MarginCall: The winter of my recession

 Is winter over yet?

This old-fashioned winter has been interminable, but I remain convinced that a month from now, it will begin to feel like spring.

How about the recession, is it over yet?

Has it even started?

The official definition of recession has specific, economic parameters that involve a lot of bar charts and trigonometry. In a less scientific manner, economics writers for The Associated Press decided the recession started late last year.

According to Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke, things are only going to get worse from here. With friends like this, the economy doesn’t need enemies.

Here in the Midwest, we’re all hunkering down and tightening our belts and ducking for cover and digging in our heels.

The trouble with this recession, though, is we keep coming across facts that contradict the recession perception.

Just this week we reported that RitePak, a homegrown company, is building a $1 million expansion for its lawn manufacturing and packaging business.

Another local animal health business is getting ready to expand.

IVX Animal Health seems dedicated to invest $9 million to bring its sterile-fill animal health line up to Food and Drug Administration snuff.

The Eastowne Business Park is still a good bet for a distribution center that may be used for Wal-Mart, may be used for Lowe’s, may be used for some unknown company. There’s even talk of developing phase two of the park to be used solely for a super high-tech data center.

Olive Garden threw open its doors to a city hungry for a taste of Italy.

The excitement may only be matched by the chicken frenzy across the street with the announcement of Chick-fil-A. The Georgia-based franchise paid a reported $4 million for the corner lot in the Shoppes at North Village. Are they crazy? Don’t they know there’s a recession going on?

A life science business in Mitchell Woods Business Park is getting ready to add on. The Hallmark warehouse in the business park is going great guns. Another local business qualified for a state grant for a potential $1 million expansion.

Home builders and mall developers are eager to build, albeit with a little help from taxpayers.

The 21st Century Jobs campaign has been revamped because businesses say they don’t need more jobs, they need more workers.

Although it seems like a long winter, I’d be happy if this recession lasted about as long winter has. I’d be even happier if it was 50 degrees tomorrow.