Daily Business Report: July 17, 2023
Visual Capitalist
Visualizing the Top U.S. States for AI Jobs
Much ink has been spilled over fears that artificial intelligence (AI) will eliminate jobs in the economy. While some of those fears may be well-founded, red-hot interest in AI innovation is creating new jobs as well.
This graphic visualizes data from Lightcast, a labor market analytics firm, which shows how many AI-related jobs were posted in each state throughout 2022. In total there were 795,624 AI jobs posted throughout the year, of which 469,925 (59 percent) were in the top 10.
California quickly became the primary destination for AI jobs in the early 2010s, presumably as Silicon Valley companies began developing the technology.
California’s share has since declined, with a significant number of jobs seemingly moving to Texas. In fact, many tech companies are relocating to Texas to avoid California’s relatively higher taxes and cost of living.
AMLI Residential breaks ground
on first project in San Diego
AMLI Residential, a leading developer of sustainable luxury apartment communities, announced that AMLI Aero, its first project in the San Diego market, has broken ground. The project also marks one of the first luxury rental developments to break ground as part of Kearny Mesa’s 2020 re-development plan, which aims to transform the primarily industrial neighborhood into a thriving, community-focused urban center.
Located at the corner of Aero Drive and Aero Court, AMLI Aero (3585 Aero Court) will be seven stories tall and feature 434 apartment homes. The residences will offer studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom floor plans – including two-story options on top floors and live-work floor plans on the ground-floor – spanning 576 to 1,602 square feet.
Completion is set for May 2025. Pre-leasing is expected to begin in December 2024. The general contractor for the project is KPRS, the architect is Architects Orange, the interior designer is Parisi Portfolio, and the landscape architect is Urban Arena.
MiraCosta College undertaking massive
construction projects at Oceanside campus
A new Chemistry and Biotechnology Building at the Oceanside campus of MiraCosta College is one of six construction projects underway, all financed by a $455 million bond approved by voters in 2016.
The new Chemistry and Biotechnology Building will provide a 23,391 square feet facility with new chemistry and biochemistry labs and two 40-seat flexible classrooms. The building will provide needed space for growth as the district’s biotechnology program expands into a Baccalaureate degree program. The $46.9 million project will be a significant component of the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) quad and plaza. It is expected to be completed in late summer of 2024. A design-build partnership leads the project with HED and C.W. Driver.
The other projects under construction: Student Services Building; Theresia M. Heyden Hall for Nursing and Allied Health; Kinesiology, Health, and Nutrition (KHAN) Building; Gymnasium; and the Media Arts Complex..
in SDSU Mission Valley.
From parking lot to River Park
By Ryan Brothers | SDSU
Before SDSU Mission Valley, the space between the city’s former stadium and the San Diego River was rarely looked upon as an environmental plus. After heavy rain, it was common for motor oil, bacteria and chemicals to flow into the fragile river ecosystem, which empties into the ocean near the entrance to Mission Bay.
Now, more than 14 months after breaking ground, the 34-acre river park along the southern stretch of SDSU Mission Valley is starting to take shape.
With recreational features including active playfields, a children’s playground, basketball courts, and native landscaping and features inspired by the land’s Kumeyaay heritage, the river park will become a transformational space that also protects and respects the river watershed.
USD’s VIP Lab documents scope, impact
of threats and harassment against local leaders
The University of San Diego’s Violence, Inequality and Power (VIP) Lab has released key findings from a months-long research project looking into threats and targeted harassment of San Diego’s elected officials. VIP Lab researchers, in partnership with the Institute for Civil Civic Engagement (ICCE), surveyed more than 300 elected officials, conducted qualitative interviews, and analyzed hundreds of thousands of tweets. The results show this type of harassment is a bipartisan issue that has implications for public service and community engagement.
Among the findings:
• 75 percent of elected officials reported being threatened or harassed
• Both men and women elected officials report receiving threats and harassment, but women are more likely to be targeted (82 percent vs. 66 percent) and say they’re more likely to leave public service because of it (61 percent vs. 32 percent)
Port of San Diego brings back Randa
Coniglio as acting president and CEO
Three days after San Diego Port President and CEO Joe Stuyvesant was placed on paid administrative leave for undisclosed reasons, port commissioners on Friday brought former chief executive Randa Coniglio back to the port’s top spot.
After a nearly three-hour session that was closed to the public, commissioners made the selection on a 5-0 vote. Coniglio will assume her new role of acting president and CEO today.
Under Coniglio’s leadership, the Port revitalized Seaport Village after taking over ownership and operation of the bayfront retail and entertainment center; oversaw the development of the Portside Pier, which opened on the North Embarcadero in July 2020; completed the modernization of the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal in June 2020; welcomed the Intercontinental Hotel back to San Diego with its opening on the North Embarcadero in 2018; and launched the Blue Economy Incubator, among other accomplishments.
Navy veteran Jonathan Mosier takes
helm of Downtown San Diego Lions Club
Jonathan Mosier of Coronado, a former naval aviator who became a Naval Air Forces Aviation security specialist after he retired from active duty, is the new president of the Downtown San Diego Lions Club, succeeding Douglas Wahl.
Mosier will focus on moving the Downtown San Diego Lions Club forward in 2023 and 2024 and to begin an intentional effort to return to more personal interactions toward two distinct ends: enhancing the relationships and friendships shared with like-minded community partners and strengthening the bonds of fellowship club members share with one another.
A Pittsburgh native and naval aviator who served in Patrol Aviation, Mosier was first ordered to San Diego in 1996 for service on the Naval Air Forces Staff as Depot Maintenance Officer in Coronado and fell in love with San Diego.
He joined the San Diego Lions Club in 2003 while serving as the commanding officer of the Naval Recruiting District, San Diego.
General Atomics’s unmanned aircraft
cross 8 million flight hours
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA‑ASI) announced that its family of Unmanned Aircraft Systems, which includes the PredatoGer, Reaper, Gray Eagle, Avenger, and MQ-9B SkyGuardian/SeaGuardian lines, has surpassed eight million flight hours. The aircraft have completed 566,000 total missions in nearly 40 countries around the world.
Adding to the total are 13 MQ-9B SkyGuardian/SeaGuardian UAS that have flown more than 4,000 flight hours, including the new Protector RG Mk1 being delivered to the United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force.
San Diego Press Club holds July 18
virtual event on storytelling skills
SAN DIEGO — The San Diego Press Club will host a webinar on storytelling skills for journalist on Tuesday, July 18 from 7 to 8 p.m. This virtual event is part of the ongoing Press Club “Nuts and Bolts” professional development series and is designed to present learning opportunities based on industry trends. The program will feature a discussion between award-winning freelance journalist Michele Bigley and San Diego Press Club Board Member Elaine Masters. The event is open to the public and free to attend. To register, visit https://conta.cc/3CW7X2i
Qualcomm to open engineering hub in Tijuana
TIJUANA —Tapping into our binational region’s skilled talent pool, Qualcomm will open its first Tijuana satellite facility in fall 2023 with an emphasis on engineering for internal research and development projects. Details on the project and headcount have yet to be released.
San Diego Foundation receives $100,000
from San Diego Major League Soccer
SAN DIEGO — The San Diego Foundation was presented with a $100,000 donation from the newly formed San Diego Major League Soccer (MLS). The partnership is meant to open pathways for youth to pursue their soccer ambitions, with funds used to expand soccer programs in underserved San Diego communities.
Alaska Airlines announces new
seasonal service to Zihuatanejo
SAN DIEGO — Alaska Airlines, which has been gradually expanding its service out of San Diego, announced that it will be launching a new nonstop flight to the Mexican resort destination Zihuatanejo. The new seasonal service, which starts on Dec. 23, comes on the heels of news earlier this year that the airline would be adding nonstop flights to Washington, D.C., Eugene, Ore., and Tampa, Fla., from San Diego International Airport. Once the new service to Zihuatenejo begins, it will mark Alaska Airlines’ fourth nonstop to Mexico and will bring the airline’s total nonstop destinations out of San Diego to 36.
City Tacos to open OB Playground,
an all-ages community hub
SAN DIEGO — City Tacos is scheduled to open a 10,000-square-foot concept called OB Playground in July. It will be the seventh San Diego County location for the Mexican eatery, which was founded in 2014 in North Park. Founder Gerry Torres made the announcement. The family-friendly OB Playground at 4896 Voltaire St. will also house a to-be-determined coffee shop and flower shop. The courtyard area will have picnic-table seating, lounge seating around fire pits, and bar stool seating. Sail shades will provide shade.
Rubio’s giving out free chips and guacamole
SAN DIEGO — On Monday, July 31, Rubio’s is celebrating National Avocado Day by giving out free, freshly made chips and guacamole to all Rubio’s Rewards members with any purchase. Simply place your order online, through the app, or scan your in-app QR code at the register. Rubio’s guacamole is made fresh daily, using rich Hass avocados, cilantro, garlic, lime juice and natural sea salt. Tortilla chips are also prepared fresh daily with a light sprinkling of all-natural sea salt.
Stuff the Bus program is collecting
donations for back-to-school supplies
SAN DIEGO —San Diego County Credit Union’s Stuff the Bus is collecting monetary donations to purchase back-to-school supplies for students experiencing homelessness to help set these students up for success in the coming school year. The annual Stuff the Bus campaign, now in its ninth year, was launched in partnership with SDCCU, the San Diego County Office of Education, and iHeartMedia radio stations in support of Live Well San Diego. This year the community can also make in-store donations at any Jersey Mike’s location in San Diego County or online at sdccu.com/donate through July 31.
Amtrak Pacific Surfliner adds special service
ahead of San Diego Comic-Con, X Games
The Amtrak Pacific Surfliner will once again operate daily train service through south Orange County starting today, just in time for highly anticipated events across Southern California, including Comic-Con International San Diego, the X Games California Finals, and the start of the Del Mar Summer Racing Season. The resumption of full train service follows the completion of a railroad protection project near the San Clemente Pier, eliminating the need for a shuttle bus connection between Irvine and Oceanside. Passengers can now enjoy transfer-free travel along the scenic coastline to popular events.
Quarterra Multifamily announces start
of leasing at Winslow Apartments
SAN DIEGO — Quarterra Multifamily, a subsidiary of Lennar Corporation and a vertically integrated multifamily apartment builder, developer, and property manager announced the start of leasing at its newest community, Winslow, in University Heights. Winslow, a LEED certified community, offers studio, one- and two-bedroom apartment homes, ranging from 484 to 1,377 square feet. A 24-hour fitness center includes a yoga studio, and the co-working lounge features private conference rooms, collaborative workspaces and a coffee bar.
Edwin Hauw joins Element Biosciences
SAN DIEGO — Element Biosciences Inc., developer of the Element AVITI System, an innovative DNA sequencing platform that is disrupting the genomics industry, announced the appointment of Edwin Hauw as senior vice president of marketing and product management. Hauw will work along with the leadership team to evolve, guide and manage product strategy, strategic marketing, field marketing and product management. He will help to nurture and develop external partnerships and implement strategies for positioning and driving the adoption of both the AVITI system and Element’s future products in the marketplace.
PowerFlex installs hundreds of charging
stations nationwide for DHL Express
SAN DIEGO — PowerFlex, a national provider of intelligent solar, storage, and EV charging solutions for commercial customers, completed the installation of 415 Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) for DHL Express, the world’s leading provider of international express shipping services. The chargers, installed at DHL service center facilities in major U.S. markets, are equipped with PowerFlex X, energy management software that monitors, tracks, and reports on charging activities, integrating with DHL’s telematics platforms to optimize Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) operations.
