Daily Business Report — Feb. 8, 2010
CONNECT to Hire Full-Time Lobbyist in Washington
CONNECT, the nonprofit organization promoting San Diego’s technology and life science industries, is seeking to hire a full-time lobbyist based in Washington, D.C., to represent the San Diego industries. More than 70 percent of funding for innovation in San Diego is coming from the federal
government, yet there is no organiation in DC to represent local interests, according to the organization. CEO Duane Roth is working with a search committee for that purpose. Staffer Jessie Womble will be located in Washington for the next six months to establish the office.
Whether it’s backroom discussions on policy development or last-minute amendments, CONNECT believes it is critical to be at the table to explain the impact on innovation and small business, said Roth. To become aware of and gain access to these critical discussions CONNECT will now have a consistent presence and close relationships with legislative offices and administration officials, he said.
The focus of the lobbyist will be federal policy issues that will foster or hinder innovation in San Diego, including intellectual property, workforce development, regulation (Food and Drug Administration, Environmental Protection Agency, Federal Trade Commission), research funding, trade and antitrust, investment capital and incentives.
The CONNECT DC office will be housed in the University of California Washington Center, about two blocks from the Hill.
State Controller to Speak at Asian Business Association Luncheon
State Controller John Chiang will be the guest speaker at the Asian Business Association’s Feb. 23 Rice Club Luncheon at the San Diego Hall of Champions in Balboa Park. Chiang will discuss the financial condition of the state and how it impacts small business. Registration is at 11:45 a.m. followed by networking and buffet from noon to 1 p.m. and the program from 1 to 1:30 p.m. The cost is $25 for ABA members, $30 for nonmembers and $35 at the door. To register online, visit abasd.org.
City Heights Apartment Project Sold for $510,000
The bank-owned Highland Canyon Apartments in City Heights has been purchased for $510,000 by an undisclosed buyer. The apartments, located at 2721-2735 Highland Ave., consists of eight two-bedroom, one-bath units, most of which were vacant at the close of escrow. Diane Miramontes of Cassidy Turley BRE Commercial represented the seller. Daniel Cote of San Diego Investment Brokers represented the buyer. The two-building project was built in 1959 and includes two storage rooms and eight off-street parking spaces.
Science Center to Debut Exhibition on Human Cell Biology
Life Technologies Foundation, a nonprofit arm of Life Technologies Corp. in Carlsbad, has given the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center a $441,397 grant to produce an exhibition designed to expand the public’s knowledge and appreciation of human cell biology, the importance of stem cells and the potential impact of stem cells on medical research in the fields of regenerative and personalized medicine. The exhibition, currently in development, is tentatively titled “Cellular Journey: Stem Cells and the Cells of the Human Body.” It is scheduled to open to the public in early 2011.
“This exhibition will expand the public’s knowledge of life science through interactive exhibits and information that is accurate, accessible and engaging,” said Jeffrey Kirsch, executive director of the Science Center. “We hope to make the science of human cell biology both accessible and educational to the public, and through this, to deepen the public’s appreciation of science and the work of local scientists.”
Interactive exhibit components currently under review include:
• A “Fly into a cell” theater where visitors can explore the unseen world of the human cell.
• Cell function matching activity where visitors will manipulate an interactive to match parts of cells with their functions.
• “You Are a Scientist,” where visitors will utilize real lab equipment to simulate stem cell extractions and use computer software to grow virtual cultures of specialized cells to affect a disease process such as diabetes or cancer.
Federal Contract Awards
(Source: Targeted News Service)
• Tried & True Corp. in El Cajon was awarded a $20 million federal contract by the U.S. Air Force’s 21st Contracting Squadron, Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., for management, supplies, equipment, transportation and labor for non-personal custodial services. Places of performance will be in Peterson Air Force Base and Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station, Colo.
• PKL Services Inc. in Poway was awarded a $17,837,496 federal contract modification by the U.S. Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Patuxent River, Md., for additional selected organizational level maintenance for U.S. Marine Corps helicopters.
• General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. of Poway was awarded a $12,804,804 federal contract by the U.S. Air Force’s 703rd Aeronautical Systems Group, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, for two MQ-9 Reaper test aircrafts.
• Applied Membranes Inc. of Vista won a $38,314 federal contract from the U.S. Army Contracting Command, Herlong, Calif., for Tactical Water Purification System (TWPS) retrofit kits.
• Fraser’s Boiler Service in San Diego won an $827,392 federal contract from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Seattle, Wash., for dockside repairs to the NOAA Ship Ka’Imimoana.
• Navigational Services Inc. of National City won a $7,446.25 federal contract from the U.S. Coast Guard’s Surface Forces Logistics Center, Oakland, to remove, replace and reseal 227 square feet of polymeric decking on board the Coast Guard cutter Bertholf.
Business Datebook
Feb. 10
PANEL: The San Diego Press Club presents a panel talk on “WriterPalooza: 50 Tips in 50 Minutesw to Boost Your Writing Business,” aimed at professional and aspiring writers and editors. 6 p.m. at KGTV/10, 4600 Air Way, San Diego. Panelists: Dennis Morgigno, Channel 4 San Diego; Kimberly Edwards, formerly of KGTV/10; Lee Swanson, former broadcaster; and Jan Rieger, McLane Rieger Communications. Free for Press Club members, $10 for nonmembers. RSVP to: sdpressclub@cox.net.
SHOWCASE: CleanTECH San Diego and the US Renewables Group present the CleanTECH Showcase, which explores opportunities in the wind-power industry. Keynote presentation by Jim McDermott, managing partner, US Renewables. Registration 4 p.m., keynote 6 p.m., panel 6:40 p.m. La Jolla Marriott. $10 for students, $30 for CleanTECH members, $45 for others. RSVP at: http://ctsd.eventbrite.com.
Feb. 16
CELEBRATION: The Asian Business Association of San Diego holds its 16th annual Lunar New Year Celebration featuring Lucky Lion Dancers, a casino night with prizes and Chinese cuisine. 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., dinner from 6:15 to 7:15 p.m., no-host bar, Fat City Steakhouse/China Camp Restaurant, 2137 Pacific Coast Highway, San Diego. Cost: before Feb. 16, $30 to ABA members, $35 for nonmembers; at the door, $40 members and nonmembers. Register online at abasd.org. For more information, call (858) 277-2822.
Feb. 18
ROUNDTABLE: Hal Varian, chief economist at Google, will speak on “Predicting the Present with Google Trends” at the Economics Roundtable, 7:30 a.m., UCSD Faculty Club. Admission is $50 per person, includes continental breakfast and parking. For more information and registration, call (858) 822-0510.
Feb. 23
LUNCHEON: State Controller John Chiang will be the guest speaker at the Asian Business Association’s Rice Club Luncheon at the San Diego Hall of Champions in Balboa Park. Chiang will discuss the financial condition of the state and how it impacts small business. Registration is at 11:45 a.m. followed by networking and buffet from noon to 1 p.m. and the program from 1 to 1:30 p.m. The cost is $25 for ABA members, $30 for nonmembers and $35 at the door. To register online, visit abasd.org.
Feb. 24
DIGITAL FORUM: A forum on social media marketing will feature social media strategist and coach Jason Baer, who will lead a panel discussion on the topic. Sponsored by LEAD San Diego and Bailey Gardiner. 7:30 a.m., continential breakfast and networking; 8 a.m., presentation by Baer; 8:45 a.m., panel discussion. USD’s Joan B. Kroc Theatre, San Diego. $20 general admission, $15 for LEAD San Diego members. For more information, call (619) 280-5323.
Feb. 27
WORKSHOP: The San Diego chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers sponsors a “Day with Designers,” a public workshop to provide information on practical interior design basics and how to select an interior designer, among other tips. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Art Institute, 7650 Mission Valley Road, San Diego. Advanced tickets available for $35 by visiting ASIDSanDiego.org. Tickets at the door are $45. For more information, call (858) 646-9896.
The Daily Business Report is produced by REP Publishing Inc., publisher of San Diego Metropolitan magazine and the North Park News. (619) 906-4104.
