| Buck passed as mail binned
Web hosting companies are complaining that large numbers of genuine e-mails sent to thousands of small firms are being deleted without trace by an overzealous YahooXtra spam filter. The issue is affecting businesses that have not opted to set up an e-mail account for their website and have instead arranged for their e-mail to be forwarded to a Yahoo- Xtra address. Telecom outsourced its e-mail service to YahooXtra in August. Telecom spokesman Nick Brown denies there are technical problems with the service, and blames web-hosting companies for forwarding mail without filtering it first for spam. Simon McBeth, a spokesman for Domainz, one of the country's largest web hosters, says about 2000 of its customers may have been affected. But he says that because e-mail is being wiped completely, rather than sent to junk mail boxes or bounced back to senders, many businesses may not even know their mail is not being delivered.
Business digest
OWOSSO - The Shiawassee Regional Chamber of Commerce has received a $25,000 federal grant for its business loan program. The money, from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development program, will be used to recapitalize the chamber's revolving loan fund program, which has provided $125,000 in loans to local businesses since 2004. USDA Rural Development helped start the fund with a $99,900 grant. The $25,000 grant is being matched with $8,400 from the chamber. .
An Exercise Passport
At $75 a year, the New York Fitness Access PassBook � a collection of coupons offering entry to dozens of gyms, martial arts studios, swimming pools, health clubs, and dance studios � seems to be just about the biggest bargain in city fitness. It is a bargain, but one that needs to be used strategically. To begin with, in the tumultuous world of small business, many fitness facilities close up shop in any given year. Others modify their missions, schedules, or clienteles, severely limiting PassBook access. Many advertise more generous services than they offer, and some are just plain rude when you try to use a coupon from the PassBook, which since 1996 has been put out by the American Health and Fitness Alliance � an umbrella organization of exercise facilities. Nonetheless, if you approach the PassBook military-style � laying out your campaign carefully, homing in on the strong candidates while eliminating the weak � you will find yourself well rewarded.
Nationalists accused of 'cruel deception' over tax freeze
A FREEZE on council taxes will cost the Scottish Government more than £100 million, nearly 50 per cent more than the original estimate, a survey of local authorities has revealed. Council officials and politicians estimate ministers will have to find much more than the £70 million set aside to deliver what was a key SNP manifesto commitment. .
Pepco goes after Md. business with energy efficiency push
Pepco Holdings Inc. hopes to get more Maryland customers to use energy-efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs, and will pick up part of the cost of buying them and give a few away for free. Pepco says Costco (NASDAQ: COST) and Home Depot (NYSE: HD) stores in Montgomery and Prince George's counties will give customers instant discounts of $1.50 per bulb or $3 per multi-pack. Pepco will reimburse the stores for the difference, and says the promotion will continue for three years. Pepco (NYSE: POM) employees also will hand out free light bulbs to evening rush-hour Metro riders at the New Carrolton and Silver Spring Metro stations Tuesday from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. "Offering discount CFLs is the first step in Pepco's plan to help customers manage their energy use, improve reliability and help the environment," said Pepco president Thomas H.
Taiwanese invest in Israeli image sensor startup
CIDC, a Taiwan-based venture capital fund, has invested $6 million in Advasense Inc. (Raanana, Israel), a fabless semiconductor company focusing on image sensors for mobile devices. The deal completed the startup's B1 round of financing, and in total, has raised over $20 million in VC funding. CIDC joins the existing investors, Genesis Partners, Giza Venture Capital, BlueRun Ventures (formerly known as Nokia Venture Partners) and VentureTech Alliance. .
TI Automotive's Marysville Plant Receives Small Business Award
TI Automotive's Marysville, Mich., plant has received a 2007 Thomas Edison Business Award from the Port Huron Hospital Foundation. The TI Automotive facility took top honors in the program's "small business" category, according to Bob Cook, plant manager. Thomas Edison Business Awards are presented in three categories: large business, small business and not-for-profit. Fifth Third Bank was the recipient in the "large business" category and "not-for-profit" honors went to Marwood Nursing and Rehab. .
Allegheny Conference called out for tax stance
The North Side/North Shore Chamber of Commerce is calling out the Allegheny Conference on Community Development for its support of the 10 percent tax on poured alcoholic beverages and the $2 per day rental car fee proposed by Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato. "Frankly, we are baffled at the position of the Allegheny Conference," said North Side/North Shore Chamber President John Graf. "This is an organization supposedly devoted to economic development. However, there's no doubt that as we sit here today, if the drink tax passes, there will be small, locally owned restaurants, taverns and banquet halls which will be put out of business. That equals lost jobs, shuttered buildings and diminished business activity" Graf is the owner of the Priory Hotel and The Grand Hall on the North Side.
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