Two events in the last two weeks bode well for the North Bay economy.
First was the decision by fast-growing organic food producer Amy’s Kitchen to undertake a 150-employee expansion in Santa Rosa.
Secondly, Labcon of Petaluma announced it leased substantial space to a global medical device sterilization lab, Synergy Health.
In Amy’s case, the expansion represents a positive new spirit of cooperation between government agencies, utilities, economic development officials and jobs-producing companies.
Clocking 23 percent annual growth, Amy’s is a homegrown company whose organic products are in increasing demand across the U.S. and globally. In addition to creating healthy food, Amy’s is a model company when it comes to how it treats employees, including offering onsite health care.
An earlier and larger expansion plan was stalled in part by $34 million in potential city wastewater and water fees.
But this time, the city, state and PG&E came forward with support on water, sales taxes and power. Their efforts, along with the help of the Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce BEST economic development program, means 150 badly needed quality jobs for local residents.
Meanwhile, in Petaluma, Labcon President Jim Happ has engineered a deal to bring in a global medical device sterilization facility -- and another 20 jobs or more -- to Petaluma. The plant is planned for an existing industrial site and would support the growing local medical device sector. Required sterilization work that is now being sent out of the region -- usually adding truck traffic to highways -- can be done here at this new facility.
This is just the kind of private industry investment the region should be encouraging. The route to a growing economy is paved with private investment. But it doesn’t come on a silver platter. As finance legend Walter Wriston said, "Capital goes where it is welcome and stays where it is well-treated."
Here’s a chance for Petaluma to heed that advice as Santa Rosa demonstrated with the latest Amy’s expansion.
But we are not done. Good work is underway to support the broad specialty foods industry, a foundational sector for the North Bay, through sharing resources and customized education. The same is occurring in biotech.
These industries, both dominated by companies that started and grew here, offer the high-paying jobs almost everyone says we want and need. They are a precious jobs-producing resource that deserves support.…
Brad Bollinger is the publisher and editor of the Business Journal. He can be reached at 707-521-4251 or bbollinger@busjrnl.com.
