The Focus
Schools go solar to save cash, revive and protect programs
- Details
- Published on 12/07/2012 - 9:15 am
- Written by Ben Keller
As energy goes in California, schools are among the biggest users, causing many districts in the state to consider solar power as a way to shave utility expenses.
According to a fall report by Environment California Research and Policy Center, the state’s K-12 schools spend an estimated $132 per student each year on electricity. When totaled across the entire school system — the largest in the country—the energy expenses amount to $700 million.
Fresno County
- Details
- Published on 11/30/2012 - 9:17 am
- Written by Clay Moffitt
Slow and steady wins the race?
The economy in Fresno County will not grow by leaps and bounds, but businesses are now moving beyond the “weathering the storm” phase and actually beginning to look at expansion.
Over the past year, the county has experienced slow, continual growth. That remains in the forecast for 2013.
“Things are getting better in Fresno County. While other parts of the state started improving sooner, we’re now catching up,” said Lee Ann Eager, president and CEO of the Economic Development Corporation serving Fresno County.
Kings County
- Details
- Published on 11/30/2012 - 9:12 am
- Written by Michael Kincheloe
Can milk, military ‘stop the bleeding?’
Kings County’s economy over the past three years has remained relatively steady, with a small rise in overall personal income as well as per capita income.
Real farm crop value has risen slowly but steadily as well since its drop from the years 2008 to 2009, with real industrial production making a similar comeback after its drop in 2009, according to California Department of Transportation statistics. The state Board of Equalization reports that taxable sales made a noticeable jump in 2011, up 17.7 percent over the 2010 numbers during the second quarter of the year.
Madera County
- Details
- Published on 11/30/2012 - 9:03 am
- Written by Ben Keller
A prescription for growth for the future?
Like most of the nation, Madera County’s economy is rebounding, albeit slowly.
The most telltale sign is in the region’s still-robust manufacturing industry. Led primarily by food processors, the industrial vacancy rate in Madera County has dropped to 3.93 percent in the third quarter compared to 8.83 percent a year earlier and 13.24 percent a year before that.
Tulare County
- Details
- Published on 11/30/2012 - 8:58 am
- Written by Chuck Harvey
Can construction, distribution continue to flourish?
Times are still tough in Tulare County, but state, county and city officials see improvements in 2013, especially in the areas of retail jobs, food manufacturing, health care and farm-produced energy technologies.
In addition, California’s Employment Development Department forecasts gradual growth ahead in Tulare County transportation, warehouse, utilities, construction, leisure and hospitality jobs.
Van Nuys business lender expands to Central Valley
- Details
- Published on 11/23/2012 - 9:19 am
- Written by Ben Keller
If there’s one thing holding back small businesses during these rough recessionary years, it’s lack of access to capital.
The San Joaquin Valley is certainly no exception, with credit scores sunk, collateral next to nothing and banks still wary to lend to risky ventures.
Thankfully, there are financial resources available to help businesses grow through groups like the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Central California Small Business Development Center.
The waiting game
- Details
- Published on 11/23/2012 - 9:17 am
- Written by Clay Moffitt
After profitable third quarter, banks wary of the New Year
A profitable third quarter is in the books for most Central Valley community banks, and while the fourth quarter is expected to be equally positive, uncertainty permeates through the local industry.
At the end of the year, more than 300 new regulations will go into effect for the banking industry. There’s hope Congress may provide some relief, but not many are holding their breath.
“I think most of us are in a wait-and-see posture, and want to see what this really means,” said J. Mike McGowan, president and CEO of Premier Valley Bank.
A century in the sun
- Details
- Published on 11/16/2012 - 9:49 am
- Written by Chuck Harvey
Sun-Maid looks back, forward on 100th birthday
Kingsburg-based Sun-Maid Growers of California has plenty to celebrate on its 100th birthday.
In October, the company was named 2012 Ag Business of the Year by Baker, Peterson & Franklin accounting and consulting firm, and deemed an historic business by the Fresno County Board of Supervisors.
Sun-Maid Growers is now on the Fresno County Historical Landmarks & Records Commission’s register of centennial businesses.
Going, going, gone?
- Details
- Published on 11/16/2012 - 9:47 am
- Written by Chuck Harvey
Grape, cotton acreage on the decline in Valley
Acreage for two major long-time Valley staples — raisin grapes and cotton — is on a slow, but steady decline.
Farmers expect both crops to be less prominent in the decades to come.
“Cotton is in a long-term decline,” said Don Cameron, general manager of Terranova Ranch in Helm. Lower prices and reduced water supplies are the main culprits, he said.
Holly jolly holiday sales?
- Details
- Published on 11/09/2012 - 9:28 am
- Written by Clay Moffitt
Retailer cautiously optimistic about shopping season
Over optimism has been systematically programmed out of the psyche of the retail owner, but local retailers can’t help but believe strong sales through three quarters of 2012 point to higher profits this holiday retail season compared to 2011.
Massachusetts-based retail research and analysis firm Retail Metrics reports its industry-accepted metric of same-store sales rose 5 percent in October, even exceeding the anticipated 4.6 percent growth. The month prior, the same-store sales growth was a steady 3.9 percent.
