Fuel prices key to gaining Vegas flights

Travelers in the greater Owensboro area have been eager to get an update on whether/when Allegiant Air will add flights to Las Vegas from the Owensboro-Daviess County Regional Airport.

The company already flies to Orlando.

The answer as of Thursday is that Allegiant is monitoring whether to add the flights as the company keeps its eye on oil costs week to week, according to airport manager Bob Whitmer.

“The cost of oil recently spiked, and the forecast is questionable,” Whitmer said. “We recognize that this is a business decision. Needless to say, we’re disappointed that it’s not happening now, but we’re still optimistic that it will happen.”

Allegiant affirmed a year ago that adding flights to Vegas was in the company’s plans, but officials said they could not start service until the power lines at the end of Runway 18 were moved and the full 8,000 feet could be used.

“We’re prepared now,” Whitmer said. “The power lines have been moved, and Mid-America Jet, the fixed base operator at the airport that provides fuel for Allegiant, has acquired a 5,000-gallon fuel truck. That was key for us.”

Whitmer has said previously that Allegiant’s decision would hinge on the economy.

The flight to Vegas will be about 4 hours compared to 1 1/2 hours to Orlando.

$25 million in bids awarded so far for hospital

Owensboro Medical Health System has awarded $25 million of the work associated with the new hospital to area firms since early April, according to the senior project manager for Turner Construction.

A story in tomorrow’s Messenger-Inquirer will flesh out the numbers.

The hospital has begun construction on a $385 million hospital that is slated for opening in 2013. Two-thirds of the cost will be spent on construction, officials said.

The project is still in the design development stages, so a lot of work still remains to be awarded.

Daramic calls back workers

Owensboro has received some positive news this month with the call back to work of 25 Daramic employees.

The company is reporting that its market for battery separators is improving with the opportunity to  ship them to Asia.

The plant turnaround means there is “a strong possibility for growth in 2011,” according to a corporate statement.

Daramic is a part of Polypore International based in North Carolina which operates in nine countries on six continents.

Wednesday’s Messenger-Inquirer has more about the company’s good news.

Get ’em while you can: Discount fares to Orlando

Flying to Orlando from Owensboro-Daviess County Regional Airport via Allegiant Air just got cheaper— at least while the seats are available.
Allegiant is offering some one-way fares for $59.99 to the Florida destination and is adding a free hotel night onto a three-night booking at its hotel partner-properties.
It’s a limited promotion with all fares and hotel packages required to be booked by June 23 and travel completed by Jan. 31, 2011.
The key for travelers to note is that seats are limited, and the fares are not available on all flights. The offer does not apply to holiday travel — Nov. 24-29; Dec. 20-31, and Jan. 1-3, 2011. Travelers also must buy seven days in advance to get the rate.
And there are a few other convenience charges if travel arrangements are made through the company’s web site or call centers.
Find out the details of the promotion at 702-505-8888.

Local businesses earn top chamber honors

Rosemary and Larry Conder, who have invested more than $2 million in downtown properties and businesses, were named the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce’s 2010 Entrepreneurs of the Year during the Rooster Booster breakfast Thursday morning before a crowd of about 500 at The Hines Center.

The Conders operate The Creme coffee shop and The Crowne at 107, both downtown, and own four downtown buildings.

Larry Conder said after the chamber breakfast that the couple is not finished yet.

Captured Moments Photography was the Small Business of the Year in the category for 10 or fewer employees. Kate and Jason Higdon started their business six years ago and now have five employees.

Riney Hancock CPAs is the Small Business of the Year for companies with more than 11 employees. The Owensboro company was founded in 1973 and also has offices in Evansville.

Class of 2010 facing tough job market

This is not the kind of news new graduates of high school or college want to hear.  Parents won’t be thrilled with it either.

A May 11 report from the Economic Policy Institute shows that young Americans just hitting the pavement to find jobs are facing the worst job market in at least a quarter of a century.

The report, “The Class of 2010: Economic Prospects for Young Adults in the Recession,” takes a look at the unemployment rates for young adults since 2007,  explores some of the drivers and explains what new grads can expect to find as they search for a job.

Boardwalk Pipeline has strong first quarter

Boardwalk Pipeline Partners LP posted a 74 percent boost in net income for the first quarter ending March 31 compared to the same period last year.

All the first quarter 2010 operating results numbers showed strong growth over last year – largely due to revenue growth from major expansion projects, company officials said in its news release.

Net income was at $90.3 million in 1Q this year compared to $52 million in 1Q 2009.

The company reported a 35 percent increase in operating revenues with revenues of $300.5 million compared to $223.4 million in 1Q 2009.

Boardwalk’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) were $180.9 million, up 44 percent from $125.2 million for the same quarter in 2009.

The company listed distributable cash flow of $133.9 million, 65 percent more than the $81.1 million in 1Q 2009.

Texas Gas Transmission LLC is a subsidiary of Boardwalk Pipeline Partners.

State’s appliance rebate money going fast

Retail stores that sell Energy Star appliances should be getting a boost as the Kentucky Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program pumps $4 million into sales.

Governor Steve Beshear kicked off the state’s program on Earth Day, and it will run until the money is all reserved. These are federal stimulus funds earmarked for creating jobs and saving energy.

Consumers can go online and apply for their rebates ranging from $40 to $400. They can get rebates for washers and dryers, dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers, room and central air conditioners, water heaters, heat pumps and gas furnaces and boilers.

Quite a number of stores are adding their own discounts to sweeten the deal.

Sears, which now has 30  percent off Energy Star products,  is calling its promotion a “Cash for Clunker Appliance Sale.”

Dart Polymers awarding community grants

Dart Polymers, which manufactures polystyrene and ships it to the facilities of parent company Dart Container Corporation, will be giving two, $5,000 community grants this summer.

The awards are part of Dart Container Corp.’s 50th anniversary celebration. The company will give away a total of  $250,000 in communities where it has plants and offices.

Get more information in Tuesday’s Messenger-Inquirer.

Vinyl is final

Saturday marks the third annual national Record Store Day. It’s the day the country’s 700 or so independently owned record stores take the spotlight ahead of digital music.

Look for special vinyl releases including Rolling Stones and Bruce Springsteen tracks.

For those of us who recall the thrill of buying a new 45 or LP, it’s heartening to know that teens are tuning to vinyl again, according to a report today on NPR’s Morning Edition.

Last year, 2 1/2 million LPs were sold – up 33 percent from last year.