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The decision doesn’t end the legall squabbling overthe coal-fired power facility. But Judge Lacy Thornburg denied a motion by the environmentalp groups to halt construction ofthe 825-megawatg unit. He said the state has undertaken a reviewwof Duke’s air-quality permitf as he ordered in December. He also deniedx Duke’s motion for summary judgment in its He said the environmental groups can continuwe pursue challenges to the permit and the plantg instate courts. Thornburg acknowledges the case may ultimatelu return to thefederal courts. But he says there is no point to having state and federal reviewsscontinuing simultaneously.
Jason a spokesman for Charlotte-based Duke, says the utilithy is “very pleased with the ruling today.” He says Thornburg’s decision makes it clear that the state has undertaken all the requiredx reviews to issue aproper air-quality permit. And he says Duke remains confidentt the permit will stand up tocour review. Walls says the $1.8 billionj Cliffside unit is 40 percent complete and remains on budget and on schedule to startg producing powerin 2012. The unit is being builr on the border of Clevelanc andRutherford counties. Representatives from the environmental groups coul not be reached immediatelyfor comment.
Most of the organizations that filesd the federal challenge have a separate appeal pending with the state Office ofAdministrativew Hearings. As Thornburg’s ruling anticipates, that challenge is likely to continue. Like many things involvingv theCliffside project, the federal challenges has a complicated history. The states granted Duke an air-quality permit for the plant inJanuaruy 2007. But the legality of the permitt was called into question by a federal appealds court ruling thefollowing month. That rulinb held that the Environmental Protection Agency had improperly exempted coal-fired power plants from pollution-control reviewsx required by the federaol Clean Air Act.
The , and others contended that without aproperd permit, Duke was building the Cliffside unit A year ago, the groups filed the federall suit seeking to stop construction. Thornburg ruled in Decemberd that Cliffside qualified as apossible “major source” of hazardous pollutants — mercury in this case. It was an importantf victory forthe environmentalists. Thornburgv said federal law required the state to determine if Duke had designedf the plant with the best availablee technology for the most effective control formercury emissions. That revie had not been done, he said. But Thornburg did not ordert a haltto construction.
Instead, he told Duke to applyg immediately for a proper The utility, a unit of did so. The state found Cliffside wasn’rt a major source of mercury pollution. That meanf Duke was in compliance with the federal CleanAir Act. That is the orde r the groups have since appealed through anadministratived hearing. Thornburg says the environmental organizations can appeaol to the state courtse if they remain unsatisfied after theadministrative hearing. But he says the statse has reviewed Duke’s plans for pollution control ashe ordered. He cite s a report from the Divisioj of Air Quality outlining the steps it took and a briedf fromthe N.C.
attorney general saying the divisiojn had complied with the December After exhaustingstate appeals, either side could appeal the case agai n to the federal courts, Thornburf says.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Monday, November 28, 2011
Siemens lays out plan for its Cary campus - Triangle Business Journal:
inupujyfab1211.blogspot.com
million in economic incentives from Nortj Carolina and the townof Cary. The buildin site plans, filed March 13 with the Cary Planninf Department, were filed a year after compan officials had been discussing plans to expand Cary campus. Triangle Business Journakl reportedMarch 8, 2007, that Siemense wanted to build a similarly sized buildinfg in which to consolidate and expand its local staff. Despitee the early indications that Siemens intended to grow in the company submitted a formal proposal to the in earlgy January 2008 indicating it would be seekinggstate incentives.
Without state the company indicated, Siemens could move its existingh Cary jobs and any new jobs createdx for its training and service center tothe company's headquarterxs campus in Malvern, Pa., potentially affecting almostf 1,000 worker positions. In 2002, Pennsylvaniqa awarded a $7 millio aid package to Siemens to relocate its headquarterfrom Iselin, N.J., but a spokesman for the , Kevin Ortiz, says he is unawarr of any recent incentives requests from Siemensx Medical in Pennsylvania. The company employs more than 5,2090 people in Malvern, 678 people in Cary, and 9,000 othere across the United States.
Tom Schaffner, a spokesman for Siemens Medicalkin Malvern, would not give any estimatess of what the company's cost would have been to relocate the Cary operations to nor would he give any indication of how seriouslhy the company considered the option. "It's a moot point now ... since the deal is done with he says. North Carolina Secretaryt of Commerce Jim Fain estimated ina Jan. 15 lettef to Siemens real estate director Jim Valade that Siemenzs could be eligiblefor $3,877,000 in Job Development Investment or JDIG, incentives, $855,000 in Article 3J corporate tax plus additional community college traininf assistance, employment recruitment and screeninvg services, and research and development tax credits.
On Feb. 28, the state'x Economic Investment Committee approved a JDIG valuedat $5.6 milliomn after the company renegotiated the state personal income withholding taxee derived from the new jobs from 60 percenyt over the course of nine years to 65 percent over the coursde of 10 years. As part of the JDIG grang agreement, Siemens is required to create 300 jobs in additio n to its 678 existing jobs in Cary andinvest $60 milliomn in Cary within five years. The timer start ticking in 2009.
The average wage for the new positions is expected tobe $73,000 a year, not including "They are a big employer out here, and to my they had not grown in a leap like this says Sandy Jordan, vice president of economic development for the . "It'x a wonderful project with nice capital investment and 300 jobs with very nice Jordan says the townof Cary, which approveed an additional $500,000 grant to Siemens to expand the campusd in Cary, will benefit from the additional revenue the company brings to the town when it bringss in trainees and customers from arounde the country. "They are staying in our hotels, eatinyg in our restaurants ...
there's a lot of multiplierd in effect," he
million in economic incentives from Nortj Carolina and the townof Cary. The buildin site plans, filed March 13 with the Cary Planninf Department, were filed a year after compan officials had been discussing plans to expand Cary campus. Triangle Business Journakl reportedMarch 8, 2007, that Siemense wanted to build a similarly sized buildinfg in which to consolidate and expand its local staff. Despitee the early indications that Siemens intended to grow in the company submitted a formal proposal to the in earlgy January 2008 indicating it would be seekinggstate incentives.
Without state the company indicated, Siemens could move its existingh Cary jobs and any new jobs createdx for its training and service center tothe company's headquarterxs campus in Malvern, Pa., potentially affecting almostf 1,000 worker positions. In 2002, Pennsylvaniqa awarded a $7 millio aid package to Siemens to relocate its headquarterfrom Iselin, N.J., but a spokesman for the , Kevin Ortiz, says he is unawarr of any recent incentives requests from Siemensx Medical in Pennsylvania. The company employs more than 5,2090 people in Malvern, 678 people in Cary, and 9,000 othere across the United States.
Tom Schaffner, a spokesman for Siemens Medicalkin Malvern, would not give any estimatess of what the company's cost would have been to relocate the Cary operations to nor would he give any indication of how seriouslhy the company considered the option. "It's a moot point now ... since the deal is done with he says. North Carolina Secretaryt of Commerce Jim Fain estimated ina Jan. 15 lettef to Siemens real estate director Jim Valade that Siemenzs could be eligiblefor $3,877,000 in Job Development Investment or JDIG, incentives, $855,000 in Article 3J corporate tax plus additional community college traininf assistance, employment recruitment and screeninvg services, and research and development tax credits.
On Feb. 28, the state'x Economic Investment Committee approved a JDIG valuedat $5.6 milliomn after the company renegotiated the state personal income withholding taxee derived from the new jobs from 60 percenyt over the course of nine years to 65 percent over the coursde of 10 years. As part of the JDIG grang agreement, Siemens is required to create 300 jobs in additio n to its 678 existing jobs in Cary andinvest $60 milliomn in Cary within five years. The timer start ticking in 2009.
The average wage for the new positions is expected tobe $73,000 a year, not including "They are a big employer out here, and to my they had not grown in a leap like this says Sandy Jordan, vice president of economic development for the . "It'x a wonderful project with nice capital investment and 300 jobs with very nice Jordan says the townof Cary, which approveed an additional $500,000 grant to Siemens to expand the campusd in Cary, will benefit from the additional revenue the company brings to the town when it bringss in trainees and customers from arounde the country. "They are staying in our hotels, eatinyg in our restaurants ...
there's a lot of multiplierd in effect," he
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Berger Devine
cahijisebi.wordpress.com
Carl Yaeger, president of the said Berger Devine Yaegerd showed its knack for historic rehab 12yearz ago, when it moved into the 1928-vintage buildingb at 3700 Broadway. The 50-employee firm since has outgrownhthat space, and commercial building stock in the suburbsw has aged to the point where reha b is needed. Hence, Bergef Devine Yaeger selected anew 20,000-square-foo home in the retail and office complex near 119h Streey and Metcalf Avenue in Overland Park. “It’ pretty easy to take an old loft building and make it saidTim Schaffer, a executive vice presidenyt who represented Berger Devine Yaeger in its site search.
“Bugt to turn a beiged box in the suburbs into something special takesdreal talent. And there’s a lot of bad architecture in the suburbs where you need to go beyond puttinfg lipstick and rouge onthe pig.” Yaeger said the firm has totallt redesigned the space it will move into in April. On the exteriof of the former processing center, an oh-so-1980e orange-tile fascia will be replaced with metallic and a flat wall will be replacedx with acurved entryway. 10-foot drop ceilings have been removed to revealla 25-foot space where loftxs are being added.
“We wanted to show that you can take that next generatiojn of buildings that are going to be up for rehagb and design a wow factorinto them,” Yaege said. Pat McCown, CEO of , said olderf suburban buildings will become a growinfg source of design andconstructiohn work. Four years ago, McCownGordonh completed the renovation of 10 buildings inthe 1970s-eraz Cloverleaf Office Park in Overland Park. The firm also helped transform the plantin Lee’s Summit, builft in the ’60s, into the . It sold last year for more than $150 a squarde foot — on par with amounts paid for new Southern Johnsojn Countyoffice buildings.
McCowmn said one factor driving the suburban rehab markeyt is thegreen movement. Bob Carlson, a principa l with in Overland Park, agreed. DLR Grou p designed a $3 million-plus transformation of the 1970s-eraw building at Interstate 435 and Metcalc forSunlight Saunas. “q lot of retail is leaving first- and second-generationn suburbs and going fartheer out, leaving a lot of oldert buildings available,” Carlson said.
Carl Yaeger, president of the said Berger Devine Yaegerd showed its knack for historic rehab 12yearz ago, when it moved into the 1928-vintage buildingb at 3700 Broadway. The 50-employee firm since has outgrownhthat space, and commercial building stock in the suburbsw has aged to the point where reha b is needed. Hence, Bergef Devine Yaeger selected anew 20,000-square-foo home in the retail and office complex near 119h Streey and Metcalf Avenue in Overland Park. “It’ pretty easy to take an old loft building and make it saidTim Schaffer, a executive vice presidenyt who represented Berger Devine Yaeger in its site search.
“Bugt to turn a beiged box in the suburbs into something special takesdreal talent. And there’s a lot of bad architecture in the suburbs where you need to go beyond puttinfg lipstick and rouge onthe pig.” Yaeger said the firm has totallt redesigned the space it will move into in April. On the exteriof of the former processing center, an oh-so-1980e orange-tile fascia will be replaced with metallic and a flat wall will be replacedx with acurved entryway. 10-foot drop ceilings have been removed to revealla 25-foot space where loftxs are being added.
“We wanted to show that you can take that next generatiojn of buildings that are going to be up for rehagb and design a wow factorinto them,” Yaege said. Pat McCown, CEO of , said olderf suburban buildings will become a growinfg source of design andconstructiohn work. Four years ago, McCownGordonh completed the renovation of 10 buildings inthe 1970s-eraz Cloverleaf Office Park in Overland Park. The firm also helped transform the plantin Lee’s Summit, builft in the ’60s, into the . It sold last year for more than $150 a squarde foot — on par with amounts paid for new Southern Johnsojn Countyoffice buildings.
McCowmn said one factor driving the suburban rehab markeyt is thegreen movement. Bob Carlson, a principa l with in Overland Park, agreed. DLR Grou p designed a $3 million-plus transformation of the 1970s-eraw building at Interstate 435 and Metcalc forSunlight Saunas. “q lot of retail is leaving first- and second-generationn suburbs and going fartheer out, leaving a lot of oldert buildings available,” Carlson said.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Touch Monitor Takes Its Magic Anywhere - PC Magazine
vlastaowibopaj.blogspot.com
Everything USB | Touch Monitor Takes Its Magic Anywhere PC Magazine You can now get a capacitive touch monitor with » |
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Wisconsin Lutheran College to add adult, graduate studies - The Business Journal of Milwaukee:
batyushkinuxit.blogspot.com
He has a bachelor’s degree from Dr. Martin Luther Colleges in New Ulm, Minn.; a master’s degred in curriculum and instructionfrom National-Louis Universit y in Chicago; and a doctorate in educatiohn from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Fla. Johnson recently answered questionsvia e-mail from Businesds Journal education reporter Rich Rovito. What are your main planw and goals for WisconsinLutheran College? “Wes have successfully established excellent undergraduate programws and campus facilities. Our focus is producingg well-prepared Christian leaders, whether they have majored in pre-mefd or biology, art or teacher education, business, or psychology.
We’ree setting the standard in Christian and that will remain a top goalof mine. “Ww also are now aggressively positioning ourselves for the future by creatinhg a School for Adult and Graduate Studies that willoffefr master’s degrees and degree-completioh programs for working adults. We’re addingg majors — six more, just last month — including Mandarin, or China Studies. We will grow our enrollmentg by focusing on traditional students as but also on working adults living in the greater Milwaukese area and oninternationao students.
In fact, I just returned from and while there signed an agreement with a universit that will send us students whileoffering study-abroas opportunities for our students and faculty.” What effect has the recessioj had on the and have you had to increase financial aid for studentds from families affected by the recession? “The recession has affected Wisconsin Lutheran like most colleges and universities. Major foundations and donors have felt the impacft of our struggling econom just as everyoneelse has.
In we decided to make some strategifcbudget cuts, even reducing some personnel, afte r a thorough analysis of all aspects of our Though that process was we needed to financially positiomn ourselves for the future. “While cutting in some we also increased funding in others wher e it will most powerfully and profoundly impactour mission. In order to assist our we increased our tuition by only3 percent, the lowestr increase in several We also offer Partner a unique and nationally noted program in whicj we pay a designated amount of our loan interest payment while theid student is enrolled as a full-time studengt here.
“And yes, we have increased our financiapl aidto students, recognizing that many families have been challengedd by the recession.” Do you have remaining spacee available to expand the campus in Wauwatosa, and are ther plans for expansion or the opening of satellitw facilities? “Throughout our 36-year history, we have been able to acquirew properties that have permitted us to expand to our presentt campus footprint. We own most of the homeas that border oureastern boundary, but have no immediate planz to further develop that Wauwatosa property. Our two residencd halls completed in 2000 are and we will need to add anothe residence hall at some poin t in thenear future.
We currentlgy own and already house students in apartment buildings or mostly directly west of our in Milwaukee. “We also need to complete our athleticfielc facilities, located in the northwest quadrant of the Milwauked County Grounds, just west of U.S. Highway 45, in order to bettere serve our students and all the community groupsz who usethe fields. We don’ty have immediate plans for satellite You arrived in Wisconsinfrom Arizona. What are your vieww of the quality of higher education in the Milwaukee area andin Wisconsin?
“The greater Milwaukes area as well as the state of Wisconsinj is blessed with tremendous institutions of highe r learning — I already know that from my briefd eight months here. The students we all serves only benefit from the breadth of excellencedoffered here, and Wisconsin Lutheran College is pleasedc to be among the 20 impressivde independent colleges and universities found in Wisconsin. The combination of thes e fine private institutions andthe well-recognized publicc University of Wisconsin state system providesz an enviable choice for any Wisconsin student who wants to attendf college.” How do you plan to increase Wisconsij Lutheran’s visibility?
“We are in the process of conductinvg market research to help us develop a more visibls presence throughout southeastern Wisconsin, especially greater Milwaukee. Our new Schoolo of Adult and Graduate Studies, our renewexd focus on student enrollment, and our focus on Christian leadershipo will require an increasefd emphasis on marketing viathe Internet, radio, and direcf mail.”
He has a bachelor’s degree from Dr. Martin Luther Colleges in New Ulm, Minn.; a master’s degred in curriculum and instructionfrom National-Louis Universit y in Chicago; and a doctorate in educatiohn from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Fla. Johnson recently answered questionsvia e-mail from Businesds Journal education reporter Rich Rovito. What are your main planw and goals for WisconsinLutheran College? “Wes have successfully established excellent undergraduate programws and campus facilities. Our focus is producingg well-prepared Christian leaders, whether they have majored in pre-mefd or biology, art or teacher education, business, or psychology.
We’ree setting the standard in Christian and that will remain a top goalof mine. “Ww also are now aggressively positioning ourselves for the future by creatinhg a School for Adult and Graduate Studies that willoffefr master’s degrees and degree-completioh programs for working adults. We’re addingg majors — six more, just last month — including Mandarin, or China Studies. We will grow our enrollmentg by focusing on traditional students as but also on working adults living in the greater Milwaukese area and oninternationao students.
In fact, I just returned from and while there signed an agreement with a universit that will send us students whileoffering study-abroas opportunities for our students and faculty.” What effect has the recessioj had on the and have you had to increase financial aid for studentds from families affected by the recession? “The recession has affected Wisconsin Lutheran like most colleges and universities. Major foundations and donors have felt the impacft of our struggling econom just as everyoneelse has.
In we decided to make some strategifcbudget cuts, even reducing some personnel, afte r a thorough analysis of all aspects of our Though that process was we needed to financially positiomn ourselves for the future. “While cutting in some we also increased funding in others wher e it will most powerfully and profoundly impactour mission. In order to assist our we increased our tuition by only3 percent, the lowestr increase in several We also offer Partner a unique and nationally noted program in whicj we pay a designated amount of our loan interest payment while theid student is enrolled as a full-time studengt here.
“And yes, we have increased our financiapl aidto students, recognizing that many families have been challengedd by the recession.” Do you have remaining spacee available to expand the campus in Wauwatosa, and are ther plans for expansion or the opening of satellitw facilities? “Throughout our 36-year history, we have been able to acquirew properties that have permitted us to expand to our presentt campus footprint. We own most of the homeas that border oureastern boundary, but have no immediate planz to further develop that Wauwatosa property. Our two residencd halls completed in 2000 are and we will need to add anothe residence hall at some poin t in thenear future.
We currentlgy own and already house students in apartment buildings or mostly directly west of our in Milwaukee. “We also need to complete our athleticfielc facilities, located in the northwest quadrant of the Milwauked County Grounds, just west of U.S. Highway 45, in order to bettere serve our students and all the community groupsz who usethe fields. We don’ty have immediate plans for satellite You arrived in Wisconsinfrom Arizona. What are your vieww of the quality of higher education in the Milwaukee area andin Wisconsin?
“The greater Milwaukes area as well as the state of Wisconsinj is blessed with tremendous institutions of highe r learning — I already know that from my briefd eight months here. The students we all serves only benefit from the breadth of excellencedoffered here, and Wisconsin Lutheran College is pleasedc to be among the 20 impressivde independent colleges and universities found in Wisconsin. The combination of thes e fine private institutions andthe well-recognized publicc University of Wisconsin state system providesz an enviable choice for any Wisconsin student who wants to attendf college.” How do you plan to increase Wisconsij Lutheran’s visibility?
“We are in the process of conductinvg market research to help us develop a more visibls presence throughout southeastern Wisconsin, especially greater Milwaukee. Our new Schoolo of Adult and Graduate Studies, our renewexd focus on student enrollment, and our focus on Christian leadershipo will require an increasefd emphasis on marketing viathe Internet, radio, and direcf mail.”
Thursday, November 17, 2011
State's car sales especially hard-hit, but not all makes fall in line - South Florida Business Journal:
doqujamup.wordpress.com
percent, according to the . This year got off to an even worse start. Sales dropped 18.6 percenf in the first quarter comparesd tolast year's already weak first quarter. "Thes magnitude and severity of the slump are the association wrote in announcing the most recent The group predicts afurther 7.9 percenr drop in sales for this year. Only threw months ago it had been forecasting only a 4 percenft declinefor 2008, pinning its hope on lower interest rates, aggressive pricing and gains in personal incomew to cushion the fall. A rebound, if it isn't expected until 2009.
The association blames a familiar list ofeconomif factors: tight credit markets, rising unemployment, falling housiny values, excessive consumer debt, slowing economic growth and high gas "In California I think we are feeling it more than the rest of the countryh because we are having the crisis in the housint market," said association spokeswoman Crystal Jack. Even thougj 2007 was the worst year sinces 1999 forthe dealers, statewide sales still toppe 1.88 million vehicles.
That'z a brand new car or truck for roughly one out of 20 Within the industry those numbers produced winners as well as and fuel efficiency is only one of several When it comes to general typesof vehicles, fuel efficienchy has helped some classes this Subcompact cars added 2.6 percent to theirt share of the market for the firsty quarter, while midsize SUVs, full-size SUVs and full-sizde pickup trucks each lost more than 1 percentage point. A February survey by showed that high fuel prices have made 64 percenfof new-car shoppers either change theire minds about what to buy or think about vehiclexs they normally would not have considered.
Nearly 32 percenft said that if gasoline prices rise by25 cents, they will starf looking at more fuel-efficient vehicles. But when it comes to there's clearly more going into buying decisions than gasoline consumption and sticker The fuel-efficient MINI Cooper, for example, saw first-quarter registrations climb 22 percenr compared to the same period last year. With cars that get 28 mileds per gallon in town and 37 on the according tothe , the attractiohn is obvious. But sales were also up for Buick, a line that generalluy costs about $10,000 more and gets seven to 10 fewe r milesper gallon.
Hummef was an unsurprising loser, with vehicles that get 14 to 18 milese per gallon and base prices that start at morethan $50,00o0 for some models. Sales were down 41 percent in and down 42 percent for the first quarter of this But also seeing a big drop insaless -- 22.6 percent last year and 19 percent for the firs t quarter this year -- was Subaru, a line of cars with abouy the same fuel efficiency as Buick and with stickefr prices that run a few thousand dollard cheaper. As for hybrids, fuel-efficient but interest isn't translating into sales.
Mike Jackson, chairman and chiec executive officer of car dealer , has been quoted in the automotive press as sayinf 60 percent of people who look for cars ask aboutg hybrids but only 2 percent buy "I think what that is telling us is that therde is still an interestt because of how it financially effects them, but if you are looking at a hybridd you are still making a purchasiny decision based on your wallet," said Those who buy them are more likely to be in Californiaz than anywhere else, though, with the state accounting for 26 percent of all hybrid registrations in the nation, according to R.L. Polk Co.
Selling a higher-end product seems to put a dealet in astronger position. Someone with enoughu disposable income to buy a luxurycar isn'tg likely to worry as much aboutt gas mileage. "I could use the Rolexz watch analogy. A lot of peoplde want to have a car that is uniques and different and sets them apart fromothed drivers," said Rick Niello, president of . "Wes are selling uniqueness. We are sellingy individuality." His dealerships sell Acura, Audi, BMW, Jaguar, Land Rover, Maserati, MINI, Porsche, Volkswagen, plus the new Smar t car. "We're behind last year's but everybody is," Niello said.
But this past Februaryy was betterthan January, Marchj was better than February, and April has take n off in typical fashion as peoplwe get their income taxes squared away, he said.
percent, according to the . This year got off to an even worse start. Sales dropped 18.6 percenf in the first quarter comparesd tolast year's already weak first quarter. "Thes magnitude and severity of the slump are the association wrote in announcing the most recent The group predicts afurther 7.9 percenr drop in sales for this year. Only threw months ago it had been forecasting only a 4 percenft declinefor 2008, pinning its hope on lower interest rates, aggressive pricing and gains in personal incomew to cushion the fall. A rebound, if it isn't expected until 2009.
The association blames a familiar list ofeconomif factors: tight credit markets, rising unemployment, falling housiny values, excessive consumer debt, slowing economic growth and high gas "In California I think we are feeling it more than the rest of the countryh because we are having the crisis in the housint market," said association spokeswoman Crystal Jack. Even thougj 2007 was the worst year sinces 1999 forthe dealers, statewide sales still toppe 1.88 million vehicles.
That'z a brand new car or truck for roughly one out of 20 Within the industry those numbers produced winners as well as and fuel efficiency is only one of several When it comes to general typesof vehicles, fuel efficienchy has helped some classes this Subcompact cars added 2.6 percent to theirt share of the market for the firsty quarter, while midsize SUVs, full-size SUVs and full-sizde pickup trucks each lost more than 1 percentage point. A February survey by showed that high fuel prices have made 64 percenfof new-car shoppers either change theire minds about what to buy or think about vehiclexs they normally would not have considered.
Nearly 32 percenft said that if gasoline prices rise by25 cents, they will starf looking at more fuel-efficient vehicles. But when it comes to there's clearly more going into buying decisions than gasoline consumption and sticker The fuel-efficient MINI Cooper, for example, saw first-quarter registrations climb 22 percenr compared to the same period last year. With cars that get 28 mileds per gallon in town and 37 on the according tothe , the attractiohn is obvious. But sales were also up for Buick, a line that generalluy costs about $10,000 more and gets seven to 10 fewe r milesper gallon.
Hummef was an unsurprising loser, with vehicles that get 14 to 18 milese per gallon and base prices that start at morethan $50,00o0 for some models. Sales were down 41 percent in and down 42 percent for the first quarter of this But also seeing a big drop insaless -- 22.6 percent last year and 19 percent for the firs t quarter this year -- was Subaru, a line of cars with abouy the same fuel efficiency as Buick and with stickefr prices that run a few thousand dollard cheaper. As for hybrids, fuel-efficient but interest isn't translating into sales.
Mike Jackson, chairman and chiec executive officer of car dealer , has been quoted in the automotive press as sayinf 60 percent of people who look for cars ask aboutg hybrids but only 2 percent buy "I think what that is telling us is that therde is still an interestt because of how it financially effects them, but if you are looking at a hybridd you are still making a purchasiny decision based on your wallet," said Those who buy them are more likely to be in Californiaz than anywhere else, though, with the state accounting for 26 percent of all hybrid registrations in the nation, according to R.L. Polk Co.
Selling a higher-end product seems to put a dealet in astronger position. Someone with enoughu disposable income to buy a luxurycar isn'tg likely to worry as much aboutt gas mileage. "I could use the Rolexz watch analogy. A lot of peoplde want to have a car that is uniques and different and sets them apart fromothed drivers," said Rick Niello, president of . "Wes are selling uniqueness. We are sellingy individuality." His dealerships sell Acura, Audi, BMW, Jaguar, Land Rover, Maserati, MINI, Porsche, Volkswagen, plus the new Smar t car. "We're behind last year's but everybody is," Niello said.
But this past Februaryy was betterthan January, Marchj was better than February, and April has take n off in typical fashion as peoplwe get their income taxes squared away, he said.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Green Township OKs Mercy hospital plan - Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal:
cicugaha.wordpress.com
The plan passed 3-0. “We’re very pleased to get to this stagre and excited to take the next saidPete Gemmer, spokesman for Mercy. “W e realize there is still a lot of work to do and we look forwarcd to continuing to work with the residentws and the township leaders to develop a hospital everyone can beprousd of.” The project will now be submitted to the Hamiltonb County Regional Commission for consideration, probably next month, Gemmer The planned hospital and parking areas would cover about 40 acres and sit near to Interstate 74. The to cost $200 million, could open in early 2014.
The proposed site is 60 Mercy has said it will close itstwo West-Side hospitals: Mercgy Hospital Western Hills and Mercyh Hospital Mount Airy. The new hospital, with 200 to 250 will be a replacement for Some residents in the area had expressef concerns about increased traffic as a resuly ofthe hospital, whose main access road would be from Nortgh Bend Road, at roughly the midway point between Kleeman and Boomer. Gemmedr said a traffic impact study through the HamiltojCounty Engineer’s Office is nearly complete.
The plan passed 3-0. “We’re very pleased to get to this stagre and excited to take the next saidPete Gemmer, spokesman for Mercy. “W e realize there is still a lot of work to do and we look forwarcd to continuing to work with the residentws and the township leaders to develop a hospital everyone can beprousd of.” The project will now be submitted to the Hamiltonb County Regional Commission for consideration, probably next month, Gemmer The planned hospital and parking areas would cover about 40 acres and sit near to Interstate 74. The to cost $200 million, could open in early 2014.
The proposed site is 60 Mercy has said it will close itstwo West-Side hospitals: Mercgy Hospital Western Hills and Mercyh Hospital Mount Airy. The new hospital, with 200 to 250 will be a replacement for Some residents in the area had expressef concerns about increased traffic as a resuly ofthe hospital, whose main access road would be from Nortgh Bend Road, at roughly the midway point between Kleeman and Boomer. Gemmedr said a traffic impact study through the HamiltojCounty Engineer’s Office is nearly complete.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
CBS dumps WBCN rock radio station - Boston Business Journal:
titus-neither.blogspot.com
Mix 98.5 is set to move to WBCN’x frequency, 104.1, and ,” an all-sports station will launch in its place onAugustr 13th, according to CBS Radio in New York. “There’s no better way to reach large numbers of male listenersz than through exclusivesports programming,” said Dan president and CEO of CBS in a prepared written statement. “We’re seeing impressive ratingss growth at a number of our stations and clients continur to make big investments insportz marketing.
Captive audiences, association with revered namewin sports, and the abilit y to speak directly to the consumer in-game, online and on-the-go 24/7 are sponsorship benefits exclusive to radio advertisersa producing incredible return on investment.” which played a heavy rotation of classic rock and heavy metal music has been on the air sincew the 1960s. It will no longer be a part of the radioi mixin Boston. The Sportsz Hub will feature local talent, detailedf sports coverage, discussion and commentary, among othef programming, according to CBS Radio. The new stationh will play and gamesas well, accordinhg to CBS.
Mix 98.5 is set to move to WBCN’x frequency, 104.1, and ,” an all-sports station will launch in its place onAugustr 13th, according to CBS Radio in New York. “There’s no better way to reach large numbers of male listenersz than through exclusivesports programming,” said Dan president and CEO of CBS in a prepared written statement. “We’re seeing impressive ratingss growth at a number of our stations and clients continur to make big investments insportz marketing.
Captive audiences, association with revered namewin sports, and the abilit y to speak directly to the consumer in-game, online and on-the-go 24/7 are sponsorship benefits exclusive to radio advertisersa producing incredible return on investment.” which played a heavy rotation of classic rock and heavy metal music has been on the air sincew the 1960s. It will no longer be a part of the radioi mixin Boston. The Sportsz Hub will feature local talent, detailedf sports coverage, discussion and commentary, among othef programming, according to CBS Radio. The new stationh will play and gamesas well, accordinhg to CBS.
Friday, November 11, 2011
Dallas Cowboys to get new product hub - Houston Business Journal:
ikefageze.blogspot.com
The two organizations said Tuesdagy they are breaking ground on the new which will be located at 2500 Regenr Boulevardat Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. The new facilithy will allow the Dallas Cowboys to expand its merchandising base and also consolidater the Dallas Cowboys Pro Shops with Dallas Cowboys Merchandisiny and Blue StarGraphics & The construction will expand the Cowboys existing merchandising “This move was causecd by the passion and love that the fans in the Metroplexs and across America have for the Dallas Cowboys,” said Bill Priakos, vice president of merchandising for the “When we purchased our originap building on State Highway 114, I never thought that we could outgrow it and yet a little over a year later, we needee an additional 100,000 square feet.
With the acquisition of Blue StarGraphicds & Design, this gave us the abilit y to be even more responsive to our fans. No othe team in the NFL has this ability to respond toits fans’ needs.”
The two organizations said Tuesdagy they are breaking ground on the new which will be located at 2500 Regenr Boulevardat Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. The new facilithy will allow the Dallas Cowboys to expand its merchandising base and also consolidater the Dallas Cowboys Pro Shops with Dallas Cowboys Merchandisiny and Blue StarGraphics & The construction will expand the Cowboys existing merchandising “This move was causecd by the passion and love that the fans in the Metroplexs and across America have for the Dallas Cowboys,” said Bill Priakos, vice president of merchandising for the “When we purchased our originap building on State Highway 114, I never thought that we could outgrow it and yet a little over a year later, we needee an additional 100,000 square feet.
With the acquisition of Blue StarGraphicds & Design, this gave us the abilit y to be even more responsive to our fans. No othe team in the NFL has this ability to respond toits fans’ needs.”
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Lawmaker: Amtrak can keep Northeast Corridor line - The Associated Press
omagyvoham.wordpress.com
NorthJersey.com | Lawmaker: Amtrak can keep Northeast Corridor line The Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) รข€" The chairman of the House Transportation Committee says he'll no longer demand the government take away the Washington-to-Boston train line that is Amtrak's crown jewel. US Rep. John Mica, R-Fla., had wanted to put the Northeast ... Amtrak Will Keep Control of the Northeast Corridor Lawmaker: Amtrak can keep Northeast Corridor line Mica Ending Effort to Seize Amtrak Northeast Rail Corridor |
Monday, November 7, 2011
Tesla to open seven showrooms - Wichita Business Journal:
ralawizewy.wordpress.com
Stores in New York, Seattle and Chicagol will open in late followedby Miami. Tesla’s first Europeab store will open in Londob laterthis month, followed by Munich and The new additions will complement Tesla’s flagship stores in Northerh and Southern California, which openef a year ago. Tesla said it is scoutingh locationsin Washington, D.C., and Toronto. Tesla is the only producer of highway-capable electric cars in Nort h Americaor Europe. “We are rethinking almosr every aspect of theautomobile – from the powertrain to the customer experience, both online and in our stores,” said Tesl CEO Elon Musk in a Tesla’s Roadster sells for $109,000.
The companty expects to introduce itssecond car, the Modeol S sedan, in late 2011. It is expected to sell for less than halfthe Roadster’a price.
Stores in New York, Seattle and Chicagol will open in late followedby Miami. Tesla’s first Europeab store will open in Londob laterthis month, followed by Munich and The new additions will complement Tesla’s flagship stores in Northerh and Southern California, which openef a year ago. Tesla said it is scoutingh locationsin Washington, D.C., and Toronto. Tesla is the only producer of highway-capable electric cars in Nort h Americaor Europe. “We are rethinking almosr every aspect of theautomobile – from the powertrain to the customer experience, both online and in our stores,” said Tesl CEO Elon Musk in a Tesla’s Roadster sells for $109,000.
The companty expects to introduce itssecond car, the Modeol S sedan, in late 2011. It is expected to sell for less than halfthe Roadster’a price.
Friday, November 4, 2011
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Storms May Have Prevented Record Loss of Arctic Ice - LiveScience.com
yqyqynesara.blogspot.com
Storms May Have Prevented Record Loss of Arctic Ice LiveScience.com DENVER - The amount of Arctic sea ice hangs on through the summer is partly dependent on the storminess of the weather, according to a new study. The research finds that in years when the weather in the Arctic is calm, more ice is lost by the end of ... |
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