By Ben Antonius | Daily Republic | February 22, 2009
FAIRFIELD - Solano County's business community will shed a little more light on what has already been one of the area's brightest spots.
The Solano Economic Development Corporation will hold a meeting Thursday to discuss the 'life sciences cluster,' an industry that was singled out as the most promising area for future growth by the 'Index of Economic and Community Progress' in 2008.
The Solano EDC will present a report on the industry during a breakfast event at 7:30 a.m. Thursday at Hilton Garden Inn, 2200 Gateway Court.
'One of the things we want to see happen is to move into more research and development as well as manufacturing,' said Doug Henton, chairman and CEO of Collaborative Economics, the firm that prepared the index. 'The idea is to focus on this industry, which has great potential for the region.'
The term 'life sciences' refers to any business dealing with pharmaceuticals, medical devices and biotechnology. Solano County has far outstripped the growth rates of the rest of the Bay Area, which itself has a stronger life sciences industry than the rest of California.
From 2000 to 2006, the life sciences industry in Solano County grew an average of 35 percent a year, while the industry statewide contracted slightly. As of the end of 2006, the most recent year included in the index, the industry employed 2,300 people in Solano County, about double the concentration statewide.
For more information or to register, call 864-1855.
