This recession really does seem to be "industry" and "regional" related. Bellevue is "high tech" -- with lots of start ups - lots of young guns eager to make their mark etc. The new "tech" here is all about "shoe stringing".. i.e., NOT relying on big cash backers - but building stuff in the "corner" and then coming out with it (whatever "it" is). Microsoft still employs a zillion people - even though they no longer get rich off of the stock options... Amazon - Drug Store.com - Starbucks and others in the area are doing "fine". I have a couple of buddies in real estate here - they're doing quite well. They're PROS - they're not blondie weekend warrior people - they actually understand the market - know how to get people to make deals - and how to get REAL buyers financed etc. While it isn't the go go days of a couple years ago - they're doing fine. The blondies have all quit so aren't siphoning off deals.

If you were building houses - you're out of business.... If you were a "flipper" you're out of business... If you were a condo developer... you're OOB. If you're selling anything that makes someone elses business easier - or more profitable - or to do the same amount of work with less people - you're doing GREAT... So it really just seems to be where - when - who...

If you are a laborer at a old tech manufacturer - you're probably out of work. If you're college educated - highly skilled - "new age" manufacturing or tech skills - then you're in demand. Oh -- and if you work for a collection agency - you're probably really busy!! LOL

Any "business" that relies on advertising - NOW has to be prepared to show that advertising with you is going to drive sales - or sales increases. If you can't do that - you're out. Backing a big league NHRA fuel team is HUGE money. John Force can probably show that he drives Castrol sales... I doubt Kenny Bernstein could say that to Budweiser... (just examples off the top of my head). It goes way back to when the Auto companies backed race teams - the old "win on Sunday, sell on Monday" comes to mind. Somehow - the fact that your car looks like a box of Tide - and you win some NHRA race - doesn't cause me to go out and buy a box of soap. When money is flowing and one of the boys in the board room is a gear head - then they throw some money around.

"We" sponsored THREE Indy Light cars in 2007 -- even won the championship... but that never was going to help sales - it was all just for fun. When you look at the cost/reward relationship - and you have to justify that to your shareholders..(the "we" is now publicly traded) you're not looking real sharp. So it comes to a halt.