The News
Zacky Farms sale hearing this week
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- Published on 01/18/2013 - 11:28 am
- Written by Michael Kincheloe
A possible sale of Fresno-based Zacky Farms’ assets could become clear as early as this week.
Zacky Farms filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in October, citing the high price of corn and soybean meal that have been pushed even higher with the drought that devastated the Midwest last year.
New state rules could gut enterprise zone hiring
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- Published on 01/18/2013 - 10:23 am
- Written by John Lindt
A new state plan to cut the size and tighten the rules for enterprise zones that offer tax incentives for business expansion in California has Valley officials worried it will result in job losses in the future.
The new rules, announced January 11, will impact the 40 zones in the state including Fresno, Tulare and Kings counties.
The zone benefits are targeted to economically depressed parts of the state to attract new companies and retain those looking to relocate out of the state of California. The zones are a series of geographic areas in California where companies receive special tax breaks.
Some still hope for trans-Sierra Highway 168
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- Published on 01/18/2013 - 10:18 am
- Written by Charles McCarthy
A decades-old idea to directly connect Fresno and the town of Bishop in Inyo County via Highway 168 through or over Kearsage Pass east of Florence Lake remains an unfulfilled boost for business on both sides of the hill.
In the fiscally-soaring 1960s, that boost seemed on-its-way with the nine-mile “freeway to nowhere” replacing Highway 168’s old and dangerous 2,700-feet winding climb up old Tollhouse Grade. With the original Highway 168 already reaching some 100 miles into the Sierra back-country, this four-lane above Prather seemed like a first step “over the hill” to Bishop.
The Crossings Industrial Park ramping up rail access
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- Published on 01/18/2013 - 10:14 am
- Written by Ben Keller
Already paling the San Joaquin Valley’s biggest rail yards, The Crossings Industrial and Logistics Park of Van G Logistics is on its way to being the largest rail distribution facility in the country.
Construction began about a year ago on the Selma industrial park, which has 154 acres set aside for track along the Burlington North Santa Fe rail line as well as storage space for dry goods and perishables — both refrigerated and frozen — before being hauled off to a final destination.
Vigilance urged to prevent ag commodity thefts
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- Published on 01/11/2013 - 9:16 am
- Written by Chuck Harvey
Thieves have cultivated their own criminal form of harvest, carting away some high-value Valley crops like raisins, walnuts, beehives and table grapes.
The four commodities can be easily sold and their loss can cut heavily into the pocketbooks of farmers.
Fresno County growers lost more than $275,000 in commodity theft during 2012.
Retailer TJ Maxx coming To Visalia
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- Published on 01/11/2013 - 9:13 am
- Written by John Lindt
Construction could start later this year on a new TJ Maxx apparel store in the Target shopping center on North Dinuba Boulevard in Visalia.
So said consultant Jim Perkins of DeKleer & Associates, who works with shopping center developer Donahue Schriber.
New Fresno electeds stress safety, economic development
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- Published on 01/11/2013 - 9:10 am
- Written by Michael Kincheloe
Three new elected representatives were seated this week as the Fresno County Board of Supervisors welcomed a new colleague and the Fresno City Council swore in two new members.
All three have their sights set on a common issue: The economy.
Former Fresno City Councilmember Andreas Borgeas was sworn into his new position on the Fresno County Board of Supervisors with his focus on two main challenges: The economy and public safety. Borgeas said that he learned a great deal while walking the streets of District 2 during his campaign.
First-ever event to highlight tourism efforts
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- Published on 01/11/2013 - 9:07 am
- Written by Gabriel Dillard
Bolstered by an improving budget and new research, the Fresno/Clovis Convention & Visitors Bureau is hosting an event to highlight efforts to market Fresno as a destination for tourists at home, in California and abroad.
The first-ever “2013 State of Tourism” will be held Jan. 29 at the Fresno Convention & Entertainment Center. It will give people a first glimpse at a new marketing campaign informed by fresh research from credit card companies on how people spend money in Fresno County, said Gay Fontana, research and development director for the Fresno/Clovis Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Les Schwab, other chains go big in Central Valley
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- Published on 01/04/2013 - 9:03 am
- Written by Gabriel Dillard
Embodying the saying “go big or go home,” a number of national businesses find themselves Central Valley residents in the New Year.
Many weren’t even around a year ago. For most it’s their first foray into the San Joaquin Valley market, including retailers Family Dollar and Dollar General, both headquartered in the Southern U.S. Each has opened several stores across the Valley in a timeframe of only a few months.
Fresno hospital completes earthquake project; expansion still stymied by health care law
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- Published on 01/04/2013 - 8:57 am
- Written by Michael Kincheloe
Fresno Surgical Hospital has successfully completed a two-year reconstruction project that will allow it to meet state earthquake requirements, but its second-floor expansion remains on hold.
The project included a complete reconstruction of five of the hospital’s nine operating rooms and an internal redesign that increased the number of pre-op and post-op beds from 14 to 28.
