The Columbian

Clark County Business

Bruce Reed of Tidewater Transportation & Terminals, from left, talks with Sonny Perdue, Rob Rich of Shaver Transportation and Mark Wilson of Port of Kalama on Wednesday morning, July 4, 2018.

U.S. Ag secretary visits Port of Vancouver

July 4, 2018, 12:28pm Business

U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue toured the Port of Vancouver on Wednesday and learned about the wheat, steel and other commodities exports handled at the port, but he also learned of the anxieties some in shipping industries have about the growing tensions between the U.S. and countries it… Read story

Strategic planning to headline July 18 WSUV forum

July 4, 2018, 6:04am Business

Devising a strategic growth plan will be the focus of Washington State University Vancouver's Business Growth MAP Alliance forum July 18. Read story

86 apartments proposed in Hudson’s Bay neighborhood

July 3, 2018, 10:11pm Business

Two apartment buildings totaling 86 units could be heading to the Hudson's Bay neighborhood, according to recent filings with the city of Vancouver. Read story

Blokable’s first housing unit arrived in Edmonds over the weekend. The Seattle-based housing and technology company manufactures the units in Vancouver.

Vancouver’s Blokable delivers, sets up first housing unit in Edmonds

July 3, 2018, 6:02am Business

Blokable won’t reinvent the wheel, but its hopes to reinvent housing construction are officially rolling. Read story

In a sweeping plan to reorganize much of the federal government, the White House has proposed selling federally owned power transmission assets, such as the transmission lines owned by the Bonneville Power Administration. The Trump Administration claims the move would save taxpayers money and reduce public liability. Critics refute those claims and argue Pacific Northwest residents would see electricity rates spike.

Trump administration puts BPA assets back on chopping block

July 2, 2018, 5:53pm Business

The Trump administration is proposing to sell the Bonneville Power Administration’s transmission assets, despite previous assurances from some administration officials that it would be left alone. Read story

Mean Gene Fireworks owner Gene Marlow talks with customers at one of his fireworks stands on opening day.

Working in Clark County: Gene Marlow, Mean Gene’s Fireworks

July 2, 2018, 6:02am Business

A pair of young girls were ogling a pack of “Ladybug” fireworks — red and black polka-dotted balls in colorful packaging. Nearby, a father and daughter were pushing his cart that was nearly toppling over with fireworks from Mean Gene’s tent at 6506 N.E. Highway 99 in Hazel Dell. Read story

Amanda Cowan/The Columbian Brad Richardson, left, executive director of the Clark County Historical Museum, explores historic downtown Vancouver properties with Alexander Gall of the Clark County Historic Preservation Commission. This 1905 home is known as the Sullinger House; its occupant, the Rev. Spencer S. Sullinger, was district superintendent for the Methodist Church here as well as president of the American Rose Society and curator of Portland’s International Rose Test Garden. But you’d never know any of that if Richardson and the museum weren’t preserving photos, records and stories of the history of downtown Vancouver.

Losing our history in Clark County?

July 1, 2018, 6:02am Business

When the raze-and-redevelop movement called urban renewal hit Vancouver in the 1960s, ridding downtown of sagging behemoths that blocked the light of “progress” seemed like a fine idea. Read story

Weighing how salaries stack up in the Vancouver-Portland area

July 1, 2018, 6:00am Business

A strong economy is starting to put more dollars in the hands of local workers, but some occupations are paying better than others. Read story

Sixteen-month-old Caspian Ferraris explores the landscaped backyard at the Wattle Tree Place, a New Age coffeehouse and wellness center in downtown Vancouver. But despite earning the Best New Business of the Year award from Vancouver’s Downtown Association, Wattle Tree will have to move before the end of this year, since the owner of its block plans to build apartments here.

Vision for block short-lived, like Wattle Tree site

July 1, 2018, 6:00am Business

One vintage downtown Vancouver home that appears to be in jeopardy has become busy and beloved recently — and not just by spiritual seekers, full-moon drummers and young moms looking for community. In March, Wattle Tree Place won Vancouver’s Downtown Association’s award for the Best New Business of 2017. Read story

Rick Dyer is retiring as Clark Public Utilities’ director of finance.

Clark Public Utilities’ finance chief retires after 34 years

June 29, 2018, 5:08pm Clark County Business

After 34 years as Clark Public Utilities’ director of finance, Rick Dyer has retired. Read story