North Bay Business Journal

SSU conference includes timely forecast, state controller, food industry visionary

The annual Sonoma State University Economic Outlook Conference Feb. 23, which for nearly two decades has been one of the benchmark events in the North Bay, will include a unique combination of high-level presentations from one of the region’s leading economists, the founder of the area’s private natural foods producer and a top state budget official.

Marin Economic Forum picks first CEO

MARIN COUNTY — The Marin Economic Forum today announced the appointment of Neil Stone as the organization’s first chief executive officer.

Citing Mr. Stone’s previous roles as a consultant, administrator and a director in both the public and private sector and on the state, local and national levels, the forum’s board of directors in a statement said he “brings a wealth of experience.”

Rob Eyler of Sonoma State University served as both interim CEO and chief economist during MEF’s start-up phase will continue as the group’s chief economist.

Sixth ‘Sustainable Enterprise’ forum to be held May 13

ROHNERT PARK – Business, government and academic leaders are gearing up for the sixth annual Sustainable Enterprise Conference on May 13.

Conference issues a wake-up call on pensions

NORTH BAY – Local, state and federal governments have unfunded pensions coming due in the trillions dollars, said Joe Nation, former state Assemblyman and Director of Graduate Public Policy Practicum at Stanford University at the annual Sonoma State University Economic Outlook conference.

Looking for the next Google, SSU, cluster set business plan contest

ROHNERT PARK – Polish up those bright ideas, budding entrepreneurs. The first business plan pageant is under way at the North Bay iHub and the winner could be the next Nick Sturiale.

2011 Trends: Economist: ‘A lot of little green shoots springing up’

NORTH BAY – While some dark clouds remain on the economic horizon, North Bay economists and business climate watchers are increasingly bullish about the 2011 regional forecast.

‘To Our Children’s, Children’s Children’

When the iPod in shuffle mode came upon the Moody Blues album “To Our Children’s Children’s Children,” it seemed a perfect analogy for today.

North Bay Growth & Innovation Forum set for Wednesday

SANTA ROSA – Entrepreneurs will gather on Oct. 20 as the North Bay Growth & Innovation Forum presents its ninth session since its first event in 2006.

Contractors have seen the best and the worst in a battered industry

The 2010 Spotlight on Leaders in Contracting on pages 6 to 13 illuminates how top general and specialty contractors have remained on top as a number of sectors of the construction industry have contracted significantly in the past four years.

Marin OKs $150,000 for economic forum

MARIN – The Marin County Board of Supervisors has approved giving the Marin Economic Forum $150,000 to continue its work.

Conference speakers to address economy, permit best practices

NORTH BAY — The good news is that the worst part of the recession generally is over for the local construction industry, according to conference panelist Rob Eyler, chair of the Sonoma State University Economics Department and director of the institution’s Center for Regional Economic Analysis.

Dr. Eyler will be one of the panelists at the Business Journal’s annual Construction Conference on Wednesday, offering opportunities for the North Bay economy and its significant construction industry to prepare for the next business cycle.

Construction event to focus on conditions needed for recovery

NORTH BAY — The Business Journal’s 2010 Construction Conference on May 19, titled “We’re ready: Laying the foundation for economic recovery,” will focus on taking action to build a plan for a healthy construction industry in the North Bay.
The event will be Wednesday, May 19 at the Doubletree Hotel in Rohnert Park with registration from 1 to 1:30 and the program from 1:30 to 4:30. A wine and hors d’oeuvres reception will follow. Tickets are $49 per person or $510 for a table of 10, including company name on the table. To register, call 707-521-5264, e-mail events@busjrnl.com or go to www.NorthBayBusinessJournal.com by Friday, May 14.

Disney departure dubbed wake-up call

NOVATO — The sudden announcement last week that Disney will be shutting its 450-employee ImageMovers Digital animation studio could act as a wake-up call to Marin County, said the head of the newly formed Marin Economic Forum.

SSU conference ‘call to action’ on economy gets response

NORTH BAY – “This is a call to action,” said Dr. William Silver, dean of the School of Business and Economics at Sonoma State University when he opened its annual economic outlook conference Feb. 25.

SSU forum to focus on economic corporation

ROHNERT PARK – The North Bay must act immediately to form an economic development agency focused on improving the region’s economy, according to William Silver, dean of the School of Business and Economics at SSU.

Study: Energy program could be jobs booster

A Sonoma County program allowing for energy-efficient upgrades to buildings has already begun to create much needed contracting jobs, and according to a recent outlook report could create thousands more.

Report lays out regional strategy to keep, create jobs

Transforming the North Bay into a “jobs magnet,” complete with a tri-county “Innovation Corridor” to drive job development is just one of the economic recovery and long-term growth recommendations proposed in a report commissioned by the North Bay Leadership Council.

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.