North Bay Business Journal

Hiring military veterans proves good for businesses

New tax incentives for hiring veterans could mean tax savings, but in order to take advantage of these incentives, businesses need to have the know-how.

Hospital upgrades drag on Sutter Health earnings

Sutter Health, the parent company of Sutter Medical Center of Santa Rosa, today said today its 2011 net income dropped to $634 million from $878 million the previous year across the 24-hospital system, a decline of nearly 28 percent.

North Bay jobless rates barely changed in February

NORTH BAY — Unemployment rates across the North Bay remained high in February and were barely changed from January, but all six counties had considerably lower rates than a year before, according to state figures released this morning.

On Grady Ranch, leaders must not lose sight of big picture

To many observers, opposition to George Lucas’s proposed Grady Ranch digital film studio must seem like a scene from a bad movie.

The first thing to understand is that the master plan under which the project is proposed was approved by county officials in 1996. Sixteen years later, the famed filmmaker is asking to build his dream studio in the very place he started and in the county that has benefited so much artistically and economically from his genius.

St. Joseph Health System to hold symposium on workforce wellness

SANTA ROSA — Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital will host a symposium for employers next week as part of the iWORKwell Workforce Wellness effort, a public-private program focused on employee health throughout Sonoma County.

The symposium targets employers looking to reduce ever-increasing health care expenses and to support their workforce’s well-being by offering more wellness programs.

Marin chosen for Medicare hospital program

MARIN — A partnership between Marin County public health and two of the county’s hospitals is among 30 similar programs nationwide — and the first in all of California — that will be recognized as a “Community-based Care Transitions Program,” an initiative stemming from health care reform that aims to curb costly hospital readmission among Medicare patients.

Napa County CEO proposes consolidation of departments to create ‘one-stop shop’ for permits

NAPA — In an effort to streamline its permitting process while reducing costs, Napa County is proposing to consolidate divisions currently within the Department of Environmental Management into the Department of Conservation, Development and Planning, while all general service functions would be operated out of the Public Works Department, creating a “one-stop shop” for permits.

Mullen & Filippi to move to downtown Santa Rosa

SANTA ROSA — Mullen & Filippi, a law firm that specializes in workers’ compensation litigation and related legal services, is relocating its practice to about 6,000 square feet in downtown Santa Rosa from the Fountaingrove Executive Center.

Best Places to Work nominations due now

Nominate your company for the North Bay Business Journal’s Best Places to Work competition. Nominations will be accepted until Friday, April 27.

Survey: 9 in 10 doctors won’t recommend profession

NAPA — A new survey found that nine out of 10 physicians across the country are unwilling to recommend the profession to others, while 43 percent said they are contemplating retirement as a result of “transformative changes” in the health care system — results that will likely exacerbate a well-documented nationwide physician shortage.

January unemployment rises as North Bay job growth mostly slows

NORTH BAY — Unemployment rates in early 2012 remained near where they ended in 2011, although every county saw a drop from the previous year, according to state figures released this morning.

Sonoma Valley voters extend hospital tax

SONOMA — Voters in Sonoma Valley on Tuesday easily passed a measure that extends for five years a $195 parcel tax that generates $2.8 million annually for the area’s public hospital.

BEST to poll 100 businesses on retention, expansion needs

SANTA ROSA — A public-private Sonoma County partnership aimed at spurring job growth plans to survey 100 local businesses in as many days on what they need to stay and thrive in the county.

Share your thoughts: Should North Bay local governments provide financial and other incentives to attract and retain businesses?

Airline traffic increases 5.4 percent in February to new record

SANTA ROSA — Airline travel in and out of Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport continued to climb upward in February, reaching an all-time high of 14,996 passengers, an increase of 5.4 percent from a year before, according to figures released this morning.

Conference to again focus on Latino work force

As many North Bay companies in the construction, agricultural, manufacturing and other industries hire an increasing number of Latin American immigrant workers, it’s imperative that these companies’ business owners, HR and middle level managers are clear in communication with these employees on safety precautions, rules and procedures on the job.

Mike Shapiro: Pacifics ready to play ball

SAN RAFAEL — Mike Shapiro is a veteran of over 25 years in the sports and entertainment industries, having served a variety of positions in sports team management, television production and administration, new media production and rights acquisitions, marketing, athlete representation, consulting and golf course management. Mr. Shapiro has worked in a wide range of professional sports including baseball, golf, basketball and hockey. He has also served as a senior executive, legal counsel, managing principal of his own consulting firm and media producer.

Remy Gross: Buck Institute and seeds of new companies

NOVATO — Remy Gross is currently the vice president of business development and technology advancement at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging. His duties at the Buck include the increase of deal flow through global corporate collaborations and new company formation.

Amy’s Kitchen opens second onsite primary care clinic

SANTA ROSA — Amy’s Kitchen has taken a unique step among Sonoma County employers in opening a primary care clinic at its southwest Santa Rosa production facility, a move the maker of natural convenience foods said will help reduce health care costs and increase convenience and health for employees and their families.

Latinos in the Workplace seminar set for March 15

SANTA ROSA — The seventh annual Latinos in the Workplace Conference will be held on March 15 in Santa Rosa.

Better get yourself ready for America’s double recovery

Yes — that’s right. I absolutely believe we will see a double recovery, and not only have I been saying it out loud, now I am putting it in writing.