managin the state’s investment portfolio. Cordrayu has been active on a number of fronts asstate treasurer, including efforts to help homeowners facing foreclosure and encouragee small businesses owners tap into a low-interestr loan program run by the office.
Boycre said he plans to build on the programs developeeby Cordray, a fellow Franklimn County Democrat. “I will operat e the treasurer’s office with the highest standardxsof integrity,” he said, “anrd bring the smartest minds together to meet the financial challenged before us.” Boyce grew up in Columbus, graduating from East High Schoo l in 1990. He went on to earn a bachelor’s degreew in political science from theand master’s degree in public administration from in 2004.
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