Fresno food processor supports troops overseas with new product
Stephen Paul, vice president of National and Internet Sales at Bouquet of Fruits, was excited about selling his new On Track Natural Fruit Bars in Costco warehouses across the country as a result of the RJI-sponsored San Joaquin Valley Food Symposium last March. Little did he know that as a result his fruit bars would be helping troops in Iraq and Kuwait.
For the past three years, Maxine Russell from Southern California has been sending gifts and supplies to troops in Iraq. After finding Bouquet of Fruits’ bars at Costco, Maxine began sending these to her adopted troops as well. The troops have told Maxine they love the fruit bars as they are a good source of energy and easy to carry when in combat.
When Maxine contacted Stephen for a discount on buying the bars in bulk, Bouquet of Fruits instead donated boxes of bars to send to the troops.
Since August, more and more companies have chosen to aid Maxine in her efforts. She has received donations of magazines, books and DVDs.
With the Fresno region having such a rich supply of agricultural goods, Stephen encourages others to donate to troops overseas.
To learn more or aid Maxine in her efforts, contact Stephen Paul at spaul@bouquetoffruits.com.
October a rewarding month for CVBI entrepreneurs
Members of the Central Valley Business Incubator in October were honored in several events designed to showcase and reward local entrepreneurs.
Marc Raygoza of Vine Global Solutions, Inc., was selected as the first winner of Start It Up: Fresno’s $250K Entrepreneur Challenge. Vine Global, an online member of CVBI, offers a suite of e-commerce solutions that enables U.S. online retailers to quickly and cost-effectively expand into international markets.
At CVBI’s mock stock exchange fundraiser, Stephen Paul of GourmetShoppingNetwork.com won first prize for garnering the most “investments” of the Central Valley Stock Exchange play money given to guests. Vine Global Solutions finished second. CVBI member GreenFootprint finished third. GreenFootprint, located in the Water and Energy Technology Incubator, is working to establish a line of fueling stations with multiple bio-fuel options as well as convenience stores with Valley-fresh produce and healthy foods throughout the Valley.
The Greater Fresno Area Chamber of Commerce awarded the Rising Entrepreneur Star of the Year to Bob Hayden of Band of Neighbors, LLc. Band of Neighbors, another CVBI on-site member, is developing a crime prevention tool that uses phones, combined with an Internet-based communication system.
California Partnership to hold annual summit in December
The California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley, an unprecedented public-private effort initiated by Gov. Schwarzenegger to deal with economic, environmental and social issues in the eight-county region, will hold its annual summit in Stockton, San Joaquin County, on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2008, from 9 a.m. to 3:15 p.m..
The annual summit will feature the release of the Partnership’s annual report as well as information on the efforts of the Partnership’s work groups and seed grant projects.
The Partnership has brought together public and private representatives from the San Joaquin Valley's eight counties as a single voice to fight for the needs of the Valley in state and federal government.
RJI leaders encouraged Gov. Schwarzenegger to create the Partnership after seeing the benefits of a collaborative approach to dealing with critical issues facing the region.
More information on the Partnership’s annual summit is available at www.sjvpartnership.org or at www.greatvalley.org.
Future of Fresno Yosemite International topic of BEAR breakfast
The future of Fresno Yosemite International Airport will be the topic of the Economic Development Corporation serving Fresno County’s BEAR breakfast on Jan. 15, 2009, at 7:30 a.m. The location will be announced soon.
Mike Boyd of Boyd Consulting International, a premiere consultant to Congress and the airline industry regarding aviation issues, will be the featured speaker.
Registration and information on the breakfast is available by calling Yvette Lewis at (559) 476-2508.
Fresno Business Council celebrates stewardship, 15th anniversary
The Fresno Business Council, one of the key players in the RJI effort, on Nov. 12, 2008, held a “Celebration of Stewardship” to mark its progress of the past 15 years and to look into the future.
Business council leaders said they have learned that the economy, education, environment, civic culture, safety, quality neighborhoods can be effectively addressed through collaboration across sectors.
Doug Henton, one of the masterminds behind the state’s original regional collaborative, Joint Venture Silicon Valley, and Fresno Mayor-elect Ashley Swearengin commended the Business Council on its successes and encouraged the organization o continue to play a leadership role in the transformation of Fresno.
In addition to their participation in RJI, the Fresno Business Council has undertaken the Human Investment Initiative, a five-year initiative to link, align and leverage the systems that address human development—education, justice, health and social services—to improve service at the neighborhood level to increase the effectiveness of prevention and early intervention efforts.
SBA offering free workshop to help existing businesses ‘weather economic storm’
The Small Business Administration is offering the free workshop “It May be the Economy But It’s Your Business” to help struggling small businesses weather the current economic storm. The workshop will feature several experienced consultants and will be held at the SBA District Office, 2719 N. Air Fresno Dr., on Friday, Nov. 21, from 9 to 10:30 a.m.
In a recent National Small Business Association survey, almost 70 percent of small businesses report that the credit crunch has impacted their businesses in some way. Nearly 70 percent of lenders say they have tightened their credit standards for approving applications for commercial and industrial loans to small businesses, according to the July 2008 Senior Loan Officer Opinion Survey released by the Federal Reserve Board.
Call (559) 487-5791 to register.
Workshop set for City of Fresno incentive programs
The City of Fresno will hold a free Enterprise, Empowerment and Municipal Restoration Zone workshop to provide local businesses with more information about incentive programs. The workshop will be held at the Greater Fresno Area Chamber of Commerce, 2332 Fresno St., on Thursday, Nov. 20, from 8 to 9:30 a.m.
Both small and large businesses have generated more than $70 million in estimated tax credits for the first four months of fiscal year 2009.
Seating is limited for the workshop. For information or registration, contact Fernando Santillan at Fernando.santillan@fresno.gov or call (559) 621-8361.
For more information about the City’s five incentive zones or to check if your business address is in one or more zones, visit www.fresnoez.com.
Inaugural Small Business Development Day scheduled for Fresno
The City of Fresno and its organizing partners are offering a free Small Business Development Day at the Fresno Exhibit Hall on March 5, 2009, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Small businesses can attend workshops, complete seminars, and receive the information they need to grow and succeed in today’s economy.
To register online, visit www.fresnostartup.com For more information, call (559) 621-8360 or e-mail Peggy Chiok at Peggy.Chiok@fresno.gov.
CIMT internship program helps manufacturers connect with potential workers
The CIMT internship program gives students from Fresno City and Reedley colleges the opportunity for paid internships with local companies during their summer break (2 to 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
- Jan.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 or e-mail Laura Ramos at lramos@csufresno.edu.
City of Fresno releases RFQ to complete Bicycle Master Plan
The City of Fresno has officially released its request for proposal from qualified consultants to complete the Bicycle Master Plan (BMP).
The city is looking for a consultant with bicycle master planning experience to help Fresno address bicycle deficiencies and barriers.
Last year, county voters adopted an extension of Measure C Transportation Sales Tax; $250,000 per year will be spent on bicycle lanes and $1 million per year will be spent on Class 1 trails. The BMP will be funded from these two allocations from Measure C.
The deadline for submitting RFQs is Dec. 1, 2008, at noon. The submittal must be in the hands of the City Traffic Engineer or his assistant by noon on Dec. 1, 2008. The city will provide confirmation of receipt if requested. Postmarks are not acceptable. All late submittals will not be included in the review process.
This RFQ is available on the City of Fresno Traffic Engineering Web page at www.fresnotrafficengineering.com.
ITT Technical Institute offers new project management degree
permit process
ITT Technical Institute in Clovis has announced that its School of Information Technology has begun enrolling students for a new program of study in project management. Graduates of this program will earn a bachelor of science degree in project management.
The program teaches the project management knowledge area and processes designated by the Project Management Institute to help graduates develop knowledge and skills to lead project teams in a variety of settings.
The first classes in the bachelor of science degree program in project management are scheduled to begin in December 2008.
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