Daily Archives: July 20, 2009

Last Day to Register for Thursday Business Workshop in Knox

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If you have ever wanted to start your own business, be your own boss, and do what you’ve always wanted to do, join Purdue University Calumet, the Small Business Development Center, and the Starke County Development Foundation this Thursday at the Knox Community Center.

The business feasibility workshop involves gathering, analyzing and evaluating information for the purpose of determining whether one should go into business. Individuals must register by phoning 574-772-5627 or emailing lames@starkecounty.com by Monday, July 20. There is no cost to attend this workshop.

This interactive workshop features an instructor with real-world experience and will focus on business feasibility–analyzing and determining the practicality of one’s business idea by completing a feasibility study.

This two-hour workshop will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Central Daylight Time on Thursday, July 23, 2009 at the Knox Community Center, 55 E. Lake Street, Knox, Indiana.

Index: Recession Losing Steam

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The Conference Board’s Leading Economic Index (LEI) for the U.S. increased 0.7 percent in June, following a 1.3 percent gain in May, and a 1.0 percent rise in April.

“The recession has been losing steam since the spring, although very large job losses continue,” says Ken Goldstein, Economist at The Conference Board. “Nevertheless, confidence is slowly rebuilding. Financial markets are less volatile. Even the housing market is stabilizing. If these trends continue, expect a slow recovery this autumn.”
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Back-to-School Season Looking Up for Retailers

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Fewer consumers expect to reduce their spending on back-to-school items compared to last year, although economic concerns will continue to weigh on their shopping plans, according to a survey by Deloitte.

Among those surveyed, 64 percent said they plan to spend less on back-to-school items, compared with 71 percent in 2008. Four in 10 (43 percent) say they will cut back their spending by more than $100, down from nearly five out of 10 (48 percent) last year.

“Consumers may be casting a glimmer of hope for retailers, but the survey results indicate that value will top their shopping lists this year,” said Stacy Janiak, vice chairman and U.S. Retail leader, Deloitte LLP. “Retailers should focus on delivering the best incentives and in-store experiences to get the most out of the back-to-school season this year.”
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News & Notes: ArcelorMittal Restarts Blast Furnace

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ArcelorMittal is restarting its idled No. 5 blast furnace today.

NiSource’s stock price is up 55 percent since early March.

The Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission and the Indiana Department of Transportation are getting flack for not moving $18 million in Federal stimulus coin out the door faster.

$243 million worth of construction projects are ongoing at Notre Dame.

Environmental Protection Agency official will be in northern Indiana this week for a meeting on President Barack Obama’s plan to clean up the Great Lakes basin. Meanwhile, a coalition of area Chambers, including St Joseph County’s, and economic development organizations, will be in Washington, D.C. this week to discuss health care reform and th4e Employee Free Choice Act, among other issues.

The Postal Service may consolidate some branches in South Bend as part of a nationwide program which could eliminate thousands of branches.