|
 |
Message from the Co-Chairs.
Welcome to the sixth edition of the RJI e-Newsletter. It is important, from time to time, to pause to celebrate progress in our community. The hard work that all the RJI stakeholders are putting in is beginning to show tangible results. Partly it is in the job numbers, which show us at unemployment rates unseen in more than two decades, but we are conscious that we are still in the ramp-up phase of the RJI and that many factors are contributing to the improved job numbers.
More importantly, we should recognize the extraordinary achievements you all have made to lay the foundation for a new approach to economic development and job creation in our region. The RJI is nothing more than a regional convener, trying to bring together all the assets of our region through nine very active industry clusters driving for job creation and eight task forces removing obstacles in the way.
In this newsletter we’ll review progress on some important fronts. None of this is aimed at claiming credit for the RJI. Rather, it is aimed at recognizing the tremendous efforts of so many people from the public, private and civic sectors who are working to positively change our region.
Peter Weber Ken Newby
California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley is Launched.
The California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley held its first meeting Friday, September 16, 2005 in Stockton. The Partnership is a positive move towards creating an actionable plan to address the needs and opportunities in the region. The Partnership will include nine work groups that will focus on the major issues facing the Valley, such as economic development, education, land use and air quality. Fresno State’s Office of Community and Economic Development, the Great Valley Center, and the California Center for Regional Leadership are providing voluntary staff support to the Partnership. The RJI and its many public, private and civic partners will be called on to play a key role in helping to take the next steps necessary to advance the region.
Highway 99 Takes Center Stage.
Governor Schwarzenegger has requested a detailed business plan to address the capacity and safety needs of Highway 99 and has requested that negotiations for Interstate designation be initiated with the Federal Government. Secretary of Business, Transportation and Housing, Sunne McPeak, has stated that Highway 99 is one of five major transportation priorities for the State of California, and one of the two areas of focus (along with the Long Beach-L.A. area) to be addressed this year.
Partners Selected by Central California Broadband.
Central California Broadband (CCB) has completed the selection process for its private sector partners. A Memorandum of Understanding is now being developed between CCB, Bechtel Telecommunications out of Frederick, Maryland, Fire2Wire from Salida, California and Pronto Networks of Pleasanton, California. CCB and its private partners are now engaged in developing the full business plan to define the final strategies for this effort and determine the products and services that the CCB partnership will offer.
Low Cost Air Carrier Initiaties Service in Fresno.
As Fresno’s first low air fare service, Frontier Airlines is now offering flights between Fresno and Denver, thus connecting Fresno to additional eastern cities. Assistance in recruiting Frontier Airlines was received in the form of a $1,000,000 grant from the federal Department of Transportation under the Small Community Air Service grant program. The program was designed to help smaller communities enhance air service. Fresno welcomed Frontier’s first inbound flight from Denver on August 31, 2005.
$310K Grant to Water Technology Center.
The International Center for Water Technology has received a $310,606 grant to assist local water technology manufacturers in promoting their products worldwide. The grant, funded by the U.S. Department of Commerce, will allow the ICWT to host inbound trade missions to promote the ICWT program, develop and distribute a promotional ICWT DVD, conduct export ready seminars for water technology manufacturers, secure market research, develop export plans, recruit U.S. firms to attend international trade shows and to establish a water conservation demonstration site in Chile. Congratulations to the ICWT for their hard work in promoting the water technology industry and creating new opportunities for local businesses.
Call Centers Partner with Fresno-Madera Medical Socity to Address FMLA Issues.
Fresno Area Call Centers, a sub-group of the Information Processing Cluster, met with the Fresno-Madera Medical Society to talk about how physicians' FMLA excuses can adversely impact businesses that rely on scheduled shifts. The Call Centers hope to work with the Medical Society to inform physicians about the problems that are created when doctors excuse chronic tardiness, exempt employees from overtime, or classify every pregnancy as "high risk," among other things. The Call Centers hope physicians will be less inclined to write questionable FMLA excuses once they understand how those excuses are used in the workplace. This project could have positive effects for any employer, not just those in the Call Center industry.
Renewable Energy Community Forum Held Last Week.
A Renewable Energy Community Forum was held on Wednesday, September 28, 2005 at Fresno State. The purpose of the forum was to gain the public’s input on the development of a Regional Clean Energy Roadmap. The Roadmap is not just another report but will be used as a guide for utilizing clean energy investments to create new jobs and a new Clean Technology industry cluster. Input from the forum will be used in the creation of a final Roadmap, which will be unveiled at another Community Forum on Wednesday, October 26, 2005 from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the University Business Center at Fresno State. If you would like to receive more information or get involved, send an email to inforji@fresnorji.org.
City of Fresno's Economic Development Team Launches 'KEY' Program.
Largely as a result of the RJI Mid-Year Meeting in July, the City of Fresno is strengthening its level of commitment to customer service and support of the business community. The City’s new Key Economic Yield (KEY) Advocacy Program will promote large projects that contribute significant amounts of new livable wage jobs, sales tax revenues and capital investment. The City is working diligently with the Economic Development Corporation Serving Fresno County to identify businesses needing assistance as they seek to expand so that these businesses do not leave the area. The Planning and Development Department’s Application Assistance Program, expected to launch today, will provide one-stop access to all of the City’s departments involved in development, entitlements and permit processing, thus allowing an applicant to save time trying to meet City building requirements. The City of Fresno is also looking to partner with Fresno State and the Central Valley Business Incubator to assist start-up businesses.
Progress on Measure C Reauthorization - Critical to RJI.
Success of the RJI hinges upon adequate infrastructure and the services and amenities required by industry and “human capital” to create competitive advantage. Transportation corridors allow commerce to flourish and communities to connect with one another. The reauthorization of Measure C will ensure the availability of this transportation infrastructure.
What is at stake is an estimated $1.7 billion over twenty years that can be leveraged as matching funds and will include increased resources for a number of projects, such as streets and roads, transit, air quality mitigation, rail consolidation and bike paths and trails, all of which affect the livability of the region. Projects funded through Measure C will create thousands of jobs not only in construction, but also in food services, health care, and retail. The measure will contain a balance between regional, urban and rural needs and will entrust substantial resources to the governing bodies of the cities and the County of Fresno.
A significant milestone was passed when members of the committee working on the Measure C reauthorization agreed almost unanimously on the broad outlines of an expenditure plan.
The first Measure C played a primary role in the creation of highways, supports of transit, maintenance and the indirect benefits of a transportation system that works. Infrastructure is largely invisible until it doesn’t work or is inadequate. Given our rapid growth, our current system is already becoming overburdened. Unlike the first measure which only required a majority, the reauthorization requires a two-thirds vote. This time, there is no room for error. Failure to pass the reauthorization will require that future efforts would have to on the ballot as a new tax.
Members of the RJI can play a major role in spreading the word about the importance of Measure C to our economy and our quality of life.
Carolyn Beteta to Visit Fresno October 21.
Carolyn Beteta, Executive Director of the California Travel and Tourism Commission (CTTC) and Deputy Secretary for Tourism under the California Business, Transportation and Housing Agency, will be in Fresno on Friday, October 21, 2005 to speak about the important role of tourism in the California economy and the potential for tourism revenues and jobs in Fresno County. Under Ms. Beteta’s leadership, California tourism has developed a highly successful advertising and cooperative marketing program designed to efficiently utilize limited funds while maintaining California’s reputation as a premier travel destination. If you would like more information about the event, please send an email to inforji@fresnorji.org.
National Forum on Jobs and the Economy to Come to Fresno October 19.
The Council for Excellence in Government in partnership with Goldman Sachs and a number of local sponsors will present “American Jobs: A National Conversation” on Wednesday, October 19, 2005 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Satellite Student Union on the campus of California State University, Fresno. There is no charge for the event and it is open to the public. Mayor Autry (City of Fresno), David McDonald (Pelco), Fred Ruiz (Ruiz Foods), Kurt Madden (One by One Leadership) and Carol Chandler (representing the agriculture sector) will serve as panelists for the “town hall meeting” on jobs and the economy in the Fresno Region.
The New Valley Times - 2006 Indicator Report Seeking Sponsors.
Nearly two years ago, The New Valley TimesThe New Valley Times – 2006 Indicator Report, a present-day look at quality of life issues in the Fresno Region. This is our chance to tell the story of Fresno, to show how far we have come, or regressed, and to compare Fresno to other cities. The New Valley Times Project Team is currently seeking sponsors to help fund this effort. Sponsorship packages are available between $750-$6,500 and include ads in the publication. If you are interested, please contact Marty Clanin-Frantz at (559) 434-2230 or MartyFAdalaC@aol.com.
Software Development Cluster Will Host First Meeting October 11.
The first meeting of the Software Development Cluster will be held Tuesday, October 11, 2005 from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. at the Professional Exchange Service Corporation. This first meeting will focus on assessing interest and identifying issues local software development firms face. With the majority of participants being higher-level CEOs, it is expected that the group will address a wide-spectrum of issues from marketing to human resources to product development. The Cluster is being chaired by Ian Duffield, Software Development Manager for Famous Software, and is a sub-group of the Information Processing Cluster identified in the RJI Implementation Plan.
FCASH Monthly Profile: Club Latinoamericano del Valle Central.
Each month, beginning this month, we will profile a different organization involved in the cultural arts community through the Fresno Coalition for Art, Science and History. This will serve as a way to show how the cultural arts affect livability and support the RJI by creating an active community. This month’s profile features “Club Latinoamericano del Valle Central.”
Club Latinoamericano serves as a leader in promoting multi-cultural unity and “the cultures of Latin American through their literature, film, folk and fine arts.” The Club was founded in April 1995 but unofficially began in 1994 with the first Celebration of the Americas, an annual fiesta to promote and celebrate the cultural diversity of the Central Valley. The Club organizes a number of events such as the Annual Celebration of the Americas, Theater in Spanish, theater workshops, and bi-monthly films through the International Cine Forum. Additionally, the Club sponsors a scholarship fund for Latino bilingual students and Young Fresno Playwrights, a project educating youth against substance abuse, violence and teen pregnancy. Club Latinoamericano partners with many local organizations, such as Arte Americas, the Fresno Art Museum, Fresno High School, the Fresno Ballet, and the Fresno Philharmonic, among others, in many of its activities and projects. Currently the Club is staffed by volunteers out of their homes and supports itself through grants and revenue from events. For more information, please visit http://www.clublatinoamericano.org.
| |
|
