Daily Business Report – March 11th, 2021
Mayor Todd Gloria speaks at a press conference. (Courtesy of the mayor’s office)
Mayor Gloria outlines city’s priorities for $300 million federal rescue plan funds
City News Service via Times of San Diego
Mayor Todd Gloria announced Tuesday that he is prioritizing beating COVID-19, protecting the city’s core services and jobs and preparing the city for a return to life after the pandemic should Congress pass the American Rescue Plan this week.
Gloria unveiled the framework for how the approximately $300 million expected in federal relief will be used to jumpstart San Diego’s economic recovery and provide help to its most vulnerable residents, assuming Congress votes to pass the $1.9 trillion act and President Joe Biden signs it.
“I am ready to get our city back on track and back to work with the economic aid provided in President Biden’s American Rescue Plan,” Gloria said. “With these resources, we will defeat COVID-19, protect core city services and provide aid to small businesses. I ask San Diegans to join me in urging Congress to pass the American Rescue Plan so we can build a better tomorrow for all of us.”
TechFlow wins contract to help Marine Corps base range operations at Camp Pendleton
San Diego-based TechFlow, a logistics and digital services solutions company, has received a contract in partnership with MERPTech LLC for base range operations at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. The contract was issued by the Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) Southwest.
With EMI Services as the mentor partner, MERPTech will provide facility investment services, pest control, and grounds maintenance at various training ranges on MCB Camp Pendleton.
Mingei International Museum’s major restoration nearly completed
Mingei International Museum’s three-year transformative construction project at its Balboa Park location is nearly complete and now scheduled for reopening in late summer in adherence with state COVID-19 guidelines. A larger community-wide celebration and official grand opening is being planned for the fall.
The transformation will reveal a new and dynamic museum with enhancements and improvements to the 1915 Spanish Colonial style House of Charm including adding 10,000 square feet of space for exhibitions and programming, a new theater and education center and amenities including a bistro, gift shop and coffee bar. The total finished square footage will be over 50,000. In partnership with Mingei, the nationally recognized firm, LUCE et studio, envisioned the museum’s physical transformation focusing on artist collaborations, accessibility, functionality, well-crafted and inspiring design.
Burnham-Moores Center for Real Estate to host 25th annual Real Estate Conference
The Burnham-Moores Center for Real Estate at the University of San Diego School of Business will hold its largest conference of the year—the 25th Annual Real Estate Conference Virtual Edition. The event will be held on Thursday, March 25, 2021 from 8 to 11 a.m. and will feature three game-changing megaprojects that will transform San Diego. Projects to include:Chula Vista Bayfront Master Plan, featuring Amara Bay; Riverwalk San Diego; and NAVWAR.
Featured speakers to include Ryley Webb, land development manager at Pacifica Companies; Eric Hepfer, managing director at Hines; Captain Kenneth R. Franklin, commanding officer at Naval Base Point Loma; Gregory P. Geisen, NAVWAR revitalization project manager at Naval Information Warfare Systems Command; Hasan Ikhrata, executive director at SANDAG; and Victoria Stackwick, director of government relations at SANDAG.
Department of Energy to award $53 million for university-based energy efficiency assessments
ExecutiveGov
The Department of Energy will invest $52.5 million in university-based efforts that help wastewater treatment facilities and manufacturers reduce carbon footprint and boost energy efficiency. These centers also train and prepare students for potential careers related to clean energy.
DOE said Monday that its Industrial Assessment Centers will conduct studies and produce recommendations in the areas of waste reduction, cybersecurity, water savings and productivity, with the goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
“This new funding is an investment in both the infrastructure and next-generation clean energy workforce we need to tackle the climate emergency and meet President Biden’s goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050,” said Jennifer Granholm, secretary of Energy.
Interested parties may submit letters of intent through April 1st. DOE expects to select up to 35 universities, which would each receive between $1.5 and $2.25 million in five-year awards.
Army uses General Atomics software to control Gray Eagle UAS
On Jan. 28, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA‑ASI) and the U.S. Army conducted the first production Acceptance Test Procedure flights of a Gray Eagle Extended Range Unmanned Aircraft System using Scalable Command & Control (SC2) software developed by the company and installed on an Army-owned laptop computer. The software controlled an Army GE-ER aircraft for 3.8 hours and the system successfully completed all test points.
“SC2 represents a massive reduction in emplacement, mission launch time and overall footprint size,” said GA-ASI Vice President of Strategic Development J.R. Reid. “The SC2 software could be part of the Army’s Ground Modernization plan replacing the Universal Ground Control Station with rugged laptops and tactical servers enabling more mobile operations in a defined Modular Open Systems Approach framework.”
Neurelis announces close of $100 million Series D financing round
Neurelis Inc. announced that it has closed a $114 million round of Series D preferred stock financing to support the commercialization of the company’s lead orphan drug product, VALTOCO (diazepam nasal spray), and to continue the development and expansion of the company’s neuroscience pipeline.
“We have been able to assemble an impressive leadership team with extensive experience in neurology that has enabled VALTOCO’s clinical development, regulatory success, and commercial launch in 2020,” said Craig C. Chambliss, president and CEO of Neurelis. “VALTOCO has become a trusted brand to people with epilepsy. This new financing helps us build on a successful foundation as we advance Neurelis as a best-in-class neuroscience company focused on epilepsy. We are grateful to our exceptional investors and look forward to bringing more innovative, life-changing products to the patients who need them.”
Mercer Advisors acquires Epstein & White Financial
Mercer Global Advisors Inc., a national Registered Investment Advisor, announced the acquisition of Epstein & White Financial LLC (and related entity Epstein & White Retirement Income Solutions LLC (collectively referred to as EWF), a respected wealth management firm located in San Diego. EWF serves approximately 1,300 clients with client assets of approximately $740 million. EWF was founded in 2013 by Brad White, focusing on delivering comprehensive wealth management services to its mass affluent and high net worth clients. EWF has over 20 team members who will be joining the Mercer Advisors’ team.
Schneider Electric, Black & Veatch finish microgrid system for Marine Corps Air Station Miramar
Schneider Electric and Black & Veatch announced the completion of a microgrid system they jointly designed and constructed for the Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Miramar, in San Diego. The microgrid is online, fully operational and has been proven to provide 100 percent capability – even in the event of power outages – across the facility’s more than 100 mission critical buildings, including its entire flight line.
“This microgrid makes MCAS Miramar one of the most sustainable and energy secure facilities in the Department of Defense and plays a key role in helping California reach its clean energy goals,” said Mark Feasel, North American president of Smart Grids at Schneider Electric. “We’re excited to partner with industry leaders such as Black & Veatch and MCAS that share a similar objective to modernize our energy infrastructure and achieve cleaner energy, new efficiencies and cost savings.”
Vein specialist Dr. Armin Foghi joins La Jolla Vein Care
La Jolla Vein Care (LJVC) announced the hire of Dr. Armin Foghi, M.D., vein specialist and recognized invasive/non-invasive cardiologist. With approximately 50 percent of the population suffering from some sort of heart or blood vessel disease, this latest addition to LJVC’s team is designed to both accommodate growing demand and add an additional complementary layer of medical specialization to the practice.
With more than 15 years of experience in advanced circulatory system treatment, Foghi’s career trajectory has included prominent roles such as assistant professor at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine, chief of cardiology at Eastern New Mexico Medical Center and founder and medical director of cardiology at the Myo Vein Clinic. During his tenure at Myo, the organization was recognized nationally as the Center of Excellence for complete and comprehensive vein treatment and served as a training center for physicians across the U.S.
Foghi has also served as the medical adviser for the New Mexico Athletic Commission, where he worked directly with professional athletes participating in competitive combat sports. With a passion for service to others through education, he is also an active cardiovascular disease educator and lecturer and has served in various residency training and clinical professor at physician assistant programs.
