Posted at 11:03 a.m., Friday, April 8, 2005
BUSINESS BRIEFS
Postage rates may be on the rise
Advertiser Staff and News Services
The Postal Service filed a request today seeking higher rates.The agency wants a 2-cent increase in first-class mail, and similar increases for other types of mail, to take effect early next year. It would increase the rate for regular mail to 39 cents from 37 cents.
The agency said that it is seeking the increase, 5.4 percent across the board, only because of a requirement that it establish a $3.1 billion escrow fund.
The agency has sought congressional action to eliminate that requirement. If that happens, postal officials said, the rate increase request will be withdrawn.
Postage rates last went up in 2002.
Hawai'i subcontractors honored
Three Hawai'i subcontractors are to be recognized by the U.S. Small Business Administration for outstanding work on federal contracts, the SBA said today.
Baldridge & Associates Structural Engineering Inc., Nakoa Cos. and Pacific Commercial Services LLC will receive the SBA Administrator's Award of Excellence. The firms were nominated by prime contractors, and selected by the SBA.
