Index of economic progress shows positive strides for Solano County

By Melissa Murphy, The Reporter, Vacaville

Posted: 03/07/15, 7:46 PM PST |

Solano County has moved out of recovering from the recession into a state of expanding its economic base, according to the 2014 Index of Economic and Community Progress.

The index report prepared by Robert Eyler, a principal at Economic Forensics and Analytics in Petaluma, will be presented to the Solano County Board of Supervisors Tuesday. Additionally, Eyler will bring the report forward during a monthly gathering of the Solano Economic Development Corporation at 8 a.m. Friday at the Hilton Garden Inn in Fairfield.

The Index tracks key economic and community indicators that are shaping the local economy. The Index is part of a project that was launched in 2007 with an aim to obtain more fact-based information to guide efforts to expand the long-term viability of the county’s economy.

The 2014 Index set out to answer the question, “How is Solano County doing economically?”

In a report to the board, staff noted that the Index shows that “Solano County is becoming more diversified in its number of employers/economic base with the private sector leading the way into this long-awaited expansion.”

The full Index is available online at www.solanocounty.com/economicindex.

The “key highlights” from the Index, according to the report, note the county’s changing economy.

In 2014, Solano expanded with 2,300 new jobs, a growth of 1.8 percent and the county’s seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate is at 6.9 percent as it begins 2015.

Additionally, the Index shows that “with a growing economy and reduced government resources, the private sector is becoming more of an engine for growth” in the county.

All standards of living measures are rising in the 2013 data and suggest that 2014 and 2015 also will be years of rising living standards for the county.

While base employment fell a bit in 2014, locally serving jobs grew, a “sign of economic expansion,” according to the Index.

Solano continues to change.

The Index reports that the population grew by 4,844 people in 2014, a growth of 1.15 percent, most of the growth was from places within the United States instead of foreign migration, a first since 2009.

Even though the Index shows that the county’s population continues to get older, it also is forecasted that Solano and Sacramento counties will be the two fastest growing counties in Solano’s region between 2014 and 2060.

Other highlights include a rise in graduation rates and more students are ready for University of California and California State University than any school year since 2007-08.

Meanwhile, housing prices have continued their recovery and government revenue from property and sales taxes continued to rise in 2014.

The Solano County Board of Supervisors meets at 9 a.m. Tuesday in the County Government Center, 675 Texas St., Fairfield.

Report projects economic growth for Solano County

By Kevin W. Green
From page A1 | March 07, 2015 |

 

FAIRFIELD — Solano County has experienced continued economic growth and an expanding economic base, according to a new economic and community progress report.

The report reveals an increase in jobs, population, gross county product and housing values from 2013 to 2014.

Solano has moved from recovery out of the recession into expansion; following the lead of national, state and Bay Area economies, the report indicates.

The 2014 Index of Economic and Community Progress will be presented Tuesday to the Solano County Board of Supervisors. The board meets at 9 a.m. at the County Government Center, 675
Texas St.

The report was prepared by Robert Eyler, principal of Economic Forensics and Analytics in Petaluma, for the Solano Economic Development Corporation and the county. Eyler will be the keynote speaker when the report is presented at a Solano EDC breakfast event Friday at the Hilton Garden Inn, 2200 Gateway Court.

The need for an annual report on the health of the county was recognized in 2007 after a series of economic summits cited a need for more fact-based information to guide leaders in both the public and private sectors.

Among key economic factors highlighted in the 71-page report was Solano’s increase of 2,300 new jobs in 2014, reflecting a 1.8 percent growth.

The index reported there were 131,600 people working at Solano businesses, governmental jobs and nonprofits as of Jan. 1. The county’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was at 6.9 percent as 2015 began.

The gross county product grew by 3.8 percent in 2013, the latest data for Solano, according to the report.

With a growing economy and reduced government resources, the private sector is becoming more of an engine for growth in Solano County, the report indicates.

Meanwhile, wages in Solano County remain competitive with respect to other counties in the region, especially the urban, Bay Area counties where wages have risen quickly, according to the report.

The continued growth has been good for the county’s housing industry. Housing prices have continued their recovery and foreclosure activity has slowed immensely, the report cites.

Likewise, government revenue from property and sales taxes continued to rise in 2014, according to the report.

Among community changes highlighted in the report is a forecast that Solano and Sacramento counties will be the two fastest growing counties in Solano County’s region between 2014 and 2060.

Another highlight cited in the report was a population growth for Solano of 1.15 percent, based on an increase of 4,844 people in 2014.

A change was noted, meanwhile, as domestic immigration – from places inside the United States – outpaced foreign immigration to Solano County for the first time since 2009.

The county did follow a trend with regard to its aging population. Solano’s population continues to get older, along with that of other Bay Area counties and the state, the index reports.

The report contained good news in terms of education in the county.

Graduation rates in Solano County rose above the state in 2012-13 and more students are ready for University of California and California State University schools than any school year since 2007-08, according to the report.

Reach Kevin W. Green at 427-6974 or kgreen@dailyrepublic.net.

Travis consortium hard at it to preserve base’s mission

Travis consortium hard at it to preserve base’s mission

By Sandy Person
February 22, 2015 | Daily Republic

 

It has been a year and a half since the Air Force indicated its intention to retire the KC-10 air refueling aircraft, nearly half of which – 27 – are based at Travis Air Force Base.

People ask, “so what is happening with the KC-10?” The short answer is that the KC-10 will be retired, but the timetable is uncertain.

The KC-10 civilian counterpart, DC-10/MD-10 aircraft, have all been retired from the commercial airlines worldwide. Only FedEx still uses them and it plans to retire those remaining. Spare parts and maintenance has become increasingly more difficult and expensive to procure.

The chief of staff of the Air Force, Gen. Mark Welsh, said last year if the Budget Control Act’s sequestration returns in 2016, the Air Force will be forced to begin retiring the KC-10. The Budget Control Act mandated cuts totaling more than $1 trillion, split between defense and non-defense spending over 10 years.

Rep. John Garamendi, who represents the 3rd Congressional District, was able to add language to the 2015 defense authorization bill requiring the Air Force to provide a report on the outlook for the air refueling aircraft inventory, current and future refueling mission requirements, the risks associated with retiring the KC-10 and strategies to mitigate those risks  prior to any decision to retire the KC-10.

Despite the unresolved issue of sequestration, the Air Force is not seeking to retire the KC-10 in the 2016 budget, which was sent to Congress on Feb. 2 for consideration.

Change in Congress after last fall’s elections is yet another layer of uncertainty. Add to that the ISIS threat in northern Iraq and Syria, which has required thousands of refueling sorties. The loss of the KC-10 would undoubtedly strain our country’s capabilities and those of the coalition forces conducting airstrikes.

Despite the pressure to cut defense costs, Congress did not allow retirement of any Air Force aircraft, and refused to authorize a Base Realignment and Closures round in 2017.

At present the KC-10 remains an important component of the Air Force’s refueling capability, but budget constraints dictate that it will soon become too costly to continue to operate.

The decision to eliminate the KC-10, when made, will have a significant impact on Travis and our community. Base officials indicate that a substantial number of military and civilian positions are directly related to the KC-10 presence here. If those were lost, there would be heavy impact on the local housing market and the general economy.

Travis will be a candidate for the new KC-46 air refueling aircraft, now just coming into the inventory to replace the older KC-135, Eisenhower-era tankers. But that is unlikely before the beginning of the next decade. The question looms: “If that is the plan, will there be a gap in the mission? And, if so, how long will it be?”

This places continuing reliance on the Travis Community Consortium’s advocacy efforts to work with the Department of the Air Force, Air Mobility Command and our local, state and federal elected representatives to ensure a continuing air refueling mission at Travis without a huge gap in capability and manpower.

As the Travis Community Consortium leads this advocacy, we are hopeful that all elements of the community join our efforts to promote, protect and enhance the mission of Travis.

Sandy Person is executive director of the Solano Economic Development Corporation and a member of the Travis Community Consortium, a local advocacy group that supports Travis Air Force Base. Its members include Solano County, its cities, Solano Community College, the Solano Economic Development Corporation, Travis Regional Armed Services Committee and member businesses.

California Competes Tax Credit Workshop

Solano EDC and the City of Vallejo Invite You To

How Businesses Can Apply for the California Competes Tax Credit Workshop

WHO: All businesses (small, medium and large) are encouraged to attend the workshop and receive instruction on how to apply for this new tax credit program available from the State of California.     WHAT: The one-hour workshop is designed to help you understand the application process to apply for the California Competes Tax Credit.    Come and learn how your business can apply for new tax credits from the state.     WHEN: February 24, 2015 9-10 am Workshop Vallejo City Hall - City Council Chambers 555 Santa Clara Street, Vallejo     RSVP:   Click here to RSVP. Space is limited. Call 707-864-1855 for more information.

ICON Aircraft seen as a sign of good things to come

By Melissa Murphy, The Reporter, Vacaville

Posted: 01/29/15, 10:01 PM PST |

Solano County’s economic environment is taking off and the business community is hoping to ride the momentum created last year into 2015.

“Solano County is a great place to be and it’s important that we all work toward economic development,” said Laura Kuhn, Vacaville city manager and chair of the Solano EDC board of directors.

Sandy Person, president of Solano EDC, agreed.

“We are team Solano,” she said. “When we work together we make really good things happen.”

One of those “really good things” that happened during 2014 was the announcement from ICON Aircraft Inc. that it is relocating to Vacaville from Southern California. ICON is known for its A5, an amphibious light sport aircraft, that will be in production later this year.

Thursday afternoon during Solano Economic Development Corporations annual lunch, business leaders welcomed once again Kirk Hawkins, founder and CEO of ICON.

Hawkins shared with the full room that ICON was attracted to Solano County because of its business friendly atmosphere, facilities, proximity to world class destinations such as Napa, Tahoe and San Francisco, amazing terrain and nearby lakes, and year round flying weather.

He explained that ICON, a company of about 100 people, will expand to hundreds then to thousands of jobs and bring $350 million annually of economic impact to the region. Additionally, having ICON in Vacaville will bring global awareness to the area, according to Hawkins.

He added that the move would not have happened if it didn’t feel right. Vacaville was up against some stiff competition, he said.

ICON ‘s aircraft design, manufacturing, sales, training, service and corporate headquarters are slated to move into its 140,000-square-foot facility near the Nut Tree Airport by August.

Hawkins, a former Air Force F-16 pilot insists that the A5, a luxury recreational “power vehicle,” will not be as difficult as most think.

“It’s very automotive, very approachable,” he told the crowd as pictures of the plane were shown from a projector.

The gas-powered aircraft can take off and land on water as well as traditional runways. Hawkins explained that with a valid driver’s license and the 14 days of training that come with the purchase of the nearly $200,000 plane, having the ability to fly is obtainable.

“Flying isn’t all the same,” he said and added that there is a difference between flying a commercial airline jet and the sport plane. “It’s not as difficult as you think it is.”

For instance the sport plane will only be allowed to fly during the day and during the right weather conditions, according to Hawkins.

Hawkins said ICON is about democratizing aviation and that wanting to fly is deep within human nature.

“We want to bring that emotional connection to the consumer,” he said. “We’re looking to change people’s lives.”

Sports aircraft company CEO recalls effort to locate in Solano

 

Icon Aircraft Founder & CEO Kirk Hawkins speaks at the Solano Economic Development Corporation’s annual meeting, at the Hilton Garden Inn, Thursday. (Robinson Kuntz/Daily Republic)

By Kevin W. Green
 

January 30, 2015 

FAIRFIELD — Attendees at the 32nd annual meeting of the Solano Economic Development Corporation heard firsthand Thursday about the modern mode of flying sport planes from the event’s keynote speaker, Kirk Hawkins, founder and chief executive of Icon Aircraft.

“It’s time to bring an aircraft to the consumer that they will fall in love with,” Hawkins told those at the sold-out luncheon at the Hilton Garden Inn in Fairfield.

Icon Aircraft announced last year that it will build its Icon A5 two-seater sport plane at Vacaville’s Nut Tree Airport. Icon’s sales, service and flight training will all be located at the Vacaville site, Hawkins said.

The popularity of sport flying came about after the Federal Aviation Administration created a new category of aircraft and new category of sport pilot license, Hawkins said. New rules reduced the cost and time necessary to learn to fly. Obtaining a sport pilot license takes about half the time of a regular license, he said.

“It’s not as difficult as you think it is,” Hawkins said. “I can teach a person in a matter of hours.”

The Icon A5 sport plane carries a price of approximate $200,000 for a base model, Hawkins said. It features foldable wings and can land on water or solid ground. It is designed for speeds of 120 mph and a range of up to 300 miles. It burns both auto and aviation fuel.

Hawkins talked Thursday about the influence that attracted Icon to Vacaville and recognized those in attendance at the luncheon who played a role in drawing the startup aircraft company here.

There were a lot of reasons to choose Vacaville, he said.

“I was quite surprised at how aggressive they were in wanting us here,” he said.

The competition to attract Icon was competitive, with Texas and Arizona also being considered,
Hawkins said.

His company is currently located in Southern California and has about 100 employees, he said.

Hawkins estimates it will eventually employ 500 workers and have a $350 million annual economic impact to the region.

Icon will build about 20 aircraft this year and 400 in 2016, according to Hawkins. Future production could be 1,000 planes per year, he said.

Hawkins flew fighter aircraft in the Air Force and later was a pilot for American Airlines. He earned a degree in mechanical engineering from Clemson University and his master’s degree in engineering from Stanford University.

In other matters at Thursday’s luncheon, the Solano Economic Development Corporation recognized its board of directors for 2015. A special presentation was made to past chairwoman Patsy Van Ouwerkerk.

Reach Kevin W. Green at 427-6974 or kgreen@dailyrepublic.net.

Solano County Small Businesses Enjoy Lower Energy Bills Through Energy Watch Participation

         More than 100 small businesses participated in Solano Energy Watch last year and are now enjoying reduced energy bills and updated lighting and refrigeration. J.Paul Harrington, Solano Economic Development Corporation representative, said Solano Energy Watch (SEW) reduced recurring, annual, energy costs for participants by more than $200,000 in 2014.[1]

          Harrington said SEW is a new program for Solano EDC. The program gives businesses the opportunity to receive a no cost energy audit, and savings program that can result in reduced lighting and refrigeration bills.

           “It’s an easy process which begins with a comprehensive No Cost energy evaluation." Harrington said. "We process the rebates and help find the right contractor for the job. In some cases, the rebates can cover up to 100% of the project cost. In 2014 alone, we have saved the businesses of Solano County over 2 million kilowatt hours.”

          Solano EDC President, Sandy Person said, “We see this program as part of our efforts to increase the economic vitality of the businesses of Solano County by helping businesses save energy and add to their bottom line.”

           The Solano EDC is a non-profit public private partnership delivering professional economic development services and working with collaborative relationships on a local, regional and state level to ensure Solano is recognized as a strategic location for industry growth and retention.       

          Harrington said the mission of SEW is simple: “We want to help reduce your energy use and save you money.”

          To schedule a no cost, no obligation energy evaluation, call the 24 hour hotline 707-639-1044.
                                        # # #
If you would like more information about this topic visit www.solanocounty.com/energywatch

or contact JPaul Harrington at 707-864-1855 or email at jpaul@solanoedc.org.

Solano Energy Watch is funded by California Utility customers and is administered by Pacific Gas and Electric Company under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission.

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[1] Footnote: The energy costs reduction of $200,000 was calculated based on a $0.10 per kWh electricity charge.