Daily Business Report: Friday, Aug. 19, 2022
The value of U.S. imports of goods by state 2021
Visual Capitalist
For nearly 50 years and counting, U.S. imports have exceeded exports—and 2021 was no exception. Imports of goods to the U.S. equaled $2.8 trillion, relative to $1.8 trillion for exports, putting the 2021 goods trade deficit at its highest level on record.
Using the most recent data on global trade from the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, we take a closer look at the value of American goods imports and visualize them state by state.
Overall, the goods trade deficit—the amount by which a country’s imports exceed its exports—was more than $1 trillion in 2021, increasing over 18 percent from the previous year. Goods imports specifically increased by nearly $502 billion, a 21 percent increase year-over-year.
California, the U.S.’s top importer, saw over $470 billion worth of goods come in last year. Some of its big ticket items fell in line with the state’s tech sector’s needs, like automatic data processing machines and accessories and parts for said machinery. California’s own deficit is quite high—the state’s goods exports were only valued at approximately $175 billion. The state’s busy ports are a key entry point for goods arriving from Asia, which helps explain this deficit.
In contrast, the country’s top export state is Texas at $375 billion, outweighing its imports and shipping out goods like coal and petroleum. All but three of the country’s top importers—Tennessee, Pennsylvania, and Georgia—were also among the country’s top 10 exporters. Top illustration by Canstockphoto
Angela Landsberg leaves longtime North Park post
By Vince Meehan
It would be difficult to live, shop or play in North Park with any frequency without knowing Angela Landsberg. Everybody knows Angela Landsberg. She has been the Executive Director of North Park Main Street (NPMS) for 11 years – becoming the face of the many small businesses on the neighborhood’s popular 30th Street.
San Diego City Council Members know her, business owners know her, and Mayor Todd Gloria knows her, because Landsberg has led a very high-profile career at NPMS. But now, Landsberg is leaving NPMS to become the Executive Director for the San Diego County Dental Society (SDCDS). The move marks the end of an era in North Park but also the beginning of a new and exciting chapter in Landsberg’s life.
The SDCDS has been around since 1887 and is the largest professional organization representing dentists in San Diego and Imperial Counties. Membership is voluntary and the Society now has over 2,000 members in this association. It also serves as the local arm of both the California Dental Association and the American Dental Association. The SDCDS also includes a foundation called the San Diego County Dental Foundation (SDCDF), which was founded in 1992 by dentists in the San Diego County area to provide funding for dental health education and access to dental care as a 501(c)(3) non-profit. Landsberg will also be Executive Director of this foundation, which is currently running a dental health clinic at San Diego Veteran’s Village (SDVV) in the Midway area.
“I’ve had an increasing interest in working with the unsheltered population and creating programs to address the issue,” Landsberg noted. “So I was looking for my next career move to involve some elements of that and this job was perfect because it allowed me to continue my work – that I love doing – working for a membership organization. North Park Main Street was a membership organization, our members were small business owners and property owners, and the members of the San Diego County Dental Society are dentists, so we have a membership organization, and then we also have a foundation which is the other part of the work that I’m doing.”
California’s fast food bill could link chains
to wage theft and other workplace violations
By Jeanne Kuang | CalMatters
California lawmakers this month are considering a fast food bill that would significantly shift the relationship between restaurant workers and the corporate chains whose products they sell. If Assembly Bill 257 passes, California would be the first state to assign labor liability to fast food corporations and not just their individual franchise owners.
The bill’s provisions would let workers and the state name fast food chains as a responsible party when workers claim minimum wage violations or unpaid overtime at a franchise location.
The bill’s language also would allow a franchisee to sue a restaurant chain if their franchise contracts contain strict terms that leave them no choice but to violate labor law.
It’s part of a larger bill pushed by unions to more strictly regulate fast food businesses. AB 257 also includes a measure to create a state-run, fast food sector council to set wage and labor standards across the industry.
Last week the bill survived the “suspense file” process, where controversial bills often are quietly killed. After clearing the Senate Appropriations Committee, the bill awaits a vote on the floor. Gov. Gavin Newsom has not stated a position on the bill, but his Department of Finance opposes it, saying it would create “ongoing costs” and worsen delays in the state’s labor enforcement system.
If it becomes law, proponents said it could deter wage theft and other abuses in the low-wage industry.
Ramona family winery expands with new brand
A favorite neighborhood winery, Castelli Family Vineyards, is rebranding and launching Castelli & Pizarro Family Winery.
In December 2008, Mike Castelli and Nelson Pizarro decided to invest in a vineyard together. As father and son-in-law, they built the winery from the ground up. Neighbors with established vineyards in the area assisted them in many ways and will continue to play a role in the restructuring of this burgeoning family business.
Through the rebrand, they plan to expand to restaurant sales and the wholesale market and create a recognizable logo that distinguishes Castelli & Pizarro Family Winery from other wineries in the area. Although their main focus will be Castelli & Pizarro Family Winery, Castelli Family Vineyards will remain its own brand and will continue to produce wine.
Over the years, the winery has offered activities with their wine tastings to keep things fun and interesting. Customers have been invited to hike, play bocce ball, golf, or even go birding in nearby areas before visiting for a scheduled wine tasting. These perks will still exist, as the winery offers tastings on Saturdays and Sundays, as well as private tastings for larger parties.
Philanthropists Leo and Emma Zuckerman support
revitalization of Emergency Department at UC San Diego
When local residents Leo and Emma Zuckerman had need for emergency medical care in late 2021, they were grateful to be able to rely on the nearby Gary and Mary West Emergency Department at Jacobs Medical Center at UC San Diego Health.
In gratitude to the doctors and medical professionals at UC San Diego Health who helped the couple during their time of need, the Zuckermans were inspired to make a gift to establish the Leo and Emma Zuckerman Emergency Department Transformation and Wellness Fund at the University of California San Diego.
“Leo received great care in the emergency department and we are very grateful,” said Emma Zuckerman. “We know it has been stressful over the last few years in health care, so we take great pleasure in expressing our appreciation by supporting the revitalization of the Emergency Department for patients and the hardworking medical team.”
In recognition of the gift, the Gary and Mary West Emergency Department at Jacobs Medical Center will be home to the Leo and Emma Zuckerman Welcome Center and the Leo and Emma Zuckerman Team Wellness Center.
San Diego MLS connects Realtors to more
listings and agents throught Southern California
Realtors in San Diego can now access thousands more home listings throughout Southern California as part of a new data sharing agreement between the San Diego MLS and The MLS/CLAW (Combined LA Westside).
San Diego MLS (SDMLS), operated by the Greater San Diego Association of Realtors, is the region’s leading resource for Realtorsbyproviding the most accurate and up-to-date listings in the San Diego area. Expanding access to listing data in neighboring regions offers agents new opportunities to grow their business beyond San Diego. The partnership with The MLS/CLAW connects SDAR members with over 16,000 agents and brokers in Southern California and over 10,000 active listings.
SDMLS makes the transaction process more efficient, and supports Realtorsbeyond listing data, offering education and training along with real-time local area statistics to stay in front of market trends and activities. SDMLS offers multiple platforms that are functional across mobile devices with live technical support seven days a week from expert MLS advisors.
GSA awards renovation contract
for Old Customs Building in Calexico
The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) announces the award of a $1.3 million construction contract for the renovation of the historic Old Customs Building located at the Calexico West Land Port of Entry (LPOE). The design-build contract was recently awarded to Hernandez Builders, a disadvantaged, minority owned small business based in Alpine. By awarding the project’s entire scope work at once, instead of bidding each separately, GSA is saving taxpayers approximately $600,000.
Built in 1933, the Old Customs Building was transferred to a local community council for redevelopment in 2008 by GSA under its Public Benefit Authority. The Customs Building, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was damaged in 2010 during a 7.2 magnitude earthquake and was, subsequently, transferred back to GSA in 2015. Due to its current condition, the structure has remained unoccupied.
Fall semester begins Aug. 22 for 45,000
San Diego Community College District students
The fall semester begins Monday, Aug. 22 for 45,000 students at the San Diego Community College District. With a flexible mix of online, in-person and hybrid courses, San Diego City, Mesa, Miramar, and College of Continuing Education are the first choice for many.
In addition to transfer agreements with four-year universities, the district is emphasizing career education programs that prepare students for good-paying jobs in fields such as health care, biotech, welding, and IT/cybersecurity.
The SDCCD is San Diego’s largest provider of workforce training and education, and a recent study showed these programs generate a $1.6 billion economic impact on our region, the equivalent of four Super Bowls.
Due to a surge in demand, the deadline for applying to the San Diego Promise, free tuition program at City, Mesa, and Miramar colleges, has been extended to August 22.
Platform Science expands leadership team
Platform Science, a leading connected vehicle platform that makes it easier for fleets to develop, deploy, and manage mobile devices and applications, announced leadership additions to its executive management team. Greg Ivancich has joined the company as chief financial fficer and Gerald Choung as chief revenue officer.
Ivancich joins Platform Science from Saban Capital Group, a private investment firm where he served as CFO. Ivancich’s experience prior to Saban Capital includes Logistics Real Estate investments, most recently with private equity fund EQT Exeter where he served as principal and a founding partner of Exeter’s international business. Prior to EQT Exeter, Ivancich was an investment banker covering the real estate industry.
Choung joins Platform Science from ActiveState, a SaaS company that provides secure open source language solutions for enterprise customers, where he served as CRO. With prior roles at key Fortune 500 technology companies, Choung brings over 20 years of leadership experience within the high-tech industry at companies such as Qualcomm, Microsoft, and Oracle.
Certified Restoration to offer flood detection technology
Certified Restoration Inc., a San Diego-based company specializing in mold, fire, and water damage restoration, has announced it will offer Alert Labs’ leak and flood prevention technology. Designed to detect and prevent major water incidents before they occur, Alert Labs products have prevented millions of dollars in asset damage since their launch.
Alert Labs’ smart sensors protect high-value assets in commercial, multi-residential, medical, government and educational buildings. The manager of a multi-story residential tower in San Diego claims “Since installing the Alert Labs products 6 months ago, we have caught over 10 potentially disastrous leaks, and have already recouped the cost of our investment.”
Within 3 seconds of detecting water, Alert Labs’ flood sensor sends alerts to users’ devices via cellular connection. With customizable hot and cold thresholds for temperature alerts, the flood sensor minimizes damage from temperature changes as it guards against water damage.
Abby Gardens Healthcare Center announces planned closure
Clairemont Healthcare & Wellness Centre LLC, doing business as Abby Gardens Healthcare Center, a 99-bed skilled nursing facility at 8060 Frost St. in San Diego, has decided to voluntarily close The facility. The facility primarily cared for patients admitted from local acute hospitals to assist with nursing and rehabilitation needs and either returning patients to their pre-hospitalization place of living or cares for patients on a long-term basis.
The reason for the closure is two-fold; (1) A purchase and sale agreement has been consummated between the Facility and Rady Children’s Hospital, San Diego. It is expected that Rady Children’s Hospital will utilize this SNF for the care of pediatric patients after the closure process is completed. (2) The facility’s negative long-term outlook with the current and projected ongoing disruption in the labor market and the inflationary wage pressures.
The facility’s plan will include safe and orderly patient transfers and intends for discharges to be to nearby or local suitable locations over a several month-period. The relocation and closure process is expected to be completed by the end of 2022.
