Local resident invents paint guard product (06/03/06)

Portland resident Jody Eley has invented Paint Gun Protective Covers, designed to keep clothing and equipment paint-free at the end of the workday, saving painters the time of regular clean-up.

The product, represented by Invention Technologies Inc., in Coral Gables, Fla., is available for licensing by manufacturers, and Eley hopes to make the product available to consumers soon.

For more information, contact the publicity/press department of Inven-Tech at (800) 940-9020 ext. 2285 or at [email protected].

Business After Hours

The Portland Area Chamber of Commerce will hold “Business After Hours,” hosted by Old National Bank, 910 N. Meridian St., Portland, Wednesday, June 7 from 5 to 6 p.m.

Wal-Mart considers

ethanol fuel sales

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., based in Bentonville, Ark., announced recently that it is exploring the possibility of selling ethanol-based biofuel at its more than 380 company-owned gas stations.

Specifically, the retailer is considering distributing E-85, a blend of 85 percent corn-based ethanol and 15 percent gasoline.

Wal-Mart held a summit recently in Washington, attended by representatives of auto makers and several oil companies, but said it has yet to determine if selling E-85 would be a profitable endeavor, as each pump costs $100,000 installed.

General Motors Corp. spokesperson said that in order to keep up with the need for ethanol fuel by consumers, the number of gas stations supplying the fuel would need to increase 20 to 30 percent.

CVS continues

to seek acquisitions

Though officials declined to name names, CVS Corp. says it is planning to aquire more stores, even after its $2.93 billion purchase of 700 Osco and Sav-On stores, which was expected to be finalized Friday.

In addition, officials of the Woonsocket, R.I.-based corporation said the store plans to open an additional 250 to 275 stores on its own.

These additions will bring the total of CVS stores to 6,200, compared with competitor Walgreen’s which has 5,222.

During an interview, CEO Tom Ryan listed several factors he expects to increase drug store business, including the arrival of generic versions of many popluar prescription medications and the new Medicare prescription drug program.[[In-content Ad]]