Daily Business Report: March 6, 2024
SDSU to build Mission Valley training
facility to tackle major water issues
By Susanne Clara Bard | SDSU
Amid recent winter storms, ongoing contamination of local waterways and periods of drought exacerbated by climate change, water issues have figured prominently on San Diegans’ minds lately.
San Diego State University researchers have long been at the forefront of tackling these issues, and now they’ve received a $2 million grant from the San Diego River Conservancy to build a laboratory in SDSU Mission Valley’s River Park to train the region’s future water professionals and share their research with the community.
The One Water Living Learning Laboratory will allow SDSU students to deepen their understanding of watershed science and hydrological systems while gaining hands–on experience with cutting-edge technologies for studying water quality, stormwater treatment and wastewater reuse.
The planned 900 square foot facility along with outdoor space will provide a staging area for SDSU research teams conducting fieldwork and water sampling on the San Diego River as well as other nearby urban waterways.
Top Photo: Water Innovation and Reuse Lab postdoc Kenisha Shipley deploys a submersible sensor to monitor water quality in Alvarado Creek, a San Diego River tributary. (Photo courtesy of Natalie Mladenov)
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Kratos awarded $499 million grant to build
anti-tamper solutions for the military
San Diego-based Kratos Defense & Security Solutions Inc. has been awarded a $499 million grant to design, build, test, and deliver anti-tamper solutions to the U.S. defense industry. “This recent award provides Kratos access to a new contractual channel and new customers for certain of our most sophisticated technology and products, specifically related to the protection of mission critical national security programs and systems from tampering efforts,” said Michael Johns, president of Kratos.
Work will be performed in the United States and is expected to be completed Feb. 28, 2030.
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Prominent neurologist named director
of Sanford Institute for Empathy and Compassion
Dr. William Mobley has been appointed director of the Sanford Institute for Empathy and Compassion at UC San Diego. Mobley, who served as interim director of the institute since its founding in 2019, brings decades of experience to this newly appointed role.
He is a board-certified neurologist who cares for patients with Alzheimer’s disease and other memory disorders, and currently serves as associate dean of neurosciences initiatives and professor of neurosciences at UC San Diego School of Medicine, and executive director of UC San Diego’s Down Syndrome Center for Research and Treatment.
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BAE Systems launches satellite to provide
critical global greenhouse gas emissions data
BAE Systems reports the successful launch of its MethaneSAT satellite from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California that will provide the public with reliable scientific data about the sources asnd scale of methane emissions globally, with the ultimate goal of driving reductions in the near future.
MethaneSAT’s primary instrument includes a BAE Systems-built spectrometer that will identify and quantify methane emissions by measuring the narrow part of the infrared spectrum where the gas absorbs light reflected off the Earth. The satellite will monitor emissions from the oil and gas sector, which accounts for about 40 percent of all human-caused methane emissions, and it will be able to revisit the same sites daily in most instances.
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SDSU and Southwestern College awarded BofA
grants to increase Hispanic health care graduates
San Diego State University and Southwestern College have each been awarded a two-year $250,000 grant from Bank of America to support Hispanic students pursuing careers in high-growth fields, such as healthcare, through its Progresando Initiative.
This initiative is part of Bank of America’s efforts to create economic opportunities for people and communities of color, including a $25 million jobs initiative that includes partnerships with Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) and colleges to build career pathways for Hispanic students and address the shortage of culturally proficient, Spanish-speaking health providers.
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Barbachano International recognized as a Top 10 executive search firm
Barbachano International, an executive search and leadership advisory firm based in San Diego, has been recognized as one of Latin America’s Top 10 Executive Search Firms 2023 by Manage HR Magazine. The recognition highlights Barbachano International’s unwavering commitment to providing exceptional executive search solutions, leveraging its talent acquisition and leadership development expertise. Fernando Ortiz-Barbachano is CEO of
Barbachano International.
American Pacific Transportation has been acquired by IMC Logistics
IMC Logistics, one of the largest marine drayage provider in the nation, has acquired American Pacific Transportation, a dryage company with locations in San Diego, Calexico, Chino, Commerce, and Lompoc. The acquisition further bolsters IMC’s position as the industry leader in the U.S. while also significantly increasing the company’s position and truck capacity in California and across the West Coast. Joel Henry is CEO of IMC.
PMB project named 2023 HREI Insights award winner
The PMB-developed health care project has been named a Winner in Healthcare Real Estate Insights magazine’s annual, national awards program. PMB is a purpose-driven health care real estate developer and is comprised of a multidisciplinary team of forward-thinkers and problem-solvers from every field, united by a shared purpose: elevating the health care experience by developing and managing healing spaces that make a positive difference in people’s lives.
Zoom Drain opens new franchise in Escondido
Zoom Draink, a leading operator of drain and sewer services, announced the opening of its newest franchise in Escondido, which joins together close friends HooiJin and Yeanmay Teng and Josef and Heather Shreve as local owners who want to bring specialized drain and sewer services to Southern California. The two sets of couples opened the doors to Zoom Drains of San Diego North County on Monday, as part of an entrepreneurial venture that has been in the making ever since the Tengs and the Shreves met at their Escondido church more than five years ago.
alwaysAI brings groundbreaking vision AI solutions to mining industry
alwaysAI, a leader in providing real-time insights through Vision AI, announces a suite of innovative solutions that will transform the mine-to-market value chain and dramatically improve productivity, safety, and profitability. alwaysAI Smart Mining solutions combine a revolutionary computer vision platform, including a new, comprehensive analytics dashboard, with the invaluable experience of a talented team of world-class engineers to deliver practical AI to mines.
Rubio’s Coastal Grill partners with 2 top professional surfers
Rubio’s Coastal Grill is pleased to partner with two of the country’s top professional surfers, Griffin and Crosby Colapinto. Known for their incredible talent, they share a mutual love of the ocean, surfing and fish tacos with Rubio’s. The brothers will be part of Rubio’s upcoming marketing campaigns, featuring VIP experiences, giveaways and product collaborations.
WD-40 company acquires current Brazilian marketing distributor
WD-40 Company announced that a definitive agreement has been entered into acquiring the company’s current Brazilian marketing distributor and long-time business partner, Theron Marketing Ltda. WD-40 Company and Theron Marketing have worked closely together to market and sell WD-40 Brand products in Brazil. Theron Marketing was established in 1997 to focus solely on the distribution and sales of WD-40 Company products in Brazil and does not market or sell any other products.
Foundation seeks proposals for Community Scholars Initiative
San Diego Foundation announced it is seeking proposals from nonprofits for the Community Scholars Initiative, a college access program that supports students experiencing homelessness, with disabilities, in the foster care system and/or learning English to prepare for, pay for and persist through college. Grant applications must be submitted by 3 p.m., April 18. Prospective applicants are encouraged to register online.
Ocean Beach Pier workshop set for April 6
Cook + Schmid, the PR firm working with the City on the OB Pier Renewal Project, is holding a community workshop Saturday, April 6 from 2-5 p.m. at Liberty Station Conference Center, 2600 Laning Road. The Consolidated Pier Design Concept will be revealed to the public with a presentation at 2:15 p.m. followed by interactive workshops. This design will be based on a year of public outreach, including three community meetings, weekly pop-ups, booths at major events, flyer outreach, email outreach, and 5,000 participants in an online survey.
Prebys Foundation announces investment in Care Access Real Estate
The Prebys Foundation announced a $1 million program-related investment in Care Access Real Estate as part of their landmark commitment to invest $100 million over the next ten years advancing the well-being of San Diego. CARE is a real estate investment trust managed by impact asset management firm Mission Driven Finance that increases the availability of residential and commercial child care facilities for children, families, child care providers, and communities to flourish.
