North Bay Business Journal

2011 top stories: New hospital, tech advances define year of the economy

The national and local economy was on everyone’s mind in 2011. But as the Business Journal editorial staff set out to develop its Top Ten Stories of the Year, it quickly became clear that the North Bay was blessed with multiple economy-boosting projects and new commitments job creation.

Major players spur deals in Petaluma real estate

Three major players in Petaluma commercial real estate have spurred a number of companies to undertake expansions in the past 18 months.

Enphase Energy powers toward $100 million IPO

PETALUMA — Solar power technology startup Enphase Energy is preparing for what would be the North Bay’s largest initial public offering in years that could raise $100 million.

Business Journal Q&A: SolarCraft’s Bill Stewart

AN RAFAEL — Bill Stewart, an electrical contractor who saw the solar light early on, got into the industry in 1978 and founded SolarCraft in 1984, a good 20 years before improved state incentives encouraged a crop of solar companies to spring up in the North Bay.

Now at 45 employees Novato-based SolarCraft adheres to its original model: a crack team of installers do all the work themselves without resorting to contract workers except when intricate ground preparation is necessary.

Manufacturing Awards 2011: Leadership: Enphase Energy takes lead in solar technology

PETALUMA — Enphase Energy is the winner in the Leadership category, clearly ahead of the pack of new, green technology companies in the North Bay.

Basin Street completes $13 million purchase of Enphase expansion campus

PETALUMA — Basin Street Properties has completed the repurchase of three Petaluma office buildings totaling 210,000 square feet, with almost half of it reserved for local photovoltaic system developer Enphase Energy to expand into later this year.

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.

Enphase Energy files for IPO, leases 96,000 square feet in Petaluma

PETALUMA — Enphase Energy, Inc. announced today that it has filed a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a proposed initial public offering of its common stock. The number of shares to be offered and the price range for the offering have not yet been determined. As part of the regulatory filing, Enphase reported that it signed 10-year leases on June 3 for 96,000 square feet at 1400 and 1420 N. McDowell Blvd., two of the three office buildings that housed Alcatel-Lucent’s Petaluma team until April.

Enphase to launch road show

PETALUMA — Solar microinverters maker Enphase Energy is launching a 24-city North American roadshow tour to provide a sneak peek of its third generation microinverter system. The Enphase Sneak Preview Roadshow will begin with a kick off event in Petaluma on April 18, 2011, and the customized truck and trailer will then embark on a 60-day tour across the U.S. and Canada.

Spotlight: Leaders in Green Technology

This report highlights 46 North Bay professionals in various fields who have been leading development and implementation of environmentally sustainable technologies, such as solar electric and geothermal energy, erosion control for better stream water quality and energy-efficient construction.

Enphase expands to Europe

PETALUMA — Solar microinverter systems maker Enphase Energy today announced the opening of offices in France and Italy and appointment of two country managers there.

Top 10 Stories of 2010: Despite economy, tech, tourism show promise

It’s not even a close call on the top story of 2010. It was the economy — the persistent 10 percent unemployment, public fiscal crises and struggling real estate markets — that weighed on the North Bay.

Brad Bollinger: How about ‘300 tens’ for an economic strategy?

In economic times like these it’s important to re-emphasize — just in case one forgot — that the North Bay is home to some of the most innovative ideas in business, the environment and technology to be found anywhere.

Impact Sonoma Tuesday about jobs and future

ROHNERT PARK – The inaugural Business Journal Impact Sonoma conference will feature leaders in the fastest-growing segments of the local business community talking about jobs and what is needed to propel the economy of the future.

Enphase Energy in 4.5 megawatt deal

PETALUMA — Enphase Energy Inc. announced today that its microinverter technology will power 4.5 megawatts of solar projects developed and operated by Main Street Power, a national solar developer, and financed by Morgan Stanley.

Conference to examine conditions needed to fuel local economic vitality

NORTH BAY — What will propel Sonoma County’s economy in the years ahead? How will the region compete in an increasingly global market for innovation, labor and products? What conditions need to be in place to support economic vitality?

These are the questions the Business Journal’s Oct. 19 Impact Sonoma conference aims to answer for the business community in these uncertain times.

Impact Sonoma Conference: The job creators tell their stories

NORTH BAY — At the Business Journal’s inaugural Impact Sonoma conference, business leaders in technology, services and clean tech will address what it takes and the conditions that are needed to spur innovation and create jobs and wealth to support their communities.

The event will be held Tuesday, Oct. 19 at the Doubletree Hotel in Rohnert Park. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m., and the program runs from 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Tickets are $49 per person or $510 for a table of 10 and include continental breakfast. To register, contact Linda Perkins at 707-521-5264 or events@busjrnl.com by October 15, or go to www.NorthBayBusinessJournal.com.

Impact Sonoma forum Oct. 19 all about jobs and the future

ROHNERT PARK – The inaugural Business Journal Impact Sonoma conference will feature leaders in the fastest-growing segments of the local business community talking about jobs, jobs, jobs.

Impact Sonoma registration open until Oct. 15

Impact Sonoma Registration now open.
The Good News: The job creators tell their stories.
Hear from business leaders in technology, services and clean tech who know what it takes and the conditions that are needed to spur innovation and create jobs and wealth to support their communities.

Fast Growing Companies in 2010

Three of Sonoma County’s newest tech companies — Raydiance, Enphase Energy and Métier — have widely diverse products: ultra-short pulse lasers, microinverters for the solar industry and project portfolio management software.

BioMarin Pharmaceuticals, the Buck Institute for Age Research and TriVascular are expanding research, products and staff.

Nearly every sector within health care in the North Bay is undergoing rapid expansion, reflecting a nationwide trend that shows little sign of a respite. This is just a sampling of the quickly growing health care companies and providers across the North Bay, from corporate giants to rural clinics.

La Tavola, ProSight, Central Payment add space, markets; Frank-Lin, Kiewit to move to the North Bay: From linen rentals to financial transaction processing to insurance underwriting to alcoholic beverage production to heavy construction, several companies in various industries have relocated or expanded in the North Bay this year.