IN BRIEF

Real estate

Realtors: Home prices to rise 4 percent in 2010

San Diego -- Home prices are expected to grow modestly next year and sales will keep rising as the housing market continues to recover from the worst downturn since the Great Depression, the National Association of Realtors said Friday. Home resales are projected to total 5.7 million next year, up from an estimated 5 million this year. Prices will climb about 4 percent after a projected decline of 13 percent this year, according to Lawrence Yun, chief economist for the trade association.

Agriculture

Royal Oak school board OKs community garden

The Royal Oak Neighborhood Schools Board of Education unanimously approved a proposal to let the Royal Oak Business Association lease a vacant three-acre plot to turn into a community garden. Produce grown in the garden will be sold to restaurants, grocery stores and other Royal Oak businesses, as well as at the city's farmers market. The idea for the garden arose after association president David Baldwin observed the "buy local" movement's popularity.

Automotive

Court approves Chrysler plant sale to university

The sale of a shuttered Chrysler plant in Newark, Del., to the University of Delaware has received court approval. Old Carco LLC, the estate of bankrupt Chrysler, sought permission to sell the plant that used to make the Dodge Durango and Chrysler Aspen SUVs but was closed in December. Judge Arthur Gonzalez approved the sale, which is expected to be finalized this month. The original sale price of $24.25 million has been reduced by $25,000 as Chrysler Group LLC has since bought $25,000 worth of equipment, court documents show.

Credit unions, Chrysler offer vehicle discounts

Livonia-- A Michigan credit union group says credit union members can get discounts when buying new Chrysler Group LLC vehicles through the "Invest in America" program. CUCorp in Livonia says discounts are available on all 2009 models and certain 2010-model cars and light trucks. CUCorp is a subsidiary of the Michigan Credit Union League. The group says the incentives are available regardless of whether a credit union finances the vehicle purchase. The Chrysler discounts began Nov. 3 and are available through Nov. 30.

Energy

New biomass plant in works near Marquette

Marquette-- A company has announced plans to manufacture biomass energy cubes at a technology park near Marquette. The venture is called renewaFUEL, a subsidiary of Cliffs Natural Resources Inc., which operates two iron ore mines in Marquette County. Company officials said Friday the renewaFUEL plant will produce 150,000 tons a year of high-energy, low-emission biofuel cubes. They will be made with wood and agriculture feedstocks.

Staff and wire reports