Klamath Basin Business December 2017

December 2017

KLAMATH BASIN

Basin Business

Thursday, Dec. 28, 2017, Herald and News

Business

Get your bids in for the best of local businesses for the Chamber Gala — Page 4

Finding an outlet Mondo’s Outlet opens to waves of crowds in shopping mall Assistance League fundraisers — Page 4 FINANCIAL FOCUS: Time to take stock of tax issues for the new year — Page 6

Top business stories of 2017 — Page 6

Several customers shop around the store on the opening day of Mondo’s Outlet last week, located in the Town and Country shopping center. See story on Page 2.

A publication of the Herald & News

Chamber: www.klamath.org

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Thursday, Dec. 28, 2017, Herald and News

Basin Business

Basin Business

Deadline today for awards nominations

Mondo’s moves in...

Retail outlet store sells overstock from Costco, Target

By SEAN BASSINGER H&N Staff Reporter

If shoppers in Klamath Falls want more items from Costco, Target and other large warehouse stores, they often have to drive elsewhere to find them.

That’s what Kat Cassidy-Mondale, owner of Mondo’s Outlet, said she has heard during her time back in the Basin. The more than 30-year retail veteran said she especially heard some concerns about rough driving conditions across the passes in the winter.

“They want to shop in Klamath Falls,” Cassidy-Mondale said. “They don’t want to have to go to Medford, but those businesses just aren’t here for whatever reason.”

Working with her husband, Mike Mondale, Cassidy-Mondale just opened her own overstock goods shop with products from stores not already in Klamath Falls. Their new storefront is currently next to Avalon Salon & Spa off South Sixth Street in the Town & Country shopping center.

Taking a risk

Cassidy-Mondale, who most recently worked at Harbor Freight Tools, said she wanted the opportunity to lead her own shop after working decades in the retail business herself.

She has worked at other stores including Fred Meyer, Michaels and other large company stores.

Mondo’s Outlet currently has nine employees, though they could hire more in the future. If they need more space, there’s also the possibility that they could expand into a larger storefront at the same location.

Cassidy-Mondale was first looking into different companies she could franchise with, but was not having the best of luck with places that fit

Kat CassidyMondale, far left, stands with her husband, Mike Mondale, and their store staff on opening day of Mondo’s Outlet Friday, Dec. 21.

Photos by H&N reporter Sean Bassinger

her needs. She knew that she needed to act fast as well, as she had already agreed to a 10-year lease.

“Mike and I decided to roll the dice and now we’re hoping the numbers roll up good for us and we can just make it work,” she said.

Store staff then got to work to finish up construction, stock as many items as they could and open their doors on Dec. 21.

Mondo’s Outlet could receive about seven truckloads of new stock a week. Cassidy-Mondale said no one truck would ever be the same since overstock products they bid on often change.

“The last thing I wanted to do was look empty before we even opened and look like we’re going out of business before we even started,” she said.

For the customers

Cassidy-Mondale said she wants to check in with customers often and get a better feel of what people want in

Thursday, Dec. 28, 2017, Herald and News

On Jan. 27, the Klamath County Chamber of Commerce will recognize businesses and individuals who are making a difference in our community.

The Chamber is seeking nominations.

Do you know a business, organization, or an individual who: n Employs new ideas or approaches to doing business? n Demonstrates an alignment with clean energy or clean technology practices?

How did that happen!?

The deadline for nominations is today, Dec. 28.

Go to klamath.org to nominate your favorite business, organization, or individual and while you’re there, grab yourself some tickets! You’ll want to see if your nominee wins an award, won’t you? Go to this link:

klamath.org/ev…/event/97th-annualchamber-awards-gala n Demonstrates a successful approach to corporate social responsibility and can show a positive impact on the community? n Provides employees with an outstanding positive, healthy and productive workplace? n Exhibits an entrepreneurial spirit, originality,

Outlet

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personal integrity, and influence, who takes risks? n Has demonstrated exceptional business achievement and outstanding commitment to Klamath’s business community over their lifetime? n Devotes time and energy to strengthen and transform the organization that they lead?

Nominate them today. You can download the form or nominate online. www.klamath.org

Tickets to gala on sale

H&N file photo

This glamorous Hollywood-style awards show com- Last year’s entertainment at the annual awards at the Ragland. plete with entertainment will n Environmental Leadership Award be held at The Ross Ragland Theater. n Commitment to Community Award The annual awards gala is a great opportunity for n Best Place to Work (2 Categories) networking, socializing, and celebrating. It’s also a great way promote a business and play a role in honn Spirit of EntrepreneurismAward oring our outstanding members, n Lifetime Achievement Award individuals, and businesses. n Pathfinder Award Tickets include complimentary drinks and hors A special thank you to our title sponsor, d’ouevres as well as entry into the awards show.

U.S. Bank. More sponsorships are available.

Featured awards include: n Big Idea Innovation Award Call Heather or Chrystal at 541-884-5193.

from Page 2

Mondo’s closer to home.

Rodriguez said he and others who knew Cassidy-Mondale have encouraged her since the beginning.

“We knew she could do it, so we all gave her that boost of confidence,” Floor space at Mondo’s offers a wilde variety of stock at bargain prices.

Rodriguez said.

“A place like this is the area.

Mondale said. needed.”

Dozens of shoppers filled the aisles So far, the store owner said she has Meanwhile, Cassidyrecently to see what they could find Mondale hopes she can heard mostly positive feedback about what she offers and what she’s aiming just before Christmas approached. continue improving Mondo’s is located in the Town and Country to provide in Klamath Falls. shopping center off South Sixth Street.

Ruben Rodriguez, a shopper who the store over time, an endeavor she describes as said. “This is what I should be doing.” said he also knew Cassidy-Mondale, “I can’t guarantee anything but a passion. said it was nice to have a store like I’ll see what I can do to find what the See OUTLET, Page 3 customers are looking for,” Cassidy“This is where I should be,” she sbassinger@heraldandnews.com

Mark Fay, M.D. Scott Stevens, M.D. Physician/ Surgeon of the Eye Physician/ Surgeon of the Eye

Edwin Tuhy, O.D. Optometrist

Jennifer Sparks, O.D. Optometrist

New Patients Welcome

2640 Biehn St. • 541.884.3148 • www.klamatheyecenter.com

KLAMATH BASIN

Business

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Thursday, Dec. 28, 2017, Herald and News

Basin Business

Basin Business Social Security

At your assistance

Let the keyboard do your filing work from home

Submitted photo

The jubilee dinner at the Running Y is cause for a holiday celebrartion by Assistance League members.

Group raises funds to clothe needy children From a press release

The Assistance League of Klamath Basin is a non-profit organization that is not only a wonderful social experience with a monthly luncheon and meeting, but engages in several philanthropic projects throughout the year, according to a press release.

An example of this is Operation Schoolbell which provides new clothing for school age children in Klamath Basin who are in need and who are referred into the program from school personnel. For several years, the ALKB has hosted an exquisite holiday event held at the Running Y Ranch Resort Convention Center which is a delicious dinner and auction to raise funds to support Operation Schoolbell.

The day after this event the spirit of Christmas and helping others con-

tinues as a free event for families, the Wonderland of Trees, is held including games, prizes, cookies and a visit from Santa. Both of these events are held in conjunction with the Snowflake Festival.

Generous donors from the community provide live auction items, beautifully decorated Christmas trees as well as various silent auction items. Not only does the community have fun but together they raise approximately $50-60k to clothe low-income school kids.

Through fundraising efforts, which also includes profits from Findables, a second-hand furniture and home decor store operated by the Assistance League, Operation School Bell provides a certificate for $125 for each student to purchase clothes of their choosing in conjunc-

tion with Fred Meyer held at special in-store shopping events. Personal hygiene kits, scarves and hats and gloves are also provided by members.

ALKB cares about the community and members spend their time volunteering in projects that benefit the people and children in the Klamath Basin. Other projects include assisting with painted school playground maps of the United States at various schools, donating award-winning children’s books to school libraries and the SMART program and providing much needed items for the Women’s Crisis Center.

For more information Assistance League or membership visit www. klamathbasinassistanceleague.org, call Findables at 541-883-1721 or visit us on Facebook. New members are always welcome!

Thursday, Dec. 28, 2017, Herald and News

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FINANCIAL FOCUS

Time for New Year’s financial resolutions

We’ve reached the end of another year — which means it’s just about time for some New Year’s resoluThe holiday season is upon us, tions. Would you like to study a new bringing with it family gatherings and familiar traditions. As you bustle language, take up a musical instrument or visit the gym more often? about from place to place, sharAll these are worthy goals, of course, ing turkey dinners and catching up but why not also add some financial with loved ones, there’s one errand resolutions? you can avoid — a visit to the Social Here are some ideas to think Security office. Why take time out of about: your busy holiday schedule to visit an n Increase contributions to your office when you can conduct most of employer-sponsored retirement your business online? plan. For 2018, you can contribute At www.socialsecurity.gov, we up to $18,500 (or $24,500 if you’re have a variety of services available 50 or older) to your 401(k) or similar plan, such as a 403(b), for employees to you, all from the comfort of your of public schools and some nonhome. You can apply for disability profit groups, or a 457(b) plan, for benefits or appeal a disability decision. You can also file for retirement employees of local governments.

It’s usually a good idea to contribbenefits, spousal benefits, or Mediute as much as you can afford to care-only benefits while enjoying your employer’s plan, as your conleftover pumpkin pie. Our secure, tributions may lower your taxable easy-to-navigate website is sure to income, while your earnings can add plenty of comfort and joy to the grow tax-deferred. At a minimum, festivities. put in enough to earn your employer’s matching contribution, if one is Even if you’re currently receiving benefits, or aren’t quite ready to file, offered. n Try to “max out” on your IRA. Social Security has services to bring you holiday cheer. With a my Social Even if you have a 401(k) or similar plan, you can probably still invest Security account, those receiving in an IRA. For 2018, you can conbenefits may change their address tribute up to $5,500 to a traditional and direct deposit information, get or Roth IRA, or $6,500 if you’re 50 proof of their benefits, and request or older. (Income restrictions apply replacement documents like a Medi- to Roth IRAs.) Contributions to a care card. In addition, if you aren’t traditional IRA may be tax-deductcurrently getting benefits, you can ible, depending on your income, still check your earnings record, get and your earnings can grow taxestimates of your future benefits, and deferred. Roth IRA contributions view your Social Security Statement. are not deductible, but earnings can In some areas, you can even request grow tax-free, provided you don’t start taking withdrawals until you a replacement Social Security card are 59-1/2 and you’ve have had your online. Open your account today at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount. account at least five years. You can put virtually any investment in an With the New Year just around IRA, so it can expand your options the corner, it’s never too early to beyond those offered in your 401(k) start planning. You may want to visit or similar plan. www.myRA.gov. myRA is a retiren Build an emergency fund. Try ment savings account designed to to build an emergency fund conainhelp you put aside money.

ing three to six months’ worth of living expenses, with the money held in a low-risk, liquid account. This fund can help you avoid dipping into your long-term investments to pay for unexpected costs, such as a new furnace or a major car repair. n Control your debts. It’s never easy, but do what you can to keep your debts under control. The less you have to spend on debt payments, the more you can invest for your future. n Don’t overreact to changes in the financial markets. We’ve had a long run of rising stock prices – but it won’t last forever. If we experience a sharp market downturn in 2018, don’t overreact by taking a “time out” from investing. Market drops are a normal feature of the investment landscape, and you may ultimately gain an advantage by buying new shares when their prices are down. n Review your goals and risk tolerance. At least once in 2018, take some time to review your short- and long-term financial goals and try to determine, possibly with the help of a financial professional, if your investment portfolio is still appropriate for these goals. At the same time, you’ll want to re-evaluate your risk tolerance to ensure you’re not taking too much risk — or possibly too little risk — with your investments.

Do your best to stick with these resolutions throughout the coming year. At a minimum, they can help you improve your investment habits — and they may improve your financial picture far beyond 2018.

Submitted by: Meredith Hoffman Financial Advisor-Edward Jones 1307 S Alameda Ave, Suite B Klamath Falls, OR 97603 541-273-2483

Jobless rate moves little in Klamath, Lake counties There was very little change to nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months in Klamath and Lake Counties following several years of sustained, yet modest growth.

Klamath County: The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was unchanged at 6.0 percent in November. The rate was essentially unchanged from this time last year when it was 6.3 percent.

Klamath County lost 150 jobs in November; fewer losses than typically expected this time of year.

Total nonfarm payroll employment rose by a modest 1.4 percent from November 2016 (+320 jobs). The pace of job growth has been steadily declining the past 6 months. Strong gains in leisure and hospitality (+130) were essentially negated by job losses

Klamath County Chamber of Commerce 205 Riverside Drive, Ste. A Klamath Falls, OR 97603 Office: 541-884-5193 Fax: 541-884-5195

Heather Tramp, Executive director Email: heathert@klamath.org www.klamath.org www.facebook.com/KlamathChamber

in professional and business services (-120). Government posted notable job gains over the past year, largely due to gains in local education.

Lake County: The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was essentially unchanged at 5.5 percent in November. The rate was 6.1 percent in November 2016, not a statistically significant decline.

The county lost 100 jobs in November, significantly more than the 50 jobs typically shed in November.

These losses were largely concentrated in federal government agencies.

Total nonfarm employment is unchanged from this time last year.

Industry employment is down due to a sharp decline of 50 jobs in manufacturing. Government employment is up a modest 20 jobs. twitter.com/AccessKlamath

Executive Board President: Wes French First Vice President: Rachael Spoon Treasurer/Secretary: Jennifer Scanlan Members: Jason Chapman, Sergio Cisneros, George Ormsbee Immediate Past President: Todd Andres

Basin Business

Thursday, Dec. 28, 2017, Herald and News

Biggest business stories of 2017

By The Los Angeles Times

Wall Street is on a tear. Amazon gobbles up Whole Foods and continues to make significant strides in streaming video, fast delivery, online shopping and more. Uber fights for survival and Tesla to deliver. Here are the major business stories that defined business in 2017.

STOCKS RISE TO NEW HEIGHTS

Rising rates were supposed to kill it. So were North Korea’s saber rattling and doubts about President Donald Trump’s tax cuts. But nothing slowed the nearly 9-year-old bull market in stocks, now the second-longest on record. What might spark a reversal? Candidates include China’s shaky banks, a trade war, trading algorithms moving in lockstep, and the digital currency bitcoin crashing.

AIRLINES TO TREAT PASSENGERS BETTER

The violent ejection of David Dao from a United Airlines plane became a viral video sensation in April as the bloodied physician was dragged out.

That sparked a backlash from consumers and lawmakers, who pointed to a flurry of nasty incidents, usually captured on cellphone video. United and other carriers said they would reduce or eliminate overbooking, pay more to bumped passengers and bolster employee training to improve service and avoid confrontations.

SILICON VALLEY, WRATH OF WASHINGTON

This year marked the end of Silicon Valley’s honeymoon with America. Utopian visions of a digital future quickly turned dystopian after revelations that the country’s biggest tech companies were manipulated by Russian operatives to undermine the 2016 election. Google, Facebook and Twitter were forced to appear before Congress to explain how their platforms were infiltrated by trolls, bots and fake news. The scrutiny has made it more likely that new regulations will be imposed on the

Sutherlin business register hits snag

industry.

AMAZON GETS INTO THE FOOD BUSINESS

Amazon.com this year bought Whole Foods for $13.7 billion and said it would immediately cut prices at the notoriously pricey grocery chain.

Avocados, salmon, brown eggs and organic apples all got cheaper, although prices for other products went up. Meanwhile, Amazon continues to make significant strides in streaming video, fast delivery, voice-recognition personal assistants, music, audiobooks, online shopping, pharmacy — and even bricks-and-mortar stores.

UBER FIGHTS FOR ITS LIFE

Uber started the year as the indisputable king of ride-hailing and startups. But a relentless string of scandals has weakened its standing. It lost executives over sexual harassment and bullying accusations, ousted CEO Travis Kalanick and concealed a data breach that affected more than 50 million customers. It was sued by drivers, passengers and Alphabet-owned Waymo, and was kicked out of London. Uber faces a huge markdown in its valuation as it tries to sell at least 14 percent of its shares to Japanese conglomerate SoftBank.

TESLA’S MODEL 3 STUCK IN PRODUCTION

Elon Musk wants to fly people to Mars, but his big dreams won’t matter if he can’t fix Tesla’s Model 3 production line. Tesla’s first mass-market car launched in July and 400,000 were to be sold in 2018. But bottlenecks have held production to only a few of cars a day. Tesla’s sky-high stock value — which briefly passed General Motors’— depends

The city of Sutherlin’s business registration proposal has hit a snag after some city councilors objected to provisions in the proposed ordinance that would exempt existing businesses and fine nonparticipants.

After several months of discussions and committee work, Sutherlin was supposed to review the proposed ordinance earlier this month. The City Council voted to table it, however, after some counAP photo cilors objected to what they say is an exemption for existing businesses, as well as a proposal to fine businesses that do not comply. The city expects to bring the ordinance back in February for another attempt at a first reading.

The city does not require businesses to get a license, while some other area cities do, including Roseburg and Winston.

The city maintains that it needs some kind of registration for public safety reasons so that it has a listing of emergency contacts and toxic chemical information, as well as ensuring that new businesses meet zoning requirements. The city previously found a business that was out of compliance with land-use regulations immediately after it opened up, requiring it to move to another location, according to city officials.

Councilor Forrest Stone objected to the idea of only requiring new businesses to register, calling it “discrimination” during the meeting.

In an interview, Stone said one of the questions AP photo that he had was how the city is going to make new Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla Motors Inc., left, businesses register when existing businesses don’t. discusses the company’s new Gigafactory in Stone noted that someone could open a business Sparks, Nev. two weeks before the ordinance was enacted would not have to participate, while another business that on turning that around. opened after the ordinance went into effect would U.S. SUES TO BLOCK AT&T-TIME WARNER have to comply.

MERGER Another issue for Stone was a line of text in the It would create one of the biggest players in Holordinance that says businesses that didn’t register lywood, joining a telecommunications giant with would be penalized. the owner of HBO’s “Game of Thrones” and the The business registration itself was also an issue “Harry Potter” films. But the Justice Department for Stone, who said he was against it because the sued to block AT&T’s $85 billion purchase of Time city is small enough that police and fire staff could Warner, contending that it the combined compago door-to-door to inventory things like workplace nies would have too much control over entertainchemicals. There was also the possibility that the ment. The court case could establish a benchmark city could start charging fees for it in the future, and for antitrust actions and have a chilling effect on he wants to keep the costs down for Sutherlin busiother big media deals. nesses.

Thursday, Dec. 28, 2017, Herald and News

Keep Klamath cozy this winter.

From the Associated Press Eric Schumacher, right, works at his trading post at the New York Stock Exchange. The DOW hit record heights in 2017 and continues to climb.

CONSUMER PROTECTION TAKES A HIT

A decade after the housing bust sparked the worse U.S. recession since the Great Depression and led to tighter lending regulations, the financial industry is succeeding in loosening its leash. In October, Congress voted to overturn a Consumer Financial Protection Bureau rule that would have allowed consumers to hit banks with class-action lawsuits. A month later, after the bureau’s director, Richard Cordray, quit, Trump moved to neutralize the CFPB itself, installing White House budget director and harsh bureau critic Mick Mulvaney as its interim head. Next up: reworking regulations on unwinding failed financial institutions.

Basin Business

More than 80 percent of Klamath County residents live in homes built prior to 1970.

Many of these homes are poorly insulated with only one heating source and too many residents are not able to afford needed improvements.

Please donate new* blankets to help our neighbors keep warm as temperatures continue to drop. Our goal is to collect 100 new blankets.

Pacific Power will be here on: to pick up blankets your office has collected.

CONTACT: Todd Andres, Regional Business Manager 541-883-7889, or by email at Todd.Andres@pacificorp.com Thank you for your help!

© 2017 Pacific Power

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*Clean, gently used blankets are also accepted.

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Thursday, Dec. 28, 2017, Herald and News

Basin Business