Industry News

Report: Napa-Solano commercial real estate stablizes

February 6th, 2012

FAIRFIELD — Industrial real estate vacancy in Napa and Solano counties fell 1.4 percentage points in 2011, but immediate availability of office space in the two counties increased a percentage point over the year to even higher levels, according to reports released today.
Lagunitas explores own wastewater plant

February 6th, 2012

PETALUMA — Lagunitas Brewing Co. wants to build its own process-wastewater treatment plant to handle the expected growth of its brewery in the next several years, and Petaluma and business leaders are exploring whether additional industrial wastewater treatment capacity is needed to accommodate current food and beverage companies as well as attract more.
New life for ex-ILM studio in San Rafael

February 6th, 2012

SAN RAFAEL — Movie industry veterans led by longtime Dolby executive Tim Partridge have reopened the legendary sound stage at 3210 Kerner Blvd. in San Rafael.
SMART expects ‘at least’ two more contracts by summer

February 6th, 2012

Planners expect to award at least two more contracts for the construction of a commuter rail line between Sonoma and Marin counties by this summer, following the failure of an effort that could have repealed the 2008 sales tax measure that supports the project.
Strong 2011 puts Exchange Bank closer to ‘primary objective’ of dividend

February 6th, 2012

Santa Rosa-based Exchange Bank earned $12.2 million in net income over the course of 2011, a 19 percent increase from the prior year that the bank attributed to developments such as strong core earnings and a reduction in problem assets.
Wellpoint, Anthem to put higher premium on primary care

February 6th, 2012

NORTH BAY — WellPoint Inc., the nation’s largest health insurance company and parent of Anthem Blue Cross, said it will pay physicians a higher reimbursement rate for primary care, a move aimed at reducing overall costs by rewarding preventative and quality care while hopefully addressing a nationwide physician shortage.
George Petersen Insurance completes move into new quarters

February 6th, 2012

George Petersen Insurance Agency completed its move from one College Ave. location in Santa Rosa to another, at 175 West College Ave. last week, which was the result of the company absorbing NorthWest Insurance in 2010.
Bills mandating coverage for mental, other illness pass assembly

February 6th, 2012

CALIFORNIA — Two recently passed state Assembly bills will require private health insures to cover the diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses and developmental disorders such as autism
Locally based food makers have put down roots

February 6th, 2012

NORTH BAY – After nearly 25 years in Petaluma, Barbara’s Bakery will depart in June. Parent company Weetabix is consolidating operations, giving Barbara’s 24 employees the option of moving to Massachusetts or seeking other jobs.
Langer investing in Santa Rosa for Sonoma label

February 6th, 2012

SANTA ROSA — The Langer family of Southern California, who acquired a sparkling juice bottling plant in Healdsburg three years ago, is making a multimillion-dollar bet on Sonoma County with a more than four-fold larger bottling plant with three times as much production capacity to support its new Langers of Sonoma brand.
At last, a lunch box that is green

February 6th, 2012

SAN RAFAEL – Along with the flourishing food scene in the North Bay comes a sustainable way to tote and munch it.
ECOlunchboxes – plastic-free stainless containers and cotton bags to carry them in – are a surprise bestseller in Whole Foods, Container Stores and retail outlets across the U.S. and abroad.
Internal transfer or sale? Succession experts weigh merits

February 6th, 2012

The Business Journal’s “Who will take over your business?” event explored the two possibilities through case studies and expert discussion.
What will you leave for your organization?

February 6th, 2012

Now is a good time. No matter where you are in your tenure as a leader, right now is the right time to begin shaping the legacy you wish to leave your organization. Your legacy is what continues in the hearts and minds of the people, in the systems and structures of the organization, in the culture and the stories that are told for years to come. It’s what stays alive after you are no longer there.
Letter to the Editor: Save a park, run for Annadel

February 6th, 2012

nadel State Park has been a staple and beautiful asset to the Santa Rosa community for 41 years and now has a very uncertain future. As widely reported, the State of California can no longer maintain the park – the largest in Sonoma County – due to budget cuts. On July 1, the State will “close” Annadel State Park. Sonoma County Regional Parks is pursuing the possibility of managing Annadel on an interim basis, and working closely with the Parks Alliance for Sonoma County and other local nonprofit partners to raise the money to cover operating costs.
FTC reviewing online advertising rules

February 6th, 2012

The rules of online advertising are about to change. On Aug. 10, 2011, the Federal Trade Commission’s public comment period closed on its revised guidelines for Internet advertising. Now the difficult process of updating the guidelines begins and anyone who advertises or sells on the Internet should pay close attention to the FTC’s actions and [...]
Leases and sales: Week of Feb. 6, 2012

February 6th, 2012

Commercial real estate leases and sales in the north San Francisco Bay area
People: Week of Feb. 6, 2012

February 6th, 2012

Civil Engineering Santa Rosa-based 15000 Inc. hired Jacob Miller, a mechanical designer. Mr. Miller is a graduate of California State University, Chico and a current member of the American Society of Civil Engineers. He has volunteered his time with the Marin Municipal Water District shadowing the engineering design, drafting, surveying, and construction inspection departments. Commercial [...]
Airport passenger traffic rises 2.3 percent in January

February 3rd, 2012

SANTA ROSA — Passenger volume at Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport in January was up 2.3 percent from a year before, according to figures released this afternoon.
Shareholders approve AltaPacific merger with Stellar

February 3rd, 2012

Shareholders have approved the merger of AltaPacific Bancorp and Covina California-based Stellar Business Bank, a deal first announced in September and one that nearly doubles the value of assets held by AltaPacific Bank, according to a release today.
SSU conference includes timely forecast, state controller, food industry visionary

February 3rd, 2012

The annual Sonoma State University Economic Outlook Conference Feb. 23, which for nearly two decades has been one of the benchmark events in the North Bay, will include a unique combination of high-level presentations from one of the region’s leading economists, the founder of the area’s private natural foods producer and a top state budget official.