North Bay Business Journal

WINDSOR — KriStar Enterprises first realized it needed a third production plant a year ago when it landed a huge rush order to install a newly designed and bulky system to collect and clean rainwater flowing off the expansive parking lots of the forthcoming 49ers stadium in Santa Clara, and now the Santa Rosa-based company is rushing to get a plant in Windsor on line by early next year to supply a large Caltrans contract.

SEBASTOPOL — The Palm Drive Healthcare District on Monday will decide if it should transfer operations of its medical clinic to the Prima Medical Foundation, a move that, if approved, could help the 37-bed hospital bolster its finances while perhaps recruiting new physicians and adding new services.

United Healthcare will roll out its Signature Value Alliance network geared toward smaller employers in all of Northern California in 2013, with Sutter Health serving as the foundation for the HMO product, the Minnesota-based health insurer said.

SANTA ROSA — Sutter Health will expand its Advanced Illness Management initiative into Sonoma County, marking the fist major expansion of the program that focuses heavily on late-stage chronic illness and best treatment options for such conditions.

NORTH BAY — Oakland-based microlender Oakland Business Development Co. is now actively pursuing borrowers in the North Bay and beyond, bolstered by a new loan program backed by the U.S. Small Business Administration and by demand created in a financial climate that has pushed traditional lenders away from smaller loans in recent years.

Many business owners are aware of the Small Business Administration (SBA) loan programs in which local banks participate. Most are not aware, however, of the SBA’s Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) Program. The SBIC program was created to help fill the gap between the availability of growth capital and the needs of small businesses.

Santa Rosa’s State Assistance for Enterprise, Business and Industrial Development Corp., the non-depository lender better known as SAFE-BIDCO, has raised the profile of its agricultural lending program after boosting the dollars it can lend through a new arrangement with the state and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. …

Bank of Marin Bancorp (NASDAQ: BMRC), parent company of Bank of Marin, announced that it has opened a new branch office in Tiburon’s Cove Shopping Center on Nov. 19, replacing a former branch in the town of Strawberry. …

Wells Fargo N.A. has announced the launch of a new homebuyer assistance program known as CityLIFT. …

NOVATO — Ctuit Software has been helping restaurant chain owners better manage finances and operations for more than a decade, and now the maker of those tools is seeing to it that it has the talent and infrastructure in place to manage its own fast growth.

SAN RAFAEL — Autodesk Inc, the leader in licensed computer-aided design software, has launched a free 3-D design application.

Available to iPad, Mac and PC users and accessible by any mobile device with a web browser is 123D Design, an easy-to-use modeling and sharing tool that Autodesk hopes will tweak the creative impulses of potential future designers and manufacturers. Its the first 3-D modeling app in the 123D Design line.

LAS VEGAS – Autodesk Inc.’s 20th University event last week was all about cloud computing. The long-time leader in computer-aided design software showcased a complete line of cloud-based design, engineering and visualization tools.

Tax laws are likely to change in 2013, and now is the time to take advantage of some of the most advantageous estate tax benefits you may see in your lifetime. This assumes that you have a carefully conceived estate plan which allows you to decide how your assets should be handled when you die or become incapacitated. You’ve probably spent a great deal of time and energy accumulating your wealth, and a good estate plan protects your interests and those of your loved ones when you no longer can.

Events in the north San Francisco Bay Area of interest to the business community

Altus Equity Group, LP, in Santa Rosa announced that it funded and closed its latest investment fund last month. …

Bear Republic Brewing Company in Cloverdale brought home a silver medal at the 2012 Festival of Wood and Barrel-Aged Beer, the country’s largest celebration of wood and barrel-aged beer. …

Sebastopol-based Leff Construction has been awarded Residential Design+Build’s national 2012 Design Excellence Award for innovative technology integration for a custom residence project located in Cazadero. …

Marin County and Napa Valley restaurants will be participating in California Restaurant Month (DineinCA.com) for all of January, and those in Vacaville during Jan. 18-27. …

Sonoma Marin Area Rail Transit announced that it has been selected by The Bond Buyer as the Far West finalist for its “Deal of the Year” Award, recognizing SMART’s 2011 $191 million Measure Q Sales Tax Revenue Bond issuance for innovation in public finance. …

Commercial real estate leases and sales in the north San Francisco Bay Area

Oct. 4, 2012: PDI Surgery Center held its 6th Annual Make Kids Smile Award and Dinner at the French Garden in Sebastopol.

On Oct. 29, 1975, the New York Daily News carried this headline after President Gerald Ford gave a speech denying federal assistance to keep New York out of bankruptcy: “Ford to City: Drop Dead.”

For Santa Rosa and its 13-year effort to rebuild Railroad Square, the headline could read: “Gov. Brown and Sacramento to Santa Rosa: Drop Dead.”