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Innovation Index released.
On Friday, April 16, the Lyles Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Fresno State, in partnership with the Office of Community and Economic Development, released The Innovation Economy Agenda: Setting Priorities and Assessing Progress in the Central San Joaquin Valley Region. The long-awaited report provides objective and reliable information on the region’s innovation and entrepreneurship activities which are critical to creating a value-based economy. Additionally, this Innovation Index fulfills one of the 40 recommendations outlined in the RJI Implementation Plan and has been championed in part by the RJI Innovation Task Force. To view the report, please visit www.lylescenter.com or to read the Fresno Bee article, please visit, www.fresnorji.org.
CVBI offers Entrepreneurial Women's Conference.
The Central Valley Business Incubator is presenting the Entrepreneurial Women’s Conference this Thursday, May 4, 2006 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The event is designed to inspire, enlighten and energize women business owners and entrepreneurs. The half-day event gives entrepreneurs the opportunity to step away from the day-to-day operations “in” the business and take time to work “on” the business. At this unique conference, attendees can connect with dynamic speakers, network, share ideas, and make new contacts. For more information or to register, please contact CVBI at www.cvbi.org or 559-292-9033.
Fresno County tourism film to be produced.
As part of the efforts of the RJI Tourism Cluster, a six-minute DVD promoting tourism in Fresno County will be produced for trade shows, convention planners and local hotels, among other activities. With many local amenities, such as national parks, the Blossom Trail, farmers markets, and other festivities, the area has much to offer visitors. Our constant challenge is promoting those amenities. This film is one part of the larger effort to raise the profile of the region. Many thanks to the City of Fresno for funding the production of the DVD and to the Fresno Convention and Visitors Bureau for managing its development. Local filmmakers John Kelly and Erin Cameron were selected
CVBI/ICWT building construction underway.
The Central Valley Business Incubator has partnered with the International Center for Water Technology to develop a satellite incubator focused on the development of water technology and clean energy businesses. The CVBI/ICWT satellite incubator will be the only water technology incubator in the country. The 13,000 square foot building will house offices for water- and energy-focused entrepreneurs, as well as research and design laboratories and testing and certification equipment. The ICWT is a result of the area’s first industry cluster in water technology that formed in April 2001. Since then, the cluster and ICWT have brought a great deal of attention to the Valley as a hub for water technology development. By also focusing on energy, the ICWT will become the area’s source for innovation concerning some of the region’s most valuable resources: energy and water.
Fresno County promotes online permitting.
The County of Fresno has recently launched is online permitting system, AMANDA: Application Management and Data Automation, allowing businesses and residents to now apply for and obtain 26 different permits online. Permitting processes that are available online include demolition, ag pump, and sewer connection permits, among others. To apply for a permit, residents and businesses may visit www.centralcalonline.org, conduct a parcel search, and then start the online permit process. Additional processes are now being planned for online permitting, including conditional use permits. This project is part of the larger e-gov initiative to improve customer service relations in Fresno County.
CVBI Open House to be held Tuesday, May 9.
The Central Valley Business Incubator is holding an open house next Tuesday, May 9, 2006 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (The Incubator is located at 2555 N. Clovis Ave. in Clovis). This is a great opportunity to network with CVBI members, business professionals, city officials and community leaders, all the contacts needed to grow and strengthen your business. For more information, please call CVBI at 559-292-9033.
FCASH Monthly Profile: Fresno Historical Society.
The Fresno Historical Society is responsible for maintaining a regional history, maintaining archives that receive research requests on a daily basis, and reaching out annually to children of six Valley counties to engage them in stepping back in time to mid-19th century America, among other activities. This year, the Historical Society has been particularly busy planning the County’s Sesquicentennial celebrations. That’s 150 years of County history! Activities have included a wagon train with children from various cities traveling around the County, an official Sesquicentennial kick off event on April 19, a lecture series from March through September, a special September Concert in the Park, publishing a new coffee table book on county history, producing a 60-minute film, The Land between Rivers, a parade in late September and special Fresno Fair activities in October. For more information, please visit www.valleyhistory.org.
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