Daily Business Report-Dec. 18, 2020
Photo credit: Spectrum Location Solutions)
Californians leaving for other states
‘This isn’t the Golden State of the past’
California’s population is growing at the slowest rate in more than a century, showcasing the contradictions of a state known for its innovation, beauty and diversity but also for its high cost of living, destructive wildfires and homelessness.
The Golden State’s population increased by 0.05 percent from July 1, 2019 to July 1, 2020 — a rate not seen since 1900, according to data released Wednesday by the state Department of Finance. The state added 21,200 residents over that time period to bring its total population to 39.78 million, bigger than 21 states and the District of Columbia combined but still below the 40-million mark researchers had predicted California would cross in 2018.
Despite an influx of international immigrants, California actually lost 135,600 residents due to the high volume of people moving to other states. Thirty-two of 58 counties posted population losses, up from 25 in 2018-19. And for the first time this decade, seven of the state’s 10 largest counties saw more people moving out than coming in — with the exceptions of Fresno, Riverside and Sacramento.
Mark Baldassare, president of the Public Policy Institute of California: “Those numbers are really startling. This isn’t the Golden State of the past, which was a place in which we saw people from other states and abroad coming to find their way to the California dream.”
The new data comes a week after a PPIC survey found that 45 percent of Californians don’t think the American Dream holds true anymore and 26 percent worry every day about the cost of housing.
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San Diego County’s tribal casinos make some
changes, remain open amid COVID-19 surge
By Camille von Kaenel | inewsource
While much of California is in lockdown mode with many businesses ordered to close as COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations surge, the nine casinos on tribal lands in San Diego County remain open.
They began reopening in May with safety rules, including mask-wearing and social distancing, and have gradually increased operations to include more gaming, dining and events. But with the uptick in coronavirus cases, some of the casinos are voluntarily tightening health measures and canceling or postponing some events.
At least one, Harrah’s in Valley Center, has issued paperwork to its employees saying the Rincon tribe has deemed them essential workers exempt from the county’s curfew and stay-at-home order.
The casinos, which employ tens of thousands of people and generate revenue for tribal government services, aren’t subject to state and county health orders because they are under the jurisdiction of sovereign tribes.
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82,600 San Diegans are first
in line to get COVID-19 vaccine
About 82,600 San Diegans who work at acute health care settings will be the first to get vaccinated against the novel coronavirus.
The initial 28,000 doses being delivered to the region are being used to vaccinate 72 percent of the nearly 40,000 people working in acute care, psychiatric and correctional facility hospitals and are at highest risk of contracting COVID-19. This group includes about 180 employees at the County Psychiatric Hospital.
After this first group is vaccinated, additional doses coming into the region will also be used to immunize more personnel in acute health care settings, including 14,000 employees at high risk of getting COVID-19, followed by 14,000 employees at medium risk and another 14,000 employees who are lower risk.
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Judge rules strip clubs may remain
open; order may include restaurants
City News Service via Times of San Diego
A San Diego Superior Court judge ruled Wednesday that the state and county are prohibited from enforcing California’s regional stay-at-home order against two San Diego strip clubs and potentially restaurants as well.
udge Joel R. Wohlfeil, who previously granted a similar temporary restraining order for Cheetahs Gentlemen’s Club and Pacers Showgirls International, wrote in a nine-page order that the state of California and San Diego County have not provided evidence tying the spread of COVID-19 or lack of ICU bed capacity to live adult entertainment or businesses with restaurant service.
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Citizens’ Law Enforcement
Review Board accepting applications
The County of San Diego is now taking applications for an opening on the San Diego County Citizens’ Law Enforcement Review Board (CLERB).
A qualified applicant is needed to fill a vacancy for Supervisorial District 1. Volunteers who apply for the position must live in the district. The area includes, in part, Point Loma, Coronado, National City, Chula Vista, Imperial Beach, Bonita, San Ysidro and unincorporated areas of the South Bay.
CLERB was established in 1990 to investigate citizen complaints against San Diego County Sheriff’s deputies and probation officers.
Applicants: Must be a registered voter in San Diego County; must be a resident of District 1; cannot be a county employee; cannot currently hold a position as a sworn law enforcement officer; serve a three-year term for no more than two consecutive full terms; must attend one CLERB meeting prior to applying for the vacancy; must complete a training course within three months of the appointment.
The Clerk of the Board will take applications until Sunday, Jan. 31.
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National University launches initiative
to make academic records more
accessible to learners and employers
National University announced the launch of an ambitious new blockchain technology pilot designed to make transcripts and academic records more easily accessible and portable for students. Learners will now be able to access a secure digital locker—at any time and on any mobile or Internet-connected device—that allows them to verify and share credentials with prospective employers and other educational institutions.
Through a partnership with Dallas-based GreenLight Credentials, a leader in blockchain technology and digital credentials, National University will now offer a pilot group of 300 students free access to their educational transcripts through a secure digital locker during their studies at the university, with plans to expand the service to more current and former students over time.
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SDSU and SDSU Mission Valley recognized
for sustainable transportation efforts
San Diego State University and SDSU Mission Valley’s efforts to promote alternative commuting and sustainable transportation options have been recognized with awards and acknowledgement from San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) iCommute and Circulate San Diego.
iCommute, the Transportation Demand Management program for the San Diego region managed by SANDAG, recognized SDSU for excellence in commute options for its employees. Circulate San Diego, a nonprofit that works to promote public transit, safe streets and sustainable growth in our communities, spotlighted the transit-oriented and sustainable plan for SDSU Mission Valley.
SANDAG iCommute Diamond Award
The SANDAG iCommute program gave Diamond Awards to 138 employers in 2020 for outstanding efforts to provide and encourage environmentally sustainable transportation options for employees. SDSU was one of only 29 employers to receive a Platinum award, the program’s highest tier.
“We should be proud of this accomplishment as it shows we are taking strides to provide transportation benefits to our students and employees,” said Debbie Richeson, director of Parking and Transportation Services.
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Alaska Airlines begins new, seasonal
nonstop flights to Jackson Hole from San Diego
Alaska Airlines launched its first nonstop flight to Jackson Hole, Wyo. via Jackson Hole Airport (JAC) from San Diego International Airport on Thursday. The winter seasonal service is offered daily, excluding Tuesdays and Wednesdays, until April 11, 2021. This is a new route and marks the first time San Diego has nonstop service to Wyoming.
“We appreciate Alaska Airlines providing yet another nonstop destination from San Diego International Airport,” said Kimberly Becker, San Diego County Regional Airport Authority president and CEO. “For those who choose to fly at this time, we encourage everyone to use all safety precautions and follow all appropriate city, county and state health guidelines.”
The new flights to Jackson Hole provide the region’s leisure travelers a gateway to popular destinations such as Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park. For available flight days and times, please visit alaskaair.com.
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Anti-vaccine doctor accused of overprescribing opioids
California’s Medical Board alleges in new charges that Dr. Tara Zandvliet over-prescribed addictive painkillers to at least four patients, did not treat their addictions and did not attempt to taper off their doses, the latest trouble for the self-proclaimed “South Park Doctor” who Voice of Diego in 2019 revealed had written nearly a third of all vaccine exemptions for students in the San Diego Unified School District.
That story led to state lawmakers passing a law cracking down on vaccine exemptions, and Zandvliet being put on probation by the Medical Board for gross negligence.
She is now charged with gross negligence, incompetence, repeated negligent acts and unprofessional conduct.
In one case, she is said to have prescribed over 10 times the recommended maximum daily dose of opioids to one patient for nearly six years.
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Biocom Institute launches diversity,
equity and inclusion report
Biocom Institute, a nonprofit that supports life science innovation, launched its first biennial report, “Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in California’s Life Science Industry.” With more than 350 respondents, the report represents the most comprehensive diversity, equity and inclusion data gathered across life science companies in California – providing a framework for the industry to develop an actionable DEI plan. Additional life science organizations Thermo Fisher Scientific, Bayer Pharmaceuticals and Biocom California contributed to developing the report.
“At Biocom California, everything we do begins with our mission — to accelerate life science success,” said Joe Panetta, president and CEO of Biocom California. “To fulfill our mission, we must embrace diversity, equity and inclusion as key drivers of excellence and innovation. It has taken far too long for all industries, including the life sciences, to understand that significant effort must be invested to achieve the goal of a truly diverse, equitable and inclusive workforce.
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PriceSmart announces plans to build 2 new
warehouse clubs in Guatemala and Jamaica
PriceSmart Inc. announced that it plans to proceed with the construction of its 48th warehouse club in Guatemala City, Guatemala, expected to open in fall 2021, and its 49th warehouse club in Portmore, Jamaica, expected to open in spring 2022.
In June 2019, the company acquired nearly 150,000 square feet of land in Cayalá (Zone 5 municipality), southeast of Guatemala City, Guatemala, where it plans to build its fifth club in Guatemala. In September 2019, the company acquired approximately 218,000 square feet of land in Portmore, a suburb west of the capital of Jamaica, where it plans to build its second club in Jamaica.
