Daily Business Report-May 8, 2013

 Northrop Grumman Drone Ready for Aircraft Carrier Test

Northrop Grumman’s X-47B unmanned drone has made key steps in proving its use for the United States Navy by making its first carrier-style, or “arrested,” landing. The initial simulation took place at a land-based airstrip, paving the way for the true test: a demonstration onboard a U.S. aircraft carrier at sea. Such a test is currently scheduled for later in May.

County Supervisors Move Ahead With Proposed $4.97 Billion Budget

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday to begin public hearings June 10 on a proposed $4.97 billion budget for the next fiscal year, City News Service reports. The plan would increase spending in the fiscal year that begins July 1 by 2.5 percent over the current year. It would also provide funding for the equivalent of 16,601 full-time jobs, an increase of 3.7 percent. Most of the new positions would be in public safety and the Health and Human Services Agency, both of which will receive spending increases. The proposal calls for public safety to get a 4.4 percent boost to pay for more detention staff, operate the expanded women’s jail for part of the year, and make higher retirement contributions. Health and Human Services would get an extra 3.6 percent to pay for changes to various programs and add staff.

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BUSINESS IN BRIEF

Sur La Table Signs La Jolla Lease

Sur La Table Inc., a culinary shop, has signed a 10-year, $2,079,974 lease for 6,720 square feet of retail space at 7643 Girard Ave., La Jolla. In addition to Sur La Table products, the La Jolla store will also offer the Sur La Table Cooking Class Program, one of the largest avocational cooking programs in the country. Cassidy Turley represented the lessor, Broadway & 9th LP. Main & Main Inc. represented the lessee.

Dentist Buys Medical Office Condo

A medical office condo at 1920 Via Centre Drive, Suite A, in the CreekView Medical Park in Vista has been sold to Dr. Stuart Chang, DDS, for an undisclosed amount. The seller was Via Centre Office Park LP, represented by Cassidy Turley. The buyer, who plans to open a dental office, was represented by Lee & Associates.

General Atomics Gets Drone System Contract

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. of Poway was awarded a $110,261,703 federal contract by the U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., for Gray Eagle unmanned aircraft systems product support and fleet sustainment operations.

Northrop Grumman Awarded $89.4 Million Contract

Northrop Grumman Space & Missile Systems Corp., San Diego, was awarded an $89,425,943 federal contract by the U.S. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass., for the operation and logistics support for Battlefield Airborne Communications Node payloads.

Cubic Defense Applications Contract

Cubic Defense Applications Inc. of  San Diego, won a $121,365 federal contract from the U.S. Naval Supply Systems Command, Philadelphia, for the repair of air transceivers.

Enviance Gets Army Contract

Enviance Inc. of Carlsbad won a $50,485.71 federal contract from the U.S. Army, Fort Benning, Ga., for air emissions.

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Filner’s New Ally: Mitt Romney

Mayor Filner has a new ally in his unlikely bid to bring the Olympics to San Diego-Tijuana: local resident Mitt Romney. Filner seems positively flummoxed by how charming he found Romney to be, the U-T reports: “If I had seen him the way I saw this guy yesterday, incredibly down-to-earth and friendly and creative, he would have been president. He didn’t come across that way on television and stuff, but I will tell you he’s an incredibly creative and interesting guy.” (UT-San Diego via Voice of San Diego)

Chula Vista Resident appointed to State Park and Recreation Post

Myrian Solis Coronel, 32, of Chula Vista, has been appointed to the California State Park and Recreation Commission. Solis Coronel has held multiple positions at REI since 2008, including  program partnership manager and community relations administrator. She was a manager at KPBS TV/FM Public Broadcasting from 2002 to 2008. Coronel is a member of MANA de San Diego and a board member of I Love a Clean San Diego. The position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Solis Coronel is a Democrat.