► On the Record

“Any risks associated with receiving the vaccine are far outweighed by the risks associated with getting the H1N1 virus.”

-- Don Strick, public information officer at the Clark County Health Dept. First shipments of the intranasal mist H1N1 vaccine arrived in Southwest Washington this week, with an injectible form expected later this month.

Reporter's Notebook

Paul Leonard can be reached at pleonard@vbjusa.com

Innovate or go home

When the VBJ profiled Joe Foggia’s new business venture last July, it was clear he was a man with a clearly-defined mission – getting his workers back on the job.

“He is passionate about rehiring his employees,” CREDC business recruitment director Jeanie Ashe said of Foggia at the time.

Like many other Southwest Washington employers, Foggia was forced to layoff a substantial portion of his workforce as president of Vancouver-based Christiansen Yachts.

As one might guess, the yacht industry hasn’t quite taken off in the last year, mostly due to a worldwide recession putting the brakes on much of the market for big-ticket luxury items. After seeing a vital part of his shipyard grind to a halt and returning from a half-empty boat show in Europe, Foggia was presented with two choices:

Innovate or go home.

Fortunately for the 200 people set to return to work at Christiansen’s Vancouver shipyard, Foggia chose the former. This week, the federal government awarded $1 million to Foggia’s brainchild, Renewable Energy Composite Solutions LLC, to transform part of Christiansen’s shipbuilding operations into a small wind turbine manufacturing plant.

“As a result, the company will now be creating jobs instead of shedding them, and will help ensure that Southwest Washington becomes a leader in renewable energy production and green job creation in the future,” said Congressman Brian Baird (D-Vancouver).

Set to begin operations shortly, RECS will hire 101 full-time and 99 temporary workers and help the state reach its goal of reducing energy consumption by 25 percent.

Now that’s what we call good news. Here’s for more of the same.

Business Around the Northwest

‘Livability’ likely key to West’s economic prosperity, Idaho Business Journal

Taxable sales decline 14 percent during second quarter, South Sound Business Examiner

Federal guidance released to help plan for influenza season, Kitsap Peninsula Business Journal

► On the Record

“Now is the time for us to prepare for the recovery.”

-- Alan Beaulieu, senior analyst and economist at the Institute of Trend Research, speaking at a conference in Chicago last August. Beaulieu will be the featured guest at an event sponsored by RSV Construction, CREDC, GVCC, iQ Credit Union and Vistage at the Hilton Vancouver Convention Center on Monday.

Reporter's Notebook

Paul Leonard can be reached at pleonard@vbjusa.com

On Today’s Menu: Sustainability

As a reluctant consumer of the typical fast-food burger, this reporter can attest that sustainability, in all its forms, is the last thing that comes to mind when swallowing a morbidly-delicious bite of machine-stamped ground beef.

For those who haven’t seen “Super Size Me” or read “Fast Food Nation,” quick-serve restaurants are not known for their commitment to “green” business practices, progressive political causes or reliance on alternative energy – all except, perhaps, Burgerville.

A day after the Vancouver-based food chain lost to Stumptown grocer New Seasons Market for most progressively-minded business at the Oregon Bus Project’s Wheelies Awards in Portland this week, the VBJ spoke with Burgerville supply chain director Alison Dennis about the company’s unique blend of fast-food convenience and sustainable ethos.

“It’s about putting a priority on our entire food supply chain, from the farmers, ranchers and fishers to the guests at our restaurants that eat our food,” Dennis said.

Even in a recession, Dennis says Burgerville is committed to spending 70 percent of its total food budget on local producers. “It’s just strengthening our relationships for the long haul,” she said. “It’s important to sustain our food systems through good times and in bad.”

Burgerville, owned by The Holland Inc., made a reinvigorated push this week touting the company’s locally-focused philosophy just as it released its new October seasonal menu.

Well-known locally for its use of wind-generated energy at all of its restaurants, along with its recent decision to allow bicyclists to order food at its drive-thru locations, the VBJ asked Dennis if she was feeling any competitive, yet progressive, heat from this week’s High-Road BUS-iness Award winner New Seasons.

Dennis didn’t take the bait: “It’s great that there are local businesses out there sharing the same values that we do.”

Business Around the Northwest

Associated Builders & Contractors economist: Challenges, some opportunities, lie ahead, Idaho Business Review

Entrepreneur’s climb raises money for cancer, Kitsap Peninsula Business Journal

Yolo Coffee Company & Bistro offers solace and comfort food, Bellingham Business Journal

► On the Record

“We believe the Department is out over the tips of its skis with these cuts,”

-- CREDC President Bart Phillips, in a letter dated Sept. 23 announcing he would sign a state Dept. of Commerce contract with funding 9.1 percent less than the amount promised by the Washington Legislature.