jabire2389.blogspot.com
The Gulf Coast environmental organizatioh said the FAA has refused to apply theser federal regulations to its preauthorization review of proposed windturbinre projects. CHA contends that the FAA is violatingh the National Environmental Polichy Act and the EndangeredSpecies Act. Texas has the largest installed wind turbine capacit y ofany state, with additional projects both undert construction and on the planning The CHA says two wind farmsw in Kenedy County along the lower Texa s coast received turbine approvals from the FAA in 2007 and 2008 withouyt consideration of environmental issues.
Houston attorney Jim a spokesman forthe CHA, said environmental oversightg of the wind projects is neede to ensure the true impacts are The lower coast of Texasw is a major corridor for migratorhy birds, according to the .
Monday, April 30, 2012
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Fly Clear fast lane at Albany Int
esivyjifag.wordpress.com
was among the 20 airports nationwide that offeredr theexpedited system. An airport spokeswoman said the airporyt was not notified in advance and the Clear Lane was In 2008, it reported having more than 10,000 userss pass through the lanes since the express service was first offered there in summer 2007. “Cleat Lanes Are No Longer At 11:00 p.m. PST on June 22, Clear will cease operations. Clear’s parent has been unable to negotiate an agreemeng with its senior creditor tocontinue operations.” There was no informationn about whether enrollees would get refunds. The service cost $199 a Customers were mostly business travelers andfrequent fliers.
The program started at in 2005. Clear enrollees were pre-screened by the , and, if were provided with a card that gave them access to a speciapsecurity lane. Clear was operated by Verified Identit y Pass of NewYork City. As of June 4, Cleaer claimed to have enrolled morethan 260,000 fliers.
was among the 20 airports nationwide that offeredr theexpedited system. An airport spokeswoman said the airporyt was not notified in advance and the Clear Lane was In 2008, it reported having more than 10,000 userss pass through the lanes since the express service was first offered there in summer 2007. “Cleat Lanes Are No Longer At 11:00 p.m. PST on June 22, Clear will cease operations. Clear’s parent has been unable to negotiate an agreemeng with its senior creditor tocontinue operations.” There was no informationn about whether enrollees would get refunds. The service cost $199 a Customers were mostly business travelers andfrequent fliers.
The program started at in 2005. Clear enrollees were pre-screened by the , and, if were provided with a card that gave them access to a speciapsecurity lane. Clear was operated by Verified Identit y Pass of NewYork City. As of June 4, Cleaer claimed to have enrolled morethan 260,000 fliers.
Thursday, April 26, 2012
GM to sell Hummer to Chinese company - Houston Business Journal:
edibin.wordpress.com
The announcement comes one day after GM with plans to becomre aleaner company. Missouro has one Hummer dealership, in Chesterfield. Jim owner of Lynch Hummer, said he knew the automakere was working on a deal to sell the brandr but welcomed the news as a way toease fears. “It’s good for business that it some of the apprehensiom that the brand may be going away inthe public’ s perception,” he said. The automaked said it has a memorandujm ofunderstanding (MoU) and that the sale is expectexd to close by the end of thirxd quarter of this year. The deal is expected to securr morethan 3,000 U.S. jobs in engineering and at Hummert dealerships aroundthe country.
The company said the propose transaction calls for the new Hummer owner to continu e to contract vehicle manufacturing and business services from GM during a definefd transitionaltime period. For example, under the proposed agreement, GM’s Shreveport, La., assemblty plant would continue to assemble the H3 and H3T througjh atleast 2010. GM is also tryinfg to sell its Saab and Saturb brands and will phase out itsPontiadc brand.
The announcement comes one day after GM with plans to becomre aleaner company. Missouro has one Hummer dealership, in Chesterfield. Jim owner of Lynch Hummer, said he knew the automakere was working on a deal to sell the brandr but welcomed the news as a way toease fears. “It’s good for business that it some of the apprehensiom that the brand may be going away inthe public’ s perception,” he said. The automaked said it has a memorandujm ofunderstanding (MoU) and that the sale is expectexd to close by the end of thirxd quarter of this year. The deal is expected to securr morethan 3,000 U.S. jobs in engineering and at Hummert dealerships aroundthe country.
The company said the propose transaction calls for the new Hummer owner to continu e to contract vehicle manufacturing and business services from GM during a definefd transitionaltime period. For example, under the proposed agreement, GM’s Shreveport, La., assemblty plant would continue to assemble the H3 and H3T througjh atleast 2010. GM is also tryinfg to sell its Saab and Saturb brands and will phase out itsPontiadc brand.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Analysis: As technology shifts, Asian giants wrestle for TV control - Reuters
yjanebixe.wordpress.com
Analysis: As technology shifts, Asian giants wrestle for TV control Reuters The red ink bleeding across Japan's tech industry comes at a time when the TV market is heading for a technology choice - between credit-card-thin OLEDs or ultra-high definition sets - that may consign today's LCDs to the bargain shelf. |
Monday, April 23, 2012
Baltimore traffic 18th-worst in the nation, Texas Transportation Institute study finds - Baltimore Business Journal:
stages-paddocks.blogspot.com
That number is unchanged from 2006, according to he “Urba Mobility Report” a study conductec by the , a unit of the The year 2007 is the most recentf for which dataare available. Each Baltimore drivedr spent an average of 44 houras in trafficin 2007, according to the Baltimore drivers also used up 41.8 millionb more gallons of fuel in 2007 than they wouldr have if it were not for traffic delays, the reportt estimates. That’s also the 16th-worst rate in the Overall, traffic congestion in Baltimore cost anestimatec $1.3 billion in the 16th-most in the nation, according to the study The traffic-jam champion is car-happy Los Angeles-Lonf Beach-Santa Ana, Calif.
, where motorists speny 485 million hours idling in 2007, the TTI studyh says. L.A. is followed by New Chicago, Atlanta and Miami. The average for 90 large urba areas studied by TTIis 39.9 million hours of travel The report did find that travelere nationwide spent 1.3 fewer hours in traffif in 2007 compared with 2005. That’d the first decline since researchers began conducting the reporftin 1982.
That number is unchanged from 2006, according to he “Urba Mobility Report” a study conductec by the , a unit of the The year 2007 is the most recentf for which dataare available. Each Baltimore drivedr spent an average of 44 houras in trafficin 2007, according to the Baltimore drivers also used up 41.8 millionb more gallons of fuel in 2007 than they wouldr have if it were not for traffic delays, the reportt estimates. That’s also the 16th-worst rate in the Overall, traffic congestion in Baltimore cost anestimatec $1.3 billion in the 16th-most in the nation, according to the study The traffic-jam champion is car-happy Los Angeles-Lonf Beach-Santa Ana, Calif.
, where motorists speny 485 million hours idling in 2007, the TTI studyh says. L.A. is followed by New Chicago, Atlanta and Miami. The average for 90 large urba areas studied by TTIis 39.9 million hours of travel The report did find that travelere nationwide spent 1.3 fewer hours in traffif in 2007 compared with 2005. That’d the first decline since researchers began conducting the reporftin 1982.
Saturday, April 21, 2012
FBI returns military gear, wedding ring to acquitted Hutaree militia leader ... - Detroit Free Press
disadvantage-unlimited.blogspot.com
CBS Local | FBI returns military gear, wedding ring to acquitted Hutaree militia leader ... Detroit Free Press Tina Stone places husband David Stone Sr.'s wedding band on his finger Friday outside the McNamara Federal Building in Detroit. The FBI returned the militia leader's belongings, including military-style vests. / Carlos Osorio/ Associated Press By Ed ... FBI returns belongings to Hutaree leader David Stone FBI Returns Wedding Ring, Gear To Militia Leader Acquitted Hutaree militia members try to rebuild their lives |
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Preview: 'SSX' classic downloadable content(Xbox 360, PlayStation 3) - Chicago Tribune
tatyanagepoji.blogspot.com
Preview: 'SSX' classic downloadable content(Xbox 360, PlayStation 3) Chicago Tribune Now, not all the content from the original games is returning, but with the Mt. Eddie Pack, you'll get nine new drops inspired by "SSX Tricky," giving you plenty of room to run and compete in leaderboards. What's more, you'll also get a few tracks from ... |
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Monday, April 16, 2012
George's offense presently is a work in progress - Indianapolis Star
kleopatraxnibe.blogspot.com
George's offense presently is a work in progress Indianapolis Star Paul George summed up his offensive play of late on one first-half possession against the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday. The Indiana Pacers' second-year guard had a breakaway for what looked to be an easy two points. George went up in the air and ... |
Saturday, April 14, 2012
RoboticOncology.com News: SMARTer Prostate Cancer Treatment - MarketWatch (press release)
omagyvoham.wordpress.com
RoboticOncology.com News: SMARTer Prostate Cancer Treatment MarketWatch (press release) Excerpts from a presentation by top prostate cancer expert, Dr. David Samadi, highlight his 3-in-1 surgical expertise and the many benefits of Robotic Assisted Laparoscopic Prostatectomy (RALP) NEW YORK, April 13, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Dr. |
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Report: Texas is the 14th fattest state - Austin Business Journal:
vlastaowibopaj.blogspot.com
A new study from the and the found that adul t obesity rates increased in 23 states in thelast year, includin Texas, and did not declinr significantly in any state. Two-thirds of American adulta are either obeseor overweight. Moreover, the percentage of obesew and overweight children is at or above 30 percent in30 Texas' adult obesity rate stands at 27.9 up slightly from 27.2 percent a year ago. The rate makea Texas the 14th fattest state inthe country, tied with The Lone Star State's rate of obese and overweigh t kids stands at 32 percent, ranking it No. 20 on that Mississippi ranks as the fastes state overall with an adulf obesity rateof 32.5 percent.
It was followeds by Alabama, West Tennessee and South Carolina, in that “Our health care costs have grown along with our waist saidJeff Levi, executive directo r of TFAH. “The obesity epidemic is a big contributor to the skyrocketing healthn care costs in theUnited States. How are we goinh to compete with the rest of the world if our economy and workforce are weighef down bybad health?
”
A new study from the and the found that adul t obesity rates increased in 23 states in thelast year, includin Texas, and did not declinr significantly in any state. Two-thirds of American adulta are either obeseor overweight. Moreover, the percentage of obesew and overweight children is at or above 30 percent in30 Texas' adult obesity rate stands at 27.9 up slightly from 27.2 percent a year ago. The rate makea Texas the 14th fattest state inthe country, tied with The Lone Star State's rate of obese and overweigh t kids stands at 32 percent, ranking it No. 20 on that Mississippi ranks as the fastes state overall with an adulf obesity rateof 32.5 percent.
It was followeds by Alabama, West Tennessee and South Carolina, in that “Our health care costs have grown along with our waist saidJeff Levi, executive directo r of TFAH. “The obesity epidemic is a big contributor to the skyrocketing healthn care costs in theUnited States. How are we goinh to compete with the rest of the world if our economy and workforce are weighef down bybad health?
”
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Google to end run in Tempe - Phoenix Business Journal:
doqujamup.wordpress.com
The closing, announced in a blog post fromAlan Eustace, Google'w senior vice president for engineering and research, said the projectas had become "highly fragmented" within its internal engineeringb projects, and officials with the company said they believse having the engineering separatefd from the departments it was workinf for became an unworkable Google's site selection set off a recruitment battle between Phoenix, Tempe and othefr Valley cites looking to land the Internet Google eventually leased office space from in Tempe. The Googl office had hoped to employt as many as 600 workers and the 2005 announcement of its Valle y office was widely promotedby Gov.
Janef Napolitano as showing progress inthe state's bid to attrac t more high-wage jobs and be less reliantg on housing and tourism. Google'w exit is another hit to a statwe economy nailed by the housing market bust, rise in foreclosures and inflation-depressed consumert spending. "It is disappointing, but there's no doubtt that the science, researcg and technology sectors of the market in Arizonzaremain strong," said Napolitano spokeswomab Jeanine L'Ecuyer. The company employs 50 workers at the site and will try to incorporats them back into the companh atother sites, but each situationn will be dealt with on a case-by-casre basis. Its last day in the leased space willbe Nov. 21.
Basedc in Mountain View, Calif., Google GOOG) has been rolling out Web-based software-as-a-service applications for the past two hoping to cut into the market dominateddby (NASDAQ: MSFT). It had formee a unique partnership with Arizona Statw University in thatthe university's entire e-mail and application network is underpinned by Google's applications. Google officialxs said they plan to continuwe therelationship they've developed with ASU, whicy was the first U.S. university to turn to Google'sa applications for use on a broadf scale. Tempe officials said they will look at othet endeavors to bring more technologty jobs tothe community.
"I'm sorry to hear that Googler will be leavingthe Valley. I'm sure there were many factors involved inthe decision. We'lk continue to work with others the communitgy to further developa diverse, knowledge-based economy," said Mary Ann president and CEO of the Tempe Chamber of ASU announced Friday afternoon it woulds continue to work with Google on variousa projects. The university and Google had partnered with several endeavorsw over the pasttwo years, the latest of which is a planne d curriculum in cloud computing to be offeree at ASU as well as continuing to offer its application programs, officials said.
While the news may be a blow for some in thetechnology field, the state still remainzs in play for a number of including Internet domain name provider "Gop Daddy is always excitee about growth opportunities here in Arizona," said Warren Adelman, presiden t and COO of Go Daddy. "Since this time in we've expanded our employee numberws by about50 percent, most of those rightf here in the Valley. Righr now, we have 50 open positions in our developmeny and IT divisions alone and nearly six millioncustomerse worldwide. There are lots of exciting project for skilled people here atGo Daddy.
"
The closing, announced in a blog post fromAlan Eustace, Google'w senior vice president for engineering and research, said the projectas had become "highly fragmented" within its internal engineeringb projects, and officials with the company said they believse having the engineering separatefd from the departments it was workinf for became an unworkable Google's site selection set off a recruitment battle between Phoenix, Tempe and othefr Valley cites looking to land the Internet Google eventually leased office space from in Tempe. The Googl office had hoped to employt as many as 600 workers and the 2005 announcement of its Valle y office was widely promotedby Gov.
Janef Napolitano as showing progress inthe state's bid to attrac t more high-wage jobs and be less reliantg on housing and tourism. Google'w exit is another hit to a statwe economy nailed by the housing market bust, rise in foreclosures and inflation-depressed consumert spending. "It is disappointing, but there's no doubtt that the science, researcg and technology sectors of the market in Arizonzaremain strong," said Napolitano spokeswomab Jeanine L'Ecuyer. The company employs 50 workers at the site and will try to incorporats them back into the companh atother sites, but each situationn will be dealt with on a case-by-casre basis. Its last day in the leased space willbe Nov. 21.
Basedc in Mountain View, Calif., Google GOOG) has been rolling out Web-based software-as-a-service applications for the past two hoping to cut into the market dominateddby (NASDAQ: MSFT). It had formee a unique partnership with Arizona Statw University in thatthe university's entire e-mail and application network is underpinned by Google's applications. Google officialxs said they plan to continuwe therelationship they've developed with ASU, whicy was the first U.S. university to turn to Google'sa applications for use on a broadf scale. Tempe officials said they will look at othet endeavors to bring more technologty jobs tothe community.
"I'm sorry to hear that Googler will be leavingthe Valley. I'm sure there were many factors involved inthe decision. We'lk continue to work with others the communitgy to further developa diverse, knowledge-based economy," said Mary Ann president and CEO of the Tempe Chamber of ASU announced Friday afternoon it woulds continue to work with Google on variousa projects. The university and Google had partnered with several endeavorsw over the pasttwo years, the latest of which is a planne d curriculum in cloud computing to be offeree at ASU as well as continuing to offer its application programs, officials said.
While the news may be a blow for some in thetechnology field, the state still remainzs in play for a number of including Internet domain name provider "Gop Daddy is always excitee about growth opportunities here in Arizona," said Warren Adelman, presiden t and COO of Go Daddy. "Since this time in we've expanded our employee numberws by about50 percent, most of those rightf here in the Valley. Righr now, we have 50 open positions in our developmeny and IT divisions alone and nearly six millioncustomerse worldwide. There are lots of exciting project for skilled people here atGo Daddy.
"
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Doak Ewing is baseball's biggest private film archivist - CBS News
bentlyoupapa1810.blogspot.com
CBS News | Doak Ewing is baseball's biggest private film archivist CBS News "I don't follow baseball like I used to," says Doak Ewing. "I couldn't tell you the starting line up of the Cubs." To grab Doak's attention these days, the baseball game has to be at least a half-century old, say the Cubs from the 1935 World Series. |
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Free Chick-fil-A meal on July 10 - Jacksonville Business Journal:
ycoguqi.wordpress.com
The giveaway is part of the Atlanta-based chain’ s fifth-annual Cow Appreciation Day, whicj honors its "Eat Mor Chikin" Cows. In a relateed promotion, parents can entet photos of their cow-clad children as part of a "Shoew Us the Cow" online photpo contest, for a chance to win a $1,000 U.S. Savingzs Bond. Between now and Aug. 31, children ages 10 and youngee are encouraged to work with an aduly to submit creative photos of themselvesx dressedas cows. The contes Web site, www.CowAppreciationDay.com, has details about uploadingb photos forthe contest. Once the pictureas are uploaded, the public can vote for their favorite photokthrough Aug. 31.
The 20 photographs that get the most Internetg votes will benamed semifinalists. From the Chick-fil-A will select five finalists and one grand prize winne r based onoverall quality, appearance, originality, creativit y and skill. The entrant's age will be taken into accounyfor judging, Chick-fil-A said. The grand prizs winner will receivea U.S. Series EE Savings Bond with a maturitg valueof $1,000, a catered party for their classroom, free Chick-fil-A Kid'xs Meals for a year and a digital among other gifts. Also each Kid'sx Meal from June 22 to July 25 will includse miniatureCow figurines, while suppliees last.
One out of every 100 of the cows will have gold spotw instead of the traditional black spots and will be packaged with a card redeemable for a freeIce
The giveaway is part of the Atlanta-based chain’ s fifth-annual Cow Appreciation Day, whicj honors its "Eat Mor Chikin" Cows. In a relateed promotion, parents can entet photos of their cow-clad children as part of a "Shoew Us the Cow" online photpo contest, for a chance to win a $1,000 U.S. Savingzs Bond. Between now and Aug. 31, children ages 10 and youngee are encouraged to work with an aduly to submit creative photos of themselvesx dressedas cows. The contes Web site, www.CowAppreciationDay.com, has details about uploadingb photos forthe contest. Once the pictureas are uploaded, the public can vote for their favorite photokthrough Aug. 31.
The 20 photographs that get the most Internetg votes will benamed semifinalists. From the Chick-fil-A will select five finalists and one grand prize winne r based onoverall quality, appearance, originality, creativit y and skill. The entrant's age will be taken into accounyfor judging, Chick-fil-A said. The grand prizs winner will receivea U.S. Series EE Savings Bond with a maturitg valueof $1,000, a catered party for their classroom, free Chick-fil-A Kid'xs Meals for a year and a digital among other gifts. Also each Kid'sx Meal from June 22 to July 25 will includse miniatureCow figurines, while suppliees last.
One out of every 100 of the cows will have gold spotw instead of the traditional black spots and will be packaged with a card redeemable for a freeIce
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Construction leads growth in Top 150 St. Louis Privately Held Companies - St. Louis Business Journal:
ikefageze.blogspot.com
Business Journal research on the area's largest privatew companies found the five that recorded the largest percentage gainas in revenue are all involved in realestates development, construction and related building trades. Thoser companies -- The , Inc., , and -- each generated between 56 percent and 81 percent growth last year for acombinee $1.48 billion in total revenue. Each firm has a differengt story, but most sharwe similar themes.
Company executives attribute their success to large projects, diversified client bases and hard-working Most acknowledge they have been benefiting recently from jobs and investmentes whose origins date back a few years when credity was easy to Similarly, while many are enjoying continued prosperity this year, most are takinb a more cautious view of the future. With the financial markets tight and the nationaleconomy slowing, therwe is greater risk that upcoming jobs could be delayes or scaled down. The lag time between a project's proposao and its eventual completion can stretcg from monthsto years.
That has managers planning aheae now for conditions that might not hit home forsome "I think 2008 and 2009 for PayneCrest will be very stronbg years, but I am a little bit concerned about wherre the market will be from 2010 and said David Payne, owner and president. "Normallgy we would know of some big jobs comingg downthe road. But beyond we don't see a lot in the pipeline." PayneCrest surged with 61 percengt revenue growth in 2007 thanks to a couple of mammoth The company posted record revenueof $100 million as it complete d the electrical and communications wiringh of 's new $507 million Lumiere Place casink complex downtown, as well as majorr electrical upgrades at 's two assemblyt plants in Fenton.
Now PayneCrest is preparing to take on the lead electricalo contractor rolefor 's $905 millioj cement plant in Ste. Genevieve County. Payne is staffing up to handlshis backlog, but also trying to anticipate economi conditions a few years out. "We have to accomplish the work we have on the books while also looking at the futur e and trying to determinwe what that will mean for staffing Payne said. Design-build firm ARCO Construction grew 73 percent last year thanksa in large part tothe company's geographic and market according to co-owner and Chief Executivde Jeff Cook.
With nine offices nationwidd and a larger staff to handle more jobs andbiggert projects, ARCO boosted revenue to $402 The company takes on everything from office buildingsw and distribution centers to health-care, retai l and commercial housing projects. A new $5 millionh Lamborghini dealership in Chesterfield anda $10 million industrialo building in Eureka for Chrysletr supplier are among its recent local jobs. But Cook said some of ARCO'ss recent growth came from a level of project backlog that might not be replaced at such a vigorous pace in thecomingf months.
"Don't expect that growt every yearfrom us," Cook "We're more of a controlled growth kind of We're targeting 10 percent this Close behind ARCO, Ben Hur Construction bumped its revenue 71.5 percent in 2007 undetr the leadership of President and CEO Bill Brown, one of the firm'z owners. The company specializes in industrial, powe r plant and manufacturing jobs. "The power work has been on thebookas forever, and they are just gettinvg around to it all over the Brown said.
"The coal power work is goinbg nuts with new plants and Ben Hur alsobuilds churches, and Brown said with all the new housinh developed in recent years, it "seemw like there's a church goinyg up on every corner." "Outr niche markets have been pretty spectacular, and thered is a lot of strength in them through 2008 and 2009 because many of these jobs have been in the worka for years in advance," Brown said. "We're struggling to find reasons not tobe optimistic. We thinkm there is still enough strength in the economygright now.
" Sachs Electric, whosde current projects include wirinfg 's new $80 million Chaifetzz Arena, grew its revenue 56 percent last Clayton Scharff, Sachs' chairman, president and CEO, said the company also is working on three new buildings at Edward Jones' St. Louis ' new office complex at the University of Louis and ongoing improvementsat 's variousx facilities. "Looking at 2008 and early 2009, we're still very strong and being presentedc withseveral opportunities," said Pat Kriegshauser, chief financial officer. "Fortunately we are well-diversified and not dependenft onone industry.
That's helped us ride out ups and Ithink it's fair, though, to take a cautious outlooki given the lack of liquiditt in the market that could limit financing. Projects may be delayer if financing becomesa problem." Len president of the Associatexd General Contractors of St. Louis, said power infrastructure, health-care and industrial jobs remain amongv the hot spots within theconstruction industry. But cold spotsz include retail andentertainment projects, such as the long-delayede Ballpark Village mixed-use development plannes by the and downtown. "Thosde are projects that are more financingand tenant-occupant driven," Toenjes said.
"You used to be able to get financingg if you could get 10 percenf to 15 percentoccupancgy pre-sold. Now you may need 50 percenf to 60 percent occupancy to get The bar has moved significantlhy because of what has gone on in thefinanciaol markets." Cost inflation of building materials such as steel and petroleum-based plastics is also a he said. "In 2008 our guys are prettyy positive we'll see growth in commercial construction of 5 percentr to7 percent," Toenjes said.
"When we get to people start towonder what'sw going to be out there as work on the Holcim planf and Interstate 64 wrapd up, as we watch what may or may not happeb with the (planned) South County casino, and with other projectsz on hold. There is some concern." The view aheac also is difficult to predict for TheMichelsonb Organization, a real estate investment and management which was the biggest winner of the bunch in the past year as it grew revenud nearly 81 percent from about $300 millio in 2006 to $542 million in 2007.
The owned by President and Chief Executive Brucde Michelson andhis family, operatees 41 multifamily properties in 29 cities in 15 state throughout the Midwest, Southeast and Southwest. By acquiring three propertiea and sellingtwo Michelson's real estate fund wrapped up the year with better-than-expected investment returns. Bruce Michelson declined to discusshis long-term but valuation adjustments in the real estats market are undoubtedly on his radar.
Business Journal research on the area's largest privatew companies found the five that recorded the largest percentage gainas in revenue are all involved in realestates development, construction and related building trades. Thoser companies -- The , Inc., , and -- each generated between 56 percent and 81 percent growth last year for acombinee $1.48 billion in total revenue. Each firm has a differengt story, but most sharwe similar themes.
Company executives attribute their success to large projects, diversified client bases and hard-working Most acknowledge they have been benefiting recently from jobs and investmentes whose origins date back a few years when credity was easy to Similarly, while many are enjoying continued prosperity this year, most are takinb a more cautious view of the future. With the financial markets tight and the nationaleconomy slowing, therwe is greater risk that upcoming jobs could be delayes or scaled down. The lag time between a project's proposao and its eventual completion can stretcg from monthsto years.
That has managers planning aheae now for conditions that might not hit home forsome "I think 2008 and 2009 for PayneCrest will be very stronbg years, but I am a little bit concerned about wherre the market will be from 2010 and said David Payne, owner and president. "Normallgy we would know of some big jobs comingg downthe road. But beyond we don't see a lot in the pipeline." PayneCrest surged with 61 percengt revenue growth in 2007 thanks to a couple of mammoth The company posted record revenueof $100 million as it complete d the electrical and communications wiringh of 's new $507 million Lumiere Place casink complex downtown, as well as majorr electrical upgrades at 's two assemblyt plants in Fenton.
Now PayneCrest is preparing to take on the lead electricalo contractor rolefor 's $905 millioj cement plant in Ste. Genevieve County. Payne is staffing up to handlshis backlog, but also trying to anticipate economi conditions a few years out. "We have to accomplish the work we have on the books while also looking at the futur e and trying to determinwe what that will mean for staffing Payne said. Design-build firm ARCO Construction grew 73 percent last year thanksa in large part tothe company's geographic and market according to co-owner and Chief Executivde Jeff Cook.
With nine offices nationwidd and a larger staff to handle more jobs andbiggert projects, ARCO boosted revenue to $402 The company takes on everything from office buildingsw and distribution centers to health-care, retai l and commercial housing projects. A new $5 millionh Lamborghini dealership in Chesterfield anda $10 million industrialo building in Eureka for Chrysletr supplier are among its recent local jobs. But Cook said some of ARCO'ss recent growth came from a level of project backlog that might not be replaced at such a vigorous pace in thecomingf months.
"Don't expect that growt every yearfrom us," Cook "We're more of a controlled growth kind of We're targeting 10 percent this Close behind ARCO, Ben Hur Construction bumped its revenue 71.5 percent in 2007 undetr the leadership of President and CEO Bill Brown, one of the firm'z owners. The company specializes in industrial, powe r plant and manufacturing jobs. "The power work has been on thebookas forever, and they are just gettinvg around to it all over the Brown said.
"The coal power work is goinbg nuts with new plants and Ben Hur alsobuilds churches, and Brown said with all the new housinh developed in recent years, it "seemw like there's a church goinyg up on every corner." "Outr niche markets have been pretty spectacular, and thered is a lot of strength in them through 2008 and 2009 because many of these jobs have been in the worka for years in advance," Brown said. "We're struggling to find reasons not tobe optimistic. We thinkm there is still enough strength in the economygright now.
" Sachs Electric, whosde current projects include wirinfg 's new $80 million Chaifetzz Arena, grew its revenue 56 percent last Clayton Scharff, Sachs' chairman, president and CEO, said the company also is working on three new buildings at Edward Jones' St. Louis ' new office complex at the University of Louis and ongoing improvementsat 's variousx facilities. "Looking at 2008 and early 2009, we're still very strong and being presentedc withseveral opportunities," said Pat Kriegshauser, chief financial officer. "Fortunately we are well-diversified and not dependenft onone industry.
That's helped us ride out ups and Ithink it's fair, though, to take a cautious outlooki given the lack of liquiditt in the market that could limit financing. Projects may be delayer if financing becomesa problem." Len president of the Associatexd General Contractors of St. Louis, said power infrastructure, health-care and industrial jobs remain amongv the hot spots within theconstruction industry. But cold spotsz include retail andentertainment projects, such as the long-delayede Ballpark Village mixed-use development plannes by the and downtown. "Thosde are projects that are more financingand tenant-occupant driven," Toenjes said.
"You used to be able to get financingg if you could get 10 percenf to 15 percentoccupancgy pre-sold. Now you may need 50 percenf to 60 percent occupancy to get The bar has moved significantlhy because of what has gone on in thefinanciaol markets." Cost inflation of building materials such as steel and petroleum-based plastics is also a he said. "In 2008 our guys are prettyy positive we'll see growth in commercial construction of 5 percentr to7 percent," Toenjes said.
"When we get to people start towonder what'sw going to be out there as work on the Holcim planf and Interstate 64 wrapd up, as we watch what may or may not happeb with the (planned) South County casino, and with other projectsz on hold. There is some concern." The view aheac also is difficult to predict for TheMichelsonb Organization, a real estate investment and management which was the biggest winner of the bunch in the past year as it grew revenud nearly 81 percent from about $300 millio in 2006 to $542 million in 2007.
The owned by President and Chief Executive Brucde Michelson andhis family, operatees 41 multifamily properties in 29 cities in 15 state throughout the Midwest, Southeast and Southwest. By acquiring three propertiea and sellingtwo Michelson's real estate fund wrapped up the year with better-than-expected investment returns. Bruce Michelson declined to discusshis long-term but valuation adjustments in the real estats market are undoubtedly on his radar.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Benton to run NC unemployment benefits office - Jacksonville Daily News
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WRAL.com | Benton to run NC unemployment benefits office Jacksonville Daily News GARY D. ROBERTSON - AP RALEIGH รข€" Gov. Beverly Perdue's administration chose a career government bureaucrat Monday to run North Carolina's unemployment insurance agency, which has been criticized for administrative mistakes and the $2.7 billion debt ... Bento n to run unemployment benefits office Perdue names Dempsey Benton to head NC unemployment agency |
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Science and the doubting conservatives - Los Angeles Times
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Science and the doubting conservatives Los Angeles Times New research finds that among conservatives with college degrees, trust in science declined more over time than it did for conservatives with only a high school degree. Analyzing results from the General Social Survey, which has been conducted by the ... |
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