In brief: NIC training center holding open house
The North Idaho College Workforce Training Center in Post Falls will celebrate its 15th anniversary with an open house Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m.
The public may tour the center, located in the Riverbend Commerce Park at 525 W. Clearwater Loop.
Construction of the 22,000-square-foot building was funded by the NIC Foundation. Two years after it was built, the center was expanded by 8,000 square feet.
About 7,200 students take classes at the center each year. Programs include community education, customized training, work force development, the Idaho Small Business Development Center and the Qualified Worker Retraining program.
The open house will include refreshments and door prizes. Information: (208) 769-3333.
UI Web site offers advice on finances
The University of Idaho has launched a Web site that helps users understand and make better money-management decisions.
The site at www.extension.uidaho.edu/ personalfinance was developed by university Extension economists. Among the topics covered are credit scores, debt reduction, identity theft, and how to control housing, energy, travel and other expenses.
Marilyn Bischoff, a family economics specialist with UI Extension, said the site will allow the service to directly deliver to consumers much of the same information taught in its personal finance classes.
“Many more people are thinking about making changes in their spending and savings than in the past,” she said. “When people are ready to make changes, financial Web sites can provide them with useful information and tools.”
For example, the site compares credit cards, calculates net worth and works out debt-reduction strategies.
Chinese firm signs deal to buy Hummer
Detroit – Hummer, the off-road vehicle that once epitomized America’s love for hulking trucks, is now in the hands of a Chinese heavy equipment maker.
General Motors Co. and Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery Corp. finally signed the much-anticipated deal for GM to sell the brand on Friday.
Tengzhong will get an 80 percent stake in the company, while Hong Kong investor Suolang Duoji, who indirectly owns a big stake in Tengzhong through an investment company, will get 20 percent. The investors will also get Hummer’s nationwide dealer network.
Financial terms were not disclosed, although a person briefed on the deal said the sale price was around $150 million.
GM’s bankruptcy filing last summer said that the brand with military roots could bring in $500 million or more.