July 2009 Archives

The state Board of Equalization has announced that rebates under the federal Car Allowance Rebate System program are exempt from state sales and use taxes. The CARS rebates, paid by the Transportation Department's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, are considered nontaxable sales to the U.S. government, according to the news release.  More information: (800) 400-7115, www.boe.ca.gov

Eadie and Payne LLP in Ontario has formed a new subsidiary, EP Forensic and Valuation Services LLC. The new company will provide services related to financial forensics, fraud examination and audit, investigative services, fraud control and deterrence, and valuation services, a news release said.  The new company is led by President Todd Landry, a partner with Eadie and Payne LLP, and David Wall, director of forensic services.  More information: (909) 466-5252, www.epforensics.com

Cal State San Bernardino's Inland Empire Women's Business Center will hold a free workshop Saturday, Aug. 1, to help people who are considering launching a new business or who already operate their own businesses.  "Successful Start-Ups: The ABCs of Starting Your Own Business" will be from 9 a.m. to noon at the center's office, 202 E. Airport Drive, Suite 155, San Bernardino.  According to a news release, participants will receive contact information for government and business entities that can assist with the start-up process.
More information: Carla Ulloa at (909) 890-1242; or www.iewbc.org

The Southern California Honda Dealers Association and the "Helpful Guys & Girls in Blue" stopped by All Star Car Wash in Corona on Saturday, July 25, to surprise local Honda drivers with complimentary car washes and cold bottles of water to help beat the heat.

The Inland Empire Economic Recovery Corporation, a public-private partnership created in 2008 to combat the impacts of home foreclosures on the Inland Empire, will receive a $1 million appropriation from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. According to a news release, the funding was secured by Rep. Jerry Lewis, R-Redlands.  The corporation's executive director, Robert Hooker, said the $1 million federal allocation is most appreciated and will help to increase the corporation's ability to acquire, renovate and sell more foreclosed homes in the Inland Empire.  San Bernardino County committed $2.5 million to the corporation in January.  Total funds available to the corporation now exceed $50 million, according to the release.

CVB Financial Corp., parent company of Ontario-based Citizens Business Bank, sold 22,655,000 shares of its common stock during its recent offering. The public offering was priced at $5.85 per share. The total includes the exercise by the underwriters of their over-allotment option, and gross proceeds to the company are about $132.5 million, according to a news release.  Information: www.cbbank.com

Budding and veteran entrepreneurs can learn about the rewards and risks of franchise business ownership at a workshop Aug. 6 offered by Cal State San Bernardino's Inland Empire Women's Business Center.  "Starting Your Own Business: Is Franchise Ownership Right For You?" is scheduled 9 - 11 a.m. at the center's office, 202 East Airport Drive, Suite 155, San Bernardino. Cost: $15 if pre-registered online; $20 at the door. Information: Carla Ulloa at (909) 890-1242; www.iewbc.org

UniTech Services Group in Ontario has been named a "Good Corporate Citizen" by the Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County for the cleanliness of wastewater it discharges into the region's municipal treatment and distribution system, according to a company news release. UniTech discharges more than 800,000 gallons of water annually. In the release, UniTech General Manager Darrell Pike said it is the sixth time the facility has been the recipient of the honor.

The Rancho Cucamonga Chamber of Commerce is seeking participants for its quarterly business expo. The expo is scheduled at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 21 at the Joseph Filippi Winery, 12467 Base Line, Rancho Cucamonga. Cost: $25 per booth. Information: Stacey Sullens, Membership Services, stacey@ranchochamber.org

TMG Communications Inc. in Riverside has added two new divisions: land-use entitlement and government affairs. The divisions will be led by land-use attorney Matt Denham and government-affairs veteran Michael McKinney, according to a company news release.  Information: www.tmgonline.com

The Inland Valley chapter of the National Association of Women In Construction will hold a meeting at 5:30 p.m. Aug. 13 at Antonino's Ristorante Italiano, 7945 Vineyard Ave. D-7, Rancho Cucamonga. The topic for the evening, "Asbestos Awareness," will be presented by Cynthia Matthews, CEO/president of Restore America Environmental Construction Company.  Cost: $30. Reservations are required by Aug. 12. Information: (909) 982-7911; or Marlene Hargrove at (951) 202-4484.

Daum Commercial Real Estate Services has closed a $14.6 million industrial expansion transaction in Ontario for Myers Power Products, according to a news release. Myers acquired the 221,921-square-foot manufacturing, distribution and warehouse facility, at 2950 Philadelphia St., to expand its manufacturing and corporate offices.  Mark Zorn and Tal Siglar of Daum's Ontario office represented the seller, TA Associates Realty. Chris Migliori of Daum represented Myers.  Information: www.daumcommercial.com

   The state Division of Workers' Compensation has launched a campaign to help small employers bring their employees back to work or keep them working following workplace injuries, according to a news release. The "Bring 'em Back" campaign aims to provide small employers with the information they need to apply for reimbursement for purchases they make to help employees stay working while they recover from injuries. The state's incentive program provides up to $2,500 in reimbursements for dollars spent on workplace modifications that bring an employee injured on the job after July 1, 2004, back to work. The program ends Dec. 31.  Information: (510) 286-6990; www.dir.ca.gov

Union Bank launches rebranding campaign with new logo
UnionBanCal Corp. and its primary subsidiary, Union Bank, has launched a rebranding campaign that includes an updated logo and signage that over the course of the next several months will eventually adorn Union Bank branches, ATMs and business offices in California, Oregon, Washington and other locations where the company maintains specialized lending offices. According to a company news release, Union Bank has started the process of incorporating the new logo on customer forms, bank statements, checks, ATM cards, brochures and other material.  Local branches' signage will be changing over the next few weeks. The company has branches in Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, Upland, Fontana, Chino Hills and Corona, where it has three locations.  UnionBanCal Corp. is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ Ltd., which is a subsidiary of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc. (NYSE: MTU). Information: www.unionbank.com

Forever 21 to take giant anchor position at Inland Center mall
Forever 21 will occupy a 94,011-square-foot anchor position at Inland Center in San Bernardino and will be the largest Forever 21 store in their department store portfolio, according to a news release. The store is scheduled to open in fall. The mall's other anchors are Macy's and Sears.

CVB Financial announces pricing of public stock offering
CVB Financial Corp., the parent company of Citizens Business Bank, has announced the pricing of an underwritten public offering of 19.7 million shares of its common stock at a price of $5.85 per share, for gross proceeds of approximately $115.2 million. According to a company news release, the net proceeds of the offering after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses are expected to be about $109.5 million. The company expects to close the sale of common stock on or about July 27. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods and Sandler O'Neill and Partners L.P. are acting as joint book-running managers for the offering, according to the release. The company also has granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 2,955,000 shares of the company's common stock to cover over-allotments, if any.

San Bernardino training facility to host 'Green Technologies Forum'
The Applied Technology Training Center in San Bernardino will hold a Green Technologies Forum from 7:30 to 10 a.m. Aug. 7 at the center's headquarters, 114 S. Del Rosa Drive.
The topic of the event will be "Green technologies in community revitalization," and Assemblywoman Wilmer Amina Carter will be the keynote speaker. Also appearing as guest speakers are Les Hamasaki, executive director of Green Institute for Village Empowerment Inc., and E. Lewis Clark, president and CEO of Lewis and Clark Construction Inc. Information: www.attctraining.org.

Networking group to discuss 'green' business opportunities
Wanetta Harrington will be the guest speaker at networking group First Fridays meeting at 6 p.m. Aug. 7 at the Jazz Cafe, 1133 W. Sixth St., Ontario. Harrington will be speaking on the topic, "Be a part of the Green Business Trillion Dollar Explosion."  Cost: $10. Information: Mary Welch, (951) 809-8833.

Fontana community center contractor garners national award
Barnhart Inc., which is headquartered in San Diego and operates offices in Riverside, has received the "Public Works Project of the Year" award from the American Public Works Association for Fontana Park's Jessie Turner Health and Fitness Community Center. Barnhart provided general contracting services for the $49 million project, which was completed in October. The Fontana Park Center also received an award in the Structures category.  Baxter Miller Landscape Architects Inc. was the lead design firm on the project. Barnhart Inc. staff working on the project included Chris Moseley, vice president; Larry Caprio, project manager; Gerry Droge, superintendent; and Trish Horton, field engineer.

Chino Commercial releases second quarter earnings report
Chino Commercial Bancorp, parent company of Chino Commercial Bank, recently announced earnings for the quarter ended June 30.  The company posted net earnings of $73,529, a 49.8 percent reduction from $146,405 for the same quarter of 2008, according to a news release. The bank's profit year-to-date was up 2.6 percent to $192,798, as compared with net earnings of $187,876 for the same period last year.

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Women's business center slates panel discussion in Fontana
The Inland Empire Women's Business Center will have a panel discussion July 23 in Fontana to connect business owners with experts in insurance, banking, lending, asset recovery and financial planning.  "Women, Wealth and Wisdom" will be held from 3 - 5:30 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn, 10543 Sierra Ave. Cost: $10 for center members; $20 for non-members.  Information: Carla Ulloa at (909) 890-1242; www.iewbc.org.

Rancho chamber CEO completes business accreditation program
Rancho Cucamonga Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Michelle Alonzo recently graduated from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles with a four-year accreditation in business management, IOM, a professional development program. "On behalf of the Rancho Cucamonga Chamber and its Board of Directors, we are proud of Michelle and the work that she has done to complete this prestigious award, and wish her tremendous success in her career," Chamber Chairwoman Renee Futter said in a news release.

City of Riverside joins U.S. Green Building Council
The city of Riverside is now a member of the U.S. Green Building Council , a nonprofit dedicated to making green building practices commonplace.  "Becoming a member of USGBC is directly in line with the city's efforts," said Scott Barber, the city's community development department director. "Riverside had the nation's first incentive-based Green Building Program.  We also have a building official who is both LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Accredited Professional and Build-It-Green-certified."  Membership in the nonprofit entitles the city to council programs such as workshops and courses, LEED reference guides and accreditation, e-newsletters and information on green building.  "The USGBC is on the cutting edge of green building technology," said Mayor Ronald O. Loveridge. "Green building is Riverside's future, and this organization can help guide us there."

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Ontario catering company named district Small Business of the Year
State Sen. Bob Dutton, R-Rancho Cucamonga, has chosen Impressions Gourmet Catering in Ontario as the small business of the year for the 31st Senate District, according to a company news release. Founder and CEO Sandra Forney started Impressions Gourmet Catering in 1983 and now takes in revenues of more than $1.5 million while employing full- and part-time employees.

Victorville launches investor visa program to boost area economy
In a move to bolster job growth and investment, the Victorville City Council has approved an investor visa program that will make 3,000 EB-5 visas available to qualified foreign investors. Funds from the investments will initially be used for a series of projects at Southern California Logistics Airport, according to a news release.  The program, which will report directly to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, will create private and limited partnerships to complete a series of projects at the airport, including a wastewater-treatment facility, electrical generation, intermodal rail improvements and various infrastructure improvements, according to the release.

Edison brings helicopters and jobs to Chino Airport
Southern California Edison will house its fleet of six maintenance helicopters at the San Bernardino County's Chino Airport, according to a news release. "SCE is relocating its fleet of aviation workhorses from L.A./Ontario International Airport to the less-congested Chino Airport, which features a unique location, access to Southern California's skies and a convenient location within a 10-minute drive of four other Southern California counties," according to the release. The 20-year lease with SCE is expected to add about 20 full-time jobs to the airport. Construction of the 40,485-square-foot facility is scheduled to be completed by the fall of 2010. Construction costs are estimated at $7 million, Edison officials said in the release.

Water board member to join W. Riverside governments council
S.R. "Al" Lopez, a longtime member of Western Municipal Water District board of directors, will be seated Aug. 3 as the Riverside-based water agency's representative to the Western Riverside Council of Governments, according to a news release.  Lopez's district includes Corona and portions of Norco. Lopez was mayor of Corona in 1986 and 1990. He served on the City Council from 1982 to 1994. He owns SR Consulting.

Upland commercial realty group says 2Q showed growth
Michael Polley, president of 1st Commercial Realty Group Inc. in Upland, recently announced that the company has secured a new customer and saw growth in the second quarter. 1st Commercial Realty Group currently represents office, retail and industrial properties, corporations, professional organizations, business associations, investors and individuals in the U.S. and Asia, according to a company news release.

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Board of Equalization says it's accepting California IOUs
The state Board of Equalization will accept state-issued registered warrants, or IOUs, as payment of taxes due from certain vendors doing business with California, officials said. The board will accept the warrants as payment of sales and use taxes and other fees owed by businesses that do not receive regular payments from the state until funds are available. If a taxpayer chooses to make a payment due with an IOU issued by the state controller, they must include their IOU as payment with a return by the due date of the return, according to a news release. The warrant must be signed over and/or be payable to the Board of Equalization. Sales and Use Tax and other fee programs administered by the board have returns due by July 31.  Information: (800) 400-7115; www.boe.ca.gov.

Housing prices declining at slower rate nationwide
National housing prices fell 9.2 percent in May compared to a year ago, representing the smallest year-over-year decline recorded in 2009 and the lowest since December 2007, according to data from First American CoreLogic and its LoanPerformance Home Price Index. May's decline was a 0.5 percent improvement over the revised 9.7 percent decline in April.
In the San Bernardino-Ontario-Riverside area, home prices decreased 29.72 percent in May compared to a year ago. In April, the region showed a decrease of 29.62 percent compared to one year prior.  California's price trend continued to improve in May with a decline of 19.8 percent over the previous May.  The state's price trend is currently more than 10 percentage points better than the peak decline of 30.3 percent set in August.

Stater Bros. Markets names vice president of finance
Dave Harris has been appointed vice president of finance for San Bernardino-based Stater Bros. Markets. According to a company news release, Harris will be responsible for directing the day-to-day operations of the company's financial department and will report to Phil Smith, executive vice president of finance, chief financial officer and chief accounting officer.  Harris had been a partner with Soren McAdam Christenson LLP in Redlands since 2005, according to the release. He currently serves on the board of directors of the Children's Fund and the Inland Empire Economic Partnership.  He also is a member of the Inland Empire chapter of Financial Executives International.

Mojave Desert AQMD seeks businesses to do retrofit work
The Mojave Desert Air Quality Management District, based in Victorville, is accepting proposals from area businesses for up to $824,000 in grants for projects to "reduce smog-forming emissions from heavy-duty vehicles and other mobile diesel equipment operated in the High Desert portion of San Bernardino County and Riverside County's Palo Verde Valley," according to a district news release.  Small on-road fleets, off-road compression-ignited engines, off-road large spark-ignited engines, agricultural irrigation pumps and locomotives are eligible for repower or retrofit through the Carl Moyer Program, according to the release.
Proposals will be accepted until 5 p.m. Oct. 20. Should funding remain available after the deadline, applications will continue to be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
Information: (760) 245-1661, ext. 5706; www.mdaqmd.ca.gov.

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R.C.-based credit union services company signs new clients
Co-Op Financial Services in Rancho Cucamonga has announced 55 new contracts have been won in 2009 for its flagship offering, Co-Op Network, further extending its credit union clients. The new network agreements push Co-Op's total number of new contracts for the year to more than 100 across multiple business lines, according to a news release. A total of nearly 3,000 credit unions, about one-third of all credit unions in the United States, participate in Co-Op Network, a nationwide network of surcharge-fee ATMs.

Yucaipa medical device maker hires L.A. broker to consider bids
Ingen Technologies Inc. has hired Pacific Pearl Group for evaluation of all bids and proposals to acquire the Yucaipa-based medical device manufacturer, according to a company news release.  Pacific Pearl Group is a licensed Financial Industry Regulatory Authority dealer-broker, headquartered in Los Angeles.  According to the release, Ingen remains ahead of schedule in decreasing its debts before the end of this quarter and is focused on profitability before Aug. 31. The company's annual shareholder meeting is scheduled for Sept. 22.

Pomona real estate valuation company brings on new staff
PCV Murcor, a national real estate valuation company based in Pomona, has expanded its staff. Nolan Turner has been named vice president of business development. Turner previously worked with Wachovia's investment banking and wealth management divisions. Also joining PCV Murcor is Marybeth Sosa, who is the company's new director of human resources. Sosa previously was vice president and senior human resources manager at Solstice Capital Group in Irvine.

San Bernardino business center earns LEED Silver certification
Five Hillwood-developed buildings at Interchange Business Center in San Bernardino have earned Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design -- Silver certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.  According to a news release, this is the largest speculative industrial project in the United States, one of the largest industrial projects in the country, and one of the largest overall projects in the state to receive LEED certification.  The five speculative buildings along the west side of the 215 Freeway about 2 miles north of the 210 Freeway interchange, were completed in 2008. Hillwood developed the project, then sold the five buildings to CB Richard Ellis Investors.

Local Avon representatives earn Bahamas trip for top performance
Avon Products Inc. recently announced that several area Avon representatives have been recognized among the beauty giant's top representatives in the country. Cindy Goulet in Fontana, Pam Zulkanycz in Norco and Celia Gonzalez and Vivian Rogers, both in Riverside, were awarded a trip to Paradise Island in the Bahamas to attend the company's President's Recognition Program Celebration.  Information: www.avoncompany.com.

Rialto woman earns promotion at direct-sale nutritional company
Silvia Saravia of Rialto was recently promoted to the director level in Reliv International, a nutritional supplements company. Reliv distributors reach new levels when their sales organizations meet specific sales volume goals. Information: (909) 266-1575.

 

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Pomona to get from HUD community block grant
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has announced the distribution of nearly 700 grants totalling $360 million funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. One of the Community Development Block Grants, worth $761,773, will go to Pomona. The grants go to local governments to enable them "to undertake a wide range of activities intended to create suitable living environments, provide affordable housing and create economic opportunities," according to a news release.  A total of $1 billion will be awarded nationwide in Recovery Act Community Development Block Grants.
Information: www.hud.gov/recovery.

Fleetwood closes sale of motor home assets
Fleetwood Enterprises Inc., headquartered in Riverside, has closed the sale of its motor home assets to American Industrial Partners Capital Fund IV LP, according to a news release. The purchase price of $33.2 million includes two motor home manufacturing facilities, two motor home service facilities and Fleetwood's Gold Shield supply subsidiary, all located in Decatur, Ind. It also includes the intellectual property for Fleetwood's motor home brands and certain machinery and equipment in Riverside.  Fleetwood continues to own two idled motor home plants, one in Riverside and one in Pennsylvania. The Riverside plant will be operated temporarily by AIP under license.
Information: www.fleetwood.com.

San Bernardino barbershop reopens under new ownership
The barbershop at 738 S. Waterman Ave., Suite A-6, San Bernardino, has reopened under new ownership after a four-month closure. The new shop, Upper Cuts, is owned by Carl Jimz and will celebrate its reopening with events Friday, July 24, and Sunday, July 26. There will be free barbecue, free drinks and gifts while supplies last, including Upper Cuts boxing gloves for the first 10 customers each of the three days.
Information: (909) 890-1277.

Rancho chamber to honor 'Small Business of the Year'
The Rancho Cucamonga Chamber of Commerce will honor the city's 2009 - 2010 Small Business of the Year, Minuteman Press, at a ceremony on July 22.  Chamber President Renee Futter will also give a presentation on the chamber's goals for the coming year.
The event, starting with registration at 11:30 a.m., will take place at Etiwanda Gardens, 7576 Etiwanda Ave., Rancho Cucamonga.  Cost: $30; $320 for a sponsored table.  Information: (909) 987-1012; www.ranchochamber.org.

Foreclosure seminar planned at Cal State San Bernardino
The Inland Empire Economic Recovery Corp. will hold a home foreclosure seminar for distressed homeowners July 25 in the Santos Manuel Student Union at Cal State San Bernardino. Beginning at 8 a.m., homeowners will be able to have one-on-one consultations with lenders and nonprofits to discuss options that might be available for those facing foreclosure, according to a news release. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early so they may have the best opportunity to receive consultation.  Attendees are asked to park in Parking Lot D. Information: Bob Hooker, executive director of the corporation, at (909) 723-8323, or e-mail rhooker@ieerc.org.

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Bank to open IE office in August
Los Angeles-based 1st Enterprise Bank, which serves businesses across Southern California, will open its Inland Empire Regional Office in early August, according to a news release. "We have a very experienced and capable staff in place for that regional office, and we look forward to it contributing to our continued strong growth," the release stated. The bank, which was founded about three years ago, reported $377,000 in second-quarter earnings compared to a loss of $17,000 during the year-ago period in 2008. The Inland Empire office will be located in Ontario, 3281 E. Guasti Road, Suite 875.

3G Pomona coverage extended
AT&T has announced a new cell site to increase 3G wireless coverage in Pomona. "The new site will improve coverage for area customers and businesses," a news release says. The new cell site expands upon AT&T's "growing 3G, or third generation, wireless network in the greater Los Angeles area. With 3G service, customers in and around Pomona now have more options in how, when and where they can use their mobile handset devices, access the Internet, retrieve and send e-mail or view a variety of entertainment services."

NAIOP chapter to host breakfast
The National Association of Industrial and Office Properties -- Inland Empire is holding its "Anatomy of Development" breakfast at the Ontario Airport Towers on Aug. 12 from 7:30 to 9 a.m.  A panel will discuss topics such as "project overview, leasing updates, financing assistance and development bond info," according to the chapter's Web site. The event includes a tour of the building. The moderator is Michael Morris of Morris Venture Partners. Panelists include Greg Devereaux, Ontario city manager; Michael Day, vice president of CB Richard Ellis; J.R. Wetzel, managing partner of PGP Partners; Stacey Sanchez, senior community loan officer for CDC Small Business Finance and executive director of SoCal Reinvestment CDFI. The Ontario Airport Towers is located at 2855 E. Guasti Road in Ontario. For chapter members, $35. For other NAIOP member, $40. For developing leaders, $20. For nonmembers, $45.

Zamoff joins Best Best & Krieger
Jamie Zamoff, who has extensive administrative experience with international law firms, has joined Best Best & Krieger LLP as chief operating officer, the firm announced Monday in a news release. Eric Garner, managing partner, said the firm will draw on Zamoff's experience "to shape BB&K's day-to-day operations." With nearly 200 attorneys working in eight major cities across the state, the firm caters to private and public agency clients such as cities, water agencies and school districts, and focuses on environmental, municipal, education and business law. Zamoff has worked as the director of administration in the New York office of Mintz Levin, a Boston-based international law firm, and as administrator in Washington, D.C., for the Boston-based international law firm of Ropes & Gray.

IE firms welcome to attend summit
Inland Empire businesses are welcome to attend the 2009 Mobility 21 Transportation Summit, "Making Transportation Work: Planning and Funding Southern California's Transportation Future," which is being held on Sept. 21 in downtown Los Angeles. To sponsor this event, contact the Mobility 21 executive director at (949) 698-2856, or e-mail mprimmer@lachamber.com. For more information about the transportation summit, visit www.mobility21.com.

Martial arts school to hold opening
Chozen Martial Arts, a Rancho Cucamonga martial arts instructing school, is having its grand opening from 5:30-6:30 p.m. on July 29. The business is located on 6735 Carnelian St.

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