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About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 9, 2016)
Page 8A BUSINESS East Oregonian Saturday, January 9, 2016 U.S. employers hire at blistering pace, defying global trends “People are consuming things that aren’t things, like data plans, restaurant meals, health care and entertainment,” Logan said. WASHINGTON — American “The international turmoil can be employers added a robust 292,000 shrugged off to some extent.” jobs in December, suggesting that Sam Rothschild, chief operating the U.S. economy is so far defying RI¿FH IRU 6OLP &KLFNHQV D UHVWDX- global weakness and growing rant chain in Fayetteville, Arkansas, solidly. with 30 locations, says it plans The strong hiring underscores to open 20 restaurants this year, the resilience of the United States at creating about 800 jobs. DWLPHRI¿QDQFLDOWXUPRLOVWHPPLQJ <HW LW¶V EHFRPH KDUGHU WR ¿QG from China’s slowing economy and workers, particularly in areas where plummeting stock market. Most unemployment has fallen as low as economists expect U.S. consumer 2 percent, as in parts of Nebraska spending to continue to offset and Oklahoma. The company raised overseas weakness, though many pay as much as 10 percent last year foresee only modest U.S. growth. in those areas. In its monthly jobs report Friday, “That’s what you need to do to the Labor Department said the attract employees in these markets,” unemployment rate was 5 percent in Rothschild says. December for a third straight month. Industries that are focused on More Americans started looking for domestic, rather than overseas, jobs and found them. demand also hired robustly in The government also said December: Construction added employers added a combined 45,000 jobs, likely in part because 50,000 more jobs in October and of unusually warm weather. Profes- November than it had previously sional and business services, which estimated. For the July-September quarter, hiring averaged 284,000 a At the same time, Friday’s solid For all of 2015, employers added includes accountants, engineers, month — the best three-month pace jobs report could make it more 2.65 million jobs, a monthly average and architects as well as lower-paid in a year. likely that the Federal Reserve will of 221,000. That made 2015 the temporary workers, added 73,000. That is helping offset weak gains Even as many more jobs have further raise rates after announcing second-best year for hiring since in manufacturing, which added been added, the unemployment LWV¿UVWLQFUHDVHLQQHDUO\DGHFDGH 1999, after 2014. rate has held at 5 percent for the last month. Steady hiring would “2015 went out with a mega- just 8,000 jobs last month and past three months because nearly 1 reduce the supply of people seeking bang,” says Patrick O’Keefe, only 30,000 last year, down from million more Americans have begun jobs, which could lead to higher pay director of economic research at the 215,000 in 2014. Even as demand for workers seeking jobs since September. DQGSRVVLEO\KHOSOLIWLQÀDWLRQFORVHU FRQVXOWLQJ ¿UP &RKQ5H]QLFN ³,W 7KDWLQÀX[KDVNHSWWKHQXPEHURI to the Fed’s 2 percent target. speaks to the underlying strength of grew, average pay slipped a penny unemployed nearly unchanged at Many economists expect the Fed the domestic economy. The United in December to $25.24 an hour. Still, 7.9 million. to raise its benchmark rate three State is intertwined with the inter- average pay has risen 2.5 percent in A resilient U.S. economy will times this year. Stuart Hoffman, national economy but to a far lesser the past year, only the second time since the Great Recession ended likely help some other countries by chief economist at PNC Financial degree than many other countries.” drawing in more imports, especially Services, says the robust jobs data O’Keefe noted that global trade in mid-2009 that it’s reached that as the higher-valued dollar holds means the next increase will likely accounts for only about 30 percent level. At the same time, pay growth down the prices of foreign goods. be in March. of U.S. economic activity, one of remains below the roughly 3.5 The World Bank said this week that Still, the jobs report contained the lowest such percentages in the percent pace typical of a healthy economy. Mexico and emerging markets in QRVLJQVRILQÀDWLRQ7KDWOHGRWKHU world. For months, U.S. employers Central America should fare better economists such as Alan Levenson Kevin Logan, chief U.S. econo- than the rest of South America at T. Rowe Price to say that Fed mist at HSBC, says U.S. factories have hired steadily even as global because of their proximity to the RI¿FLDOVPD\QHHGWRVHHSULFHVULVH remain vulnerable to slowing global JURZWK KDV ÀDJJHG DQG ¿QDQFLDO healthier U.S. economy. further before raising rates again. growth. But manufacturing makes markets have sunk. Still, stumbling Still, the effect could be limited U.S. stocks rose modestly after up less than 9 percent of U.S. growth in countries like China, the if Americans’ spending remains the jobs report was issued. The Dow employment. Many factories are world’s second-largest economy, concentrated in services — from Jones industrial average was up now highly automated and don’t DQG¿QDQFLDOPDUNHWWXUPRLOPLJKW restaurants to health care — rather about 24 points in late morning after employ as many people as they used pose long-term challenges for the U.S. economy. than factory goods. falling sharply all week. to. By CHRISTOPHER S. RUGABER AP Economics Writer Wash. to require transparency on aerospace tax breaks SEATTLE (AP) — Boeing and hundreds of other aerospace ¿UPV LQ:DVKLQJWRQ ZLOO KDYH WR publicly disclose savings from some of their biggest tax breaks by early May. The state Department of Revenue has reversed its previous decision on the issue, which said the companies would not have to reveal their tax savings for a decade, reported the Seattle Times. The Seattle Times had challenged the tax agency’s interpretation of a tax-incentive transparency law passed in 2013. In a letter sent to the newspaper this week, the agency’s assistant director of taxpayer services said it reconsidered the Times’ appeal and will require disclosures begin- ning this year. The department said it has noti- ¿HG %RHLQJ DQG RWKHU DHURVSDFH ¿UPV WKDW WKH\ PXVW GLVFORVH WKHLU EHQH¿WV IRU DQG E\HDUO\0D\6LPLODU¿OLQJVZLOO then be required annually. In a 2013 special session, the state Legislature approved a suite of tax incentives aimed at Boeing and the aerospace sector. They were meant to ensure that the 777X was produced in Everett. Most of the tax breaks were ¿UVW DSSURYHG LQ DQG VHW WR expire in 2024, but the new legis- lation extended them until 2040. Boeing said Thursday that Washington’s aerospace tax incen- tives have been a success. “Any objective analysis will show that these incentives have generated hundreds of millions of dollars in taxes to the state while providing economic opportunities and improving quality of life for hundreds of thousands of Wash- ington residents,” said a statement provided by spokeswoman Deborah Feldman. “We look forward to an open discussion of their value.” Sen. Reuven Carlyle, a Seattle Democrat, applauded the agency’s decision. Like most state legis- lators, he supported the 2013 tax incentive package. But Carlyle and other critics say lawmakers and the public should be able to evaluate company-spe- FL¿FLQIRUPDWLRQDERXWWD[EUHDNV when making policy choices. “There is no question there is a new default in this state and the default is openness and trans- parency rather than secrecy,” said Carlyle. Campbell says it supports federal standard for GMO labeling “They’re going for as little as they can,” Simon said. If a federal labeling standard isn’t NEW YORK — Campbell established in a “reasonable amount Soup says it supports a mandatory of time,” Campbell says it will work national labeling standard for prod- independently to disclose the pres- XFWVFRQWDLQLQJJHQHWLFDOO\PRGL¿HG ence of GMOs in its products. The company did not specify a timeline ingredients. The maker of Pepperidge for doing so. *HQHWLFDOO\ PRGL¿HG VHHGV Farm cookies, Prego sauces and Spaghetti-Os says it will withdraw are engineered in laboratories to its support from various efforts have certain traits, like resistance opposing such labeling, which has to herbicides. The majority of the become a contested issue in recent country’s corn and soybean crop years. The move marks a break from LV QRZ JHQHWLFDOO\ PRGL¿HG ZLWK industry groups that have sought to much of that going to animal feed. Corn and soybeans are also made make labeling voluntary. About three-quarters of Camp- into popular processed food ingre- bell’s products contain GMOs. The dients like high-fructose corn syrup, company has opposed a patch- corn starch and soybean oil. The food industry says about work of state-by-state legislation that it believes would confuse 75 percent to 80 percent of foods FRQWDLQ JHQHWLFDOO\ PRGL¿HG customers. States have tried to address the ingredients. The Food and Drug issue on their own and Vermont Administration has said that GMOs passed legislation requiring food are safe. Still, the number of products makers to disclose when certain products contain genetically stamped with a voluntary “non- PRGL¿HG LQJUHGLHQWV E\ -XO\ %XW GMO” label from a third-party industry groups want to pre-empt group has proliferated as the issue such efforts with federal legislation has gained attention. The label, that would make disclosures volun- which is displayed on the front of tary, said Michele Simon, a public packages, has become a marketing tool in some cases, Simon noted. health lawyer. By CANDICE CHOI AP Food Industry Writer ANNUAL CHECK UP BRIEFLY Free seminar highlights business branding HERMISTON — Business and organizations can learn more about the importance of branding during a free seminar. Branding a business helps a business in portraying a message to its targeted consumers. Topics during the seminar include making a positive impression, how to show your business in a positive light and how to establish an edge over competition. The free branding seminar is Thursday from 8:30-9:30 a.m. at the Hermiston Conference Center, 415 S. Highway 395. For more information, contact 541-567-6151, kelly@ hermistonchamber.com or visit www.hermistonchamber.com. Pendleton Whisky rides into PBR HOOD RIVER — Pendleton Whisky has been FKRVHQDVWKHRI¿FLDOZKLVN\ for the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) BlueDEF Tour for 2016 and 2017. Hood River Distillers, Inc., the largest and oldest importer, distiller, producer and bottler RIGLVWLOOHGVSLULWVLQWKH3DFL¿F Northwest, recently made the announcement. “We are thrilled to partner with the PBR over the next two years,” said Tia Bledsoe, senior brand manager. “As a brand created to capture and celebrate the bold spirit of the American cowboy and cowgirl, this is a great opportunity for Pendleton Whisky to support a prominent organization that aligns perfectly with our values and mission.” $VWKHRI¿FLDOZKLVN\WKH brand will be visible through signs and announcements, rights at pre- and post-event parties, live-streaming broadcasts and retail promotions in select markets. The PBR features top bull riders in the world competing against each other on national TV. The 2016 BlueDEF Tour visits 25 cities across the country, including Oregon and Washington stops in Yakima on Jan. 23 and Portland on )HE7KH¿QDOVDUH2FW 28-30 in Las Vegas. For more information about Pendleton Whisky, visit www. pendletonwhisky.com, and for more about the PBR, go to www.pbr.com. Two local businesses celebrate anniversaries HERMISTON — Hors d’ oeuvres and local wine samples are featured in the upcoming anniversaries of a pair of Hermiston businesses. The public is invited to stop by as Home Town Mortgage Group celebrates its third anniversary and Real Business Solutions, LLC marks two years. The event is Wednesday, Jan. 20 from 5-8:30 p.m. at 505 E. Main St., Hermiston. For more information, call 541-564-5900 or 541-567- 0869. ——— Business briefs are compiled from staff and wire reports, and press releases. Email press releases to business@eastoregonian.com Foot Screening Essential For All People With Diabetes Advice From Podiatric Physicians At APMA Every year patients with diabetes should get a foot health check-up to avoid the dire consequences of this often debilitating disease. Amputation of toes, feet or legs are sometimes the tragic consequence of poor circulation or foot ulcers that could have been treated, easily, with early diagnosis. Each year, more than 67,000 lower limbs are amputated due to complications from diabetes. It is estimated that five to fifteen percent of all people with diabetes will undergo that kind of amputation in their life. Seventy to eighty percent of those amputations proceeded from chronic foot ulcers. Diabetes is a systemic disease affecting many different parts of the body, ideal case management requires a team of medical specialists: the podiatric physician is an integral member of the team. The keys to preventing diabetes-related amputation is regular foot screenings and patient education/involvement. The patient should know to watch for certain warning signs of poor circulation: change in skin color, open foot sores (ulcers), foot sores slow in healing, elevation in skin temperature, foot or ankle swelling, leg pain, ingrown and fungal toenails, bleeding corn or callus, and/ or dry cracks in heel skin. With any of these signs, they should see their podiatric, or family physician for treatment. As part of their mission, each November, the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) tries to highlight the critical role foot health screening can play in improving the quality of life for those suffering from diabetes. For more information on avoiding diabetic foot complications, call Dr. Clarke or Dr. Hampton or visit the APMA website at www.apma.org. S TACEY J. C LARKE , DPM & T RAVIS T. H AMPTON , DPM Pendleton Medical Center Suite 11 • Pendleton, OR 97801 (541) 963-0265 • (888) 843-9090 Also Seeing Patients in La Grande
