Page Inman had no intention of joining the family construction business, but 20 years and a couple $40 million construction jobs later, he has no regrets.

Cyclical economic changes and the need for competitive diversification are par for the course in an industry that depends on the availability of capital to survive.

2. International Paper’s Net Earnings Up - Thursday, May 02, 2013

Memphis-based International Paper Co. reported net earnings Thursday, May 2, of $318 million for the first quarter of 2013, a $130 million increase from a year ago.

Quarterly net sales for International Paper of $7.1 billion were up $400 million from a year ago but the same as for the fourth quarter of 2012.

3. Northward Expansion - Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Thirteen years after Visible Music College founder Ken Steorts launched a school with a focus on music ministry and production that relocated into Memphis after outgrowing its original Lakeland campus, the school is preparing to launch a satellite campus.

4. TJX Leases Up Chickasaw Building D - Tuesday, March 12, 2013

The TJX Cos. Inc. has inked a substantial deal in Southeast Memphis, representing the largest industrial lease so far in 2013.

5. Local Ad Execs to Present at SXSW Festival - Tuesday, March 05, 2013

A pair of admen from Memphis will be in Austin, Texas, presenting at the South by Southwest Interactive Festival that starts later this week.

Archer-malmo chief creative officer and principal Gary Backaus, along with archer-malmo associate creative director and copywriter Justin Dobbs, will be there during the five days’ worth of presentations from leaders in emerging technology.

6. Argent Financial Sees Growth in Memphis, Beyond - Saturday, March 02, 2013

Argent Financial Group hasn’t let its foot off the gas since arriving in Memphis.

The Louisiana-based wealth management firm, which is now responsible for more than $5.5 billion in client assets, has continued to expand both in Memphis and beyond.

7. U of M Files Permit for New Residence - Tuesday, February 26, 2013

3615 Central Ave. Memphis, TN 38111

Permit Cost: $43.5 million

Project Cost: $53 million

8. Dunavant Grows Logistics, Transportation Divisions - Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Dunavant Enterprises Inc. continues its transformation into a purely third-party logistics and asset-based transportation firm.

9. Carey Watermark Investors Buys Beale Hampton Inn - Friday, February 22, 2013

The new owner of the Hampton Inn & Suites Memphis-Beale Street at 175 Peabody Place Downtown, has filed a $22.5 million loan on the property after acquiring the 144-room hotel.

10. FTN Financial Grows With New Offices, Hires - Monday, February 11, 2013

First Tennessee Bank’s capital markets subsidiary has been on a tear lately. FTN Financial has grown on several fronts, including with the addition of a public finance department as it expands into the general market municipal bond sector and with the opening of new offices as part of that expansion. The company also has opened additional new offices around the country and added employees in other areas to handle general growth.

11. Arnot Joins Hillwood as Market Director - Saturday, February 09, 2013

Dallas-based Hillwood Investment Properties has hired Bates Arnot as market director.

Arnot will be responsible for marketing and leasing industrial properties in the Dallas and Memphis markets.

12. Arnot Joins Hillwood as Market Director - Friday, February 08, 2013

Dallas-based Hillwood Investment Properties has hired Bates Arnot as market director.

Arnot will be responsible for marketing and leasing industrial properties in the Dallas and Memphis markets.

13. New Breed Expands Memphis Footprint - Friday, February 01, 2013

New Breed Logistics recently announced plans to expand its Memphis operations with an investment of $23 million that will create 468 warehouse and distribution jobs.

The privately held 3PL company helps businesses design and operate efficient supply chains. Its newest facility will consist of 404,000 square feet at 4585 Quality Drive, and the company will also significantly expand operations inside its facility at 4895 Citation Drive.

14. MED Buys East Memphis Land for $3.4 Million - Tuesday, December 04, 2012

6525 Quince Road Memphis, TN 38119

Sale Amount: $3.4 million

Sale Date: Nov. 16, 2012

15. Gallina Centro Property Sells for $7.1 Million - Friday, November 30, 2012

An affiliate of the Phoenix-based real estate investment trust Cole Capital Advisors Inc. has paid $7.1 million for the portion of the Gallina Centro strip center in Collierville that houses HomeGoods and Michael’s.

16. Economic East vs. West - Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Yin and Yang Since Election Day, stock indices have fallen sharply, reflecting the Washington non-consensus. As we enter another legislative sausage session, investors can’t help but recall the 20 percent drawdown that marked the last high-stakes negotiation.

17. Brinkley Plaza Sells to Olymbec for $7.2 Million - Monday, October 29, 2012

Downtown’s Brinkley Plaza has sold for $7.2 million to a Canadian real estate investment firm.

Montreal-based Olymbec USA LLC, an entity of Olymbec Corporate Group, acquired the 219,557-square-foot tower at 80 Monroe Ave., its ground lease and the adjacent 300-space covered parking garage.

18. Brinkley Plaza Sells to Olymbec for $7.2M - Friday, October 26, 2012

Downtown’s Brinkley Plaza has sold for $7.2 million to a Canadian real estate investment firm.

Montreal-based Olymbec USA LLC, an entity of Olymbec Corporate Group, acquired the 219,557-square-foot tower at 80 Monroe Ave., its ground lease and the adjacent 300-space covered parking garage.

19. National Small Business Workshop Coming to Memphis - Wednesday, October 03, 2012

A small-business-themed workshop tour presented in part by the New York Stock Exchange is stopping in Memphis next week.

The NYSE, small-business lender Accion and Yelp, which operates a business ratings and review website and app, earlier this summer joined forces to launch their “Small Business Connections Tour,” part of the organizations’ NYSE Big StartUp initiative.

20. Olive Garden, LongHorn Workers Sue Company - Friday, September 07, 2012

Darden Restaurants violated federal labor laws by underpaying thousands of servers across the country at Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, Red Lobster and other eateries, according to a lawsuit filed Thursday on behalf of the workers.

21. Fla. Company Buys Cordova Retail Center - Friday, June 08, 2012

Coral Springs, Fla.-based Swiss Capital Group LLC has acquired The Shops of Woodland Hills in Cordova for $3.1 million.

22. Orgel’s Experience Helps Him Lead School Board - Monday, May 07, 2012

Billy Orgel was no stranger to the ways of an elected legislative body by last year when he was appointed to become a member of the countywide school board.

For years, getting the approval of the Memphis City Council or the Shelby County Commission to locate a cell tower has been part of his business, Tower Ventures.

23. Garrett to Head Adult Programs At Literacy Mid-South - Wednesday, May 02, 2012

Alfred Garrett has been promoted to director of adult programs at Literacy Mid-South. Previously the adult programs manager, Garrett’s new role will include establishing and maintaining program delivery policies, evaluating effectiveness and measuring outcomes for the nonprofit organization’s adult programs.

24. Performance Of Memphis Public Cos. Varies Widely - Monday, April 16, 2012

Memphis is home to several publicly traded companies that have made an indelible mark on industries ranging from transportation to finance and manufacturing.

Here’s a snapshot of how those companies are faring at the moment. (For a detailed look at AutoZone, see related story, "The Fast Lane.")

25. $1.5 Million Loan Filed For Future Vantage Point Golf - Tuesday, March 06, 2012

Future Vantage Point Golf Center

Loan Amount: $1.5 million

Loan Date: Feb. 28, 2012

Maturity Date: March 1, 2037

Borrower: Vantage Point Holdings LLC

26. Getwell Storage Sites Sell for $3.7 Million - Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Texas-based TP Getwell Self Storage Ltd. has bought self-storage facilities on about 12 acres at 2700 Getwell Road and 2706 Getwell Road from Getwell Self Storage LLC for $3.7 million, financing the purchase with a $2.8 million trust deed through Texas Capital Bank NA.

27. Room Service - Monday, February 27, 2012

The good news for the local hotel industry is that last year notched the most rooms ever sold on a daily basis with 4.8 million – 115,628 more than 2010 and 76,780 more than the previous high set in 2007.

28. Tax Reform in This Election year: It's Not Likely - Tuesday, February 07, 2012

WASHINGTON (AP) – Tax reform sounds like a good idea to lots of people, but where to start? Eliminate the popular deduction for home mortgages? End the write-off for charitable contributions? How about expanding the Social Security payroll tax?

29. Companies Sue County Over Minority Contracts - Tuesday, February 07, 2012

Giving minority contractors a bigger share of the pie in doing business with local government is a hot topic at the moment.

City and county officials, for example, have found themselves in recent days under pressure to explain low levels of minority participation in some of the area’s high-dollar capital investment projects.

30. C-III Capital Acquires NAI Global - Tuesday, January 31, 2012

The parent company of Memphis-based NAI Saig Co. has been acquired by an Irving, Texas-based real estate investment and special loan servicing firm for an undisclosed amount.

31. Delta Shares Up on Report of Interest in AMR - Friday, January 13, 2012

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) – Shares of Delta Air Lines Inc. rose Thursday after a report that the world's second-biggest airline may try to buy American Airlines parent AMR Corp.

32. Wonder Bread Maker Hostess Seeks Bankruptcy Protection - Thursday, January 12, 2012

NEW YORK (AP) – Hostess Brands Inc., the maker of Twinkies and Wonder Bread, is seeking bankruptcy protection, blaming its pension and medical benefits obligations, increased competition and tough economic conditions.

33. Wonder Bread Maker Hostess Seeks Bankruptcy Protection - Wednesday, January 11, 2012

NEW YORK (AP) – Hostess Brands Inc., the maker of Twinkies and Wonder Bread, is seeking bankruptcy protection, blaming its pension and medical benefits obligations, increased competition and tough economic conditions.

34. Economists: Obama's Policies 'Fair' or 'Poor' - Thursday, December 29, 2011

WASHINGTON (AP) – President Barack Obama gets mediocre marks for his handling of the U.S. economy, and Mitt Romney easily outpolls his Republican rivals in an Associated Press survey of economists.

35. Stonebridge Apartments Sells for $22 Million - Tuesday, December 20, 2011

9135 U.S. 64 and 9225 U.S. 64
Memphis, TN 38016

Sale Amount: $21.9 million

Sale Date: Dec. 6, 2011

Buyer: AB Merion Stonebridge LLC

36. Whitney Cap. Files Loan for 99 N. Main Apts. - Monday, December 19, 2011

Memphis 99 Tower LP, an entity affiliated with New York-based Whitney Capital Co. LLC, has filed a $6.7 million trust deed through Oak Grove Commercial Mortgage LLC for The Renaissance Apartments at 99 N. Main St.

37. House Says No to Mandating Balanced Federal Budget - Monday, November 21, 2011

WASHINGTON (AP) – Rejecting the idea Congress can't control its spending impulses, the House turned back a Republican proposal Friday to amend the Constitution to dam the rising flood of federal red ink. Democrats – and a few GOP lawmakers – said damage from the balanced-budget mandate would outweigh any benefits.

38. Dunkin' Brands' Net Income Falls on Charges - Wednesday, November 02, 2011

NEW YORK (AP) – Dunkin' Brands Group Inc. said Tuesday its net income plummeted 61 percent in the quarter that it became a public company, as its efforts to pay down debt and big fees to the private-equity firms that used to own it offset revenue gains.

39. International Paper Reports Strong Q3 - Friday, October 28, 2011

Memphis-based International Paper Co. reported net earnings of $518 million, or $1.19 per share for the third quarter of 2011.

40. IPO Market, an Engine of Job Growth, Stalls - Tuesday, October 25, 2011

NEW YORK (AP) — Two companies with quirky names, Ubiquiti Networks and Zeltiq Aesthetics, made their public debuts earlier this month with listings on the Nasdaq Stock Market. Each company's stock went up modestly on the first day of trading.

41. Making Up: Free Apps for Furious Blackberry Users - Tuesday, October 18, 2011

TORONTO (AP) – The Blackberry has left a bitter taste in the mouths of its users.

Trying to make amends for massive outages last week, Research In Motion on Monday promised Blackberry users free premium apps and a month of technical support. But the apology is unlikely to placate miffed customers, many of whom are considering whether to part with the tarnished brand in favor of more popular devices such as Apple's newest iPhone.

42. Econ Club Has Speakers On ‘Cutting Edge’ - Wednesday, September 28, 2011

This fall’s slate of speakers coming to the city thanks to the Economic Club of Memphis includes a cyber-security expert, a prominent New York Times business columnist and a former government official who was an early supporter of “Reaganomics.”

43. Brentwood Place Apartments Sells for $8.5 Million - Tuesday, August 30, 2011

1835 Sycamore View Road
Memphis, TN 38135
Sale Amount: $8.5 million

44. In Midwest, Obama Seeks Ideas for Jolting Economy - Wednesday, August 17, 2011

PEOSTA, Iowa (AP) – Seeking some help from rural America, President Barack Obama on Tuesday implored Iowans to share ideas with him about how leaders can give an economic jolt to the nation's heartland. He promised better days in a time of relentless joblessness, saying, "We'll get through this moment of challenge."

45. Obama Returns to Chicago to Resume Fundraising - Thursday, August 04, 2011

WASHINGTON (AP) – Trying to make up lost time, President Barack Obama plunged back into the search for money for his re-election campaign Wednesday with a coast-to-coast series of parties marking his 50th birthday after he was forced to cancel fundraisers because of the debt-ceiling crisis.

46. Moody's Eyes Debt Downgrade for 5 States Including Tenn. - Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Moody's Investors Service warned Tuesday that it probably will lower the credit rating on five states, including Tennessee, if it downgrades the U.S. government's credit rating.

The credit rating agency said it has placed on review for possible downgrade the triple-A bond ratings of five states. The others are Maryland, New Mexico, South Carolina and Virginia.

47. GOP Uses Budget, Other Tools to Sap Financial Law - Wednesday, July 06, 2011

WASHINGTON (AP) – Congressional Republicans are greeting the one-year anniversary of President Barack Obama's financial overhaul law by trying to weaken it, nibble by nibble.

Wary of attempting to dismantle the entire statute and being portrayed as Wall Street's allies – banks are among the nation's most unpopular institutions – GOP lawmakers are attacking corners of it. They can't prevail because they don't control the White House or Senate, but they may be able to force some compromises on agency budgets, pressure regulators and influence some of Obama's nominations.

48. Parker Joins Leadership Memphis - Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Latoria “Tori” Parker has joined Leadership Memphis as operations manager.

Hometown: Memphis

Education: B.S. Business Administration – University of Phoenix

49. Soulsville Charter School Files $10M Loan for New Bldg. - Tuesday, June 14, 2011

1115 College St.
Memphis, TN 38106
Loan Amount: $10 million

Loan Date: May 20, 2011
Maturity Date: May 5, 2018
Borrower: The Soulsville Charter School LLC
Lender: SunTrust Community Development Enterprises LLC
Details: The Soulsville Charter School LLC has filed a $10 million construction leasehold loan through SunTrust Community Development Enterprises LLC. The loan will fund construction of a new school building – announced last year – on a 2.1-acre parcel and a 1.9-acre parking easement owned by The Soulsville Foundation Inc.

50. Walnut Grove Hampton Financed for $3.3 Million - Wednesday, June 08, 2011

A limited partnership entity called W2005 New Century Hotel Portfolio LP has financed the Hampton Inn Memphis-Walnut Grove/Baptist Hospital East hotel at 33 Humphrey Center Drive through German American Capital Corp. for $3.3 million.

51. Cable Service Provider Signs New Lease - Friday, June 03, 2011

A Madison, Tenn.-based cable service provider is taking advantage of lower rates in a competitive leasing environment.

FTS USA has signed a 4,002-square-foot lease in East Pointe Business Center, 3915 S. Mendenhall Road.

52. 'More Opportunities' - Monday, April 04, 2011

Despite scarce commercial construction and soaring gas prices, the health care industry is turning to builders and contractors perhaps more so now than ever before.

Two-thirds of hospitals nationwide are undergoing construction projects this year, a 35 percent increase compared with 2009. That’s the findings of a capital survey conducted by Irving, Texas-based VHA Inc., a national network of community-owned health care systems and their physicians.

53. Memphis Defense Depot Slated for Sale - Monday, March 14, 2011

Memphis Defense Depot – the 4.2 million-square-foot industrial park and former Army base just north of Memphis International Airport – is back on the market.

Once sold, the property will return to the city and county tax base and deliver anticipated tax revenue of approximately $1 million annually, making it one of the more successful national Army base closures.

54. Memphis Defense Depot Slated for Sale - Friday, March 11, 2011

Memphis Defense Depot – the 4.2 million-square-foot industrial park and former Army base just north of Memphis International Airport – is back on the market.

Once sold, the property will return to the city and county tax base and deliver anticipated tax revenue of approximately $1 million annually, making it one of the more successful national Army base closures.

55. Mt. Zion Upgrades to Larger Church in Frayser - Friday, February 18, 2011

Two Memphis area churches have closed on a deal that’s been in the pipeline for about a year and a half.

Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 1280 Stonewall St., bought the 36,000-square-foot church at 1621 Dellwood Ave. in Frayser from Schoolfield United Methodist Church Inc. for $500,000.

56. Foreign Investors Buy Treasure Park Apartments - Tuesday, February 15, 2011

2601 N. Watkins St.
Memphis, TN 38127
First Sale: $1.1 million

Sale Date: Jan. 31, 2011
Buyer: City National Bank
Seller: Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. as receiver for Imperial Capital Bank of La Jolla, Calif.
Second Sale: $450,000
Sale Date: Jan. 28, 2011
Buyer: Square Mile Investments LLC
Seller: City National Bank
Details: A foreign investment group named Square Mile Investments LLC has bought Treasure Park Apartments at 2601 N. Watkins St. in Frayser from City National Bank for $450,000.
Details: A foreign investment group named Square Mile Investments LLC has bought Treasure Park Apartments at 2601 N. Watkins St. in Frayser from City National Bank for $450,000.

57. Dotzour Outlines CRE Future at MAAR Summit - Thursday, February 10, 2011

For this year’s version of the commercial real estate industry to differ from 2010, the economy needs one thing – jobs.

That was the message Mark Dotzour, chief economist and director of research for the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University, told a room full of local brokers, bankers and appraisers at Wednesday’s Commercial Property Forecast Summit, held at the Germantown Performing Arts Centre and sponsored by the Memphis Area Association of Realtors Commercial Council.

58. Shifting Gears - Monday, February 07, 2011

Memphis has long been a real estate town.

Family names like Belz, Boyle, Clark, Fogelman, Loeb, Snowden and Wilkinson – to name a few – have become synonymous not only with local commercial and industrial development but also with the city’s business fortunes and cultural identity.

59. Less Worried About Layoffs, Jobholders Spend More - Tuesday, January 11, 2011

WASHINGTON (AP) – A steady decline in layoffs is giving the vast majority of adults who have jobs the confidence to spend more freely and help energize the economy. They no longer worry so much about losing their jobs.

60. Cash Infusion - Friday, January 07, 2011

An El Paso, Texas-based investment firm has bought a “significant stake” in LEDIC Management Group LLC, a move that will enable the Memphis-based third party investment real estate firm to expand its national footprint, implement new technology, and hire additional employees.

61. Eastgate Sells for $31.5 Million - Tuesday, January 04, 2011

The Eastgate Shopping Center on Park Avenue in East Memphis has sold to a Dallas-based entity for $31.5 million from Belz Enterprises Inc., according to documents filed with the Shelby County Register of Deeds.

62. ‘Ridiculously Cool’ Tiger Shirts Put Biz on Map - Monday, November 15, 2010

Zombie tigers have been sighted on the streets of Memphis. Citizens should be on the lookout for snarling, eyeless tigers. These tigers should be considered nuts about Memphis and ready to rock.

The tigers can be found in a new design printed on black T-shirts. The shirts are the latest Memphis fashion craze and are the work of local design firm Memphis Inc.

63. Biofuel Firms Seek New Life Amid Changes - Monday, November 15, 2010

While the Mississippi Delta region is considered a centerpiece of agricultural diversity and productivity in the southern U.S – distinguished by a variety of soil types, favorable climate and fairly long growing season – the biofuels industry must become viable to take advantage of the area’s assets.

64. Tennessee Ranks Second On Top Business Climate List - Tuesday, November 02, 2010

Site Selection magazine ranked Tennessee as the No. 2 spot in its November 2010 Top Business Climate list.

The annual business climate rankings are determined half by performance of the state in Conway Data’s New Plant Database, which tracks new and expanded business facility activity. The other half is determined by a survey of corporate real estate executives across the country, seeking the best overall climate for capital investment.

65. Trustmark: Cadence Deal May Be Primer on How to Do It - Friday, October 22, 2010

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Trustmark Corp. believes its attempt to acquire Cadence Bank — even though it failed — can serve as a blueprint for other banks seeking to buy distressed institutions not yet under Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation control.

66. Census Data: Marriages in 2009 at Record Low Level - Wednesday, September 29, 2010

WASHINGTON (AP) – The recession took a dramatic toll on the institution of marriage in America last year, new figures show, with weddings for people 18 and older at the lowest ebb in over a hundred years.

67. Lasting Legacies - Monday, September 27, 2010

Consider the continent as it was when Memphis was founded in 1819. No railroads crisscrossed the land and Tennessee roads would not be paved until after World War I.

For a city to thrive and prosper, transportation would be paramount. For Memphis, the Mississippi River, an integral artery of commerce and communication in America, would be its gateway to greatness.

68. Kitchen Tune-Up Seeks Veteran to Give Franchise - Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Memphis is one of 10 cities where Kitchen Tune-Up wants to give away a franchise to a United States military veteran.

The company is waiving the $40,000 cost of the franchise package to a qualifying applicant. Kitchen Tune-Up, which specializes in low-budget remodeling of bathrooms and kitchens, has been in the franchise business since 1988 and has established a presence in 200 markets across the United States and Canada.

69. Law Takes Ruby Wharton On Interesting Journey - Thursday, July 08, 2010

She brings to the table more than 40 years of law experience in areas that include contract disputes, domestic relations, employment discrimination, personal injury and probate matters. She has practiced extensively in the Chancery, Circuit, Probate and Federal courts.

70. Mississippi Man Finds HogWine Dreams - Monday, March 29, 2010

After a long career in mental health, David Wilson decided to cash in on his chips –potato chips, that is.

Wilson, 57, of Madison, Miss., talks about his company Southern Spoon LLC like he talks about his uncle James “Fig” Newton – in long, porch-swing yarns.

71. Former Orgill Distribution Center Sold Following Foreclosure - Tuesday, March 23, 2010

2108 Latham St.
Memphis, TN 38109
Sale Amount: $2.5 Million

Sale Date: March 9, 2010
Buyer: NW-2100 Latham Street LLC
Seller: Bradley Ottinger, trustee

72. Vanguard Health Plans to Buy Mich. Hospital System - Monday, March 22, 2010

DETROIT (AP) - Detroit Medical Center officials said Friday that plans for the nonprofit hospital system to be purchased by the privately held Vanguard Health Systems Inc. will allow it to maintain its commitment to charitable care and boost investment in its future.

73. Outlook Unsure - Monday, February 22, 2010

Last week’s Commercial Property Forecast Summit painted a dour picture of the local real estate market, but the January numbers show that the commercial sector has a detectable pulse – at least for now.

74. Walgreen to Buy NYC Drugstore Operator Duane Reade - Thursday, February 18, 2010

NEW YORK (AP) - Walgreen Co. reported Wednesday it has agreed to buy the drugstore operator Duane Reade in a move that will more than quadruple the number of stores it has in the New York City metro area.

75. New Apartment Owner Files Loan on Property - Wednesday, February 03, 2010

The new owner of the Hunter’s Ridge Apartments at 3108 New Allen Road in Raleigh has filed a $1.2 million deed of trust, assignment of leases and rents and security agreement through Texas Capital Bank. The loan closed Jan. 7 but wasn’t recorded with the Shelby County Register of Deeds until last week.

76. Sale Could Bring Improvements To Bella Vista - Friday, January 15, 2010

Like many projects companies launched before the recession hit, the plan for rejuvenating the 432-unit Bella Vista Apartment Homes in Hickory Hill began with such promise.

In March 2007, a newly formed company, Maple Creek Advisors LLC of Dallas, made its first multifamily acquisition with plans to invest $4 million of renovations in the property.

77. Commercial Property Market to Favor Tenants in '10 - Tuesday, January 12, 2010

LOS ANGELES - The commercial property market is coming off its worst year in decades, and the woes are expected to deepen before a turnaround takes hold.

Experts anticipate vacancies for office, industrial, retail and apartment properties will continue to rise. Rental rates are expected to fall. And prices, already down 40 percent from the peak of the market in 2007, are projected to decline even further.

78. Americans' Job Satisfaction Falls to Record Low - Wednesday, January 06, 2010

WASHINGTON (AP) - We can't get no job satisfaction.

Even Americans who are lucky enough to have work in this economy are becoming more unhappy with their jobs, according to a new survey that found only 45 percent of Americans are satisfied with their work.

79. Administration Extends $700B Bailout Until Oct. - Thursday, December 10, 2009

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Obama administration has extended the $700 billion financial bailout program until October, setting up a struggle between Democrats who favor using some of the leftover money to help generate jobs and Republicans who say it should be used to shrink soaring budget deficits.

80. International Growth Gives Classic American Hardwoods Advantage - Friday, December 04, 2009

Classic American Hardwoods Inc. President Bill Courtney said he runs his business according to an old adage: “When they’re yelling, be selling. When they’re crying, be buying.”

81. Geithner: Some Bailout Funds to Help Lower Debt - Friday, November 20, 2009

WASHINGTON (AP) - U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said Thursday the government's $700 billion bailout program will end "as soon as we can," and that part of it will be used to lower the soaring federal debt.

82. Fitch Reviews Whether to Cut Berkshire Rating - Friday, November 06, 2009

CHICAGO (AP) - Fitch Ratings warned Thursday that Berkshire Hathaway Inc.'s deal for Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corp. could overexpose Warren Buffett's company to weaknesses in the economy at the expense of its more durable investments.

83. Durable Goods Orders Rise 1 Percent in September - Thursday, October 29, 2009

WASHINGTON (AP) - Orders to U.S. factories for big-ticket manufactured goods rose in September as the biggest jump in demand for machinery in 18 months offset weakness in commercial aircraft and autos.

84. New Jobless Claims Rise; Americans’ Spending Jumps - Friday, October 02, 2009

WASHINGTON (AP) – First-time claims for jobless benefits increased more than expected last week, a sign employers are reluctant to hire and the job market remains weak.

And even though consumer spending jumped by the most in nearly eight years in August, due partly to the government’s Cash for Clunkers program, economists question whether the improvement can be sustained. They note households face rising unemployment, tight credit conditions and other obstacles.

85. After the Fall: The messy cleanup of Stanford Financial - Monday, September 28, 2009

R. Allen Stanford, the Texas billionaire now passing time in a Texas jail for his role in what U.S. regulators have called a “massive Ponzi scheme,” once told a roomful of his employees they ought to have three priorities in life.

86. Housing, Jobless Data Point To Fragile Recovery - Friday, September 18, 2009

WASHINGTON (AP) – Housing construction rose in August and the number of newly laid-off workers seeking unemployment aid fell unexpectedly last week, adding to signs the recession has ended.

Still, the reports suggested a slow and fragile economic recovery. In part, that’s because the increased housing starts were due solely to a surge in construction of apartment buildings – while the much larger single-family homes sector fell for the first time in six months. And jobless claims remain far above the levels associated with a healthy economy.

87. American Airlines Parent Gets $2.9B, Shifts Routes - Friday, September 18, 2009

ATLANTA (AP) - American Airlines' parent company said Thursday it is taking on significant new debt at a time when revenues are being hammered, but the $2.9 billion in cash and fresh financing it raised should quiet concerns – for now – that it is in danger of a cash crunch and a bankruptcy filing.

88. Louisiana Investor Buys Arlington Retail Center - Tuesday, September 15, 2009

6050 Air Line Road
Arlington, TN 38002
Sale Amount: $1.8 Million

Sale Date: Sept. 2, 2009
Buyer: Southeast Investments LLC
Seller: Pleasant Place LLC, Waymon H. Welch, Danya Welch, Dawn Welch, Jon E. McCreery, Phillip Chamberlain

89. Census: Uninsured Rises to 46.3 Million - Friday, September 11, 2009

WASHINGTON (AP) - The number of Americans without health insurance rose to 46.3 million last year as people began losing jobs and coverage in the current recession. The poverty rate hit 13.2 percent, an 11-year high.

90. REIT Files Loan On Industrial Portfolio - Friday, September 11, 2009

Cobalt Industrial REIT II has filed a $4.8 million first deed of trust, security agreement and fixture filing for the industrial real estate portfolio it acquired late last year. The Malone Distribution Center is a 382,500-square-foot, three-building portfolio at 4260 and 4436 Malone Road and 4366 Pilot Drive.

91. FDIC May Need Help - Thursday, August 27, 2009

NEW YORK (AP) – The government agency that guarantees you won't lose your money in a bank failure may need a lifeline of its own.

The coffers of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. have been so depleted by the epidemic of collapsing financial institutions that analysts warn it could sink into the red by the end of this year.

92. US Thrifts Earn $4M in Q2 - Thursday, August 27, 2009

WASHINGTON (AP) – U.S. thrifts eked out a $4 million profit in the second quarter, but the number of troubled institutions continued to rise, the government reported Wednesday.

The Office of Thrift Supervision said the small profit in the April-June period marked the industry's first positive earnings since the third quarter of 2007. It compared to a loss of $5.4 billion in the year-ago period, and $1.62 billion in the first quarter of this year.

93. Troubled Frayser Apartment Complexes Land New Owner - Tuesday, August 18, 2009

3081 St. Charles Drive
and 931 Frayser Blvd.
Memphis, TN 38127

Sale Amount: $2.2 Million
Sale Date: July 22, 2009
Buyer: Group 40 LLC
Seller: Whitney Frayser Manor Memphis LLC
Loan Amount: $1.5 million
Loan Date: July 21, 2009
Maturity Date: July 1, 2012
Lender: Madison Realty Capital LP

94. Luminex Shares Fall on Q2 Report, Outlook - Monday, August 10, 2009

NEW YORK (AP) - Shares of Luminex Corp., which makes testing systems for biotechnology companies, fell Friday, after the company reported lower-than-expected second-quarter profit and reduced its revenue outlook for the year.

95. SEC Head Outlines Enforcement, Other Changes - Wednesday, July 15, 2009

WASHINGTON (AP) - House lawmakers voiced approval Tuesday for recent changes at the Securities and Exchange Commission in the wake of the Madoff scandal, though some Republicans chafed at new proposed regulations.

96. GMAC Receives $7.5B in New Treasury Aid - Tuesday, May 26, 2009

NEW YORK (AP) - The U.S. government could eventually own a majority stake in GMAC Financial Services following its latest $7.5 billion aid package to the ailing auto financing company.

To keep loans flowing to would-be buyers of GM and Chrysler vehicles and shore up its capital position, the Treasury Department agreed Thursday to provide GMAC with $7.5 billion in loans. The new aid marks the second time the government has stepped in to prop up the former lending unit of General Motors Corp.

97. New Dentistry Dean Tackles Knotty Agenda - Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Dr. Timothy Hottel has a punch list to complete and a deadline to do it by.

As the new dean of the University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Dentistry, his tasks are to renovate a 33-year-old building, raise the money to pay for the improvements and revamp a program that was once ranked among the best in the nation.

Next year, the College of Dentistry could face accreditation problems because of outdated equipment and a faculty shortage.

Although he’s been on the job for only five months, Hottel is making progress. He has added two key faculty members and upped the timetable for a crucial renovation.

Out to hire well

One of the new faculty members, Dr. Franklin Garcia-Godoy, followed Hottel to Memphis from Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Garcia-Godoy, who has authored dental textbooks and more than 370 articles in scholarly journals, came on board this month as the new dean of research. His focuses include biomaterials, tooth erosion and teeth whitening.

“We will be building new labs for Dr. Garcia-Godoy,” Hottel said. “He does a lot of clinical research that’s very applicable to private practice. He’s very, very well known.”

Dr. Lina Cardenas agreed last week to become the chair of pediatric dentistry. She will be coming to Memphis from the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio.

Cardenas will be making history as the first woman to chair a department within the College of Dentistry.

“She’s a young lady who is full of energy,” Hottel said. “I’m trying to hire younger faculty because we need younger faculty to build up so that when older ones like myself leave, we’ll have people that will be in their place.”

Hottel currently has 12 faculty positions to fill.

“I’ve got some others coming of similar quality,” Hottel said. “We are really going out to find the right people to fill the spots. I have a commitment from the chancellor’s office to go forward with these positions.”

Time for a cleanup

In discussing the needed renovations, Hottel will joke about the ugly pink curtains in his basement office when his primary concern is actually what’s happening on the fourth floor, which is ground zero for keeping accreditation. It is the clinical area for pre-doctoral students.

The American Dental Association Commission on Accreditation is scheduled in March to inspect the college and review its program – which happens every seven years.

“With the fourth floor, we are $200,000 shy of having all the money to do that and we are going forward with that project starting in September,” he said. “When I came here, I was told we would be lucky if that project got started by the time accreditation came here. I said we can’t do that.”

When the accreditation team arrives, the renovation to the clinical training area will either be complete or nearing completion, he said.

“Eventually, the entire inside of the building is going go have to be changed and modernized,” Hottel said. “We’re 33 years old and there’s lots of problems, mechanically, structurally, etc., so we’re going floor by floor, area by area, and redoing. That’s a challenge, but one that I feel like we will be able to meet.”

Back to greatness

The UTHSC College of Dentistry has a rich history. Founded in 1878, it is the oldest college of dentistry in the South and the third-oldest public dentistry school in the U.S. Over the past three decades, the college has suffered from a decline in state funding and budget cutbacks.

Former Gov. Winfield Dunn, the man that the dentistry building at 875 Union Ave. is named after, warned the state Legislature in March that the program could lose accreditation. His comments generated media attention, but no additional state dollars.

Dunn is also the honorary chairman of a capital campaign to raise $15 million from private donors.

So far the campaign has $2.8 million in the bank and more than $6 million in pledges. Big donations have come from Delta Dental of Tennessee and Delta Dental of Arkansas.

However, the campaign is also reaching out to alumni.

“What we’ve been doing is going to areas where there is a concentration of UT alumni, having either dinners or just little social gatherings,” Hottel said. “Sometimes, it’s been at someone’s house as a private party for six people to do this campaign.”

As the college focuses on raising money for needed renovations, Hottel said, it will not neglect its community service mission. The college is a partner with the Church Health Center and the Christian Mobile Dental Clinic. It is also working with the state of Tennessee to open a community dental clinic in an impoverished area of Jackson, he said.

A goal in Memphis is to improve the visibility of the College of Dentistry, he said, having discovered that many city residents don’t even know it exists.

“My biggest goal long-term is to pull this school up from where it’s at and put it up in the top 10 schools in the country, where it historically has been,” Hottel said.

98. Consumer Prices Flat, Production Dips - Monday, May 18, 2009

WASHINGTON (AP) – Consumer prices were flat in April, while industrial production fell by the smallest amount in six months – further evidence that the recession’s grip is slowly easing.

The disappearance of inflation has been a product of the country’s deep recession as surging job layoffs dampen wage pressures and weak consumer demand keeps a lid on price increases. Some economists are worried about a dangerous bout of falling prices, but most say that possibility remains remote because the Federal Reserve has responded with force to combat the current downturn.

99. Bailout Redux: Repaid Money Could Go Back to Banks - Thursday, May 14, 2009

NEW YORK (AP) - After acing their "stress tests," some big banks are rushing to raise capital and return billions in federal bailout money. But don't expect it to replenish government coffers.

100. Dental Building Sold In Cordova - Tuesday, March 24, 2009

850 Willow Tree Circle, Suite 101
Cordova, TN 38018
Sale Amount: $800,000

Sale Date: March 11, 2009
Buyer: Jason Collier
Seller: William and Jeanne Locante
Loan Amounts: $633,200; $160,000
Loan Dates: March 11, 2009 (both)
Maturity Date: N/A
Lenders: The Huntington National Bank; William and Jeanne Locante