Daily Business Report — March 4, 2010

Kyocera Solar to Start Manufacturing Solar Modules in San Diego

Kyocera Solar Inc. announced plans Wednesday to begin manufacturing solar modules in San Diego this year to cater to the U.S. market’s increasing demand for large-scale solar electric generating systems. The manufacturing work will begin at Kyocera’s Balboa Avenue facility. The company has established an initial production target of 30 megawatts per year, which fits in with its global production capacity plans of 1,000 megawatts of solar cells per year ( equal to one gigawatt per year) by March 2013.

The one-gigawatt capacity will allow the company to supply 3.5-kilowatt solar-electric systems for about 285,000 homes each year.

“The U.S. is experiencing extraordinary growth in its adoption of solar electricity,” said Steve Hill, president of Kyocera Solar. “Kyocera’s San Diego plant will provide high-quality, high-efficiency solar modules to serve this expanding market. With a 35-year commitment to providing clean energy through solar modules, Kyocera is adding capacity globally to meet worldwide demand.”

The company’s plans drew praise from political and business leaders. “In this economic climate, this is positive news that translates into new manufacturing jobs and increased economic activity for San Diego,” said Ruben Barrales, president and CEO of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce.

“Even in this recession, green jobs in California have grown, and Kyocera’s decision to locate its solar manufacturing operations in San Diego will create even more jobs at a time when they are needed most,” said Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Kyocera currently has solar module manufacturing facilities in Japan, China, the Czech Republic and Mexico, an indication that solar energy has become one of the company’s fastest-growing businesses around the world. The company said it expects to double its production of solar cells in the two fiscal years from 2009 to 2011.

Kyocera, which established U.S. operations in 1969 and was the first Japan-based corporation with manufacturing operations in California, said solar power offers a hedge against electricity cost increases and serves as an environmental countermeasure to acid rain, ozone depletion and rising carbon levels. The Kyocera Group companies employ 4,000 people in the United Staters. Kyocera Solar Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kyocera International Inc. of San Diego, the North American headquarters and holding company for Kyoto, Japan-based Kyocera Corp.

Two Major BEQ Projects Under Way at Camp Pendleton

The design-build team of Turner Construction Co. and T.B. Penick & Sons have broken ground on two bachelor enlisted quarters (BEQ) at Camp Pendleton that will cost an estimated $213.3 million. The projects are part of a multi-million dollar expansion at the Marine Corps base that will bring thousands of jobs to the area.

One of the projects consists of four BEQ structures on two sites that will house 1,384 Marines. It will include two exterior pavilions, two exterior amphitheaters, four community buildings, new parking, three bike shelters with 138 spaces, a 1,600-square-foot physical training area and 12 BBQ/picnic structures with amenities. This package also includes renovations to three existing buildings including renovated office spaces; a classroom; a guard bunk; locker rooms; mechanical, electrical, and telecom rooms; an armory, and storage rooms.  The estimated cost is $103,725,091, and is expected to be complete August 2011.

The other project also consists of  four major BEQ structures on two sites, and will house over 1,500 Marines.  It also features an exterior pavilion, two exterior amphitheaters, four community buildings, a 1,600-square-foot physical training area, four picnic areas, three bike shelters with 165 bike spaces, a repelling tower, an off-site parking development and an expansion to the sewer treatment plant.  The estimated cost is $109,578,253, and is expected to be complete August 2011.

Both of the projects were designed by MVE Institutional Inc. and Vasquez Marshall Architects.

The construction of the BEQs is part of a $3 billion expansion at Camp Pendleton.  Funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and awarded by Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southwest, other projects at Camp Pendleton include a new hospital estimated at $563 million, photovoltaic charging stations, new BEQs, demolition of existing buildings and renovations to existing facilities.

North Park Property Sells for $600,000

A mixed-use property at 3140-3150 El Cajon Blvd. and 4310 Iowa St. in North Park has been sold for $600,000 to El Cajon Estates LLC, which plans to remodel the site and hold it for long-term investment. The 4,438-square-foot property is located at the corner of El Cajon Boulevard and Iowa Street. It consists of three commercial buildings and two houses. All units, with the exception of one house, are vacant. Chris Rink of Cassidy Turley BRE Commercial represented the buyer and the seller, MJK/Oceanside Real Estate Holding Co.

Cal State San Marcos Students Pass Fee Referendum for Sports

Students at Cal State San Marcos have voted to pass a fee referendum that will allow the university to add men’s and women’s basketball, women’s volleyball, and cheer and dance teams as well as provide more scholarships to student-athletes from all sports. Results of the vote were announced Wednesday by Athletics Director Tom Seitz. To fund the expansion, students voted to increase the current $40 per semester athletic fee over the next three years. The fee will be $60 per semester in the 2010-2011 academic year, $80 in 2011-2012, and $100 in 2012-2013 and beyond. Of the 1,266 students who voted, nearly 70 percent of them voted in favor of the increase.

Adding the new sports will allow CSUSM to apply for membership in the National Collegiate Athletic Association as a member of Division II. Once accepted, the program also will look to join the California Collegiate Athletic Association, a conference made up of 11 California State Universities and UCSD. Cal State San Marcos athletics currently sponsors 10 sports, and is in its 11th year of competition as an independent member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. The men’s and women’s basketball, women’s volleyball, and cheer/dance programs will be created this fall and are expected to begin competition in the 2011-2012 academic year.

Parent of USD Business Student Donates $75,000

The USD School of Business Administration has received a $75,000 gift to fund student internships from Albert P. Carey, president and CEO of Frito-Lay North America and the parent of a USD business student. The money will support about 10 undergraduate and graduate business students each summer over the next three years. Under the fund, students will receive up to $3,000 each summer to support either a paid or unpaid internship. Students will compete for the funds by writing a 500-word essay and explaining the value of their internship and how it will advance their career goals.

According to a 2009 survey of USD business graduates, two-thirds of MBA students participating in an internship found jobs, compared to 50 percent for those who did not. Among USD undergraduates, 30 percent received a full-time job offer from their internship employer and 54 percent believed there was a significant possibility they would receive a job offer from their employer in the near future.

Grossmont Career Center Sponsors Job Skills Event

The Grossmont College Career Center will host “Be A Star Performer,” a March 11 free informational meeting on soft skills that can give individuals an edge in job searches and in their careers. It will be held from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at the Career Center, Room 627, on the college campus in El Cajon. Nancy Davis, the college’s student development services supervisor, will conduct the meeting. For more information or to reserve a seat, phone (619) 644-7614, or visit grossmont.edu/jobplacement.

Cuyamaca College Instructor Receives Award of Excellence

Cuyamaca College music instructor Pat Setzer, a key player in the planning and construction of a performing arts complex inside the campus’ $45 million communication arts center, is one of four community college faculty members statewide to receive the 2010 Hayward Award for Excellence in Education. Setzer, an associate professor and chair of the college’s performing arts department, joined his fellow instructors for the award presentation at the March 2 community college board of governors meeting in Sacramento. The award, which comes with a $1,250 cash prize, is named after Gerald C. Hayward, chancellor of the California Community Colleges from 1980 to 1985. The college’s performing arts complex has a 364-seat concert hall, a 90-seat digital theater, three rehearsal studios, two recording studios, a 24-station electronic music lab, a media lab, 11 pratice rooms and costume construction/dressing rooms. Since 1989 – the first year the Hayward award was presented – seven San Diego County community college instructors have received the plaudit, founded by the California Community Colleges Board of Governors. The last instructor from San Diego County to win the award was Grossmont College Professor Zoe Close in 2005.

Powwow to Promote Census Participation

A Census Powwow to promote the importance of American Indian participation in the 2010 U.S. Census will be held from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. in the Barrio Station Auditorium, 2175 Newton Ave., in San Diego. The event will include performances by dancing groups and arts and crafts booths selling jewelry, pottery, paintings, beadwork and other items. The powwow is organized by the American Indian Complete Count Committee, Indian Human Resource Center, San Diego Unified School District Indian Education Program, American Indian Movement, American Indian Faculty/Staff Association – UCSD, American Indian Warriors Association, UCSD Native American Alumni Association, Southern California American Indian Resource Center, Tonkawa Seniors of San Diego, San Diego American Indian Health Center, American Indian Studies – SDSU and the Council of American Indian Organizations of San Diego County. For more information, call (619) 281-5964 for more information.

Trattoria Acqua Restaurant to Close

Trattoria Acqua on the Cove will close its doors on March13 because it lost its lease. “The landlord made a decision after 16 years that he wants to go in a different direction and wants someone else in the space,” said Mike McGeath, who owns the restaurant along with his wife, Victoria. “We are going to move on.” During its last two weeks of operation, Trattoria Acqua (1298 Prospect Ave.) will be bringing back old favorites from previous menus and offering nightly wine specials. The restaurant also will liquidate what’s left of its award-winning wine list at net wholesale cost on March 14 from noon to 5 p.m.

 McGeath said he and his wife are looking for another location.

Business Datebook

March 4

WORKSHOP: The Asian Business Association will present its latest Pacific Rim Entrepreneur Series, “Doing Business With Sempra Energy Utilities-SDG&E and Southern Cal Gas,” 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Courtyard Marriott, 8651 Spectrum Center Blvd., San Diego. Keynote speakers: Caroline Winn, director of Supply Management, and Carolina Herrera, director of Diverse Business Enterprises. Cost for ABA and partner members, $10; nonmembers pay $15. To reserve, call (858) 277-2822, Ext. 102, or visit abasd.org.

March 6

FORUM: “Doing Business in a Difficult Time,” a forum presented by the Southeastern Economic Development Corp. for small businesses. 9 a.m. to noon, SEDC offices, 4393 Imperial Ave., San Diego. Will include information on enterprise zone tax advantages, storefront improvement program, loan programs and marketing. $10 cost includes breakfast. For reservations, call (619) 527-7345.

March 11

PANEL TALK: Social media strategies to increase sales and raise brand awareness will be discussed during the Sales & Marketing Council’s “Social Media 101” event. 7:15 to 9 a.m., Building Industry Association offices, 9201 Spectrum Center Blvd., San Diego. $30 for BIA members. $60 for nonmembers. To register, call (858) 450-1221, Ext. 101. Panelists: Harley Orion of Orion Social; Jan Percival of Scribe Communications; Maria Swanson of Weston Mason Marketing.

March 17

BREAKFAST MEETING: Influenza experts will discuss lessons learned from the swine flu pandemic at BIOCOM’s monthly breakfast meeting, 7 to 9 a.m., Hyatt Regency La Jolla, 3777 La Jolla Village Drive, San Diego. Speakers: Brian Plew, head of public health, Life Technologies; Larry R. Smith, v.p., vaccine research, Vical Inc.; John D. Tamerius, senior v.p., clinical and regulatory affairs, Quidel Corp. For information, call Valerie Sanderson (858) 455-0300, Ext. 112.

MEETING: The March meeting of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) San Diego will feature Jo Dee Jacob presenting “Building and Nurturing a Winning Team.” 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Sheraton La Jolla, 3299 Holiday Court, La Jolla. Jacob is CEO of The San Diego-Imperial Council of Girl Scouts. $35 for members, $45 for nonmembers. For more information, visit nawbo-sd.org.

March 18

MEETING: Web content strategist Shelly Bowen, principal of Pybop LLC, will speak on “Virtual Story Telling: How to Grow Your Business with Social Media,” at the meeting of the San Diego Professional Editors Network (SD/PEN), 6:30 p.m., Joyce Beers Community Center, Uptown Shopping Center, Hillcrest. Free and open to nonmembers. For more information, call (619) 281-6951 or visit sdpen.com. $45 for BIOCOM members, $90 for nonmembers.

The Daily Business Report is produced by REP Publishing Inc., publisher of San Diego Metropolitan Magazine, the North Park News, Kensington News and the West Coast Craftsman. (619) 906-4104.