Fairfield County Business Journal articles from January 2003

Fairfield County Business Journal archives from January 2003

Staffing firm to open office in Bridgeport. (Competitive Edge).(Adecco Employment Services)
January 6, 2003... Adecco Employment Services is a staffing, human resources and business services company that operates from offices in 62 countries throughout the world. The office network--which stretches from the United States to as far away as Hong Kong, the...

Bridgeport, tribe ink casino deal.(signs deal with Golden Hill Paugussett Indian tribe)
January 6, 2003... To the chagrin of state officials and its southwestern Connecticut neighbors, to help Bridgeport signed a deal late last month with the Golden Hill Paugussett Indian tribe to develop a casino if the federal government recognizes the group as a...

J-Bird Music hitches wagon to bio-fuel company.(J-Bird Music Group forms alliance with International Biofuel & Biochemical Corp.)
January 6, 2003... J-Bird Music Group, a troubled Internet recording label in Wilton, recently announced an unlikely partnership with a producer of bio-energy fuel alternatives to create a new company called International Biofuel & Biochemical Corp. "This...

Crane acquires General Technology for $25 million.(Crane Co. )(Brief Article)
January 6, 2003... Crane Co. of Stamford said it has purchased General Technology Corp. from an employee stock ownership plan trust for $25 million in cash and assumed debt. "This acquisition supports the electronic manufacturing solutions strategy of our...

Arch lands in Stamford.(Arch Insurance Co. leases space at First Stamford Place)
January 6, 2003... Arch Insurance Co., a provider of property; casualty and specialty insurance for corporations, professional firms and financial institutions, announced recently it will lease 20,000 square feet at First Stamford Place. W&M Properties,...

Premcor to buy Memphis refinery.(Premcor Inc. signs definitive agreement with The Williams Cos.)
January 6, 2003... Premcor Inc. of Old Greenwich said it has signed a definitive agreement with The Williams Cos. to buy a Memphis, Tenn., refinery and related supply and distribution assets for about $465 million. Premcor will pay $315 million for the assets...

Discrimination laws a growing thicket. (Issues@Work).(Column)
January 6, 2003... Among the 2002 issues that certainly will still be alive and kicking in 2003 was the tendency among many Connecticut companies to retain their 401(k) plans despite the implosion of Texas-based Enron, which wiped out the 401(k)s for thousands of...

Changing pension rules has implications for morale. (Issues@Work).
January 6, 2003... In the latest sign of the changing contract between employer and employee, the Bush administration is proposing to replace traditional defined benefit pension plans with cash-balance plans. Defined benefit plans deliver a fixed amount based on...

Greenwich Technology Partners: portrait of success. (Tech Cetera).
January 6, 2003... Sometimes success is picture perfect. Take Greenwich Technology Partners (GTP) for example. Here is an information technology infrastructure and consulting firm in Greenwich that's achieved a 7,082 percent growth rate since its founding five...

New law puts added strain on enterprise security programs.
January 6, 2003... According to a report by META Group Inc., new legislation is placing increased train on enterprise security programs, underscoring the need for seasoned top executives to take full ownership of these initiatives as chief security officers...

Tech toys not always best for kids.
January 6, 2003... We want our children to have the best. In a society replete with every tech toy imaginable, why shouldn't they have the best? But sometimes the best tech gear is not what's best for children. Joanne Oppenheim knows that. The New York-based...

Fairfield University updates its campus for 21st century. (Focus Education).
January 6, 2003... Three years ago, Fairfield University undertook an ambitious, long-range and A.. major renovation program so that it would look very much like a 21st-century campus and be big enough to accommodate its growing student and adult education...

Fairfield county colleges grow despite tough economy. (Focus Education).
January 6, 2003... During the last five years, two-thirds of the 5,000 freshman applicants at Sacred Heart University also applied to Fairfield University, Marist College, Quinnipiac University, Providence University and Fordham University, enrollment research...

Opening doors to minorities. (Focus: Education).(joint program between Housatonic Community College and Clarkson University allows minority students access to professional scientific research experience)
January 6, 2003... Adil Ahmed of Bridgeport, a second-year student at Housatonic Community College, said a unique program has turned a career in science from an impossible dream to a possible reality. Steven Mouning of Bridgeport, another Housatonic student,...

Fairfield County economy in 2003. (Special Report: The Economy).(Fairfield County, Connecticut)
January 6, 2003... Wow, what a couple of years we've had! The stock market went to the moon and back. Governments swung from big surpluses to even bigger deficits. Corporate executives fell from being talk show heroes to "perp walk" felons. But the amazing thing...

Looking for a brighter year: experts cautiously optimistic about 2003 economy. (Special Report: The Economy).
January 6, 2003... Harold Fischel is an optimist by trade. "To be a developer means you are an optimist," said the chairman of Fischel Properties Inc. in Norwalk. Two years ago, when the 1990s hot office marker began melting away, he made an upbeat forecast...

States may face protracted fiscal woes. (Special Report: The Economy).
January 6, 2003... Current fiscal miseries plaguing states may be just the tip of an iceberg, economists warn. Relief from the crisis may not come soon even if the economy rebounds because "all the easy fixes are up." "Even when the economy recovers--which I...

A 2003 forecast for equity markets. (Special Report: The Economy).
January 6, 2003... Some economists worry the economy will double dip into recession, but a modest recovery is more likely. Although the S&P declined for the third straight year, the economy grew at a 3.2 percent pace over the past 12 months, losing momentum...

Economic recovery may be slow, but it's not 1989. (Special Report: The Economy).(2003 economic outlook for Connecticut)
January 6, 2003... Is Connecticut's economic picture deja vu all over again? Not really. The best news for the state's economic outlook for 2003 is that it is not 1989. There were many different reasons why Connecticut fell so hard during the last big recession,...

Muddling through and dealing with scarcity. (Special Report: The Economy).
January 6, 2003... This year may not provide investors with much relief in the way of less market trading volatility, although we do not believe we are headed for a fourth down year. Indeed, our market targets for year-end 2003 are 1,075 for the S&P 500 and...

Peter Berman making sea part of life. (Profits & Passions).(New Haven University finance professor)
January 6, 2003... For reasons he doesn't understand, Peter Berman, professor of finance at New Haven University became fascinated with the sea as a child. His fascination led him to the library where books about explorers like Ferdinand Magellan helped...

Credits, clients and awards. (On the Record).(Taylor Design won a 2002 Award of Excellence from Communication Arts)(Brief Article)
January 6, 2003... Taylor Design, Stamford, a graphic design studio, won a 2002 Award of Excellence from Communication Arts, New York City, a trade magazine for the graphic design industry, and a 2002 Francis W. Hatch Award for creative excellence in a design...

Health Net of the Northeast Inc. (Newsmakers).(Dr. Roberto Martinez appointed chief medical officer)(Brief Article)
January 6, 2003... Dr. Roberto Martinez of West Hartford was appointed chief medical officer at Health Net of the Northeast Inc., Shelton, a health plan. Since 1996, Matinez worked for Aetna, most recently as corporate medical director at Aetna National Accounts...

New Canaan Nature Center. (Newsmakers).(Catharine S. Sturgess appointed executive director)(Brief Article)
January 6, 2003... Catharine S. Sturgess of New Canaan was appointed executive director of the New Canaan Nature Center, New Canaan, an environmental education center and sanctuary. Since September, Sturgess was interim director. She was a member of the center's...

Marketing Management Analytics. (Newsmakers).(announces various appointments)(Brief Article)
January 6, 2003... Marketing Management Analytics (MMA), Wilton, a marketing and media management consulting firm, announced the following appointments. Sheila Baker of Fairfield joined MMA as a director, client service. Since 1992, Baker worked at ACNielsen,...

Wilton Bank. (Newsmakers).(announces appointments to its advisory board)(Brief Article)
January 6, 2003... Wilton Bank, Wilton, announced the appointment of the following individuals to its advisory board. J. Hunter Brown of Wilton, principal of The Brown Group, Wilton, an investment and business consulting firm that he founded in 2001, joined the...

On the Agenda. (On the Record).(Calendar)
January 6, 2003... Thursday, Jan. 9 Greater Norwalk Chamber of Commerce economic forecast luncheon program, featuring Chandler Howard of Fleet-Connecticut and Michael Meotti of the Connecticut Policy & Economic Council, noon to 2 p.m., Continental Manor, 112...

Jan Broekmeijer. (Real Estate Update).(sales vice president at William Raveis Real Estate & Home Services receives the Certified International Property Specialist designation )(Brief Article)
January 6, 2003... Jan Broekmeijer, a sales vice president at William Raveis Real Estate & Home Services and manager of the company's international division, based in the company's Trumbull office, received the Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS)...

Excel Partnership. (Real Estate Update).(leased 11,977 square feet of space )(Brief Article)
January 6, 2003... Excel Partnership, a specialist in Six Sigma training, leased 11,977 square feet of space at Rocky Glen Corporate Park, 75 Glen Road, Newtown. The Braverman Group, Westport, is the leasing agent for the corporate park.

Focus on five areas to close sales. (Viewpoint).(Column)
January 6, 2003... All too often, salespeople focus on the wrong elements in their attempt to increase sales. They turn their attention to the features, benefits, and value-added aspects of their product or service in an attempt to differentiate it from the...

2003 is going to be a great year. (Looking Inside).(business outlook)
January 6, 2003... Last year many of the business pundits told us to wait until this year for a better economy and stock market. Now we're in the first quarter and there is already a new confidence in the future. It could be the exuberance of New Year's, but...

Growing in a lean market: Angel needs no angels for his real estate business.(Jon Angel of Angel Commercial L.L.C.)
January 13, 2003... Jon Angel likes to tell the story of a recent deal in which the seller of a shopping center in Fairfield requested a meeting with him and the purchaser on a Saturday night at 8 in the seller's office. Angel gave up his Saturday night plans for...

Viking Global lands in Greenwich.(Viking Global Investors L.P. will move to 36,000 square feet at 55 Railroad Ave. in Greenwich, New York)
January 13, 2003... When it comes to hedge funds, New York City is having a tough time beating Greenwich as the location of choice for firms that manage these top-of-the-food-chain investments. Real estate sources say Viking Global Investors L.P. will leave...

Reit buys Westchester Pavilion for $39.9m.(Urstadt Biddle Properties Inc. announced its purchase of the Westchester Pavilion for $39.9 million)
January 13, 2003... Heavy weight retailers Toys R Us, The Sports Authority and Borders Books and Records have a new landlord in White Plains after Urstadt Biddle Properties Inc. announced its purchase of the Westchester Pavilion for $39.9 million in late December....

Oxford class-action trial set for March.(Oxford Health Plans Inc. )(Brief Article)
January 13, 2003... Oxford Health Plans Inc. of Trumbull said the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York has scheduled trial to start March 10 in the securities class-action lawsuits brought in 1997 after the Oct.27, 1997 decline in the price of...

WIM to offer business advice. (Issues@Work).(Women in Management)
January 13, 2003... If you own or manage your own business and are looking to expand (or just survive!) in the sluggish economy, are "in transition" in your career and perhaps considering starting your own business, or just looking for ways to advance your career,...

Local companies make business fun. (Issues@Work).(some firms in New York work to make business fun without spending a lot of money)
January 13, 2003... Recently, I wrote a column on the of injecting an element; importance of fun into the workplace to improve employee morale and boost productivity. Evidently, many companies in Westchester County, N.Y., have been long taking this concept to...

Business, taxpayer groups urge spending restraint by state.(interest groups question Connecticut Governor John G. Rowland's budget proposals)
January 13, 2003... Gov. John G. Rowland's budget proposal threatens to dig a deeper hole for Connecticut's economy, warns a pair of national special interest groups who represent taxpayers and small businesses. "Connecticut is already a tougher than average...

Danbury seeks to broaden economic base. (Doing Business in Danbury).(the city of Danbury is planning to build a minor-league baseball stadium)
January 13, 2003... Danbury leaders hope the city will hit an economic homerun this year if construction begins on a minor-league baseball stadium that would be the centerpiece of a mixed-used proposal for the former Union Carbide property. Expected to be the...

Advertising agency reinvents itself. (Doing Business in Danbury).(David R. Clark runs both DRC Publishing and DRC Advertising)(Biography)
January 13, 2003... David R Clark, a small-business owner in downtown Danbury, used to run a traditional, full-service advertising agency. But as the economy soured, Clark noticed his business was drying up and, in some cases, disappearing. "What I found in...

ATMI moves to expand into Japan market. (Doing Business in Danbury).(ATMI Packaging Inc.)(Brief Article)
January 13, 2003... ATMI Packaging Inc., the microelectronics materials packaging division of ATMI Inc. in Danbury, and Aicello Chemical Co. Ltd. of Toyohashi, Japan, signed, a deal enabling Aicello to manufacture, assemble, and inventory selected ATMI Packaging...

Praxair plans to issue debt securities. (Doing Business in Danbury).(Praxair Inc. seeks to issue up to $1 billion of debt securities)(Brief Article)
January 13, 2003... Danbury-based Praxair Inc. recently filed an S-3 Registration Statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The shelf registration allows the company to issue up to $1 billion of debt securities, common shares, or preferred stock....

Lower Fairfield County tourist bureau builds momentum. (Focus).
January 13, 2003... Tourism is growing in importance and clout in lower Fairfield County, according to Steven Paganelli, executive director of the 13-community Coastal Fairfield County Convention & Visitor Bureau in Norwalk. He cites four statistics to prove...

Business travel costs rise 5 percent in 2003, study says. (Focus).
January 13, 2003... The National Business Travel Associations (NBTA) 2003 business travel cost forecast shows business travel costs will increase 5 percent in 2003. The forecast, compiled by the group's research staff, predicts this year: * Business airfares...

Companies get tough to contain travel costs. (Focus).(findings of an American Express survey)
January 13, 2003... A comprehensive survey by American Express reveals that, after several years of skyrocketing business travel prices, travel and entertainment (T&E) costs have become companies' second-largest controllable expense. In response, corporate America...

Hotels, travel agencies scramble for business travelers. (Focus).(the hotel and travel industry in Fairfield County have been affected by the sluggish economy)
January 13, 2003... Although corporate travel activity has improved somewhat from January of last year when the industry was just recovering from 9/11, Fairfield County's hotels and conference centers and travel agents have been forced to deal with the effects of...

Business travel expenditures to slay flat. (Focus).(corporate travel expenditures are expected to remain flat in 2003)
January 13, 2003... Corporate travel expenditures dipped in 2002 and will most likely remain flat in 2003, according to a recent survey conducted by the National Business Travel Association (NBTA). Travel managers do not expect full recovery of business travel...

Steward I. Edelstein: a lawyer with a love for words. (Profits & Passions).(Bridgeport, Connecticut)(Biography)
January 13, 2003... Two roads diverged in a wood, and I -- I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference. Robert Frost "I came to that fork in the road," says Stewart I Edelstein, an attorney at Bridgeport's Cohen and Wolf...

Bridgeport Regional Business Council. (Credits, Clients and Awards).(Ronald A. LaMorte receives Volunteer of the Year for 2002 honor)(Brief Article)
January 13, 2003... The Bridgeport Regional Business Council (BRBC), Bridgeport, named Ronald A. LaMorte, managing, principal of the accounting firm Dworken, Hillman, LaMorte & Sterczala P.C., Shelton, as its Volunteer of the Year for 2002. LaMorte serves as BRBC...

The WorkPlace Inc. (Credits, Clients and Awards).(National Association of Counties presents 2002 Workforce Development Award for Excellence )(Brief Article)
January 13, 2003... The WorkPlace Inc., Bridgeport, southwestern Connecticut's regional work force development board, received the 2002 Workforce Development Award for Excellence from the National Association of Counties, Washington, D.C. The Work Place was s...

Peppers and Rogers Group. (Credits, Clients and Awards).(obtains Inc magazine's 2002 Web Award )(Brief Article)
January 13, 2003... Peppers and Rogers Group, Norwalk, a management consulting firm, received a 2002 Web Award from Inc magazine for its innovative use of Web technologies for business transformation. Peppers and Rogers was honored for launching AskAlbert, an...

Catalyst Marketing Communications Inc. (Credits, Clients and Awards).(has been named the agency of record for Proudfoot Company Inc.)(Brief Article)
January 13, 2003... Catalyst Marketing Communications Inc., Stamford, a marketing communications agency, announced that it has been named the agency of record for Proudfoot Company Inc., Monroe, a provider of acoustical correction, noise control and specialty...

Cummings & Lockwood L.L.C. (Newsmakers).(promoted Jonathan B. Mills to chairman)(Brief Article)
January 13, 2003... Jonathan B. Mills of New Canaan was promoted to chairman of the firm at Cummings & Lockwood L.L.C., a law firm with five offices in Connecticut. Mills is based at the firm's Stamford office. He was formerly principal-in-charge of the firm's...

Robinson & Cole L.L.P. (Newsmakers).(Scott Brian Clark joins firm as tax counsel)(Brief Article)
January 13, 2003... Scott Brian Clark of Scarsdale, N.Y., joined the Stamford and New York City offices of the law firm Robinson & Cole L.L.P. as tax counsel. Most recently, Clark was in private practice. Previously, he was a tax partner at Pricewaterhouse-Coopers...

Purdue Pharma L.P. (Newsmakers).(appointed Burt Rosen vice president, federal government affairs)(Brief Article)
January 13, 2003... Burt Rosen was appointed vice president, federal government affairs at Purdue Pharma L.P., Stamford, a pharmaceutical company. Most recently, Rosen was senior vice president, communications and government relations at Novartis Corp. Prior to...

Norwalk Symphony Orchestra. (Newsmakers).(appointed Sara A. Pflueger executive director )(Brief Article)
January 13, 2003... Sara A. Pflueger of Norwalk was appointed executive director of the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra, Norwalk, Since 1999, Pflueger was general manager of the Omaha Symphony Association, Omaha, Neb. Prior to that, she was executive director of The...

People's Bank. (Newsmakers).(appointed Thomas Hylinski treasurer)(Brief Article)
January 13, 2003... Thomas Hylinski of Orange was named treasurer at People's Bank, Bridgeport Hylinski has been senior vice president, investor services at the bank since 2001. Previously, he was senior vice president, residential mortgage. Before that, he was...

Child Guidance Center. (Newsmakers).(names James A. Collca as the president of its board of directors)(Brief Article)
January 13, 2003... James A. Collca of Cos Cob, senior vice president for global risk management at GE Capital, Stamford, a provider of financial services, was named president of the board of directors of the Child Guidance Center 01 Southern Connecticut. ...

On the agenda.
January 13, 2003... Tuesday, Jan. 14 American Marketing Association chapter meeting, with Richard Costello of General Electric, 6 p.m., The Norwalk Inn, 99 East Ave., Norwalk. $25 members; $30 non-members. For reservations, call Arria at 761-6330. ...

Connecticut Association of Realtors. (Real Estate Update).(presents 2002 Good Neighbor Award to Bob Jensen)(Brief Article)
January 13, 2003... Bob Jensen of Greenwich a Realtor in the Old Greenwich office of William Pitt Real Estate, received the 2002 Good Neighbor Award for Region 1 from the Connecticut Association of Realtors, East Hartford. Jensen was honored for his work in...

HK Group. (Real Estate Update).(announces transactions)(Brief Article)
January 13, 2003... HK Group, Westport, announced the following transactions. Tim Pramer, a fuel oil dealer, acquired a 3,900-square-foot building at 35 Harbor Ave., Norwalk, from Mardy Azarian for $410,000. Katz Commercial Real Estate represented the buyer....

How to deal with the budget deficit. (Viewpoint).(Column)
January 13, 2003... Claudia 'Dolly' Powers We've heard many stories about those state employees who have lost their jobs due to budget cuts. It is a sad situation, but the Democratic leadership in the General Assembly has shown no leadership in helping find a...

Roll out drums to perk up news. (Looking Inside).(business news briefs)(Column)
January 13, 2003... From all indications, business news is going to be dull during 2003 -- with the possible exception of Fox News, which makes even minor stories dramatic with the addition of a drumbeat. The lynching of Martha Stewart seems over and her...

Recharging growth in a global market. (Competitive Edge).(Electro Energy Inc. to transform into manufacturer of batteries)
January 20, 2003... Martin C. Klein, chief executive officer of Electro Energy Inc., is convinced his company has a competitive edge in the global battery market. The edge he hopes will turn Electro Energy, a research and development company in Danbury, into...

Fairfield train station deal finalized: town boards' approval not a rubber stamp.(plans for commuter train station and office devlopment are approved )
January 20, 2003... A plan to build a $250 million office development and a new commuter train station in the town of Fairfield now has a formal contract in place, but the question remains as to whether four separate town boards will keep it on track. "The...

I-95 woes drive direct-mail business out of Stamford.(MeritDirect to relocate to White Plains )
January 20, 2003... Rush-hour traffic on Interstate 95 and the prospect of containing office-space costs have compelled a 3-year-old broker and manager of direct-mail lists to leave Stamford and relocate to White Plains, N.Y. MeritDirect will move its offices...

Final approval of Mercator stockholder settlement, SEC probe.(Mercator Software Inc. )
January 20, 2003... Mercator Software Inc. of Wilton said it has received final approval from the federal district court of an agreement to settle the consolidated stockholder litigation initially filed against the company in August 2000. The company had...

Avoiding lawsuits over overtime. (Issues @ Work).
January 20, 2003... At first glance, whether a Fairfield County employer has to pay overtime seems very simple: If the worker is paid hourly, any work done beyond 40 hours a week has to be paid at the rate of time and a half If the worker is a salaried manager, he...

Crafting the most productive and efficient work force. (Issues @ Work).
January 20, 2003... When the U.S. economy was at its low point during previous economic cycles, companies seized every opportunity to reduce costs in an effort to hit their budgets. Running a lean work force was paramount to keeping costs in line. This time,...

Greenwich building sold for $17.25 million.(National Office Partners L.P. sells office building to Maiden Lane Associates Ltd.)
January 20, 2003... The trend of firms cashing in local real estate assets for top dollar continues as National Office Partners L.P sold 2 Soundview Drive, a 37,864-square-foot office building in Greenwich, to Maiden Lane Associates Ltd. for $17.25 million. ...

300 Post Road West sold for $6.1 million.(Post Road West L.L.C. sells office building)(Brief Article)
January 20, 2003... A 20,000-square-foot office building in Westport, fully leased to Paine Webber, was sold for $6.1 million in late December, according to brokers. The recently constructed 300 Post Road West was sold by 300 Post Road West L.L.C. ...

Lilly Pulitzer Signature store debuts in Westport.(Brief Article)
January 20, 2003... Clothes designed by fashion sensation Lilly Pulitzer, whose colorful pink and green cotton shifts were all the rage among the social set in Palm Beach, Fla., during the 1960's, will soon be available in Westport. A 1,600-square-foot Lilly...

Fairfield University's business school a valuable resource.
January 20, 2003... Ruth Brophy was already at the vice presidential level in corporate finance when she began attending Fairfield University at night for her master's degree. "The school of business allowed me to tailor the master's curriculum to my needs,"...

Law firms: ranked by number of attorneys in county (firms of ten or more) alphabetically in event of tie. (The List).(Directory)
January 20, 2003... Law Firms Fairfield County Ranked by number of attorneys in county (firms of ten or more) alphabetically in event of tie Rank Name, address, phone Managing partner/officer number and website ...

Debating the Bush economic package: economists say the plan offers no immediate boost, but holds long-term potential. (Special Report: The Bush Plan).
January 20, 2003... Local economists' reaction to President George W. Bush's economic stimulus package mirrored that of movie critics' to a Hollywood block-buster -- that is mixed to say the least. "For the cost of the program, I personally don't believe it...

Economic stimulus plan will help, but is no silver bullet. (Special Report: The Bush Plan).(George W. Bush's economic stimulus plan )
January 20, 2003... The anemic economy is firmly on Washington's radar screen with an economic stimulus plan offered by the president and countering proposals offered by the Democrats. Will these plans help, and what might they mean for Connecticut? The good...

Not much stimulus in President Bush's plan. (Special Report: The Bush Plan).(economic stimulus plan)
January 20, 2003... For an economic stimulus plan to do what it's advertised to do if enacted, it must pass three tests: simplicity, broad agreement on its purpose and predictability of outcome. Unfortunately, President George W. Bush's economic stimulus package...

Some help, or not at all? Economists divided over Bush plan. (Special Report: The Bush Plan).
January 20, 2003... President Bush's proposed $674 million economic stimulus plan will benefit the economy in the long run, but unlikely to be the short-term booster for the nation's sluggish economy, a consensus of area economists and officials say. They...

Bush stimulus plan lacks housing component. (Special Report: The Bush Plan).
January 20, 2003... Lacking a viable housing component, the plan unveiled by President George W. Bush to help stimulate economic growth represents a "missed opportunity to boost job creation and expand homeownership opportunities in low-income communities,"...

Everything you wanted to know about co-ops. (Real Estate).
January 20, 2003... We often find potential buyers are reluctant to consider purchasing a co-op, looking instead at condominiums and private homes or choosing to remain in rental situations. While everyone loves a good mystery, we believe it's time to demystify...

Steady as a rock: lower Fairfield County housing market remains strong. (Real Estate).
January 20, 2003... When all is said and done, it turns out the best investment return in 2002 was owning a home in Fairfield County. Personal stock portfolios took a big hit but home prices overall held up pretty well. The key question, though, is whether the...

Worst is over for county's commercial, office market. (Real Estate).(Fairfield County's commercial real estate market to improve)
January 20, 2003... Last year was rough for Fairfield County's commercial real estate firms as the office space vacancy rate increased sharply for the second year in a row. Dean Shapiro, president of Stamford-based Insignia/ESG, said last year's vacancy rate...

Housing off to a good start, mortgage bankers say. (Real Estate).(mortgage loan applications increase )
January 20, 2003... The Mortgage Bankers Association of America (MBA) said its Market Composite Index of mortgage loan applications -- a measure of mortgage loan applications for purchases and refinancings -- for the week ended Jan. 3 increased 24.3 percent to...

Low mortgage rates continue to attract buyers, refinancers. (Real Estate).(Brief Article)
January 20, 2003... In Freddie Mac's Primary Mortgage Market Survey, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 5.95 percent, with an average 0.5 point, for the week ended Jan. 10, rising from 5.85 percent the previous week. Last year at this time, the 30-year...