Professional Print & Mail takes over Visalia printer

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Published on 01/11/2013 - 8:51 am

Written by The Business Journal Staff

SMALL BUSINESS

The Central Valley’s printing industry continues to see consolidation with the announcement that Professional Print & Mail, Inc. in Fresno will take over the production operations of Visalia’s Premier Color Graphics.
It’s the third time in two years the company’s operations have changed hands.
Premier Color Graphics will merge its printing, mailing and fulfillment operations into Professional Print & Mail’s 27-year-old facility near downtown Fresno.

Les Schwab, other chains go big in Central Valley

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Published on 01/04/2013 - 9:03 am

Written by Gabriel Dillard

Embodying the saying “go big or go home,” a number of national businesses find themselves Central Valley residents in the New Year.
Many weren’t even around a year ago. For most it’s their first foray into the San Joaquin Valley market, including retailers Family Dollar and Dollar General, both headquartered in the Southern U.S. Each has opened several stores across the Valley in a timeframe of only a few months.

Fresno hospital completes earthquake project; expansion still stymied by health care law

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Published on 01/04/2013 - 8:57 am

Written by Michael Kincheloe

Fresno Surgical Hospital has successfully completed a two-year reconstruction project that will allow it to meet state earthquake requirements, but its second-floor expansion remains on hold.
The project included a complete reconstruction of five of the hospital’s nine operating rooms and an internal redesign that increased the number of pre-op and post-op beds from 14 to 28.

Fertilizer fraud hits organic farm industry

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Published on 01/04/2013 - 8:55 am

Written by Michael Kincheloe

A Bakersfield man was recently sentenced to 6 ½ years in prison and ordered to pay a $9 million judgment for a scheme that defrauded organic farmers and other customers who bought fertilizer allegedly made purely from materials approved for organic agriculture.
Kenneth Nelson’s Port Organic Products sold fertilizers to growers who otherwise would not have bought a product that contained synthetics instead of true organic ingredients such as fishmeal or bird guano. Likewise, those who bought a supposed organic product from California Liquid Fertilizer would have looked elsewhere had they known the mixture contained ammonium chloride and ammonium sulfate rather than fish and feathermeal.

Despite frost, Valley citrus crop looks promising

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Published on 01/04/2013 - 8:54 am

Written by Chuck Harvey

The Valley’s citrus season is off to a strong start despite intermittent frosts, some drenching recent rains and a threat from an insect pest called Asian citrus psyllid.
High quality and heavy volume are expected for the important navel and mandarin orange croups. Fruit set up well this year and growers describe fruit sizes and sweetness as excellent.

Jobs outlook positive for 2013

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Published on 01/04/2013 - 8:46 am

Written by Clay Moffitt

Consistent improvement of the unemployment rate this past year was welcome news to the Central Valley, but the question remains for many residents whether that will continue in 2013.
Local employment analysts and economists acknowledge the future is still a little unclear, but the Valley economy at least appears to be headed in the right direction.

Marvin Armstrong

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Published on 01/04/2013 - 8:40 am

Written by The Business Journal Staff

Marvin Armstrong
Principal
Marvin Armstrong, Architect

Education:  I graduated from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo in 1981 with the 5-year professional degree of Bachelor of architecture.
Age:  54.6 years
Family:  I have a very small family: My partner Lacy, me and our cat Minky.

Early rains help state water deliveries

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Published on 01/04/2013 - 8:35 am

Written by The Business Journal Staff

AGRICULTURE

It’s been a while since farmers have received good news about water availability. But good news came during Christmas week.
On Dec. 21, California’s Department of Water Resources sent notices to state water project contractors notifying them that projected water deliveries had been increased. Because of soaking early rains and a decent Sierra snowpack to kick off the winter season, water deliveries from the State Water Project will be boosted from 30 percent to 40 percent of requested water deliveries for 2013.

Sprouts to open in Fresno

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Published on 12/21/2012 - 10:43 am

Written by John Lindt

Phoenix-based Sprouts Farmers Market — an organic and natural foods supermarket competing in the same space as Whole Foods — will open a new 35,000 square-foot store in North Fresno by May.
Sprouts has nearly 150 locations and 11,000 employees in the West. Earlier this year it acquired the 36-store Sunflower Farmers Market chain.

Taxes, ADA-compliance reform top new biz laws for ‘13

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Published on 12/21/2012 - 10:42 am

Written by Clay Moffitt

Uncertainty reigns in the tax laws for the New Year, but one certainty for California businesses will come in the form of lawsuit reform for the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Gov. Jerry Brown signed State Bill 1186 into law on Sept. 19, much to the relief of many businesses that have been slammed with ADA compliance lawsuits.
According to the Sacramento Bee, more than 40 percent of the ADA compliance lawsuits in the U.S. are filed in the State of California.