|
|
|
|
| February 03, 2010 |
 |
|
local news
Foreclosures set January record
It's a new year, but the same story for local foreclosure figures.
Boulder and Broomfield counties reported a record high of foreclosure filings for the month of January, with 130.
The figure was up from the previous January record of 101 filings in 2008. Ninety-eight filings were recorded in January 2009.
Foreclosures typically are filed after borrowers are 75 to 90 days late on their mortgage payments. Those homes haven't necessarily been repossessed yet, but the figures are a good indication of how many households are struggling to pay their bills.
Breaking down January's monthly foreclosures by city, Longmont had the most filings with 50, followed by Boulder with 38 and Broomfield with 23.
|
|
Ellie's sells sustainable caskets
BOULDER - Ellie's Eco Home Store Inc. is entering the green funeral business via partnerships with Nature's Casket and Natural Transitions.
Boulder-based Ellie's will sell Longmont-based Nature's Casket's caskets that are made from Colorado beetle-kill pine. The caskets, which are 100-percent biodegradable, are made in a facility that's powered with wind credits.
The caskets won't be available in stores - they will only be offered on the company's Web site.
"It's not something you just put in a store like lip balm," he said.
The eco store is also promoting Boulder-based Natural Transitions if people inquire about funeral arrangements. Natural Transitions is a funeral consulting company focused on sustainability.
Steve Savage, president and founder of Ellie's, said the funeral business is typically a wasteful industry, so working with sustainable companies is a natural fit.
|
|
Whole Foods teams with BIC
BOULDER - Whole Foods Market has signed on to be an entrepreneurial sponsor for the Boulder Innovation Center's Natural and Organic Program.
New and early stage companies in the program receive customized assistance designed to help them overcome the roadblocks and obstacles encountered while growing a business. Whole Foods Market will work closely with the innovation center to support member companies' natural product growth and development.
"Boulder has always been at the epicenter of the natural and organic industry," said Tim Bour, executive director of the center. "Numerous companies and products have gotten their start in Boulder for one simple reason: We are a community that encourages and supports innovation and creativity. Despite the economic downturn, the organic and natural sector continues to thrive.
"Having Whole Foods, arguably the world's most successful retailer in this space, come on board and partner with the BIC network and resources will go a long way to support Boulder's vital entrepreneurial community."
The Boulder Innovation Center's network of mentors and advisers provides assistance to companies in a variety of industries. For more information, visit www.boulderinnovationcenter.com.
|
|
SBDC presents Contract Opportunities Fair
BOULDER - The Boulder Small Business Development Center and the city of Boulder will conduct a daylong Contract Opportunities Fair on Wednesday, Feb. 17.
The fair will include information to help connect local small- and mid-size businesses with federal, state and corporate contracting organizations.
The fair will be from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research's Center Green campus in Boulder.
U.S. Congressman Jared Polis will share an update of new and pending legislation in Washington that may impact Colorado businesses. Four morning breakout panels include government and corporate contracting representatives, large prime contractors and best practices to reach the right people to win contracts.
Luncheon speakers Greg Lopez, district director of the U.S. Small Business Administration and Don Marostica, director of the Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade. They will discuss the importance of small business and share federal and state programs and opportunities available to assist small- and mid-sized businesses.
A panel called "Stimulus: Understanding and Benefiting from the Recovery Act," moderated by DeAnne Butterfield, executive director of CO-LABS, includes discussion with Maranda Pleau, director of Small Business Outreach at the Colorado Governor's Economic Recovery Team; Tim Heaton, co-founder of Coolerado Inc. and others.
Attendees will learn how to find out about stimulus-funded contract opportunities and the process used by the state of Colorado for those projects, what it takes to win a competitive grant, and a case study of a small business' experience working on a grant from the U.S Department of Energy.
Two final presentations are by Colorado's new Procurement Technical Assistance Center and the SBA on beneficial certifications available for minority, women-owned and other small businesses. Attendees can sign up for one-on-one, 10-minute appointments with specific contracting organizations.
"We are thrilled to produce this fair as we are confident it will result in increased business activity for Colorado small- and mid-size businesses seeking contract work," said Sharon King, director of the Boulder SBDC. "There is a lot of money out there and we've found that many business owners aren't aware of the best methods of tapping into those resources. Our goal is to help businesses make connections and fill gaps."
Event sponsors include the city of Boulder, the SBDC Network, Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, CO-LABS, Global Sales Advisors, Boulder Chamber, Latino Chamber of Commerce of Boulder County, Colorado Enterprise Fund, Boulder County Business Report and Copy Experts.
Cost to attend is $79 and includes lunch. Register online at www.bouldersbdc.com. |
|
Community Calendar
The Broomfield Chamber presents Goal Setting for 2010 from 8:30 to 10 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 5, at the chamber office, 2095 W. Sixth Ave. in Broomfield. Jerry Chesser, a certified business coach, will be presenting from 8:30 to 9:15 a.m., and a discussion will follow. Admission is free. For more information, call 303-466-1775 or visit www.broomfieldchamber.com and click on events.
The St Vrain Valley School District is hosting a Technology Fair from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 6, at Trial Ridge Middle School, 1000 Button Rock Drive in Longmont. The fair will include project judging, public viewing and awards. For more information, visit http://techfair.stvrain.k12.co.us.
|
|
|
|
©2010 Boulder County Business Report. All rights reserved.
This service is provided on BCBR's standard Terms & Conditions.
Read our Privacy Policy.
|
|
 |
Stocks
|
 |
|
