North Bay Business Journal

Schaffner to leave Sonoma County Alliance

SANTA ROSA — Lisa Wittke Schaffner plans to step down after seven years as top executive of the Sonoma County Alliance, a 380-member political action group.

Santa Rosa task force focuses on city processes, fees

SANTA ROSA — The Planning and Permitting Study Group formed by the Mayor’s Economic Development Task Force has identified issues and practices in the city of Santa Rosa’s Community Development Department that it believes should be re-examined in an effort to streamline application and permitting processes to support Santa Rosa’s business stimulus efforts.

Mayor’s task force explores making Santa Rosa competitive

SANTA ROSA — A list of viable business enhancing proposals, that could help jump start the local Santa Rosa economy and be implemented quickly, is being actively considered by the Mayor’s Task Force on Economic Competitiveness.

After Hours: Sonoma County Alliance reception

Feb. 24, 2011: The Sonoma County Alliance Political Action Committee Legislative Reception was held at Kendall Jackson Wine Center

Commentary: Cities cry foul over Gov. Brown’s funding ‘shell game’

Gov. Jerry Brown’s ears likely were burning early Wednesday morning.

That’s because his idea to end redevelopment funding for cities and counties – part of his plan to close a more than $26 billion California budget deficit – came in for a shellacking

From this morning’s Sonoma County Alliance meeting: Local officials discuss proposed redevelopment cuts

The following are quick takes from local public officials via the Business Journal’s Twitter feed (twitter.com/NBBJ) from this morning’s discussion on Gov. Jerry Brown’s proposal to cut redevelopment agency funding for cities and counties.

Organizations fund startup of jobs project

NORTH BAY – Three North Bay organizations have seed-funded the formation of a Jobs & Prosperity Project to educate voters on local candidates and their support of job creation.

Career development program catching on with students, business

SONOMA COUNTY – Local students and young adults will soon have access to new career planning, job placement and online resume building programs, following an effort by county leaders to motivate and prepare youth for employment.

Assemblyman: Budget mess ‘has not been solved’

SANTA ROSA – Calling the ongoing state budget debacle “the worst crisis in our history,” California State Assemblyman Jared Huffman outlined a six-point reform package he believes could return the Golden State to fiscal responsibility.

Seven cities, county share economic development plans

In an attempt to foster mutual cooperation and enhance awareness of economic development activities throughout Sonoma County, eight government agencies came together at a Sonoma County Alliance meeting June 3 at the Santa Rosa Golf and Country Club to talk about retaining existing businesses, attracting new ones, creating jobs and leveraging private/public partnerships to stimulate growth.

Business Journal Q&A: How new world order in banking impacts borrowers

The following questions and answers on financial industry trends are based on an interview with Patrick Kilkenny, an independent business and financial services adviser based in Santa Rosa who previously served as president of the National Bank of the Redwoods for 22 years.