North Bay Business Journal

North Bay jobs picture shows continued strengthening in April

Unemployment rates across the North Bay had the seasonal drop in April from March but were markedly improved from figures for the previous April, as private-sector hiring increased in some counties while it remained flat in others, according to state figures released today.

Experts urge caution in ruling on meal and rest breaks

NORTH BAY — A recent state Supreme Court decision has greatly clarified the long contentious issue of when and how employers must provide meal and rest breaks — or at least the opportunity for meal and rest breaks — but employers still need to think carefully about the matter, employment law experts said.

North Coast water board names new executive officer

SANTA ROSA — The North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board announced the appointment of Matthew St. John, an 11-year staff member and head of logging and erosion regulation, as executive officer.

Memorial set to begin $15 million upgrade to emergency department

SANTA ROSA — Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital, the only level II trauma center in the region, said it will soon begin site preparation work on a $15 million renovation to its emergency department, a project that was delayed with the financial collapse of 2008.

North Bay unemployment rates rise slightly in March

Unemployment rates across the North Bay increased slightly in March, but the still-high rates were well below rates a year ago, according to state figures released this morning.

Report: Fine-wine sales to grow 7 percent to 11 percent in 2012

ST. HELENA — After strong sales growth last year, U.S. makers of fine wine could see somewhat moderated growth this year as an improving domestic economy and shrinking supply of grapes and wine may allow planned luxury bottle price increases stick in the marketplace, while global economic problems together with an increasing supply shortage may boost imported wine sales for the next few years, according to a highly watched annual wine industry forecast released today.

Foreclosure rate rises in Lake Co., falls elsewhere in North Bay

The proportions of homes in foreclosure in the North Bay last month was below the state average in four of the six counties, and the number of properties at risk of going back to lenders fell in all but Lake County over the past six months, according to data released today from foreclosure data compiler RealtyTrac.

Construction on new Sonoma Co. courthouse could start in 2014

The State Public Works Board in Sacramento today approved acquisition of three Santa Rosa properties needed to build a $178.7 million new Sonoma County criminal courthouse. It’s one of an estimated $380 million in projects for two new courthouses and one major renovation in North Bay counties in the next few years.

The supply puzzle: Experts weigh in on how a shortage will impact industry

Wine consumption is growing worldwide and particularly in the world’s new largest wine market, the U.S. Trouble is, shocks to the global economy and to the wine business in particular over the past several years along with tough growing seasons have dramatically limited the supply of grapes and wine sold in bulk to supply the thirst.

The Business Journal asked members of the 2012 Wine Industry Conference panel on grape and wine supply panel at the about some of the hotly discussed topics in the wine business in California.

Winegrape shortage could last six to eight years

After nearly 10 years of oversupply and low prices, California winegrapes and bulk wines are suddenly in a position of scarcity. Wineries are scurrying to find grapes and secure vineyard assets, while négociant wineries see their wine sources dwindling. How did we come to be in this situation, and what lies ahead for growers, wineries and consumers?

Experts: winegrape shortage to persist for years

NAPA — Not enough winegrapes have been planted in California, leading to a shortage of fruit for wine in the next several years, so growers and wineries should be actively working together to boost that supply, according to two major industry experts.

Russian River water supply back to ‘normal’

SANTA ROSA — Thanks to the “March miracle” rainfall, Russian River water supply conditions on April 1 will change from “critical” to “normal” under the Sonoma County Water Agency’s water rights permits and State Water Resource Control Board Decision 1610.

Sales taxes rise in Vallejo, Mendocino County and Fairfax

NORTH BAY — A majority of new voter-approved sales tax increases taking effect in California on Sunday are in the North Bay.

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.

February foreclosure rates beat state in four of six North Bay counties

NORTH BAY — The proportions of homes in foreclosure in the North Bay last month matched or were below the state average in four of the six counties, and the number of properties at risk of going back to lenders fell throughout the region in recent months, according to a report released today from foreclosure data compiler RealtyTrac.

American AgCredit reports record 2011 earnings, dividend

SANTA ROSA — American AgCredit today reported net earnings last year increased 88 percent from 2010 to a new record for the Santa Rosa-based agricultural lending giant.

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.

Wine sales ended 2011 on a positive note

Sales of California fine wine ended 2011 on the upswing, and vintner margins are improving, according to a recent industry survey and new data on California shipments.

California retail sales grew faster than in North Bay

SACRAMENTO — Retail sales activity grew at a slower rate in the North Bay than in the rest of California in the final quarter of 2010 versus the same period in 2009, according to the most recent data made available today by the California State Board of Equalization.

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.