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October 7, 2009 Sign up Forward Archive News updates for Greater Washington's business leaders   Top News    Pandemic flu could strain the Web Emergency planners say the Internet could be overwhelmed if school-age children and their parents attempt to access the Web at the same time during a widespread flu epidemic. Many businesses are counting on employees being able to work from home as part of their contingency plans. The Wall Street Journal (tiered subscription model)/Digits blog (10/2) 5 top spots for finding young workers If you run the kind of business that relies on young, educated workers, you'll probably have the easiest time attracting good candidates in either Washington, D.C., or Seattle. A Wall Street Journal panel named those cities the top "youth magnet" of the post-recession years, followed by New York, Portland, Ore., and Austin, Texas. The Wall Street Journal (tiered subscription model) (9/30)   Economic Stimulus and Financial Reform  Bernanke comment may pave way for financial oversight council Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke indicated last week that a new council of financial regulators could help the Fed oversee systemic risk in the economy. Bernanke's change in tone makes it seem more likely that Congress could approve the regulatory authority proposed by the Obama administration, according to this article. The New York Times (tiered subscription model)/Reuters (10/1) Stimulus-related road projects are ramping up in region Construction is beginning on the Arlington, Va., area "shovel-ready" stimulus contracts approved this year. Anirban Basu, chief economist of the Arlington-based Associated Builders and Contractors, said lane closures along Greater Washington commuter routes are proof that work funded by the stimulus act is increasing. American City Business Journals/Washington, D.C. (subscription required) (10/2)   Deals and Development  Region's jobless rate declines for second consecutive month Government data released last week indicated that unemployment in Greater Washington declined in August for the second month in a row. Federal and contracting jobs are on the rise in the region, but job losses are still mounting in the construction, retail and utility sectors. The Washington Post (10/1) Single-family home construction is on the rise Commerce Department data indicate construction spending increased 0.8% in August, with private construction up 1.8% and single-family home construction up 4.5%. "The key is the turnaround in single-family construction, which in June increased for the first time in 40 months, and has made solid gains since," said Patrick Newport, an economist with IHS Global Insight. American City Business Journals/Washington, D.C. (10/2)   Going Green  Business needs to prepare for green standards The federal government is likely to soon announce its direction on green procurement, so vendors with green products and services should begin talking them up, writes Bill Gormley, president of The Washington Management Group. New green standards for third-party certification could make vendors and buyers show proof of what green actually means, he writes. American City Business Journals/Washington, D.C. (subscription required) (10/2) Smart-grid conversation advances to "how to make it happen" In the two years since GridWeek began, the conversation has changed from how to begin to how to make a smart grid happen, observes Bob Gilligan, vice president of GE Energy's transmission and distribution business. The 1,400 leaders who attended the third annual confab in Washington made it clear there have been advances in commitment and engagement of government, the way utilities approach projects and how the business community delivers solutions. GreenBiz.com (9/30)   Board of Trade Opportunities and Benefits  Upcoming Events and Programs Board of Trade Annual Meeting: A Look Ahead, Nov. 24 -- A yearly tradition since 1889, the Board of Trade's Annual Meeting gathers more than 800 business, civic and government leaders to celebrate the year's accomplishments and prepare for the year ahead. Register Breakfast with Sunrise Senior Living CEO, Oct. 16 -- Don't miss a Morning Star breakfast with Mark Ordan, chief executive, chief investment and administrative officer for Sunrise Senior Living, which is headquartered in McLean, Va., and operates 415 residences in the U.S. and abroad. Register Greater Washington Green Business Summit, Oct. 13 -- The Greater Washington Green Business Summit will bring together companies from across Greater Washington that are working to incorporate environmentally sustainable practices into their business and community work. Register Advocacy Update The Board of Trade continues to focus on preparing the business community for the H1N1 virus. On Sept. 29, the Board of Trade hosted "Swine Flu: Assessing the Implications for Your Business" featuring public, private and industry-specific leaders in H1N1 preparedness. Earlier, the Board of Trade distributed H1N1 business preparedness guidelines and shared best practices with the president of the Mexico City Chamber of Commerce. The region is a step closer to securing $3 billion in dedicated funds for Metro, which the Board of Trade has advocated for as a top transportation priority. The legislation now awaits passage by the full Senate. The Board of Trade is also moving forward with its own CarbonCut initiative designed to provide voluntary carbon offsets within Greater Washington. As a supporter of the HOT lanes project and improvements to the I-95/395 corridor, the Board of Trade looks forward to a timely resolution of the concerns local jurisdictions have about HOT lanes and the fiscal challenges to this project given the economic climate. Partner Events and Programs Attend Leadership Greater Washington's Fall Luncheon, Oct. 14 -- Join Leadership Greater Washington at its annual Fall Luncheon to network with the region's high-level leaders, cheer positive change and celebrate Greater Washington's most important change agents. Register News  |  Events and Programs  |  Become a Member  |  About Us     Subscriber Tools       Print friendly format | Web version | Search past news | Archive | Privacy policy   Contact the Board of Trade info@bot.org   About the Board of Trade The Greater Washington Board of Trade is the leading regional business network. Founded in 1889, the Board of Trade enjoys a long history of helping its members' businesses grow by providing content-rich programs, connecting business leaders and marketing Greater Washington's economic opportunities. The Board of Trade also addresses business concerns, including transportation, emergency preparedness, green as a competitive advantage and workforce issues. Learn more at www.boardoftrade.org.     Recent Board of Trade SmartBrief Issues: Wednesday, September 30, 2009 Wednesday, September 23, 2009 Wednesday, September 16, 2009 Wednesday, September 09, 2009 Wednesday, September 02, 2009     Lead Editor:  Devlyn Ray       Mailing Address: SmartBrief, Inc.®, 1100 H ST NW, Suite 1000, Washington, DC 20005     © 1999-2011 SmartBrief, Inc.® Legal Information