North Bay Business Journal

Why North Bay seems to be faring better and how to keep it that way

In its analysis of the recently released unemployment statistics for May, Los Angeles-based Beacon Economics listed the Santa Rosa-Petaluma MSA among three regions in California that gained jobs — 1,700 to be exact between April and May.

Wells Fargo Center to present economist June 9

The Wells Fargo Center for the Arts will kick off its 30th anniversary celebration June 9 with a breakfast presentation on the economy by senior economist at Wells Capital Management Gary Schlossberg.

Sonoma County spring economic report shows higher employment

SONOMA COUNTY — A new report on the economic health of Sonoma County predicts that rising levels of employment, innovation by local technology firms and hotel occupancy will lead to a stronger growth for the county this year, according to a spring 2011 local economic report by the Sonoma County Economic Development Board, Sonoma County Workforce Investment Board and research partner Moody’s Analytics.

Economist: California unemployment to stay above 10 percent through 2012

San Rafael- and Los Angeles-based Beacon Economics forecasts California’s unemployment rate will remain above 12 percent through the first half of 2011 and won’t dip below 10 percent before the end of 2012.

Christopher Thornberg: When asset values get too high relative to fundamentals, look out

NAPA — The good news from economist Christopher Thornberg is that it is very unlikely there will be a “double-dip” recession this year.

The bad news delivered to nearly 300 attendees at the Aug. 18 Impact Napa conference is that the recovery is likely to continue to be very weak, with economic growth earlier this year likely to be revised downward to just 1.3 percent from 2.2 percent.

When the word ‘unexpectedly’ is unhelpful

Here’s a word that should be eliminated from today’s coverage of the economy: “unexpectedly.”

Impact Napa registration closes this week

NAPA — Registration closes Friday for the Business Journal’s annual Impact Napa Conference on Aug. 18 featuring a regional overview by highly sought-after economist Chris Thornberg as well as presentations from local experts on issues important to Napa businesses, including wine, tourism and the vitality of downtown Napa.

The event will be held Wednesday, Aug. 18 at the Meritage Resort in Napa. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m., and the program runs from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Tickets are $45 per person or $450 for a table of 10 (with company name on sign). To register, contact Linda Perkins at 707-521-5264 or events@busjrnl.com by Aug. 13, or go to www.NorthBayBusinessJournal.com.

Thornberg to give Napa County economic forecast

NAPA — Economist Chris Thornberg, Ph.D., a prominent predictor of the recent recession who is now warning of an economic “double dip” next year, will be examining Napa County’s cogs of commerce at the Business Journal’s Impact Napa conference Aug. 18.

Downturn’s silver lining: We’re attractive, affordable

If there is anything approaching a silver lining to the impacts of the Great Recession on the North Bay and particularly Sonoma County, it might be this:

For the first time in decades, the conditions exist in the North Bay’s most populous county to make it a very attractive and affordable place for business.

NAPA: Napa resort developer leads global housing group [updated]

Also: Chamber CEO Batto talks about jobs, local economy

UCLA economist sees a bottom to deep economic downturn

SANTA ROSA – The State of Sonoma County Report to the Community Jan. 20 recapped the causes of the deepest economic downturn since the Great Depression and previewed signs of recovery.

Lary Kirchenbauer: Where are you headed now?

“Where are we” is a question I hear all the time. Usually, the questioner is looking for some answers about the business landscape and where we might be in the trough between recession and recovery.

SSU forecast sees some stability late this year, better ’10

SONOMA COUNTY – The Sonoma County economy should stabilize in the second half of 2009, according to a forecast by Sonoma State University economist Robert Eyler.