Daily Business Report — March 9, 2012
San Diego County Jobs Report
Nonfarm jobs down by 22,500 over the month, but up 11,400 jobs over the year; February data to be released on March 23
The unemployment rate in the San Diego County was 9.3 percent in January, an increase from a revised 9.0 percent in December 2011 and below the year-ago estimate of 10.5 percent, the state Employment Development Department reported today. California’s unemployment rate for the same period was 11.3 percent. The national jobless rate was 8.8 percent.
Between December 2011 and January 2012:
Total nonfarm employment declined from 1,251,000 to 1,228,500, a loss of 22,500 jobs. Agricultural employment gained 300 jobs, or 3.6 percent. Trade, transportation, and utilities reported the greatest month-over decline, down 7,600 jobs. Retail trade (down 4,800) accounted for more than half of the job losses in the sector. Wholesale trade decreased by 2,100 jobs, while transportation, warehousing, and utilities dropped by 700 jobs. Educational and health service declined by 3,900 jobs, mostly from health care and social assistance (down 2,300). Educational services lost 1,600 jobs. Eight other sectors also recorded job losses. The most significant decreases came from construction (down 3,100), leisure and hospitality (down 2,900), professional and business services (down 1,800), and government (down 1,500).
Between January 2011 and January 2012:
Total nonfarm employment gained 11,400 jobs over the year, or 0.9 percent. Agricultural employment declined by 1,300 jobs over the year. Professional and business services recorded the greatest year-over gain, adding 7,000 jobs. Administrative and support and waste services (up 4,000) contributed to more than half of the job growth in this sector. Professional, scientific, and technical services increased by 2,800 jobs, followed by a gain of 200 jobs in management of companies and enterprises. Three other sectors also added jobs over the year: leisure and hospitality (up 4,900), educational and health services (up 2,400), and trade, transportation, and utilities (up 1,300). Six other nonfarm industries reported year-over job losses. The most significant declines came from manufacturing (down 1,100), government (down 900), construction (down 800), and information (down 700).
Surfrider Foundation Gets Solana Beach Concession
The Surfrider Foundation said it scored a major victory when the city of Solana Beach had the land use portion of its Local Coastal Plan certified by the California Coastal Commission. The certification affects seawalls built on private property along the coast in Solana Beach. “The certification ensures compensation and mitigation for the encroachment of seawalls on publicly-owned beaches and bluffs,” said Jim Jaffee, a volunteer with the San Diego Surfrider chapter. “Due to rising sea levels and diminishing sand supplies, seawalls already jeopardize beach access and recreation in Solana Beach.” Under the agreement, the city of Solana Beach agrees to complete a study within 18 months to set an appropriate land lease and recreation fee. The Coastal Commission staff is to work on developing a statewide method for evaluating recreation and biological values that can be assigned to beaches.
NASSCO Parent Company Gets New President/COO
Phebe N. Novakovic has been elected president and chief operating officer for General Dynamics, parent company of San Diego’s National Steel and Shipbuilding Co. and Bath Iron Works and Electric Boat. The three subsidiaries are part of the company’s Marine Systems, where Novakovic has served as executive vice president. Novakovic has previously served as senior vice president for planning and development and vice president of strategic planning for the company. She is to assume her new position on May 2.
Street Design Expert to Speak at Horton Plaza
Transportation engineer Rock Miller will be featured at WalkSanDiego’s March 16 Visioning San Diego lunch forum, speaking on the status of walking and biking in California. It will be held at noon at the Downtown Information Center at Horton Plaza. Tickets are $5 in advance and $7 at the door. Lunch is provided. For reservations, call (619) 544-9255. Miller is a leading engineer in the state regarding Complete Streets. Legislation enacted last year requires all cities in California to include a “Complete Streets” policy in their general plans. Complete Streets are considered to be the future of street design, where roadways safely meet the needs of all users, including pedestrians and bicyclists.
PERSONNEL MOVES ____________________________________
San Diego — Esther Margulies has joined AECOM as an associate principal and will focus on building the firm’ Southern California landscape design practice. Margulies has more than 25 years of experience in public and private arenas. She has worked on projects that range in size from the revitalization of the landmark 32-mile Los Angeles River to the five-acre Annenberg Community Beach House in Santa Monica. Previously, Margulies was managing principal of ValleyCrest Design Group’s Los Angeles office.
San Diego — Kelly Weaver has been promoted to an account executive at Cavignac & Associates, an insurance brokerage. Weaver has been with Cavignac for five years, beginning as an intern and moving up to account administrator and eventually taking responsibility for her own portfolio of professional liability, commercial, nonprofit and action sports clients. She worked for several years at Weaver & Associates in Los Angeles, which is owned and operated by her parents.
Small Business Workshops
Helping startup and established small businesses throughout San Diego and Imperial counties prosper, SCORE San Diego continues its series of low-cost workshops. Workshop fees range from $29 to $109, depending on the program. For more information, call (619) 557-7272.
Upcoming Workshops:
March 10 – Introduction to Starting Your Own Business – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at National University – Kearney Mesa (9388 Lightwave Ave., San Diego 92123; pre-paid registration $69, $79 at the door).
March 12 – Financing Your Business – 9 a.m. to noon at SCORE Entrepreneur Center (550 West C. St., #550, San Diego 92101; pre-paid registration $29, $39 at the door).
March 13 – Financial Statements – What They Mean, How to Use Them – 9:30 a.m. to noon at SCORE Entrepreneur Center (550 West C. St., #550, San Diego 92101; pre-paid registration $29, $39 at the door).
March 14 – Internet Marketing 101 – Use the Internet to Successfully Market Your Business – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at National University – Kearney Mesa (9388 Lightwave Ave., San Diego 92123; pre-paid registration $69, $79 at the door).
The Daily Business Report is produced by REP Publishing Inc., publisher of SD METRO, the North Park News and the West Coast Craftsman. Contact: Manny Cruz (619) 287-1865. manny@sandiegometro.com.
