December 2008 - Rochester Business News & Events

Make finance resolutions for 2009

Exercise more, stop smoking, lose weight -- all are excellent ideas for 2009 for people who need to fulfill the tradition of New Year's resolutions. This year, though, you might want to think money. And the closer you are to retireme

Published Wed, Dec 31 2008 9:55 AM by Postbulletin.com Local Business

Hotel shares suffer in year of the 'staycation'

NEW YORK -- As the term "staycation" gained traction in the American lexicon, hotel stocks plunged in 2008 as both consumers and businesses cut back on travel spending. Demand for hotel rooms weakened in the spring and

Published Wed, Dec 31 2008 9:55 AM by Postbulletin.com Local Business

SCORE: Is your insurance coverage up to date?

Insurance is a wise investment to protect everything you've done to make your small business successful. But is the policy you bought when you were just starting out adequate for your current needs, or the direction your company is heading? A period

Published Wed, Dec 31 2008 9:30 AM by Postbulletin.com Local Business

Snowfall leaves solid sales base for businesses

All the talk of a slowing economy hasn't stopped the snow or the snow enthusiasts

Published Wed, Dec 31 2008 8:20 AM by Postbulletin.com Local Business

Due to economy, Hubbell House scratches lunch off weekday menu

MANTORVILLE -- Due to the economic climate and changes in area dining trends, Mantorville's Historic Hubbell House is taking lunch off the weekday menu.

Published Wed, Dec 31 2008 12:25 AM by Postbulletin.com Local Business

Companies force workers to take unpaid vacation

NEW YORK -- Here's the vacation no one wants, courtesy of the recession: Forced time off without pay. Financially struggling universities, factories and even hospitals are requiring employees to take unpaid "furloughs

Published Tue, Dec 30 2008 4:35 PM by Postbulletin.com Local Business

Farmers face uncertainty in economic downturn

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- After a couple years of record income, crop farmers face uncertainty as they head into the new year amid an economic downturn. Wells Fargo Agricultural Economist Michael Swanson said this winter, farmers are more

Published Tue, Dec 30 2008 12:35 PM by Postbulletin.com Local Business

Home prices drop 18 percent

NEW YORK -- Home prices dropped by the sharpest annual rate on record in October and there are no signs the housing pain is over, according to a closely watched index released today. The Standard & Poor's/Case-Shiller 20-city housin

Published Tue, Dec 30 2008 10:50 AM by Postbulletin.com Local Business

Republicans want say in stimulus plan

WASHINGTON -- Congressional Republicans said they would work with Democrats to craft a plan to stimulate the economy, but only if GOP ideas are considered for a bill that could cost as much as $1 trillion. "We need the right mix of t

Published Tue, Dec 30 2008 10:05 AM by Postbulletin.com Local Business

Downturn creates glut of truck drivers

MILWAUKEE -- In a move that is both a result of the country's economic problems and an indication of their seriousness, Schneider National Inc. said last week it will stop training inexperienced people to become truck drivers

Published Tue, Dec 30 2008 10:05 AM by Postbulletin.com Local Business

Malcolm Berko: Easy credit won't get us out of the mess it got us into

Now that the government has put together a huge funding package making it easier for consumers and businesses to borrow more money, our economy should be back on track. With credit so much easier, how long do you think it will be before the stock ma

Published Tue, Dec 30 2008 9:45 AM by Postbulletin.com Local Business

Harkin help kept Postville plant open

DES MOINES, Iowa -- The Agriprocessors Inc. kosher meatpacking plant in Postville might have closed four years ago if Sen. Tom Harkin hadn't helped the company get a nearly $8 million grant to build a water treatment plant. The grant

Published Tue, Dec 30 2008 1:35 AM by Postbulletin.com Local Business

Harkin helped keep Postville plant open

DES MOINES, Iowa -- The Agriprocessors Inc. kosher meatpacking plant in Postville might have closed four years ago if Sen. Tom Harkin hadn't helped the company get a nearly $8 million grant to build a water treatment plant. The gran

Published Mon, Dec 29 2008 12:30 PM by Postbulletin.com Local Business

Farm bill, trade important to Minnesota farmers

Dec. 28--Implementing the new farm bill and promoting trade practices that make Minnesota agricultural goods competitive are top issues for Minnesota farmers. While dwarfed by hundreds of state positions ta