Daily Business Report: Oct. 27, 2023
Newsom’s visit underscores electric car reality:
China holds the keys to battery industry
By Alejandro Lazo | CalMatters
When it comes to California’s efforts to tackle climate change, China and California are linked in a critical way: The world’s most populous country processes the vast majority of rare metals needed for electric car batteries.
This week Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, is touring China with an emphasis on the environment, namely on how California and China can cooperate on climate.
Newsom is the third California governor in a row to make an official trip to China, and he does so at a moment when California is perhaps more heavily dependent than ever on the country to meet its own climate goals.
China’s role as a raw materials processor makes it a linchpin in California’s requirement that all new cars sold in the state are zero-emission vehicles by 2035. The relationship between the two governments is a longstanding one, and California and China have traded notes on everything from climate regulation to technology in recent years.
Top photo: Gov. Gavin Newsom meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, China, on Oct. 25, 2023. (Photo by the Office of the California Governor via AP Photo)
Local officials lead trade mission to South Korea
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, SANDAG, County Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Nora Vargas, and World Trade Center San Diego are leading a trade delegation to South Korea. During the trade mission — today through Nov. 2 — business and civic leaders will promote the region’s key industries and seek to establish and strengthen business relationships across biotechnology, semiconductors, clean energy, and infrastructure.
Monumental federal legislation combined with a generational shift in U.S. industrial strategy aimed at reducing American reliance on China, have positioned South Korea as a natural partner in critical industries. As the federal government continues to incentivize the reshoring and nearshoring of activities aligned to national priorities, leaders from across San Diego, Imperial Valley, and Tijuana are maximizing growth through global connection.
“South Korea is a critical global market and a natural partner for San Diego as we share complementary strengths in the life sciences, clean energy, and biotechnology sectors,” said Gloria.
Citizen is pushing ballot measure to hand
over SDG&E infrastructure to the city
One of San Diego’s most prolific public power advocates is pushing a ballot measure that would take SDG&E’s infrastructure and put it in the hands of the city.
“The plan, according to Bill Powers, who is leading that effort, is to push the city of San Diego to take over the poles, wires and substations in local right of ways and end its century-long relationship with SDG&E,” writes Voice of San Diego environment reporter MacKenzie Elmer.
To get the measure on the ballot, Powers’ group will need to collect 80,020 signatures — and he plans to do it with an all-volunteer force. That’s typically unheard of in the world of ballot measures. Some campaigns pay people as much as $15 for each signature they can gather.
Not surprisingly, SDG&E officials aren’t big fans. A spokesman said Powers’ group is pushing an “uninformed ballot measure without understanding the serious financial implications to the city and taxpayers.”
Arts and culture sector produced $1.1 billion
economic impact in City of San Diego
A new study by the Americans for the Arts shows that San Diego’s nonprofit arts and culture industry generated more than $1.1 billion in local economic activity last year. The study, which looked at regions in all 50 states and Puerto Rico, measured the economic and social impact of nonprofit arts and culture organizations and their audiences.
According to the Arts and Economic Prosperity 6 (AEP6) study, which is conducted every five years, in 2022 San Diego saw nearly $658 million in spending by local nonprofit arts and culture organizations. The study also measured $528 million in event-related spending by audiences – things like restaurant dining, paying for parking or transportation, and even childcare.
Overall, the impact of this economic activity in the city supported 16,900 jobs and generated about $276 million in tax revenue.
Holiday Bowl lands DirecTV as its new title sponsor
The Holiday Bowl has a new title sponsor — DirecTV. The postseason college football game that will be played Dec. 27 at Petco Park will be known as the DirecTV Holiday Bowl.
Bowl officials began looking for a new sponsor earlier this year, after San Diego County Credit Union decided not to continue as the name sponsor for the annual bowl game.
“We’re really proud to partner with such a great brand like DirecTV,” said Mark Neville, CEO of Sports San Diego, which produces the annual Holiday Bowl. “They’re a leader in their industry. We’re honored that they have the trust in us to take care of their brand and help elevate it, and we certainly are appreciative of them helping to elevate ours.”
Alicia Hawkins joins Quick Custom Intelligence
Quick Custom Intelligence (QCI), a leading name in the field of business intelligence solutions, announce the appointment of Alicia Hawkins as the company’s new gaming business intelligence manager. With a remarkable 14-year track record in the gaming industry, Hawkins brings a wealth of experience, expertise, and innovative insights to the dynamic QCI team. She is an Ivy League trained data analytics leader with 14 years of experience.
Amy Jones appointed to Ivy Fertility leadership team
Ivy Fertility announced that they are expanding their leadership team with the hiring of Amy Jones as the company’s chief quality officer. Jones will report to Lisa Van Dolah, the company’s chief executive officer. A world-renowned clinical embryologist and boarded Embryology Laboratory director, Jones will elevate Ivy Fertility’s commitment to advancing fertility science and patient outcomes. She will serve as a steward of Ivy’s commitment to the highest quality clinical results.
Blended Eyewear expands retail presence in Florida
Blenders Eyewear, founded in 2012 by Chase Fisher in San Diego, announce the opening of its new retail store Saturday in the City of Delray Beach, Fla. This initiative marks a significant milestone in the company’s continued expansion and underscores its commitment to providing stylish and affordable eyewear for all.
Salka LLC acquires operating wind farm
Clean power developer Salka LLC through its subsidiary Salka Cabazon HoldCo acquired an operating wind farm in the San Gorgonio Pass nearPalm Springs. With this acquisition, the wind farm will continue to operate and generate energy while the company works to refurbish the facility. With a capacity of 39 MW, the wind farm is expected to power more than 11,000homes and remove 48,749,400tons of CO2. This acquisition expands Salka Energy’s presence in California.
The True Life Companies sells North County
residential site to Tri Pointe Homes
The True Life Companies has announced the recent sale of Vista Melrose via assignment of its purchase and sale agreements to Tri Pointe Homes, one of the nation’s largest homebuilders. The 5.27-acre parcel is located in the City of Vista’s southern region along the Melrose Avenue corridor in North County. Tri Pointe Homes has plans to build 41 single-family homes. Vista is ranked as the seventh fastest-growing city in the region with just under 100,000 residents
Curebound Concert for Cures raises $5.5 million for cancer research
Curebound, a San Diego-based philanthropic organization that raises and invests strategic funding in cancer research, raised $5.5 million at the 2023 Concert for Cures on Oct. 20, at the Rady Shell at Jacobs Park. The sold-out event was headlined by four-time Grammy Award winner Ed Sheeran. The benefit concert raising awareness and funds for lifesaving cancer research. All proceeds from the event fuel innovative research grants among collaborative scientific teams from California’s top research institutions.
Healthcare worker minimum wage increases to $25 per hour
Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a bill raising the minimum wage for healthcare workers, gradually increasing to $25 per hour. The legislation will impact a range of healthcare employees, including launderers and gift shop workers. The new law will prevent cities and counties from using ballot measures to raise wages for a decade. Larger healthcare facilities with over 10,000 employees will see the minimum wage rise to $25 per hour by 2026.
$5,000 grants available for independent restaurant owners
Applications are open for the second round of the Restaurant Care Resilience Fund through Nov. 8. This initiative, backed by a $2.1 million contribution from SoCal Gas, PG&E, and SDG&E, offers $5,000 grants to independent restaurant owners across California. These grants can be used for technology adoption, equipment upgrades, employee onboarding and retention, or unforseen challenges. Awardees will be announced on Dec. 1. Apply now.
New Pvolve fitness studio opening in Carlsbad
Omni-channel fitness company Pvolve has opened its first franchise studio in Carlsbad, located at 7030 Avenida Encinas. This new studio offers a tangible experience of Pvolve’s signature, low-impact, resistance-based fitness method, designed to promote fitness without overexertion. Owned by long-time local residents Kristin and Jeff Springborn, the studio aims to foster a supportive community focused on enhancing strength and wellness in Carlsbad, marking an extension of the company’s franchise locations.
ChemDiv expands its Business Development Team
ChemDiv, a leading global contract research organization (CRO), announced the expansion of its Business Development Team with the addition of two seasoned professionals, Peter Dmitriev as business development manager and David Stark as senior regional director of business development. ChemDiv also announced its relocation to expanded San Diegoheadquarters, which will enable its growing scientific and technical teams to collaborate more effectively.
Aya Healthcare named among Fortune’s top
five Best Workplaces for Women 2023 list Aya Healthcare, one of the largest healthcare talent software and staffing company in the United States, was named among the top five on Fortune’s Best Workplaces for Women for 2023. This year, Aya climbed to fourth place on the list of 100 companies. In this year’s survey, 96 percebt of Aya’s corporate employees said it is a great place to work, compared to the national average of 57 percent. Aya ranked in the 96th percentile for company pride, customer service and camaraderie.
