EnVision June 2008 Volume 2 Issue 7
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Analysis & ImpactBusiness Attraction & MarketingBusiness Retention & ExpansionEntrepreneurship & Small Business DevelopmentGreen EnterpriseIncentivesNeighborhood, Community & Downtown DevelopmentTourismTrade Globalization & International Economic DevelopmentWorkforce DevelopmentCONTACT THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENTJOIN THE E-NEWSLETTER MAILING LIST UNSUBSCRIBE FEEDBACK
ANALYSIS AND IMPACT
SEGA Alternatives Scenarios Workshop - June 10, 2008
Building neighborhoods that thrive
The Southeast Growth Area (SEGA) provides a rare opportunity to create and implement a model for smart, sustainable growth in the San Joaquin Valley-starting in Fresno. By engaging in the SEGA planning process you can help define a sustainable future for our Valley. Act now so the benefits can be experienced by today’s children, their children, and many future generations.
More than 800 people have attended public listening sessions and forums about the SEGA with City of Fresno staff, the locally appointed SEGA Advisory Committee, and internationally recognized Calthorpe Associates. On June 10, 2008 plan alternatives for SEGA will be unveiled for discussion and evaluation by the public. It’s up to us to make an informed decision about the future direction of our city.
Southeast Growth Area (SEGA) Specific Plan Alternative Scenarios Workshop
Tuesday, June 10, 2008 • 6:00pm-9:00pm
Fresno Convention Center
New Exhibit Hall • M St & Kern St • Downtown Fresno
Free parking available in lot on the southwest corner of N St and Inyo St behind the Saroyan Theater
For more information, please contact:
Trai Her at trai.her@fresno.gov or 559.621.8003 Planning and Development
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Fresno New Demographic Data Now Available
Businesses use data for decision making. Among the most important data that businesses use are demographics. Businesses need to know the size, composition, and characteristics of any market, to know if the market will support their business now and in the future. For that reason, the Economic Development Department keeps the freshest RELIABLE data from reliable sources on its web site, and in its marketing materials. So, each May 1st, when the State of California Department of Finance releases updated population numbers for the cities and counties of the State, the City of Fresno Economic Development Department uses those data to update its web site.
So how many of us are there? The population of the City of Fresno has grown to 486,116. Fresno County's population is now up to 931,098. Our six-county region (Fresno, Madera, Merced, Kings, Tulare, and Mariposa Counties) now numbers 1,945,315 residents. Want to know more? Would you like to know how many of us there are by ethnicity, gender, the projected population in 2010 or 2020? Please visit the City of Fresno Economic Development Department's web site at http://www.fresno.gov/Government/DepartmentDirectory/EconomicDevelopment/Demographics/Default.htm
For more information contact Economic Development at economic.development@fresno.gov or 559-621-8350
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BUSINESS ATTRACTION AND MARKETING
ICSC Conference
The City of Fresno Economic Development Department attended the 2008 International Council of Shopping Center (ICSC) RECON trade show on May 19-20 in Las Vegas. This trade show is the largest gathering of shopping center professionals in the world with over 50,000 attendees. Working together, the Economic Development Department, Councilmember Cynthia Sterling, Redevelopment Agency, Economic Development Corporation and the Convention Visitor Bureau met with 58 companies who were interested in the City of Fresno. In addition, the booth attracted more than 200 individuals who were curious about the City and its developments. This type of attraction is an important component in creating jobs and so attracting the right companies from this conference is essential to the City because it shows developers and investors that our community is ready for future growth.
For more information, e-mail Peggy Chiok, Attraction and Community Development Manager, at peggy.chiok@fresno.gov or call 559.621.8360
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BUSINESS RETENTION AND EXPANSION
BEAR Action Network
The Business Expansion and Retention (BEAR) Action Network, a collaborative effort between the City of Fresno and the Economic Development Corporation serving Fresno County, has made great progress since it was launched in September of 2007. The program was designed to enhance the stability and growth of Fresno’s existing businesses by connecting them with specific resources, information, and services offered through the Network Service Providers. Company CEOs and Branch Managers have been very appreciative of this proactive and valuable resource and are quickly taking advantage of it!
Business Testimonial of the Month
Company: Apple Valley Farms
Industry: Food Processing
Number of employees: 90
The BEAR Action Network is committed to assisting Fresno’s businesses with expansions that will create new jobs, increase capital investment and competitiveness in the wider marketplace, and retain local businesses – preventing their relocation to other areas.
For more information, contact Emerson Estrada at the Economic Development Corporation serving Fresno County at (559) 476-2505.
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GREEN ENTERPRISE
World's First Hybrid Refuse Truck (DPU)
The City of Fresno debuted and demonstrated the world’s first operational compressed natural gas (CNG) powered plug-in hybrid refuse truck today at a news conference held at Woodward Park. This trash truck is unique in that it is the first in the world to combine a natural gas engine with a rechargeable electric hybrid drive system.
The truck boasts several economic and environmental benefits: an estimated 40% improvement in fuel economy with the use of a hybrid electric drive system; the capability of operating in all-electric mode for over 10 miles; and a 90% reduction in smog-forming emissions.
“This unique truck only furthers the growing acknowledgment that the City of Fresno is becoming a leader for utilizing cutting edge technology for green initiatives,” says Joseph Oldham, Fleet Acquisition Supervisor for the City of Fresno. “It is one more step toward improving air quality in the Valley while continuing to provide for the growing needs of our customers.”
The trash truck is driven by an electric motor, and the natural gas engine is only required to power the hydraulic system for collection. The rechargeable electric hybrid drive system was designed and produced by Odyne Corporation of Hauppauge, NY. Each night it is plugged into the power grid at the Fresno Municipal Services Center to fully charge the batteries that will propel the vehicle for the next day’s work.
By plugging the vehicle in to recharge, clean and economical electricity is substituted for more expensive vehicle fuel; reducing emissions and increasing fuel efficiency. The current estimated $1,400 per year in fuel savings is part of a citywide energy conservation strategy, which will also serve to improve Fresno’s air quality.
CONTACT: Patti Miller, Public Affairs Office (559) 621-7777
EVENT CONTACT: Nora Laikam 621-5305/960-4374
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ENTREPRENEAURSHIP AND SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Second Annual Business Matchmaking Event
The City of Fresno, along with organizing partners, is hosting the 2nd Annual Business Matchmaking Event on August 1st in Fresno. The focus of this event is to match large private company and government buyers with minority-owned, women-owned, disabled veteran owned and small business vendors that are limited in their ability to gain ex If you are a small business that could benefit from increased exposure and networking opportunities, then this event is for you.
This Matchmaking and Networking Event will be held August 1, 2008 at the Fresno Convention Center Exhibit Hall from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The event format will include booth space for buyers and structured meeting times with small businesses. Workshops will be available for registered attendees prior to the event to learn the certifications often required to do business with large entities, and teach effective matchmaking techniques.
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Planting the Seeds for New Businesses
Produce isn’t the only thing we grow in the valley. We also grow businesses. Scott Johnson, Director, City of Economic Development Department, presented a $50,000 check in support of Fresno’s $250K Entrepreneur Challenge at the May 15th Kick Off event. The Department is one of the Entrepreneur level sponsors and will host the competition details on their web site at www.fresnostartup.com. The challenge, launching on June 1, 2008, is expected to attract ambitious, passionate entrepreneurs with fresh business ideas to fuel our local economy. With the winner take all $100,000 prize, it is a search for innovation at its best and puts Fresno in a unique position to garner attention for its entrepreneurial spirit and creativity.
For more information about starting a business in Fresno, please visit www.fresnostartup.com or contact Peggy Chiok at Peggy.Chiok@fresno.gov or call 559.621.8360. For more information about the competition or sponsorship opportunities, please call Denee Conner, 559.375.7100, or Christine Cerda, 559.285.1999.
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INCENTIVES
State Enterprise Zone Final Designation for City of Fresno Announced
On Wednesday, May 7, 2008, the City of Fresno Economic Development Department held a press conference to announce the final designation of the City's new State Enterprise Zone designation. Press conference participants included Andy Souza, City Manager, and Rebecca Matt from the California Department of Housing and Community Development.
Immediately following the press conference, an Enterprise Zone Resource Fair and Workshop was at the Convention Center Exhibit Hall in downtown Fresno. The event sponsors included local and nationwide tax consultants, CPA's, the Fresno County Regional Enterprise Zone, Workforce Investment Board, the Fresno Economic Development Corporation, as well as other community organizations and service providers with programs either in, or relating to, the City of Fresno Enterprise Zone. Over 115 business owners and other interested parties attended to learn about the benefits of the City of Fresno's Enterprise Zone as well as the City of Fresno's other incentive zones
For information on the next incentive zone event, please contact the Economic Development Department at economic.development@fresno.gov or call 559.621.8350.
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Federal / State Basic Payroll Tax Seminar
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
9:30am to 3:30pm
No Charge
Department of Social Services Building
700 East Yosemite
Madera, CA 93638
You will learn:
• California payroll reporting requirements: forms, employer obligations, reporting, and payments requirements
• Independent contractor reporter requirements
• Electronic filing and payment requirements and options
• Federal payroll reporting requirements: Forms 940, 941, 1099
For more information please click on the link to PDF.
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IRS Stimulus
Stimulus payments started going out last week, and the initial round of payments will continue on a weekly basis through mid-July. In all, nearly 130 million payments will go out this year. Last week, 7.7 million payments were direct deposited, and the first mass production of paper checks begins Thursday.
Since last week millions of Americans have visited www.IRS.gov and called the IRS toll-free lines. The IRS reminded taxpayers the fastest way to get answers is to visit www.IRS.gov, which has payment schedules and other information.
The most common question has been when people can expect their payments. Economic stimulus payments will be issued according to the last two-digits of the taxpayer’s Social Security number. For joint filers the payments will go out based on the last two digits of the Social Security number of the person listed first on the return. Payments will be made by either direct deposit or paper check, based generally on the option people chose when they filed their 2007 tax returns.
The easiest way to figure the amount you will receive is to use the Economic Stimulus Payment Calculator on the IRS.gov Web site. Essentially, there are two parts to the stimulus payment: a basic amount based on tax liability, filing status or other qualifying income, if there is no tax liability, and an additional amount based on whether a qualifying child is reported on the return. If you have more questions visit the IRS website www.IRS.gov or call them at 1-800-829-1040
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NEIGHBORHOOD, COMMUNITY AND DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT
Best Practices for Downtown Revitalization - June 9
A public discussion about Downtown Fresno revitalization lead by an International Downtown Association (IDA) Advisory Panel begins Monday, June 9 and wraps up with recommendations on Tuesday, June 10.
The IDA Advisory Panel arrives in Fresno on June 8 and kicks off the public discussion the next morning, June 9, at 7:30 a.m. in the Bankers Ballroom located at 1060 Fulton Mall (formerly Security Bank building). Join us for a continental breakfast, best practices from successful Downtowns and an introduction to opportunities for property and business owners in Downtown Fresno. Anyone interested in Downtown Fresno is welcome.
The deterioration of downtowns is far from a unique situation. Fortunately, reinvigoration of these downtowns is also far from unique. One of the more successful methods used to combat the core issues underlying this deterioration, especially in larger downtowns, has been the formation of downtown partnerships. Strong leadership from both the public and private sectors creates a partnership that drives Downtown revitalization.
Using the recommendations of the IDA Advisory Panel, which consist of experts and executives from nationally recognized successful Downtowns, we have the opportunity to create a vital energetic atmosphere through property and business owner involvement. Learn about PBIDs (property-based business improvement districts) and the primary benefits for the stakeholders which include higher property values, growing rental and lease rates, higher building occupancies and increased sales tax revenues.
QUICK FACTS
International Downtown Association Advisory Panel
Public Discussion and continental breakfast
Monday, June 9
7:30 A.M. to 9:00 A.M.
Bankers Ballroom at 1060 Fulton Mall (formerly Security Bank Building)
For more information contact:
Jan Minami
Executive Director
Downtown Association of Fresno
Phones: 490-9966 or 497-9965
Email: jminami@downtownfresno.org
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Downtown Business Notes: Storefront Signage Showcase - June 19
The Downtown Association of Fresno has a renewed focus on economic development with its new Business Growth Committee chaired by Club One owner Kyle Kirkland. The committee is responsible for strategies to retain and expand business on the Fulton Mall and in Downtown Fresno.
Join us for a Storefront Signage Showcase on June 19, 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Club One Casino, NW corner of Tulare and Van Ness. The showcase features signage guidelines, City of Fresno planners, sign company personnel and especially you, the Downtown business owner. Together, we discuss what’s good and what needs improvement in assuring successful business promotion through storefront signage.
QUICK FACTS
Storefront Signage Showcase
Thursday, June 19
5:00 P.M. to 6:30 P.M.
Club One Casino Showroom
For More Information:
Jan Minami
Executive Director
Downtown Association of Fresno
Phones: 490-9966 or 497-9965
Email: jminami@downtownfresno.org
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The Billion Dollar Tour
Over the last few years, Downtown has seen over $1 Billion Dollars in new construction that includes new State and Federal Courthouses, the completion of the new Fresno Fire Department Headquarters and Museum in the refurbished Hobbs Parson Warehouse, the Santa Fe Depot and Promenade, the Community Medical Center Campus, The Holiday Inn, Downtown, new major corporate office buildings, The Civic Center Square Development, Bank Headquarters, Chukchansi Park & Stadium, and new rental housing like the Pearl Lofts, Vagabond Lofts, Broadway Studios, and the H Street Lofts, just to name a few.
In the next year many more projects will be breaking ground, completing their renovations and celebrating the progress of moving forward in creating a vibrant, redeveloped Downtown Fresno. Some of these future projects are Forest City South Stadium Project, The Legacy Project, Fulton Plaza Row Houses, The Fresno Metropolitan Museum and the Uptown Project, Armenian Town, China Town Beatification, Eaton Plaza and the Water Tower, The Fulton Mall, and The Fresno County Library.
The Billion Dollar Tour celebrates the successes of the recently completed projects and highlights those still in progress. It is an exciting time to be downtown and witness all of the changes. The Economic Development Corporation serving Fresno County along with many collaborative partners will host another tour in September, 2008. Sponsorships from many organizations help make The Billion Dollar Tour a free event to all ages interested in learning more about Downtown Fresno! Come see the past, present and future of Fresno!
Please visit our website www.billiondollartour.com for more information. For more information about the Economic Development Corporation serving Fresno County see our website at www.fresnoedc.com
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VIBE- Keeping Downtown Alive!
Visit the VIBE at Sports Town on Kern Street
(Between “N” Street and Van Ness)
Hosted by the City of Fresno Economic Development Department and Public Utilities
Friday, June 27, 2008
Festivities start at 5 pm
For more information, please visit http://www.fresno.gov/Government/DepartmentDirectory/EconomicDevelopment/VIBE/default.htm or contact Kelly Riddle at Kelly.Riddle@fresno.gov or call 559.621.8814.
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TOURISM
Fresno County crops up the new Indiana Jones
Cast and crew of "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" spent one day filming in Fresno County in October. Scenes were shot at both Eagle Field in Firebaugh and Chandler Field in Fresno.
If you blink while watching the new Indy movie, you might miss the sequences.
Eagle Field was made to look like a small Mexican airport in the late '50s. A two-second scene shows a vintage plane taxi by to reveal Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) and his new sidekick Mutt Williams (Shia LaBeouf) standing outside a dusty terminal.
Chandler Field doesn't even get that much screen time. The airport's old water tower was painted to read "Brandford, Conn.," but a planned scene was never shot. The only footage filmed at Chandler was a scene inside an airplane. Jones naps while Williams tinkers with his motorcycle.
Ray Arthur, Fresno's film and entertainment commissioner, explains that having a movie shot here is more about financial gain than hosting a piece of the glamour of Hollywood.
"We all get excited about the sizzle of the movie stars being in town. But the film commission is in the economic development department for a purpose. It is about the business of filming. They were here for five days of setup, one of filming and two days of [dismantling] the set. The lack of on-screen exposure is not as much fun, but still generated $250,000-$300,000 for the local economy," Arthur says.
Fresno County film commissioner Gigi Gibbs says there would have been a lot more filming here under the original movie shoot plans.
"They first came here to scout for a place to shoot the big sequence in the warehouse being shown in all the trailers. They liked Eagle Field. But when they saw the script and realized they needed to be able to turn a semi-trailer inside, they decided to build the set," Gibbs says.
Even being a small part of the movie has its benefits. The local film commissions get a thank-you in the movie's closing credits.
A Fandango poll shows that "Crystal Skull" leads the list of this summer's most anticipated movies.
And all of those fans will at least get a quick glimpse of Fresno County.
The scenes shot here were the last day of filming on the movie. Eagle Field hosted a wrap party for the cast and crew. At Eagle Field's annual 1940s-era fly-in and dinner dance in June, "Crystal Skull" plot plans, stencils and conceptual drawings will be on display.
The reporter can be reached at rbentley@fresnobee.com or (559) 441-6355.
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TRADE, GLOBALIZATION & INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Commercial Services New Simplified Fee Structure
The Commercial Service’s has established a simplified fee structure with single worldwide fees for each standardized service, enabling us to better serve U.S. firms, particularly small and medium-sized companies. The new system provides strong incentives for many new or export companies in the Valley to try Commercial Service assistance for the first time. The U.S. Commercial Service is realigning resources to expand its presence in emerging markets of importance to U.S. firms, such as China and India, in order to help U.S. firms get a foothold early on as these markets develop. The U.S. Commercial Service has streamlined its ongoing efforts towards helping U.S. firms sell internationally.
Through its proposed Partner Post program with the State Department, Commercial Service programs will be offered in many developing countries where there is no Commercial Service office. For U.S. firms selling to specific countries, this will make it easier to expand into neighboring markets.
There is no better time to export. Free Trade Agreements, together with ease of transportation, the Internet, and U.S. Government programs and partnerships continue to simplify the export process. The US holds 70 percent of the world's purchasing power--and 95 percent of its consumers--are outside of the United States, creating opportunity for both the American business as well as the overseas customer. It’s a good economic climate for exporting, and American products and services have an excellent reputation abroad.
Our local office in Fresno is working on behalf of area businesses to provide them with all the tools they need to help them expand their international sales—counseling, market research, trade events, etc. Given the opportunity I could mention types of business exporting, growth in number of clients, destinations, and provide news media with any contacts for client success stories.
For more information on the U.S. Commercial Service, please contact
Eduardo Torres Director, Fresno U.S. Export Assistance Center
U.S. Department of Commerce
Tel: 559 348 9859
Email: eduardo.torres@mail.doc.gov
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
SCORE To Host "Going Green" Workshop
(Fresno, CA) SCORE- Counselors to America's Small Business, will hold its next Wells Fargo sponsored workshop, "Going Clean and Green With Your Business" on June 11th from 7:00 a.m. to Noon at National University (20 River Park Place West).
When businesses consider ways to lower their overhead, many don't take into account ways to utilize the newest green technology. SCORE wants to show business owners that this technology is now readily available in the Central Valley. A "green business" can nearly eliminate the high cost of energy through proper guidance. Businesses in turn gain control of their energy costs and reduce their overall emissions. This workshop will focus on the benefit of "green technology" to Central Valley businesses.
Speakers and topics will include:
- Brady Matoian, OK Produce -- "Changes I Made to My Business Structure for Energy Efficiencies"
- Laura Fultz, Coalition for Clean Air -- "Coalition for Clean Air Highlights Valley Green Businesses"
- Mark Stout, Cleantech America Inc. -- "How to Approach Renewable Technology Planning"
- Joseph Oldham, City of Fresno -- "GREEN Program Instituted by the City of Fresno"
- (Keynote) Russ Taylor & Loren Aiton, Taylor Teter - "Energy Efficient Buildings and Projects"
Reservations may be made online at www.CentralCalSCORE.org or by calling SCORE at 559-487-5605. The cost is $35 online or $40 at the workshop. Continental breakfast is included at the workshop.
SCORE- Counselors to America's Small Business, is a national non-profit organization dedicated to mentoring Central Valley residents through free counseling and low-cost workshops to start their own business. Counselors are volunteers with a minimum of 10 years business experience. Central Valley SCORE serves Fresno, Kings, Tulare, and Madera counties.
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