|
 |
Community-Based Job Training Grant awarded to Fresno, Kings and Madera Counties.
Fresno, Kings and Madera Counties have been awarded a Department of Labor Community-Based Job Training Grant through a partnership comprised of county Workforce Investment Boards, six community colleges, UC Davis, industry employers, K-12 Regional Occupational Programs, the Center for Applied Competitive Technology and the RJI’s Advanced Manufacturing, Food Processing and Logistics Clusters. The program, “Ensuring Agriculture for Tomorrow” (EAT) will provide specialized training for workers in the agriculture-related fields of food processing, logistics, warehousing and manufacturing, therefore providing regional employers with qualified, well-trained workers. The grant will initially train 1,060 participants and build sustainable capacity by creating 12 new training programs that will serve 500 students annually after the completion of the grant. This grant is a great example of how regional collaboration can lead to success. Congratulations to all who participated!
Valley Blueprint 2050 Workshop to be held this Thursday.
The San Joaquin Valley Blueprint is a regional planning initiative focused on public participation in creating a plan for the future of transportation and land use. The Valley Blueprint 2050 Workshop will allow Fresno residents to have an input in this project. At the workshop a facilitator will ask questions while attendees use handheld clickers to signal their answers. Data will be provided immediately and used to develop several alternative growth scenarios. The workshop will be held this Thursday, January 11 at the University of California Center, located at 550 E. Shaw Ave., Fresno. Registration will begin at 4:30 p.m. with the workshop to begin at 5:00 p.m. To RSVP, please call 559-233-4148 or email smaxwell@fresnocog.org.
Innovative Energy Cluster reorganizes.
The Innovative Energy Cluster has a new chair, Mark Stout from Unlimited Energy, and is ready to start the new year running. The cluster will focus on developing a clean energy industry in Fresno County and the San Joaquin Valley in partnership with the California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley’s Energy Work Group. If you would like to participate in the cluster, please contact Mark Stout at mstout@unlimited-energy.com.
CVBI WET Incubator named the "Claude Laval Water and Energy Technology Incubator".
Last month the CVBI Board of Directors announced that the official name of the new WET Incubator facility will be the “Claude Laval Water and Energy Technology Incubator.” The Laval family and many Laval Company employees were present at a special event dedicating the facility to Mr. Laval whose years of dedication to the issues of economic development and job creation for the Central Valley have been invaluable. Mr. Laval has served as the chairman of the International Center for Water Technology, also known as the water cluster, since its inception in April 2001. The Claude Laval Water and Energy Technology Incubator will be the home to five start-up or early stage businesses specializing in water or energy technology. The businesses will have access to a wide variety of services including a technology testing facility, which Mr. Laval has indicated will be the finest in the world outside of Israel. For more information about the new incubator or ICWT, please visit www.cvbi.org or www.icwt.net.
AMC feasibility study to commence this month.
The Manufacturing Cluster’s center of excellence has received a grant to conduct a study to determine the feasibility of an Advanced Manufacturing Center (AMC) to support the San Joaquin Valley manufacturing industry. An Advisory Committee has been formed to provide input and feedback on the various components of the study and held its first meeting in December 2006. The feasibility study will be developed by manufacturers from throughout the region and market research firms and is scheduled to begin later this month. If you are a leader in a manufacturing company in the San Joaquin Valley and are interested in participating in the feasibility study, please contact Manjit Atwal at 559-294-6023 or manjitm@csufresno.edu.
Empowerment Zone maps now available for City of Fresno; Fresno County draft available.
Last month, the State Department of Housing and Community Development approved the City of Fresno’s revised Enterprise Zone boundaries. Businesses in the new zone can begin taking advantage of the benefits immediately as the designation was given retroactive to October 14, 2006. Fresno County is still awaiting approval of its Enterprise Zone map but expects to be notified in March 2007. To view the City’s map and street listing and the County’s proposed map, please visit www.FresnoRJI.org.
Careers in Manufacturing Technology internship program recruiting host companies for Summer 2007 interns.
The Careers in Manufacturing Technology internship program is currently recruiting companies to host student interns this summer. Manufacturing, water technology and food processing companies interested in participating are requested to contact Kathe McCall at 559-294-6026 or kathem@csufresno.edu.
SCCCD continues follow-up work from October's Workforce Development Summit.
SCCCD presented preliminary findings from October’s Workforce Development Summit to RJI leaders in December, reporting that the response from business and industry leaders has been extremely positive. An action plan is being developed, and a final report will be distributed to all participants and partners at the end of the month. Additionally, SCCCD is planning a bus tour of the various vocational program sites throughout the District in order to give business and industry leaders a birds-eye view of the various training opportunities being offered. The tour date will be announced shortly. For more information, please contact Teresa Patterson at 559-244-2637 or teresa.patterson@scccd.edu.
"Discover Fresno County" tourism DVD bilingual edition now available.
The “Discover Fresno County” tourism DVD has been translated into Spanish and is being distributed to hotels throughout the County. Large companies and health care facilities have also received the DVD to share with their many visitors. If you are interested in receiving a copy of the DVD, please contact Laura Calderon at the Fresno Convention and Visitors Bureau at 559-445-8300.
Clovis Technology Conference set for October 29 - November 1, 2007; now seeking sponsors.
The Clovis Technology Conference is scheduled for Monday, October 29 – Thursday, November 1, 2007. The goals of the Conference are to inspire, educate and introduce citizens to global leaders in advanced technology; develop a vision among Clovis residents of a knowledge-based, revenue-roducing innovative hub; and raise national and international awareness of Clovis as an Innovative Technology Hub. Attendees will be invited from educational, agricultural, innovative energy, software development and water technology sectors throughout the world. Tours will be conducted highlighting the Clovis educational system, recreational facilities, the Research and Technology Business Park, Claude Laval Water and Energy Technology Incubator, and the Center for Advanced Research and Technology (CART). Conference sponsors are now being recruited. For more information about the conference or sponsorship opportunities, please visit www.clovistechconference.com.
2007 Implementation Task Force/Leadership Council meeting schedule now posted; other meetings also available.
All 2007 meeting dates for the Implementation Task Force/Leadership Council have been posted on the RJI calendar at www.FresnoRJI.org. Cluster and Task Force meetings will continue to be posted as dates are available.
"FCASH Flash" up and running.
The Fresno Coalition for Art, Science & History has launched its “FCASH Flash” newsletter. The monthly e-newsletter includes information about cultural arts events taking place in the Fresno area during the upcoming month. If you are interested in joining FCASH or subscribing to the newsletter, please visit www.FCASH.org.
| |
|
