January 2010 - Rochester Business News & Events

Heard on the Street: Dinner place turns to diner place as it expands offerings

Ready to do the Twist again? Actually, a better dance for a rock 'n' roll-flavored business opening Monday might be the Mashed Potatoes. Dish It Up Diner is ready to drop a dime in the jukebox and start serving burgers, fries and malts at 10 a...

Published Sat, Jan 30 2010 7:09 AM by Postbulletin.com Local Business

Iowa shouldn't buy meatpacking plant, ag secretary says

Iowa Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey said Friday he's willing to talk to other government officials about a soon-to-be-shuttered Sioux City meatpacking plant but private industry will have the final say on its future.

Published Sat, Jan 30 2010 7:00 AM by Postbulletin.com Local Business

Statistic of the week: Health care weathers recession

In Rochester, 40.6 percent of jobs are in the "Educational and Health" sector, compared to 17.4 statewide, according to employment statistics provided by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.

Published Sat, Jan 30 2010 7:00 AM by Postbulletin.com Local Business

Toyota sends new gas pedals to plants, not dealers

DETROIT — Toyota is sending new gas pedal systems to its factories rather than its dealership service departments, The Associated Press learned Friday. The move angered some dealers

Published Fri, Jan 29 2010 6:33 PM by Postbulletin.com Local Business

Worker theft: It's usually one you least suspect

Employee theft or fraud is a big and expensive problem at many small companies. But the pain is often more than monetary. A boss feels a sense of betrayal, anger and shame. And wishes after the fact that he or she hadn't been so blind to what was...

Published Fri, Jan 29 2010 11:24 AM by Postbulletin.com Local Business

Make the best in phone interviews

With so many candidates in the job market, employers are more likely to use telephone interviews to screen those seeking work, according to one outplacement firm.

Published Fri, Jan 29 2010 10:53 AM by Postbulletin.com Local Business

Economy grows at 5.7 percent pace, fastest since 2003

WASHINGTON ? The economy grew faster than expected at the end of last year, though the engine of that growth ? companies replenishing stockpiles ? is likely to weaken as consumers keep a lid on spending.

Published Fri, Jan 29 2010 10:36 AM by Postbulletin.com Local Business

Consumers return to big brands

Two of the world's most familiar consumer products companies, Procter & Gamble and Colgate-Palmolive, say sales are improving for their toothpastes, soaps and other household items.

Published Fri, Jan 29 2010 4:08 AM by Postbulletin.com Local Business

Crenlo lays off more than 30 workers

Since a new labor contract was approved at Crenlo last week and the union did not vote to strike, the manufacturer is now reducing the "hedge" of additional workers and inventory that had been built as a strike contingency.

Published Thu, Jan 28 2010 10:50 PM by Postbulletin.com Local Business

Officials consider Sioux City meat plant purchase

State and local officials have held preliminary discussions about buying a Sioux City meatpacking plant that is scheduled to close this spring so the building can be torn down and the area redeveloped.

Published Thu, Jan 28 2010 3:48 PM by Postbulletin.com Local Business

Smart phones bog down cellular networks

America's advanced cell phone network is already beginning to be bog down by smartphones that double as computers, navigation devices and e-book readers. Cell phones are increasingly being used as TVs, which hog even more bandwidth. They can also...

Published Thu, Jan 28 2010 3:33 PM by Postbulletin.com Local Business

Ford makes first profit in 4 years

DEARBORN, Mich. — Ford, the only U.S. automaker to avoid bankruptcy court, clawed its way to a $2.7 billion profit in 2009 and expects to stay in the black in 2010. It was the automaker's first annual profit in four years.

Published Thu, Jan 28 2010 10:05 AM by Postbulletin.com Local Business

3M raises forecast for 2010

NEW YORK — 3M Co. said today it closed 2009 with a strong 74 percent increase in fourth-quarter profit and raised its expectations for the new year.

Published Thu, Jan 28 2010 10:04 AM by Postbulletin.com Local Business

SCORE: Bridge short-term staffing needs with temps

If you have a need for extra help, but aren't sure the time has come to hire additional full-time employees, temporary or contract workers can provide the short-term solution.

Published Thu, Jan 28 2010 9:23 AM by Postbulletin.com Local Business

IRS requires firms to report iffy tax breaks

WASHINGTON ? The Internal Revenue Service plans to start requiring large corporations to disclose on their tax returns whether they are taking tax breaks that might be unacceptable to the IRS.

Published Thu, Jan 28 2010 7:00 AM by Postbulletin.com Local Business