TheSunNews.com: Business

Myrtle Beach area travel desires rising

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 23:33 EDT

Interest in visiting Myrtle Beach has risen in the past two months and an extended marketing campaign aimed at attracting visitors is working, according to research released Thursday by the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce.

But one leading local economist cautioned the region is not out of the economic doldrums yet, noting that retail sales in Horry County during the summer months could be off at least 12 percent compared to last year.

"That's not the kind of news the chamber of commerce wants to be having economists coming in to talk about," said Don Schunk, a research economist at Coastal Carolina University. "If in fact that is the reality, the local industry, they need to be aware of that and they need to figure out how to deal with that."

GM's course clear

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 23:07 EDT

The path is now clear for General Motors Corp. to leave bankruptcy protection in record time as a leaner company that is better equipped to compete in a brutal global auto market.

On Thursday, a judge's order allowing GM to sell most of its assets to a new company went into effect, despite a last-minute appeal by plaintiffs in a product liability case.

GM spokeswoman Julie Gibson said U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Robert Gerber's order became effective at noon. GM lawyers are working on paperwork to close the sale as quickly as possible, after which GM would leave bankruptcy protection.

Fresh jobless claims slide

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:39 EDT

Even though new claims for jobless benefits fell more than expected last week, dropping below 600,000 for the first time since early January, the number of Americans seeking this safety net points to an economy that is still very weak.

Layoffs are slowing, but jobs are scarce, leaving nearly 7 million Americans collecting unemployment checks and retailers looking for customers.

The number of newly laid-off workers requesting unemployment insurance fell by 52,000 to a seasonally adjusted 565,000, the Labor Department said Thursday. But the drop was mostly due to a shift in the timing of auto-related layoffs, leading many economists to discount the decline.

Retail | T-Mobile store opens after nearby closing

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:37 EDT

MURRELLS INLET

T-Mobile store opens after nearby closing

T-Mobile has returned to the south end with a new store off U.S. 17 Bypass near Home Depot.

Today's Business | LABOR Union decides to choose new head

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:38 EDT

UNITED STATES

LABOR Union decides to choose new head

Washington | The nation's largest labor federation is about to elect its first new leader in 14 years after the labor movement split because of tensions about the longtime leadership.

Paver vexes Myrtle Beach area clients

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:38 EDT

A paving company owner who faced legal troubles in North Carolina for door-to-door sales and poorly done work has moved into the Grand Strand, and complaints have restarted.

Suzanne Belden of Longs said she was swindled into signing a $23,000 contract with Tommy Clack, whom Belden said identified himself as Tommy Godwin with Palmetto Paving when he showed up at her home Wednesday night.

Clack is not an employee of Palmetto Paving; he owns Horry County Asphalt.

Ailing retail eager for back-to-school boost

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 23:07 EDT

After yet another weak month, retailers are preparing to fight for their share of crucial back-to-school shopping. But they may have to keep discounting to keep consumers coming in, given escalating job uncertainty.

Particularly worrisome in Thursday's same-store sales reports: Mall-based teen stalwarts like Abercrombie & Fitch were among those hit hardest as families looked for bargains.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the world's largest retailer, is expected to be a big winner as it woos young shoppers with trendy electronics and fashions, but its sales are no longer included in the monthly data.

Madoff's former office space now temporary home of investigators

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:39 EDT

Behind unmarked doors on the 17th floor of a red granite high-rise known as the Lipstick Building, FBI agents still labor to unravel a case like no other.

The agents - already there for more than six months - say the chore is so daunting, they need to stay in the Manhattan skyscraper at least another year.

And by the way: They intend to hang on to the copy machine.

Webster's adds words for modern lifestyles

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:39 EDT

Do you use a sock puppet to secretly keep track of your frenemies?

Plan to spend your staycation watching vlogs and webisodes? Or perhaps you plan to signal a flash mob for a quick bite of shawarma.

If you're not entirely certain what all that means, turn to the latest edition of the Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, which has added about 100 new words that largely reflect changing trends in American society.

New hospital reaches the top

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 23:10 EDT

Novant Health is holding a topping out ceremony at the site of its new Brunswick County Hospital today that will see the highest steel beam secured into place.

Topping out a multi-story commercial building is always a benchmark in its construction progress, and today's ceremony means it's that much sooner before Brunswick residents and hospital staff have a larger, up-to-date facility in which to heal and work.

The facility is expected to be complete next year.