While many businesses in Ballard are struggling to survive with the economic downturn, some industrial businesses have actually benefited.

Sunergy Systems is one company that is doing well, despite the economy.

Howard Lamb, the owner, suggested that people see solar power for their home as a means of risk-free investing.

"People don't want to be held to the whims of the stock market," said Lamb, "Instead they are investing in the equity of their home."

There are a lot of incentives to installing solar panels at your home, according to Lamb, which has helped his business significantly.

For example, there is a 30 percent tax credit that, since the new year, no longer comes along with a $2,000 cap.

Furthermore, solar power installation is exempt from Washington state sales tax and the state pays residents 15 cents per kilowatt-hour of solar energy once a year.

It is business as usual for Ballard Oil Co, a petroleum retailer that provides Alaskan fishing fleets with fuel and home heating oil to the greater Seattle area.

"The economy doesn't really affect us," said the president of Ballard Oil Co, Warren Aakervik. "People have to have home heating oil and people have to eat."

Aakervik pointed out that since the company's home heating oil prices are reasonable, many people are switching to Ballard Oil to save money.

Also, since the dramatic reduction of oil prices, he expects more boats to sail down from Alaska to re-fuel this year.

Other industrial businesses, that are not as lucky, are combating the economy with new perspectives.

Limback Lumber Co. is feeling the affects of a building industry that has "come to an abrupt halt," commented co-owner Paul Hunsinger.

Hunsinger does not foresee many new construction projects to boost business in the future. Instead, he is counting on residential remodeling.

"In good times or bad times, people always want to remodel," said Hunsinger.

Foy Industrial Electric Corp, a company in Ballard that performs electrical work on large machinery, also faces hard times.

Boeing and Kenworth Truck Co., two of Foy Industrial's major clients, are not spending as much money as in the past.

"We're just trying to diversify," said co-owner Donny Foy when asked what strategies the company employs to stay successful.

"We are cautiously optimistic."