|
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
|
SAVE THE DATE
Attention Manufacturer’s- GMCIA Meeting
Wednesday, Aptril 14th, 2010 at 7:00AM
Madera Municipal Golf Course
Madera Manufacturer’s, please attend the upcoming Greater Madera County Industrial Association (GMCIA) meeting on April 14th, 2010 at 7:00AM, located at the Madera Municipal Golf Course.
For more information, contact Shirley Driggs at 559-673-8496.
top of the page |
MCEDC Commissioner Meeting
April 14, 2010 3:00pm in Oakhurst
Madera County Economic Development Commission (MCEDC) will hold their quarterly Commissioners Meeting on April 14, 2010 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.
top of the page |
San Joaquin Valley Business Leader Summit on Early Care & Education
Thursday, April 29, 2010
11:00AM to 2:00PM Lunch will be provided
Radisson Hotel & Convention Center
2233 Ventura Street, Fresno, CA 93721
 Attendees will learn from business leaders and economic experts, both local and nationwide, about early care and education as a sound economic investment, one that is vital to the San Joaquin Valley’s future and sustainability. To see event flyer please click here.
top of the page |
Chick-Fil-A Leadercast
Friday, May 7, 2010
8:00AM - 3:00PM
Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino
777 Lucky Lane, Coarsegold CA 93614
 The Chick-Fil-A Leadercast is the premier one-day leadership event featuring the world’s best leaders speaking about the leadership principles that matter most. Broadcast LIVE by GiANT Impact from Atlanta to hundreds of locations around the world, the Chick-Fil-A Leadercast is a catalyst for new ideas and better leadership practices. Tickets are $99.00 and include coffee, lunch, refreshments, and entrance to the Business Expo. To purchase tickets contact the Oakhurst Area Chamber of Commerce at 559-683-7766 or visit www.oakhurstchamber.com. Click here for press release
top of the page |
|
Featured Properties
Falcon Drive Building, Industrial Building, Madera
- Size:(2) 72,025 SF buildings
- Minimum Divisible Unit: +/- 9,000 SF
- Zoning: Industrial
- Status: Lease
- Clear Height: 21’ minimum
- Dock High Doors: (16) 9’x10’
- Roll-up Doors (ground level): (5) 12’x14’
- Fire Sprinkler System: ESFR
For more detailed information including pictures and a property flyer please click here or contact Julie at 559-675-7768.
Property information was gathered from sources deemed reliable. MCEDC is not responsible for inaccuracies.
Madera County Industry - 4th Quarter 2009 Statistics
Total Base
(Sq. Ft.) |
Total Vacancy
(Sq. Ft.) |
Vacancy Rate |
Avg. Asking
Rental Rate |
| 7,042,114 |
934,269 |
13.27% |
$0.36 |
|
Source: TK Consulting - Tammy Katuin, Independent Real Estate Marketing Consultant, click here to see full report.
top of the page |
Madera County Unemployment Rate
February 2010 Unemployment Rate
- Madera County 16.6%
- Central Valley (Avg.)18.6%
- California 12.8%
For Madera County cities and Census Designated Places click here
*Central Valley counties include: San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Merced, Madera, Fresno, Tulare, Kings & Kern
Source: www.labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov
top of the page |
LOCAL NEWS
Ribbon Cutting
- The Grind- Oakhurst
- Lotus Warrior Yoga- Chowchilla
top of the page |
Madera supervisor discusses struggles and hope
The Business Journal
Madera County Supervisor Tom Wheeler acknowledged hard times and cost cutting measures during the Madera County EDC, State of the County event. Since his election to the board of supervisors in 2006, Chairman Wheeler said 2009 was the worst economic year he’s seen. The current budget of $171 million represents $30 million less than when he started while layoffs and furloughs have led to 300 fewer employees. Read more
top of the page
|
|
Investing in Early Care & Education Benefits Our Economy and Our Community
Madera Co. Office of Education
 Investing in early care and education for children ages 0 to 5 is one of the most cost-effective ways to improve the San Joaquin Valley’s economy now and in the future. Early care and education programs produce important short and long-term benefits for children, families, taxpayers and the community. Currently, the early care and education industry is an important community economic driver. In Madera County, the child care industry provides 840 jobs and boosting Madera County’s economy by $39 million. Additionally, access to affordable child care and education program allows parents to participate in the workforce. Read more
top of the page |
Madera to showcase its fossils at new Discovery Center
Madera Tribune
Slated to open to the public this year, Madera County’s new Fossil Discovery Center, a paleontological museum and learning center, sits on a site that is considered by many paleontologist to be equivalent in importance to the La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles. Read more
Click here for ABC news coverage of the center’s Preview Event
top of the page
|
|
STATE NEWS
Central Valley gets $8 Million for jobs training
Recorderonline.com
Dislocated workers in California’s San Joaquin Valley are the target of an $8.2 million federal grant. Tulare County is one of the 14 Central Valley counties-Amador, Calaveras, Fresno , Inyo, Kern, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Mono, San Joaquin, Stanislaus and Tuolumne to which the U.S. Department of Labor funds will go. The money, a Regional Economic Impact National Emergency Grant, will serve an estimated 1,439 workers in Central California. Read more
top of the page |
|
Despite recession, Central Valley population surges
Central Valley Business Times
- Almost all metro areas see gains
- Estimates are the last before the 2010 numbers are released
- Madera County Population: 148,632; 147,577 up 0.7 percent
The U.S. Census Bureau has released population estimates as of July 1, 2009 for each of the nation’s counties and metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas. They show that despite the Great Recession and the housing meltdown, most of the metropolitan areas of the Central Valley showed population growth over the previous years. Read more
|
|
Job Front: California expected to add jobs faster than Arizona, Nevada
The Sacramento Bee
The recession in hard-hit California isn’t over yet, but 2010 labor market projections released modest growth that could outpace neighboring Arizona and Nevada. The report, from Massachusetts-based economic analysis firm HIS Global Insight, predicts 0.9 percent job growth by year’s end in California, compared with fourth quarter 2009. High-tech and manufacturing will be California’s job leaders in 2010, but, “California’s bottoming out is a little bit ahead of the curve, Jim Diffley, HIS Global Insight senior regional economist, said. The state’s beleaguered construction sector will continue to lag in 2010. Even with California’s projected job gains, the state’s continuing budget woes and high unemployment will continue to drag down any larger recovery, he said. Read more
top of the page |
|
NATIONAL
They’re Almost Here (Jobs)
Grubb & Ellis
The jobs that economists, commercial real estate landlords and everyone else have been anticipating appear to be just around the corner. Revised data from the Department of Labor showed an increase of 64,000 net new payroll jobs in November, but the trend dipped into the red again in December, January and February. The weekly jobless claims report is painting a hopeful picture. For the week ending March 20, the four-week moving average of new claims dropped to 454,000, its lowest level since the week ending September 13, 2008, which led up to the infamous “Lehman Brothers Weekend” when the firm filed bankruptcy protection.
Click here for some great interactive charts from USA Today and Moody’s Economy.com. Click on the various states to see the state-by-state employment outlook, and in the left hand column, click on the various sectors to see which ones will be generating the jobs.
top of the page |
BUSINESS
Chowchilla almond huller installs solar systems
The Business Journal
Minturn Huller Cooperative, Inc. recently integrated a solar electric system at its plant in Chowchilla. The earth-friendly, technological upgrade will allow the company to produce an estimated 788 megawatt hours per year, saving Minturn about $40,000 in electricity costs per year. “Our facility runs an electric-intensive process that removes hulls and shells from nuts 24-hours a day, seven days a week from August to November,” said Jeff Hamilton, general manager with Minturn Huller. Read more
top of the page |
McCaffrey ranks No. 1 in customer referrals
The Business Journal
A survey conducted recently by Eliant, a consumer research company, revealed Fresno’s McCaffrey Homes ranked highest in customer referrals. Over 60,000 homeowners across the country participated in the survey that covered 200 homebuilders nationwide. McCaffrey took the top spot in referral sales with 43.8% of its buyers saying they had referred the company to friends. Read more
top of the page |
Pacific Ethanol subsidiaries file plan of reorganization
Central Valley Business Times
- Provides for new funding and capital structure
- “The plan will significantly improve the balance sheets”
Pacific Ethanol Inc. says it’s moving to get its production arm out of bankruptcy. The Sacramento-based company says its wholly-owned subsidiary, Pacific Ethanol Holding Co. LLC together with PEH’s four wholly-owned ethanol production facilities including two in the Central Valley (one located in Madera) have filed a plan of reorganization and related draft disclosure statements with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Delaware in cooperation with WestLB AG and other secured lenders. Pacific Ethanol says it expects PEH and the plant subsidiaries to emerge from bankruptcy near the end of the second quarter of this year. Read more
top of the page |
RESOURCES
Work Opportunity Tax Credit for employers
In the past, the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) has been of limited value to most employers. However, recent changes put this federal income tax credit (often worth $2,400 per hire) in reach of many more companies. If your business actively hires recently discharged veterans or individuals aged 16-24, then you should investigate this program.
In California, vouchering is fairly straightforward, free, and administered by the Employment Development Department (EDD). Note: Paperwork must be filed with EDD within 4 weeks from the date of hire.
Below are some useful links regarding the WOTC program:
EDD WOTC Forms
Department of Labor WOTC information
IRS statutory descriptions of targeted groups
top of the page |
RESOURCES
Resource links for financial aid and business advice
top of the page |
|
|
Contact
Madera County
EDC
2425 W.
Cleveland Ave., Suite 101
Madera, CA
93637
559-675-7768
Newsletter
Ideas
If you have a story that you think
might be of interest, please contact:
|
|
