Albuquerque Journal from Albuquerque, New Mexico • Page 22

BUSINESS Saturday, November 5, 1994 Albuquerque Journal Page 8, Section Business digest Midls Maniif actaraig Plant City and engineering firms such as Fluor Daniel, General Electric and Westinghousfc arid oil production and processing companies such as Exxon, Shell, Chevron and Mobil. Albuquerque competed with 18 cities for the plant, AED said. A company executive said Albuquerque was chosen for several reasons, including a strong business climate. "We received excellent support from the various government entities who seem very pro-business," said Ken Ishihara, manager of operations support for BWIP. Proximity to the existing Santa Fe plant was another factor in the decision, he said.

The industrial revenue bonds question goes before the City Council's Finance Committee Nov. 28, and, if approved there, to the full City Council on Dec. 5, Tonjes said. future expansion of another 20,000 square feet. BWIP is negotiating with contractors, but no start date for construction has been set, said Gary Tonjes, AED executive vice president.

AED is a private, nonprofit membership organization that works to recruit new business to the area to broaden the city's economic base and create new jobs. Plant construction will take about six months, and employ 65-75 temporary construction workers. The company has operated a 46-employee plant in Santa Fe for 19 years, where it manufactures small components. The firm supplies power, petroleum and industrial markets around the world with pumps and seals. Major customers include construction Jefferson NE, according to Albuquerque Economic Development Inc.

The Albuquerque plant's main function will be machining large metal castings and ancillary operations, including welding, stress relieving and non-destructive testing. Finished machined caaes will be shipped to company plants in Los Angeles, San Jose, and Tulsa, for assembly testing and shipment to the customer. With an estimated annual payroll of $1.2 million, the plant will create new jobs for machinists, welders, assemblers, engineers and managers, the Albuquerque development organization said. Hiring will begin in the spring. The plant will have about 45,000 square feet of manufacturing floor space and 5,000 square feet of office space, with possible Maloofs Roll the Dice United States employment NDJ MAM ASO 1993 1994 Monthly increase in non-farm jobs, In thousands.

450 400 350'" 300'' 194,000 1250' 200' ISO" 100 I NDJ MA A SO 1993 1994 Source: Department of Labor AP October Unemployment Dips to Four-Year Low WASHINGTON Unemployment dipped to a four-year low last month and hourly wages rose at the fastest pace in 11 years good news for workers but a fresh sign to economists that interest rates will be going up again. President Clinton trumpeted the news of falling unemployment just before the midterm elections, saying it showed his administration has "delivered what the American people have long wanted." The Labor Department said Friday the jobless rate declined from 5.9 percent to 5.8 percent in October, the lowest level since October 1990. KRQE Owner Reports Record Yearly Earnings DAVENPORT, Iowa Earnings for Lee Enterprises, owner of KRQE-TV in Albuquerque, jumped 19.5 percent in the fourth quarter and hit a record evel for the year, the media company reported. Boosted by strong advertising revenues at its television stations, fourth-quarter net income totaled $13.61 million, or 58 cents a share. That is up from $11.38 million, or 49 cents a share, a year Revenue rose 8.4 percent in the quarter to; $102.52 million.

Broadcast revenue jumped 16.2 percent, due largely to increases in national advertising and local political advertising, i For the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, net income and revenue hit records. Net income totaled $50.85 million, or $2.17 a share.lThat is up 23.3 percent from year-earlief net income of $41.24 million. Revenues for the year rose 7.9 percent $402.55 million. Grant Awarded for Fair Housing Project in N.M.

The Department of Housing and Urban, Development has awarded a $214,000 grant to two legal aid groups in New Mexico to establish a Fair Housing Advocacy Project. Legal Aid Society of Albuquerque and the New Mexico Legal Services Support Project are the recipients. The housing project will begin in early 1995, providing legal representation to people who allege they are victims of discrimination in rental housing in Bernalillo Coupty. The project also will provide technical assistance to several local governments in the state so they can meet Community Development Block Grant obligations to fair housing. FROM JOURNAL STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS 8.0 7.5""'""" I I Gavin Maloof Is shown In front of the Fiesta Casino and Hotel, being built by his family in Las Vegas, Nev, The casino, shown behind him on the right, will have 600 slot machines, 14 gaming tables and a bin-: go room.

It also will have five restaurants, including the first Gardurto's franchise outside New Mexico. The hotel section will have 100 rooms. Hiring To Start In the Spring By Rene Kimball JOURNAL STAFF REPORT A California company with worldwide holdings is seeking $15 million in industrial revenue bonds from the city of Albuquerque to build a manufacturing plant here to produce large pump components. BWIP International, based in Long Beach, will employ 30-40 people at the plant. It will be located on a six-acre tract on Midway Place NE, near Osuna and Barelas Gets New Fast-Food Business El Speedy Burrito Adds Spice to Revitalization By Nancy Baca JOURNAL STAFF WRITER A longtime restaurateur is combining his expertise with a food wholesaler in a new fast-food enterprise in Barelas.

El Speedy Burrito, at 910 4th SW, is the first new business to open in Barelas since the City Council approved a revitalization plan about a year ago. Mike Gonzales, owner of the Barelas Coffee House, and Robert Armijo and his wife, Jeannette, part owners of Armijo Foods, own the new restaurant. Armijo Foods manufactures burritos and sandwiches and sells them wholesale to local restaurants, grocery stores and warehouse outlets such as the Price Club. Barelas Coffee House, at 1502 4th SW, is a longtime favorite for the neighborhood and Downtown area. Larry Perea, chairman of the Barelas Neighborhood Association economic development committee, said a neighborhood celebration is planned around the grand opening of the business today from noon-4 p.m.

in the 900 block of 4th SW. El Speedy's menu features a variety of burritos, including chicharrones, calabaci-tas (squash) and a chicken carne adovada. Plus, Armijo is featuring a special addition to the menu the El Chihuahua dog, a jalapeno sausage on a stick, batter-dipped and fried. Prices start at about a $1 for a breakfast burrito to $3.49 for some lunch entrees. Hours are from 7 a.m.

to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Armijo and Gonzales spent about $40,000 renovating the building, which Gonzales owns, and opened about two weeks ago. Stark white paint with turquoise accents set the new building apart. While the business is primarily drive-up, several white tables and canvas umbrellas are set up in front of the restaurant with seating for about 10 people.

Perea said the revitalization plan will include new landscaping, sidewalks and street lighting. Garrett Smith is the architect. The project also could include attracting new businesses to the area and renovating existing storefronts, he said. The Savings Game HUMBERTO CRUZ Georgina arid I have become winners at the savings game not just because we save and invest regularly, but because neither of us is a "shopaholic." When we shop, we always do it with a purpose. Call us impulse savers, not buyers.

We never shop out of boredom or anger or because there is nothing else to do. But let's face it, it is, oh, so easy to shop. Walk around any mall or shopping center and the multiple temptations are there: Pretty surroundings. Beautiful windows filled with the "latest" fashions. Signs that beckon: Buy One of Our Gorgeous Cash- I A I 1 1 1 1 I- 1 ALEXANDRIA KING JOURNAL xDan wrapped up a lengthy antitrust investiga- tion of Microsoft with a deal that curbed some of the company's practices.

3 On Oct. 21, Microsoft filed documents with the Justice Department under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act, giving investigators 30 days to either approve the merger or expand their probe. Although ment lawyers could change tactics before the Nov. 21 deadline, people familiar with the situation say that an expanded investi-; gation is likely at this point. They say that in the second request which is also disclosed in the Nov.

7 issue of Interactive Week, a trade publication key issues could include Microsoft's' potential ability to leverage its domination of operating systems for personal comput- ers into an unfair advantage in the finan- cial services market. For example, Justice Department might seek to limit; Microsoft's ability to build into its Windows operating system functions related-to on-line financial services. I the Mall The 100-plus page book has a section on how to be a smart consumer, and consumer assistance directory. Here are some of the Handbook's recommendations to get the most for your money: Think about what you really need and what products are important to you. Compare brands.

Ask for word-of-mouth recommendations and ask your lopa, library for magazines and other publications that compare products and services. Compare stores, and plan ahead to take advantage of sales for items you do need. Read warranties to understand what you must do and what the manufacturer must do if you have a problem. Ask the sales person to explain the store's policy on returns or exchanges. Do not assume an item is a bargain just because it's advertised as one.

Questions or comments for Humberto Cruz can be sent to him in care ol the Albuquerque Journal, Rrawer Albuquerque, N.M. 87103. Although he cannot respond to each one Individually, he will answer those of general interest in his column. i tut 7 comment. A Microsoft spokeswoman said, "I am sure in the end they will find no reason why this merger can't go ahead." Microsoft sent shock waves through the software and financial services industries Oct.

13 when it disclosed that it would pay $1.5 billion in stock for Menlo Park, Intuit, whose Quicken program dominates the market for personal finance software. Intuit is building a telecommunications center in Rio Rancho that eventually will employ about 800 people. Redmond, Microsoft hopes to turn Quicken, which computerizes tasks such as paying bills and keeping a budget, into a platform for a range of services like home banking and on-line stock trading. At the same time, the company said it would sell its own personal finance program, Microsoft Money, to Novell Inc. to avoid antitrust objections.

But that move apparently did not satisfy the Justice Department, which in July take a pen or pencil and cross them out. Now re-read the ad for the only information you need: the features of the item you plan to buy, and the price. When you listen to an ad on the radio or watch it on television, disregard the background music or scene, unless it has something to do with the product being advertised. Do not go to the store when you're bored. It's easy to go for a walk in the mall and end up spending more than $200.

When you have "nothing to do," go to the library and check out self-improvement books, a good novel or materials on a hobby or subject that interests you. Or write to friends you haven't corresponded with in a while. If you still want to go out for a walk in the mall, leave your cash and credit cards at home, so you can't buy anything. Also, become an educated consumer. The United States Office of Consumer Affairs offers a comprehensive Consumer's Resource Handbook for free.

Single copies are available by writing to Handbook, Consumer Information Center, Pueblo, Colo. 81009, or by calling 1-719-948-3334. Mcroso Justice Department Eyes Intuit Buyout By Wendy Goldman Rohm BOSTON GLOBE Continuing its close antitrust examination of Microsoft the Justice Department is likely to expand its investigation of the company's $1.5 billion buyout of Intuit a move that could delay the deal or force a change in terms. People familiar with the situation say the department's antitrust lawyers are prepared to extend their initial review of the deal to a more comprehensive "second request" for information. That would effectively block completion of the merger pending further examination and possible negotiations over changes in how it is structured.

Justice Department officials declined to mere Sweaters and Get One Free Clearance Sale 50 Percent Off On Everything In The Store Today Only, Get 10 Percent Off On Our Already Reduced Collection of Fine Jewelry. And you think, why not? I work hard. I deserve a little reward. And won't I look great in that cashmere sweater? To resist impulse buying, play the malls with a shopping list, as we do. If you come across an item you want, that is simply to die for, write it down on a "to get in the future" list.

Then reconsider in a week or two. You may find out you no longer want the item! Every time that happens, and you remove an item from the "to get in the future list," reward yourself by indulging in something you like that does not cost money or costs very little. Take an extra half hour from chores to read, write to friends or call someone you have not talked to for a while. Other suggestions: Learn to read and ignore advertisements. Make it a game to see how many adjectives you can find in the ad copy, then ft 1 Use a Shopping List To Resist Impulse Buying at I hey did a scientific survey to find out what I already knew: People in the United States love to shop especially the women.

are a nation of consumers who constantly are urged to buy the newest version of, the latest product," said Ethel Kleinypublisher of EDK Forecast, a newsletter about women consumers. The survey's findings: American women don't need an excuse to go shopping. Given a free afternoon, one out of every four women would spend it shopping, whether they need to buy anything or not. And two out of every five women would rather go shopping than catch a movie or take a nap. The poll of 800 adults, detailed in the newsletter's October issue, showed that for men, shopping is not the activity of choice.

But the men end up doing it anyway: Nearly half say they go "leisure shopping" at least sometimes, compared to nearly two-thirds of the women. "And, as Klein points out, "when consumers go shopping just for fun, a browser can easily become a buyer." Which brings me to my point: My wife.