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Whether youre a risk taker or a more conservative saver, retirement planning should be a top priority. Taking charge of your savings, regardless of your life stage or savings style, can help to ensure you get to and through retirement and live the lifestyle you think is right for you. If you have an employer-sponsored retirement plan, experts say that you can benefit by taking a closer look at your account to explore ways to combat risk and protect savings for the future. No matter what kind of saver you are, connecting with a retirement consultant or financial professional can help restore confidence in your retirement plan, says Chuck Cornelio, President of Retirement Plan Services at Lincoln Financial Group. These individuals will review your risk preferences, as well as whats available within your plan to help you map out a path to retirement that is right for you. Consider the following five tips that can help you manage risk and volatility within an employer-sponsored account, like a 401(k) or 403(b): Know your plan: Many options within an employer-sponsored plan are designed to offer capital protection and volatility management. Some can accommodate changing

Retirement plan tips for conservative savers

BusinessJournal
THE
September 2013

OF WEST CENTRAL OHIO

(AP) The financially struggling U.S. Postal Service is revamping its priority mail program to raise revenue and drive new growth in its package delivery business. The agency is now offering free online tracking for priority mail shipments, free insurance and date-specific delivery so customers know whether a package will arrive in one, two or three days. Postal officials said they expect the changes to generate more than $500 million in new annual revenue. The changes including redesigned boxes and envelopes are already in effect. The improvements come as the Postal Service is reeling from losses this year totaling $3.9 billion. The agency has been trying to restructure retail, delivery and mailprocessing operations but says its financial

Postal Service revamps priority mail program

woes will worsen without help from Congress. The changes to priority mail will help the Postal Service better compete with rivals FedEx and UPS in the increasingly lucrative area of shipping products purchased from online retailers, said Nagisa Manabe, the services chief marketing and sales officer. Were looking at strong underlying growth as Americans increasingly shop online, Manabe said in a conference call with reporters. She estimated the sharp pace of growth would continue well past 2020. Until now, priority mail has been advertised as a 2-3 day delivery service, with customers unable to know exactly how long it would take for a parcel to reach its destination. That left too much uncertainty, Manabe said, especially for small businesses. Now, they will know the specific date on which a package will be delivered. Demand from small business customers also helped convince the agency to offer free insurance, $50 coverage for most priority mail shipments and $100 coverage for priority mail bulk orders shippers. As part of the changes, the service has rebranded its overnight express. That service will still offer $100 of free insurance. The Postal Service is launching a major advertising campaign to make customers aware of the new changes, including television ads starting next week. Newly designed priority mail boxes and envelopes are already appearing at high-volume post offices, and customers should see them nationwide within the next couple of weeks, Manabe said. The service has struggled for years with

market conditions, seeking to protect growth as the market fluctuates and defend against losses. Knowing what investment options are available to you is the first step to protecting your savings.

Consider lifestyle options: Your risk tolerance may change over time based on how many years away you are from retirement. For example, investments known as target date funds are designed to manage

risk over time without moving assets out of a retirement portfolio, so participants always stay invested. The flexibility of these funds can cover a broad range of risk tolerance. Explore in-plan guarantee options: Some features in todays retirement plans include guaranteed income options that can provide savers with a steady income stream in retirement while also offering protection against downturns in the market. Review your investments: Ask your employer about retirement planning education, online tools or one-on-one support to get a better handle on whether your investment strategy is in line with your overall retirement goals, as well as your risk tolerance. Take advantage of all the resources available to you. Stay the course: A common mistake people make is letting their emotions lead to actions. Resist the temptation to move out of your investments into areas you think are more stable. The best way to prepare for retirement is to ride the markets waves and remain invested for the long-term. More retirement planning information and tools can be found at www.lincolnfinancial.com. If youre enrolled in your companys retirement plan, remember to stay on track to be better prepared for the years ahead.

declining mail volume and a 2006 congressional requirement that it make $5.6 billion annual payment to cover expected healthcare costs for future retirees, something no federal agency does. The changes announced Wednesday come in one of the areas where the Postal Service can alter its business model without seeking congressional approval. The service would also like to end most Saturday mail delivery, but that has met resistance from federal lawmakers. I wish we had the flexibility to make that change, Postmaster General and CEO Patrick Donahoe said. A bipartisan Senate proposal would let the agency end Saturday delivery in a year and make changes that would reduce pensions and retire health care costs.

Better Business Bureau scam alert: medic alert robo calls

Chicago, IL July 23, 2013 - Better Business Bureau serving Chicago and Northern Illinois (BBB) is warning consumers of automated calls promising them a free medical alert system. The system is supposed to help protect seniors in the event of medical emergencies or breakins. BBB has received numerous phone calls and comments from concerned seniors in recent weeks who say they received a call in these cases automated robo-calls from a company identifying itself as Emergency Medical Alert Systems, Senior Safety Alert, Senior Emergency Care, Senior Safe Alert, or something similar. The automated message says that someone has ordered a free medical alert system for you, and this call is to confirm shipping instructions. The message then instructs the listener to press a button to speak to a customer service representative for verification purposes, where the representative asks for the listeners credit card and personal information. These automated dialing systems can place tens of thousands of calls a day and the calls appear to target the elderly and disabled said Steve Bernas, president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau serving Chicago and Northern Illinois. The calls also claim to be from various well-known medical alert service providers, but the providers say the calls are not originating from them.
Hang up the phone! Do not press any buttons. Dont even speak! If you answer and a live person is on the line, ask for the companys physical address. A legitimate company will not refuse to give this information to its potential customers. If the representative refuses to give out a physical address for the company or other identifying information, it is most likely a scam. If you are interested ask for something to be sent in writing. Dont respond to offers to opt out of future calls. That alerts the caller that this is

BBB shares tips on how consumers can avoid being a victim:

a working number. Dont pay for anything you receive and didnt order even if legal action is threatened. According to the Federal Trade Commission you have a legal right to keep it as a free gift. Never give your bank or credit card information, or your social security number to anyone over the telephone. BBB recommends that if you are listed on the Federal Do Not Call Registry that you file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at www.ftc.gov

Whats the difference between you and Whats your industry reputation? How all of your competition? do both leaders and vendors perceive you Are you different from your competi- in your industry? tion, or do you just THINK you are? Are Whats your community reputation? If you different from your comyou had a town hall meeting of petition, or do you just tell custhe community, what would they tomers and prospects you are? say about you? Or are you different from Here are more painful repuyour competition, and others tation questions about your CLEARLY perceive you as company and your products: both different and better? What are you doing to build REALITY: Its not what you it? think or believe, its what your What are you doing to incustomers do and say. novate it? REALITY: If I ask you what What are you doing to the difference between you and change or enhance your customyour prime competition is, and ers experience? Jeffrey your answer is our people or Apple is the classic example Gitomer me, youre in serious trouble. of a brand, with products that REALITY: If you asked back it up. Their competition your customer what the difference is, what is me too, and often mentions Apple in would they say? their ads. If you brag that youre just like Cheaper? Apple, personally I want Apple. The exCloser to my home? perience I have in Apple stores is in perfect I dunno, been using them for years. harmony with the brand theyre portraying. Six of one half a dozen of the other. In the computer industry, the smart Youre in trouble. phone industry, the tablet industry, and Your reputation is a reality check of the music player industry, everyone has where you actually are versus where you to start with some sort of comparison to think you are: Apple just like, better than, cheaper than Whats your customer reputation? whatever they say, they mention Apple. NOT A SATISFACTION SURVEY. A Only Apple stands alone not comparing face-to-face talk. NOT A PHONE INTER- themselves to other products unless its a VIEW. A face-to-face talk where you ask joke. They dont have to talk about their 100 of your customers what they really competition Apple is the innovator. And think of you, and why they buy. they do it at their price. Whats your social reputation? As Whats up in your world? Are you the posted on your business Facebook page dominant brand? Are you Amazon? eBay? by your customer, or as recommended by Jello? Kleenex? Kelloggs Corn Flakes? customers on their social media accounts? Jacuzzi?

Are you the dominant brand, or is your brand bland?

HARD QUESTION: Are you comparing your products to the competition, or differentiating yourself from the competition? HARD QUESTION: Are you trying to justify price, or does your quality reputation precede you? OUCH QUESTION: Is your brand, product, or service market superior, and you havent elevated yourself to that position? NOTE WELL: Then there are the brands that USED to be #1 and have fallen to #2 or lower. Either by inferior products, inferior service, or disgraced reputation. Blackberry, American Airlines, Barnes & Noble, Microsoft, and Tiger Woods to name a few. Here are 5.5 interviews you need to do to get the TRUTH from people who are willing to give it to you. In order to get better tomorrow, you gotta know where you are today. 1. Interview customers who love you. Theyll tell you the good stuff. 2. Interview customers who left you. Theyll tell you why, and how to improve. 3.Interview customers who said no to you. Theyll tell you why they chose someone else. 4. Interview loyal employees. Theyll tell you why they love you. 5. Interview departed employees. Theyll tell you why they left you. 5.5Interview industry leaders. Theyll give you the big picture you may not be able to see. CAUTION: Leave PR, marketing, and advertising out of the equation, or you may NEVER get to the truth. My recommenda-

tion is hire an outside branding company, and at least get a new perspective on the outside world (your customers and the marketplace) and the inside world (your people). After your interviews, heres what to do: Be realistic as to outside opinions, and how you can create improvement. Create internal excitement about innovation and new ideas. Train and teach attitude, self-belief, and creativity. Give people paid days off just to think and create. Create a sense of self-pride in your people by listening to their thoughts and ideas. Praise and implement new ideas. RESULT: A new, market dominant, more profitable you. If you want to learn my secret for longterm brand, name recognition, and loyal customers, go to www.gitomer.com, register if youre a first-time visitor, and enter the word NAME in the GitBit box. Jeffrey Gitomer is the author of The Sales Bible, Customer Satisfaction is Worthless Customer Loyalty is Priceless, The Little Red Book of Selling, The Little Red Book of Sales Answers, The Little Black Book of Connections, The Little Gold Book of YES! Attitude, The Little Green Book of Getting Your Way, The Little Platinum Book of Cha-Ching, The Little Teal Book of Trust, The Little Book of Leadership, and Social BOOM! His website, www.gitomer.com, will lead you to more information about training, seminars, and webinars - or email him personally at salesman@gitomer.com. Sherrie is a 25 year-old

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Sherrie is a 25 year-old woman who offensive demeanors to avoid the hassles of works for a large mortgage banking firm. retraining new staff, wrongful termination As a junior analyst, she receives a generous lawsuits and defensive hostile reactions salary for her few years of experience along from would-be terminated employees. with a considerable benefits package. Soon Fortunately, reversing course with after joining the firm, Sherrie began com- problem staffers is not as difficult as some ing in late to the office at least a few times a employers may think. The following are week. When her supervisor confronted her 5 easy-to-master tips that can turn around about her repeated tardiness, she became negative attitudes and allow employers to defensive, stating that since she cant con- assume their proper roles in the workplace: trol the traffic she should not be penalized 1. Establish the relationship with each for coming in a few minutes late. For the staff member from the very beginning. Emrest of the day, Sherrie pouted at her desk, ployers should not concern themselves with was generally unfriendly and behaved like being friends with their employees. In fact, a victim of unfair criticism. doing so promotes a dysfunctional workOn another occasion, she was asked place where roles are ill defined. This leads to stay an hour past her normal quitting to power struggles, resentment, and possitime. She refused on the grounds that she bly stomach ulcers! Employers need make was not given enough notice and that shed it clear that relationships with their staff already made other plans that were un- members will, in no way, resemble peer rebreakable. When her manager commented lationships. The relationship between emon her unwillingness to help out, Sherrie ployer and employee works best when the explained that she felt she should be paid relationship is kind but formal as opposed more if she was expected to do the work to friend-like and casual. of other employees. In spite of her medio2. Dont over thank employees for docre job performance, Sherrie expected to ing the jobs theyve been hired to do. It is receive a large bonus at the end of the year. When her supervisor explained that her bonus was based on job performance, and that Sherrie would not be receiving one, Sherrie claimed she was being treated unfairly. To assist Business, Industry and Local Regardless of how she performed her duties, she be- Government in developing job opportunities lieved she was entitled to and prosperity in Paulding County a large bonus and special consideration for things like tardiness and absenteeism. She ultimately decided to quit her job without giving notice. Sadly, Sherries attitude of entitlement is not a rar101 E. Perry St. ity in the workforce of today, particularly amongst Paulding, OH 45879 employees under the age of 30. Employers often find themselves playing the part 419-399-8282 of cheerleader with staff Fax: 419-399-8284 members like Sherrie. They fear negative reactions to criticism and tolerate meE-Mail:pced@bright.net diocre job performances to avoid dealing with their employees poor attitudes. Tony Langham, Employers can feel trapped Director when dealing with attitudes of entitlement amongst their staff members. They endure

Employees with attitude: How to reverse the entitlement attitude of your problem-staffers
fine to express words of appreciation for exceptional job performance from time to time, but it should not be routine. Compliments and words of affirmation mean much more when they are earned. There is a school of thought that for every criticism an employee receives five positive pieces of feedback should follow. Frankly, this practice is questionable at best. Its important that employees grasp the principal message employers are trying to convey. If employers want to deliver a clear message, disguising it with fluffy compliments will have the opposite effect. 3. Minimize emotional communication. Less is more when it comes to emotional exchanges between employers and staff. Consider this example of a corrective message delivered emotionally with a pleading tone: I really, really need you to be on time from now on. I know its hard with the traffic and all, but please try to be on time. Now read the same message but delivered unemotionally: You have not demonstrated that being on time is your priority. I

expect you to correct that immediately. The second example is not harsh, hostile or overly critical. It is simply an honest observation with a clear directive. The first example puts the employer in the role of a child asking for something from an adult. The second example reinforces appropriate roles. 4. Dont be arrogant or unkind to exert your power. Employers that behave like they are above the need to be courteous only succeed in provoking feelings of resentment and defiant behavior, and can compromise employees overall efforts to please the employer. 5. Dont give universal rewards. Many employers make the mistake of giving all staff members the same reward even when individual performances vary tremendously. For example, if an employer gives each of his sales staff a $500.00 gift card when only a few employees earned the reward, it may demoralize those who worked hard
See EMPLOYEES, page 5B

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September 2013 TheBusinessJournal

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WASHINGTON (AP) U.S. retail sales edged up in July despite a drop in auto sales. A category of purchases that excludes the most volatile areas rose by the most in seven months, a sign that stronger consumer spending could boost economic growth. The Commerce Department said Tuesday that retail sales increased 0.2 percent in

Americans spending slightly more

July from June. Sales had risen 0.6 percent in June from May. The change in both months was driven by autos, which surged 2.9 percent in June but fell 1 percent in July. Core retail sales, which exclude the volatile auto, gas and building supply categories, rose 0.5 percent in July. These sales had risen 0.1 percent in May and 0.2 percent in June. Julys gain was the biggest advance since a similar 0.5 percent rise in December. Retail sales are closely watched because theyre the governments first report each month on consumer spending, which accounts for 70 percent of U.S. economic activity. Sales at department stores rose 0.6 percent in July, rebounding from a 1.2 percent

Economic Development

drop in June. A broader category of general merchandise, which covers big retailers such as Wal-Mart and Target, rose 0.4 percent after no change in June. Purchases at gas stations rose 0.9 percent, an increase that partly reflected higher pump prices. Excluding gasoline, retail sales would have risen 0.1 percent in July. Sales at clothing stores rose 0.9 percent and 0.6 percent at grocery stores and restaurants. At furniture stores, sales fell 1.4 percent. Purchases at building supply and appliance stores also weakened. The U.S. economy grew at lackluster annual rates of 1.1 percent in the JanuaryMarch quarter and 1.7 percent in the AprilJune quarter. But many economists think growth will rebound in the second half of the year to an annual rate of roughly 2.5 percent. Optimism stems, in part, from the notion that consumer spending will strengthen for the remainder of the year as the effects of this years tax increases and spending cuts start to fade. Economists also think consistently improving home sales and higher stock prices will make people feel more comfortable spending money in stores. Steady job growth will help, too. In July, the unemployment rate fell to a 4year low of 7.4 percent, from 7.6 percent in June, though employers added only a modest 162,000 jobs. The drop in auto sales in the governments retail sales report Tuesday contrasts with reports from automakers. General Motors, Ford, Chrysler, Toyota and Nissan have all reported double-digit sales gains from a year ago. The governments figures are seasonally adjusted and compare sales with the previous month, not with year-ago levels. Some big retail chains reported that shoppers seemed to be holding off on back-toschool shopping in July. Revenue at stores opened at least a year rose 3.5 percent compared with a year ago, according to a tally of 11 retailers by the International Council of Shopping Centers. Many stores were already offering discounts to induce shoppers to spend on fall clothing, which began showing up on store shelves in mid-July. But retail analysts say even more deals could be coming in August as stores try to boost sales during the backto-school season, which runs from mid-July through mid-September. Americans are still being held back by scant pay increases at a time of higher taxes and rising gas prices. In January, a Social Security tax increase kicked in. It means that someone who earns $50,000 has about $1,000 less to spend this year. A household with two high-paid workers has up to $4,500 less.

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Most counties and communities have an economic development entity to manage their efforts to attract and retain businesses. There are many models for these economic development offices. Some have a public office staffed by City or County employees. Other communities might use their Chamber of Commerce as their ED staff. Other models include private economic development committees or foundations set up with many volunteers managing the ED efforts. In Ohio, JobsOhio sets the state framework for Economic Development. JobsOhio was formed in 2011 to reshape Ohios economic future. JobsOhio uses revenue generated in the state liquor system as their source of operating funds. Many of these funds are devoted to state-wide marketing and advertising. Within JobsOhio there are six regional network partners. The Northwest Ohio partner is the Regional Growth Partnership located in Toledo. Defiance County uses a public/private Community Improvement Corporation to manage their ED efforts. There is a 15-member board, six public and nine private. Our ED office is funded through a mix of public and private funds that gives us flexibility to spend some funds on travel and marketing efforts that might not be appropriate expenditures for tax revenues. The Defiance County CIC is available for issuance of industrial revenue bonds, enterprise zone applications and other business assistance. A special power a CIC has is the ability to exercise confidentiality for the protection of a clients valuable information. The CIC is also the administrator for the City of Defiance job creation incentive program. This Job Creation Tax Incentive program is a local business incentive designed to boost development inside the citys corporation limits. The program redirects a portion of local income tax back to companies that create jobs in Defiance. A recent example of a project the Defiance County ED office assisted was the purchase of the short line railroad that goes through Defiance County. The railroad had been in deteriorating condition for many years. The new owner, Pioneer Railcorp, has been working very hard to get this railroad into better operating condition. Keeping an up-to-date listing of available sites and buildings for potential investors is an on-going activity at the ED office. This property information is also available on our website for interested businesses or site consultants. For more information you can visit our website www.defecon.com.

Approaches to achieve economic growth vary across communities

Key assets that spark Economic Development

Transportation Incentives Industrial Parks

Employees

(Continued from Page 3B)

enough to earn the reward and reinforce the entitled attitude of those who did not. Individual incentives tend to encourage extra effort, while group incentives allow slackers to ride on the coattails of others. Group rewards have the potential to further reinforce attitudes of entitlement. A rule of thumb for employers is to always make their expectations clear, not just in regard to job duties, but also concerning attitude. While changing the culture in any work environment can be difficult and uncomfortable, it is likely to be worth the effort. Remember, if nothing changes, nothing changes.
Barbara Jaurequi, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Nationally Certified Master Addiction Counselor, speaks on a variety of personal and professional topics and is the author of A.C.E.S. Adult-Child Entitlement Syndrome, available on Amazon and other online booksellers. A.C.E.S. teaches parents of adult-children how to compassionately launch their adult-children into the world of personal responsibility in a straight-forward step-by-step approach. Contact Ms. Jaurequi by email at Barbara@BarbaraJPublications. com or phone her office at 909-944-6611.

For information on our aggressive tax incentives and local cash incentive programs contact us at 419-784-4471.
Jerry Hayes Executive Director Paige VanderSluijs Marketing Manager

About the Author

www.defecon.com
September 2013 TheBusinessJournal 5B

Workers for hire, land and buildings for sale in Van Wert County
tion of the 1600-acre Industrial Mega Site. Much attention is being paid to the site by local, regional and state level officials, national site selection consultants and domestic and international sales consultants working for Jobs Ohio. The momentum of the Mega Site has gained strength with the rail access project planned for completion in mid-November and Job Ready Site certification underway. For more information on the available land and buildings in Van Wert County visit www.whyvanwert.org

By Cindy Leis, Van Wert County Economic Development Director

It is not surprising Van Wert County has gained a large deal of attention so far in 2013. Whether it is the attention from the nearly completed 1600-acre Industrial Mega Site, the Vision Industrial Park or the monthly unemployment numbers, the attention is exciting. While one might believe that high unemployment rates are a negative, others might believe that having an available workforce for businesses seeking to expand operations or relocate in Van Wert County is a positive. In July, according to the Ohio Labor Market Information (LMI) the 7.1 percent unemployment rate was a slight increase from the June rate of 6.9 percent for the county. In addition to the unemployment rates released, the Ohio LMI reported that Van Wert County has an estimated 12,800 individuals employed of the 13,800 total civil labor force available for employment. This leaves an estimated 1,000 individuals unemployed in the county which has many concerned with the readiness of these individuals for the jobs that may become available. But, with local resources at the Department of Job and Family Services One-Stop facility and the adult training programs at Vantage Career Center, unemployed individuals have several resources available to increase their skills to become more job-ready. While companies looking to locate in

Van Wert County are usually interested in the available workforce, having available buildings and land are just as essential. At the Vision Industrial Park located south of US 30 at John Brown Road, interest is gaining force from not only existing businesses planning expansions but new businesses seeking land for new construction. With a price of $6,000 per acres and incentives to receive land at no cost in exchange for job creation, several companies are seriously looking at the 70+ acres still available. With the nine existing companies, employing over 400, the Vision Industrial Park is an attractive industrial park for those seeking direct 4-lane highway access and visibility. Existing buildings in the county are plentiful and diverse in both size and location. With existing buildings available for sale and lease in the south Industrial Park, the future looks impressive for that area as well. With the existing nine businesses, and employment number estimated at 300, sales and employment are on the rise for the future. Efforts are being made to fill vacant buildings with industry through local advertisements and a state-wide database provided by JobsOhio listing of available buildings with more than 10,000 square feet. The future of Van Wert County and surrounding counties holds great hope for a substantial increase in jobs and overall economic improvements due not only because of the available workforce, buildings and land but the near completion and certifica-

COMMUNITY
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Printing & Graphics

You dont need to slavishly follow them, but you should know what they are. We reveal the biggest trends in print design right now. Far from being stuck in a timewarp, print design seems to be more vibrant than ever before in 2013. Print designers arent holding back, but experimenting more than ever in order to get their designs noticed. The cost of print may be high in contrast to sharing a design online, but the aesthetic of physically printed materials still has great impact on an audience, especially when used as part of a multi-media marketing mix. Here are some of the biggest trends in print design that every designer should be aware of right now... Read all our print design-related articles here The flat design trend is crossing over from interface design to print design Flat design is a simplistic design form in which 3D effects such as drop shadows, bevel and textures are purposely excluded, therefore making it stylistically 2D. Flat design is growing in influence across the web and app design, and right now were seeing it break into the medium

Top trends in print design for 2013

of print. This series of flat illustrations called Re-Vision (above) was created by Barcelona studio Forma & Co and printed as promotional postcards and posters. An exercise in style and synthesis of different cultural icons, Re-Vision is typical of the new trend for flat design in print. (See TOP TRENDS, page 11B)

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Construction
ABC - construction spending falls 0.6 percent in June
A majority of nonresidential segments experienced declining activity in June, which often represents a period of accelerating, not decelerating, activity.
ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu

TECHNICON DESIGN GROUP, INC.

Architecture Engineering Planning The Annandale Office Complex 1800 North Perry - Suite 200 Ottawa, Ohio 45875 Phone: (419) 523-5323 Facsimile: (419) 523-9441
Indicating that the nations builders continue to struggle in the current economic environment, construction spending which includes both nonresidential and residential sectors was down 0.6 percent in June, according to the August 1 Construction Spending report by the U.S. Census Bureau. However, spending was 3.3 percent higher than one year ago. Nonresidential construction spending fell 1 percent in June and declined 4 percent during the past 12 months, with spending totaling $545.8 billion on a seasonally adjusted, annualized basis. Spending was down in both the private and public sectors in June. Private nonresidential construction slipped 0.9 percent for the month. On a year-over-year basis, private nonresidential construction is up 1.4 percent. Public nonresidential construction spending has dipped 9.3 percent during the past year, with the rate of decline accelerating in recent months. Ten of 16 construction sectors posted spending losses for the month, with the largest decreases in conservation and development, down 9.4 percent; religious, down 6.8 percent; water supply, down 5.5 percent; sewage and waste disposal, down 5.3 percent; and commercial, down 5.1 percent. On a year-over-year basis, construction spending has softened in 12 subsectors. The largest losses occurred in conservation and developSee CONSTRUCTION, page 9B
Source: U.S. Department of Commerce

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(Continued from Page 8B) ment, down 17.2 percent; communication, down 13.8 percent; educational, down 12.6 percent; highway and street, down 12.4 percent; and religious, down 12.2 percent. Only six of the 16 nonresidential construction sectors posted spending increases in June: power, up 3.6 percent; communication, up 2.5 percent; transportation, up 1.9 percent; health care, up 1 percent; office, up 0.8 percent; and amusement and recreation, up 0.4 percent. Four subsectors have experienced higher spending compared to one year ago, including lodging, up 22.7 percent; water supply, up 6.8 percent; power, up 5.7 percent; and transportation, up 4.3 percent. Residential construction spending slipped 0.1 percent for the month, but is 17.6 percent higher than the same time last year. Nonresidential construction spending momentum remains subdued, said Associated Builders and Contractors Chief Economist Anirban Basu. The nation has now entered its fifth year of economic recovery and second quarter gross domestic product estmates released yesterday were better than anticipated. Despite that, nonresidential construction and most of its sub-components are associated with stagnant sepnding or worse, Basu added. A majority of nonresidential segments experienced declining activity in June, which often represents a period fo accelerat-

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ing, not decelerating, activity. This would not be as problematic were the declines in spending relegated to publicly financed segments, said Basu. Given sequestration and constrained state and local government capital budgets, declines in publicity financed construction are not particularly surprising. However, the recent bankruptcy of Detroit will likely translate into conservative budgeting during the months ahead as financiers and policymakers adopt an even more cautious stance regarding major capital outlays, Basu said. Construction segments heavily financed by the private sector, including commercial and lodging-related construction, were down for the month, and office-related construction spending was up only slightly, said Basu. The implication is that the pace of economic growth, which av eraged less than 2 percent on an annualized basis during the first half of 2013, has not been enough to trigger or sustain meaningful private nonresidential construction increases. The conventional wisdom is that the second half of the year will be better for the broader economy, which would imply better nonresidential construction performance in 2014, Basu said. However, with interest rates now rising, there are reasons for contractors and other stakeholders to remain cautious.

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Sidney: 937-490-2381 Dayton: 937-274-1173

BUILDING THE DAYTON www.ferguson-construction.com REGION FOR OVER 90 YEARS

614-876-8496 ferguson-construction.com

Columbus: 614-876-8496 Indiana: 812-546-0333

Quality construction...

Quality service since 1957

We offer our customers the best of quality products along with courteous and knowledgeable information about our products and our industry.

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2013

WE OFFER A VARIETY OF BUILDING MATERIALS K&L READY MIX OFFERS A WIDE VARIETY OF BRICK AND STONE TYPES
Varying sizes, shapes, colors and textures for any project!

COMPUTERIZED DISPATCH SYSTEM

Our computer dispatching system helps with both timely delivery and efficiency, thus allowing us to serve you, our customers better.

Check out our website www.kandlreadymix.com

10391 St. Rt. 15 OTTAWA

419-523-4376

419-293-2937
419-969-0548
300 Putnam Dr. LEIPSIC

5511 St. Rt. 613 McCOMB

419-532-3585
900 JOHN BROWN RD. VAN WERT

U.S. 224 & 115 KALIDA

over 85 years and going strong.

880 Shawnee Road, Lima, Ohio 45805 | 419.228.6262 www.Tuttlenet.com

24384 St. Rt. 697 DELPHOS

419-692-3431

419-238-4140

September 2013 TheBusinessJournal

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10 Reasons to Use an Architect For a Commercial Relocation

Many commercial tenants search for new office space with pre-determined concepts. Here are 10 reasons to break that mold by enlisting the services of a professional architect: 1. Architects can reduce your square footage requirements. Workplace configurations and build-out options need to be considered for any new headquarters. Architects know the limitations and opportunities for any office space you are considering. By making the most out of your office, and thus reducing square footage needs, they can save you money over the entire life of your lease. 2. Architects will consider the nature of your business. For example, legal firms require more perimeter offices (with a window!) to satisfy their partners and senior colleagues. If your company holds frequent meetings, then you may wish to arrange for more conference or huddle rooms. 3. Architects will evaluate your space needs over time. If you are a rapidly growing company, you may need additional support areas such as kitchen facilities, mail rooms, etc. If your firm is struggling, you may need structural alternatives to reduce your office space in a timely manner. 4. Architects can affect employee productivity. The size, adjacencies and locations of workstations, offices, huddle rooms and conference rooms can affect workflow as well as employee work habits and output. 5. Architects can evaluate the building you select. An office building may have structural limitations based on a number of factors. Architects can evaluate these elements, even when your prospective landlord may hesitate or be uninformed about these matters. 6. Architects know how to evaluate space-related statistics. Architects are conversant with terms used to measure square footage including building loss factors, rentable square feet, carpetable square feet, etc., terms likely to come up during negotiations and in the boilerplate of your lease. 7. Architects can suggest ways to build your I.T. infrastructure and ensure scalability. The lack of scalability, a key watchword for many industries, can limit your ability to add new technologies as they become avail-

p | 419 628.4240 w | www.garmannmiller.com

a | 38 S. Lincoln Drive Minster, OH 45865

able. Architects consider these factors in all their permutations, an especially intricate task when we do not know what the next new technology will be. 8. Architects can interface and supervise key staff during construction. Architects know how to interface with general contractors and related specialists to ensure that your office space achieves its full potential. They can also work with structural design and HVAC engineers, furniture vendors and other essential suppliers. 9. Architects can evaluate a buildings design elements and their effect on your customers. Does the building and/or your new office project a sense of stability, modernity, hi-end service, etc.? 10. Architects work closely with real estate brokers and legal representatives to ensure all your needs are met. Some issues cut across architecture and deal terms that are negotiated by a broker and may also have legal ramifications. Experienced architects know how to work as a team with your other advisers to help obtain the best space possible.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles. com/?expert=John_Hannigan

TH

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TRUST EXPERIENCE TRUST COTTERMAN

2301 Baton Rouge Avenue, Lima, OH 45805 T: 419-228-7272 | F: 419-222-5559 www.TouchstoneCPM.com

20 13

TOUCHSTONE CPM
CONSTRUCTION PLANNING & MANAGEMENT

www.CottermanRoofing.com

INDUSTRIAL & COMMERCIAL ROOFING

otterman & ompany INC.

Minster, Dayton & Columbus (800) 713- 3190

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September 2013

02. Typographic contrast

(Continued from Page 7B)

03. Experimental distortion

04. Unusual paper stock

Interesting paper stock will entice your target audience to interact with the outcome. Companies such as GF Smith offer a huge range of paper stocks. A great example of the trend is these fantastic golden tickets for A Design Film Festival which launched in Singapore and has traveled to Portland, Berlin, Taipei, Kaohsiung, and Bangkok. They were created by Anonymous, an multidisciplinary studio based in Singapore.

Using unusual types of paper stock is a great way to boost your print designs. Typographic contrast is difficult to pull off, but when done well the results can be spectacular. Typographic contrast is difficult to pull off, but when done well the results can be spectacular It takes great confidence and understanding of design to pair contrasting typefaces - the elements can be as different as chalk and cheese. But when done well it can look incredible, as seen in the above illustration by Joao Santos, a Portuguese designer specialising in poster, editorial and illustration, called My Dry Wet Mess. A large scale brush typeface is complemented by a tiny sans serif, while the contrast in typefaces balances the design and creates appealing hierarchy.

Our experience, craftsmanship and attention to detail can make your dreams come true!
Experimental approaches show just how much impact print design can have.

BUILD YOUR DREAM

Even though online graphics have dominated the industry over the past few years, experimental work as shown above by Helmo go to show how much impact printed work can have. Helmo, the independent graphic design duo of Thomas Couderc and Clement Vauchez, work mostly with cultural institutions and festivals in France; their process consists of distorting pre-existing artwork to create large scale posters.

Building Quality Homes For Over 40 Years!

Ottoville, Ohio | 419-453-3825 | www.millercontractinggroup.com

Miller Contracting Group

Design Build General Contractors

* CONSTRUCTION MANAGERS * FEASIBILITY ANALYSIS * * SITE EVALUATION * VALUE ENGINEERING * * DESIGN, BUILD, LEASE * SITE DEVELOPMENT * * EXCAVATION * CONCRETE WORK * BUTLER STEEL BUILDINGS * * BUILD TO SUIT, PROPERTIES AVAILABLE *

Phone: (419) 445-1365 Website: www.clouseconstruction.com

September 2013 TheBusinessJournal

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Committed to the communities where we live and work.

Join our team! To view and apply for open positions, log on to www.HuskyEnergy.com
12B TheBusinessJournal September 2013