The California Business Minute provides news and information about the people, businesses and organizations that are creating and growing business along with retaining and creating jobs in California.
Additionally, the California Business Minute provides information on a variety of sectors from aerospace, agriculture, construction, finance, health care, real estate, retail, technology, transportation and utilities. Information is also provided on topics ranging from general business trends, labor markets, infrastructure, community, economic and employment development in concert with redevelopment actions by covering California's diverse regions.
The California Business Minute is constantly examining the marketplace determining growth, e.g., expansions, relocations, mergers and acquisitions along with down-sizings and unfortunately even business closures. This section provides public information on the latest actions by business based upon economic sectors and in chronological order starting with the most current.
Los Angeles Angels
March 31, 09
BOYS OF SUMMER RETURN TO GOLDEN STATE Opening Days for Professional Baseball Across the State
California is home to 5 Major League Baseball teams; Los Angeles Angels and Dodgers, Oakland Athletics, San Diego Padres and the San Francisco Giants. There are also 2 Triple A teams, Fresno Giants and the Sacramento River Cats and there are 9 teams associated with the Single A Advance California League- San Jose, Modesto, Stockton, Visalia, Bakersfield, Lancaster, Lake Elsinore, Rancho Cucamonga and High Desert. Opening Day for the Padres is April 6th against the Dodgers along with the Los Angeles Angels against the Oakland A's. The Giants opening day is april 7th against Milwaukie. Opening day for the A's is April 10th against Seattle. And opening day for the Dodgers is April 13th against the Giants. Batter Up!
OUTSIDERS TRAWLING THE STATE FOR BUSINESS Is California, Easy Picking?
The Metro Denver EDC followed by the city of Phoenix and now the identification of the state of Tennessee scheduled for July, apparently all think that the 8th largest economy is easy pickings for business attraction. However, is California and its businesses 'easy pickings' by other states. Do the communities of California possess aggressive business retention programs to stem the tide from outside recruitment?
Is it enough that the geographical beauty, the great university system, the collective intelligence of the workforce, access to capital and the pure size of the California marketplace enough to retain business and industry? Economic development practioners from across the state share their thoughts at Practioners Perspective. Read the comments and insight from John Fleming of Yuba County; Mike Manchak San Luis Obispo EVC, Kathleen Griffith city of Lompoc; Scott Galbraith of Merced County EDC, Sam Driggers, El Dorado County and many more. See CA Insights at the Main Menu.
For the week of 03-01-09 SCHWARZENEGGER OPENS EUROPEAN TECH SHOW - CeBIT
Schwarzenegger and German Chancellor Merkel at CeBIT Ceremony
CALIFORNIA SHINES IN EUROPE
Governor Schwarzenegger along with German Chancellor, Angela Merkel opened CeBIT, Europe's biggest tech fair. The Governor was in attendance because California was selected as CeBIT's official partner, the first time ever a non-nation was selected as a participating entity in lieu of a nation participating. CeBIT's officials selected California due to its economic stature specifically because it's home to the Silicon Valley. Over 50 firms from California participated in the event. In addition, the governor also attended the Geneva Motor (Auto) Show. He was accompanied by Dale Bonner, State Agency Secretary of BT&H and Brian McGowen, Assistant Secretary of Economic Development for the Agency.
In addition, there were programs to enhance California- Germany trade relations. There was also a Californian, European CIO Summit along with tourism opportunities with a California Welcome Center exhibit and a variety of networking receptions.
The Governor at right and Dale Bonner, BT&H Secretary far left
For the Week of 03-01-09
UC OPENS HEADQUARTERS FOR CITRIS Four UC Campuses Involved
This past week, a new facility, The Center for Information Technology Research in the Interest of Society, CITRIS was dedicated at UC Berkeley in support of a program that connects the faculty, researchers and students from four UC campuses- Berkeley, Davis, Merced and Santa Cruz. The philosophy of the Center is multi purpose: it is to develop new technologies that shorten the pipeline to manufacturing and the marketplace but also to use on a scale that it will enhance many people's lives. The Center is designed to stimulate the ideas, the industries and the social and human benefits that will move California forward.With more than 300 researchers and thousands of students from multiple disciplines that include science and engineering, architecture, economics, law and public policy, it is one of four California Institutes for Science and Innovation established with a $100 million commitment in 2001 by then-Gov. Gray Davis to combine the research power of UC with the entrepreneurial spirit and expertise of California industry.
For the Week of 02-15-09 COLORADO LOVES CALIFORNIA Trying to Lure Business Away
The Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation launched a campaign to lure California business on Valentine's Day with a series of promotions including a plane flying over the LA Basin with a sign illustrating Colorado loves California, coupled with advertisements in the LA Times and San Jose Mercury along with 500 personalized valentines to California businesses. One thing the Metro Denver EDC forgot to mention, snow shovels are not required in LA or the Silicon Valley. See 02-17-09 Minute for all the details, but honestly, as the song goes, "We love LA," apparently so does Colorado. See guest commentaries on the business recruitment activity at the CalBizBlog.
Two leaders in the game publishing industry Electronic Arts and THQ have both announced lay-offs.
Redwood City- based Electronic Arts, the worlds largest game publisher identified late in 2008 that they were planning lay-offs updated their actions and identified that it would be laying off about 1,100 employees, or about 11 percent of its workforce in order to cut costs and it will close down 12 facilities as part of the cost-cutting. No announcement on the facilities to be shuttered was disclosed.
Agora Hills-based THQ disclosed plans to lay off about 600 workers -- 24% of its workforce -- in an effort to reduce its cost structure. THQ, publisher of popular game franchises such as "Saints Row" and the WWE Wrestling series, has seen its overall sales slow as other titles have failed to catch on in the marketplace.
For the Week of 01-25-09
Home Depot to Cut and Close Expo Design Centers and Yardbirds
The nation's largest home improvement retailer anounced it is cutting 7,000 position nationwide and closing two units-its 34 store Expo Design Centers and its 5 store Yardbirds stores.Twelve of the 34 Expo Design Centers are located in California:Anaheim, Dublin, Emeryville, Encinitas, Huntington Beach, Laguna Nigel, Westwood Village, Monrovia, Redondo Beach, Roseville and San Jose. Home Depot will also close its recently purchased Yardbirds in the Bay area. No numbers were provided on closure dates no impact on employees.
For Week of 01-18-09 Tech Continues to Tumble- Major Announcements Microsoft announced that it is cutting 5,000 employees. Number of employees affected in California by the move was not disclosed, however, Microsoft identified that the job reductions will be across R&D, marketing, sales, finance, legal, HR, and IT. Microsoft said 1,400 of its employees are being let go today, with the remainder throughout the next 18 months.
Santa Clara-based Intel announced it will close a number of its manufacturing facilities, which will affect between 5,000 and 6,000 jobs. Intel, identified it will close two assembly test facilities in Penang, Malaysia and one in Cavite, Phillipines. Intel will also close fab facility in Hillsboro, Oregon and a facility in Santa Clara. Intel said that the four sites will be consolidated into its other operations. Intel explained that not all of those 5,000 to 6,000 people will be laid-off Intel, saying that some of the employees may be offered positions elsewhere at other facilities.
For the Week of 01-11-09 THE BIG SURFS UP: MAVERICKS COMPETITION
California is home to a big wave surfing competition called Mavericks located near Half Moon Bay. The competition is an invitational event and contestants are from across the globe. Last years one-day event drew at the site 40,000 to 50,000 spectators, while another 10,000 trying to avoid the crowds and traffic jams watched the event live at AT&T Park in downtown San Francisco on the big screen, and even others watched iton streaming video on the Internet at the website-You Tube. While the National Weather Service is predicting big waves for this weekend and released a warning on high wave activity along the California coast, contest officials have not issued a start date. Apparently they are holding out for waves from 20 to 40 feet in height. See for more details.
Also see a short article about the background and impact on surfing in California at . For those of you not from California, this is where the term awesome dude was coined. Go to the event and watch and then you will know why. See more details about the event and the impact of surfing at 01-16-09 Minute.
For the Week of 01-11-09 CALIFORNIA ELECTRIFIES DETROIT
This week the automotive industry gathered for the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. And while the big three American auto makers tried to put on a good face by illustrating their latest vehicles and concept cars, it was the fresh faces on the block that caused a stir. California based electric vehicle makers, Fisker Automotive and Telsa Motors displayed their vehicles. Leave it to the innovative spirits from the Golden State to shock Detroit.
