SSU conference ‘call to action’ on economy gets response
Posted By Jenna V. Loceff, Business Journal Staff Reporter On March 8, 2010 @ 4:35 am In Banking and Finance, Cities and Counties, Conference Reports, Education, Employment, Events, Green, Industry News | No Comments
SSU’s Silver: ‘I think that people believe in the North Bay’
NORTH BAY – “This is a call to action,” said Dr. William Silver, dean of the School of Business and Economics at Sonoma State University when he opened its annual economic outlook conference Feb. 25.
This year, in addition to the political and economic outlook by Brian Sobel, Dr. Rob Eyler and Brian Pretti and the panel of speakers, Dr. Silver handed out a “Call to Action” that he asked the more than 200 attendees to sign.
He wanted people to pledge whether they are willing to do any or all of the following: be an ambassador for the North Bay; connect a start-up businesses to the Sonoma Mountain Business Cluster; elect public officials who support sustainable economic development; help create or fund a regional economic development corporation; advocate for policies that support regional prosperity; invest in North Bay businesses; play, eat, drink and give local; and invest in local education.
“It is interesting,” he said of the information that has been aggregated so far from more than 100 forms returned. “The first thing that struck me is how many people are checking more than one or almost all of the boxes.”
He said he was surprised people were willing to fill it out and to do so enthusiastically.
“I think that people believe in the North Bay,” he said. “Sometimes you have to hold a mirror up for people to see that there are things they can do.”
He said in addition to the individual pledges, he thinks that collectively there is a shared vision of economic development, and if people come together and get an inventory of existing resources and align them, and create a strategic action plan and move on key initiatives, real economic development can take place.
“We should focus on a couple of programs that are already in place,” he said, “triple bottom line programs like the Sonoma County Energy Independence Program.”
He also mentioned the Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce’s Worksite Held Employee English Learning courses, the Small Business Development Center and the Sonoma Mountain Business Cluster.
“Businesses that exist in groups like the business cluster,” he said, “have an 85 percent chance of success versus 10 percent chance that is the national standard.”
People who filled out the call to action will be contacted throughout the year so at next year’s conference the school can publish the results.
The rest of the conference was as follows: Brian Pretti, senior vice president at Mechanics Bank, provided a macroeconomic forecast indicating a dramatic shift from past economic cycles and suggestions for how businesses should prepare differently for the future.
Dr. Rob Eyler, chair of economics at SSU and director of the Center for Regional Economic Analysis, gave a North Bay economic analysis.
Brian Sobel, principal consultant for Sobel Communications, talked about the local and national political climate and its impact on conducting business.
Tracey Grose, vice president of research and strategic development at Collaborative Economics, shared numbers on the emerging green economy, described the core concepts of a green economy and outlined the opportunity that exists for North Bay policy makers to spur business growth.
Naheed Ali of the Sonoma County Energy Independence Program covered how this program has translated into economic development, generating money going into the community.
Michael Ammann, president of the Solano Economic Development Corp., discussed how Solano has structured its economic redevelopment according to the broader context of growing clusters in the greater mega-region.
Jeri Gill, CEO of Sustainable Napa County, gave an example of successful private-public-NGO collaboration in Napa.
The speakers’ PowerPoint presentations along with the Call to Action form are available at www.NorthBayBusinessJournal.com in the resources section of the Web site. Readers can also find a PDF of a special “The Time is Now” section prepared for SSU by the Business Journal.
Article printed from North Bay Business Journal: http://www.northbaybusinessjournal.com
URL to article: http://www.northbaybusinessjournal.com/18999/ssu-conference-call-to-action-on-economy-gets-response/
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Stem Cell Research Facility coming to UC Davis
Stem Cell Research Facility coming to UC Davis
Tuesday, March 09, 2010 - Press Release
Rocklin & Roseville Today http://www.rocklintoday.com/
$62 million project in Sacramento promises to advance regenerative medicine
(SACRAMENTO, Calif.) — The new, $62 million UC Davis Institute for Regenerative Cures, a facility supported by the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), officially opens Wednesday, March 10, on the university’s Sacramento campus.
The invitation-only, grand-opening ceremony at the newly refurbished building begins at 3 p.m. at 2921 Stockton Blvd. Parking is available on the east side of the building and can be accessed from either Second Avenue or Broadway.
The event will feature remarks by Claire Pomeroy, vice chancellor for Human Health Sciences at UC Davis and dean of the School of Medicine; Robert Klein, CIRM chairman; Jan Nolta, director, UC Davis Institute for Regenerative Cures; Judy Roberson, president, Northern California Chapter of the Huntington’s Disease Society of America; and Kevin and Teresa Partington, parents of twins who suffer from cystinosis, a rare, hereditary disorder.
The new facility is the first of several major, CIRM-supported laboratories to open. The state’s stem cell agency provided key funding for the initial phase of the project, which is envisioned to be a $100-million hub for regenerative medicine research that eventually will house more than 200 UC Davis scientists and laboratory personnel
“Within this new stem cell institute, our scientists and physicians, from a wide range of disciplines, are working together to innovate and discover answers for people with serious injury and illness from across the state and around the world,” said Pomeroy. “This facility gives the best minds in medicine the tools they need to turn stem cells into cures.”
The 109,000 square-foot building on Stockton Boulevard originally was part of the old California State Fairgrounds. Over the past 18 months, construction crews renovated 54,000 square feet of space, creating new research facilities that include Northern California’s largest academic Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) laboratory, a state-of-the-art suite of rooms that will enable scientists to safely prepare and manufacture cellular therapies for clinical trials.
Designed to maximize research collaboration and innovation, the new Institute for Regenerative Cures will be a centralized location for researchers from departments and programs throughout UC Davis as well as a shared-research facility for other institutions to use. The initial phase of the project provides space for approximately 20 senior scientists and 115 other researchers and technicians.
"This is an exciting day, not only for UC Davis but for the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine and the entire state of California,” said Robert Klein, chair of the CIRM Governing Board. “Proposition 71’s initial ‘push’ for the construction of new research facilities, like the UC Davis Institute for Regenerative Cures, will now generate the long-term funding ‘pull’ from the outstanding scientists and clinicians who will be housed in these facilities and who will strive to obtain supplemental public and private resources to drive stem cell research and therapy developments for California patients and their families."
Researchers will move all of their equipment into the building in the coming weeks. They are working toward launching several clinical trials using adult stem cells to explore potential treatments for Huntington’s disease, retinal occlusion (vision impairment) and peripheral vascular disease. UC Davis researchers already have treated four patients with adult stem cells to repair tissues damaged by heart attacks. The new GMP suite will greatly expand the university’s ability to test novel treatments and therapies.
“What is exciting about this facility is that it is designed to integrate basic science and clinical medicine,” said Nolta, who is a professor of internal medicine. “UC Davis now has 15 disease-specific teams, with expertise ranging from liver and kidney diseases to cancer, HIV, blood disorders and neurodegenerative diseases like Huntington’s and Parkinson’s. Bringing together this clinical knowledge and laboratory experience keeps the primary focus on patient needs and helps us rapidly advance the opportunities to find cures.”
Clinical and research programs throughout the university are playing active roles in the disease- team work. The UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine provides unique benefits to the stem cell program not found at other institutions. Equine research experts in Davis are working closely with Nolta and her team to develop techniques that will help in bone and tissue regeneration in horses and to treat spinal cord injuries for dogs. Those research outcomes will help guide similar studies involving bone and tissue regeneration in humans.
The institute also benefits from its location on UC Davis’ Sacramento campus, where nearby facilities include a nationally designated cancer center, a renowned neurodevelopmental institute, state-of-the-art imaging and biophotonics programs, and UC Davis Medical Center. The ability to renovate a large, existing building also provided crucial advantages for the stem cell program.
“UC Davis chose to spend its CIRM funding on state-of-the-art equipment, not fancy building facades or design,” said Pomeroy. “It allowed us to accelerate construction and focus on quickly creating a unique facility that will support our researchers to fully concentrate on addressing critical health challenges faced by the patients and communities we serve.”
Plans call for the remaining 38,000 square feet of space to be built out as new grants and other funding becomes available. The building already houses the UC Davis Clinical and Translational Science Center, which is funded by the National Institutes of Health and complements much of the research work that soon will be taking place within the new institute.
Rocklin & Roseville Today http://www.rocklintoday.com/
Tuesday, March 09, 2010 - Press Release
Rocklin & Roseville Today http://www.rocklintoday.com/
$62 million project in Sacramento promises to advance regenerative medicine
(SACRAMENTO, Calif.) — The new, $62 million UC Davis Institute for Regenerative Cures, a facility supported by the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), officially opens Wednesday, March 10, on the university’s Sacramento campus.
The invitation-only, grand-opening ceremony at the newly refurbished building begins at 3 p.m. at 2921 Stockton Blvd. Parking is available on the east side of the building and can be accessed from either Second Avenue or Broadway.
The event will feature remarks by Claire Pomeroy, vice chancellor for Human Health Sciences at UC Davis and dean of the School of Medicine; Robert Klein, CIRM chairman; Jan Nolta, director, UC Davis Institute for Regenerative Cures; Judy Roberson, president, Northern California Chapter of the Huntington’s Disease Society of America; and Kevin and Teresa Partington, parents of twins who suffer from cystinosis, a rare, hereditary disorder.
The new facility is the first of several major, CIRM-supported laboratories to open. The state’s stem cell agency provided key funding for the initial phase of the project, which is envisioned to be a $100-million hub for regenerative medicine research that eventually will house more than 200 UC Davis scientists and laboratory personnel
“Within this new stem cell institute, our scientists and physicians, from a wide range of disciplines, are working together to innovate and discover answers for people with serious injury and illness from across the state and around the world,” said Pomeroy. “This facility gives the best minds in medicine the tools they need to turn stem cells into cures.”
The 109,000 square-foot building on Stockton Boulevard originally was part of the old California State Fairgrounds. Over the past 18 months, construction crews renovated 54,000 square feet of space, creating new research facilities that include Northern California’s largest academic Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) laboratory, a state-of-the-art suite of rooms that will enable scientists to safely prepare and manufacture cellular therapies for clinical trials.
Designed to maximize research collaboration and innovation, the new Institute for Regenerative Cures will be a centralized location for researchers from departments and programs throughout UC Davis as well as a shared-research facility for other institutions to use. The initial phase of the project provides space for approximately 20 senior scientists and 115 other researchers and technicians.
"This is an exciting day, not only for UC Davis but for the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine and the entire state of California,” said Robert Klein, chair of the CIRM Governing Board. “Proposition 71’s initial ‘push’ for the construction of new research facilities, like the UC Davis Institute for Regenerative Cures, will now generate the long-term funding ‘pull’ from the outstanding scientists and clinicians who will be housed in these facilities and who will strive to obtain supplemental public and private resources to drive stem cell research and therapy developments for California patients and their families."
Researchers will move all of their equipment into the building in the coming weeks. They are working toward launching several clinical trials using adult stem cells to explore potential treatments for Huntington’s disease, retinal occlusion (vision impairment) and peripheral vascular disease. UC Davis researchers already have treated four patients with adult stem cells to repair tissues damaged by heart attacks. The new GMP suite will greatly expand the university’s ability to test novel treatments and therapies.
“What is exciting about this facility is that it is designed to integrate basic science and clinical medicine,” said Nolta, who is a professor of internal medicine. “UC Davis now has 15 disease-specific teams, with expertise ranging from liver and kidney diseases to cancer, HIV, blood disorders and neurodegenerative diseases like Huntington’s and Parkinson’s. Bringing together this clinical knowledge and laboratory experience keeps the primary focus on patient needs and helps us rapidly advance the opportunities to find cures.”
Clinical and research programs throughout the university are playing active roles in the disease- team work. The UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine provides unique benefits to the stem cell program not found at other institutions. Equine research experts in Davis are working closely with Nolta and her team to develop techniques that will help in bone and tissue regeneration in horses and to treat spinal cord injuries for dogs. Those research outcomes will help guide similar studies involving bone and tissue regeneration in humans.
The institute also benefits from its location on UC Davis’ Sacramento campus, where nearby facilities include a nationally designated cancer center, a renowned neurodevelopmental institute, state-of-the-art imaging and biophotonics programs, and UC Davis Medical Center. The ability to renovate a large, existing building also provided crucial advantages for the stem cell program.
“UC Davis chose to spend its CIRM funding on state-of-the-art equipment, not fancy building facades or design,” said Pomeroy. “It allowed us to accelerate construction and focus on quickly creating a unique facility that will support our researchers to fully concentrate on addressing critical health challenges faced by the patients and communities we serve.”
Plans call for the remaining 38,000 square feet of space to be built out as new grants and other funding becomes available. The building already houses the UC Davis Clinical and Translational Science Center, which is funded by the National Institutes of Health and complements much of the research work that soon will be taking place within the new institute.
Rocklin & Roseville Today http://www.rocklintoday.com/
Fairfield's central location ideal for business grow
Fairfield's central location ideal for business growth
By Brian Miller and Karl Dumas | | March 05, 2010 17:51
Fairfield's central Solano County location, economical lease rates and choice building inventory is proving to be a big plus in a regional economy struggling in many respects. Fairfield continues to attract interest from industrial companies and national and regional retail and restaurant operators who are still looking for new markets or expansion.
The Gateway/Westfield Solano mall area is the county's biggest shopping area and provides an important critical mass of customers needed by shopping, food and entertainment user to be successful. Westfield Solano alone receives more than 1 million monthly customer visits, and many of these visits spill over into the adjoining retail and restaurant venues.
If a national or regional retailer/restaurant is looking for a Solano County location, the Fairfield Gateway/Westfield Solano mall area is one of the most obvious choices. This appears to be especially true for the casual dining category, with Fairfield a hotspot for restaurant concepts.
Rumor has it that a well-known purveyor of fish tacos and authentic Mexican cuisine is headed to the former Baja Fresh site on Travis Boulevard (near Jamba Juice and Starbucks). After scouring several sites around town, the Westfield Solano location took top honors. Fish taco aficionados will have another local option.
Westfield Solano mall is also rumored to have signed a lease for a casual food/bar scene operator to locate on the back part of the mall. And from what we hear, the restaurant may have more than 250 seats and an outdoor dining area. Tenant improvements would take time to construct but the restaurant could potentially be open by summer.
This type of casual restaurant/sports bar concept may benefit from the proximity to the 24 Hour Fitness Center located a short walk away. The 24 Hour Fitness has been extremely popular, with membership tripling since moving from the old Travis Boulevard location. And people are hungry and thirsty after expending energy at the gym.
Reliable sources are also telling us that the currently vacant Marie Callender's space has a 'casual dining' national restaurant chain interested in the space. Nearby, the city's Redevelopment Agency recently agreed to terms on a new ground lease with Fresh Choice Restaurant so it could continue its operation at the corner of Travis and Gateway boulevards. The former Circuit City building is also abuzz with rumors of strong tenant interest.
Afghani food is also making its way to the Gateway area. The former restaurant space vacated by M&S Tasty Burgers (adjacent to Coldstone, Chipotle and Quiznos) will soon be home to Afghan Tandoor. The food can probably best be described as a combination of Indian and Persian and other central Asian cuisines, some of which are cooked in a Tandoor-type oven. Lovers of kebabs and rice dishes can rejoice.
We have written before about the Frank-Lin Distillers Products Ltd. project on Huntington Drive and Peabody Road but it is surely worth mentioning that they are getting statewide attention. The company has applied to use tax-exempt Recovery Zone Facility bonds to finance $22 million of its anticipated $34 million project for its 296,000-square-foot building.
And Fairfield's attraction to industrial users is also evident in the recent Cablecom occupancy of a building of about 45,000 square feet on Chadbourne Road. Cablecom is a leading cable network company that partners for Internet, analog and digital TV and phone services.
News broke last week about interest from a buyer looking to occupy the empty Ford dealership building, and now we hear rumors of interest from other companies looking at the former Chrysler building on Auto Mall Parkway. All this activity solidifies our memorable slogan: 'Fairfield, Heart of Solano County.'
Economic Notes is an update from Fairfield City Hall written by Brian Miller and Karl Dumas of the Fairfield Planning and Development Department. They can be contacted at 428-7461 or e-mail at kdumas@ci.fairfield.ca.us or bkmiller@ci.fairfield.ca.us.
By Brian Miller and Karl Dumas | | March 05, 2010 17:51
Fairfield's central Solano County location, economical lease rates and choice building inventory is proving to be a big plus in a regional economy struggling in many respects. Fairfield continues to attract interest from industrial companies and national and regional retail and restaurant operators who are still looking for new markets or expansion.
The Gateway/Westfield Solano mall area is the county's biggest shopping area and provides an important critical mass of customers needed by shopping, food and entertainment user to be successful. Westfield Solano alone receives more than 1 million monthly customer visits, and many of these visits spill over into the adjoining retail and restaurant venues.
If a national or regional retailer/restaurant is looking for a Solano County location, the Fairfield Gateway/Westfield Solano mall area is one of the most obvious choices. This appears to be especially true for the casual dining category, with Fairfield a hotspot for restaurant concepts.
Rumor has it that a well-known purveyor of fish tacos and authentic Mexican cuisine is headed to the former Baja Fresh site on Travis Boulevard (near Jamba Juice and Starbucks). After scouring several sites around town, the Westfield Solano location took top honors. Fish taco aficionados will have another local option.
Westfield Solano mall is also rumored to have signed a lease for a casual food/bar scene operator to locate on the back part of the mall. And from what we hear, the restaurant may have more than 250 seats and an outdoor dining area. Tenant improvements would take time to construct but the restaurant could potentially be open by summer.
This type of casual restaurant/sports bar concept may benefit from the proximity to the 24 Hour Fitness Center located a short walk away. The 24 Hour Fitness has been extremely popular, with membership tripling since moving from the old Travis Boulevard location. And people are hungry and thirsty after expending energy at the gym.
Reliable sources are also telling us that the currently vacant Marie Callender's space has a 'casual dining' national restaurant chain interested in the space. Nearby, the city's Redevelopment Agency recently agreed to terms on a new ground lease with Fresh Choice Restaurant so it could continue its operation at the corner of Travis and Gateway boulevards. The former Circuit City building is also abuzz with rumors of strong tenant interest.
Afghani food is also making its way to the Gateway area. The former restaurant space vacated by M&S Tasty Burgers (adjacent to Coldstone, Chipotle and Quiznos) will soon be home to Afghan Tandoor. The food can probably best be described as a combination of Indian and Persian and other central Asian cuisines, some of which are cooked in a Tandoor-type oven. Lovers of kebabs and rice dishes can rejoice.
We have written before about the Frank-Lin Distillers Products Ltd. project on Huntington Drive and Peabody Road but it is surely worth mentioning that they are getting statewide attention. The company has applied to use tax-exempt Recovery Zone Facility bonds to finance $22 million of its anticipated $34 million project for its 296,000-square-foot building.
And Fairfield's attraction to industrial users is also evident in the recent Cablecom occupancy of a building of about 45,000 square feet on Chadbourne Road. Cablecom is a leading cable network company that partners for Internet, analog and digital TV and phone services.
News broke last week about interest from a buyer looking to occupy the empty Ford dealership building, and now we hear rumors of interest from other companies looking at the former Chrysler building on Auto Mall Parkway. All this activity solidifies our memorable slogan: 'Fairfield, Heart of Solano County.'
Economic Notes is an update from Fairfield City Hall written by Brian Miller and Karl Dumas of the Fairfield Planning and Development Department. They can be contacted at 428-7461 or e-mail at kdumas@ci.fairfield.ca.us or bkmiller@ci.fairfield.ca.us.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Stem cell research center to open at UC Davis med center
Friday, March 5, 2010, 10:13am PST
Stem cell research center to open at UCD med center
Sacramento Business Journal - by Kathy Robertson Staff writer
UC Davis will open a $62 million stem cell facility Wednesday at its medical center campus in Sacramento.
The 90,000-square-foot facility is the first major stem cell laboratory supported by the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine to open in the state.
The state’s stem cell agency provided $20 million for the project, which involved renovation of an existing building and construction of a unique laboratory to help speed development of stem cell treatment testing.
The facility, located at 2921 Stockton Blvd., will be the hub for regenerative medicine at UC Davis. The campus has received 15 grants from the institute totaling more than $49 million.
The new facility includes laboratories and related research space, including the largest Good Manufacturing Practice facility in Northern California. The federally certified suite of lab rooms will enable researchers to safely prepare cellular therapies for clinical trials.
Initial construction of the building, originally part of the old California State Fairgrounds, took less than two years. About 54,000-square-feet has been redesigned for more than a dozen senior scientists and about 115 other researchers, technicians and laboratory support personnel.
The remaining unfinished portions of the building will be completed as new grants and funds become available.
Stem cell research center to open at UCD med center
Sacramento Business Journal - by Kathy Robertson Staff writer
UC Davis will open a $62 million stem cell facility Wednesday at its medical center campus in Sacramento.
The 90,000-square-foot facility is the first major stem cell laboratory supported by the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine to open in the state.
The state’s stem cell agency provided $20 million for the project, which involved renovation of an existing building and construction of a unique laboratory to help speed development of stem cell treatment testing.
The facility, located at 2921 Stockton Blvd., will be the hub for regenerative medicine at UC Davis. The campus has received 15 grants from the institute totaling more than $49 million.
The new facility includes laboratories and related research space, including the largest Good Manufacturing Practice facility in Northern California. The federally certified suite of lab rooms will enable researchers to safely prepare cellular therapies for clinical trials.
Initial construction of the building, originally part of the old California State Fairgrounds, took less than two years. About 54,000-square-feet has been redesigned for more than a dozen senior scientists and about 115 other researchers, technicians and laboratory support personnel.
The remaining unfinished portions of the building will be completed as new grants and funds become available.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
SCC parleys state cash into green program
SCC parleys state cash into green program
http://www.dailyrepublic.com/story.php?id=101.4
A new technical education course at Solano Community College allows students to connect the concept of going green with actual job opportunities. The course, Introduction to Green Technology, is the first in what Program Coordinator Paul Fair hopes will become a two-year program training students to pass state and federal green certification tests. 'It's an introduction to more than 200 subjects, which may be a conservative estimate,'….
http://www.dailyrepublic.com/story.php?id=101.4
A new technical education course at Solano Community College allows students to connect the concept of going green with actual job opportunities. The course, Introduction to Green Technology, is the first in what Program Coordinator Paul Fair hopes will become a two-year program training students to pass state and federal green certification tests. 'It's an introduction to more than 200 subjects, which may be a conservative estimate,'….
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Suisun City Seeks Firm for General Plan Update
Suisun City Seeks Firm for General Plan Update
Posted: 12 Feb 2010 05:02 PM PST
SUISUN CITY - The Suisun City Community Development Department has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking a qualified firm to assist with a comprehensive update to the City's General Plan and Zoning Ordinance.
Under the direction of the Community Development Director, the consulting firm is expected to perform responsible, professional work in the research, compilation of data, analysis, studies, and planning as described in the RFP.
An optional pre-submittal conference will be held on February 25, 2010, to answer any questions about information contained in the RFP.
All proposals must be submitted by 6 p.m. on March 4, 2010.
For more information, go to www.suisun.com
Posted: 12 Feb 2010 05:02 PM PST
SUISUN CITY - The Suisun City Community Development Department has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking a qualified firm to assist with a comprehensive update to the City's General Plan and Zoning Ordinance.
Under the direction of the Community Development Director, the consulting firm is expected to perform responsible, professional work in the research, compilation of data, analysis, studies, and planning as described in the RFP.
An optional pre-submittal conference will be held on February 25, 2010, to answer any questions about information contained in the RFP.
All proposals must be submitted by 6 p.m. on March 4, 2010.
For more information, go to www.suisun.com
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Solano's economic future
Solano's economic future
Start preparing now
Published By The Reporter
Posted: 02/05/2010 08:23:59 AM PST
Solano County hasn't escaped the economic crisis that has enveloped the nation, but in many ways it has been able to weather it better than other communities, according to a new report issued last week.
Yet, the study cautions, unless Solano schools do a better job of preparing its youngest residents, the area's economy could falter.
The 2009 Index of Economic and Community Progress is the second of three reports to be issued in as many years as a result of a collaboration between the county, the Solano Economic Development Corporation and community leaders. The ultimate goal is to attract new businesses and industries here, especially those that pay well.
Since Solano's economy entered the recession in 2007, it has continued to be bolstered by Travis Air Force Base, which pumps about $1.6 billion a year into the economy. Local leaders have long advocated protecting the air base, and this is a good reminder of why.
Also to be nourished are small businesses. The report notes that between 2007 and 2008, more than twice as many establishments (2,536) opened or moved into Solano County as closed or moved out (1,246). Most of those were small businesses, more than a few started by residents who decided to work for themselves after being laid off.
Solano residents have suffered job losses, but they have done so at a slightly lower rate than the state as a whole. The area's diversified economy has helped buffer the region. While some industries, such as construction,have been hit hard, others, such as health services, have grown.
In the report, Michael Ammann, president of the Solano Economic Development Corp., suggests four goals for the near future: doubling the number of life science jobs; attracting more energy businesses; retaining and even expanding Travis Air Force Base; and expanding agricultural processing to meet the Bay Area's growing demand for locally produced food. These are worthwhile objectives, and cities and the county should do what they can to encourage their achievement.
Many of those potential new jobs will require an educated work force. That's where the warning comes in.
While Solano has seen a rise in the percentage of workers with bachelor degrees, that progress could come to a screeching halt if schools don't do a better job of preparing young people. Solano's dropout rate is declining but, at 22 percent, it is still higher than the statewide average (19 percent). Of more concern is the number of Solano graduates who are prepared to enter either of the state university systems (27 percent) - well below the statewide average (34 percent). A trend also appears to be developing in which significantly fewer students are enrolling in upper-level science and math courses. That does not bode well.
Local government and business leaders can do their part to lure lucrative businesses to Solano County, but without an educated workforce, their efforts will be for naught.
Start preparing now
Published By The Reporter
Posted: 02/05/2010 08:23:59 AM PST
Solano County hasn't escaped the economic crisis that has enveloped the nation, but in many ways it has been able to weather it better than other communities, according to a new report issued last week.
Yet, the study cautions, unless Solano schools do a better job of preparing its youngest residents, the area's economy could falter.
The 2009 Index of Economic and Community Progress is the second of three reports to be issued in as many years as a result of a collaboration between the county, the Solano Economic Development Corporation and community leaders. The ultimate goal is to attract new businesses and industries here, especially those that pay well.
Since Solano's economy entered the recession in 2007, it has continued to be bolstered by Travis Air Force Base, which pumps about $1.6 billion a year into the economy. Local leaders have long advocated protecting the air base, and this is a good reminder of why.
Also to be nourished are small businesses. The report notes that between 2007 and 2008, more than twice as many establishments (2,536) opened or moved into Solano County as closed or moved out (1,246). Most of those were small businesses, more than a few started by residents who decided to work for themselves after being laid off.
Solano residents have suffered job losses, but they have done so at a slightly lower rate than the state as a whole. The area's diversified economy has helped buffer the region. While some industries, such as construction,have been hit hard, others, such as health services, have grown.
In the report, Michael Ammann, president of the Solano Economic Development Corp., suggests four goals for the near future: doubling the number of life science jobs; attracting more energy businesses; retaining and even expanding Travis Air Force Base; and expanding agricultural processing to meet the Bay Area's growing demand for locally produced food. These are worthwhile objectives, and cities and the county should do what they can to encourage their achievement.
Many of those potential new jobs will require an educated work force. That's where the warning comes in.
While Solano has seen a rise in the percentage of workers with bachelor degrees, that progress could come to a screeching halt if schools don't do a better job of preparing young people. Solano's dropout rate is declining but, at 22 percent, it is still higher than the statewide average (19 percent). Of more concern is the number of Solano graduates who are prepared to enter either of the state university systems (27 percent) - well below the statewide average (34 percent). A trend also appears to be developing in which significantly fewer students are enrolling in upper-level science and math courses. That does not bode well.
Local government and business leaders can do their part to lure lucrative businesses to Solano County, but without an educated workforce, their efforts will be for naught.
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