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Software Cluster is off and running.
The RJI’s newest cluster has been successfully launched and is off to a great start. The Software Cluster has met three times with enthusiastic participation from leaders of about a dozen local software companies. Ian Duffield, Cluster Chair and Software Development Manager for Famous Software, stresses the importance of the group “being active and not passive. This is not a series of meetings with presenters where we all go back to our normal lives afterwards. I want the group to identify issues they are passionate about resolving and then do just that.”
In less than two months, members have been able to network in ways that were previously unknown for the cluster. For example, Summit Software owner Laurie Seaborn is now working with a developer she met at the second meeting to convert her database programs, which will allow her company to grow nationally. And Eugene Carlson from CE Technical was able to meet a developer and solve a problem he had been working on for over two months.
The Cluster has now identified three areas to focus its efforts:
- Workforce – This committee will initially focus on internship peer mentoring and outreach with later hopes of looking into conducting a regional skills inventory and job sharing. The goal is to connect high school and college students with businesses thus enticing young talent to stay in the region while providing a strong workforce for local industry.
- Marketing – This committee wants to internally and externally market the Fresno region as a software development center and will initially focus on developing a cluster web site and regional directory. The group hopes to not only attract outside business to the region but to also make local industry aware of what is already in the region thus keeping business local.
- Business Growth & Development – This committee will address issues related to investment and cash flow, improving the region’s entrepreneurial climate, and the promotion of best practices and joint R&D, all contributing to industry growth in the region.
About 40 software companies, being those businesses whose primary goal is software development, have been contacted to participate in the cluster, and many more are expected to join. Companies range in size from one-person companies to those with 80 employees or more and from those that have only recently started doing business to those who have been in business for over 30 years. The possibilities are endless!
If you are interested in becoming involved in the software cluster, please contact Allyson Robison at 559-294-6025 or arobison@csufresno.edu.
2006 New Valley InForum speakers announced.
The New Valley InForum series is geared up and ready to enter its third season with a focus on how to make Fresno cool for current and future generations of young professionals. Young professionals are drawn to vibrant places and usually choose where they are going to live because of quality of life factors – then they find a job. Companies are then drawn to regions with existing talent. In this year’s New Valley InForum series come learn what young professionals (or YPs) are looking for in a region, learn how to use the Web to enact social change, and examine the connection between money and leading a fulfilling life. This year’s speakers include Rebecca Ryan on January 26, founder of Next Generation Consulting and publisher of “Hot Jobs, Cool Communities;” Tiffany Shlain on February 16, founder of the Webby Awards, filmmaker and Good Morning America’s Internet expert; and Lynne Twist on March 14, author of The Soul of Money. For more information, please visit the RJI Calendar.
Manufacturing takes one-on-one approach to cluster recruitment.
The Advanced Manufacturing Cluster has been meeting with area manufacturers to learn more about their business and to inform them about the clusters activities. To date, cluster representatives have met with eighteen manufacturers, with seven left to meet their goal of twenty-five by the end of 2005. Many of the manufacturers have mentioned workforce as one of their most challenging issues and expressed an interest in becoming involved in the cluster. Additionally, manufacturers were asked to fill out the Core Competency Survey, which will help identify capabilities of local manufacturers to encourage local sourcing and the Materials Lab Survey to assist in planning for the Advanced Manufacturing Center. If you are an area manufacturer and would like to learn more about the Advanced Manufacturing Cluster, you may contact Manjit Atwal at 559-294-6023 or manjitm@csufresno.edu.
The New Valley Times - 2006 Indicator Report Coming Soon!
The Livability Task Force is working hard on The New Valley Times – 2006 Indicator Report, to be published near the end of February 2006. The newspaper will include reports on domains such as Culture and Recreation, the Economy, Education, the Environment and Natural Resources, Health and Safety, Housing, Innovation, and Transportation. However, we still are in need of sponsorships to help cover costs of publishing and distributing the newspaper. If you or your business is interested, please contact either Allyson Robison at 559-294-6025 or arobison@csufresno.edu, or Marty Clanin-Frantz at 559-434-2230 or MartyFAdalaC@aol.com.
The EDC serving Fresno County promotes BEAR program and certified sites.
The EDC’s Business Expansion, Attraction and Retention (BEAR) program is targeting RJI industry clusters, such as the Call Center, Food Processing and Advanced Logistics and Distribution Clusters. After completing a short questionnaire, the clusters will hear a report on the results and how the BEAR program will affect their industries. Additionally, the EDC is working with a number of cities and Fresno County to identify industrial sites they wish to promote to businesses in the RJI targeted industries interested in the region. Below are two charts summarizing the EDC’s activities related to the RJI clusters.
Fresno County promotes Economic Development projects.
The Fresno County Economic Development Department is working with various communities on a number of industrial sites throughout the county. The county is working with the City of Kerman to streamline the annexation process for sites that promote economic development and the creation of jobs. The county is also supporting a 1,000 acre industrial park site on Interstate 5 by the I-5 Business Development Corridor. Additionally, the EDC serving Fresno County is working with the County Administrative Office and the Public Works and Planning Department to research the development of additional industrial sites in unincorporated areas of the county.
California Partnership for the SJV meets Thursday and Friday at UC Merced.
On Thursday and Friday of next week, the California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley will convene at UC Merced for its work group meetings and quarterly board meeting. On Thursday, December 8th from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., the Partnership’s nine work groups will meet and continue to work on their action plans. Friday, December 9th from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. will be reserved for the Partnership board meeting. More details are available at www.bth.ca.gov (click on California Partnership link on the left side of the home page).
FCASH Monthly Profile: San Joaquin Valley Town Hall.
The San Joaquin Valley Town Hall was established in 1938 to hold intellectually stimulating and entertaining events featuring nationally recognized speakers. The morning lectures are held monthly at the Saroyan Theater and have featured Margaret Mead, Condoleezza Rice, Henry Kissinger, Maya Angelou, Ellen Goodman, and Thomas Friedman, among many others. The SJV Town Hall has been an all-volunteer organization without a marketing budget, thus their biggest challenge is ticket sales. The next lecture will be held on Wednesday, January 25, 2006 with David Spiegel. For more information, please visit http://www.valleytownhall.com.
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