The BI Weekly 5 is a collection of tips, news and data affecting the boating industry this week. Be sure to look for the BI Weekly 5 every Tuesday on BoatingIndustry.com.
1. Fire destroys Tennessee dealership
A Bluff City, Tenn., dealership is a total loss following a fire this weekend, WCYB reported. http://www.wcyb.com/news/fire-causes-damage-at-bluff-city-marina/30915936
The fire at Watson’s Marine destroyed the company’s building, as well as seven boats and a large amount of fishing gear. The total loss is estimated at $1 million.
2. Iowa wants to make ethanol front and center in presidential race
With is prized spot at the front of the presidential sweepstakes, Iowa is looking to make the ethanol issue central to the 2016 race, The Hill reported. http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/230403-iowa-wants-ethanol-front-and-center-in-2016-race
The effort, called America’s Renewable Future, is hoping to get candidates to “take a stand” on ethanol.
3. Small round of layoffs at Beneteau plant
Beneteau laid off 10 full-time employees at its Marion, S.C., plant last week, CarolinaLive.com reported. http://www.carolinalive.com/news/story.aspx?id=1153647#.VMZWtsZ3UiE
The layoffs at the plant, which employs 162, are the result of an adjusted production pace, the company said.
4. Rhode Island governor says boating industry a key to turnaround
Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo says she will turn the state’s economy around by focusing on the marine industry and other industries where the state has a competitive edge, WPRI reported.
http://wpri.com/2015/01/23/governor-says-shes-focused-on-boating-and-marine-industries/
5. NOAA opens comments on Magnuson-Stevens revisions
The National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration has issued a proposed rule to revise several sections of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/laws_policies/national_standards/ns1_revisions.html
The revisions “do not establish new requirements or require councils to revise their current fishery management plans. They provide additional clarity and potential flexibility” in meeting current mandates, NOAA said.