Regarding the "Today" column on Page 1 of the Business section: I'm not sure when this column was added to the Business section (though it has quite a similarity to "Ahead of the Tape," also placed in Column 1, in the Wall Street Journal). I understand the basic idea behind the column: to alert readers to business and economic indicators. But I think it might be difficult for most readers to take advantage of. It seems like I would need to clip the column and then look in the next day's paper to see what actually happened (assuming that each item is reported the next day), or maybe we are supposed to go to your Web page to try to find the information.

It would seem more useful to take these same indicators and report after the results are in, with an analysis that includes the expectations or predictions, the importance of the indicator and what the results tell us.

Stephen S. Jenks

Carrboro

North Carolina, like Vietnam, bends over backward

Regarding the recent article, "Rice fields sprouting new chip plant in Vietnam" (Business, April 29), to attract a billion-dollar, high-tech chip plant, with its 200 suppliers, it requires:

A. Young, low-cost work force (willing to work for next to nothing).

B. A country that lacks a single world-class university.

C. Communist government with unprecedented access to high-level officials.

D. Bend-over-backwards policies to attract multinationals.

North Carolina has adopted the "bend-over-backwards policies" but appears to have not addressed the other three requirements.

David Vess

Pinehurst

Marine hangar contract means jobs in North Carolina

Thank you to The N&O for announcing Whiting-Turner Construction's $35 million contract to build a hangar facility for the Marine Corps' newest aircraft at Camp Lejeune. ("Lejeune hangar contract awarded," Business, April 28).

To clarify, the Department of Defense awarded this contract to Whiting-Turner's office in Raleigh. Although its headquarters is in Baltimore, Whiting-Turner has more than 90 employees in Raleigh, Charlotte, Fort Bragg and Camp Lejeune. The company will soon grow to more than 100 employees and will subcontract to many North Carolina companies on this and other military construction projects. Whiting-Turner is a solid corporate citizen of North Carolina.

Congratulations to the Raleigh office of Whiting-Turner, and thanks to The N&O for sharing this award. This contract is a clear win for the state of North Carolina.

Scott Dorney

Fayetteville

Credit unions offer consumers good deals

There was a great article from the Wall Street Journal in Sunday's Work & Money section. "Check Credit Unions for Better Deals" (April 27) hit the nail on the head. Credit unions typically offer better rates and service than for-profit banks and nearly always have fewer and lower fees.

As the article points out, between shared branching, nationwide ATM networks and online account access, credit unions are just as convenient as banks but are usually a better alternative for individuals, families and small businesses. A study published in February by William Jackson at the University of Alabama indicates that North Carolina credit unions saved consumers $452 million in 2006. Likewise, credit unions didn't get into subprime mortgage lending but are helping those consumers get out of trouble by providing affordable, sensible home loans.

Many people simply don't know that credit unions are an option available to them. Several now have very open membership requirements, and consumers can easily find a credit union that they are eligible to join. I encourage employees to check whether their companies offer a credit union. Stop by a local branch to find out how to join.

Joe Mecca, director Community & Corporate Relations

Coastal Federal Credit Union, Raleigh