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What’s new with RJI
RJI fosters the efforts of targeted industry clusters within Fresno County, so they may drive toward a shared community vision and achieve what individual companies cannot achieve alone. Unlike other initiatives, RJI leverages public/nonprofit sector resources for private sector benefit which drives economic stability and vitality. Outside of supporting the Cluster Managers with their targeted industry clusters, RJI provides a variety of support services to assist the private sector thrive; this includes rural outreach, advocacy support and connectivity, as well as events.
Rural Outreach
An example of rural outreach activity includes RJI’s recent event sponsorship and participation. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in partnership with RJI, California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley, Office of Community and Economic Development at California State University, Fresno (OCED), and the Council of Fresno County Governments held a Jobs Forum Roundtable on Monday, January 25. The countywide roundtable on job creation and economic growth was held with its primary focus being ideas to accelerate job growth in rural America by:
- Exploring ways to rejuvenate and promote local businesses;
- Creating jobs by rebuilding America’s infrastructure;
- Creating new opportunities from existing ones, such as with value-added agricultural products;
- Supporting job growth among small businesses; and
- Preparing workers for 21st century jobs.
Mike Dozier, chief operations officer of RJI, was asked to moderate the event and participate in the USDA national teleconference to report the findings that were revealed during this job growth forum and share best practices with other regions.
More rural outreach is made possible with a collaborative approach through a unique partnership between RJI, OCED, and the Economic Development Corporation serving Fresno County (EDC). Additional rural outreach efforts are being done with a collaborative approach. The EDC has highly specialized resources and are taking the lead on many forefronts. A specific emphasis of these efforts includes visits to all Fresno County cities and their city managers and community leaders to discuss strategic planning, resource allocations and connectivity, asset mapping, needs analysis, and specialized training on the BEAR Action Network and the 80/20 program.
Advocacy
As rural development is an important component to a better quality of life for the Fresno region, advocating and providing connectivity is essential as well. Many efforts are being made by RJI with the support of California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley and EDC to connect the private sector to American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding, also known as the Stimulus Plan. In October, EDC produced an event with a high-level panel that provided resources to connect private businesses with ARRA-funded projects that were accepting RFPs and ARRA grants that could be applied. Click here for more information on this event. A general overview of ARRA funding for Fresno County may be accessed through the California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley. Click here.
In December 2009, the overwhelmingly successful Boomerang Reception and Holiday Mixer was held at the Smittcamp Alumni House, Fresno State. What does Boomerang mean? Many of Fresno’s talented sons and daughters leave for college and don’t return after they graduate. We want them to come back, which makes these individuals a Boomerang. Why do we want them back when we have several people here that can’t find work? Fresno employers struggle to find qualified individuals for specific job types. Therefore, there are numerous jobs that go unfilled, and industry suffers. The purpose of this event was to encourage former Fresnans to come back to their roots and fill over 1,000 jobs. More than 150 potential Boomerangs heard about opportunities in Fresno from Ashley Swearengin, Mayor of Fresno, Dr. John Welty, President of California State University, Fresno, and, Dr. Merrill Ewert, President of Fresno Pacific University, local employers, and "boomerangs" who returned to Fresno to find the life they desired. A deep appreciation to Fresno State, Creative Fresno, and all other organizations that collaborated to make this event a success!
RJI supports numerous events throughout the year that drive economic development within our community. A noteworthy event is the RJI Annual Meeting that will be held this summer. It is an opportunity to showcase significant milestones while continuing to provide tools and resources for the Fresno Region’s private sector. This year the focus will include the following:
- Updated information on ARRA funding and how to get your share.
- Innovative solutions to the new challenges industries face in this unpredictable economy.
- Significant accomplishments of the target industry clusters
- Fresno Region’s economic forecast and how it will impact you.
More information on the RJI Annual Meeting will be available soon.
Arts & Culture
The Arts & Culture Cluster is building an alliance of the regional cultural sector to move it forward and to leverage resources. To establish its efforts in Fresno County, in 2008, the Cluster conducted an economic impact study of 69 nonprofit cultural arts identified by the Americans for the Arts. The results of this study, which establish a baseline for further study and growth evaluation, reported $55M in organizational spending and $64M in related audience spending with a total economic impact in Fresno County of $120M. The study also identified total audience attendance for the 69 organizations at 1,224,630 with 84% attendees from Fresno County. In addition, there are 2,725 full-time equivalent jobs supported by these organizations. The study is being updated to include three other counties. The Cluster has gathered a cultural history and timeline of Fresno and are following up with researching who the people are that created our history—who the buildings are named for, who started the opera, for example. In addition, a creative industries directory is being developed for Fresno County.
One of the objectives of the Arts & Culture Cluster is to develop a “robust online centralized event calendar to serve as an information clearinghouse and audience development tool.” In 2009, the Cluster applied for and received a two-year James Irvine Grant to initiate work on the development of a calendar. The Fresno Convention & Visitors Bureau was established as the lead agency for the project. The 2009 FCASH Conference featured Matt Lehrman who presented ShowUp.com, the event site for the Greater Phoenix area, as an example of what could be developed for the Fresno Region. Suzanne Bertz-Rosa will assist in the calendar development, which has received support from Fresno Mayor Ashley Swearengin.
The next Arts & Culture Cluster meeting, is Tuesday, Feb. 9, from 8 to 10 a.m., at Artes Americas.
For more information, please contact:
Cynthia Cooper
Fresno Coalition for Arts, Science & History
559-286-8282
ccooper@fcash.org
Clean Energy
The Clean Energy Cluster is working hard to solidify its goals. On the top of the list is identifying and supporting green training. The cluster also is interested in creating a web page that will house important resources and information including the latest information on American Recovery and Reinvestment Act stimulus funds. Currently, the cluster is meeting with the San Joaquin Valley Clean Energy Organization to discuss differences and possible partnerships. The newest cluster members include BMB Construction Properties, CleanTech Locations, the Industrial Technology Department of the Jordan College of Ag Sciences and Technology at California State University, Fresno, EarthRenew, Geil Enterprises, H.T. Harvey & Associates, Real Goods Solar, Richard Heath & Associates, San Joaquin Valley Latino Environmental Advancement and Policy Project, Solar City, and Taylor Teter Partnership.
The next Clean Energy Cluster meeting is Friday, Feb. 26, from 9 to 10:30 a.m., at a location TBD. The meeting will include a representative from the College of Science and Math at California State University, Fresno, who will speak on some exciting programs including an internship program, and a representative from Edison High School’s Green Energy & Technology Academy. There also may be a representative from the San Joaquin Valley Clean Energy Organization. Please RSVP to Bethany Thompson (see below).
For more information, please contact:
Bethany Thompson, Strategic Initiatives Manager
Economic Development Corporation serving Fresno County
559-476-2503
bthompson@fresnoedc.com
Construction
As a community united behind a common vision, the Construction Community is one of the strongest clusters in Fresno County. In the past, the cluster collaborated with community leaders to develop programs and establish partnerships that would strengthen and grow the industry. Today, the cluster believes that it is imperative to enhance and expand these existing programs and partnerships. Construction Cluster members are committed to participating in programs such as the Career Technical Education program with the Fresno Unified School District Commission, the ACE Mentoring Program sponsored by the Central California Builders Exchange, and the City of Fresno Permit Improvement Process Enhancement Strategy ( PIPES) planning meetings. The cluster is gathering information on all programs and resources supporting the Construction Community in order to organize the information online. The newest cluster members include Alvis Projects, Four C’s Service, Inc., Harris Construction, Lars Andersen & Associates, Inc., Musson General Contracting, Oxbow Enterprises, CLP Resources, Ironworkers #155, National Association for Women in Construction, Fresno County Office of Education ROP Program, Custom Designs by Todd, and Seals/Biehle General Contractors Construction Management.
The next Construction Cluster meeting is Wednesday, March 24, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at a location TBD.
For more information, please contact:
Bethany Thompson, Strategic Initiatives Manager
Economic Development Corporation serving Fresno County
559-476-2503
bthompson@fresnoedc.com
Food Processing & Ag Growers
The Food Processing & Ag Growers Cluster welcomes new cluster co-chair Dr. Charles Boyer, Dean of Jordan College of Ag Science and Technology at California State University, Fresno, and new cluster manager Mark Miller, Jason Ryan & Assoc.
To more actively pursue opportunities, the Cluster has developed four new work groups: Workforce Development, which will center around member companies with immediate return on investment; Public Policy; Marketing, which is reviewing various marketing opportunities, the California Diet and the Web site as well as attracting new members to the Cluster; and Research and Development, which prepared an Economic Development Administration (EDA) application to support the Jordan Ag Research Building and presented it in Seattle, Wash., in October 2009.
The next Food Processing & Ag Growers Cluster meeting is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 24
For more information, please contact:
Mark Miller
Jason Ryan & Assoc.
559-322-6365
mmiller@jrajobs.com
Information Technology
The Information Technology Cluster is one that overlaps with many other organizations. Currently, the EDC is meeting with members from the Central California Society for Information Management (CCSIM), the Software Development Cluster, and the TC3 group to discuss possible partnerships. The mission of CCSIM is to connect the area’s premier information technology leaders for business exchange, professional development and timely education.
The next CCSIM meeting is Thursday, Jan. 21, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the University Business Center, located on the campus of California State University, Fresno.
For more information, please contact:
Bethany Thompson, Strategic Initiatives Manager
Economic Development Corporation serving Fresno County
559-476-2503
bthompson@fresnoedc.com
Logistics & Distribution
The Logistics & Distribution Cluster is gaining momentum in an exciting direction. The cluster’s two priorities are: 1) Developing and supporting an Advisory Board for the Marketing & Logistics Department of the Craig School of Business at California State University, Fresno, and 2) Developing a promotional publication for the Logistics & Distribution industry. The newest cluster members include Dakota Park Storage, Sierra West, and Tri-F Consolidators.
The next Logistics & Distribution Cluster meeting is for Steering Committee members only. If you are interested in participating on the Steering Committee, please contact Bethany Thompson (see below).
For more information, please contact:
Bethany Thompson, Director of Strategic Initiatives
Economic Development Corporation serving Fresno County
559-476-2503
bthompson@fresnoedc.com
Manufacturing
The Manufacturing Cluster is very interested in learning more about energy efficiency solutions as well as utilizing renewable energy sources to increase cost savings and remain competitive in a transitioning economy. The cluster also is revisiting the Advanced Manufacturing Center concept with the Industrial Technology Department of the Jordan College of Ag Sciences and Technology (JCAST) at California State University, Fresno. Despite the current economy, business leaders are looking for creative ways to move forward with the center. The newest cluster members include Four C’s Service, Inc., Guardian Industries Corporation, Pet Carousel, and the JCAST Industrial Technology Department at Fresno State.
The next Manufacturing Cluster meeting is Wednesday, Feb. 17, from 4 to 5 p.m., at the EDC, 906 N Street, Ste. 120, Fresno. A representative from PG&E will present on energy efficiency solutions. Paul Chamberlain from Energy Protection Systems (and the Clean Energy Cluster) will present on cutting-edge, renewable energy technology. Please RSVP to Bethany Thompson (see below).
For more information, please contact:
Bethany Thompson, Strategic Initiatives Manager
Economic Development Corporation serving Fresno County
559-476-2503
bthompson@fresnoedc.com
Public Sector Collaborative
The Public Sector Collaborative has identified four “work teams”: Outreach, Technology, Professional Learning, and Public Relations/Marketing. The Technology Work Team has developed the Collaborative’s web site, cvpublicsectorjobs.org, which has been up and running for more than a year. They are refining the site and developing a way to track the number of people who come to the site.
The Professional Learning Work Team has agreed to three primary focus areas based an assessment completed to evaluate the effectiveness of professional development in terms of meeting the vision of the collaborative, and providing an analysis of the return on investment. Those areas are technology classes and workshops, legally mandated topics for each organization, and customer service training, for which the City of Fresno has the most developed program. Through this project, each organization will have an effective assessment process to determine the needs of its own employees and to determine what each can contribute to the whole. The Public Relations/Marketing Work Team is developing a marketing and communications plan for collaborative-wide professional development.
The next Public Sector Collaborative meeting is Monday, Feb. 1, from 3 to 5 p.m., at Channing Court, 1684 W. Shaw Ave., Fresno.
For more information, please contact:
Kim Mecum, Associate Superintendent
Fresno Unified School District
559-457-3548
kim.mecum@fresnounified.org kim.mecum@fresnounified.org
Software
The Software Cluster will conduct a Strengths-Weaknesses-Opportunities-Threats Analysis (SWOT) this month. The results of the SWOT will assist the Cluster in its efforts to change its focus from job creation to wealth creation and will be the foundation for the Cluster’s goals, which will be rolled out this year. Plans are in the works to host a Web and Mobile Application Showcase to connect with emerging “techies” in the San Joaquin Valley. The Cluster is working on a new database to assist with the maintenance of its distribution list. It has identified possible cross-cluster opportunities, which include Logistics Software, Tourism Applications and Water Technologies.
The next Software Cluster meeting is Thursday, Feb. 11, from 8 to 9:30 am, at Central Valley Business Incubator.
For more information, please contact:
Travis Sheridan
Central Valley Business Incubator
559-292-9033
travis@cvbi.org
Tourism
The Tourism Cluster has solidified its mission and vision statements. The mission: “To foster and support efforts in retaining and attracting leisure, cultural and business spending to the Fresno Region while identifying and expanding opportunities within the tourism industry.” The vision: “The Tourism Cluster is the nexus of private, public and nonprofit entities collaborating to establish the Fresno Region as a world-class destination. This body analyzes the impact of the Convention & Visitors Bureau’s (CVB) regional marketing efforts and provides feedback.”
As part of its goal to develop an overall marketing strategy for the region, which includes retention, immediate, intermediate, and destination tourism opportunities, the Tourism Cluster has set an objective to conduct market research of the region’s assets and current leisure, business and convention audiences, and to maximize marketing resources and coordinate efforts with all organizations. The other goals include developing a collaborative infrastructure and creating a self-sustaining model, which includes identifying and seeking out funding sources for ongoing support.
For more information, please contact:
Emil Milevoj
University Business Center
California State University, Fresno
559-278-2352
emilevoj@csufresno.edu
Water Technology
To increase the quantity of facility testing, the Water Technology Cluster has plans to increase certification, identify services needed and promote those services. To expand careers in water technology, the Cluster will coordinate with educators and training institutes to fulfill needs, as well as continue the Careers in Manufacturing Technology Program, which includes Supervisor Training, an annual Career Expo, Internship Opportunities as well as High School outreach. Another goal of the Water Technology Cluster is to expand collaborative marketing. To do that, the objective is to increase membership for the International Center for Water Technology (ICWT), expand promotion of water technology in the San Joaquin Valley, and connect to the broader water community.
The next Water Technology Cluster meeting is Thursday, March 18, 2010, from 9 to 11 a.m., at the Holiday Inn Downtown.
For more information, please contact:
Laura Ramos, Program Coordinator
International Center for Water Technology
California State University, Fresno
559-278-2066
lramos@csufresno.edu
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