Gee Automotive buys dealership

Gee Automotive Cos. has acquired the Tri-City Nissan dealership in Pasco.

Liberty Lake-based Gee Automotive didn’t disclose the price it paid for the Pasco dealership, which includes new- and used-car sales, a separate used-car lot in Walla Walla and an 18,000-square-foot building. The building will be remodeled and “Gee plans to maintain the current staff,” the company said in a press release.

Once the acquisition is complete, Gee Automotive will employ about 150 people in its dealerships.

Kellogg

Resort condos sell out in a day

The 99 units available in the third phase of a condominium development at Silver Mountain Resort sold out in one day last weekend, the Kellogg-based ski resort said in a press release.

The success of the sale likely will lead to a fourth phase of the Morning Star Lodge project in the next year, the release said.

Stephen Lane, marketing director for the resort, said studio units sold in the $200,000 range, one-bedroom units were priced in the high $300,000 range, and two-bedroom units sold for between $500,000 and $800,000.

Morning Star Lodge is at the base of the gondola serving Silver Mountain Resort. A large indoor water park is under construction nearby, part of a plan to turn Silver Mountain into a four-season resort. The ski resort is owned by Klamath Falls, Ore.-based Jeld-Wen Inc.

Portland

Utility severs ties with Enron

Portland General Electric, Oregon’s largest and oldest utility, severed its ties with the bankrupt Enron Corp. on Monday and issued its common stock as an independent company.

PGE canceled its Enron stock and issued 62.5 million shares of its new stock. About 43 percent of those shares were given to Enron creditors that have settled their claims. The remainder is in a fund for creditors whose claims against Enron aren’t resolved. Settling those claims could take several years.

PGE is expected to begin trading on the New York Stock Exchange April 10 under the symbol POR. PGE generates and buys electricity to serve about 780,000 customers, mainly in the northern Willamette River valley, including the Portland area and Salem.

OAK BROOK, Ill.

McDonald’s seeks models

Want to get your face in front of 50 million people? Here’s your big chance – have it featured on a McDonald’s cup or bag.

The world’s largest fast-food company announced what it called an online casting call Monday, giving customers a chance to be featured on packaging used in more than 100 countries.

As many as 25 winners will be chosen from consumers’ entries at www.mcdglobal casting.com, where hopefuls must submit a personal story of what they love – covering themes of inspiration, passion and fun – in 100 words or less. It’s part of the ubiquitous “I’m lovin’ it” ad campaign.

Compiled from staff

and wire reports