Daily Business Report-Feb. 12, 2021
The luggage-carrying Intelligent Track Systems trolley has a tablet attached that scans boarding passes and gives a range of pertinent traveler information.
Airport Innovation Lab launches its fifth accelerator
focusing on health and safety at airports
The Airport Innovation Lab at San Diego International Airport has launched its fifth accelerator program, this one focusing on health and safety at airports. Six companies with solutions that enhance the touchless journey or advance queue management have been welcomed into the program to test and refine ideas in a real-life airport environment.
The six companies and their concepts are:
- Ariadne Maps: Test and further develop a software and hardware product for indoor crowd analytics and localization to better understand the movement of passengers in the terminal environment.
- Art of Context: Test recently developed patent pending universal touchless device technology that provides a drop-in, touchless alternative to using touchscreens in existing kiosks and interactive digital signage.
- Honeywell: Will utilize existing technology to evaluate the value created through deeper video analytics and the effects of positive/negative real time feedback available to the public in the areas of social distancing, mask detection and possibly contact tracing.
- Intelligent Track Systems: A modern and fully Intellectual Property protected lightweight trolley fitted with a computer tablet that scans passenger-boarding pass.
- TrayMask: Recyclable sanitary cover for an airplane seat back tray table, referred to as “TrayMask.”
- ZeroWaste/Banqloop: Smart waste bin enabled with sorting robotics, grinding, and packaging of raw sorted material.
At the end of the program, successful innovators have the potential to enter into contract negotiations with San Diego County Regional Airport Authority or other venues.
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COVID-19 early detection system tested in
schools by UC San Diego and San Diego County
In an effort to help schools reduce the risk of COVID-19 outbreaks as they resume in-person instruction, University of California San Diego and the County of San Diego are testing the Safer at School Early Alert system, an evidence-informed program to detect SARS-CoV-2 at schools and child care centers.
Modeled after UC San Diego’s Return to Learn, a first-of-its-kind approach to safely resume teaching, learning and research at a university, Safer at School Early Alert system is scaled for individual schools and child care centers without the resources available at a research university. Through daily wastewater and surface monitoring, the Safer at School Early Alert tests for the presence of particles of the coronavirus. Combined with a responsive testing strategy, the aim is to quickly identify children or staff members who are infected with COVID-19 before an outbreak occurs.
After pandemic shutdowns, Axe Thro Co is back
If someone would have told San Diego business owner Jimmy Rose that in the three months following a grand opening he’d be closing his doors to the public, he wouldn’t have believed it. Everything was set for an exciting and profitable 2020. Then the global pandemic hit.
The founder of Axe Thro Co on Convoy Street in Kearny Mesa had already done his market research, which revealed a prime location for the fast-growing industry.
“People are so active here,” Rose said. “Axe throwing is the perfect outlet and I found the perfect spot.” The 4,200-square-foot building in the high-traffic area was converted from an old billiards hall.
In December of 2019, Axe Thro Co was ready for the onslaught on holiday parties but not for the economic devastation to come. Rose was forced to close in March. “We had to struggle to survive,” he said.
Today, it’s open Tuesday through Sunday for reservations and walk-ins, celebrating birthday parties, family outings and more.
Axe Thro Co is located at 4428 Convoy Street, Ste. 310, in San Diego. To book a reservation, call (833) 968-8476 or email info@axethroco.com.
Petco Health and Wellness Co. to provide
COVID-19 vaccination payment to employees
Petco Health and Wellness Company Inc. said it will provide a one-time $75 payment to each employee who completes a Covid-19 vaccination program as it becomes available. For each employee that gets fully vaccinated, Petco will also contribute $25 to the Petco Partner Assistance Fund, which provides assistance to employees experiencing financial hardship.
Any employee who has already been vaccinated will be eligible for the payment and donation, and Petco will continue to support scheduling flexibility to accommodate vaccination appointments. To further support vaccination efforts, the company is also exploring potential vaccination clinic offerings.
To date, the Petco Partner Assistance Fund has provided more than $1.3 million in financial support to Petco partners in need since March 2020.
Stimulus Update: PPP funds for business owners
By Thomas Krumenacker| UBS Financial Services
On Dec. 27, 2020, then-President Donald Trump signed a $900 billion stimulus bill into law. The bill renews the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which was established to help businesses that were struggling as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Four months since the end of the initial program, $284 billion are being allocated to the PPP as part of the new stimulus package.
What do business owners need to know?
The new funds for PPP loans are available through 31 March 2021. Owners who did not receive a loan in the first draw can apply. Those who did receive a loan and have either used or plan to use it may also be eligible to apply but with limitations. They must be small businesses with 300 employees or less and have had at least a 25 percent reduction in gross receipts year-over- year in any individual quarter in 2020 (alternatively, borrowers can use their tax returns and compare full year 2020 to 2019).
Borrowers can receive one first draw and one second draw PPP loan as part of the new stimulus package. Second draw loans will be calculated similarly to the first draw at 2.5 times the average monthly payroll of (a) 2019, (b) 2020 or (c) trailing twelve months or, for the Accommodation and Food Services sector (NAICS Code 72), 3.5 times the average payroll. No loan amount may exceed $2 million.
Matt Streeter joins Optima Office
as business development associate
Optima Office, Inc. has hired Matt Streeter as the firm’s business development and customer success associate. Streeter will help Optima Office in its continued mission of being the top outsourced accounting, human resources, and fractional CFO services firm in the region.
Streeter brings a unique mix of operational, marketing, business development, and entrepreneurial experience to the role. During his time working abroad, Streeter developed an agile approach to international business management.
Jennifer Barnes, CEO of Optima Office, states, “We weren’t looking for a salesperson, but when I was introduced to Matt and he was able to sell me on why we needed him, I was confident that he had to join our team. I’m excited to have Matt with us and know that he will be an excellent addition to Optima.”
Optima Office offers fractional accounting, human resources, and consulting services on a part-time and hourly basis.
Brown Wealth Management
acquires Truuwater Financial
Brown Wealth Management, a San Diego-based independent wealth management firm, announced the acquisition of Truuwater Financial. The transaction combines two leading San Diego-based wealth managers, expanding BWM from a team of nine professionals and $825 million in client assets to 14 professionals and total client assets of $1.2 billion, supporting a national client base of individuals, families and business owners across the country.
Allegiant adds new seasonal nonstop routes
from San Diego International Airport
Allegiant will soon add seasonal nonstop service from five U.S. cities to San Diego International Airport. All five cities are new to the airport’s nonstop network and will bring Allegiant’s total nonstop destination offering to 12 during the peak summer travel season.
Cities that will have twice-weekly flights to San Diego include:
Kalispell, Mont. via Glacier Park International Airport – beginning May 28.
Pasco, Wash. via Tri-Cities Airport – beginning May 28.
Bozeman, Mont. via Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport – beginning June 3.
Des Moines, Iowa via Des Moines International airport – beginning July 1.
Allegiant will also offer four seasonal weekly flights from Mesa, Ariz. via Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport beginning May 27.
Rail service to be suspended from
Oceanside to San Diego Feb. 20-21
The North County Transit District (NCTD) will suspend all coastal rail line service between the Oceanside Transit Center and Santa Fe Depot during the weekend of Feb. 20-21, 2021, as part of a planned schedule of rail closures that support routine maintenance and rail infrastructure work. Weekend COASTER service is currently suspended due to COVID-19 service reductions; however, the February weekend closure will affect Metrolink and Amtrak trains. Service suspension will begin Saturday, February 20 at 12 a.m. and remain in place until Monday, Feb. 22 at 5 a.m., enabling rail service to resume in time for the weekday morning commute.
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EverWest Advisors acquires Carlsbad
industrial building for $25.25 million
Denver-based EverWest Advisors, an institutional real estate investment management firm, has acquired a 74,774-square-foot Class A industrial building in Carlsbad for $25.25 million.
Located at 3209 Lionshead Ave, the property is fully leased to a leading global sports apparel and outerwear company. It is situated on 5.31 acres and was constructed in 2009. The facility features state-of-the-art creative office improvements and a highly efficient warehouse with ESFR, 3 rear loading docks, 5 grade-level loading doors, and heavy power.
Investment specialists Rick Reeder, Aric Starck, Brad Tecca and Drew Dodds with Cushman & Wakefield in San Diego represented the seller, a joint venture between Graymark Capital and Blue Vista Capital Management in the sale.
United Way partners with Nonprofit Institute
at USD to host virtual board certification program
Starting March 9 through April 20, United Way of San Diego County in partnership with The Nonprofit Institute at the University of San Diego and sponsored by Clare Rose Foundation, will host a seven-week virtual training cohort for their Board Service Certification Program, and will focus on organizations that work in Creative Youth Development.
The Nonprofit Board Service Certification cohort will be held from 9 to 11:30 a.m. every Tuesday morning, and requires a commitment of 2.5 hours per week “in class,” with additional discussions and readings assigned.
The application deadline for the March cohort is Feb. 23. To participate in the upcoming cohort, apply here. Upon acceptance to the program, a $1,000 program fee is due before the first training session.
County Fire plays key role
in COVID-19 vaccine rollout
San Diego County Fire Protection District personnel have played a key role in helping to vaccinate more than 10,000 county residents against COVID-19 over the past month as part of “Operation Collaboration.”
Officially launched Dec. 29, Operation Collaboration is a combined effort between dozens of fire, emergency medical service, public health agencies and hundreds of personnel in the San Diego area to meet the COVID vaccination needs of some of the county’s most vulnerable residents.
“Operation Collaboration is an important resource as we ensure vaccines are provided equitably to people throughout our entire County,” said Wilma J. Wooten, M.D., M.P.H., County public health officer. “Just as they did during COVID-19 testing, the first responder community is again demonstrating its creativity and commitment to public health.”
According to San Diego County Fire Chief Tony Mecham, the operation consists of two phases. The first phase involved getting the first responders who would administer the vaccines vaccinated themselves, and the second phase was to set up point of dispensing (POD) locations to administer the vaccine to those currently eligible.
