Business Courier Serving Cincinnati - Northern Kentucky articles from March 2001

Business Courier Serving Cincinnati - Northern Kentucky archives from March 2001

Metro plan a $1.1B engine.(bus system)
March 30, 2001... New system could cut accidents, pollution An expanded Metro bus system would be worth $1.1 billion to the Tri-State, roughly $619 million more than it would cost to build and operate the new system, according to a new study obtained by...

Dental Care Plus ended '00 with no cavities.(managed care firm's strategic plan)
March 30, 2001... New CEO set to begin strategic planning After being hit by a nearly $600,000 loss in the first quarter last year, one of the area's largest managed care companies has its financials back on track. Now, Blue Ash-based Dental Care Plus...

Colliers signs 10-year lease at Atrium Two.(Colliers International Inc.; Cincinnati)
March 30, 2001... One of the largest commercial real estate firms in Greater Cincinnati, Colliers International Inc., is headed to a new and expanded office in the Atrium Two office building. Colliers recently signed a 10-year lease to rent 10,000 square...

Light rail plan draws two more opponents.
March 30, 2001... Over-the-Rhine, Norwood leaders voice fears Over-the-Rhine business leaders and Norwood's mayor are frying to derail plans for a light rail system in the I-71 corridor, questioning whether the system will do more harm than good. "A...

N. Ky. Convention Center to host meeting planners.
March 30, 2001... Gathering to showcase Tri-State's attractions The Northern Kentucky Convention Center will host more than 300 of the region's top meeting planners in the coming weeks, and tourism, officials hope showing off the area will reap lucrative...

Four bidders to vie for Calhoun project.(Project on Calhoun Street near University of Cincinnati)
March 30, 2001... UC set to announce finalists for $ 100M job The University of Cincinnati is about to embark on a Final Four competition. But it has nothing to do with basketball. Four development teams will be formally invited this week to submit...

Coldwell/Gerdsen remake means new name, leader.
March 30, 2001... Daniels president, COO; moniker now CBC-United It didn't take long for Walter Daniels to make his mark. Daniels has been named president and chief operating officer at Coldwell Banker Commercial Gerdsen Garfield Realtors Inc. of...

NKU students get raves for theatrics on safety.
March 30, 2001... Picture a room full of burly construction workers watching a play about construction safety. Then picture them actually being moved by the performances. As unlikely as it sounds, that's just what happened during Construction Safety...

Terry named runner-up for Ky. in SBA competition.(Small Business Administration)
March 30, 2001... Northern Kentucky's Jo Terry has been named a runner-up for the 2001 Kentucky Small Business Person of the Year award by the U.S. Small Business Administration. Terry owns Wilder-based Progressive Rehabilitation, one of four recipients...

Northern Kentucky is to the region, and the Courier.
March 30, 2001... On a personal note, this might be my last column for a few months. My husband and I are expecting our second child in mid-April. After the baby is born, I'll be gone for a 12-week maternity leave. (It will take at least that long to convince...

Blue Ash baseball school features ex-Reds reliever.(Ted Power)
March 30, 2001... Former Reds reliever Ted Power, a former pro baseball scout and two local businessmen have pooled resources to open the Diamond Baseball Academy in Blue Ash, a tutorial facility that's already covered startup costs for its investors four...

Local woman sets sights on becoming pro referee.
March 30, 2001... A Cincinnati woman with a long resume in local basketball and athletic circles has set her sights on becoming a professional referee in either women's professional basketball or the big kahuna, the National Basketball Association. Annie...

RLR Associates.
March 30, 2001... RLR Associates, a sports agency based in New York City that represents baseball managers and broadcasters, has signed fist-year Reds skipper Bob Boone. Maury Gostfrand, vice president with RLR Associates, said the firm was in the preliminary...

California businesses see regulation in new light.
March 30, 2001... Regulation usually is a dirty word for members of the National Federation of Independent Business, one of the most powerful small-business lobbying organizations in Washington. But rolling blackouts have made NFIB members in California...

SBA says streamlining should boost Hubzone.
March 30, 2001... The Small Business Administration streamlined its electronic application for the Hubzone program so that businesses can be certified for the government contracting program more quickly. The upgrade features pop-up menus that direct...

Labor: Ergonomics rules part of 'corporate power'.(Bush signs legislation)(Brief Article)
March 30, 2001... President Bush ended the business community's long battle to stop OSHA's ergonomics regulation by signing legislation that repeals the rule, which would have required employers to establish programs to reduce soft-tissue injuries such as...

Chamber, AFL-CIO team to get relief for uninsured.(United Chamber of Commerce, AFL-CIO)(Brief Article)
March 30, 2001... They may not agree on ergonomics, but the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the AFL-CIO do agree that Congress should help the 43 million Americans who do not have health insurance. The chamber and the labor union are among 11 organizations...

Neyer to build new facility in Mason for Fairfax, Va., firm.(Brief Article)
March 30, 2001... PenCorp of Fairfax, Va., a manufacturer of automotive and truck lifting systems, recently hired Neyer Properties Inc. of Evendale to construct a $3 million facility in Mason Enterprise Park. The 30,000-square-foot building will be equipped...

Cinergy exec joins Bush team.(Vicky Bailey)(Brief Article)
March 30, 2001... President George Bush appointed PSI Energy Inc. President Vicky Bailey to a post in the U.S. Department of Energy. Bailey will serve as the assistant secretary for internal affairs and domestic policy in the Energy Department. PSI Energy...

LensCrafters moving to Mason.(Mason, Ohio)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 30, 2001... LensCrafters Inc. is moving its corporate headquarters to Mason and adding 265 new jobs. Local sources said Ohio was competing with Georgia to keep LensCrafters' headquarters here. The project received a 70 percent tax credit for a 10-year...

PC On Call appoints CEO.(Fred Pugh)(Brief Article)
March 30, 2001... PC On Call named Fred Pugh as CEO, effective immediately. Pugh succeeds Paul Cashen, who served as CEO since 1998. Cashen will remain with the company as president Pugh previously served as president of GE Net Solutions, a business unit of GE...

GEAE venture lands $90M deal.(Airtours Aviation lets aircraft engine contract to CFM International)(Brief Article)
March 30, 2001... Airtours Aviation ordered $90 million in engines from CFM International, a joint venture between Snecma Moteurs of France and General Electric Aircraft Engines in Evendale. Airtours ordered CFM56-5B engines to power 21 new Airbus Industrie...

Kroger closes purchase of stores.(of Baker's Supermarkets and one Food 4 Less)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 30, 2001... Kroger Co. closed on the previously announced purchase of 16 supermarkets in Omaha, Neb. Kroger is gaining 15 Baker's Supermarkets and one Food 4 Less from Fleming Co. The stores will keep their existing banners and employees....

Cincinnati home sales boom.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 30, 2001... Greater Cincinnati home sales jumped 6.2 percent last month, hitting a 17-year high for February sales. The Cincinnati Area Board of Realtors reports 1,378 homes sold vs. 1,298 a year ago. The average selling price was $143,112, up 1.5...

RESHAPING the family business.(O'Rourke Wrecking Co.)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 30, 2001... Mike O'Rourke stripped O'Rourke Wrecking Co. down to its core business: demolition. Mike O'Rourke spent the last five years performing selective demolition on the company his father founded in 1962. In the process, he made O'Rourke...

Seven new partners help steer Champlin-Haupt.
March 30, 2001... Architect firm hopes to expand nationally It has been 11 years since Champlin-Haupt Architects Inc. added partners, so when the Cincinnati firm decided to do so last year, the ownership expansion wasn't small. Champlin-Haupt added...

Buying franchise a wise move -- if you plan well.(Brief Article)
March 30, 2001... Franchising picks up when recession looms Todd Blanchard, 35, of Shreveport, La., was earning more than $100,000 a year as vice president of operations for a trucking academy, but he thought he could do better. "I had all the...

Valued staffer's departure chance for redesign.(business management)(Brief Article)
March 30, 2001... Your talented workers won't all stay forever What do you do when your most valued employee leaves? This morning, I got an email from one of our clients who is facing this exact issue. Carrie owns a graphic design firm, and she just...

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE.(employee changes, various companies)(Executive Changes)(Brief Article)
March 30, 2001... ADVERTISING/MARKETING Strata-G Communications Inc. has hired Elizabeth Baron as an account manager and Monika Royal as assistant account manager. Also; Strata-G Interactive, a division of Strata-G Communications, has promoted Thomas...

Market bubbles are long time coming, long time in leaving.(stock market information)(Brief Article)
March 30, 2001... It could take awhile for consumer to lead us out of slowdown Remember when you were a kid and you had one of those balsa wood airplanes with the rubber band propellor? It seemed like it took forever to wind up that rubber band, so you...

COURIER RATE BAROMETER.(stock market data)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 30, 2001... COURIER RATE BAROMETER Latest Year ago Two Three week week wks. ago wks. ago AVERAGE INTEREST RATES 30-yr. mortgage ...

'Don't fight the Fed' truism was ignored.(Federal Reserve System)(Brief Article)(Column)
March 30, 2001... For the second time in two years, Wall Street is ignoring its own advice. One of the stock market's time-honored axioms is that investors should aggressively buy stocks when the Federal Reserve is lowering interest rates and be much more...

MONEY MARKET.(7-day average fund yields)(Illustration)(Statistical Data Included)
March 30, 2001... MONEY MARKET Fund 7-day average yield Fifth Third Govt. Money Market Fund 5.04 Fifth Third Prime Money Market Fund 5.16 Fifth Third Tax Exempt...

GREATER CINCINNATI HIGH SCHOOL STOCK MARKET GAME.
March 30, 2001... Student investors from Kings made their move during Week 4 of the local High School Stock Market Game, which is being coordinated by the University of Cincinnati's Center For Economic Education. Kings' teams climbed seven spots this week,...

STOCK STATS.(various companies)(Illustration)(Statistical Data Included)
March 30, 2001... STOCK STATS Exchange/ year- Week- 52- 52- Ticker Close to-date ago net P/E week week Name of security symbol...

MORNINGSTAR MUTUAL FUNDS.(rankings and ratings)(Illustration)(Statistical Data Included)
March 30, 2001... MORNINGSTAR MUTUAL FUNDS TOP 20 GREATER CINCINNATI FUNDS Fund Star Net asset Yr.-to-date 3-Yr. Rank Fund name category rating value...

INSIDER TRADING.(various people and companies)(Illustration)(Statistical Data Included)
March 30, 2001... INSIDER TRADING (Number of insider transactions in past six months) Company/Officer Transaction Amount Price Date Broadwing Inc. John Lamacchia, ...

Duramed ekes out a profit, steps up research.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 30, 2001... Cenestin remains best growth vehicle Duramed Pharmaceuticals Inc. is once again facing a legal challenge by another company to a drug for which it is seeking U.S. Food & Drug Administration approval. While it is unlikely to reach the...

Ohio IT alliance aims to promote, develop industry.(information technology)(Brief Article)(Column)
March 30, 2001... Information technology (IT) organizations wondering how to improve quality, cut development time and reduce costs shouldn't feel alone. Several groups in the Dayton-Cincinnati corridor are working together to improve regional IT...

CHAMBER GUIDES THE LEADERS.(Southeastern Butler County Chamber of Commerce)(Brief Article)
March 30, 2001... Two new programs allow Butler business owners to share knowledge. The Southeastern Butler County Chamber of Commerce has two innovative programs that help it serve the fast-growing areas of West Chester and Liberty townships. The...

Money just the tip of iceberg with ATMs.(NCR Corp.)(Brief Article)
March 30, 2001... Soon you can pay bills, buy concert tickets Imagine using your cellular phone to scan a ticket-selling Web site for that U2 concert you want to attend, then buying a pair of tickets and picking them up at the nearest ATM. It's not...

Schools are eager pupils for experts.(Executive Service Corps)(Brief Article)
March 30, 2001... Retired business leaders donate their counsel Joseph Mahran has seen too many schools in financial crisis to not become involved. As a former superintendent of Chicago Public Schools and financial and management consultant with...

UD investors symposium will host 40 universities.(University of Dayton)(Brief Article)
March 30, 2001... Students to compete in portfolio management When the University of Dayton launched a financial center in 1998 to teach students how to manage investments by giving them real money, it seemed ahead of its time. After four years of...

Making the airwaves safe for cell phones.(Verizon Wireless Inc. employee roams Ohio checking on wireless service)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 30, 2001... Another Clark Kent tests service for Verizon With stealth not unlike his famous counterpart, Clark Kent prowls Ohio in search of trouble. His goal isn't to entangle himself with it; he aims simply to pinpoint it for his employer,...

Altemuehle on the prowl for Alexander-Patterson.(moving to undisclosed location)(Brief Article)
March 30, 2001... Alexander-Patterson Group, one 0f the largest office furniture dealers in Greater Cincinnati, is on the verge of announcing a major relocation and consolidation program at an as-yet-undisclosed site in the TriCounty area. APG recently...

Columbus mover hires Carrera at Sharonville site.(Commercial Movers retains Carrera Construction)(Brief Article)
March 30, 2001... Commercial Movers Inc., of Columbus recently hired Carrera Construction Inc. of Covington to build its new office/warehouse facility inside available space at the Champion Window Building on Champion Way in Sharonville. Commercial Movers...

Bunnell Hill's Michalak nabs RUS for Lebanon.(RUS office warehouse in Lebanon, Ohio)(Brief Article)
March 30, 2001... RUS, one of the largest uniform rental service companies in the United States., plans to open a 10,000-square-foot office/warehouse facility in Lebanon Logistics Center, owned by Bunnell Hill Development Co. of Lebanon. "Our expanding...

DEAL OF THE WEEK.(Hyster MidEast)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 30, 2001... THIS WEEK'S DEAL: MacEachen helps Hyster MidEast grow with $4M expansion in Butler DEAL OF THE WEEK examines a recent noteworthy lease or sale of local commercial property and/or a residential sale; the transaction must be a minimum $1...

Best-Performing Tri-State Mutual Funds.(Statistical Data Included)
March 30, 2001... Best-Performing Tri-State Mutual Funds (Ranked by total return for 2000) Name Total Net assets address Total return as of...

Arena failure puts scare into equity fund.(Firstar Center arena's bankruptcy may cost Cincinnati Equity Fund its $6 mil investment)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 30, 2001... Once bitten, the Cincinnati Equity Fund could be twice shy about making investments in risky downtown projects. "We're going to have to assess how the deal was underwritten and whether we should underwrite future deals differently," said...

The economics of ergonomics.(Statistical Data Included)
March 30, 2001... CONGRESS KILLED THE LAW, but local firms still believe exercise can boost profits fits. It's 7 a.m., and a team of employees gathers in a circle at Toyota's enormous Hebron parts center. After five minutes of announcements, they line...

Are P&G's earnings targets too aggressive?(Procter and Gamble Co.)(Brief Article)(Company Profile)(Statistical Data Included)(Interview)
March 30, 2001... Double-digit growth goal hard to hit, analysts say Following Procter & Gamble Co.'s recent layoff announcement, some analysts question whether the company should continue to put out earnings growth targets that might be impossible to hit....

Book spotlights P&G women who rose to top.(Sylvia Rimm's 'How Jane Won')(Brief Article)
March 30, 2001... Otto, Minick-Scokalo displayed drive early Early life lessons can foster great success for women, according to Sylvia Rimm, author of the new book "How Jane Won." Rimm, in Cincinnati on March 25-26 on a book promotion tour, said...

CORRECTION.(location of HarleyEllis office)(Brief Article)(Correction Notice)
March 30, 2001... In a March 23 Growth Strategies story about the Redbank Surgery Center, a page 20 photograph inaccurately identified Christ Hospital Vice President Vic DiPilla. HarleyEllis of Michigan will open a downtown Cincinnati office in PNC...

Thomson plans huge facility.(Thomson Corp. to build distribution center)(Brief Article)
March 30, 2001... Northern Kentucky site for distribution center Fresh off signing a large lease for a new office in Warren County, Thomson Corp. of Toronto is soliciting proposals for a mammoth distribution center in Northern Kentucky that could span 1...

Lockout looms over 2001 season finale.(Major League Baseball faces possible lockout)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 30, 2001... WITH MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL'S collective bargaining agreement set to expire in October, owners and players begin an uneasy season. Baseball's future has never been at once so bright and so uncertain. With the first pitch of the 2001...

Carmichael shakes up Ohio Casualty -- at the top.(CEO Dan Carmichael reorganizes Ohio Casualty Corp.)(Brief Article)
March 30, 2001... CEO creates three units, each accountable for results Ohio Casualty Corp. CEO Dan Carmichael has taken the next step in his plan to turn around the Fairfield insurer. Carmichael, who joined Ohio Casualty in December, tore up the...

Bulk of Bell ad work heads out of town.(Cincinnati Bell moves advertising to Gee, Jeffrey and Partners)(Brief Article)
March 30, 2001... As first reported March 26 on the Courier's Web site (http://cincinnati.bcentral), Cincinnati Bell is moving most of its $10 million advertising account to Toronto-based Gee, Jeffrey & Partners Inc. Most affected locally will be Northlich,...

NS Group cuts 300 Wilder jobs.(Brief Article)
March 30, 2001... Four weeks after disclosing he was considering shutting parts of NS Group Inc.'s Wilder steel operations, CEO Rene Robichaud has made his move. NS will stop making steel and hot rolled coils in Wilder and will lay off 300 of about 800 workers...

Startup bank ready to make N. Ky. debut.(Boone National Bank)(Brief Article)
March 30, 2001... Boone National joins community bank trend Boone National Bank, the seventh Northern Kentucky startup bank in 11 years, will open its doors in May, supported by prominent local investors. Kentucky state representatives Charlie Walton...

GBBN to combine offices at Eighth and Broadway site.(GBBN Architects Inc.)(Brief Article)
March 30, 2001... Architectural company will almost double space Day-to-day operations will be more efficient at GBBN Architects Inc. once the Cincinnati firm assembles its 90 employees at a new downtown Cincinnati office. GBBN recently signed a lease...

ASK THE CEO.(Cincinnati transportation)(Brief Article)
March 30, 2001... THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: Would you favor light rail or expanding the region's freeways? ASK THE CEO is a continuing series in which we ask important-to-the-region questions of corporate leaders. Mike O'Rourke O'Rourke Wrecking Co....

Good times: It's all in your head.(United States economy)(Abstract)
March 30, 2001... There won't be any "irrational exuberance" this year -- either in the stock market or at Cinergy Field. Just as people thought tech stocks would be their key to an early and fruitful retirement, they foresaw Ken Griffey Jr. leading a group of...

Give poor dot-comers a lift not a boot.(Brief Article)
March 30, 2001... Working at a technology company these days must be as appealing as used Kleenex. Intel. Cisco. Dell. Motorola. Red ink, cutbacks, layoffs -- tough times, indeed. But here's the weird thing: Instead of sympathy, all I'm hearing from...

Price Hill Civic Club.(Pete Witte supports Cincinnati Local Development Co)(Brief Article)
March 30, 2001... The head of the Price Hill Civic Club doesn't agree with city council's recent criticism of a city-run SBA loan program. That's because Pete Witte is about to expand his company using a loan from the Cincinnati Local Development Co. "I...

Light rail planners.(light rail system in Cincinnati)(Brief Article)
March 30, 2001... Light rail planners have settled a two-year-old debate about where to put the train tracks on the Cincinnati riverfront. The Interstate 71 Corridor Oversight Committee voted Mar. 28 to endorse a "split rail alignment" rather than building...

TRACKING LOCAL STOCKS.(Cincinnati, Ohio)(Brief Article)
March 30, 2001... TRACKING LOCAL STOCKS Gradison-Courier Cincinnati Stock Index Year-to-date 7.8% Jan. 8 126.2 Mar. 26 134.7 The index measures local stock performance by...

INSIDER TRADING RECAP.(Brief Article)
March 30, 2001... INSIDER TRADING RECAP (Number of insider transactions in past six-months) Company Buy Sell AK Steel 0 9 American Financial 1 0 Angstrom 1 0...

DIVIDENDS.(Cincinnati area businesses)(Brief Article)(Illustration)(Statistical Data Included)
March 30, 2001... DIVIDENDS Increase Company Amount Period (from) AK Steel Holding Corp. 90.625 cents quarterly...

Cinergy still 'on the prowl'.
March 23, 2001... CEO Rogers now seen as buyer, not target Cinergy CEO James Rogers said his company is still "on the prowl" for a merger partner, although he was unable to comment on a new analyst's report saying Cinergy could be the buyer in a rumored...

MAIN STRASSE at a crossroads.
March 23, 2001... COVINGTON'S QUAINT, HISTORIC NEIGHBORHOOD means different things to different people. Problem is, these days nobody's happy. It's a blustery weekday afternoon, and Covington's MainStrasse Village is too quiet. A third of the shops...

Intl. Paper plans major expansion.
March 23, 2001... The world's largest paper maker is considering sites on both sides of the Ohio River for a $13 million expansion that could deliver as many as 360 jobs. "We're working with both states on different incentive programs. I don't' know where...

Metro overhaul hailed by local businesses.
March 23, 2001... But many doubt new 'hub' system could win support for sales tax hike Local employers praise as long overdue the host of improvements outlined by the Metro transit system this week. They applaud the planned expansion in suburban...

P&G packages promise to cushion blow.
March 23, 2001... Procter & Gamble's announcement March 22 that it will cut another 9,600 jobs, including 1,900 locally, will mainly affect workers with Tide-white collars. "We will focus primarily on the corporate function," said a tired-sounding CEO...

F&W ready to sign Kenwood lease, sources say.
March 23, 2001... Publisher may move to Galbraith Road site F&W Publications Inc. may be toting 300-plus jobs to a new office building in Kenwood. The 88-year-old company has been operating out of a distinctive art deco building on Dana Avenue in Evanston...

Strike may be nonstop pain.
March 23, 2001... Direct flights to suffer if Comair pilots walk If Comair's pilots strike, Tri-State travelers can expect long lines and plenty of inconvenience as they struggle to find new ways to reach the many markets where Comair flies direct. ...

CHANGING gears.
March 23, 2001... WHEN BRUCE TURNER RETIRED FROM AETNA IN LATE February, the 53-year-old managed care executive turned a family hobby into the job of his dreams. Watching over a managed health care plan is tough enough. But watching your son zoom around a...

Intrieve raising $20M as newly minted for-profit.
March 23, 2001... 'Back-end banking' company plans to pursue acquisitions Intrieve Inc. restructured so it can embark on a mission that is second nature to most businesses -- make money, spend it on acquisitions and make even more. The 200-employee,...

AK Steel mulls Japanese partner.
March 23, 2001... AK Steel Corp. is discussing the potential for a "cooperative arrangement" with Kawasaki Steel Corp. in Tokyo. The deal could involve a research and technology exchange that would boost the two steelmakers' automotive business....

Peoples Bank to add branch.
March 23, 2001... Peoples Community Bank has filed with regulators to build a new branch on Columbus Avenue in North Lebanon. When this branch and the company's new West Chester headquarters are built, the savings and loan will have two branches in Lebanon and...

Milacron stock downgraded.
March 23, 2001... Analyst Alexander Paris at Barrington Research Associates Inc. lowered his long-term rating on shares of Milacron Inc. to "buy" from "strong buy." Earlier this week, the Cincinnati-based plastic and metalworking company announced it was...

Banks saw good, bad side of'00 economy.
March 23, 2001... Nonperforming loans may be red flag for '01 The year 2000 separated Cincinnati-area banks and savings and loans into two categories. Half the region's financial institutions grew profits by more than 5 percent last year, while a...

Midwest Payment to roll out new products.
March 23, 2001... Fifth Third subsidiary may expand its reach Midwest Payment Systems, the data-processing subsidiary of Fifth Third Bancorp, will roll out two new products this spring for its merchant customer base. It also might expand its...

P&G sponsors women's pro soccer league.
March 23, 2001... The Gillette Co. and Era Max, a Procter & Gamble laundry detergent, reached agreements with Turner Sports Sales in mid-March to sponsor the Women's United Soccer Association, the new eight-team women's professional soccer league that plays...