North Bay Business Journal

PETALUMA — Bringing the paper-based practices of the California Department of Motor Vehicles into the digital age has put startup software developer AVRS in the fast lane toward growth.

Solar permitting throughout Sonoma County is now a singular process with one fee, solar advocates announced.

SANTA ROSA — Citing marked improvements in the financial footing of its members, Redwood Credit Union reported increases in portfolio quality, lending, equity, total membership and a number of other measures during 2012.

PETALUMA — New leases to Beverages & More, JPMorgan Chase Bank and Chipotle Mexican Grill bring the 291,000 square feet of retail space under construction at the East Washington Place project to more than 90 percent leased, even as the scheduled opening of the anchor Target store is still months away.

Following a year when Sonoma County businesses provided some of the fastest job growth in the nation, local economic-development groups are rolling out initiatives to continue the momentum in 2013.

The battle between local and state governments over redevelopment funds earmarked for construction projects is intensifying as Santa Rosa, Petaluma and the county of Sonoma take legal action after state finance officials repeatedly rejected claims that the funds are legitimately committed to projects in advanced stages of progress.

The role of facility managers is expanding, enabling some to move from middle management closer to the C Suite — 11 percent are senior executives working alongside the CEO, CFO and COO.

SONOMA COUNTY — A number of large Sonoma County nonprofits and public agencies have expressed interest in a new energy efficiency upgrade program being developed under the Sonoma County Water Agency, hoping to use its unique financing structure to upgrade aging facilities, realize immediate gains through lower maintenance costs and ultimately lower costs for energy use.

“Manufacturing is the backbone of any economy.” “California was built on manufacturing.” “Our state can’t survive without manufacturing.” These are themes regularly stated by the media and our policymakers but often the missives are rhetorical generalizations that are not completely understood. 2013 brings new dynamics to California’s capitol and fresh new faces, most of whom know but don’t always understand exactly why manufacturing is so important.

The value of a company is in its innovation, product, and market position. I believe the most often overlooked asset is the staff. They create your goods, provide your service, have direct contact with the customer, and represent your brand everywhere they go online and off. They impact your business in a multitude of ways on a daily basis. Investing in their business education is critical to your success.

Sonoma Clean Power is a program being developed by the Sonoma County Water Agency to purchase electricity for Sonoma County customers. This program has multiple benefits and risks, is complex and not well understood by Sonoma County residents and businesses. In order to help the North Bay Business Journal readers understand the various aspects of Sonoma Clean Power, the Journal is partnering with the Sonoma County Water Agency to publish a series of articles discussing the various aspects of this effort. This article, the fifth in the series, discusses the goals of Sonoma Clean Power.

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

The Climate Change Business Journal, a business research publication which provides high-value strategic business intelligence to the climate change industry, honored Marin Clean Energy among 34 companies and organizations for business achievement on criteria such as revenue growth, smart grid and energy management, low-carbon and renewable power, energy-efficiency innovation, renewable-energy integration, climate change adaptation projects, NGO activity. …

A proposal by Homeward Bound of Marin to create 14 small rental homes for formerly homeless working families has received a $600,000 grant from the Marin Community Foundation. …

The Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Counties announced its decision to award URJ Camp Newman a $1 million grant to support the redevelopment of the 65-year old camp located in Sonoma County. …

Farella Braun + Martel LLP celebrated its 50th anniversary with community service, including $500,000 in gifts and 5,000 hours of volunteering. …

North Bay events of interest to the business community

San Francisco-based Burr Pilger Mayer, Inc., which has a Santa Rosa office, appointed Curtis Burr chief executive officer. …

First District Sonoma County Supervisor Susan Gorin said Pat Gilardi will be her district director. …

Women’s Initiative for Self Employment, an entrepreneurial training and funding nonprofit organization, elected Kim Kaselionis to its national governing board. …

The SMART board of directors unanimously elected Marin County Supervisor Judy Arnold as board chairman and Barbara Pahre as vice chairman. …

Dana Estates promoted Cameron Vawter to winemaker for the Rutherford-based cabernet sauvignon producer. …

ROHNERT PARK — Tourism in Sonoma County continues to rebound at an encouraging pace, with revenue and hotel occupancy rates besting those of the previous two years, experts said Wednesday at an annual meeting on local tourism.