|
|
 |
RJI joins forces to lead career preparation for Fresno students
The Regional Jobs Initiative has joined forces with Fresno State, State Center Community College District, and Fresno Unified School District to develop a regional compact that will prepare students for career success.
“Workforce development is the single most critical determinant of our future economic prospects,” said Pete Weber, RJI co-chair. “Aligning the efforts of K-12, community college, university, and industry to prepare students for career success is one of the most fundamental efforts we must undertake to ensure the long-term health and vitality of the Central Valley.”
Fueled by a planning grant from the Irvine Foundation, the Fresno Career Preparation Initiative is poised to make significant changes in the preparation of local students for careers specifically identified as growth industries in the local economy.
“We are truly fortunate to work in a community with committed partners who understand the need for systemic change,” said FUSD Superintendent Michael Hanson. “The good news is that ‘what’s best for kids’ is also what is best for our local economy.”
Fresno Unified School District is the 4th largest and among the lowest performing school districts in California with only 28% of FUSD students proficient in English language arts and math. Fewer than 25% of FUSD graduates attend college, and only half will graduate within six years of starting college. The region also suffers from a brain drain in which 60% more college educated people leave than move here each year.
The Fresno region is growing, with 20,000 anticipated jobs in the next three years, but there are too few workers to fill those jobs. Fresno is ranked #4 among the 50 largest cities in the nation for its overall poverty rate, but ranked #1 for its concentrated poverty. Said another way, of the half million people in Fresno, about 125,000 live below the poverty line (about $20,000 for a family of four), and more than 200,000 live in neighborhoods in which at least 40% of the residents live below the poverty line. Fresno can no longer afford for students to be ill-prepared for careers or college.
The Career Preparation Initiative is built on research in Career Technical Education and best practices in career pathways. A major shift is needed in how students are educated and how they are being prepared for success in the workplace. There are seven important pieces of work ahead:
- Educators, policy makers, and business leaders work collaboratively to create and implement a shared vision for career preparation based in high expectations for all students. They provide leadership, direction and resources through a regional consortium.
- Educational policies and practices support students’ career preparation and are well articulated K-12 to postsecondary to industry (teacher preparation, achievement, entrance exams, graduation requirements etc.).
- Industry, business, and labor leaders drive reforms including standards for core competencies (academic, technical, and professional) focused on the local economy and workforce needs.
- Standards are taught throughout all disciplines by clustering CTE courses with core academic courses, infusing relevancy into K-16 classes.
- Professional development and collaboration opportunities for educators to refine curriculum and instructional strategies.
- Career awareness and exploration (beginning in elementary school), work experience opportunities for all students, and individualized career planning.
- Belief that rewarding and profitable careers are available for all hard-working, students regardless of college enrollment, when they are committed to Fresno Career Pathways.
“Economic vitality happens when we incorporate economic development efforts with human development and community development,” said Ashley Swearengin, RJI chief operating officer. “If we do all three in Fresno, we will see a breakthrough in this community.”
For more information, contact Joel Rabin at Fresno Unified School District at joel.rabin@fresnounified.org or Samantha Bauer at Fresno State’s Office of Community and Economic Development at sbauer@csufresno.edu.
Equity 101 Workshop for business owners/CEOs this month
Pacific Community Ventures will be hosting its Equity 101 Workshop—Demystifying Venture Capital and Equity Financing—on Thursday, May 31, 2007. Participants will learn how to:
- Differentiate between types of equity investors;
- Understand what private equity funds look for when investing in companies;
- Give presentations to equity investors;
- Understand investment terms and company valuation; and
- Develop financial projections.
Equity 101 will be led by industry leaders who have expertise working with founder-owned companies and panelists from a variety of venture capital funds and small business assistance organizations. This is an educational opportunity to help entrepreneurs learn whether they want to seek equity financing, and to prepare to participate in the fundraising process. Participants will not be asked or required to present to investors. This workshop has been specially developed for business owners/CEOs of growth-oriented companies in the Central Valley who are considering private equity as a way to fund expansion.
For more information or to apply, please visit www.PCVworkshops.org or call 559-347-3910.
Water and Energy Technology Incubator open for business
Early last month, the Claude Laval Water and Energy Technology Incubator, affectionately called the WET Incubator, opened its doors for business. A partnership between the Central Valley Business Incubator and the International Center for Water Technology (the RJI’s water technology cluster), the WET incubator is expected to be at the international forefront of developing water, energy and other environmental technologies. In addition to specialty entrepreneurial leadership and training experience, research and testing facilities, and five-early stage water or energy technology businesses, the WET Incubator building is home to solar panels that will generate 56 kilowatts of power.
“The WET Incubator is a very important piece of our region’s economic development,” said CVBI CEO Craig Scharton. “The facility will launch new businesses that will help us manage our water and energy resources, and to clean the environment. The facility will also be an important cornerstone in the effort to build the Central Valley as a world leader in water technology. The economic rewards of this effort will create jobs, support the local tax base and focus international attention on our community.”
The first five businesses selected for the WET Incubator include PureSense Environmental, Inc., WorldWater & Power Corp., Full Circle Energy, Inc., Golden State Enviro-Pure Water and OXYPRO.
Valley provides billions of dollars in ag products to Costco
Early last month, the food processing cluster had the opportunity to meet with Tim Rose, Vice President of Costco’s Merchandising-Foods and Sundries Division. During his talk, Rose reviewed many statistics, including a rough estimate that the Valley provides approximately $6 billion in ag products to Costco each year. Costco has 8 regional buying teams throughout the U.S. which find products to offer exclusively at local warehouses. Of about 1200 food/sundries items, 800 are offered nationwide with the other 400 being regional products.
When asked about what vendors can do to improve their chances of selling to Costco, Rose replied “Pick something you’re good at and stick with it.” Costco also looks for vendors to have a good open door policy particularly regarding food safety and quality assurance. Rose encouraged food processors to stay on top of their businesses and be willing to evolve as trends are always changing.
Rose said that the hottest trend in the grocery industry is organic foods because of their high quality and safety. Costco currently sells some organic foods with new opportunities being explored each day. This could be a good opportunity for Valley food processors as organics will continue to grow as consumers realize their value.
Some interesting facts on Costco include:
- The warehouse at Shaw Avenue and SR 99 has been open since 1985.
- Foster Farms was the first to make rotisserie chicken with Costco
- The rotisserie chicken only has a 2-hour shelf life
- $1.50 hotdog & soda combo has been around since 1984
Other stats, from FY06, are:
- Nationally, each warehouse averages $127 million in sales while Valley warehouses average $145 million in sales.
- Costco has 127,000 employees in 504 warehouses worldwide; 371 in the U.S.
- There are 26.5 million households as members with an 86% renewal rate.
- U.S fine wine sales were $390 million; the largest fine wine seller in the world
City of Fresno continues to be environmental leader as solar airport project approved
The Fresno City Council recently approved a large solar power generating project planned for Fresno Yosemite International Airport, the single largest solar installation at any airport in the country. The solar project will cover approximately 25 acres and is just one of the City’s latest initiatives as an environmental leader to improve sustainability and energy efficiency.
The airport has completed negotiations with World Water & Power Corporation to install, operate, and maintain a 2 megawatt solar power generating system. This project will provide up to 40% of the airport’s annual power consumption through the use of 100% renewable energy sources. The airport will save approximately $12.8 million in energy costs over a 25 year period. World Water & Power expects to complete the solar project in the spring of 2008.
“This is truly an exciting opportunity for the City’s environmental efforts,” stated Council President Henry T. Perea. “I am extremely supportive of solar energy, and have eagerly anticipated moving forward with this project.” Mayor Autry and Council President Perea will be rolling out "Fresno Green: The City of Fresno’s Strategy for Achieving Sustainability" in recognition of this year’s Earth Day. This plan will include the airport’s solar project as well as over 20 strategies for positioning Fresno as a good steward of the earth’s natural resources and a leader in sustainable policies.
CVBI member, Galaxy IT, is first recipient of funding from Bulldog Capital Partners
Galaxy IT, Inc., a Central Valley Business Incubator for three years, has become the first recipient of business development funding from the venture capital fund Bulldog Capital Partners. Galaxy IT is currently working on developing unique software to better organize and present information in a visual search engine so that people can more easily and quickly find what they are looking for on the Internet.
“I was particularly impressed with this venture fund’s focus on promoting potentially high-growth businesses in the Fresno area, as well as by their desire to positively impact development in the Central Valley,” said Galaxy IT CEO, Dr. Rod King.
For more information about Galaxy IT, please call 559-375-7682. To learn about the Central Valley Incubator, please visit www.CVBI.org or call 559-292-9033.
Central California Small Business Development Center to offer NxLevel training
The Central California Small Business Development Center (CCSBDC), with a generous contribution from Citibank, will soon offer NxLevel (www.nxlevel.org) training to small business owners interested in growing their businesses. In partnership with UC Merced, the Craig School of Business at Fresno State and the U.S. Small Business Administration, CCSBDC provides services to small business owners in Fresno, Madera, Kings, and Tulare counties in order to enhance economic development in the region. This is accomplished through high-quality, one-on-one business consulting at no cost to the client and training designed to address specific client needs. For more information about CCSBDC or its NxLevel training offerings, contact Joi Eubanks at 559-230-4056 or www.ccsbdc.org.
CVBI's Entrepreneurial Training Course—Teaching Business Fundamentals—to begin May 7
The second level of the Central Valley Business Incubator’s Entrepreneurial Training Processes (ETP) classes—helping participants develop a business plan—will begin next Monday, May 7, 2007. This course will offer students specialized training from industry professionals on topics such as marketing, public relations, accounting, operations and licensing requirements. By the end of the course, students will have produced a professionally-edited and polished business plan.
“I really was impressed with the structure of the course,” said ETP II graduate Bob Hayden, now an on-site member at the CVBI Launching Pad. “We heard from a lot of instructors that presented valuable information for helping me write my business plan.”
To learn more about the Central Valley Business Incubator or the upcoming ETP II course, please call 559-292-9033 or visit www.CVBI.org.
City of Fresno programs win statewide award
Two City of Fresno Economic Development Department programs, FresnoStartUp.com and the Municipal Restoration Zone, received an Award of Merit from the California Association for Local Economic Development (CALED). CALED’s statewide awards honor, celebrate, and recognize successful economic development programs, projects, and partnerships. CALED is the California’s premier professional economic development organization dedicated to advancing its members’ ability to achieve excellence in delivering economic development services to their communities and business clients.
For more information, visit www.fresnoez.com, e-mail economic.development@fresno.gov or call 559-621-8350.
Sixth Annual Agricultural Lending Institute at Fresno State
The Sixth Annual Agricultural Lending Institute (ALI) will take place June 18-22, 2007 at the University Business Center at Fresno State. A joint program of the Ag Lenders Society of California and the University Business Center, ALI provides the in-depth training necessary for industry professionals to succeed in agricultural finance. ALI offers a rigorous competency-based curriculum, presented by distinguished faculty with professional expertise in all aspects of agricultural finance. Classes are conducted in a facilitative style employing a case study format as a means of enhancing the principles taught during the week, culminating in the analysis and presentation of a loan request based on facts found in the case study and utilizing the skills acquired in the classroom.
For more information, call the University Business Center at 559-278-2352.
City of Fresno Incentive Zone Workshop waiting list established
The free Incentive Zone Workshop on June 6, 2007 is already full, but a waiting list has been established. If you are interested in being put on the waiting list, send your name, contact information and email address to Melodee Schwamb at Melodee.Schwamb@fresno.gov or call 559-621-8366. The workshop will be held from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a. m. at the Fresno Chamber of Commerce, 2331 Fresno St, in Fresno.
Buying and Selling—one on one opportunity for procurement representatives and small business owners
Plans are under way for the first annual Business Matchmaking and Networking Event to be held August 31, 2007. This event provides an opportunity for small businesses to meet one on one with procurement representatives from federal, state and local government agencies and large corporations who use purchasing contracts.
This is a great opportunity for purchasing dollars to remain in the Valley. The City of Fresno Economic Development Department, and their partners, HUD, SBA, Fresno Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Caltrans, Specialized Printing and Promotions Inc, Valley Small Business Center and Fresno County’s Women Chamber of Commerce, are committed to planning a conference that will help our local economy and Fresno small businesses grow and expand.
If you are interesting in sponsoring or are a procurement representative, please email Brandon Erickson or Brandon.erickson@fresno.gov or call 559-621-8367. Information is also available at www.fresnostartup.com.
Getting ready to shop—ICSC
The City of Fresno Economic Development Department will have an exhibit at the 2007 International Council of Shopping Center (ICSC) Spring Convention trade show in Las Vegas, May 21–23, 2007. Retailers attend the conference to look for new locations and it is the largest gathering of shopping center professionals in the world with over 60,000 decision makers in attendance.
Preparation for the City of Fresno exhibit began in November 2006 and it will include:
- A showcase of what Fresno has to offer
- City of Fresno aerial display map
- Selection of pictures and renderings of new projects under way in Fresno that will be displayed at the booth
- Video success stories of owners and managers of recently completed Fresno projects
For more information, please email Peggy Chiok at peggy.chiok@fresno.gov or call 559.621.8360.
"Finding Home" documentary to show at Fresno Art Museum June 22
If you missed it at the RJI annual meeting and the sold-out showings at the Rogue Festival, you have another chance to see Finding Home, a documentary short about returning to Fresno. The film will be shown at the Fresno Art Museum’s “Art Under the Stars” event on June 22, 2007. Told through the personal story of the filmmaker and ten interviews of “boomerangs,” the film takes an authentic look at the pros and cons of living in Fresno and why knowledge workers and creative professionals have chosen to return. What happens if you can take the small town out of the girl... And what if she returns anyway? The event begins at 7:30 p.m., and the movie will show at 8:30 p.m. The Fresno Art Museum (www.fresnoartmuseum.org) is located at 2233 North 1st Street in Fresno.
CVBI's "Launching Pad" available for community organizations
The Central Valley Business Incubator has officially moved into its new space at 1630 East Shaw Avenue, Suite 163 in Fresno. The Incubator’s classroom and small conference room are available to community organizations on a first-come, first-serve basis. For more information, please contact Craig Scharton, CVBI CEO, at 559-292-9033 or craig@cvbi.org.
| |
|
