Manufacturing technology consumption up 26%

The total was down 40.3 percent from December but up 26.2 percent from the total reported for January 2009. (read more)

Casey: Expand mortgage assistance program to include Pennsylvania

Casey urges inclusion in mortgage relief program

The $1.5 billion for the program has been allocated from the Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP) to provide housing assistance for the unemployed in select states, excluding Pennsylvania. (read more)

Retail container traffic up 13% in March

One TEU is one 20-foot cargo container or its equivalent.

Hackett Associates founder, Ben Hackett said the U.S. economy appears to be in true recovery rather than the mid-point upswing of a double-dip recession. “We are in a cautious but sustained growth cycle,” Hackett said. (read more)

Consumers identify most valuable elements of new CARD Act

CARD Act’s limit on interest rate increases wins overwhelming approval (read more)

Treasurer: Statewide payday lending alternative protects consumers from predatory lending

Announcing the latest results of the only statewide payday lending alternative, Treasurer McCord touted the fact that during its short history, the 'Better Choice' program has kept nearly $10 million in interest and fees in the wallets of Pennsylvanians. (read more)

Six macro trends that now dominate state politics

There is a pressure for reform not felt in Harrisburg in years. Should a general constitutional convention be convened, it would be the first in nearly a century and a half. (read more)

Pa. small businesses 'being choked' by health care costs

Health care wasn't the only concern. More than half of businesses say they're either severely or moderately challenged by the cost of labor, salary and benefits, including workers' and unemployment compensation. (read more)

Manufacturing technology consumption up 26%

Casey: Expand mortgage assistance program to include Pennsylvania

Retail container traffic up 13% in March

Consumers identify most valuable elements of new CARD Act

                Treasurer: Statewide payday lending alternative protects consumers from predatory lending

              

Six macro trends that now dominate state politics

Pa. small businesses 'being choked' by health care costs

Retailers, restaurants expect a truly 'green' holiday

Retailers and restaurants might have a little more luck o’ the Irish this St. Patrick’s Day. According to the National Retail Federation, celebrants will spend an average of $33.05 on decorations, party favors and green attire, up slightly from $32.80 last year. Total spending is expected to reach $3.44 billion.

Small Business Spotlight

SBA women-owned business proposes rule changes

SBA proposes women-owned small business rule to expand access to federal contracting opportunities

This rule is aimed at providing greater opportunities for WOSBs to compete for federal contracts, while achieving the existing statutory goal that 5 percent of federal contracting dollars go to women-owned small businesses. (read more)

SBA women-owned business proposes rule changes

People

Makowski joins Borton-Lawson as VP

Borton-Lawson announced that Atty. Thomas A. Makowski has joined the firm as vice president of business development and marketing. He will be responsible for leading the firm-wide business development and marketing efforts. (read more)

For the record

Wilkes-Barre builder wins statewide award

Joseph Peterson of Hanover Homes North Corporation in Wilkes-Barre was awarded the Pennsylvania Builder Association’s Builder of the Year award Feb. 26 during the association’s President’s Installation Banquet at the Hilton. This is one of the association’s highest awards. (read more)

Economy/Finance

Can't pay your taxes by April 15? Know your options

If you cannot pay your tax bill by midnight on April 15, and you make no other arrangements, the IRS will obviously consider your payment, or lack of, as late. (read more)

Education/Healthcare

President announces crack down on Medicare, Medicaid waste, fraud

New effort recoups taxpayer dollars through the use of payment recapture audits, which offer specialized private auditors financial incentives to root out improper payments, and have been demonstrated through pilot programs to be highly effective. (read more)

Pa. small businesses 'being choked' by health care costs

President announces crack down on Medicare, Medicaid waste, fraud

Manufacturing technology consumption up 26%

Casey: Expand mortgage assistance program to include Pennsylvania

Retail container traffic up 13% in March

Consumers identify most valuable elements of new CARD Act

Treasurer: Statewide payday lending alternative protects consumers from predatory lending

Six macro trends that now dominate state politics

Pa. small businesses 'being choked' by health care costs

Retailers, restaurants expect a truly 'green' holiday

SBA proposes women-owned small business rule to expand access to federal contracting opportunities

Makowski joins Borton-Lawson as VP

Wilkes-Barre builder wins statewide award

Can't pay your taxes by April 15? Know your options

President announces crack down on Medicare, Medicaid waste, fraud

When will the commercial real estate market recover?

Dress C.A.S.U.A.L. for a good cause on March 25

Top 25 Women in Business

POLL

Should the next state budget include a severance tax on natural gas?