North Bay Business Journal

SANTA ROSA — State-funded nonprofit First 5 Sonoma County granted $1.38 million to an early childhood and parent education “campus” at Santa Rosa’s Lawrence Cook Middle School, part of $5.13 million in one-time grants to support what educators and employers call the “cradle to career” approach to workforce development.

SANTA ROSA — A $1.38 million grant to Community Action Partnership of Sonoma County will help to establish a new hub for early-childhood and family-assistance programs in southwest Santa Rosa.

American River Bank, a subsidiary of American River Bankshares [NASDAQ-GS: AMRB], with the American River Bankshares Foundation awarded $147,500 to nine nonprofit organizations in Northern California, including Legal Aid of Sonoma County. …

Redwood Trust, Inc. (NYSE:RWT) declared a first-quarter regular dividend of 28 cents per share, the first increase in six years. …

Rabobank, N.A., launched a program that automatically rewards customers for everyday banking. …

Redwood Credit Union, in partnership with the Sonoma County Office of Education and Santa Rosa City Schools, plans to offer eighth free 16-hour Financial Academy sessions for Sonoma County high school juniors and seniors on March 19–21. …

The application deadline for the Doyle Scholarship at Santa Rosa Junior College, restored for the 2013–14 academic year, is March 14. …

Enphase Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ: ENPH) said the 902-kilowatt photovoltaic project at Strain Ranches in Arbuckle was successfully commissioned. …

SONOMA COUNTY — In an effort closely watched by school, government and nonprofit groups around the state, the Sonoma County Water Agency is working to launch a first-in-California bond financing program that will allow millions of dollars in energy efficiency upgrades to schools and other public facilities at a time of intense budgetary rationing.

North Bay facilities managers recognized this year for their achievements are Sal Balderrama of Trivascular, Jennifer Bruneman of Santa Rosa City Schools, Jacques Charton of Dominican University of California, Christopher Dinno of Sonoma State University, Jason Duval of Clos Pegase, Willie Ghilotti of Ghilotti Construction Company, David Gonzales of La Tortilla Factory, Sue Maddigan of Exchange Bank, Tony McCormick of Agilent Technologies, Jim Neely of Sonoma Wine Company, John Nicolette of Don Sebastiani & Sons, Ralph O’Rear of Buck Institute for Research on Aging, Jake Pewitt of Mary’s Pizza Shack, Matt Rudie of Enphase Energy and Dale Withers of Pacific Union College.

Construction industry column: Napa-based civil engineering, surveying and construction inspection services firm Chaudhary & Associates is bouncing back from the huge slowdown in private construction projects in the past few years, thanks to public works projects rolling forward.

With classes out for the summer at Piner High School in Santa Rosa, Angwin-based general contractor Helmer & Sons has started construction on the school’s Science and Technology Center.

MK2 Engineers relocated its main office from downtown Napa to The Wiseman Co.’s Green Valley Executive Center in Fairfield, but the mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineering firm intends to retain a small Napa office for meetings with winery clients.

Santa Rosa-based Ygrene Energy Fund, which sets up energy-efficiency retrofit programs for local governments backed by $650 million in financing power from Barclay’s Capital, Lockheed Martin and Energi, was awarded the silver level of the 2012 Edison Award in the innovative services category for social innovation.

Crestron Electronics, a New Jersey-based large integrator of high-tech control and automation systems for homes, schools and businesses, expanded and relocated its Northern California offices.

Novato-based electrical and information-technology contractor W. Bradley Electric Inc. promoted Steve Scannell.

NORTH BAY — At a time of historic strain on funding for schools in California, a number of local and national efforts are underway to support training in what many say is an important and often overlooked life skill for young adults — personal finance.

Dates: March 22–23, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and March 24, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Redwood Credit Union, along with Santa Rosa City Schools and the Sonoma County Office of Education, is offering its fourth free Financial Academy for local high school students.

College of Marin has received a $106,500 workforce grant for its dental assistant program.

NORTH BAY – Redwood Credit Union, along with Santa Rosa City Schools and the Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce, is hosting a course in financial literacy for high school students this summer.