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Employment Training Panel workshop for employers — Thursday, October 16
Employers are encouraged to attend the Employment Training Panel workshop next Thursday, October 16, from 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon at Manchester Center in Fresno. Hosted by Assemblymember Juan Arambula, Fresno County Workforce Investment Board and Economic Development Corporation serving Fresno County, the workshop will teach employers how to access state funding to provide job training to employees.
Although ETP provides more than $85 million in funding statewide each year, few Valley businesses apply, resulting in very little ETP money coming to the region. For more information, contact Elliott Balch at 559.445.5532 or elliott.balch@asm.ca.gov.
Fresno jumps 19 spots in national job growth report
Last month, the Milken Institute released its “Best-Performing Cities 2008: Where America's Jobs Are Created and Sustained” report, with Fresno showing much improvement over last year. Fresno jumped to no. 47 in 2008 after ranking no. 66 in 2007.
The report ranks U.S. metropolitan areas by how well they are creating and sustaining jobs and economic growth. Factors include job, wage and salary and technology growth.
The Milken Institute is a publicly supported, nonpartisan, independent think tank based in Southern California. The institute conducts research to address social and economic challenges, from energy independence to poverty, in the United States and around the world.
CVBI to host second annual Central Valley Stock Exchange next Thursday, October 16
Central Valley Business Incubator will host its second annual Central Valley Stock Exchange next Thursday, October 16, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Rex Phebus Veterans Memorial Building in Clovis. Attendees will receive $1 million in play money to invest in real companies—CVBI member businesses—while supporting CVBI’s efforts to develop the local economy by supporting high-growth companies.
“This event will showcase the exciting businesses that have been started by local entrepreneurs and nurtured in CVBI’s two incubator facilities,” said CVBI Board Chairman Claude Laval. “It will also give the community an opportunity to financially support the economic development activities of CVBI that have created more than 2,000 jobs during its 12-year history.”
Tickets are $65 per person and can be purchased at www.cvbi.org or by calling 559.292.9033. For those interested in also attending the Central Valley Venture Forum on October 17, combined tickets may be purchased for $100.
Does your company need qualified manufacturing workers?
The CIMT internship program could be the best place to start.
The CIMT internship program gives students from Fresno City and Reedley colleges the opportunity to intern, for pay, with local companies during their summer break (2-4 months). Students are available for the following positions: welder, CNC operator, CAD designer, CNC programmer (CAM), maintenance mechanic, electrical systems technology and machinist.
Dates to Remember
January 15, 2009 – Internship application process begins
March 19, 2009 – Career Expo
Approximately 90 students from manufacturing-related programs at Fresno City and Reedley colleges are expected to attend the annual CIMT Career Expo. This is a great opportunity for interested companies to meet students and begin the recruiting process for your summer internship positions. Plus, you can share valuable information on career paths within your company, helping students envision their future careers.
For more information about CIMT or to sign up as a Career Expo exhibitor, visit www.cimtinternships.org or e-mail Laura Ramos at lramos@csufrenso.edu.
Garamendi, Grady featured speakers at third annual Central Valley Venture Forum
The 3rd Annual Central Valley Venture Forum will feature morning speaker Bob Grady, the San Francisco-based managing director for the Carlyle Group, an $89 billion private equity fund. Mr. Grady will speak about the power of private equity/venture capital to transform regional economies like the Central Valley. For the luncheon keynote, Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi will talk about the role state government can play in the economic recovery of the Central Valley.
The conference also includes panel discussions on the regional economy, investment banking and how to raise capital and building world-class companies in the Central Valley. The highlight event of the day will be the Regional Business Showcase where local companies seeking investment opportunities will make business plan presentations to a panel of investors. The panelists will select a “Best of Show” entrepreneur based on the quality of their presentation and company’s investment potential. To apply to be a presenter, contact Craig Scharton at CVBI at 559.292.9033 or craig@cvbi.org.
The Venture Forum is scheduled for Friday, October 17, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m., followed by a wine and cheese reception at 4 p.m. The conference will be held at the Rex Phebus Veterans Memorial Building in Clovis. Advanced registration is $65 and $75 the day of the event. Seating is limited so advanced registration is recommended. Tickets for both the Venture Forum and Central Valley Stock Exchange (above) are available for $100. For more information or to register visit www.lylescenter.com.
2008 Cultural Arts Conference is next Friday, October 17
If the Central Valley Venture Forum isn’t your flavor, then head over to the 2008 Cultural Arts Conference at the Downtown Fresno Holiday Inn, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. This year’s conference features morning keynote speaker John McGuirk, program manager for the James Irvine Foundation, and the Cultural Leadership Luncheon with keynote speaker John King, co-author of Tribal Leadership, the release of the 2008 Fresno County Cultural Arts Economic Impact Study and the Cultural Leadership Award presentation.
Topics for the morning concurrent sessions include:
- Arts Advocacy and Leadership;
- Audience Development Technologies — Tools and Resources for Growing New Audiences;
- Economic Development and the Cultural Impact —
How Fresno County Cultural Arts Help Grow a Thriving Community;
- Growing a Festival; and
- Arts Education — What is it? Why is it important?
Afternoon concurrent sessions include:
- Leading the Organizational Network to Stability and Effectiveness — John King, Co-Author, Tribal Leadership;
- Audience Development Techniques — Tools and Resources for Growing New Audiences;
- Marketing Tools for Artists — Getting the Word Out;
- Mural Visions and Strategies — How Murals Change Neighborhoods and Grow an Economy; and
- Arts Education Leadership — Growing the Valley’s Future Creative Workers.
For more information or to register, visit www.fcash.org.
City of Fresno Economic Development Department offers resource guides for businesses
In order to help businesses launch, relocate to or expand in Fresno, the City’s Economic Development Department has developed the FresnoStartUp Guide and is currently developing a Resource Guide for existing businesses.
The FresnoStartUp Guide organizes the various resources available in Fresno to help launch a business into 10 steps:
- Getting Started
- Building Your Business Plan
- Choosing Your Business Structure and Name
- Registering Your Business
- Taxes
- Licensing
- Other Requirements
- Hiring Employees
- Leveraging Your Resources
- Ongoing Requirements
The new Resource Guide for existing businesses will provide information about resources available to help businesses thrive in the City of Fresno. And should be available to the public later this year.
For more information visit www.FresnoStartUp.com, call 559.621.8350 or go to the Economic Development Department office at 2600 Fresno Street, Room 2156.
'How to Start a Small Business' course to be offered next month
On Wednesday, Nov. 5, from 5:30 to 7 p.m., the City of Fresno and Fresno County Library will offer a “How to Start a Small” business course at the Sunnyside Regional Library (5566 E. Kings Canyon Rd., Fresno). Peggy Chiok, Economic Development Analyst for the City of Fresno, and Morris Caudle, Small Business Liaison for CalTrans District 6, will cover topics such as forms and licenses, tax ID information, financial assistance, trade associations and fictitious names regulations.
For more information, visit www.fresnolibrary.org or call 559.255.6594.
Upcoming professional development courses from Fresno State
Contemporary planning issues and concepts, including smart growth, neo-traditional planning, and new urbanism, will be covered in a two-day course offered by the Division of Continuing & Global Education at California State University, Fresno. Contemporary Issues in Urban and Regional Planning will address sprawl and sustainability housing, urban design, global warming, economic development, fiscalization of land use, regional planning, takings, and air and water quality issues. Instructor Michael Waiczis, M.A., MCRP, will teach the two-session course on Friday, October 31 and Friday, November 14, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Fresno State. For details, contact 559.278.0333, email cgeinfo@csufresno.edu or visit www.csufresno.edu/cge.
The Community College Faculty Preparation certificate program offered by the Division of Continuing & Global Education at Fresno State is now delivered completely online. Designed for current and aspiring community college faculty, the four courses in the program may be taken in any order and culminate in a sponsored experience for those wishing to earn the certificate. The next course, "The Community College Student," begins on Oct. 25, and the registration deadline is October 10. For details, contact Daunette Lowe at 559.278.0333, email ccfp@csufresno.edu or visit www.csufresno.edu/cge/ccfponline.
Counselors, therapists and nurses who wish to enhance their professional expertise can learn the skills necessary to become a certified hypnotherapist in a weekend course offered by the Division of Continuing & Global Education. The Hypnotherapist Certification Course takes place October 25 - 26, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, at Fresno State. The course offers 16 hours of continuing education credit (CEUs) for MFTs, LCSWs, and nurses. For details, call 559.278.0333, email cgeinfo@csufresno.edu or visit www.csufresno.edu/cge.
Green Hope Veterans to sponsor e-recycling event, alternative fuels workshop
Green Hope Veterans is a local organization seeking to help homeless veterans, seniors and youth become self-sufficient through job training, counseling and referrals, all with an emphasis on environmental business activities and recycling.
Green Hope Veterans is holding an e-recycling event on Saturday, Oct. 18, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Fresno Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (1444 Fulton St., Fresno). Old television sets, computers, cell phones and other electronics will be accepted at this free event.
Additionally, Green Hope Veterans will host an Alternative Fuels Workshop on November 15, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Piccadilly Inn University (4961 N. Cedar Ave., Fresno). Speakers and discussion topics will include:
- “Hydrogene” Gene Johnson, editor of H2 Nation magazine, on using hydrogen electrolyzers to boost gas mileage and reduce emissions;
- Mark Mansir on nitrogen-electric cars;
- David Blume on homemade ethanol;
- Congressman Jim Costa on energy legislation;
- Lucinda Roth from the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District on rebates for energy-efficient vehicles and retrofitting diesel engines; and
- John Hutson from Fresno Nuclear Group on the proposed nuclear power plant in Fresno County.
Panelists will conclude the day with a discussions on “Setting America Free from Foreign Oil.” Tickets are $60 in advance or $65 at the door. For more information about either event contact Eugene Brazil at 559.496.0794 or visit www.greenhopeveterans.org.
Development Partnership Center streamlines and expedites
permit process
The City of Fresno Development Partnership Center (DPC) is now fully functional. The DPC is managed by Franklin Spees and staffed by 15 individuals from various departments such as economic development, planning, traffic, public utilities, public works, fire, police, and flood control, among others.
Seeking to streamline and expedite permitting process, the DPC has consolidated and improved upon many practices. Examples include: ensuring that all comments that can be made on a plan are; that plans are entirely complete based on the known needs of each department and agency; and establishing unobstructed and expedient communication between all entities involved from pre-app meetings to electronic filing of plans.
While the permitting process has already vastly improved, DPC leaders want to continue their efforts and set new industry standards that will make the citizens of Fresno proud. For more information, contact Franklin Spees at Franklin.Spees@fresno.gov.
Sponsors needed for Small Business Development Day next March
The City of Fresno and its organizing partners (SBA, SBDC, Caltrans, HUD, Valley Small Business Development Corporation, Asian Business Institute and Resource Center) are hosting the Inaugural Small Business Development Day on March 5, 2009.
This event will provide business owners with FREE workshops, training, and technical assistance they need to grow and succeed in today's economy. Sponsorship opportunities and booth space are available for this event. If you are interested in being a sponsor for this event or a booth space to promote your product and services to the small business owners, please contact Peggy Chiok, Attraction and Community Development Manager, at Peggy.Chiok@fresno.gov or 559.621.8360.
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