Good morning,

In regards to my request for minutes of the unannounced meeting Wednesday hosted by the Port of Bremerton addressing the Boeing 737 question, port secretary Ginger Waye says no minutes were required nor taken. So there is no record of the meeting.

Meanwhile, the Puget Sound Business Journal had this piece about the meeting.

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2011/05/12/port-of-bremerton-well-take-new.html

Rachel Pritchett

Readers,

Port CEO Cary Bozeman has just supplied me with a list of local leaders and port staff in attendance of the Wednesday meeting at the port. Bozeman said he pulled these people together in two days. According to Bozeman’s list, participants included:

Cary Bozeman
Bremerton Mayor Patty Lent
Port Orchard Mayor Lary Coppola
Rick Tift, executive director for the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility
Mark Moshay of the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace
David Mitchell, Olympic College president
Kathy Cocus, Kitsap Economic Development Alliance
Jim Nall, Paladin Data Systems
David Overton, land owner in South Kitsap Industrial Area
Fred Salisbury, port staff
Chris Case, port staff
Tim Thomson, port staff incoming port CEO
Becky Swanson, port staff
Tayloe Washburn, chair, Washington Aerospace Partnership

Thank you,
Rachel Pritchett

Good morning,

As I stated in an earlier post, I was neither invited nor made aware of a quiet meeting that took place Wednesday at the Port of Bremerton among 16 of the county’s top business and government leaders. The purpose of the meeting was to brainstorm ways to get the attention of The Boeing Co., should it decide to go ahead on a new version of its 737 and need a site in Washington to manufacture it.

Nor was I sent a news release that talked generally about what went on in the meeting, even though I am the only reporter in the Western Hemisphere that covers the Port of Bremerton, and have done so for some time.

I’m not sure why I was bypassed twice. In the wake of the stealth IDD levy to build the Bremerton Marina, port leaders time and again have vowed to enter a new area of transparency to rebuild public trust. But the port’s actions this week in what appears to be to be a twice-demonstrated exclusion of a reporter doesn’t seem transparent at all.

Port CEO Cary Bozeman said it was an oversight in the two days of planning it took to bring all those important people together, and that I would be included in the future.

My first priority today was to make sure no more than one Port of Bremerton commissioner was in attendance, which would have violated state rules for holding a quorum and notifying the public.

Commissioners Roger Zabinski and Larry Stokes told me they were not in attendance, and I’m still waiting to hear back from Bill Mahan. Zabinski said Bozeman invited commissioners one at a time.

Today, I submitted a public documents request to the port asking for a complete list of attendees, as well as the full and complete set of minutes. The port has five business days to respond t my request.

I’ll let you know how the port responds. And I’ll play catch-up on this story, and write more on that, as well.

Thank you,

Rachel Pritchett

By Rachel Pritchet
Kitsap Sun

One of the challenges business writers face is to translate complex economic-development theories like “industry clusters” into everyday language, then convince readers it’s important in everyday life.
I don’t know if I succeeded at that this week when I wrote about Port of Bremerton leaders interested in encouraging clusters of similar industries — maybe in marine or defense contracting — so they can feed and grow off each other. Immediately, the initiative would be to demonstrate to Safe Boats International, LLC that the port, cities and other entities are doing all they can to build a more supportive environment as the security boat builder decides its future.
As I was writing the story, I received notice that a Tacoma-based truck dealership, Cascadia International, LLC, was opening a retail parts outlet in Bremerton.
“Perfect example of an industry-cluster expansion,” I thought.
Cascadia sells and leases big-rig trucks and trailers, as well as box trucks, like those that deliver furniture. Besides Tacoma, it has dealerships in Yakima and in Anchorage and Fairbanks, Alaska.
It recently opened a trucks-parts business inside Skookum Contract Services’ new and much bigger facility on Auto Center Way. Skookum is the homegrown government contractor and labor supplier. Cascadia will supply parts to Skookum’s growing truck repair business.
“We act as their parts department,” Cascadia President Jon Wyman told me.
Cascadia also will offer its $60,000 parts inventory to retail customers.
The area along Auto Center Way has for years been a home for truck distributors, largely because of its location next to Highway 3 that gives them the straightest shot north to the Olympic Peninsula and south to Tacoma, Seattle and Portland, Ore., with the least pedal time.
A Cascadia statement called its expansion “part of a strategic alliance” with Skookum.
I asked Wyman if Cascadia’s entry into Kitsap was the hint of something bigger someday.
“We would love to expand and have a lease and retail business in Kitsap County,” he said.
Is it too much of a stretch to say we’re looking at the start of an expansion of a trucking industry cluster on Auto Center Way, begun by the distributors that were already there, and advanced by the arrival by Skookum and Cascadia? What if Cascadia did open a truck lease-lot in that area? What if its competitors and suppliers followed?
That’s my attempt to further explain how industry clusters grow. It’s important because they hold the potential to create new private-sector jobs.
By the way, look for the vacant car lot at Kitsap Way and Auto Center Way to be filled soon by another car-seller. You’ve heard the name. That’s all I’m saying until I get more detail.
Hey, there’s another example of an industry cluster — all those car lots grouped together, and even the street named after them.

Readers,

I was not invited nor informed by the Port of Bremerton about a summit there today to brainstorm ideas to encourage The Boeing Co. to consider Kitsap for a site to make a new version of the 737. Nor was I directly sent a copy of the resultant news release, even though I’ve been the reporter covering the port for some time now. I asked port CEO why I was excluded. He said he pulled the meeting together in just two days and he “overlooked inviting the press.” Thought you should know. Here’s the news release that someone got to me.
Rachel Pritchett

Bremerton (WA) – Sixteen of Kitsap County’s business and government leaders met today at the Port of Bremerton with a representative of the Washington Aerospace Partnership to discuss how the county could be a serious contender for the next Boeing 737 manufacturing facility.
The brainstorming meeting identified the county’s strengths as a highly skilled, highly educated workforce, available manufacturing-zoned land, an airport, rail, highway and deep-port access, and effective workforce development programs already in place with major employers and Olympic College.
Boeing is said to be considering building a new Boeing 737 manufacturing plant that could accommodate a new version of the highly successful commercial airliner. They have not yet formally announced a competition for the plant, but could do so at any time.
“We analyzed this idea pretty thoroughly,” Port of Bremerton CEO Cary Bozeman said, “and we realized we have everything they need right here. Why not Kitsap County?”
Port officials have also talked with a number of economic development groups about this possibility and are now participating in a weekly update from the Washington Aerospace Partnership.
The brainstorming group also identified several areas where further data or information is needed and will provide that information to the WAP.

Bloggers,

It’s always a challenge for business writers to take a complex economic-development concept like “industry clusters” and translate it into everyday language, and I’m not sure I succeeded in today’s story about the Port of Bremerton interested in the concept.

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2011/may/10/bremerton-port-mulls-145industry-clusters-to/

As I was writing the story, it occurred to me that the beginning of an industry cluster may be occurring right before our eyes. Tacoma-based Cascadia International, LLC, has opened a truck-parts business at the new Skookum Contract Services facility on Auto Center Way. It’s president, Jon Wyman, told me he’d like very much to open a truck sales and leasing operation in Kitsap someday. I’ll write more about this today. There’s nothing like an example to help illustrate a concept.

Rachel Pritchett, 475-3783

Midday Dow at 12,169, down 88 points.

NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks are falling after a slump in oil and metals prices dragged down energy companies and materials producers. The Walt Disney Co. also is dropping after it reported disappointing results, due partly to theme-park closures in Japan.
Oil fell 2.4 percent to $101.34 per barrel. The government reported that supplies of crude and gasoline grew last week. Miner stocks also fell after copper lost 2.4 percent and silver fell 4.8 percent.
Disney’s results reported late Tuesday fell short of expectations, and its stock fell 3.8 percent.
The Dow Jones industrial average is down 62 points, or 0.5 percent, to 12,698 in midday trading Wednesday. The S&P 500 is down 6, or 0.4 percent, to 1,351. The Nasdaq composite is down 6 points, or 0.2 percent, to 2,866.

This excerpt from a wire story today, showing the parent of the Silverdale store had a very good first quarter, fueled by online and in-store sales.

NEW YORK (AP) — Macy’s Inc.’s first-quarter earnings soared and handily beat Wall Street predictions on rising revenue, tight expense controls and its efforts to tailor merchandise by region.
The department store chain, which also operates Bloomingdale’s, also said Wednesday that it is doubling its quarterly dividend and raising its full-year earnings and sales outlook.
Investors were pleased, pushing shares up more than 8 percent in late morning trading.
“The momentum from our restructuring and the implementation of My Macy’s is building and bodes very well for our future,” Chief Financial Officer Karen Hoguet told investors on a conference call.
Macy’s reported net income of $131 million, or 30 cents per share, in the three months ended April 30. That compares with $23 million, or 5 cents per share, in the same quarter last year.
Revenue reached $5.88 billion, up 5.7 percent.
Analysts expected earnings of 18 cents on revenue of $5.89 billion, according to FactSet,
Revenue at stores open at least a year rose 5.4 percent. The measure is a key indicator of a retailer’s health because it excludes stores that opened or closed during the year.
Online revenue for Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s combined surged 38.3 percent in the first quarter. The increase helped boost revenue at stores open at least a year by 1.3 percentage points.

We’re at $4.06 for a gallon of unleaded today, Wednesday, in Kitsap County, up exactly a dollar from a year ago, and up a penny from a week ago, says AAA. But I’m wondering if it will plateau soon and start turning the other way. The following excerpt from a wire story today shows increased supply of gas and oil and falling prices of gas futures, which could fuel a downward trend. Rachel Pritchett, 475-3783

NEW YORK (AP) — Gasoline futures tumbled 6 percent Wednesday after the government reported that the U.S. unexpectedly increased supplies last week.
Analysts expected gasoline supplies to shrink for the 12th week in a row as a rash of operating problems during the past few months idled numerous refineries around America. Energy Information Administration data showed that supplies increased last week by 1.3 million barrels, growing as gasoline demand dropped for the seventh week in a row to 9 million barrels per day.
Gasoline for June delivery dropped after the report, losing 22 cents at $3.1588 per gallon (3.79 liters) on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Gas supplies typically decline in the spring as refineries purge their stocks of winter fuels. This year supplies fell more than expected as fires, power outages and other random problems temporarily knocked refineries out of commission during the past few months. Mississippi River flooding also may affect some refineries, analysts said.
Retail gasoline prices increased as supplies dropped during the past several weeks, flirting with a national average of $4 per gallon (3.79 liters) last week. Pump prices increased overnight for the first time in six days to $3.962 per gallon (3.79 liters). A gallon of regular is 19.2 cents more expensive than a month ago and $1.061 higher than the same time last year.
The government also said oil supplies grew last week by 3.8 million barrels, more than twice as much as what analysts expected. Benchmark crude dropped $2.95, nearly 3 percent, to $100.93 per barrel on the Nymex. In London, Brent crude lost $2.74, more than 2 percent, to $114.89 per barrel on the ICE Futures exchange.

Hi bloggers,

Trader Joe’s sent me a statement today from their corporate headquarters in California, here as the Silverdale Trader Joe’s opening approaches. The statement doesn’t hold much new, but I found it interesting because it shines a little light on the company’s unique presentation of product and marketing strategy.

Looks like they’re going to rely on direct mail for regular advertising. I’m excited to see how that works, because I haven’t really seen grocery stores using direct mail for major advertising in many years. Advertising comes full circle, perhaps.

The tight-lipped company is not telling me how many people will be hired. But applications are being accepted at the store from 9 a.m. to noon and from 2 to 5 p.m. starting this week. Call me anytime.

Rachel Pritchett
475-3783
rpritchett@kitsapsun.com

The statement:
Monrovia, CA – Trader Joe’s, a unique, neighborhood grocery store with foods and beverages from the exotic to the basic, is scheduled to open a new store in Silverdale located at 9991 Mickelberry Road (inside the Mickelberry Plaza). The store is scheduled to open summer and is approximately 13,300 square feet in size.

Trader Joe’s was originally named in recognition of its distinct grocery buying process, because they search the world for great values and distinctive products. Crew members (store employees) consider themselves “traders on the culinary seas.” Crew members sport brightly colored Hawaiian-themed shirts, adding to the light-hearted air of the store.

Many area residents after the store opens can expect to receive a copy of the Trader Joe’s “Fearless Flyer” in their mailboxes. The Fearless Flyer is a somewhat irreverent description of a timely selection of Trader Joe’s products. It’s been called a cross between Consumer Reports and Mad Magazine. Each edition highlights a selection of Trader Joe’s products that the company buyers believe are worthy of customer interest, including comfort foods and items that are organic or have other special attributes.

Trader Joe’s carries an extensive array of domestic and imported foods and beverages including fresh baked artisan breads, Arabica bean coffees, international frozen entrées, 100 percent juices, fresh crop nuts, deli items, and vitamins and supplements, as well as the basics, like milk and eggs – all at honest, low prices.

Trader Joe’s is truly a grocery store unlike any other. Trader Joe’s is a “store of stories,” meaning every item in the store has its own virtues — high quality ingredients, great flavor or simply an extraordinary price — many items often feature all of those qualities. Another significant point of difference, all of Trader Joe’s prices are everyday prices. Trader Joe’s doesn’t have “sales” for a few days, only to hike the prices back up again. Their prices change only when their costs change — there are no fancy promotions, discount cards or couponing wars.

So how does Trader Joe’s offer unique groceries at prices everyone can afford? By offering more than 1000 items under the Trader Joe’s private label, which includes Trader Darwin’s vitamins (For the Survival of the Fittest), Trader José’s salsas, Trader Giotto’s marinara sauces, in addition to specially purchased items.

Also, Trader Joe’s buys differently than other grocers – they purchase from manufacturers, not through distributors. They’ll take a brand name product, take out the preservatives and artificial colors and ingredients, and put it under their Trader Joe’s label to sell it at a real discount.

Trader Joe’s introduces approximately a dozen new items every week, heightening the store’s adventurous appeal. Our buyers travel around the world searching out unique products at great values. In order for an item to be sold in a Trader Joe’s store, it must pass the scrutiny of a discerning tasting panel. Thousands of items are tasted each year to find products that both appeal to the culinary adventurer and microwave aficionado.

Trader Joe’s is a chain of neighborhood grocery stores featuring high quality imported and domestic foods and beverages at honest, low prices. Trader Joe’s (www.traderjoes.com) began in 1958 in the Los Angeles area. Since then, Trader Joe’s has expanded to more than 350 stores in 29 states.