May 2010 | EDC serving Fresno County | www.fresnoedc.com

JOB FAIR

Fair Today, Work Tomorrow

Fresno County Department of Social Services,
The Central  California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
& The Economic Development Corporation Serving Fresno County  

Thursday, May 27, 2010
10:00 a.m.  to 2:00 p.m.
Fresno Fairgrounds Commerce Building
1121 South Chance Avenue in Fresno
(Free parking available – Employers, ask about the 80/20 program or go to www.fresnoetastimulus.org for details)

CLICK HERE TO PRINT REGISTRATION FORM

Staying Ahead of the Curve

The sixth annual meeting of Regional Jobs Initiative, Staying Ahead of the Curve, is expected to bring together over 300 local business executives, public and community leaders throughout the Fresno region. The meeting will showcase community leaders, RJI cluster accomplishments, future priorities and a financial/incentive panel. The meeting is being held May 26, 2010 at TorNino’s Restaurant in Fresno, Calif., from 7:30-9:45 am with a networking opportunity from 9:45-10:30 am.

This year’s keynote speaker is Joel A. Ayala, the recently appointed Director of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GoED). Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger created GoED to make it easier to start, expand, or keep a business in California. Mr. Ayala will work to facilitate and stimulate economic growth through the development and implementation of strategic policies and partnerships with the private sector, community, local, and national organizations that enhance human and capital infrastructure development as well as increase California’s competitive advantage in the global marketplace.

RJI is pleased to announce that Fresno County Supervisor Judy Case and CAO John Navarrette also are presenting at this year’s event; they will be providing a unique perspective to our region’s economy and new opportunities for the future of the Fresno Area.

Also included is a financial panel. Businesses need to know how to obtain financing during these tough economic times and how to take advantage of the unique opportunities currently available. A team of specialists will be addressing the numerous financial opportunities available in our region, including but not limited to angel investments, enterprise zones, empowerment zones, tax incentives, small business loans, grants, and much more.

Speakers include: VIEW DRAFT AGENDA
Emerson Estrada, Economic Development Corporation serving Fresno County
Diane Howerton, Small Business Development Center - UC Merced Regional Network
Ronald Truly, Small Business Administration
Blong Lee, Fresno County Economic Opportunities Commission
Craig Scharton, City of Fresno - Downtown Revitalization
Brad Triebsch, Central Valley Fund

The event is open to the public but space is limited; registration is $25. For more information, please contact Jen Paul (jenpaul@csufresno.edu).

Register for the upcoming BEAR Breakfast on the EDC Website:

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Call for sponsorship information: 559.476.2509

REGISTER HERE www.fresnoedc.com

Welcome:Steve Geil, EDC
Introduction: Harry Armstrong, Mayor of Clovis

Presentations Include:
Craig Castro, CEO of Clovis Community Hospital

• The Expansion of Clovis Community Hospital Includes:
  
• Emergency Department Expansion
  
• Women’s and Infant Pavilion
  
• New Bed Tower
  
• Intensive Care
  
• Operating Rooms
  
• Parking

Tina Sumner & Dwight Kroll, City of Clovis

• General Plan Update
  
• Sierra Gateway Commerce Center
  
• Clovis Medical Business Park

$20/Members/$30/Non-Members

SPONSORSHIP PACKAGES

"Braided Ramps" Project in Fresno

FINAL FUNDING SECURED FOR “BRAIDED RAMPS” PROJECT
IN FRESNO METROPOLITAN AREA

Today, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), in partnership with the
Council of Fresno County Governments (Fresno COG) and the Fresno County Transportation Authority (FCTA) announced $55 million in newly secured funding which will bring mobility improvements to State Route (SR) 180 between SR’s 41 and 168.

Commuters in the Fresno Metropolitan Area are more than familiar with traffic along State Route (SR) 180 between SR’s 41 and 168. Daily traffic congestion and delays during morning and evening commutes are caused by vehicles merging onto SR180 from SR41 and/or SR168, and the traffic already on SR 180. Converging streams of commuters become entwined in a dance of braking, dodging, darting vehicles that is enough to rattle even the most experienced driver’s nerves.

"Caltrans is working hand-in-hand with Fresno’s COG and the FCTA to ensure tax dollars are utilized quickly and responsibly to help stimulate our local economy, reduce congestion and further invest in Fresno County’s transportation infrastructure," said Caltrans District 6 Director Malcolm X. Dougherty.

The Braided Ramps Project, which will receive $55 million in funding from Caltrans’ State Highway Operation & Protection Program (SHOPP) and an additional $14.5 million from Fresno County’s Measure C, will reduce traffic congestion and delays along this system of interlocking freeways by eliminating as many merging and transition conflicts as possible in order to get motorists safely and efficiently from one area of town to another.

Trinidad Rodriguez, Fresno COG Policy Board Chairman, stated, "This is yet another example of projects being delivered faster thanks to Fresno Voters and Measure C sales tax dollars. Thanks to this effort $55 million is now available for other regional transportation projects, and the Braided Ramps Project will likely be completed years ahead of our original schedule making this Ground Zero for Mobility in Fresno County"

District: 6 - Fresno
Contact: Jose Camarena, Caltrans
Phone: (559) 488-4067
Or
Brenda Lauchner, Fresno COG
(559) 233-4148, ext. 219. www.measurec.com or www.fresnocog.org