Business Briefs for April 17

GNMS announces promotion

Greater Nevada Mortgage Services has promoted Nick Serrano to Vice President of Sales.

His responsibilities will include managing the sales production of mortgage consultants throughout northern Nevada and helping to guide the company's strategic vision.

Serrano, a native of Northern Nevada, joined GNMS in 2004 as a mortgage consultant.

He was promoted to branch manager in 2005 and sales manager in 2008.

In 2010, Serrano was part of the team that helped GNMS get recognized as "Most Valuable Partner" by the Nevada Rural Housing Authority for excellence in assisting first-time homebuyers. In 2010, GNMS also grew to the fourth largest lender in northern Nevada.

McDonald's to host hiring day Tuesday

McDonald's restaurants are looking to hire approximately 2,000 new crew and restaurant management positions throughout Northern Nevada, Northern California, the Bay area and Central Valley as part of a national hiring program on Tuesday.

All McDonald's restaurants in the Carson City area will be accepting applications on Tuesday, and will either schedule interviews for later or conduct interviews right on the spot.

Those interested in applying for jobs should contact their local restaurant regarding participation and times for possible job interviewing.

McDonald's restaurants across the country are participating in an effort to hire 50,000 employees nationwide.

Comstock Mining purchases hotel

Comstock Mining announced on Tuesday it will purchase the Gold Hill Hotel, 1540 Main St., from owners Bill and Carol Fain.

"The Gold Hill Hotel is truly a gem of the Comstock, one of its

richest, most historic buildings," said Corrado De Gasperis, Comstock Mining's President and CEO. "We are both honored and humbled to be able to continue the traditions and programs that have become such an integral part of this community over the past 25 years of Bill and Carol's stewardship."

"This is a tremendous development," said Carol Fain. "The day-to-day operations will remain unchanged. The staff will retain all their jobs. The plays will continue, the lectures, the weddings, all the events. However, Comstock Mining is going to bring additional resources and new ideas and an expanded marketing plan that is all very positive."

The Fains purchased the hotel in 1986 and completed the first expansion and renovation in 1987.

Business operations will continue without interruption during the transition. Completion of the escrow is scheduled to take place before the end of May 2011.

Retail sales on the rise

March retail and food services sales were $389.3 billion, up 0.4 percent from February and up 7.1 percent from March 2010, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Excluding autos, retail and food services sales in March were $320.6 billion, up 0.8 percent from one month ago and up 6.5 percent from one year ago.

Price increase for postage starts today

The price for U.S. Postal Service postage will increase starting today.

Single-piece, 1-ounce First-Class letters will remain 44 cents with additional ounces increased to 20 cents. The price for mailing a postcard will increase one cent.

The overall increase is capped at 1.741 percent - at or below the rate of inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index. The announcement does not affect Express Mail and Priority Mail prices.

Prices for other mailing services, including Standard Mail, Periodicals, Package Services, and Extra Services, also will change. Business mailers will see price increases in a variety of categories.

For more detailed pricing information is available at www.usps.com/prices.