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RJI food processing cluster to hold first Costco Food Symposium
San Joaquin Valley food processing companies are invited to apply for the first Costco Food Symposium to be hosted by the Regional Jobs Initiative’s Food Processing cluster on March 12.
The symposium will be an opportunity for 35 to 40 local food producers to meet with buying teams from Costco to:
- Exchange ideas and gain insights from a world-leading grocery retailer.
- Showcase their products.
- Network with other food processing professionals.
- Connect with Costco to expand product market.
Applications will be available begining Thursday, Jan. 17, from the Office of Community and Economic Development (OCED) at California State University, Fresno, or www.FresnoRJI.org, the RJI Web site. There is no application fee, but there will be an event fee of $125 for companies that are selected to participate. For more information, contact OCED at (559) 294-6021.
BEAR Network offers support for existing businesses looking to expand
The Business Expansion and Retention (BEAR) Action Network, a collaborative effort between the City of Fresno and the Economic Development Corporation serving Fresno County, has made great progress in its first quarter.
Formally launched in September 2007, the program was designed to enhance the stability and growth of Fresno’s existing businesses by connecting them with specific resources, information, and services offered through BEAR Action Network. Company CEOs and branch managers have been very appreciative of this proactive and valuable resource and are quickly taking advantage of it, according to EDC and City of Fresno officials.
To date, BEAR Action Network has conducted outreach to 192 companies:
67 logistics and distribution firms
27 of Fresno's oldest firms
29 health care providers
18 manufacturing firms
17 food processing firms
11 retail firms
9 minority-owned firms
10 miscellaneous industries firms
4 alternative energy firms
BEAR Action Network has conducted one-to-one interviews with 51 companies.
Ongoing referrals (companies may have submitted multiple requests for services):
16 requests, recruitment assistance
1 request, use of FCWIB Business Services Center
36 referrals, RJI targeted industries committees
6 requests, site selection assistance
6 requests, City of Fresno services
1 request, next City of Fresno Business Matchmaking event
29 requests, Incentive Zones and Tax Credit information/training
1 request, FCWIB Rapid Response outplacement services
1 request, SBA small business loan
4 referrals, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce-accessing Latino business
4 requests, strategic/marketing/formal succession planning
1 request, rail equipment repair
The BEAR Action Network is committed to assisting Fresno businesses with expansion that will create new jobs, increase capital investment and competitiveness in the wider marketplace, and retain local businesses – preventing relocation to other areas.
For more information, please contact Emerson Estrada at the Economic Development Corporation serving Fresno County at 559.476.2505 or Melodee Schwamb, City of Fresno’s Retention/Expansion and New Development Manager, at melodee.schwamb@fresno.gov or 559.621.8366.
State Center to offer career, technical education bus tour
State Center Community College District will conduct its second annual Career and Technical Education Bus Tour on Thursday, March 27, from 8 a.m. to approximately 1 p.m.
District officials said that last year’s bus tour was a huge success, with business, industry, community and education leaders receiving a “bird's eye” view of the many career and technical programs the District offers at Fresno City College, Reedley College and the Career and Technology Center. This year’s tour promises to be even bigger and better.
Due to the high demand from the community and limited seating, reservations are a must. Lunch will be provided for participants. To reserve your spot early, contact Kim Quesada at 559.226.0720, ext. 5906, or kim.quesada@scccd.edu.
CVBI to hold next round of entrepreneurial training classes
The next round of Entrepreneurial Training Process (ETP) classes designed to assist entrepreneurs evaluate their business feasibility (ETP I) and write a business plan (ETP II) begins Tuesday, Jan. 15, and Monday, Feb. 4.
ETP I – four-session class that meets over two weeks; introduces business basics and covers the topics of business idea feasibility, finances needed, target market and skills relative to running a business (starts Jan. 15).
ETP II – intensive, six-week class; guides participants in developing a business plan and the infrastructure needed to sustain a new business. The topics of industry analysis, creation of vision and mission statements, marketing, public relations, accounting, operations and licensing requirements also are covered (starts Feb. 4).
Registration is available at CVBI’s online store at www.store.cvbi.org or by calling 559.292.9033.
California’s newest mega-hangar complex opens at Fresno International Airport
Scott Aircraft recently opened a $7 million aircraft complex at Fresno Yosemite International Airport to serve the fast-growing corporate jet market. The new mega-hangar consists of 40,000 square feet of private jet storage space, modern above-ground fuel tank systems, a 6,500-square-foot administration office, and jet maintenance support.
Scott Aviation LLC, a second Scott company, will be based at the new hangar complex. The company will provide charter air service with Citation Mustang, the first business jet released from Cessna Aircraft Company. The Mustang, owned by Scott, carries four passengers, flies at an altitude of 41,000 feet at more than 400 miles per hour, and is the fastest-selling jet in Cessna’s history.
Within the last three years, Scott Aircraft has launched five local aviation companies.
For more information on Fresno Yosemite International Airport, visit www.flyfresno.com.
Fresno City Council approves funding for Fulton Mall project
The Fresno City Council in December voted to allocate $60,000 from CDBG Section 108 low-interest loan funds to start the process of developing a community assessment district in what is hoped to be the beginning of a Fulton Mall renaissance. The funding will help begin the application process to apply for $4 million in Section 108 funds.
If the community forms the required assessment district, which will provide the revenue source to repay the Section 108 loan, then the application will be submitted to apply for the $4 million. Two million dollars of the loan would be dedicated to establishing the Downtown Façade Program in which all privately held buildings along the entire Fulton Mall, from Inyo to Tuolumne, and along Kern Street, from Fulton to M Street, would qualify for up to $35,000 in matching funds per entrance to repair and restore façades to established standards.
The remaining $2 million would go toward restoring the Mall infrastructure along Fulton between Tulare and Fresno Streets. The infrastructure projects would include the restoration of the fountains to their original working order, upgrading the mechanical and electrical systems, installing new lighting and upgrading the underground restroom facilities to comply with Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility standards. If funding permits, it also is the goal to build additional restroom facilities in the vicinity of the Mariposa Plaza.
For more information, please contact Kelly Riddle, City of Fresno Economic Development Coordinator, at kelly.riddle@fresno.gov or call 559.621.8814.
Craig School faculty offers supervisory training
In today’s complex business environment, the role of the supervisor is increasingly important in ensuring results, managing resources, balancing budget issues, and inspiring and coaching others.
Experts from the Craig School of Business at California State University, Fresno, have designed a series of workshops for employees new to the role of supervisor, those needing a refresher, and others interested in refining their supervisory skills.
The program, Certificate Award in Supervisory Skills Training: Increasing Individual Effectiveness and Impacting Organizational Results, is a six-part series covering topics such as Delegation and Team Building, Employee Selection and Employment Law, Fairness in Management, Communication Skills and Conflict Resolution, Time Management, and the Role of Supervisor.
Offered through the university’s Division of Continuing and Global Education, the program takes place on six consecutive Fridays from 8 to 11 a.m., beginning Feb. 15. Participants who attend all six courses will receive a Certificate in Supervisory Skills.
Cost of the program is $595 per person for all six courses with one optional academic unit available for an additional $60. Enrollment is for the entire series; registration for individual class sessions is not available. Registration details are available at 559.278.0333 or cgeinfo@csufresno.edu.
‘How to Start a Small Business’ Workshop set for Sunnyside Library
The City of Fresno will hold its next “How to Start a Small Business” workshop at the Sunnyside Regional Library, 5566 E. Kings Canyon Road on Tuesday, Jan. 22, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The workshop will be conducted by the City of Fresno’s Attraction and Community Development Manager Peggy Chiok.
This workshop, organized by the Fresno County Library, will focus on what it takes to start your own business, including forms and licenses, tax ID information, financial assistance, trade associations, fictitious names and how to do business with the government. The goal of the workshop is to provide information to individuals interested in starting a business and empowering them to take up the challenge with all the tools available.
For more information, please visit www.fresnostartup.com or contact Peggy Chiok at peggy.chiok@fresno.gov or 559.621.8360.
City of Fresno seeks Development Partnership Center manager
The City of Fresno is now accepting applications for a planning manager to direct the day-to-day activities of the Development Partnership Center within the Planning and Development Department.
The DPC Manager leads an interdepartmental center with two primary functions: (1) providing accessible, timely and accurate information, referrals, and reliable pre-application project reviews and (2) creating a simple, integrated, responsive and predictable development application approval process that continuously links the entire City organization and multiple departments with the development industry as partners in the production of high-quality and successful economic and community development projects.
The deadline for applications is Jan. 23. Inquiries and application materials should be directed to Sandra Chavez Martin, City of Fresno – Personnel Services Department, 2600 Fresno St., First Floor, Fresno, Calif., 93721-3614.
Local businesses invited to participate in CVBI, Falcons’ Entrepreneurship Night
The Fresno Falcons are teaming up with the Central Valley Business Incubator to host the first Central Valley Entrepreneurship Night at the Save Mart Center on Friday, Jan. 25. The evening will celebrate local startup businesses.
As part of the game’s activities, Falcons fans will have the chance to learn about new startup businesses and see demonstrations of developing technologies. The event also is an opportunity for participating businesses to network and host current and potential customers at the game. During the game’s intermission, select participating businesses will introduce their company on the ice.
“Hockey players and entrepreneurs have a lot in common – they have to be fast, nimble, be able to execute a winning strategy, and of course, be able to withstand a good cross check into the boards,” said Craig Scharton, CVBI CEO. “I think it’s great that the Falcons are willing to set aside a night to honor and promote startup companies in the Central Valley. These are the folks that will do the most to create economic success and jobs for all of us in our region.”
The Falcons are playing the defending ECHL champions Idaho Steelheads. Game time is 7:30 p.m.
“The Falcons are proud to host this inaugural Entrepreneurship Night,” Falcons CEO John Tull said. “This is a great networking opportunity for area businesses, as well as an excellent chance for entrepreneurs to showcase their businesses to the captive Falcons crowd.”
Central Valley businesses less than two years old are invited to participate in the business showcase. For more information and to sign up, contact Anna Borgeas at 559.292.9033 or anna@cvbi.org. Game tickets can be purchased by calling the Falcons at 559.347.3615.
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