KBNW Business Briefs For 07/16/14

Business BriefsBEND, OR — Roughly one year after acquiring Carrera Motors, Kendall Auto Group has purchased two more Bend car dealerships.  The Eugene-based Kendall has purchased the Mercedes-Benz and Toyota/Scion dealerships for an undisclosed amount of money, according to the Bend Bulletin.  Kendall Auto Group has over two dozen dealerships in Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Alaska.

The United Way of Deschutes County announced Tuesday a funding plan for 2014-15 that invests $1,025,918 in a range of essential community services provided by local non-profit agencies.  Focusing on four key areas of community need the Community Impact Committee directed more than $210,000 to United Way partner agencies that provide food, shelter and other basic need services; approximately $167,000 will go to programs that address issues of child and family violence.  More than $205,000 will go to programs for healthy development of children and youth.

Over 70 Oregon businesses, including Adidas, eBay, Moda Health, Nike and Portland Trailblazers issued a joint declaration Tuesday, calling for state action on climate change.  The Oregon Business Climate Declaration highlights opportunities to spur local economic development and job creation while curbing carbon pollution.

Oregon’s timber harvest topped 4 billion board feet last year, the first time it has reached that level since 2006.  State figures released Tuesday show the 4.2 billion board feet harvested in 2013 represents a 12% increase from the year before and marks the fourth consecutive year of increases since the recession low of 2.7 billion board feet in 2009.  The state Department of Forestry said in its annual harvest report that the increase can be chalked up to a strong export market and a domestic housing recovery.

Intel sales jumped nearly 8% during the recent quarter.  That marks the strongest year-over-year growth for Intel since 2011.  The world’s largest chipmaker said it now expects revenue to grow 5 % this year.

Despite recent sizable job gains, Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen is signaling that her agency is in no rush to withdraw the massive support it is providing the U.S. economy.  Extra caution is warranted, she said Tuesday, given a number of “false dawns” in this recovery when a hoped-for acceleration in growth has failed to materialize.

If you see local news happen, call the Horizon Broadcasting Group News Tip Hotline at 541-323-NEWS, or email us.

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Veterans Appreciation Day

Join us for a heartfelt day dedicated to honoring and celebrating our veterans at Veterans Appreciation Day! This special event is designed to show gratitude to those who have served while raising funds to support local veterans

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Researchers Survey Health of Forests

If you look up this month and see a slow-flying plane crisscrossing the skies over Oregon it’s likely just researchers looking for signs of damage in Oregon forests from insect pests and other threats. The Pacific Northwest

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Bend Chamber Announces Interim CEO

The Bend Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce Sara Odendahl as the Interim CEO. Sara is the Chamber’s Director of Government Relations and Strategic Initiatives and will shift her role to take the helm of the Chamber after Katy

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Crews Make Progress On Alder Springs Fire

Wildland fire crews made great progress on the Alder Springs Fire Wednesday, increasing containment and securing the perimeter up to 50 feet around the entire fire. Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) task forces continued their structure protection