Tag Archives: Economic Development

Business, Finance, Occupation & Industry

Saba Customers Recognized as 2013 Computerworld Honors Laureate

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By Business Wirevia The Motley Fool

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Saba Customers Recognized as 2013 Computerworld Honors Laureate

Program Celebrates Global Companies’ Use of Saba’s Social and Learning Platform to Advance Collaboration, Economic Development and Philanthropy

REDWOOD SHORES, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Saba (OTC Pink: SABA), the premier provider of people-centric enterprise solutions, announced today that three of its customers have been named Laureates of IDG‘s 2013 Computerworld Honors Program. The annual award program honors visionary applications of information technology promoting positive social, economic and educational change.

“It’s wonderful to see our customers receive recognition for their achievements and commitment to developing people and promoting change,” said Emily He, senior vice president, marketing at Saba. “An honor such as this reminds us how great of an impact our customers’ goodwill can have and why Saba continues to develop solutions designed to aid our customers in their pursuit of transforming not only their organizations but also their communities.”

The 2013 Computerworld Honors program has recognized three Saba customers:

  • SMART Technologies has been named a laureate in the philanthropy category for its online anti-bullying training courses, which are built upon the Saba people development platform. These courses empower caregivers with the social technology skills needed to educate young people about how to prevent and respond to cyberbullying.
  • Schools of Isolated and Distance Education in Western Australia, selected as a laureate in the collaboration category, was acknowledged for its advanced eLearning and virtual classroom program using Saba Classroom. The program enables children from one of the world’s least densely populated regions to take interactive lessons and complete their education remotely.
  • Liebherr Mining Equipment Newport News Co. has been chosen as a laureate for the category of economic development based on its use of Saba. Together, Liebherr Mining and Saba provide global and diverse technical training to members of its industrial workforce, such as product support field service technicians, in very rural and remote parts of the world.

“Technology continues to play a pivotal role in transforming how business and society functions. For the past 25 years, the Computerworld Honors Program has had the privilege of celebrating …read more

Source: FULL ARTICLE at DailyFinance

Business, Finance, Occupation & Industry

Nordson Corporation Named Manufacturer of the Year by State of Georgia

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By Business Wirevia The Motley Fool

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Nordson Corporation Named Manufacturer of the Year by State of Georgia

  • Technical College System of Georgia and the georgia Department of Economic Development host prestigious award ceremony

WESTLAKE, Ohio–(BUSINESS WIRE)– As part of its Manufacturing Appreciation Week, the state of Georgia has recognized Nordson Corporation’s (NAS: NDSN) Swainsboro manufacturing facility as its mid-size manufacturer of the year. The prestigious award was presented to Nordson by Georgia Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle during ceremonies in Atlanta yesterday hosted by the Technical College System of Georgia and the Georgia Department of Economic Development.

The award is based on multiple criteria including economic impact on the community and surrounding area, corporate responsibility and community involvement programs, workforce excellence, and letters of support. Nordson operates two facilities in the state in the cities of Swainsboro and Johns Creek. The facilities support the company’s adhesive dispensing systems segment, which manufactures precision equipment used in a wide variety of consumer packaging, nonwovens and general product assembly applications.

“We are extremely honored to accept this award. Georgia is a great place to do business and we’ve been operating in the state for more than 23 years,” said Jim DeVries, Nordson’s Corporate Vice President of Global Continuous Improvement. “Due to the tremendous growth of our business, we opened a new expanded facility in Swainsboro last year just miles away from our previous facility. The City of Swainsboro, the Swainsboro Chamber of Commerce and the local Joint Development Authority have always been great partners and they were instrumental in making this new facility a reality. As a result of this strong partnership, the Swainsboro workforce has tripled to over 180 workers, many of whom were hired through Georgia‘s Quickstart program. It is the hard work of all our employees in both our Swainsboro and John’s Creek facilities that continues to drive the success of Nordson as well as the continued success of the state of Georgia.

“I’d also like to point out that a successful business climate can, in turn, impact the quality of life in the surrounding community,” continued DeVries. “Every year, Nordson donates millions of dollars to charities, and, just as importantly, our employees donate thousands of hours through our Time and Talent program. Much of that investment happens right here in the state of Georgia through partnerships with organizations like the Sunshine House, Safe …read more

Source: FULL ARTICLE at DailyFinance

News, Politics, Government

The Future Of China's Luxury Auto Market

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By Kenneth Rapoza, Contributor

Within seven years, China will outstrip the United States to become the world’s leading market for premium cars.  It already beat the U.S. for top auto market in general in 2009. The Organisation for Economic Development and Cooperation said last week that China would overtake the U.S. as the world’s leading economy by 2016.  No doubt about it, when it comes to being big: China is fast becoming the new biggest. Niche auto markets are no different. On the luxury end, China drivers are going to be starting soon from the pole position. “In the U.S. auto market, the American version of luxury is a little different than the Chinese,” says Hans Werner Kaas, a 22 year veteran of McKinsey & Company.  He leads their U.S. auto practice in Detroit.  “If you have a fully equipped Ford Explorer with all the bells and whistles, you’ve got a luxury vehicle.” Around 14% of the cars sold in the U.S. are considered to be premium vehicles. In China last year it was around 9%. “The luxury segment in China is dominated by the traditional German high-end car makers. It’s Mercedes Benz, BMW and Audi on the roads in Shanghai,” says McKinsey partner Sha Sha in Shanghai. Where’s this market heading? With under 10% penetration, it has at least 40% upside before it comes close to the U.S. today. By 2020, China will be selling around three million luxury cars while the U.S. will be selling around 2.3 million, according to a McKinsey report published last month. In the 16 page report, written by Sha Sha and two colleagues, their Asian automotive practice forecast China’s premium car market to grow at an annual rate of 12% over the next seven, compared with 8% for the overall passenger car market there. China‘s total luxury auto market will equal that of all of Western Europe by then. In fact, if all goes swimmingly well with China‘s 12th Five Year Plan — no hard landings, no economic turmoil pulling the rug out from under China in Europe and U.S. — then China could just as well overtake the United States as the largest premium car market in three years. Trading Up China‘s young professionals are earning more than their parents ever dreamed of. They grew up frugal, mainly out of necessity. But now they have extra money to spend.  The one child policy means Chinese families have more money to pass down to their young children. The roads they drive on may be crowded in cities like Beijing, and the roads full of potholes in second and third tier cities, but Chinese consumers are giving up their bikes for cars. As incomes rise, they are giving up their Buicks — the most popular American vehicle sold in the country — for Land Rovers, Jags and German luxury.  Premium cars accounted for just 24,000 units in 2000 and over a million in 2012. At a time when the luxury vehicle market is stalling in the U.S. and Europe, China is becoming …read more
Source: FULL ARTICLE at Forbes Latest

Business, Finance, Occupation & Industry

SolarCity to Expand to Nevada

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By Business Wirevia The Motley Fool

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SolarCity to Expand to Nevada

Leading Distributed Energy Provider Expects to Create Hundreds of Jobs in Las Vegas area

LAS VEGAS–(BUSINESS WIRE)– SolarCity® (NAS: SCTY) , a leading provider of clean energy, announced that it plans to open a new location in Nevada, and expects to create hundreds of jobs in the state in the next several years. SolarCity’s expansion is due in large part to the efforts of Governor Brian Sandoval and the Nevada Office of Economic Development.

“The approval today of SolarCity’s Catalyst Fund application, represents the successful collaborative effort that took place between local, regional and state economic development agencies,” Governor Brian Sandoval said. “I am excited to welcome SolarCity to the Nevada family.”

The new location will initially house new expansions of key administrative divisions, including portions of the company’s sales, asset management and customer care groups. SolarCity’s first solar projects in the state are also underway—the company is building more than 100 solar projects in Nevada housing communities in partnership with Shea Homes.

“SolarCity is changing the way families and businesses across the country can benefit from clean energy and I am pleased that such an innovative company is coming to Nevada,” said Nevada Senator Harry Reid. “I was able to help pass an eight-year extension of the federal tax credits for residential and commercial solar installations in 2008 which has been instrumental in creating jobs across Nevada and the nation. I hope that SolarCity’s expansion will help Nevada create the regulatory and business certainty needed to continue to take advantage of Nevada’s abundant solar energy resources.”

Nevada receives among the greatest amount of direct sunlight of any state in the U.S. Though Nevada hosts a handful of large solar power plants, the state’s potential for distributed residential and commercial solar power generation is largely untapped and has tremendous room for growth.

“With its solar resource, Nevada has an opportunity to be a national leader in distributed renewable power generation,” said Lyndon Rive, CEO of SolarCity. “We expect today’s announcement to initially create more than 100 jobs, but a sustainable local solar industry could create thousands of jobs. We hope to partner with the state and industry to create the business and regulatory certainty that can pave the way for a thriving local solar economy.”

SolarCity is currently scouting locations in Nevada and expects to begin hiring soon. Candidates can email SolarCity directly about employment opportunities in Nevada at …read more
Source: FULL ARTICLE at DailyFinance

Business, Finance, Occupation & Industry

NuStar GP Holdings Announces Election of New Director

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By Business Wirevia The Motley Fool

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NuStar GP Holdings Announces Election of New Director

SAN ANTONIO–(BUSINESS WIRE)– The board of directors of NuStar GP Holdings (NYS: NSH) has nominated Jelynne LeBlanc Burley for a position on the company’s board. The election will occur at the company’s Annual Meeting of Unitholders at 10:30 a.m. (CT) Wednesday, April 24 at NuStar’s corporate office at 19003 IH-10 West in San Antonio.

Burley is Executive Vice President-Corporate Support Services and Chief Administrative Officer of CPS Energy, the nation’s largest municipally owned energy company providing both natural gas and electric service to the San Antonio area.

“Jelynne will be a great asset to our board because of her experience in the energy industry, her strong leadership skills and her sound business judgment,” said Bill Greehey, chairman of the board of NuStar GP Holdings. “As NuStar undertakes its most ambitious plan for growth, Jelynne’s experience overseeing strategic planning, developing and managing budgets, leading multi-million-dollar construction projects, and managing hundreds of employees will be invaluable.”

Burley joined CPS in 2008 as Senior Vice President & Chief Administrative Officer, and was subsequently named Acting General Manager and promoted to her current position as Executive Vice President & CAO. During her tenure, Burley has helped ensure the utility company’s future viability, prosperity and long-term success in terms of financial strength, environmental stewardship and community support by helping to establish strategic partnerships and alliances. A few of her achievements include helping to set the organization’s new strategic direction, re-establishing a stable outlook from the bond rating agencies, strengthening public trust in the utility, and obtaining unanimous approval for a new rate structure.

Prior to joining CPS, Burley spent nearly 25 years in various leadership positions with the City of San Antonio, which is the 7th largest city in the U.S. She spent six years serving as Assistant City Manager and then Deputy City Manager where she directed everything from Planning & Development, Public Works and International Affairs, to Economic Development, Information Services and Housing and Neighborhood Services.

Before joining the City Manager’s Office, Burley served as the city’s Director of Facilities Planning and Construction, and she held positions of increasing responsibility in project management and budget and management.

She serves on the board of directors of the National Forum for Black Public Administrators, and she’s a current board member and past president, secretary and treasurer of Urban Management Assistants of South Texas. She’s also involved with the American Public Power Association, the Large Public Power Council, …read more
Source: FULL ARTICLE at DailyFinance