http://http://www.kentucky.com/101/index.xml News, sports, and entertainment from Kentucky.com en-us Copyright 2009 Kentucky.com Business 60 Sun, 22 Nov 2009 14:05:31 EST http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss McClatchy Interactive's Workbench interactive-ops@herald-leader.com http://www.kentucky.com/101/story/1030445.html http://www.kentucky.com/101/story/1030445.html Sun, 22 Nov 2009 12:14 EST
Rather than a manufactured trinket, here are eight gift ideas you the employed person can give that might help the unemployed land the biggest gift of all: a job.

The gift of time
Volunteer to watch your friends' children so they can have a day off. Taking a day off from the job search can be crucial for job seekers, said Michael Cronk, assistant director of career development at Transylvania University.

“If you're a job seeker and you're really having a tough time and you're tired and miserable, it's going to come across that way in interviews,” he said. “Give yourself a chance to recuperate. That will make you a stronger applicant.”

The gift of fashion
Buy your jobless friends a gift card for a new suit or dress. Any department store or shop that sells business clothing will do, but please pick up the gift card so they can pick the outfit out themselves. Then offer to accompany them on the shopping trip. It's always good to have a second eye when trying to find a great-fitting interview suit.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/101/story/1030225.html http://www.kentucky.com/101/story/1030225.html Sun, 22 Nov 2009 01:32 EST
But after missing one too many exits because she was distracted by a phone call, Haskins decided it was time to get tough with herself. So she signed up for ZoomSafer, a free service that uses her phone's GPS sensors to determine whether she's at driving speeds, and then disables her cell phone until she stops the car.

"I really love my cell phone," said Haskins, the chief executive of a software company in Washington. "But I know I'm not driving safely if I'm using it while behind the wheel."

Of course, there is a simpler, no-cost solution to limiting phone use while driving: the off button. But going cold turkey is hard for many Americans who have become addicted to their gadgets. So technology companies are trying to solve a problem caused by technology with more technology.

A number of fledgling companies like ZoomSafer, Aegis Mobility and obdEdge employ systems that place restrictions on phones based on the phone's GPS signal, data from the car itself or from nearby cell phone towers. Any incoming calls are then routed to voice mail or a message explaining that the phone's owner is driving. Exceptions can be made for certain numbers.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/101/story/1030224.html http://www.kentucky.com/101/story/1030224.html Sun, 22 Nov 2009 01:32 EST
Longtime foes like Pantene and Dove, Science Diet and Iams, AT T and Verizon Wireless, and Campbell Soup and Progresso have all wrestled over advertisements recently.

The suits themselves might seem a little absurd an argument over hyped-up advertising copy that not many consumers take at face value. Pantene has attacked Dove's claim that its conditioner "repairs hair better," and Iams has been challenged on its line, "No other dog food stacks up like Iams."

Dueling advertisers, however, argue that these claims can mislead consumers and cause a pronounced drop in sales. Because advertisers are required by law to have a reasonable factual basis for their commercials, their competitors are essentially demanding that they show their hand.

The goal is usually not money but market share. Companies file complaints to get competitors' ads withdrawn or amended. The increase in these actions may be a reflection of the dismal economy: during recessions, when overall spending lags, marketers must fight harder for customers.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/101/story/1030216.html http://www.kentucky.com/101/story/1030216.html Sun, 22 Nov 2009 01:32 EST
Investment funds are buying billions of dollars' worth of home loans, discounted from the loans' original value. Then, in what might seem an act of charity, the funds are helping homeowners by reducing the size of the loans.

But as part of these deals, the mortgages are being refinanced through lenders that work with government agencies like the Federal Housing Administration. This enables the funds to pocket sizable profits by reselling new, government-insured loans to other federal agencies, which then bundle the mortgages into securities for sale to investors.

While homeowners save money, the arrangement shifts nearly all the risk for the loans to the federal government and, ultimately, taxpayers at a time when Americans are falling behind on their mortgage payments in record numbers.

For instance, a fund might offer to pay $40 million for a $100 million block of mortgages from a bank in distress. Then the fund could arrange to have some of those loans refinanced into mortgages backed by an agency like the FHA and then sold to an agency like Ginnie Mae, a government-owned corporation within the Department of Housing and Urban Development, which guarantees investors the timely payment of principal and interest on mortgage-backed securities backed by federally insured or guaranteed loans. The trick is to persuade the homeowners to refinance those mortgages, by offering to reduce the amounts the homeowners owe.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/101/story/1028682.html http://www.kentucky.com/101/story/1028682.html Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:59 EST
The South Upper Street restaurant known for its hearty meals became a victim of changed traffic patterns on the block due to the stalled CentrePointe project and construction work on South Limestone, co-owner Robin Feeney said.

Feeney and co-owner Drew Rasmussen posted a note on the door of the self-proclaimed "Best Little Joint Downtown" and its Web site explaining the closing effective Nov. 13.

"Starting with the unutilized block that was razed in the center of town to a parking authority harassing employers, employees and clientele, to a dwindling daytime population due to layoffs and closings, and on to the city leaders' bright ideas and so-called plan ... The Limestone Streetscape Project ... Caros has had enough!" the sign read.

"We weren't looking for a pity party, and we didn't want to whine about it," Feeney said in an interview, "but we felt there were a lot of good reasons this was happening and the best business decision for us."]]> http://www.kentucky.com/101/story/1027985.html http://www.kentucky.com/101/story/1027985.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:46 EST
The company also raised its outlook for the year, sending its shares soaring Friday.

Smucker - which makes products such as Jif peanut butter, Pillsbury frosting and its namesake jams and jellies - said it continues to benefit during tough times as consumers are eating at home more and placing greater emphasis on value.

The company's brands are "perfectly matched during this recessionary environment" and that it remains in a strong position as consumers are expected to continue their spend-less and eat-at-home ways in the near future, Janney Montgomery Smith analyst Mitchell B. Pinheiro said in a note to investors.

Shares of Smucker rose $2.87, or more than 5 percent, to close at $56.35 Friday.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/101/story/1028470.html http://www.kentucky.com/101/story/1028470.html Sat, 21 Nov 2009 06:18 EST
On Friday, Keeneland received a conditional-use permit from the Board of Adjustment to establish a processing plant to convert muck into biofuel on property zoned for agriculture.

"It's a somewhat experimental idea. We thought we ought to give them a shot," said Jim Marx, senior planner for the Board of Adjustment.

Keeneland is in negotiations with Three Seconds To Oil of Albany, Ga., to set up two mobile units that would convert muck or any carbon-based product including grass, paper, pine needles or vines into a liquid biofuel.

A contract has not been signed, "but we're considering it very, very strongly," said John Howard, Keeneland's projects administrator. The track wanted to have zoning in place, assuming the deal will be approved.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/101/story/1027277.html http://www.kentucky.com/101/story/1027277.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 07:04 EST
Justine Detzel, chief labor market analyst for the state Office of Employment and Training, said that the state's economy showed some improvement in the month but that hiring tended to be "indicative of temporary hiring and strength in the employment services industry."

Kentucky's unemployment rate rose above 10 percent in May and has stayed above that ever since. The state had a slight reprieve in September, when the jobless rate dipped to 10.9 percent from 11.2 percent. But that happened because people who had been out of work for a long time were "becoming discouraged and dropping out of the labor force," Detzel said at the time.

The rate a year ago was 6.9 percent.

Seven of the 11 major industries tracked showed employment increases during the month while four decreased. Overall, the state added 2,900 jobs in the month.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/101/story/1027207.html http://www.kentucky.com/101/story/1027207.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 07:05 EST
The station announced Thursday that it is partnering with online sports site Wazoo Sports to air the Wazoo Sports Network.

The new channel available on Insight's digital cable lineup on Channel 524 or over the air as Channel 18.2 will broadcast 24/7.

It's part of a push by Wazoo Sports, which has been broadcasting high school sporting events online, to reach a larger audience, said Jeff Sheppard, the former UK basketball player who is Wazoo's vice president of business development.

Sheppard said the firm has reached a similar deal with Louisville affiliate WHAS to air the network there and hopes to expand to other stations in the state.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/101/story/1025190.html http://www.kentucky.com/101/story/1025190.html Thu, 19 Nov 2009 07:17 EST
Realtors closed 693 residential sales compared with 566 a year ago. That's also up from 651 in September, which saw its numbers bolstered, too, because of the surge of buyers looking to take advantage of the federal government's $8,000 first-time home-buyer tax credit. The credit was set to expire Nov. 30 but was recently extended until next spring.

LBAR President Gale Fulton said future sales might also be affected by the government's new $6,500 tax credit for current homeowners buying a new home.

"I think we'll see an increase in the move-up buyers, and we'll still see some first-time home buyers who were just not able to make that Nov. 30 date," she said. "Now they have a second chance."

In September, the surge of first-time home buyers looking for more affordable properties drove down the median sales price to $140,000 from $142,625 a year earlier. The median sales price was $141,200 in October, up from $136,013 last October.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/101/story/1026072.html http://www.kentucky.com/101/story/1026072.html Thu, 19 Nov 2009 07:19 EST
The company's Atlanta plant was shut down for an undisclosed period by a September storm that dumped historic amounts of rain in the area.

Meanwhile, several production lines at its largest bakery in Rossville, Tenn., are closed indefinitely for repairs.

Company spokeswoman Kris Charles said it will take until the middle of 2010 before shelves around the country are stocked at pre-shutdown levels.

"We are working around the clock to restore Eggo store inventories to normal levels as quickly as possible," Charles told the Atlanta Journal Constitution.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/101/story/1025469.html http://www.kentucky.com/101/story/1025469.html Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:12 EST
The governor's office and state Cabinet for Economic Development announced Wednesday that New World Flooring will take over the former Bluegrass Cooperage plant in Albany.

The company plans to manufacture flooring lumber and parts in the 28,000-square-foot plant. It also plans to build a 12,000-square-foot flooring plant to make engineered flooring parts, the state said in a news release.

The Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority has preliminarily approved New World Flooring for up to $750,000 in tax incentives under one state program and up to $18,000 in incentives under another program.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/101/story/1025438.html http://www.kentucky.com/101/story/1025438.html Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:16 EST
Gymboree Play Music Center will be relocating from Pasadena Drive, taking more than 3,200 square feet. Gymboree has slated its grand opening at South Elkhorn Village, which is at Harrodsburg Road and Military Pike, for Jan. 1.

NAI Isaac said NY Embroidery will take more than 1,500 square feet and open Dec. 1. It joins Q-First in Quilting, which opened a 3,500-square-foot specialty store Nov. 1.

NAI Isaac also said Wednesday that a locally owned pizzeria, Corusso's Pizzeria, will open in Chinoe Center at 1060 Chinoe Road on Dec. 1.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/101/story/1023945.html http://www.kentucky.com/101/story/1023945.html Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:41 EST
The Cincinnati plant will cease operations in the second half of 2011.

According to a news release from Gov. Steve Beshear's office, the move will result in about 120 new jobs in Kentucky and over $28 million in technology upgrades to Beam's Frankfort distillery over the next two years.

The state recently gave preliminary approval to Jim Beam Brands Co. for up to $6.3 million in tax breaks over the next 10 years through a new incentive called the Kentucky Business Investment Program.

In Kentucky, Beam Global operates distilleries with bottling plants in Clermont, Frankfort, and Loretto, as well as a distillery in Boston, Ky.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/101/story/1023937.html http://www.kentucky.com/101/story/1023937.html Wed, 18 Nov 2009 01:32 EST
Len Heller, vice president for commercialization economic development at the University of Kentucky, said that steel finishing materials for the exterior on McGrathiana Parkway should arrive within the next three to four weeks and be in place by the beginning of 2010.

Heller said that Flagstar Bank, which is financing the project, is "managing and making sure that happens."

The building has also gained additional tenants: Estate Source real estate; Artmetrx, a healthcare analytics firm, and Wilbur Smith Associates engineers. That makes the building about half occupied, said Tina Carpenter, Coldstream's director. She said the building has about 160,000 square feet, with about 80,000 square feet still available.

Meanwhile, Heller says that the university will shortly be releasing a plan for the Coldstream park over the next two decades, including projections for as much as 5.1 million square feet in future space in addition to current buildings and the $129 million, 230-bed Eastern State Hospital psychiatric facility that will be built on the Coldstream site beginning in 2010.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/101/story/1023327.html http://www.kentucky.com/101/story/1023327.html Tue, 17 Nov 2009 09:51 EST
The low-price chain, which has been locked in a discounting fight with competitor Wal-Mart Stores Inc., said it expected markdowns and sales to drive business this season. While those tactics can draw big crowds, they also cut into profits.

Target was terse in its assessment.

"In light of the current and projected economic environment and expectations for a highly promotional holiday season, Target remains cautious about fourth quarter performance and is planning conservatively in both business segments," executives at the company said in a statement.

Wal-Mart and Kohl's have issued similar forecasts.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/101/story/1023981.html http://www.kentucky.com/101/story/1023981.html Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:56 EST
Dick Allington, an education professor at the University of Tennessee, will discuss links between education and economic performance.

The conference runs from noon to 7 p.m. and includes workshops, panels and lunch. The full day of events costs $25. Attending just the keynote address by Allington is $15. Call (859) 254-4175 to register.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/101/story/1023968.html http://www.kentucky.com/101/story/1023968.html Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:46 EST
KAM said in a news release that Higdon has served as director of the Chemical Industry Council and as policy adviser to past KAM presidents.

Higdon fills a post vacated by Jim LeMaster, who left to practice law in the Lexington office of Stoll Keenon Ogden PLLC.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/101/story/1023958.html http://www.kentucky.com/101/story/1023958.html Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:41 EST
The company, which operates in Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio, said it lost 1,900 basic customers in the quarter, ending at 718,200. However, it gained 12,300 digital customers ending the quarter with 495,700, a 69 percent penetration of its basic cable customers.

Insight also added 11,900 high-speed Internet customers bringing it to 493,400 at the quarter's end. It gained 5,200 telephone customers ending the quarter with 311,400.

The total average monthly revenue per basic cable customer was $114.08 in the quarter, up from $105.22 in the same time a year ago.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/101/story/1021988.html http://www.kentucky.com/101/story/1021988.html Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:19 EST
The October figures, driven by a surge in auto sales, exceeded economists' expectations. Yet consumers are so squeezed by tight credit and rising unemployment that economists don't expect to see significant spending until well after year's end. Even optimists predict scant improvement over last year's holiday season.

Consumer spending accounts for about 70 percent of total economic activity, so wary shoppers are a worrisome sign for retailers entering the crucial holiday season.

"U.S. consumers are no longer panicked, but they remain cautious," said Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody's Economy.com. "They are spending just enough to keep the economy out of recession, but not enough to fuel a self-sustained expansion."

Retail sales rose 1.4 percent last month, the Commerce Department said. But excluding a big rebound in auto sales, the gain was just 0.2 percent. Strength at general merchandise stores like Wal-Mart and Target was offset by sales declines at furniture stores, appliance stores and hardware stores.]]>