The Milliken Avenue Grade Separation is a $50 million project planned for completion in June 2013. The new construction will elevate the existing railroad tracks over Milliken Avenue, enhancing traffic flow and reducing vehicular congestion and emissions.   The girder installations next week will require road closures on Milliken Avenue from Guasti Road to Airport Drive.  To minimize impacts to the community, road closures are scheduled at night, between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. on Monday, January 23, Tuesday, January 24 and Monday, January 30.  Detours and alternate routes will be posted.

“T.J. brings his valuable experience of a life spent in agriculture to the Index Fresh position. His hands-on experience gives him a unique understanding of growers and their specialized needs within the industry,” Cavaletto stated.

T.J. grew up in agriculture, living in Fallbrook and Anza, California, where he garnered daily experience at his father’s horse ranch. His love for farming has always been an important part of his life. Throughout his school years, he was active in 4H and FFA. After earning his bachelor’s degree from Cal State San Marcos in 2009, he worked for the fertilizer industry. His expertise in the fertilizer component of farming makes him a valuable resource for farmers.

When recently asked about his appointment to the position of field representative he commented, “In order for Index to succeed, growers must succeed. I look forward to addressing growers’ need for information in the continually changing agriculture industry, and I am looking forward to the challenges of serving them on behalf of Index Fresh.”

Index Fresh, Inc. is a grower-owned packing, marketing, and shipping company located in Bloomington, California. The company remains strongly committed to keeping Index growers, customers, and trading partners on the cutting edge of the produce industry.

The company distributes premium avocados – year-round – to large retailers, small specialty retailers, and to the food service industry. The company has been in business since 1914 and entered the import avocado industry in 1991, to accommodate the increasingly high demand for avocados.

            ONTARIO, CALIF. (December 6, 2011) – Recognized as the leading business event in the Inland Empire, the Ontario State of the City business networking event will be held at the Ontario Convention Center on March 21, 2012. In 2011, the event attracted close to 1,000 business, government and community leaders for a forward-thinking discussion about the City of Ontario and a panel discussion from local senior-level business executives.

For 2012, the event theme will be “Creating Opportunity. Building Value.” This 2012 theme will focus on issues important to business as well as provide updates to community members on important Ontario projects, including Ontario International Airport. The City will also use the event to emphasize its proactive support for business, including entrepreneurial start-ups, small business and global Fortune 500 corporations.

“In today’s economy, the most important role for local government is to help its existing businesses to thrive and grow and to position itself as a solid choice for new business investment,” said Ontario Mayor Paul Leon. “Our emphasis on creating a ‘Complete Community’ for our City must include both quality housing and amenities and ongoing job opportunities. The State of the City is an important opportunity for us to talk to business owners and employers and for our business community to network and build advantageous business relationships.”

Christopher Thornberg, founding partner of Beacon Economics, LLC and an expert in the study of regional economies, real estate dynamics, labor markets and business forecasting, will lead a business discussion on the local and regional economy following the Mayor and Council State of the City presentation.
Dr. Thornberg has established a reputation as one of the state’s leading economic forecasters. He is currently chief economic advisor to the California State Controller’s Office and serves as Chair of California State Controller John Chiang’s Council of Economic Advisors – the body that advises the state’s chief fiscal officer about emerging economic issues. Widely quoted in the media, he has appeared on NBC’s The Today Show, ABC’s Nightline, CNN, FOX News Channel, MSNBC, NPR, and is regularly quoted in major national and California dailies including the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, and Chicago Tribune.

Ontario remains committed to developing a ‘Complete Community’ for those who live and work in the City. Companies continue to see Ontario as an attractive long term investment. The City is committed to providing businesses a trained workforce, lifestyle amenities, and a variety of housing choices.

State of the City 2012 provides unique sponsorship opportunities. For more information, contact Kelela Wakefield, kwakefield@ci.ontario.ca.us or 909.395.2297.

About The City of Ontario: The City of Ontario in Southern California ’Thinks like a business’. Located just 35 miles from Los Angeles, Ontario is uniquely positioned as an important “economic engine”. Ontario is home to Ontario International Airport, and an incomparable transportation system of three major freeways and two railroads that provide access to the region, the nation and the globe. With a highly skilled local talent base and lower cost space than coastal counties, Ontario, California is the place to do business. For more information, visit www.OntarioThinksBusiness.com.

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (Nov. 28, 2011) –The San Bernardino Valley Enterprise Zone (SBVEZ) is pleased to announce that the California Department of Housing and Community Development approved an expansion of the zone, effective Nov. 8.

The designated SBVEZ territory has increased by 2,962 acres, or approximately four square miles. The zone now covers most all commercial and industrial areas within the cities of Colton and San Bernardino, and some additional unincorporated areas of San Bernardino County in Bloomington and around the Auto Club Speedway.

“SBVEZ supports regional business growth and job creation by incentivizing businesses to make workforce and capital investments,” said Wendy Clements, SBVEZ zone manager. “The expansion allows more local companies to utilize the program’s tax credits, which will contribute to their ability to hire more workers, retain workers and take on new business ventures.”

The expansion incorporates approximately 3,000 additional businesses, increasing the total number of local companies that can qualify for the zone’s tax incentives to approximately 8,000. Examples of new businesses in the zone include Fiesta Village Family Fun Park, Dalton Trucking and the Mexico Restaurant.

“Like many other businesses, we understand the value of the enterprise zone’s tax credits and have eagerly awaited the day we would be eligible,” said Michelle Kapuscinski, president of Fiesta Village Family Fun Park. “Entertainment businesses like ours are typically hit hard during difficult economic times because families don’t have extra money to spend. Fiesta Village requires a tremendous amount of maintenance and staff to operate, and the tax credits will allow us to hire more full-time employees and make necessary improvements to the park to help us operate more efficiently and provide an enhanced experience for our guests.”

SBVEZ was designed in 2006 and offers several tax incentives that help businesses reduce their operating costs by subsidizing a small amount of their state tax liability for hiring challenged workers that face barriers to employment and making equipment purchases.

About the San Bernardino Valley Enterprise Zone

The San Bernardino Valley Enterprise Zone is an Enterprise Zone established by the California Department of Housing and Community Development to encourage investment, growth, development and job creation in economically distressed areas of the county. The zone covers approximately 46 square miles and includes areas of Colton, San Bernardino and unincorporated portions of San Bernardino County. The Enterprise Zone is a joint effort between the Inland Valley Development Agency, City of Colton, City of San Bernardino, and the County of San Bernardino.  For more information, visit www.SBVEZ.com, or email wclements@sbrda.org

            The Workshop will be held at the Fontana Community Senior Center, located at 16710 Ceres Avenue, Fontana, CA 92335 on Thursday, December 1, 2011 from 6:00p.m. – 8:00p.m.  Anyone interested in giving recommendations or ideas to improve access for bicyclists and pedestrians is invited to attend.

            If you have questions or would like more information please contact Joe Walcek, SANBAG Project Manager, at (909) 884-8276, or Monique Molina, with the City of Fontana, at (909) 350-7607.

“More local businesses are employing workers that qualify for the credit, which is a good sign for many unemployed residents that have not been able to get a job because they have difficulty obtaining employment,” said Wendy Clements, SBVEZ zone manager.

Last year, approximately 2,300 vouchers were filed by 182 businesses. This year 200 businesses have already taken advantage of the incentive.

The hiring tax credit is the most commonly used program incentive, which grants employers a tax deduction on their state income tax for each qualified worker they employ.  Workers that qualify for the credit are those that (1) were hired after January 2006, (2) work in the zone area, and (3) face challenges to employment such as long periods of joblessness, lack of skills and education, and having a disability or criminal history.

In order to claim the tax credit, a business must file a voucher certificate with an SBVEZ agent for each worker.

About the San Bernardino Valley Enterprise Zone

The San Bernardino Valley Enterprise Zone is an Enterprise Zone established by the California Department of Housing and Community Development to encourage investment, growth, development and job creation in economically distressed areas of the county. The zone covers approximately 42 square miles and includes areas of Colton, San Bernardino and unincorporated portions of San Bernardino County. The Enterprise Zone is a joint effort between the Inland Valley Development Agency, City of Colton, City of San Bernardino, and the County of San Bernardino.  For more information, visit www.SBVEZ.com, or email wclemetns@sbrda.org

ONTARIO, CA, November 1, 2011 – The Kaiser Permanente Ontario Medical Center opened its doors at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, November 1, bringing more jobs to the Inland Empire and expanding Kaiser Permanente’s convenient health care offerings and sustainable building design. Designed with the patient in mind, this spacious 386,000 square foot hospital combines cutting-edge technology with a peaceful, patient-centered atmosphere.

The Ontario Medical Center is based on Kaiser Permanente’s “template” design that represents the next generation of Kaiser Permanente facilities. Its design allows for enhanced flexibility to accommodate changing practices and technologies, such as the addition of “green” features to the building. It is also designed to meet the new, more rigorous seismic safety standards.

“This state-of-the-art facility is one of the largest, greenest, and most technologically advanced ever built in the area, and we are thrilled to be opening our doors,” said Greg Christian, Executive Director, Kaiser Foundation Hospitals/Health Plan, Fontana and Ontario. “This investment symbolizes our commitment to the health of all people who live and work in the Inland Empire.”
Added Dr. David Quam, Area Medical Director and Chief of Staff,  “With this second Kaiser Permanente medical center in San Bernardino County, we are now better able to serve our members and the communities on the west end.  Our exceptional team of physicians is committed to providing patients with the best preventive and medical care.”

All patient rooms are private with an acoustic design that reduces noise. Walls are decorated with warm colors and artwork – inspired by nature and specially commissioned for this hospital. A family-friendly environment offers beds for overnight stays and wireless Internet access, amenities which enhance the overall care experience. Numerous sky lights and large windows maximize natural light which eases stress, is good for the environment, and contributes to a better patient experience.

“This hospital is all about the clinical and personal needs of our patients,” said Georgina Garcia, Chief Operating Officer.  “Our technology is state of the art, and our healing environment focuses on personalized care.  Patient meals will be utilizing the sous vide method for cooking food, used in the finest hotels, and patients can order their meals room service-style – select their menu choices and indicate the time they’d prefer meals to be delivered.”

The Ontario Medical Center incorporates advanced technology at every opportunity. It is the first medical center in the Kaiser Permanente system to have a fully integrated Information Technology infrastructure across the entire campus. Kaiser Permanente’s electronic medical record system is accessible by computer terminals next to each bed and at nursing stations, allowing providers to retrieve essential medical information at the touch of a finger. Sophisticated imaging systems improve diagnostic and treatment capabilities. A wall-to-wall wireless network provides wireless network coverage in all areas of the campus to support computing devices, wireless telephones, and member access.

The new hospital is also a “green” facility.  Numerous environmentally-friendly design and operational features ensure that this new hospital is a place of health for the planet, too.
“Kaiser Permanente is committed to building environmentally-friendly health care facilities,” said William Meyer, Medical Group Administrator.  ”The new Ontario Medical Center is reflective of our commitment to our members, as well as Kaiser Permanente physicians and staff, to be good stewards to the environment.”

Some of the industry-leading green features of the new Ontario Medical Center include:

• White, heat-reflective roof to reduce cooling needs
• Use of recycled water to irrigate landscape
• Drought-resistant landscaping
• Eco-friendly wall coverings and flooring
• Carpet and furnishings made of recycled content
• Energy-efficient lighting, electrical and plumbing systems
• Use of green cleaning products by housekeeping staff
• Elimination of mercury in medical equipment
• Use of low-VOC (volatile organic compound) paint
• Campus-wide recycling program
• Bicycle racks to encourage clean, alternative transportation

Kaiser Permanente’s investment in the Ontario Medical Center is part of its continuing evolution in Southern California and nationally. In the last several years, the organization has committed billions of dollars in upgrades, new construction projects, and the future health of its members. The Kaiser Permanente Fontana Medical Center replacement hospital will open in 2013.

About Kaiser Permanente 
Kaiser Permanente is America’s leading health care provider and not-for-profit health plan founded in 1945 with the mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. Care for our 8.6 million members is focused on their total health and guided by their personal physicians, specialists and team of caregivers. Our expert medicine is empowered by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention and chronic disease management.  Through these innovations, along with clinical research, health education and community support, Kaiser Permanente is shaping the future of health care. For more information, go to www.kp.org/newscenter.

Kaiser Permanente’s Fontana and Ontario Service Area has provided comprehensive, affordable health care to the Inland Empire for more than 60 years and serves more than 400,000 members. The service area includes the Kaiser Foundation Hospitals in Fontana and Ontario, and medical offices in Fontana, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, Colton, Claremont, Montclair, Chino, San Bernardino, Victorville, Redlands, and Upland.

Jobs are disappearing in California and, in an economy where every job counts, manufacturing matters more than ever.  Manufacturing jobs are an essential engine of growth with high wages, innovation, and tremendous spillover effects in the economy and service sectors.  California Manufacturers and Technology Association president, Jack Stewart, will present statistical information onCalifornia’s loss of recent manufacturing investment and explain what that means for the state’s economic recovery and job base.  Stewart will also outline key state policies that, if passed, will lower operating costs, ensure predictable regulations, and develop skilled workers to makeCaliforniaa more competitive place to operate.

Forum is open to both members and non-members.  The cost to attend is $30 per person, or $240 for a table of 8, and includes lunch.  Reservations are required and must be received no later than October 20, 2011.  For more information on this event, or to RSVP, please contact DeAnna Gorgei-Martindale, Special Events Manager, Victorville Chamber of Commerce at (760) 245-6506 or visit the Chamber website at www.vvchamber.com.

This event is sponsored by Abengoa Solar, Inc., Desert Valley Medical Group, High Desert Primary Care Medical Group, ICR Staffing Services/DegreedJobs.com, and Southwest Gas Corporation.

Grant aims to help employers in vital economic sectors with talent location and employee development

San Bernardino, CA (October 6, 2011) – Two hundred laid-off workers are being recruited for free job training by the San Bernardino County Workforce Investment Board.  Employers are also being sought to receive a reimbursement for wages paid through On-the-Job Training contracts.

The San Bernardino County Workforce Investment Board was just awarded a $1.5 million Workforce Investment Act Multi-Sector Partnership National Emergency Grant to train San Bernardino County’s workforce.

“This grant will pay for laid-off workers to participate in On-the-Job Training, paid work experience, internships and customized training programs,” said Sandy Harmsen, Executive Director of the Workforce Investment Board and Director of Workforce Development.  “It also provides support services for participants such as tools and transportation, depending upon their needs.”

The California Multi-Sector Workforce Partnership was formed to address 123 mass layoffs in California that affected 32,527 workers in19 industries statewide. The partnership expects 5,887 California residents to receive free training paid for by this grant.

The purpose of this partnership is to provide a collaborative response to the retraining and career transition needs of economically dislocated workers. It also aims to help employers in vital economic sectors with talent location and employee development.

“The Board of Supervisors is dedicated to providing the support local businesses need to continue to employ County residents,” said Josie Gonzales, Chair and County of San Bernardino Fifth District Supervisor.  “Employers who participate in On-the-Job Training programs will receive support through the reimbursement of wages for employees in training.”

All trainees must be registered for training by December 31, 2011.

Employers or jobseekers with questions should call (800) 451–JOBS (5627) or visit one of the County’s three Employment Resource Centers located in San Bernardino, Rancho Cucamonga and Hesperia.  Information is also available at www.sbcountyjobops.com/training.

About the Workforce Investment Board of San Bernardino County

The Workforce Investment Board of San Bernardino County is comprised of private business representatives and public partners appointed by the County of San Bernardino Board of Supervisors. The WIB strives to strengthen the skills of the County’s workforce through partnerships with business, education and community-based organizations. The County of San Bernardino Board of Supervisors is committed to providing County resources to generate jobs and investment.

The Workforce Investment Board, through the County of San Bernardino’s Economic Development Agency and Workforce Development Department, operates the County of San Bernardino’s Employment Resource Centers (ERCs) and Business Resource Centers (BRCs). The ERCs provide individuals with job training, placement and the tools to strengthen their skills to achieve a higher quality of life. The BRCs support and provide services to the County’s businesses including employee recruitment.

WASHINGTON – Spurred in part by unprecedented loan volume in the year’s first quarter, small business loans backed by the U.S. Small Business Administration in FY2011 reached the highest mark in the agency’s history, supporting over $30 billion, continuing the rebound begun in 2009 and returning to healthy pre-recession levels in the final three quarters of the year.

“SBA-backed lending continued the upward trend we saw last year,” SBA Administrator Karen Mills said.  “Due to the Small Business Jobs Act and a return to pre-recession lending levels, over 61,000 small businesses had access to capital.  Small businesses are the backbone of the economy and SBA has been there to help them rebound through difficult times over the past few years.  First through the Recovery Act and then through the Small Business Jobs Act and new SBA lending programs, SBA has provided small businesses with the tools they need so they can grow and create jobs.  As SBA lending levels continue to indicate a rebound in small business lending, we will work through new programs to fill the gaps created in the marketplace.” 

During the fiscal year, which ended Sept. 30, SBA loan approvals supported $30.5 billion (61,689 loans) in lending to small businesses and start-ups through its two largest loan programs, compared to $22.6 billion (60,771 loans) in FY 2010 and $17.9 billion (50,830 loans) in FY2009. 

The FY2011 total is the highest volume fiscal year in the agency’s history, surpassing the $28.5 billion mark established in FY2007.  The first quarter of the year, at over $12 billion supported, was the most active single quarter ever for SBA-backed loans, with more than four times the dollar volume of the same quarter in 2009 – the first three months of the recession – and more than double the volume of any quarter over the past four years. 

The unprecedented quarter was prompted by the enhancements provided under the Small Business Jobs Act, which were in effect.  The loan enhancements allowed SBA to raise the guarantee on its 7(a) loans to 90 percent and waive fees on both its 7(a) and 504 loans.

The totals for FY2011 include 53,706 loans $19.63 billion under the agency’s largest loan program, the 7(a) General Business Loan program, and 7,983 loans for a total approval of $4.84 billion, supporting $10.34 billion in small business lending under the 504 Certified Development Company loan program.  The “supported” amount for 504 loans includes the SBA share and third party loans that are made by commercial lenders as part of the funding package. 

Those numbers compare with 7(a) totals for FY 2010 of 52,938 loans for $12.46 billion, and 504 program totals of 7,833 loans for a total supported dollar amount of $9.97 billion.

While SBA lending has returned to pre-recession lending levels, there continue to be gaps in the marketplace and small businesses that need access to capital.  To help fill these gaps, SBA created two new lending programs in FY2011: Community Advantage and Small Loan Advantage.  The Advantage lending programs provide streamlined applications for loans under $250,000 with the standard 7(a) guarantee in order to incentive lenders to make smaller-dollar loans.  The smaller-dollar loans often go to underserved communities.  Additionally, Community Advantage increases the points of access for small businesses by allowing “mission focused” lenders, such as CDFIs and microlending intermediaries, the ability to make 7(a) loans.

In FY2011, SBA has added 30 new lenders to the 7(a) lending program through the Community Advantage program.

The total for 2011 also included approximately $5.8 billion in loans to more than 16,000 start-up small businesses, the most since FY2008. 

For more information about these and other SBA programs, visit the SBA Web site at www.sba.gov, or contact your local SBA field office.  You can find contact information for your local SBA office at http://www.sba.gov/localresources/index.html.

· Strategies to integrate new media into ad campaigns

· How to evaluate new media advertising channels

· Understanding and targeting audiences in today’s landscape

· Using strategic metrics for media measurement

· Best practices in new media advertising

“Dan will explain why pulling the trigger on a digital campaign without a solid foundation is a recipe for failure,” said Burgess, who encourages everyone involved with web based advertising to attend. “There are a few seats left and arriving early is a great idea,” said Burgess.
The Old Spaghetti Factory is located at 3191 Mission Inn Ave. in Riverside. For more information, contact Burgess at jon@redfusionmedia.com or (909)798-7092.

Thursday, October 13, 2011
7:30 AM to 2 PM

Ontario Convention Center
220 East Convention Center Way, 91761

Register with the Inland Empire Women’s Business Center at

For more information contact Hilda Kennedy, Executive Director of AmPac TriState at 909-915-1706

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (Sept. 8, 2011) –The San Bernardino Valley Enterprise Zone (SBVEZ) is pleased to announce that Parsons Brinckerhoff, a global planning, engineering and project/construction management firm, has located to the zone. The firm has relocated to a 20,000 square-foot office building located in the Tri-City Corporate Centre complex in San Bernardino. The new inland address is 451 E. Vanderbilt Way, Suite 200.

Parsons Brinckerhoff previously operated two inland offices in Ontario and San Bernardino. The move took place in June to accommodate potential future expansion plans and to better serve the needs and increase responsiveness to clients in San Bernardino and Riverside counties. Existing inland clients include the San Bernardino Associated Governments, Inland Valley Development Agency, Caltrans, Riverside County Transportation Commission, and many other local counties, cities and private developers.

The current staff numbers approximately 75 and there are plans to increase the workforce by an estimated 25 people in the next few years. The firm is pursuing the enterprise zone program as a tool to bring in more employees.

“Our company is growing at a tremendous rate in Southern California, and our plan is to recruit from the local labor pool to meet increased demand,” said Doug Sawyer, Inland Empire area manager for Parsons Brinckerhoff. “We look forward to utilizing the enterprise zone to help us create more local job opportunities.”

Parsons Brinckerhoff assists public and private clients with the planning, development, operation and maintenance of critical infrastructure and facilities projects. The firm services the transportation, aviation, water/wastewater, environmental and land development industries. Parsons Brinckerhoff was founded in 1885 and employs a California staff of 750 in six-full service offices, and a worldwide staff of 14,000 people in approximately 150 offices on five continents. For more information about Parsons Brinckerhoff, call (909) 888-1106, or visit www.pbworld.com.

About the San Bernardino Valley Enterprise Zone

The San Bernardino Valley Enterprise Zone is an Enterprise Zone established by the California Department of Housing and Community Development to encourage investment, growth, development and job creation in economically distressed areas of the county. The zone covers approximately 42 square miles and includes areas of Colton, San Bernardino and unincorporated portions of San Bernardino County. The Enterprise Zone is a joint effort between the Inland Valley Development Agency, City of Colton, City of San Bernardino, and the County of San Bernardino.  For more information, visit www.SBVEZ.com, or email wclements@sbrda.org

Dealership has several models that appeal to Inland Empire drivers 

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (Sept. 6, 2011) – Subaru of San Bernardino is open for business at the San Bernardino Auto Mall. The dealership recently moved to its new location alongside well-known car brands such as Toyota/Scion and Mitsubishi.

“Subaru is a great addition to our lineup in San Bernardino,” said Cliff Cummings, owner of the Subaru dealership. “We’ve moved the dealership across the freeway into a very visible location facing the I-215 and right beneath the Auto Center reader board.”

Subaru has several models that appeal to Inland Empire drivers, who are often looking for vehicles that can handle mountainous terrain.

“The All-Wheel Drive vehicles, such as the Forester, the Outback and the Tribeca, are perfect for the mountain communities and there will be several new models introduced in 2012,” Cummings said.

General Manager Mike Graeber added that the sporty Impreza is also popular with the tuner crowd who value high-performance cars.

Cumming also said that the Auto Mall will begin construction on a new Subaru Signature facility in the next few months.

About Subaru of San Bernardino

Subaru of San Bernardino provides a wide range of Subaru vehicles to customers in the Inland Empire. The service department is staffed by courteous factory-trained and ASE-certified mechanics. Subaru of San Bernardino’s service department utilizes state-of-the-art diagnostic machines, computerized equipment and a well-stocked parts department to get the maximum performance out of vehicles. For more information about Subaru of San Bernardino call 909.888.8686, go to www.subaruofsanbernardino.com or follow them on Facebook.

Simpson Strong-Tie is a leading manufacturer of structural building products with dozens of locations throughout the U.S. and worldwide. The company consolidated its Southern California operations into a 400,000 square-foot building located at 12246 Holly Street, Riverside, an unincorporated portion of San Bernardino County within the zone. The move took place in April and accommodates the company’s need for increased space and efficiency.

“The company has a history of using the enterprise zone program for other facilities, so when it came time for us to move, finding a location in an enterprise zone was a high priority.” said Murray Daniels, branch manager. “We chose the Inland Empire because it not only offered us use of the program and the capacity we need for future growth, but also the logistic advantages needed for heavy manufacturing and distribution.”

Simpson Strong-Tie’s relocation brings more than 180 office, manufacturing and warehouse jobs to the region. The company will utilize the zone’s tax credits to expand its workforce and plans to hire up to 10 new employees next year.

Hayden Industrial Products is a manufacturer of mobile and stationary heat exchangers for the power generation, construction, fluid power and agriculture industries. The company is relocating to a 109,000 square-foot industrial building located at 1393 E. San Bernardino Avenue in San Bernardino. The move is currently taking place and will be completed by the end of the fall.

“The company has been actively searching for a site that suited our production requirements and provided us the opportunity to consolidate and grow,” said Shannon Riley, Human resources manager. “San Bernardino met our expectations and the enterprise zone was an added incentive that we will most certainly use to expand our workforce and product lines.”

Hayden Industrial Products currently employs 66 administrative, engineering, production and sales workers. The company is in the process of completing hiring tax vouchers for several of its employees, and has plans to hire more local workers as business grows.

About the San Bernardino Valley Enterprise Zone

The San Bernardino Valley Enterprise Zone is an Enterprise Zone established by the California Department of Housing and Community Development to encourage investment, growth, development and job creation in economically distressed areas of the county. The zone covers approximately 42 square miles and includes areas of Colton, San Bernardino and unincorporated portions of San Bernardino County. The Enterprise Zone is a joint effort between the Inland Valley Development Agency, City of Colton, City of San Bernardino, and the County of San Bernardino.  For more information, visit www.SBVEZ.com, or email wclements@sbrda.org

About Simpson Strong-Tie Company Inc.

For more than 50 years, Simpson Strong-Tie has focused on creating structural products that help people build safer and stronger homes and buildings. Considered a leader in structural systems research, testing and innovation, Simpson Strong-Tie works closely with industry professionals to provide code-listed, field-tested products, and value-engineered solutions. Its extensive offering of connectors, fasteners, fastening systems, anchors and lateral-force resisting systems are recognized for helping structures resist high winds, hurricanes and seismic forces. Simpson Strong-Tie is committed to helping customers succeed by providing exceptional products, full-service engineering and field support, product testing and training. For more information, visit  www.strongtie.com.

About Hayden Industrial Products

Located in Southern California’s Inland Empire, Hayden Industrial Products is a leading ISO 9001:2008 certified heat exchanger manufacturer providing custom engineered product to the mobile, industrial, power generation, oil and gas, and Process industries.  Founded in 1961, Hayden Industrial Products has 50 years of manufacturing experience. Design capabilities include ASME code (Section VIII, Div. 1) tube and fin heat exchangers featuring fully welded stainless steel tubes & “D-shaped” headers and heat exchangers designed to API 661 specifications.  With its new home office in San Bernardino, California, Hayden Industrial Products’ goal is to provide a highly engineered quality product line at a competitive price, along with application engineering support and a responsive customer service staff.  For more information, visit www.HaydenIndustrial.com.

New website features social media, online registration, videos

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (Aug. 19, 2011) — The City of San Bernardino, Office of Business Development has launched a redesigned web site.

The new web site address is www.sbbizresource.com. The site will offer several new features such as allowing people to register for business workshops online and a calendar of upcoming activities.

“The new web site makes it easier for people to watch or register for our training workshops, which are becoming increasingly popular,” said Lori Tillery, economic development manager. “The web site also features instructional videos about opening a new business or improving your existing business, as well as links to our social media sites and partnering agencies.”

The Office of Business Development was created to promote business recruitment, assist with business retention, and provide business resources and information to San Bernardino area companies.

For more information call 909.963.5026.

About the City of San Bernardino’s Office of Business Development

The Office of Business Development, a branch of the City of San Bernardino Economic Development Agency, was created to promote business recruitment, assist with business retention and provide business resources and information to San Bernardino area businesses and companies. The Office of Business Development is funded by the City of San Bernardino Economic Development Agency. For more information call 909.963.5026, visit www.sbrda.org or follow them on Facebook.

ONTARIO, Calif. (Aug. 19, 2010) — The Building Industry Association (BIA) Baldy View Chapter is pleased to announce that Gerald Meral Ph.D., Deputy Director of the California Natural Resources Agency, will headline the fifth annual San Bernardino County Water Conference as the keynote speaker. The conference will take place Friday, August 26 from 8a.m. to 12p.m. at the Ontario DoubleTree Hotel.

“Planning for future water supply and sustainability is critical to the growth and prosperity of our state and to those that reside here,” said Dr. Meral. “I look forward to attending the San Bernardino County Water Conference and creating dialogue that will help us identify ways to restore the delicate ecosystem in the Delta and provide water for all Californians.”

The theme of this year’s conference is “Collaborating to Meet Water Demands Today, Tomorrow and the Future.” In addition to Dr. Meral’s address, the conference will feature a Q&A format where panelists from private industries, water agencies and county government will outline ways they are dealing with water accessibility challenges.

“This year’s theme is timely because the above average rain season gives us the opportunity to discuss what to do with those resources,” said Carlos Rodriguez, BIA Baldy View Chapter CEO.  “We are excited to have Dr. Meral speak to us about the Bay Delta conservation plan, its implementation and what it will mean for our region.”

Dr. Meral was appointed Natural Resources Agency deputy secretary for the Bay Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP) on Jan. 19, 2011. Dr. Meral will be charged with guiding completion of the BDCP to restore the Bay-Delta ecosystem and create water supply reliability for California. In addition, he will also be responsible for the development of any revenue and funding proposals necessary to complete the plan.

The conference is being hosted by the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors Chair Josie Gonzales, San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors Vice-Chairman Brad Mitzelfelt and the BIA Baldy View Chapter. To purchase tickets, or inquire about sponsorship, please call Nicole Desmond at (909)795-7760. Attendance is $85 per person, which includes a continental breakfast.  For more information, please visit www.sbcwater.com.

SAN BERNARDINO 

The workshop is taught by Al Gohary, a business consultant with the Inland Empire Small Business Development Center, a local provider of business consulting and training services for aspiring business owners.

The workshop will discuss how to increase your knowledge of QuickBooks, improve productivity and establish and maintain an effective accounting system.

“Past QuickBooks workshops have been well attended, so we decided to offer an advanced-level course,” said Lori Tillery, economic development manager. “QuickBooks is an essential program in the modern work place, and we are offering this class at a very competitive price.”

The workshop costs $10. To register and pay online go to www.sbbizresource.com. For more information please call 909.963.5026, or email rsvp@sbbizresource.com.

About the City of San Bernardino’s Office of Business Development

The Office of Business Development, a branch of the City of San Bernardino Economic Development Agency, was created to promote business recruitment, assist with business retention and provide business resources and information to San Bernardino area businesses and companies. The Office of Business Development is funded by the City of San Bernardino Economic Development Agency. For more information call 909.963.5026, visit www.sbrda.org or follow them on Facebook.

H. David Nahai, former Los Angeles Department of Water and Power CEO, to lead morning discussion

San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors Chair Josie Gonzales, San Bernardino County Supervisors Vice-Chairman Brad Mitzelfelt and the Building Industry Association, Baldy View Chapter will host the Fifth Annual San Bernardino County Water Conference on August 26.

Panelists will address legislative, economic and environmental impacts associated with water supply and delivery challenges and current economic conditions. H. David Nahai, partner at Lewis, Brisbois, Bisgaard & Smith, will serve as the morning speaker.

The conference will enable the public to engage with business, community and civic leaders to learn about stormwater capture, low impact development, and highlight successes in conservation. The economic future of San Bernardino County is dependent upon business and population growth. Access to water is essential to ensuring the county remains economically competitive.

Friday, August 26, 2011, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Ontario DoubleTree Hotel,  222 North Vineyard Avenue, Ontario, CA

COST: Tickets are $85 per individual – includes breakfast

About the San Bernardino County Water Conference

The San Bernardino County Water Conference was established in 2007 to provide a forum for multi-agency dialogue. Each year water experts, stakeholders, public officials from our county and throughout the state participate to identify regional solutions to maintaining an ample water supply. Since 2007, more than 1,200 people have come together to discuss issues such as groundwater depletion, water-quality issues, strict regulations, monumental infrastructure expenditures and few alternative sources of water.

In order for businesses and residents to continue to have access to water, and our local economy to prosper, we need to continue the discussion to meet present and future water demands.

by Mark Gutglueck, 7/29/11 - The San Bernardino County Sentinel

Santa Ana-based Hardy & Harper, Inc. has been given a $575,000 county contract to put in a sidewalk near Bloomington High School.

The county of San Bernardino has now gotten around to making major street improvements along Alder Avenue and Santa Ana Avenue in the unincorporated Bloomington area, which is intended to include grading, paving, curb/gutter and sidewalk construction, fence relocation, driveway construction/reconstruction, parking lot improvements and miscellaneous drainage improvements. Due to the impact of the proposed ultimate street improvements along Santa Ana Avenue, the parking area of Bloomington High School is also being reconfigured and improved. When constructed, the project will provide a walking route, ingress to, and egress from the adjacent school, improve pedestrian and driver circulation for residents and students and will improve the drainage of Alder Avenue and Santa Ana Avenue.

According to Granville Bowman, the county’s director of public works, “The county’s roadway and sidewalk improvements and the Colton Joint Unified School District and Bloomington High School parking lot improvements are planned to be constructed at no cost to the district. Upon completion of construction, the public works department intends to return to the board of supervisors with a recommendation to vacate to the district the portion of the right-of-way that contains the new parking facility at no cost to the district.”

On April 19, 2011 the board approved the right-of-entry agreement with the district and approved the plans and specifications and authorized advertising for bids for the project. The project was advertised on May 17, 2011, in the Sun newspaper, May 19, 2011, in the Precinct Reporter and on the county website. Eleven bids were received on June 23, 2011. The lowest bid was by Hardy & Harper, Inc. at $575,000 followed by Trinity Construction at $589,864.24 and Lee & Stires, Inc. at $608,573.44. The engineer’s estimate was $687,015. The public works department has reviewed the bids received and determined that they are responsive.

by Mark Gutglueck, 7/29/11 - The San Bernardino County Sentinel

In a rare turn of circumstance, the county of San Bernardino, on behalf of the town of Apple Valley, is on the verge of threatening to use the power of eminent domain against the state of California.

Eminent domain, the power to condemn and seize real property by forcing a sale of the land in question at fair market value, is normally utilized by government against citizen landowners to obtain property needed for public works or redevelopment projects.

In the town of Apple Valley, officials are intent on building the Yucca Loma Bridge, which will entail widening Yucca Loma Road to four lanes from Apple Valley Road along the proposed Green Tree alignment, terminating at the intersection of Green Tree Boulevard and Hesperia Road, and the final design of a four lane road including the Yucca Loma Bridge from Kasanka Trail in the town to Fortuna Lane in the county.

While the bridge is in Apple Valley and the town is acting as the lead agency on the project, it is going to temporarily defer its status as lead agency to the county with regard to a portion of the undertaking to allow the county to contend with the state.

The board of supervisors this week was scheduled to vote on a resolution establishing the proposed Yucca Loma Bridge as part of a county highway and to then consider an amendment to a previously approved cooperative agreement between the town and the county related to the project to allow the county to pursue the acquisition of right-of-way from the state.

The county’s share of the project is funded by Proposition 1B funds and future development mitigation fees. The estimated cost to acquire five permanent road easements, two permanent slope easements, and four temporary construction easements is $351,000, plus escrow fees.

The town of Apple Valley, as lead agency for the Yucca Loma Road, Yates Road, Green Tree Boulevard Transportation Improvement Project will pay for the acquisition of the land and the county of San Bernardino will ultimately reimburse the town a prorated share of the total costs. In accordance with the cooperative agreement, the county’s share of the total right-of-way costs are not to exceed $89,000 initially. However, as future development mitigation fees are collected, they will be used to reimburse the town for the right-of-way capital cost within county jurisdiction, which is estimated at $280,000, and includes reimbursement for estimated escrow fees. On the county’s end, funds for the project are included in and will be paid from the fiscal year 2011-12 department of public works-transportation budget, involving a federal program and the use of federal funds.

On December 11, 2007, the board of supervisors approved a contract between the town, the county, and the city of Victorville that included preparation of preliminary engineering documents and final environmental documents for a proposed road widening, a realignment and the construction of the Loma Bridge. The town adopted a mitigated negative declaration, which stated that the project would not have any unmitigateable environmental impacts. The project was approved by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) on January 7, 2011. On May 3, 2011, the board approved the agreement with the town for the acquisition of road right-of-way along Yucca Loma Road and Yates Road. The agreement sets forth the responsibilities and obligations of the town and the county regarding the final design, right-of-way engineering, appraisal, right-of-way acquisition services, right-of-way costs, and construction support services associated with the project. The board also approved the appraisals on file with the real estate services department for the acquisition of right-of-way needed from the state of California affected by the Yucca Loma Road and Yates Road portion of the project and authorized the town to make an offer to the state on behalf of the county. This week, the board was scheduled to amend the agreement to allow for the county to be lead agency in the acquisition of right-of-way from the state for the portions of the proposed bridge project located within the town and in the unincorporated region of the county.

The project construction will commence with the Yucca Loma Bridge, to connect Yucca Loma Road in the town to Yates Road in the unincorporated area of the county. In order to expedite the right-of-way process, the county has agreed to serve as the lead agency to acquire four state parcels affected by the Yucca Loma Road and Yates Road portion of the project – three in the unincorporated area and one in the jurisdiction of the town – from the state.

The potential use of eminent domain against the state is a facilitating the right-of-way actions will be accompanied by a submittal to the state of a request for authorization (RFA) for $15,000,000 of federal Surface Transportation Program–Local (STP-L) funds. Failure to submit to the state a complete RFA package by At ugust 19, 2011 may jeopardize the STP-L funds.

“In order for the county to secure the right-of-way and potentially use its powers of eminent domain, a resolution pursuant to Streets and Highways Code section 1700 must be adopted that declares the proposed Yucca Loma Bridge located in the town as a county highway for the purpose of acquiring right-of-way from the state,” county public works director Granville Bowman said.

And indeed the board of supervisors was poised to do just that this week at its July 26 meeting, but did not do so because such a resolution requires four votes and only three of the board’s members were present, with supervisors Brad Mitzelfelt and Neil Derry absent. The vote was rescheduled for August 1.

After passage of the resolution, the county will forward the resolution to the town for its consent to declaring the bridge part of a county highway for the purpose of acquiring right-of-way from the state.

According to the resolution, once all the state properties have been acquired for the proposed Yucca Loma Bridge, the county shall adopt a subsequent resolution, pursuant to Streets and Highways Code section 1704, declaring that the proposed Yucca Loma Bridge located in the town is no longer a county highway and it will return to the town’s jurisdiction

“It’s been a remarkable year for Springboard.  We are so very pleased to share the good news of our agency with our many stakeholders,” said Melinda Opperman, Springboard’s senior vice president of community outreach and industry relations. “Springboard remains humbled by the numerous heartfelt communications we receive from thankful clients and invitations received throughout the year recognizing the compassion, professionalism and expert knowledge of our counseling and education staff,” said Opperman.

Springboard is a full service housing and credit counseling agency and recognized as a national leader.  In response to the ongoing financial crisis and challenges that households continue to face, Springboard conducted a record 175,000 counseling sessions in 2010.  Consumers nationwide received counseling assistance in the areas of foreclosure prevention, credit and debt, reverse mortgage, bankruptcy pre-filing counseling and debtor education.  Additionally, Springboard’s education and community outreach counselors conducted a record 500 workshops on important money matters with mostly low-to-moderate income consumers in face-to-face settings in California, Nevada and Arizona.

Springboard’s 2010 Annual Report may be viewed online at http://www.credit.org/media/docs/2010AnnualReport.pdf

About Springboard Nonprofit Consumer Credit Management

SPRINGBOARD® Nonprofit Consumer Credit Management is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit personal financial education and counseling organization founded in 1974. Springboard is a HUD-approved housing counseling agency and a member of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling, a national organization of nonprofit credit counseling agencies, and a member of the Association of Independent Credit Counseling Agencies. The agency offers personal financial education and assistance with credit counseling, housing counseling, debt and money management through educational programs and confidential counseling. Springboard is accredited by the Council on Accreditation, signifying the highest standards for agency governance, fiscal integrity, counselor certification and service delivery policies. The agency provides pre-bankruptcy counseling and debtor education as mandated by the bankruptcy reform law. The agency offers nationwide phone counseling services and has locations in California, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico and Texas for in-person counseling sessions.  Not all types of counseling are available in-person at all locations, please call for details.  For more information on Springboard, call 800-449-9818 or visit their web site at www.credit.org.

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.– The Inland Empire Women’s Business Center at Cal State San Bernardino will host a workshop on Tuesday, August 2, to help people who need help repairing their credit.

“Do It Yourself Credit Repair” is scheduled from 6-8 p.m. at the center’s office,202 East Airport Drive, Suite 100, just off Hospitality Lane, in San Bernardino. The cost of this workshop is $10 if you preregister online, or $20 at the door.

The workshop will be taught by Shameca Tankerson of Business Finance Advisors, and will help participants learn how to obtain a free credit report, and how to understand their credit rating. Participants will also learn how they can improve their credit worthiness and legally dispute negative information on their report.

The Inland Empire Women’s Business Centeris a program of theInland Empire Centerfor Entrepreneurship at Cal State San Bernardino in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration. The IEWBC provides business counseling, training and mentoring designed for women business owners.

The program provides services in English and Spanish to Latina business owners, currently the fastest growing group of women business owners in the country.

The Inland Empire Women’s Business Center’s hours are Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday by appointment only. The center also has a part-time outreach office inCorona, where it meets clients by appointment only on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

For more information, or to register for the workshop, contact Rachel Wolfinbarger at (909) 890-1242. To register online, visit the IEWBC website at iewbc.org.

by Mark Gutglueck, 7/22/11 - The San Bernardino County Sentinel

The Abengoa Mojave Solar Project last week received clearance from the Department of Defense, which certified the 250-megawatt project will have negligible if any impact on the military’s missions or installations in the area. The Department of Defense reviewed and cleared 229 proposed renewable energy projects throughout the county, including 39 in California, July 14.

The Mojave Solar Project is slated to be located nine miles northwest of Hinkley. It will consist of  parabolic troughs to collect light/heat energy and focus it on a vessel filled with Therminol, a synthetic petroleum product capable of reaching temperatures in excess of 1,400 degrees Fahrenheit. The Therminol will be used to boil water and the resulting steam will run turbines to produce electricity.

The solar field will employ a staff of 60. Spain-based Abengoa received a $1.2 billion federal loan last month from the Department of Energy to assist in the completion of the $1.6 billion project. The company is now seeking to obtain permitting from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to initiate construction.

The Abengoa solar field will market its output to Pacific Gas and Electric. According to Abengoa, the plant will produce enough energy to serve 53,000 households and will result in 350,000 fewer metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions from being released into the atmosphere annually than would be the case if the same amount of electricity were produced through the conventional burning of fossil fuels.

Abengoa says it will use U.S.-made components wherever possible in the construction of the facility and will employ a peak of 1,200 workers and an average 830 workers during the 28- to 30-month long construction phase for the project. Abengoa officials said they hope to being work on the plant in earnest by September and have producing power in the summer of 2014.

Looking to acknowledge some good news in the otherwise tough business climate here in California, the Senator has chosen the following companies: Sorenson Engineering – YUCAIPA; Hanger 24 – REDLANDS; the Ahmed Team – UPLAND; Riverside Truck & Equipment – RIVERSIDE; Saddleback Inn – LAKE ARROWHEAD; and, Burt’s Jewelry & Repair – Grand Terrace.

“Businesses have been having a tough go of it for some time,” said Senator Dutton. “These six businesses have weathered the pressure of California’s regulatory climate and at the same time have chosen to keep operating and providing jobs here in California.”

As a business owner himself, Senator Dutton understands the effort and commitment it takes to operate a business in California, particularly during the current economic recession. He also believes that small businesses are the backbone of California’s economic engine and the foundation of the world’s eighth largest economy.

“California has historically led the country out of tough economic times,” said Dutton. “For that to happen today we need to do what we can to ease the regulatory burden on businesses which will help more of them succeed and create more private sector jobs.”

As he is working and visiting the various communities in the District while on summer recess, the Senator will be personally visiting these businesses to present them with their awards.

Following are brief comments on the 31st Senate District’s Businesses of the Year.

Sorenson Engineering – Yucaipa, California: In 1956 Frank Sorenson, continuing a lifelong passion for creative ingenuity applied to precision machining, acted on his dream to start a small business in which he would be free to fully pursue his ambitions. In 2006, Sorenson Engineering celebrated a milestone marking the 50 year anniversary of the company. Sorenson Engineering integrates the most advanced micromachining technologies with over 50 years of expertise in machine innovations and unsurpassed quality standards. Their commitment to excellence is the pursuit and achievement of the respective goals of key customers, employees, suppliers, community and shareholders by continuously advancing their capabilities in the realm of precision machining technologies. Their commitment to excellence extends to their support of community events and organization, giving back to the community in which they do business. For more information, visithttp://www.sorensoneng.com.

Hanger 24 – Redlands, California: Ben Cook, Founder and Master Brewer, has been brewing for 6 years. While learning about Quality Assurance/Quality Control at the Anheuser-Busch Brewery in Van Nuys, CA and majoring in Biology at California State University San Bernardino, Ben fell in love with beer and its culture.  Wanting to learn more, he attended and graduated from the Master Brewers Program under Professor Emeritus Dr. Michael Lewis and Dr. Charles Bamforth at the University of California, Davis.  Following graduation Ben sought out and found the perfect brewing equipment, a great location adjacent to the Redlands Airport and aptly named his brewery Hangar 24. Ben and his buddies used to meet at hangar 24 after an afternoon of flying to trade stories, talk aviation, play music and share a few cold ones that Ben just finished brewing at home. These days, the location of where these fine beers are brewed has changed, but the quality time spent enjoying a delicious, handcrafted beer and conversation with friends is the same as ever. For more information, visit http://hangar24brewery.com .

The Ahmed Team – Upland, California: The Ahmed Team is passionate about serving families because they are a family. Anis & Ruby have for many years imparted their high ethic dynamic into their daughter Siama whose first words were “Open House”, and who now is part of the team. Together, they continue to live what they believe by providing a real estate service that exceeds the standards set by the industry. Their goal is to continue to maintain a disciplined, organized and detail oriented business that is committed to personal care, superior results & bettering the community. They seem always to find time to volunteer in the community or help others. “Through ongoing education, goal setting and self-improvement, we will never become complacent and will remain loyal to the ideals of justice, honesty and success through giving of ourselves to others”, says Ruby. For more information, visit http://www.theahmedteam.com .

Riverside Truck & Equipment – Riverside, California: Owned by Ron & Sue Nelthorpe, Riverside Truck & Equipment, Inc. has been selling trucks and trailers to businesses across the United States and internationally for over twenty years. Riverside Truck & Equipment has and is continuing to grow their business and reputation as a recognized premier truck dealer in California. Both Ron and Sue understand the importance of a thriving economy, and through the Chamber and other community organizations work hard to support efforts to grow our economy. For more information, visithttp://riversidetrucksales.com.

Saddleback Inn – Lake Arrowhead, California: Owned by Kurt & Bonnie Campbell, the Saddleback Inn is today a charming historic Inn and landmark at the entrance to the Lake Arrowhead Village and has become a well-recognized part of the Community. Over the past sixty-five years many famous people have frequented this historical Inn. Howard Hughes was a visitor along with Charles Lindbergh plus the exciting Hollywood and entertainment communities. Thus, several guest rooms are reminiscent (and named after) many of these heroes and heroines. For more information, visithttp://www.saddlebackinn.com.

Burt’s Jewelry & Repair – Grand Terrace, California: Owners Burt and Deborah Seuylemezian are very well known and well respected in Grand Terrace. They have lived there for 22 years and have owned Burt’s Jewelry & Repair for the last 17 years. Both are long time “active” Board Members of the Grand Terrace Lions Club. Burt has served as President and currently serves as the Parliamentarian. Burt is currently serving as the Treasurer for the Grand Terrace Chamber and Deborah served on the Chamber Board for several years until last year. Deborah is a long time member of the Grand Terrace Woman’s Club. For more information, visit http://www.burtsjewelry.com.

by Mark Gutglueck, 7/22/11 - The San Bernardino County Sentinel

The county board of supervisors angered residents in 16 unincorporated county communities last week when it consented to use the county’s property tax assessment rolls to assist one of the major donors to the supervisors political war chests in collecting disputed fees.

Burrtec principal Cole Burr and his company are extremely active in donating to the campaigns of local politicians, in particular members of the county board of supervisors and city council members in cities where Burrtec has trash hauling franchises. Burrtec has an exclusive trash hauling contract in 16 of the county’s 24 incorporated cities and 43 unincorporated communities in San Bernardino County.

In April 2004, the county board of supervisors mandated compulsory trash pick up at all residences within unincorporated valley and mountain county areas, a policy that was termed “uniform handling services.” Uniform handling services required all improved residential properties subscribe to and pay for trash collection service.

The current director of the county’s department of public works, which includes the county’s solid waste division, Granville Bowman, asserted recently that the uniform handling services “ensures that residents and commercial establishments are provided with a convenient and affordable way to comply with state and local laws that require garbage to be removed from any dwelling within a minimum of seven days and disposed of at an approved solid waste facility.”

Many property owners in the county’s unincorporated areas, in particular the mountain areas, have asserted that they maintain their properties as vacation homes and do not live there on a day-to-day or even a week-to-week basis and on occasion go weeks or even months without generating any trash or garbage on those properties. They and others maintain that they can and have made arrangements to dispose of their refuse by other means than leaving it for collection weekly by the franchised trash hauler. Many of these landowners have asserted that they should not be subject to compulsory trash service and many of those have refused to pay for the service.

In areas subject to uniform handling service, the county code and franchise agreements prohibit the hauler from discontinuing service for non-payment of monthly service fees. County Code Section 46.0506 provides that monthly service charges become delinquent if unpaid for ninety days after the invoice is mailed. In addition, the county code provides that the unpaid charges become a debt owed to the county that can be collected through the county’s property tax roll.

Some landowners in these unincorporated areas have countered that when they are not present on the properties for several days or weeks and no trash is set out or picked up, the haulers are not, in fact, providing service and the issue with regard to discontinuing or not discontinuing service for non-payment of monthly service fees is moot.

Nevertheless, the county last year set a precedent of using the 2010 tax rolls to collect what it termed delinquent trash fees posted by the county’s various trash hauling franchises throughout the course of fiscal year 2009-10. By placing these “delinquent charges” on the 2010 tax rolls, the board authorized coordination between the auditor-controller/treasurer/tax collector and assessor/recorder/clerk offices that resulted in the collection of $814,347 in what were defined as delinquent charges, administrative costs, and interest and penalties from that action.

For the 2011 tax roll, there are an estimated 5,426 delinquent accounts totaling $931,772 reported by the franchise haulers for fiscal year  2010-11.

The franchise haulers benefiting from this action are primarily Burrtec and its corporate affiliate, EDCO, as well as one other company which has since been subsumed by Burrtec, Jack’s Disposal.

Burrtec claims its customers are delinquent on payments of $21,942 in its service area of San Antonio Heights and Mt. Baldy.  Burrtec claims its customers, or non-customers as it were, owe it another $19,923 in its service area in the unincorporated county communities near Montclair and Upland. Burrtec wants another $158,476 from households within unincorporated West Fontana. Burrtec and its affiliate EDCO claim they are due $132,566 from customers in Bloomington who are in arrears.

Cal Disposal wants $129,795 from delinquent customers in Muscoy and other nearby unincorporated county areas. Burrtec and EDCO are laying claim to $13,156 in unpaid trash fees from the unincorporated area of North Rialto.

Jack’s Disposal and Burrtec are collectively looking to collect $111,482 from tardy customers in  Del Rosa and Devore. Burrtec says it should receive $1,442 from customers in the unincorporated area around Loma Linda. Both Empire Disposal and Burrtech are seeking $41,417 from customers in Mentone, Oak Glen, Angeles Oaks and Mountain Home

Mountain Disposal and Burrtec say they are owed $301,573 from customers in the Lake Arrowhead, Crestline and Running Springs communities.

Hugh Campbell, a resident of the San Bernardino Mountains, maintains that the compulsory trash service is bad public policy that is an outgrowth of the wealth of a small set of franchised trash haulers who command politicians by virtue of the political donations they hand out.

“I, like many others, take our trash to the dump myself and have for many years prior to having mandatory trash pickup forced upon us against our will,” Campbell said. “I have never had trash picked up at my property, never requested it and am charged for a service I have never used, regardless. I have already had this charge previously assessed to my property taxes. What it has done is to cause me to protest this forced, unpopular, and unsupported decision by not paying my property taxes.  This situation came about through Burrtec’s contributions to various supervisors’ campaigns and the payoff was that the supervisors’ voted to make trash pickup on all of the mountains mandatory against the will of the citizens. It is just part of the same old corrupt system that places the interests of campaign contributors above the citizens.”

Upon being shown that  there are 5,426 delinquent trash hauling accounts in the county’s unincorporated areas, Campbell said, “It does gladden my heart to see how many people have not paid for trash pickup, which is in itself an indication of how the people feel about it. When the county decided that they would also become the collection agency for Burrtec, they placed their own revenues at risk and I believe that withholding of taxes is the only peaceful avenue left for the people to lodge their protest against the county. The supervisors do not listen to the people and the court system is a complete waste of time. Money, although, is part of the universal language.”

Supervisor Neil Derry, in whose Third District most of the county’s mountain communities are located, said the compulsory trash service is a necessary way of modern life that is necessary to prevent the environment from being littered with trash.

“I have a house in Oceanside so my family can go to the beach in the summer and I have to pay for mandatory trash pick-up there, even though I am not there for months at a time, on occasion,” Derry said. “Every other community has compulsory trash service. I don’t know of any community that doesn’t. There is compulsory service in Redlands, where I live. If I went on vacation to Europe for three months, I’d still have to pay for it, whether it was used or not. It is the same charge whether I have no bag or one bag or five bags.”

Derry likened compulsory trash service to mandatory water and sewer service.

“When you build a house you have to have sewer connections and water connections, even if you do not use the water or ever once flush your toilet,” he said. “We have fees, minimum water fees. A standard hook up fee of $5,000 per house for a water connection is common.”

In fact, Derry said, mountain residents pay less for their trash service than other residents of the county and Burrtec’s other customers.

“There bill is $45 for three months,” Derry said. “They are getting a discounted rate from the normal $20 per month, even though they are in an area that is harder than others to serve.”

Moreover, Derry said, those who are truly absent from their property can apply for an exemption by showing an electrical bill demonstrating they are using less than six kilowatt hours per month or ten kilowatt hours in winter months.

Compulsory trash service serves a valid function, Derry said.

“The concept is and has been that it successfully lowers the trash that is spread out along the sides of road,” he said. “That has been a big problem. When everyone participates, the mountains are cleaner.  Any place where it is logical to have mandatory service, it is there.”

Derry said allowing those with vacation homes in the mountains to tote their trash to a dumping place is not workable because, “If they have just one bag of trash and they take it down the road and leave it off at a business location with a dumpster on the rationale that it is just one bag, eventually we are faced with a mountain of single bags out behind the businesses in Lake Arrowhead and Blue Jay. That does not work.”

As to the charge that Burrtec has purchased favors with the board of supervisors through hefty campaign contributions, Derry said, “They participate in the political process.  So do their competitors, such as the municipal workers unions in the cities where there are sanitation departments. That is their right. They have every right to participate in the political process.”

Derry acknowledged that Burrtec has grown to a nearly monopolistic size in recent years.

“Burrtec is one of the largest trash haulers in the county,” he said. “They have pretty much gobbled up their old competitors. They bought out little guys like Jack’s Disposal. There are not very many small waste haulers left. “

Still, Derry said, Burrtec is able to “provide service at a reasonable cost.  And Burrtec has done a reasonably good job responding to problems and complaints that I know have come into my office. I don’t have a problem with them having that franchise.”

by Mark Gutglueck, 7/22/11 - The San Bernardino County Sentinel

SANBAG Leader Calls It Quits

SAN BERNARDINO–Deborah Robinson Barmack, executive director of San Bernardino Associated Governments (SANBAG), abruptly announced her retirement this week, closing out a 40-year career in local government.

For the last four years Barmack has been SANBAG’s executive director. SANBAG is San Bernardino County’s transportation agency, overseeing freeway construction projects, regional and local road improvements, train and bus transportation, rail crossings, ridesharing, congestion management and air quality programs, and long-term planning efforts. SANBAG administers Measure I, the half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements in San Bernardino County. SANBAG also serves as San Bernardino County’s so-called council of governments, and has as its board members one representative of the county’s 24 city or town councils as well as all five of the county board of supervisors. From 1991 until 2007, Barmack was SANBAG’s director of management services.

Barmack made a hastened departure on two accounts, knowledgeable sources have told the Sentinel.

The first relates to a burgeoning controversy over SANBAG’s retention of the law firm of Best, Best & Krieger to represent it in litigation, a contract potentially worth several millions of dollars for the law firm. Barmack’s husband, Peter Barmack, is a partner with Best, Best & Krieger.

The second pertains to pending legislation in Sacramento that would, if passed and signed into law, ban pension spiking by county officials. By retiring prior to that law going into effect, Barmack will be able to cash in accrued leave time, vacation time, sick time and use her cell phone, travel and computer allowances as an add-on to her salary for her total earned compensation in her last year of employment to boost her pension to over a quarter of a million dollars per year. She will be eligible to draw that amount for the rest of her life. If she had waited until after January 1 to retire, she could not use the accrued time or her various allowances to calculate her pension and would draw a pension of less than $200,000 per year.

“This is a good time for SANBAG to transition into new leadership, as the council of governments takes on a new role working with member jurisdictions,” said Barmack.  “There is a lot more work that needs to be done in this area.”  SANBAG has been expanding its role as a council of governments and will move forward with the 24 cities and county to implement the countywide vision goals, which were adopted by both the SANBAG board and county board of supervisors on June 30, 2011.

“This is a bittersweet moment, in that I have enjoyed every minute of my work at SANBAG and regret that I will no longer be involved in the many wonderful improvements and programs which serve the residents of San Bernardino County,” stated Barmack.   “On the other hand, I am looking forward to more leisure time in retirement after forty-plus years of public service in this county.”

During her years as SANBAG’s director of management services,  Barmack  worked with the county’s desert and mountain communities to meet their transportation needs.  She said she had the good fortune of working with many dedicated public servants and elected officials, bringing 24 cities and the county together to achieve regional consensus and build partnerships.  On the regional level, SANBAG works closely with the California Transportation Commission, legislators, private sector partners, and Southern California Association of Governments, a regional planning agency.

“We have struggled through some difficult situations and shared some tremendous successes,” she commented.  “The past four years as executive director have been some of the most rewarding, as we experienced successes in bringing new projects to our communities, initiating new programs, and working together at the county and regional levels to strengthen partnerships, all of which have improved the quality of life in San Bernardino County and the Southern California region.”

OBD helped with savings, business license

AN BERNARDINO, Calif. (July 18, 2011)  A new fitness center is coming to San Bernardino thanks to assistance from the City of San Bernardino Economic Development Agency, Office of Business Development.

According to Lori Tillery, economic development manager, San Bernardino Fitness LLC has signed a lease on a 24,000-square foot retail facility at 2041 E. Highland Avenue. Tillery said memberships will be on sale in August and the center is scheduled to open in September. The new business is expected to employ 11 people when fully operational.

“The building will be converted into a state-of-the art-fitness facility and operate under the name Planet Fitness,” she said.

“The business will also take advantage of the San Bernardino Valley Enterprise Zone hiring credits, once Highland Avenue is added to the existing zone,” Tillery said. “The location of a quality fitness center of this size will fill an existing gap in this market in the north end of town, where only a handful of small facilities exist.”

The Office of Business Development assisted the new business with issues such as zoning verification and façade improvements.

Owner Farrukh Zafar said he was grateful for the assistance provided by the Office of Business Development staff. “They offered me different ways to save money and they helped me apply for the business license,” Zafar said.

About the City of San Bernardino’s Office of Business Development

The Office of Business Development, a branch of the City of San Bernardino Economic Development Agency, was created to promote business recruitment, assist with business retention and provide business resources and information to San Bernardino area businesses and companies. The Office of Business Development is funded by the City of San Bernardino Economic Development Agency. For more information call 909.963.5026, or visit www.sbrda.org.

S

AN BERNARDINO, Calif. (July 15, 2011) – The City of San Bernardino, Economic Development Agency, Office of Business Development is hosting several workshops that focus on helping executives improve their networking, organization and management skills. The workshops will be held at the Office of Business Development, 201-B N. E Street, Suite 200, in San Bernardino.

Some upcoming workshops are:

• “Time Management Skills: Make Each Minute Count,” from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesday, July 19. This class, taught by Carla Ulloa of CDC Small Business Finance, will focus on dispelling time management myths and will offer tips on organizing and delegating tasks. The cost of this seminar is $10.
• “Learn How to Work a Room like a Pro,” from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, July 20. This seminar will teach professionals how to improve their networking skills and will cover topics such as the top 10 icebreakers. The cost of the seminar is $10 online, or $15 at the door. Register online at www.iewbc.org, or call 909.890.1242.
• “Collaboration Management: Managing Technology to Achieve Your Goals,” from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday, July 21. This seminar will teach participants how to integrate technology into the workplace and use it to grow their businesses. The workshop is free. Register online at www.iewbc.org or call 909.890.1242.

“All of these workshops focus on issues that are important to busy professionals,” said Lori Tillery, economic development manager. “These workshops are great refresher courses for working professionals looking to brush up their networking skills, or improve their organizational skills.”

About the City of San Bernardino’s Office of Business Development

The Office of Business Development, a branch of the City of San Bernardino Economic Development Agency, was created to promote business recruitment, assist with business retention and provide business resources and information to San Bernardino area businesses and companies. The Office of Business Development is funded by the City of San Bernardino Economic Development Agency. For more information call 909.963.5026, or visit www.sbrda.org.