Business In Brief

P&L wins bid at Bangor base

P&L wins bid at Bangor base

P and L General Contractors, Inc., of Oak Harbor was awarded a $5.9 million contract last week for Navy construction.

This contract is for the construction and renovation of a one-story utilities control building which will control and monitor all of the utilities on Naval Base Kitsap Bangor.

The building will receive improvements in functionality and electrical supply, and includes communication stations, allowing operators to communicate with field technicians directly or bring in outside agencies as needed to support the work of keeping our utilities flowing.

The project upgrades hardware and programming at 50 utility sites across Bangor, from high voltage electrical to sanitary sewer; from water systems to compressed air systems.

The contract contains options which could bring the contract value to a total of $6.5 million. Work is expected to be completed by Nov. 2009.

Try beer, wine, at grocery store

A grocery store in Anacortes will be among the first in the state offering beer and wine tasting on premises.

The Washington State Liquor Control Board on Thursday randomly selected the 15 independently owned grocery stores that will participate in a year-long pilot program that allows on-premise wine and beer tastings in 30 grocery stores across the state. The pilot runs from Oct. 1, 2008, to Sept. 30, 2009.

The only announced store participating near Whidbey Island is the Anacortes Food Pavilion, 1519 Commercial Ave. in Anacortes.

In addition to the 15 independently owned stores, 15 stores that are part of four national chains of grocery stores will participate in the pilot. Those locations have not yet been announced.

The Legislature directed the pilot during the 2008 session. The Liquor Board will provide guidance and oversight for the pilot, and will submit a report including findings, complaints and comments about the pilot to the Legislature on Dec. 1, 2009.

A final list of all 30 participating stores will be available soon at www.liq.wa.gov.

Border crossing and business

How important is Canadian border traffic to your business? Lots more than you might think.

Come to the Mount Vernon Chamber of Commerce Membership Luncheon Wednesday, Aug. 27, from 11:30 am to 1 p.m. at the Best Western CottonTree Inn to learn about recent and upcoming border issues and how they will affect you and your business.

The U.S./Canadian border accounts for $1.2 billion in trade each day. Chances are, some of your business comes from Canadian tourists, Canadian suppliers and buyers, or other folks who deal directly with Canada.

When the passport law goes into effect in June 2009, how will your business be impacted?

What are you doing to mitigate these effects?

What do you know about the Enhanced Driver’s License or other passport alternatives?

Ken Opplinger from the Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce and the Businesses for Economic Security, Tourism, and Trade Coalition will address attendees regarding these issues and more.

Please RSVP to Karen at 360-428-8547 or karenm@mountvernonchamber.com.