With election behind us, work begins

Details

Published on 12/21/2012 - 10:39 am

Written by Michael Kincheloe

Government

For all the hubbub surrounding the presidential race, in the end, it wasn’t too close.
President Barack Obama was elected to four more years in the White House.

Another banner year, excepting dairies

Details

Published on 12/21/2012 - 10:37 am

Written by Chuck Harvey

Agriculture

Valley farmers faced hefty challenges in 2012 including drought, reduced water deliveries and cold winter weather that damaged some citrus orchards.
Dairy farmers had difficulty staying afloat as high feed costs cut sharply into profits made from milk sales.

Hammers are swinging once again

Details

Published on 12/21/2012 - 10:33 am

Written by Chuck Harvey

Construction

Construction of new homes picked up slightly in 2012, spurred by improvements in the job market and a low inventory of existing homes.
Also, the need for affordable homes and apartments — especially in rural areas and on downtown infill properties — provided work for construction crews.

Unemployment rates continue to fall

Details

Published on 12/21/2012 - 10:27 am

Written by Clay Moffitt

Employment

Unemployment dropped in all four Central Valley counties this past year and previously struggling industries began to show improvement once again.
The overall year-over-year unemployment rate improved in each of the four counties.

High-speed rail dominates the discourse

Details

Published on 12/21/2012 - 10:25 am

Written by Ben Keller

Transportation

Although the first rails have yet to be laid, planners forged ahead with California’s high-speed rail project, starting with Gov. Jerry Brown signing legislation to approve funding for the first 130-mile stretch through the Central Valley.
Also invigorating proponents was an updated business plan released in April that shaved off a third of the projected cost down to $68.5 billion for the entire 520-mile track from San Francisco to Los Angeles.

New stores flock to the Valley

Details

Published on 12/21/2012 - 10:22 am

Written by Clay Moffitt

Retail

The retail industry for the most part fared well in the Valley and began seeing renewed growth.
The industry in Fresno County specifically was an area of surprisingly strong job growth.
Each month in 2012, the year-over-year number of retail jobs grew in the county.

Measures help relieve budget pressures

Details

Published on 12/21/2012 - 10:20 am

Written by Ben Keller

Education

Colleges in the San Joaquin Valley breathed a collective sigh of relief this year with the November passage of Gov. Jerry Brown’s controversial Proposition 30 tax-hike proposal to raise around $6 billion for education throughout the state.
By no means an end-all solution, it pulled many colleges away from the fire, including West Hills Community College District, which recently announced it would add 100 classes at its campuses in Coalinga and Lemoore using $324,000 from Prop. 30.

‘ObamaCare’ passes hurdles; here to stay

Details

Published on 12/21/2012 - 10:17 am

Written by Michael Kincheloe

Health care

A turbulent year in the healthcare industry centered around a history-making decision by the U.S. Supreme Court on President Obama’s signature health care reform, The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
The PPACA states that everyone is required to have health coverage by 2014 and no one can be turned down for coverage.

Move away from fossil fuels continues

Details

Published on 12/21/2012 - 10:14 am

Written by Ben Keller

Energy

As the national debate veered toward ways to become energy independent and reduce reliance on fossil fuels, thousands turned to solar power in 2012.
School districts saw a particular advantage in large solar arrays, including Porterville Unified School District, which installed solar panels at six schools as part of its 3.7-megawatt solar project to save $44 million over the next 30 years.

Food processors have a growth year

Details

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

Written by Michael Kincheloe

Manufacturing

Manufacturing companies continued to leave California for greener pastures in 2011, relocating to states where taxes are lower and laws, regulations and permit fees are more appealing to business owners.
California business departures have increased to the point to where they are five times higher than they were just two years prior, said Joseph Vranich, an Irvine-based business relocation expert who operates The Business Relocation Coach web site.
“Simply stated, California is just not competitive with other states that are aggressively attracting business,” said Mike Betts, president of Betts Spring Company in Fresno.