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Madera County E-BIZ
Welcome to Madera County Economic Development’s E-BIZ! On a monthly basis, our online Newsletter covers important local, regional and national news that impacts our local economy. E-BIZ reports on new projects and events in our cities and towns and keeps readers up to date on the state of the region’s economy. News about your business is always welcome.
Please send items, questions, comments, or suggestions to the Madera County EDC at info@maderacountyedc.com or visit our Web site at maderacountyedc.com
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SAVE THE DATE
MCEDC Commissioner Meeting
April 8, 2009 3:00pm in Oakhurst
Madera County Economic Development Commission (MCEDC) will hold their quarterly Commissioners Meeting on April 8, 2009 at 3:00 p.m. at the office of Yosemite Gateway Association of Realtors in Oakhurst. The public is welcome to attend MCEDC's Commissioner Meetings. This is a great opportunity to meet Economic Development staff and learn more about the mission and services that MCEDC provides.
Note: MCEDC requests that presentations are no longer than 3-5 minutes.
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Attention Manufacturer’s- GMCIA Meeting
April 8, 2009 at 7:00 A.M.
Madera Manufacturer’s, please attend the upcoming Greater Madera County Industrial Association (GMCIA) meeting on April 8, 2009 at 7:00 A.M., located at the Madera Municipal Golf Course.
For more information, contact Shirley Driggs at 559-673-8496.
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February 2009 Unemployment Rate
Click to view graph
• Madera County 11.9%
• Central Valley (Avg.) 13.3%
• California 9.1%
*Central Valley counties include: San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Merced, Madera, Fresno, Tulare, Kings & Kern
Source: www.labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov
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LOCAL NEWS
Advanced Drainage Systems receives a total of $74,520 of Employment Training Panel (ETP) funding
The Employment Training Panel Awards $10.6 Million to train California Workers
ETP Press Release
ETP is a business and labor supported state agency that assists employers in strengthening their competitive edge by providing funds to partially off-set the costs of job skills training that is necessary to maintain high-performance workplaces. California’s ETP is a performance-based program, providing funds for trainees who successfully complete approved training programs and are retained in well-paying jobs for a specific period of time. To read full press release click here, for more information about ETP please visit their website at www.etp.ca.gov
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Madera Master Gardeners break ground on a Demonstration Garden
 About 50 people including State Center Community College officials gathered together to celebrate the ground breaking of a two acre Demonstration Garden located at the Madera Center Community College. The garden will be managed by the University of California Cooperative Extension’s Madera Master Gardeners. The Master Gardeners have named the project “The Three Sisters Demonstration Garden.” The garden will incorporate smaller gardens developed specifically for children, wildlife, butterflies, herbs, roses, and water wise. The Master Gardeners will utilize the garden as a learning, teaching and testing facility to demonstrate gardening techniques to the community.
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Madera Water Bank Funds Okayed
Madera Tribune
Congress voted Wednesday to spend $22.5 million to help Madera Irrigation District build the infrastructure for its water bank. The water bank, an underground reservoir beneath the 13,646-acre Madera Ranch in southwestern Madera County, would hold 250,000 acre feet of water when full, geologist estimate. Read more
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Madera growth garners national ranking
The Business Journal
 Madera was the second-fastest growing metropolitan statistical area (MSA) between 2007-2008 in California and ranked 60th in the nation, according to July 1, 2008 population estimates for the nation’s metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas and counties released recently by the U.S. Census Bureau. The Madera MSA added 2,679 residents for a percentage gain of 1.8 percent. The total population of the area is 148,333. Read more
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Children’s Hospital of Central California get $1 million gift
Central Valley Business Times
Children’s Hospital Central California located in Madera County has received a $1 million gift from Fred Ruiz, founder of Mexican foods giant Ruiz Foods Inc. of Dinuba and his family. The new eight-bed expansion of the hospital’s pediatric intensive care unit will be named for the family, says William Haug, President and CEO of Children’s Hospital. The unit has 34 beds, currently expanding to 42, and over 130 staff including 90 specialty-trained pediatric intensive care unit nurses, respiratory therapists and other clinical specialists. Twelve of the ICU rooms are equipped to convert to surgical suites if needed. Children’s Hospital Central California says it treats more inpatient cases than any pediatric hospital north of San Diego, making it the second largest children’s hospital in California and one of the 10 largest hospitals of its type in the nation. To read the full article click here
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STATE NEWS
State housing department awards funds to local cities
The Business Journal
The Cities of Chowchilla and Lindsay have both received $300,000 as part of $3.86 million in funds awarded by the state Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) to help small local businesses create and retain jobs in 10 California cities and three counties. To read more click here
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NATIONAL NEWS
February existing home sales increase 5.1 percent
The Business Journal
Sales of previously occupied homes jumped unexpectedly in February by the largest amount in nearly six years as first-time buyers took advantage of deep discounts on foreclosures and other distressed properties. Economists said sales, while still at levels not seen since 1997, may finally be coming back to life after declining sharply following the stock market plunge last autumn. Click here to read more
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RESOURCES
Madera County EDC facilitates the Recycling Market Development Zone (RMDZ) Program
MCEDC
The Recycling Market Development Zone (RMDZ) Loan Program provides direct loans to businesses and nonprofits that are located in Madera County. The purpose of these loans is to promote market development for waste materials. In addition, to continue to build momentum and support for the Zone Program, the California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) has recently increased its support and resources. For more details click here or visit www.maderacountyedc.com
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Capture Energy Savings in Existing Commercial Buildings through Retrocommissioning
PG&E
 To help business customers save money by building energy efficiency and demand response capabilities into existing commercial facilities, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) offers the Retrocommissioning (RCx) program and incentives to qualified participants.
RCx is a systematic process for identifying less-than-optimal performance in an existing facility’s equipment and control systems and making necessary repairs or enhancements to save energy and costs. Whereas retrofitting involves replacing outdated equipment, RCx focuses on improving the efficiency of what is already in place. To read full article click here.
To learn more about the RCx program email the RCx office at rcxprogram@pge.com or visit www.pge.com/rcx
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Contact
Madera County
EDC
2425 W.
Cleveland Ave., Suite 101
Madera, CA
93637
559-675-7768
www.maderacountyedc.com
Past
Newsletters
Please
click the below links to see a .pdf of our past
newsletters:
Spring 2009
Click Here
Winter 2008
Click Here
Newsletter
Ideas
If you have a story that you think
might be of interest, please contact:
jherd@maderacountyedc.com
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