Volume 14: Issue 2
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by Edward Smith
6/5/2008 2:48:54 PM
When Henry Ford began his first large-scale production line in 1914, it changed the landscape in the United States – not just in road infrastructure, but the economy as well. The auto industry has long been the lifeblood of many cities and towns across the nation as America led the way in production and innovation. Unfortunately, as globalization redistributes manufacturing centers and more jobs are lost to overseas competition, lackluster profits and diminishing numbers of plants have lead to widespread concern for the future. However, many industry leaders have responded to this situation and new cars and technologies have begun ...
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by Holly LaFon
6/4/2008 3:52:01 PM
In case you have been living under a rock, NASCAR is a sport comprised of metal vehicles flying around a track at dangerously high speeds, trying not to collide. The collective adrenaline rush and borderline insanity of such a spectacle seems to draw fans like a magnet. It is estimated to have over 75 million fans worldwide. NASCAR isn’t just about racing cars, however. It is a multi-million dollar business, sustained by many smaller businesses – the teams. Though only one man (or woman) drives a car at a time, each driver is part of a team, usually with 3-4 other ...
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by John Wright
6/4/2008 3:53:32 PM
As president of San Diego’s Made in Mexico Inc., Dale Robinson’s most important job function is to help his clients sleep at night.
Robinson says the value added by Made in Mexico, a maquiladora management service, otherwise known as a “shelter,” is primarily in the piece of mind his company can provide to its customers by ensuring them that their Mexico-based manufacturing facility is being well operated and maintained. Having built more than 100 such facilities in its 22 years of existence, and currently operating more than 20, Made in Mexico has a record of achievement which underlies its success in ...
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by Robert Ricketts
6/4/2008 4:05:45 PM
Thinking of buying a new car? Congress wants you to do it this year—and it is willing to pitch in a few tax dollars to help you pull the trigger.As we’ve all heard by now, the administration and Congress recently passed the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 and the Treasury Department is set to start mailing “rebate” checks to millions of taxpayers in May. The rebate checks will range from $300 for single taxpayers with no children to as much as $2,400 for married couples with four or more children. Upper and upper-middle income taxpayers won’t receive checks, but they ...
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by Mark Sweeney
6/4/2008 4:01:01 PM
The IndustryThese are particularly dynamic times in the automotive industry, and this presents new opportunities and new risks in the recruitment of automotive industry investment. As a very globally-focused industry, recent mega-trends are impacting the domestic sphere in new ways.
• The adage of “build it where you sell it” has been the guiding mantra for most automotive firms for some time. However, this strategy is being challenged by the dramatic currency market changes that have put the U.S. dollar in a much weaker position versus other currencies – a position that does not appear to be a brief aberration. Newer players ...
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6/4/2008 4:04:45 PM
A manufacturing company in the Midwest was approached by a Fortune 1000 company with a “good” offer. The owner, Joe, had been thinking about retiring for several years. He talked to other business owners and learned about the selling process, which seemed straightforward to him. All he had to do was respond to this buyer. The offer price was four to six times earnings. Joe felt the offer price was fair because a friend had sold his business for five times its earnings. He also assumed that this “industry” buyer would know his business, recognize its value and be willing ...
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6/4/2008 4:12:11 PM
3M Mini Projector Technology3M is now providing consumer electronics manufacturers with a revolutionary advancement in the emerging field of miniature projection technology. Their scientists have developed a breakthrough ultra-compact, LED-illuminated projection engine designed for integration into virtually any personal electronic device. Roughly the size of a wireless earpiece and less than half an inch thick, the 3M mobile projection engine delivers brilliant VGA resolution images and is available today.
With the expansion of digital media now accessible by mobile devices, consumers need the convenience of larger displays. “3M mobile projection engines achieve the size, efficiency, image quality and affordability needed for ...
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6/4/2008 3:58:35 PM
Nugget Point Boutique Hotel has a wonderful history of beauty, charm and sophistication. This, together with it’s Alpine location close to the Ski Fields and world heritage walking tracks of Fiord land makes Nugget Point a proper Destination Hotel in Queenstown, New Zealand.
Just a glance through the “Guest Book” gives an insight illustrating that this luxury hotel continues to be loved and impress the many international guests it receives in a continuous stream of bookings. The website drew my attention as being of outstanding merit: Take a look yourselves on www.nuggetpoint.co.nz.
Recent awards to the credit of this hotel include being ...
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6/4/2008 3:57:02 PM
The only thing better than an exotic travel destination is one that’s close to home. North America harbors some of the most beautiful landscapes and rarest experiences on the planet. Over its 41-year luxury travel experience, the Canadian company has offered various active adventures in its own backyard, such as Newfoundland, as well as numerous Bespoke journeys to places such as Texas. Now Butterfield & Robinson offers new trips to Québec, West Texas, Santa Barbara, the Gulf Islands and the Berkshires. Québec BikingQuébec is a wonder within North America—a predominantly French-speaking province on Canadian soil. On B&R’s five-night trip, a rendezvous ...
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6/4/2008 4:43:43 PM
IndianaIndiana is a state that is making major strides in economic development, as well as in the economic environment as a whole. Unemployment there is the lowest it has been in six years. For the third year in a row, all records were broken for new investment and new jobs coming to the state, from such well-known companies as Amazon, IBM, AT&T and Really Cool Foods. They have shrunk the size of their government by 10%, and it now costs taxpayers less to meet government payroll than it did in 2004. Gov. Mitchell E. Daniels boasted in his State of ...
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6/4/2008 4:41:13 PM
Under the leadership of Gov. Rick Perry, business and economic development in Texas has remained at the forefront of emerging markets and industries. Programs that have propelled the state to this dynamic economic position include the $295 million Enterprise Fund and Texas Economic Development Bank, which have created numerous jobs and business enterprises.
Doing business in the state of Texas means being in close proximity and having strong ties to other markets such as Mexico. It also means an excellent infrastructure, skilled workforce and profitable business climate.
Texas recently opened the Economic Development Bank in an effort to provide a tool for ...
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6/4/2008 4:38:43 PM
Nevada is business friendly. You can bet on it. In Nevada, there is no state income tax and no inventory tax, so companies and employees keep more of the money they earn. These incentives don’t go away either – they’re in the state constitution. For five straight years, Nevada exports have displayed amazing growth. The state’s new rail port can help get your products to market quickly and can get raw materials to you with record speed. Businesses relocating to Nevada can bring their own valued employees or select from our qualified pool of educated professionals. New employees who move to Nevada will love ...
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6/4/2008 4:15:43 PM
Governor John Baldacci’s top priority has been to create economic opportunity for the people of Maine and it’s working. People are taking note of Maine’s economic momentum:
• According to the 2006 Brookings Institute study, Maine experienced the fifth biggest jump of people moving into the state, with every county experiencing growth. • The Kauffman Foundation ranked Maine as the nation’s fifth-best state for entrepreneurial activity and business creation in 2007.• Exports have expanded by 33 percent over the past five years. • Maine is third among New England states in exports growth, trailing only Connecticut and Rhode Island.• The Portland Airport had a record increase ...
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by Chris Vetter
5/8/2008 10:53:30 AM
Chippewa County Economic Development Corporation helped WOW Logistics celebrate after brokering their newest Chippewa Falls distribution center. The CCEDC along with the Chippewa Falls Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting for WOW at their facility located at 2500 Olson Drive in the Riverside Industrial Park, Chippewa Falls. The ceremony was held on Thursday, March 27. Premium Waters is leasing space in the new building.
WOW, formally known as Warehousing of Wisconsin, was formed in 1977 by Harold Schiferl, Don Utschig and two other partners in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, with 108,000 square feet of space. Today WOW has expanded to build ...
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6/4/2008 3:45:18 PM
Snowiest Cities in the United States Cities Snowfall in inches
Mount Washington, NH 260.6 Blue Canyon, CA ...
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by Eric Kleinsorge
6/5/2008 3:01:40 PM
Situated in the heart of the Northeast Corridor, one of the premier markets and manufacturing centers in the world, Cumberland County offers a combination of assets which are not found in anywhere else in the region. With great proximity to places such as New York, Washington, Atlantic City, and Philadelphia, the County provides an uncongested environment, outstanding quality of life, affordable land and property, and easy access to world-class entertainment.
Twice voted one of the "best places to live in New Jersey" by Money Magazine, Cumberland County can offer affordable housing, an economical business location to excellent highways and rail service, a competitive regulatory climate, and an abundance of beautiful natural resources, unspoiled towns and villages, and picturesque scenery. This combination of assets is extremely rare and makes Cumberland County an excellent commercial and industrial destination.
Located in the heart of the North East Corridor, Cumberland County combines proximity to world-class entertainment and recreation with a rural relaxed life style. The quality of life can't be beat.
Geographic Location
Centrally located in Southern New Jersey between the Delaware River and Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. Cumberland County is easily accessible to major centers of commerce and culture. Philadelphia and Atlantic City are less than an hour away. The New Jersey Turnpike, Garden State Parkway, and Interstate 295 link the area to New York City and other points to the north.
Small-Town Atmosphere and Casual Living
While Bridgeton, Millville and Vineland are large enough to offer urban amenities, there is no urban sprawl in Cumberland County. Small towns abound, including such picturesque places as Bridgeton, Greenwich and Port Norris, to name just a few. Money Magazine several times has rated the quality of life to be extremely high - one of the best places to live in New Jersey.
Low Cost of Living
Cumberland County is one of the most affordable places to live in the Northeastern United States. While income is high relative to housing costs, wage rates are not so high as to negatively affect the cost of business. On the other hand, varied housing stock (old homes and new, mansions and ramblers) are available at sales prices far below the national average.
Education Within the distinct municipalities and townships in Cumberland County, there is a well-developed cultural, social, and recreational environment that fosters strong educational growth at every level. Cumberland County has excellent public and private schools, a technical education center of wide reputation, and an outstanding community college. Most municipalities offer child study groups to encourage educational growth from an early age.
Health Care
One does not have to go to philadelphia to find a wide array of medical services. The South Jersey Hospital System and numerous other clinics and specialized facilities are located within Cumberland County.
History, Culture, and Recreation
Consider this montage of what Cumberland County has to offer: a wonderful climate; the wild and scenic Maurice River, Laurel Lake, Union Lake, and miles of undisturbed Bay Shore; golf, fishing, hunting, boating, bird watching; roadside stands and u-pick farms; historic sites and tours; a performing arts center, museums, and a zoo; antiques and crafts; and a major shopping mall.
Major Developments
A number of national and regional retail chains have located in Cumberland County, which has helped to enhance our outstanding retail service marketplace. The Cumberland Crossings Mall provides 300,000 square feet of commercial shopping space and features a variety of specialty stores, as well as the major retail chains Wal-Mart and Staples. In addition, the Cumberland Mall has evolved into a major regional shopping center, featuring large anchors such as Boscov's, Home Depot, Toys-R-Us, and the 16 screen Regal Cinema. A number of smaller regional chains including The Gap, Old Navy, and Victoria's Secret make it a truly complete shopping experience.
A Home to Business
While Cumberland County is the home of several large international businesses including Lawson Mardon-Wheaton, T-Fal, US Filter, and Pillsbury-Progresso Foods, it is also home to several service industries including a large insurance company, a major hospital system, and a variety of State Institutions. A number of new businesses, large and small, have made Cumberland County their new home, including Gateway Computers, Pastidore USA, Holiday Inn, and the Wingate Inn and Conference Center - all of which contract with Fortune 500 firms nationally and international. More and more companies are making the move to Cumberland County.
A Competitive Location
Cumberland County offers the area's best incentive package, accessible and affordable sites, and the region's most available and hardworking labor force. A Federal Empowerment Zone designation, two Urban Enterprise Zones, flexible financing, and low business costs make Cumberland County competitive with all areas of the country. In addition there is some of the finest executive housing at very reasonable costs. Lastly, a quality educational system, which produces highly trained and capable students, employees and citizens, makes Cumberland County a great place to do business.
5/21/2008 1:49:03 PM
East Central Indiana (USA) Is Ideal for Business Expansion & Investment
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5/13/2008 11:22:51 AM
Morris County is New Jersey's top business destination, where cutting edge business leaders find across-the-board quality in every critical locational attribute.
