|
|
 |
CVBI-SBDC helps companies secure nearly $2 million in capital
The Central Valley Business Incubator and Small Business Development Center (CVBI-SBDC) helped thirteen client companies secure nearly $2,000,000 in capital during the fourth quarter of 2010. This momentum continues into the first quarter of 2011 as the organization currently has more than $700,000 in pending funding for client companies.
"The majority of the funding is traditional debt financing which is very encouraging," said Kirk Nagamine, CEO of CVBI-SBDC. "Access to capital is the primary need many businesses face to fuel expansion." In the same period of time, CVBI-SBDC client companies created thirty-seven new jobs.
The $1,995,200 in financing facilitated was made up of SBA loans (29%), non-SBA loans (69%) and equity capital (2%). "This diversification is typical of this market. There is a perception that equity or venture capital is a primary driver; however, traditional debt financing is generally a more viable option," said Rich Mostert, director of member services for CVBI-SBDC. "The key is having a viable enterprise and a solid financing package."
Garnered capital was for companies operating within the CVBI-SBDC four-county service area: Madera, Fresno, Tulare and Kings counties. The organization has main offices in Fresno and Visalia with satellite offices in Madera, Clovis and Porterville.
For more information about the services offered through CVBI-SBDC, please contact Rich Mostert in the Fresno/Madera area at 559-292-9033 or Gil Jaramillo in the Tulare/Kings area at 559-625-3051.
Valley survey indicates growth, export, agriculture key
January survey results at-a-glance:
- Leading economic indicator for the area bounces above growth neutral.
- Price gauge indicates significant inflation in the pipeline.
- New export orders bounces higher.
- Businesses report healthy new hiring for the month.
For full details, click here.
Arts & Culture
As the inspiring force of the creative economy, the cultural arts industry continues to lay foundations for the future.
FCASH has fully transitioned into an all volunteer-run organization and is in the process of electing a new board for 2011. In 2010, FCASH strengthened its visibility with the move to All Things Fresno, a gallery (and storefront space) in the Warnors Center for the Performing Arts on Fulton, north of the mall. This location features more than 70 artists, photographers, authors and musicians. To increase its online presence, FCASH is creating an entirely new website for existing members and to reach out to new members, as well as for the creative community as a whole.
Creative Fresno continues to thrive, doubling its membership in the last four months and most recently signing a three-year agreement with the Fresno Film Commission. The transition has been led by Ray Arthur, Fresno Film Commissioner and Creative Fresno board member, and supported by the City of Fresno.
"Creative Fresno believes that creative industries, like filmmaking, can help transform Fresno into a more vibrant city," said Suzanne Bertz-Rosa, Creative Fresno chair.
"The Fresno Film Commission in its first three years demonstrated great success by attracting or facilitating 54 productions, and generating an estimated $2.2 million in local revenue for our community,” Bertz-Rosa said. “However, with the recession the City had to make the difficult choice to cut the Fresno Film Commission from their budget. That's where Creative Fresno comes in."
As the Arts & Culture Cluster moves ahead, there is plenty of new life and activity to look forward to in the coming year. For more information on cultural arts events around town, visit PlanItFresno.com.
The next FCASH – Arts & Culture Cluster meeting is Tuesday, February 8, from 8 to 10 a.m., at Arte Americas.
For more information, please contact:
Alisa Manjarrez
Paprika Studios
559-892-1704
alias@paprikastudios.com
Clean Energy Cluster
The Clean Energy Cluster has started the New Year with great momentum having received a grant from PG&E in December 2010. This award will allow the Cluster to continue its efforts of connecting local clean energy industry professionals for collaboration on industrywide issues.
The Cluster met at the Downtown Club in January with presentations from Ron Durbin, director of Development at UC SOLAR (UC Merced) and Daryl Baltazar, director of Business Development & Sustainability at DAC Service, as well as a group brainstorming session on issues important to the industry as a whole. Agenda and minutes for the last meeting will be posted on the Cluster webpage in the coming weeks. www.fresnoedc.com/industryclusters/cleanenergy.html
The next meeting will be in March, details to be announced.
For more information, please contact:
Kristen Kawaguchi
559-476-2505
kkawaguchi@fresnoedc.com
Construction
The Construction Industry Partnership (CIP) would like to welcome new chairperson Blair Sobba. Ms. Sobba has been a part of the CIP for years and took the helm this year on January 1. We would like to thank Ed Dunkel for his leadership for the last two years. He has led our group to many great accomplishments – we look forward to Ms. Sobba building on those accomplishments and taking CIP to new levels.
CIP, with the help of Roxanne Greenwood at the Central California Builders Exchange, developed a website that ties the industry together for meetings and events. www.buildingcentralcalifornia.com
CIP has been closely following the Downtown Revitalization plan – and its successes. The Draft Plan is posted for review by all neighborhoods and can be viewed at www.fresnodowntownplans.com.
The annual Construction Career Day Event, to be held on April 29, is building on past successes and will be bigger than ever this year.
For more information, please contact:
Blair Sobba
Sebastian Corp.
559-261-8203
Logistics & Distribution
Logistics & Distribution
The Logistics & Distribution Cluster has postponed the debut of its industrywide profile publication until later in 2011. The Steering Committee will be working on the production of the profile over the next few months and, when necessary, will hold Cluster meetings for input and feedback. The profile will be debuted at a Cluster event later this year. Keep an eye out for more details.
For more information, please contact:
Kristen Kawaguchi
559-476-2505
kkawaguchi@fresnoedc.com
Manufacturing
At the January meeting of the Manufacturing Cluster, guest speakers were Jonathan Lee, Northern Territory Director for California Manufacturing Technology Consulting (CMTC), and Frank Ferral, Program and Public Policy Director for Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce. Lee detailed programs offered by CMTC and its future Fresno focus. He said that CMTC is proud to be included in the Clusters’ efforts to establish the University Center for the Advancement of Manufacturing (UCAM).
Ferral gave Cluster members a glimpse of REACON, a Recycling-Energy-Air-Conservation business-to-business program, established in Stockton to provide energy-efficient audits to businesses. REACON is being expanded throughout the San Joaquin Valley. Ferral offered his service to Cluster members and invited everyone to REXPO VII: Sustainable Collaboration to learn more about this service and energy and environmental programs that save businesses money. REXPO will be in Stockton on Wednesday, March 9.
The Cluster received an update on UCAM. For more information on UCAM, please visit.
www.csufresno.edu/ucam.
On March 17, the Cluster will participate in a multicluster event with the Clean Energy, Food Processing & Ag and Water clusters, as part of the Annual Career Expo, at the Holiday Inn Downtown.
For more information, please contact:
Angelica Cano
Office of Community and Economic Development
559-347-3941
acano@csufresno.edu
Software Development
The Software Development Cluster will begin 2011 by increasing exposure of the software industry through its Demo Days Event on March 10.
The Cluster is focused on creating a buzz about software development to enhance the attraction for businesses to start or expand in the region – while retaining talent in the Central Valley. The search is on for talent for Demo Days, which is designed to foster information sharing and education. Interested in showcasing your project in a casual, networking environment on March 10? Contact Walt.
If you have a software position available or are looking for a career in the industry, you are invited to get connected with the Software Cluster. Your skills or vacancy can be posted on its website to create a higher potential for hiring success. Get connected on Linked-In.
Get ready for April 24 – 59DaysofCode will be launched for the second consecutive year. Software Cluster leadership is actively generating sponsorship leads for this two-day annual event at Chukchansi Gold Resort and Casino, June 21 and 22. Know anyone interested in donating a prize or sponsoring the event? Contact Irma.
By engaging the software industry community in quarterly events rather than meetings, the Cluster is making industry collaboration simpler while creating value-to-membership demonstrations. By showcasing talent within the Cluster and the Fresno region, it is only a matter of time before the rest of the state pays attention. Get involved: Contact Walt.
Demo Days is the next event, scheduled for March 10, from 5:30-7:30 p.m., at Central Valley Business Incubator.
For more information, please contact:
Barbara Rodiek
Central Valley Business Incubator
559-292-9033
barbara@cvbi.org
Tourism
In 2010, the Fresno Convention & Visitors Bureau along with an extraordinary group of area hoteliers launched a petition to establish a Tourism Business Improvement District (TBID). The TBID was proposed as an alternative to the funding previously provided by the City of Fresno when it was announced that the City would no longer be able to fund this vital organization.
On Oct.28 and Nov. 8, 2010, Fresno City Council and Clovis City Council, respectively, approved TBID designation to form Fresno-Clovis Convention & Visitors Bureau (FCCVB). And on Jan. 1, 2011, the new FCCVB got started.
The funding for a TBID comes from a 1% per room per night assessment on approximately 85 hotels within the city limits of Fresno and Clovis. The TBID could generate up to $800,000 per annum in years to come based on an average occupancy rate of 62% and a recovering economy.
TBID funds generated will allow FCCVB to move forward with its primary objective to strengthen the local economy by marketing the cities of Fresno and Clovis as a destination for meetings, conventions, trade shows, special events, amateur athletic championships and leisure and group travel through marketing, sales, advertising and promotion and the providing of services and materials to enhance the visitor experience.
Since being designated a TBID, FCCVB hosted a familiarization tour for travel writers. Made possible with the involvement of many of our FCCVB and Tourism Cluster members, the tour was designed to promote our destination and, ultimately, culminated in a three-page article in the California 2011 Official State Visitor’s Guide. The Fresno Region was featured as the “Central Valley surprise”:
“Most folks zoom by Fresno on their way to Yosemite … but turn off State Highway 99 and you’ll uncover a Central Valley Gem, a surprisingly stylish, eclectic, ethnically diverse and innovative city that hasn’t forgotten the value of small-town charm.”
California 2011 Official State Visitor’s Guide
The Guide will reach thousands of state, domestic and international readers.
What a way to begin the New Year. Cheers for a prosperous 2011.
For more information, please contact:
Emil Milevoj
University Business Center
California State University, Fresno
559-278-2352
emilevoj@csufresno.edu
|
|
|
