Economic Public - Corporate Communications - Its Importance During an Economic Crisis

Introduction

According to theories about recession, it turns out to be financial stagnation. Money stops flowing as it must to make our economy healthy. Then folks get scared. Fears spread to others. We stop spending. Everyone waits for someone else to start spending again. The media capitalize on our fears and punch them up. Money flow drops further. Cash gets scarce. People freeze up. The economy slows.

But there is one good thing about economic recession. It reminds us how interconnected we are.

In some economic theories, the antidote is government injection of cash to prime our economic pump. That's what the current Economic Stimulus Payment program is attempting. The idea is to trigger a spending spree in America, to fight a form of fear with a form of greed. America is the land of "me first." This could be a reason to get cynical. But we can choose not to go there.

Many Americans are deciding what they'll do with their ESP money. Much of it seems destined to flow straight into the coffers of already-rich big companies. But the pump doesn't care how it gets primed. The cash injection theory will be tested once again however the money is spent. Historically, cash injection sometimes works, temporarily. Sometimes not. So let's get our minds out of this little money box. Isn't it really more about our fear than about money?

What would happen if large numbers of people had the courage to spend some of their ESP on a worthy cause rather than blowing it all on some consumerism binge, or even on meeting their legitimate self-centered needs? Economic recovery would then be about renewing our connection to others or maybe about the health of a planet we depend on. It wouldn't just be about our scared selves anymore and about what we might lose. It would become helping people and making things better where we live.

Then we would answer fear not with greed, but with an opening of the heart.

A Practical Response

This is a professionally designed event production plan that anyone can use to produce a brief publicity event which will stimulate donations to worthy causes from recipients of the US Government's Economic Stimulus Payments. If you follow this plan faithfully, your event will have quality, professionalism, and effect equivalent to commercial grade, agency-designed publicity.

An independent marketing professional developed this event model as a public service, following a carefully devised approach. The scope and cost have been minimized to eliminate barriers. This event can be produced repeatedly, as often as desired, in any suitable location and conditions, for any audience within the intended market niche.

Everything required to produce the donation event is contained within this document, which is available as a FREE download online. The download link is listed at the end.

Vision

To end the ESP payout period with a significant portion of the total funds routed to worthy causes.

Mission

* To raise awareness of donation to worthy causes as a worthwhile and personally rewarding response to the ESP.

* To position ESP donation as a desirable, positive action that helps make the world a better place however the donor's beliefs and choices may be aligned.

* To stimulate immediate ESP donations and also champion repetitions of this event as a public service.

Objectives

First, to seed a nationwide, event-based, social trend to redirect ESP funds into worthy causes. Second, to stimulate individual donations on a small scale each time the event is staged.

Market Niche

Everyone receiving Economic Stimulus Payments from the US Government.

Method

A group of peers stands together in a meeting and puts money where their hearts are. This action makes an impression, gives an example, and inspires imitation. Witnessing donations from peers stimulates an audience to consider responding with similar actions. Producing this event is easy, simple, tangible, immediate, and cost-free. It has potential to 'go viral,' in a low-tech, interpersonal way, through long-established networks of business people who are committed to community service almost beyond belief.

Discussion

People can be opinionated, emotional, and even downright touchy about money in general and donation in particular. Therefore, it's just as important to not do the wrong things as it is to do the right things -- if this event is to produce the intended effect. It's essential to follow a non-sectarian and non-partisan protocol. It's critical to manage the event to avoid any hint of negativity around the audience's possible generosity.

Most folks in the audience will have their own idea of who should get their donation and what the amount should be. It's best to keep the audience feeling comfortable in thinking about their own favorite recipient, throughout. For best effect, carefully avoid any hint of favoritism. If you want to persuade people to donate to some cause you personally believe in, please know this event is not designed for that purpose.

It's about how to move money from a specific source, the ESP. It's not about what the money's destination 'should be.' The root concept is to respect and honor each potential donor's free choice of a worthy cause and also their personal choices about what to donate and how much. With this in mind, event presenters should not champion any specific recipient or try to tell donors what they should give or how much.

The object is to move the audience forward in their generosity to take action, whatever form that takes and whatever recipient the donation reaches. If you feel you must engage event participants about specific recipients, please arrange to meet with them after the event. Always consider your hosts, who have to live with the consequences of what you say and do at their podium, including any member backlash you might trigger through an appearance of favoritism.

Pre-Event Preparation

1. Contact the leaders of your local service club chapters, like Rotary International, Kiwanis, Soroptimists, etc., and Chamber of Commerce leadership. Enlist them into this event production concept. Share this plan with them. Ask if the media can attend. Secure brief spots on their meeting agendas of 5 minutes or so. The sooner the better but you'll need a little time to get ready.

2. Recruit a few friends to donate and collaborate in the event. Engage them in an open discussion of what they think of the ESP and ask how they plan to spend their ESP money. Share your own ideas and this document with them. Explain to them in your own words why you think this event is a good idea and ask them to join with you in a couple hours of public service. Mention that they can choose their recipient and any amount that works for them, and that the donations will be in sealed envelopes.

Pick several people who are fully aligned with this process and its principles and design. Your collaborators must agree this event will not be a competitive or comparative situation, and most of all, that it's not a debate. Avoid anyone who can't be trusted to follow this plan explicitly. Basically, your group will act out a tiny stage play with scripted dialog.

You need at least 3 but probably not more than 5 or 6 collaborators. Have each collaborator choose their donation recipient and prepare their donation in a stamped, addressed envelope. Any required routing or identification information should be included. The amount is entirely up to the donor. Each should also prepare a brief, one-sentence declaration saying why they chose that specific recipient. Their statements should not contain any comparative language or references to donation amounts.

3. Contact the media by issuing a news release. Use the news release template at the end of this document. All you have to do is fill in the blanks. Distribute it to all local media via email. Make sure you reach the appropriate contacts for breaking news.

Press Release Note -- If you can reach news editors by phone before the press release goes out and briefly pitch them on this event idea's newsworthiness, this can help acceptance. However, it would be bad form to call editors after the news release goes out to ask if it was received -- unless you have contacted them in advance.

4. Attend the service club meetings as scheduled. Have your collaborators present. Have each of them bring their donation envelope. Have each collaborator prepared to make their statement.

Event Sequence

It's important that this event be carried off smoothly, yet briskly and efficiently, and that the podium be vacated within the time limit promised. Respect your host's agenda.

1. You (the Presenter) take the podium when introduced.

2. Yo thank the club leadership and audience.

3. You explain briefly what the event is all about by reading this short script, without embellishment. If you memorize it, so much the better --

"These days, many Americans are considering how they'll spend our Government's Economic Stimulus Payments. Some may use their ESP money to cover necessities. Others may be planning to spend their ESP on indulgences.

"For me and a group of friends present here, the ESP has a different meaning. Will my collaborators now please stand with me?

[Pause until all are standing]

"We've decided our highest and best use of this 'federal mad money' is to donate some or all of it to a worthy cause. We've each picked a favorite recipient who we think will help make the world a better place.

"However the ESP's are spent, whether they slow the recession or not, we feel better about routing some of this money through worthy causes. We're hoping others will consider ESP donation as an alternative to spending their ESP money only for self-benefit.

"My friends have prepared their ESP donations for mailing. I'm accepting the envelopes on behalf of their recipients, symbolically. After this meeting I'll mail them off, along with my own.

"My friends will now come to the podium and hand me their donation envelopes and share with you who they chose to receive their donation, and why."

4. Your collaborators all come to the podium. They stand together around you, facing the audience. You ask them each, one by one, to announce who they chose as recipient. They each hand their envelope to you and respond in a one or two sentence statement that says only who the recipient is and why they chose that recipient to receive their donation.

Note well -- The persuasive impact of this event arises much more from action than from words. It's critical that none of your collaborators pontificate, digress into a political speech, make a partisan statement, give a comparison of worthy causes, or anything like that.

5. When the envelopes are all collected and all the collaborators have spoken, you announce --

"I will mail these donations out later today. If anyone here is interested in producing an event like this themselves, there is a professionally designed event production plan available online, free. See me after the meeting and I'll provide the link."

6. You thank the hosts and audience.

7. Everyone in your group returns to their seats.

8. You mail out the donations, as promised, before the end of the day.

9. You sit out the meeting and make yourself available after it concludes to talk with anyone who approaches you with questions or comments. Expect the press to seek you out if they attend. Continue to follow the nonpartisan, non-denominational guidelines when you answer questions. It would help to have a few copies of this plan to hand out to folks who might wish to produce it again themselves. Or you could write the link to it on a business card for them.

Closing Comments

Let me acknowledge Annie Kirshbaum, a young friend of a friend, and a special education teacher in the Chicago area. Annie's frustration and anger about the Government's ESP program, and the way she morphed those emotions into a positive response, inspired me to create this event design, give it away, and attempt a viral deployment. I hope Annie likes what she inspired and that she might even work with it herself.

Annie and friends asked for my help to publicize the notion of spending some ESP money as a donation to a worthy cause rather than blowing it. I'm grateful her idea reached me because it's inspiring to encounter, if only by email, a twenty-something who acts on behalf of others with so much compassion and provides such inspiration to reach out and help someone or something.

Nothing I ever bought for myself ever left me with such a glow of inner satisfaction as writing this project. As I produce some ESP donation events myself, that will probably get even better.

I also hope everyone who picks this up gets a charge from working with these mini-events. Thank you for joining with me in taking an idea on the road to see how much good can come from it. The complete event plan can be accessed online FREE. Follow the link given in the resource section at the end of this article.

Economic Public - Labor Unions vs Management = Economic Weapons

Throughout this essay, I will describe the economic weapons available to employers and unions during negotiations. For each, I will explain how the weapon is designed to exert pressure on the other party and the advantages and disadvantages of each. Bear in mind, I will be concentrating on private sector employees covered by the NLRA. I will try to make distinctions that would apply to public sector and non-NLRA covered workers as I go along.
Employers' economic weapons consist of lockout; plant closings, and other forms of economic pressure.

Although lockout is a primary economic weapon utilized by employers; it is rarely used. According to a class handout, an employer may lock out its employees in order to bring economic pressure on a union. For example, an employer may lockout offensively, i.e., to put economic pressure on the union to accede to its bargaining demands. In other words, a theater could lockout unionized workers in a preemptive maneuver during a slow season to outmaneuver the possibility of the union striking during its busiest season to exert its pressure on the theater. Thus, the theater hopes to resolve the labor issue, to their advantage, before the busy season (e.g. Christmas season).
Lockout is consisted of other components, besides the generalized aspect described in the preceding paragraph, such as: replacements; pre-impasse lockouts, and partial lockouts. An employer can hire temporary replacements during a lockout but it is not allowed to hire permanent replacements. Pre-impasse lockouts are lockouts implemented before an impasse (a deadlock in negotiations).

On the other hand,
partial lockouts arise from the act of an employer which, although allowing employees to work normal hours of work, withdraws the provision of other contractual obligations such as the opportunity to work overtime or the payment of penal rates.are lockouts rendered in a partial manner (www2.stats.govt.nz).

Both pre-impasse lockouts and partial lockouts are legal as long as they are not
in support of a bad faith bargaining position; to discourage union activity; to aid ULPs, and etc. If not, they would be unlawful and would be disadvantageous to the employer.
Like lockouts, an employer may use a plant closing as an economic tool to exert pressure on a union. A plant closing can be divided into three major parts: a complete closing; a partial closing, and a runaway shop. The advantage of a complete closing is that an employer may completely cease its operations, even if it is motivated exclusively and admittedly by anti-union animus. However, the employer may be obligated to bargain over the effects of the closure.
A partial closing (as the name implies) is legal unless it can be proven that the employer intended to "chill" unionization. If not, remedies would be applied to reopen the plant or other remedies may be provided.

As for a runaway shop, it is defined as when the employer transfers the work from one plant to another existing plant or opens a new plant to replace the closed one. It also applies within a plant, where work is transferred from one department or group of workers to another. The same is true if the work is subcontracted out to an "alter ego" employer. The advantage and the disadvantage of a runaway shop is that although the NLRB considered the transfer of work to be inherently destructive (disadvantage) of employee rights, that theory was later rejected (advantage) in the absence of a specific contractual prohibition. In other words, an employer can claim that economic necessity dictated that he/she applies the runaway shop to avoid an unduly burdensome economic situation.

Other forms of economic pressure include corporate campaign; publicity, and political pressure. These forms of economic pressure are advantageous as long as they toe the line of the law. For example, an employer shouldn't undermine the NLRA during its corporate campaign and publicity, and it shouldn't break the law when applying political pressure (stay away from bribing officials).
To counter employers' inherent (as owner/management) upper hand in negotiations and his/her economic weapons, unions employ economic weapons such as strikes and picket lines. Strikes can be divided into economic strikes; ULP strikes; secondary strikes, and unprotected strikes.
First, economic strikes are a strike usually used to coerce an employer to agree to a raise, for example. The disadvantage of an economic raise is that striking workers can be permanently replaced after 12 months on strike. For the preceding reason, ULP strikes are used, for the most part, since the employer cannot legally replace strikers with permanent replacements after a year of striking. Regardless, ULP strikers have to avoid to striking against a third party to influence their negotiations because a secondary strike is illegal - an unprotected strike.

Other unprotected strikes that a ULP striker has to avoid are failure to provide 8(d), (g) notice; disloyalty or violence; striking for an illegal object; partial or intermittent strikes; slowdowns, and sit ins. Let's begin with the 8(d), (g) notice; it's a notice that has to be provided during a certain time frame to avoid a strike or picketing from gaining an unprotected status. Likewise, a striker defaming an employer without a logical connection to the strike or perpetrating violence are unprotected. For example, a striker cannot say an employer's product is of a low quality without implying its low quality is caused by inexperienced/untrained temporary replacements thus jeopardizing safety.

Similarly, strikers cannot strike to compel an employer to agree to an illegal or permissive subject of bargaining otherwise known as striking for an illegal object. Unlike partial lockouts, partial or intermittent strikes are not protected. In the same vein, slowdowns and sit ins are not protected, too. The employer reserved the right to discharge unprotected strikers.

Besides strikes, unions use picketing as a tactic, also. For example, a union may picket an employer to gain recognition. However, a union has to be careful not to create the intent or effect of preventing individuals employed by other entities from ceasing to provide services to the picketed employer. For example, they will be considered unprotected if they preclude the making or picking up of deliveries by third parties. Thus, the employer can have the picketing union removed, or severely restricted, or sanctioned in other ways. However, if the delivery employees (not employed by the employer) refuse to cross the picket line (hence 'crossing picket lines at other employers') in support of the picketers is a different story. The NLRB and the Courts would weigh the relative interests of the employer in replacing the employee and the interest of the employee in honoring a picket line.

As I mentioned in the introductory paragraph, there are exceptions to the rule in regard to the employment of economic weapons by both employers and unions. For example, there are different rules for unions representing public employees (e.g., NYPD unions cannot legally strike) and private employees (e.g., nurses and doctors are legally hindered from striking, too), respectively. In addition, secondary boycotts are legal and protected for agricultural workers as per the Act regulating agricultural unions while secondary boycotts like secondary strikes by NLRA covered workers are unprotected.

In conclusion, I described the economic weapons available to employers and unions during negotiations. For each, I explained how the weapon is designed to exert pressure on the other party and the advantages and disadvantages of each. Although I concentrated on private sector employees covered by the NLRA, I endeavored to make distinctions that would apply to public sector and non-NLRA covered workers throughout the essay.

Economic Public - Understanding YOUR Economic Alternatives With an Education in Alternative Economics

In the recent past we looked to professionals of the financial planning industry to help us devise a more informed plan that would take us comfortably into our retirement years. Unfortunately, the procedures and methods that most typical financial planners follow and suggest have become archaic and antiquated (even self-serving). Too often, this misguidance has led to diminishing returns instead of the large gains usually promised. As a result, and for good reason, we as a public have lost our faith in these so-called professionals and have lost the desire to save or invest for the future. Read the book, "Where are the Customers' yatchs?" by Fred Schwed Jr.

To further the challenge, Social Security has published their prediction to be bankrupt (See your yearly Social Security statement page 1 top right paragraph) and the government is screaming at the public through almost every form of media to establish a personal financial plan that would not include government assistance. In other words, "you are on your own!"

Without understanding your economic alternatives or having a personal system of financial growth, the effects of social heredity during demographic and economic transition has proven to be devastating financially for most.

In other words it's becoming more and more difficult to achieve any level of financial security if we make our financial decisions based on our inherited perceptions. As time goes on things change and the economic climate we live in changes too. Things are changing more rapidly now than ever before. Unrecognized changes expand the information gap between our perceptions and reality. The decisions we make have their result determined by how close, or far, our perceptions are to the reality of the world we live in.

For instance, did you know:

1. You can Self Direct IRA's, 401K's and other tax deferred retirement plans and use those funds to leverage acquisition of high performing real estate and watch your assets grow unhindered by taxation.
2. If you have stocks bonds or mutual funds you can often Pledge (Not Borrow) that asset as a down payment on real estate but never take it out of the funds they are in. In effect you can double dip!
3. Banks make money through something called Arbitrage and so can you.
4. You have hidden assets you didn't know you had. In fact you have all the financial assets you need to achieve any goal you desire.
5. The Return On Investment for Home Equity is Zero.
6. The Effective Rate you are paying on a fixed rate mortgage changes from one year to the next.
7. Of the ways that the financial planning industry are allowed to report the performance of your investments under their management at least 9 of the 13 can make it look like you are getting a better return than you are. Sometimes you are actually losing money when they report a gain.

Through knowledge of truths like this, and much more, you can turn the financial table in your favor.

To achieve your own goals and dreams (which may be just a comfortable retirement) you must become knowledgeable and sophisticated about how the money game works, now, and stay that way through fast paced changes. This requires an education process that may rattle your conventional thinking and an on going affiliation with a trusted source of new and current information as well as opportunities to keep you on the cutting edge. Finally you need to learn to apply a new systematic process that works and keeps working; Because all the knowledge in the world won't get you anywhere without its application.

The principles of what is becoming known as Alternative Economics are critical in developing a successful personal system of financial growth. Alternative Economics is being called by some experts the solution to a failing financial plan in America and the economic doctrine of our era.

Alternative Economics was first introduced to the public through local investor clubs of the national investor group as a personal system of financial growth and an emerging industry by the National Strategic Investment Corporation (NSIC) in February 2005.

Founders of NSIC recognized growing financial disparity in homes on a national level due to inefficient financial planning traditions, a failing social security system and mismanaged or impotent government and corporate retirement programs that overlook many beneficial alternatives.

This disparity has reached a climax as the public is encouraged to take charge of its own financial future. The challenge to this solution lies in the progressively fast changing economic climate of this country caused by the effects of rapid technology growth among other major changes and events. The national education system can not keep up with these changes therefore leaving the public to make financial decisions based on perception and not reality. Financial decisions made with the old or just inaccurate information of perception yield less than desirable results and extinguish motivation of savings or investment activity. As a result less than 1% of this nation's household income is currently being invested in any kind of retirement or financial plan.

Alternative Economics is an answer to the call to the American public being shouted by top officials from every political party of the federal government to plan our own financial future. The message is clear, "the government will not be able to support us as we get older".

The "Savings Are Vital to Everyone's Retirement Act of 1997" (SAVER) was enacted on November 20, 1997. The purpose of the SAVER Act is to advance the publics knowledge and understanding of the importance of retirement savings. The Act directs the Secretary of Labor to take action in four general areas:

1. To maintain an ongoing program of outreach to the public to effectively promote retirement income savings;

2. To disseminate specific educational materials related to retirement savings and the principles of saving and investment;

3. To establish a web site as a means to disseminate these materials, and

4. To convene these National Summits on Retirement Savings.

In 2006 this was the objective of the National Summit of Retirement Savings taken right from the DOL web site located at the Department of Labor web site listed in the resources section below.

National Summit Objectives

1. Advance the publics knowledge and understanding of retirement savings and its critical importance to the future well-being of workers and their families.

2. Facilitate the development of a broad-based, public education program to encourage and enhance individual commitment to a personal retirement savings strategy.

3. Develop recommendations for additional research, reforms and action in the field of private pensions and individual retirement savings.

Alternative Economics fulfills all three of these objectives. But why is our savings so important to the federal government? The answer is two fold:

1. The productivity of this nation and therefore the health of its economy are directly related to the savings habit of its people.

2. Based on current savings habits in America the majority of future generations will not have the ability to retire or even support themselves on their own resources.

Coupled together, these two effects of the current savings habit of the American people could result in an unrecoverable condition and even a collapse in our national economy.

"Left uninformed, ambition is paralyzed by fear of the unknown. Opportunities go unrecognized and our dreams of a prosperous future fade away into excuses."

- Steven Hettema-

You may be asking yourself, "What is Alternative Economics"? To answer this lets start by telling you what its not.

Alternative Economics is not about stocks, bonds or mutual funds. Our corporate retirement plans, pensions plans, 401ks and IRAs are all invested in stocks, bonds and mutual funds. Let's face it, we've all seen or experienced the poor performance of these traditional investment classes. We'll talk in more detail in future articles about why we believe these investments are yielding such disappointing results. We'll also discuss how Alternative Economics will solve this problem on a personal level for anyone who actively applies the methods and principles it suggested. But for now let's keep the conversation a little broader in scope.

As a country, we've lost faith in these investment tools and are no longer motivated to save or plan for the future in the manner that we used too. This is evidenced by the fact that Americans save or invest less than 1% of our income. Some believe this is just because we are less disciplined today or we just don't care any more. Suggestions have been made that we are entering a new economic era lead by an irresponsible generation with an immediate gratification mindset. These explanations blame this depleted savings habit of our nation on the actions of the people and not the cause for these actions or lack thereof.

The American people of this generation are not stupid; we are simply reacting to our common sense...Why engage in a plan that we know is failing for so many? After all, discipline comes from motivation and motivation comes from faith in an action that will yield a desired result. We just don't believe anymore in the traditional financial plan which relies (for the most part) on the performance of stocks, bonds and mutual funds. What we need are better alternatives.

Alternative Economics is also not reliant on your frugality. Most Americans are under the perception that growing assets and/or investing are only possible at the price of significant lifestyle sacrifice. It's no wonder people think this way, listen to what Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke was quoted saying:

"Unless the current generation is willing to sacrifice, by cutting consumption or increasing savings, future generations could face a heavier reduction in living standards."

"We can mitigate the adverse effect of the aging population on future generations, but only by forgoing consumption or leisure today. As the population ages, the nation must choose among higher taxes, fewer government programs, cuts in Social Security and Medicare, a higher deficit or some combination of those options."

USA TODAY 10/05/2006, by Sue Kirchhoff

Does Ben understand what he is saying? Doesn't consumer consumption affect the health of the economy? Of course it does! Spending less to put more in savings or afford a higher social security tax is not a solution. Sorry Ben! People need alternatives that will allow them to keep spending (maintain or improve lifestyle now) while growing assets for their future at the same time.

The reality of this perception, left to us by the media, our political leaders and our heredity, makes more understandable the lack of motivation Americans have to save or invest in a conventional manner. Think about it, who in their right mind would be motivated by this financial plan?

Take money from your current budget, sacrificing lifestyle now, to save or invest for your future in a system that, based on past performance and future projections, will leave you with a retirement savings that won't even support the reduced lifestyle you endured to make a better one.

With that kind of outlook, no wonder we are more apt to say, "Spend it while you can enjoy it and hope for the best at retirement". Even though that's not a plan it makes more sense than the traditional option described above.

The concepts of Alternative Economics deal with the necessity of asset accumulation without requiring or even consideration of frugality.

Finally, Alternative Economics is not reliant on corporate pension plans or government managed retirement programs such as Social Security.

Economic Public - Everyone Should Promote Free Markets and Sound Economic Public Policy

Most Americans do not concern themselves with economic matters, and they leave the decision-making up to the politicians and other folks that they feel are better suited than them, who better understand the issues at hand. Nevertheless, it is important for all citizens in the United States to learn a little bit about economics and understand how our business cycles work, our banking system works, how regulations work, and how a for-profit enterprise runs.

It makes sense to have a little bit of knowledge in both micro and macro economics. You see, everyone should promote free markets and sound economic public policy, and yet, there are far too many people that speak up even though they know when something is wrong.

For instance the huge bailouts for General Motors and Chrysler where all the money went to the unions that actually caused the problem in the first place and made those companies very unprofitable over a long period of time. The union stranglehold prevented the companies from competing, and yet it was the taxpayers they bailed out the companies, which then gave the money to the unions so that they would go way and the companies could file for bankruptcy without interference or political backlash.

Obviously, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that this is a bunch of nonsense. But if people do not speak up, we are going to see more bad decisions being made with our taxpayer's money at the hands of the government interfering in private enterprise far into the future. It's really up to all of us, so, please consider all this.

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Home Sales up in Most of Washington County

Hurricane and LaVerkin are the only areas of Washington County experiencing year-over-year declines in residential housing sales said Allan Carter, director of developer services for Southern Utah Title Company. From January to September, the Hurricane and LaVerkin area logged 430 home sales, representing a noticeable drop from the same period in 2009 when the area recorded 472 transactions, according to data compiled by Southern Utah Title Company. In contrast, 621 homes in western St. George were sold from January to September, an increase of 62 sales when compared with 2009 figures. The Spectrum

Crucial river road’s collapse gives Moab economy jitters

Grand County and the U.S. Bureau of Land Management are scrambling to find emergency federal funds to rebuild the Mineral Bottom Road, which was washed out earlier this year. The road is an important river-running link and mountain bike route in Grand County. They applied to the Federal Highway Administration for emergency aid of $1.8 million to $2.5 million, and Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah, sent the agency a letter backing the bid.

Highway officials have said the road, maintained by the county but crossing federal land, qualifies for an emergency funding program to aid federal highways. They haven’t yet approved the application, though. The BLM estimates the road supports 87 jobs and about $1.9 million in annual recreation sales. Salt Lake Tribune

Construction to begin soon on $33 million Hurricane High School

Construction starts this year on a projected $33 million high school in Hurricane. Construction of a new building and sports field, along with renovations to some existing parts of the facility, are intended to make room for 1,500 students and improve the schools vocational facilities.

Building will start this fall as crews work to build the new football field and stadium, planning to have the track ready for spring sports. It’s the first step in a project planned for four phases. Next year the plan is to construct the new building on top of where the existing football field is. Then crews would tear down part of the existing building, and eventually build a new vocational building. The Spectrum

Improvement time: Logan-Cache Airport works on multiple projects

Multiple improvement projects are under way, planned or already completed at the Logan-Cache Airport. The facility's main runway is closed to all air traffic until Friday as construction crews resurface two 1,000-foot-long safety strips at each end. The project is being funded by the Federal Aviation Administration and the state. Next on the agenda is to address a long-standing problem with one of the airport's lighting arrays. Logan Herald Journal

Rise in Utah bankruptcies outpaces U.S. gain

Bankruptcies soared 27 percent in Utah the first nine months of the year, outpacing the U.S. gain in a sign that thousands of families continue in their struggle to throw off the devastating effects of the recession. So far this year, 13,603 Utahns and dozens of the state’s businesses have declared themselves insolvent in a bid to gain relief from what for many was overwhelming debt and too little income. Salt Lake Tribune

New student housing coming in Provo

R&O Construction has begun work on Joaquin Village, a new student housing project located at 600 E. 600 North in Provo. It will offer room for more than 900 Brigham Young University students in two buildings that have three to five levels situated over one level of underground parking. Deseret News

Convergys to add 200 jobs in Ogden, many will allow you to stay home

Convergys Corp. announced plans to hire local residents in 200 new full- and part-time work-at-home positions. New employees will begin work later this month and provide customer service and sales support for a Convergys client in the entertainment industry.

Employees will begin working at the Convergys contact center at 1400 W. 4400 South in Ogden and will have an opportunity to transition to a work-at-home model in January 2011, officials said. Interested candidates may apply online at www.convergys.com/careers. Ogden Standard Examiner

At $1M a day, I-15 project is rolling

The massive Interstate 15 Corridor Expansion project under way in Utah County is now spending $1 million a day and has more than 1,200 people working on it. Todd Jensen, assistant project director, gave that update Thursday to the Utah Transportation Committee, and said the overhaul is on track for scheduled completion in 2012 — and perhaps a bit sooner because of good weather and hard work.

The project will build 55 bridges, rebuild or reconfigure 10 interchanges, add two lanes in each direction along 24 miles between Lehi and Spanish Fork and extend express lanes from Orem to Spanish Fork. Jensen said Provo River Constructors — which won the $1.1 billion contract — and its subcontractors have 875 workers on the project now, supported by 250 administrative staff. Salt Lake Tribune

Utah tops Forbes list for business

Utah has claimed to the top spot in Forbes magazine's annual ranking of "The Best States for Business and Careers." The Beehive State pushed Virginia out of the top slot — where it had been for four years running. According to local business insiders, this recognition could mean a great deal as the state works to attract more companies that bring with them more jobs and economic development. Prior to this most recent list, Utah had consistently ranked in the top five for several years, but reaching the top is a major milestone, said Jeff Edwards, president and CEO of the Economic Development Corporation of Utah.

The magazine's "Best States" ranking measures six categories for business, including costs, current economic climate, growth prospects, labor supply, quality of life and regulatory environment. Deseret News

Most central Utah economies are improving

What does the best local economic indicator say about the economies of central Utah? Recently released employment data for the second quarter of 2010 shows that most of these economies are on the mend and one is even growing.

Wayne County saw its nonfarm job base increase by 2 percent between June 2009 and June 2010. Like other tourism-dependent economies in the southern part of the state, Wayne County seems to be entering the business expansion cycle earlier than some of its larger neighbors.

However, while neither Millard or Sevier counties added jobs over the same time period, they are certainly poised to do so quickly. Millard County's employment held steady between June 2009 and June 2010 and Sevier County's employment was down a mere 0.2 percent.

Further behind in the recovery race, both Sanpete County and Piute County continue to show notable employment declines. Sanpete County seems stalled for the moment in a jobless recovery with declines holding steady rather than getting smaller. In small Piute County, growth and contraction are often dramatic, just because of its small employment base. Such is the case with the county's current 10-percent decline.

For more detailed information on employment growth in the second quarter go to: jobs.utah.gov/countyinfo. Select your county, then the "Nonfarm Jobs" link on the right-hand side of the page.

Job growth returns to some counties in southwestern Utah

I'm always preaching that the best economic indicator on the local level is the year-to-year change in nonfarm jobs. Now that preliminary data is available for the second quarter of 2010, it would seem appropriate to exam how where local economies are on the road to recovery.

Yes, Virginia, there is job growth out there. In southwestern Utah, two counties--Garfield and Kane--showed year-to-year employment growth as of June 2010. Both these counties maintain economies heavily dependent on tourism. And, indeed, both counties are showing substantial employment growth in leisure/hospitality industry employment. Overall, employment is up 1 percent in Kane County and a whopping 6.5 percent in Garfield County.

The two most populous counties--Washington and Iron--do continue to show year-over job losses. However, in both cases, the employment losses keep getting smaller and smaller. As of June 2010, Iron County's employment was down less than 3 percent compared to a year earlier. Washington County's jobs decreased 3 percent in the same time period and survey data for later in the summer shows employment declines have moderated to roughly 2 percent. In particular, Washington County is beginning to see employment gains in the professional/business services industry. Since this industry includes temporary agency, its expansion is typically a precursor to employment expansion in other areas. If no employment setbacks occur, Washington County is poised to experience some job growth by year-end.

Only in Beaver County has employment taken a nose dive. But, Beaver County is a special case. Construction on a wind farms infused large numbers of construction jobs into the county's labor market and once the construction ended, so did the jobs. In addition, a temporary mining closure contributed to Beaver County's 14.6 percent drop in jobs.

For more detailed information on employment growth in the second quarter go to: jobs.utah.gov/countyinfo. Select your county, then the "Nonfarm Jobs" link on the right-hand side of the page.

New Spanish Fork restaurant holds ribbon cutting

A new Mexican restaurant has opened in Spanish Fork. Los dos Potrillos celebrated their grand opening with a ribbon cutting held on Thursday, Oct. 7. Los dos Potrillos is located at 146 S. Main Street in Spanish Fork. Daily Herald

Davis hotels welcome show dogs, revenues

Davis hotel owners have rolled out the plastic mat this week for canines competing in the German Shepherd Dog Club of America 2010 National Specialty Show at the Legacy Events Center in Farmington. To accommodate the 500 to 600 competing German shepherds, as well as their "best friend" handlers, about 1,400 hotel-room stays will be generated, said Barbara Riddle, Davis Area Convention & Visitor's Bureau CEO and president. That gives the weeklong event an overall economic impact of $318,380 to the county, she said. Ogden Standard-Examiner

Anime Banzai 2010 convention brings in just under $400K

By the time the costumes came off, 3,200 anime enthusiasts toting an economic impact of just under $400,000 had attended the three-day Anime Banzai 2010 convention at Davis Conference Center in Layton. It is the first time the sixth annual Anime Banzai convention was held at the center. But it won't be the last.

Anime Banzai organizers, through a letter of intent with the Davis Area Convention & Visitors Bureau and a contract with the conference center and area hotels, have signed on to a three-year agreement with the county to hold their convention in Layton, said Barbara Riddle, bureau president and CEO. Ogden Standard-Examiner

Dixie State College is tops in enrollment growth

Enrollment data published by the Utah System of Higher Education on Wednesday shows Dixie State College is outpacing most other state public institutions in percentage of student population growth. DSC's enrollment of 8,755 students this year is a 10.67 percent growth over last year, placing Dixie behind only the merged Utah State University-College of Eastern Utah, with 21.21 percent growth, and Utah Valley University, with 13.58 percent growth. The Spectrum

Chronic homelessness down 42 percent, new Utah report says

Utah has experienced a 42 percent downturn in chronic homelessness from the previous year, a new report shows. Researchers and human services providers attribute the decline to a 10-year initiative that places the homeless in housing sooner and connects them to an array of services and case management to deal with issues that contribute to homelessness. Providing transitional housing to the newly homeless frees up beds in shelters. The "rapid rehousing" concept attempts to place homeless individuals in housing within a matter of weeks.

The Comprehensive Report on Homelessness, released at a homeless summit in downtown Salt Lake Wednesday, states the vast majority of Utah's homeless population — 67 percent — are temporarily homeless. They stay in shelters for brief periods and often do not return. Because of this trend, it is important that agencies that serve the homeless have beds available when people request them. Deseret News

Note: You can find a copy of the full report here: http://housingworks.utah.gov/publication_research/documents/UtHomelessReportRev10_11_2010.pdf

Utah ranks 6th in foreclosures

The Beehive State recorded the sixth-highest rate of foreclosure filings nationwide, according to a new report. The RealtyTrac U.S. Foreclosure Market Report for the third quarter of 2010 showed only Nevada, Arizona, Florida, California and Idaho ranked ahead of Utah for the rate of foreclosure-related filings — default notices, scheduled auctions and bank repossessions. One in every 88 Utah housing units received a filing during the three-month period from July to September of this year, the data indicated. Deseret News

Note: In general, Utah was late to the housing boom and late to its decline. The state's current high ranking in RealtyTrac's foreclosure filings may be the result of timing rather than relative distress.

BLM proposes new oil shale research in eastern Utah

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management proposes a second lease in Utah to test oil shale mining technologies, the agency announced. An Interior Department review team, which received state input, recommended the BLM consider three new leases, BLM spokesman Vince Vogt said. Two are on Colorado’s West Slope and one is in eastern Utah’s Uintah County, south of the White River and near the Colorado line. Once the BLM’s Utah office conducts an environmental study to determine if a lease there makes sense, a Chinese-backed company called AuraSource Inc. plans to test its process for crushing and cooking kerogen-laced rock into oil. Salt Lake Tribune

Nuclear planners train hazmat teams

With a briefing for hazardous materials teams from Carbon, Emery, Grand and Uintah counties last week, the proposed Blue Castle nuclear project took another step on the long road to groundbreaking. The power plant site is about five miles west-northwest of Green River in Emery County. Final approval by all federal, state and local agencies would give the go-ahead for a generating facility that would match or exceed the output of all the coal-fired power plants now operating in that county. Plans call for 2,000 to 3,000 megawatts of capacity at the site. In contrast, the three units at PacifiCorp's Hunter Plant and both units at the Huntington plant are about 400 megawatts each. Blue Castle Holdings, Inc., which is developing the site, has reported that it has already secured water rights for the plant. Sun Advocate

Public meetings set for eastern Utah gas project

Three public meetings are planned late this month to provide details on an expansive natural gas project that could tap nearly 1,500 proposed wells to supply fuel for more than 40 years. The Bureau of Land Management has released a draft environmental impact study on Gasco Energy's Uinta Basin Natural Gas Development Project.

Located 20 miles south of Roosevelt, the proposed project area involves nearly 207,000 acres, with a little more than 7,500 acres that would be directly disrupted. As envisioned under the federal agency's preferred proposal by Gasco, the project 100 wells drilled per year, with 1,491 drills done by approximately 2026. Deseret News

North Ogden divide project seeking more federal dollars

The project to fix the North Ogden divide crumbled this summer when the project's scope exceeded the funds allotted. But that issue will likely be resolved Thursday morning as the Utah State Transportation Commission is expected to approve the additional money needed to complete the project.

Utah Department of Transportation project manager Nathan Peterson said funds will come from the Joint Highway Committee. These are federal dollars that are allocated to Utah each year by Congress for use on transportation facilities in the rural and small urban areas of the state. According to the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program, the total cost of the project is $643,569, and it has received $599,999 in federal aid money so far. Ogden Standard-Examiner

New training center unveiled for plumbers, pipefitters,. welders

The new Utah Career Center, located at 640 No. Billy Mitchell Road in the Salt Lake City International Center, was constructed as a joint effort of the United Association of Plumbers, Pipefitters, Welders and HVAC&R Service Technicians Local 140 and the Utah Mechanical Contractors Association. The building itself is a Gold LEED-certified facility and one of the most environmentally friendly structures in the state. The 33,000 square-foot, nearly $7-million building contains high efficiency heating and air conditioning systems, relies on natural light to brighten much of its interior and contains fly ash — a recyclable bi-product of coal — in its concrete floors.

In addition, the new career center will play in training the plumbers, pipefitters,welders and heating,air conditioning, ventilation and refrigeration services technicians of the future. “We have state-of-the-art classrooms and hands-on training labs where our apprentices will be able to learn the skills they need to eventually become journeymen in the pipe trades,” Training Director, Dan Smith said. Salt Lake Tribune

New low-income, refugee housing underway

Construction began Tuesday on new affordable housing for refugees, the homeless and low-income Utahns in East Millcreek, fulfilling a long-held community goal of providing more living space for newcomers. Nearly one-third of the 136 units at Bud Bailey Apartments will be designated for refugees. They will likely inhabit many of the larger apartments, which are often difficult to find in Salt Lake Valley.

The complex, slated to be completed by the end of 2012, will also include 10 apartments for homeless youth and 5 apartments for homeless families. The rest of the approximately 207,000 square foot, green complex, which will draw a large amount of its power from solar panels, will be available for any low-income population. Phase one of the project, 59 units and a community center, will be completed by Dec. 31, 2011. Funding for the $23 million complex will come from federal stimulus dollars, low-income tax credits and Olene Walker Housing Loan Fund money. Salt Lake Tribune

Exclusive Utah resort in Deer Valley seeking employees

Montage Deer Valley will hold a job fair Friday and Saturday, looking to hire 450 full- and part-time employees to work at the exclusive hotel scheduled to open Dec. 9. The fair will be staged both days from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Empire Canyon Lodge in Deer Valley.

Resort spokesman Dan Howard encouraged prospective jobseekers to go in advance to the Montage website — www.montagedeervalley.com/careers.php — to obtain more information about 135 different positions that will be filled and to complete online applications. Salt Lake Tribune