Executive Decision - March/April 2008 - (Page 59)

Downtown Fresno California “Locating here can reduce operational costs up to Central California’s renewable energy 30 percent relative to coastal California locations, plus the advantages of 7,000 acres of available land, 20 business parks and more than five million square feet in industrial inventory, presents an array of investment opportunities,” Faughn adds that market sectors that are expected to grow in 2008 in Central California include distribution, manufacturing, back office, health care, biotechnology and renewable energy. With regard to the distribution market sector, she points out: “California’s Central Valley geography allows valuable North-South and East-West transportation opportunities.” Central California has low operating costs, which combined with the region’s proximity for west coast distribution, have enabled the manufacturing sector to grow, Faughn notes, adding that the back office market sector in Central California has been a growth sector that has attracted call centers and other labor intensive operations for cell phone service providers, health care, insurance companies and educational facilities. Health and biotech are emerging industries in Central California, prompting the development of new technology parks in several counties, she adds. The renewable energy market sector, Faughn says, is also growing. It has attracted new facilities for ethanol, bio-diesel, solar and wind power. Locke adds. In addition, he points out, “San Joaquin has an unparalleled transportation system with State Highway 99 and Interstate 5 running through the county, providing access to the entire west coast market.” Businesses that have recently located to the c o u n t y h a ve i n c l u d e d 10 suppliers to the Toyota plant in Fremont ( N ew U n i t e d Mo t o r s Manufacturing, Inc.) Several are in the Enterprise Zone and some have received ETP funds, Locke says. Michael Locke President & CEO San Joaquin Partnership, Inc. Ontario In addition to regions and specific counties, local cities are looking to attract new business and retain existing ones. Two such cities are Ontario and Dixon. San Joaquin County San Joaquin County, consisting of 1,426 square miles, is 45 minutes east of the San Francisco Bay area and therefore considered a premier location for companies requiring a west coast market presence, says Michael Locke, president and chief executive officer of the San Joaquin Partnership, Inc. of Stockton. Located 35 miles east of Los Angeles is Ontario. “Ontario offers an exceptional pro-business environment with a highly-skilled labor force, lifestyle amenities, reasonable lease rates and modern workspaces with the technical amenities necessary to complete in a global economy,” notes Mary Jane Olhasso, economic development director for the city of Ontario. EXECUTIVE DECISION I March-April 2008 59

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Executive Decision - March/April 2008

Executive Decision - March/April 2008 Contents Index of Advertisers Contributing Editors From the Editor's Desk Publisher's Note You Be the Judge - Unionization Thought Leader - Pitney Bowes Management - Flying High for Long-Term Results Strategies - Sovereign Wealth Funds Cover Story - In Whom Do We Trust? The Movement for Greater Accountability & Disclosure Finance/Legal - The New Boycott Model Green At Work - Transforming for Sustainability Technology - Embracing Risk Leadership - Executive Reputation Management The Global Village - China Moves to Curb Prices Economic Profile - California Gold Rush Transformations - I Can See Clearly Now, The Brain Is Gone Marketing - Effectively Using Market Research The Bottom Line - Brands: A Shrinking Advantage or Shifting Advantage? Pulse - Pandemic: Not If But When SPECIAL SECTION - Living On the Green: Luxury Golf Destinations

Executive Decision - March/April 2008

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