Daily Business Report — Oct. 29, 2010

Economic Indicators Down Slightly

The USD Burnham-Moores Center for Real Estate’s Index of Leading Economic Indicators for San Diego County fell 0.1 percent in September. Although four of the six components were positive during the month, a sharp drop in residential units authorized by building permits was enough to push the Index to its first decline in a year and a half (since March 2009). Local stock prices, consumer confidence, help wanted advertising and the outlook for the national economy were all positive during the month but only modestly so. It was not enough to overcome the big decline in building permits and the smallest negative move in initial claims for unemployment insurance. While September’s decline is a little worrisome, it is not a signal that a downturn in the local economy is imminent, said Alan Gin, author of the Index. Economists usually look for three consecutive moves in a leading index in the same direction to signal a turning point in an economy. Further evidence is needed to determine whether this was an aberration or the start of a negative trend. “One positive sign is that a majority of the components in the Index were up during the month; the problem was that they were not up by very much,” according to the Index. “This may be an indication that any growth in the local economy has slowed to the point where it has stalled.  It remains to be seen whether this is just a temporary bump in an upward trend or the beginning of the dreaded ‘double dip’ recession.” September’s decrease puts the Index at 109.9, down from August’s level of 110.0.

DPR HQ Cited as Best Green Building in Southern California

DPR Construction’s San Diego regional headquarters has been recognized as the best “Green Building” in Southern California in California Construction magazine’s Best of 2010 awards program. The statewide competition annually cites construction and design excellence in Northern and Southern California. DPR’s San Diego office will be featured in the December 2010 issue of California Construction and honored at an awards ceremony on Dec. 1 in Long Beach. Winners will be entered in the National Best Of 2010 competition and judged against winning entries from other regions. The 24,000-square-foot DPR headquarters was designed to be net zero energy and is pursuing LEED platinum certification through the U.S. Green Building Council. The office incorporates natural ventilation, day lighting systems, low-flow plumbing fixtures, solar panels, skylights, glass roll-up doors and roof monitors. The building’s 64-kilowatt photovoltaic system was designed to generate enough power to offset its annual energy consumption. “Our San Diego office was designed to create an atmosphere that respects both our staff and the environment by utilizing sustainable practices,” said Jay Leopold, regional manager of DPR Construction.

Trigild Names Chief of Corporate Operations

Judy Hoffman has been promoted to the newly created position of chief of corporate operations for Trigild, a San Diego-based distressed property management company. Hoffman previously was the company’s executive vice president. She will now take on responsibility for directing the firm’s offices and divisions nationwide. Hoffman has been on the Trigild staff since the company was formed 34 years ago,directing all new business and marketing activities and provided consulting services for over 300 different properties. She helped develop the Trigild Lender Conference, now in its 10th year in San Diego.Hoffman was recently recognized for her efforts and successes within the commercial real estate industry and was named one of Real Estate Forum magazine’s “Women of Influence for 2010.”  She holds a bachelor’s degree from San Diego State University.

Pacific Trust Bank to Open Branch in La Jolla

Pacific Trust Bank has agreed to purchase the bank branch building in La Jolla that was previously owned and occupied by San Diego National Bank, which was closed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. in October 2009. The purchase of the building at 7877 Ivanhoe Ave. is expected to close during November and Pacific Trust Bank anticipates opening its newest branch in that location early in 2011, subject to regulatory approvals. “We are excited for this opportunity to expand our branch network into the La Jolla area of San Diego, and to offer Pacific Trust Bank’s quality service and financial products to the individuals, families and businesses in the La Jolla area,” said Hans R. Ganz, president and CEO of Pacific Trust Bank, which is headquartered in Chula Vista.

S.D. Museum of Art Lends Paintings to Chinese Museum

The San Diego Museum of Art is lending 47 paintings to Suzhou Museum in China for an exhibition titled “Visions of the United States,” part of an ongoing international museum partnership. The aim of the relationship is to create greater global visibility for important works of art. Museum staff members from San Diego have accompanied the art to China. They will spend three and a half weeks in Suzhou installing the exhibition and working with their counterparts to share cultural learnings and practices in curating across borders.

“Visions of the United States” includes selections from the San Diego Museum of Art’s permanent collection. The paintings were created in the United States during the 19th and 20th centuries and explore significant historical events and artistic developments. Amy Galpin, project curator for American art at the museum, selected the works, placing an emphasis on landscapes of the American West and California to provide visitors to the Suzhou Museum with examples of the types of subject matter that have been historically significant to the development of the arts communities in the San Diego region.

Contracting Opportunities Center Gets New Funding

Southwestern College’s San Diego Contracting Opportunities Center has received $24,000 in new funding for its programs. “With the success of receiving our new grant funds, The SDCOC will be able to help small businesses of all of all kinds, including manufacturers, construction, service providers and suppliers,” said Gunnar Schalin, director of the center. “Approximately 80 percent of the contracts we helped secure were reported by woman-owned, minority-owned or disabled veteran-owned small businesses, showing the program’s impact on San Diego’s diverse community.”

November Small Business Workshops

SCORE San Diego continues its series of low-cost workshops in November. Workshop fees range from $29 to $109, depending on the program. Topics include: developing your business plan, starting and operating your own business, getting financing for your business, basic business accounting and several workshops that examine marketing. To register, visit score-sandiego.org. For more information, call (619) 557-7272.

• Nov. 1 – Intellectual Property – 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at SCORE Entrepreneur Center (550 West C St., #550, San Diego 92101; pre-paid registration $29, $39 at the door).

• Nov. 2 – Customer Service: The Key to Success – 9 a.m. to noon at SCORE Entrepreneur Center (550 West C St., #550, San Diego 92101; pre-paid registration $39, $49 at the door).

• Nov. 3 – Financing Your Business – 9:30 a.m. to noon at SCORE Entrepreneur Center (550 West C St., #550, San Diego 92101; pre-paid registration $29, $39 at the door).

• Nov. 4 – Marketing & Contracting w/ Federal Government – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Point Loma Nazarene University in Mission Valley (4007 Camino del Rio South, San Diego 92108; pre-paid registration $69, $79 at the door).

• Nov. 6 – Business Plan 101: How to Develop Your Best Competitive Advantage – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Point Loma Nazarene University in Mission Valley (4007 Camino del Rio South, San Diego 92108; pre-paid registration $79, $89 at the door)

• Nov. 8 – Business Basics 101 – 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at SCORE Entrepreneur Center (550 West C St., #550, San Diego 92101; FREE! Please pre-register).

• Nov. 9 – Financial Statements – 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at SCORE Entrepreneur Center (550 West C St., #550, San Diego 92101; pre-paid registration $29, $39 at the door).

• Nov. 10 – Internet Marketing 303: Social Media – Carlsbad – 9 a.m. to noon at National University in Carlsbad (705 Palomar Airport Road, Carlsbad 92011; pre-paid registration $49, $59 at the door).

• Nov. 12 – Women’s Networking Breakfast & Exhibits – 8 to 11 a.m. at Morgan Run Resort & Club (5690 Cancha De Golf, Rancho Santa Fe 92091; pre-paid registration $35 by 9/14, $45 thereafter; exhibitor rate: $85 by 9/14, $95 thereafter)

• Nov. 13 – How to Start and Manage Your Own Business – 9 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. at Point Loma Nazarene University in Mission Valley (4007 Camino del Rio South, San Diego 92108; pre-paid registration $69, $79 at the door).

• Nov. 15 – Professional Selling – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at at Point Loma Nazarene University in Mission Valley (4007 Camino del Rio South, San Diego 92108; pre-paid registration $69, $79 at the door).

• Nov. 16 – Legal Issues: Organizational Structure – 9 a.m. to noon at SCORE Entrepreneur Center (550 West C St., #550, San Diego 92101; pre-paid registration $49, $59 at the door).

• Nov. 16 – Restaurant 201 – Carlsbad – 9 a.m. to noon at National University in Carlsbad (705 Palomar Airport Road, Carlsbad 92011; pre-paid registration $49, $59 at the door).

• Nov. 17 – QuickBooks Basic – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Point Loma Nazarene University in Mission Valley (4007 Camino del Rio South, San Diego 92108; pre-paid registration $69, $79 at the door).

• Nov. 19 – Internet Marketing 101 – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Point Loma Nazarene University in Mission Valley (4007 Camino del Rio South, San Diego 92108; pre-paid registration $69, $79 at the door).

• Nov. 19 – QuickBook Basics for Non-Profits – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at The San Diego Foundation – Liberty Station (2508 Historic Decatur Rd #200, San Diego 92106; pre-paid registration $69, $79 at the door).

• Nov. 20 – Business Plan 201: How to Write a Business Plan – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Point Loma Nazarene University in Mission Valley (4007 Camino del Rio South, San Diego 92108; pre-paid registration $99, $109 at the door).

• Nov. 22 – Good Governance for Non-Profits – 9 to 11:30 a.m. at The San Diego Foundation – Liberty Station (2508 Historic Decatur Rd #200, San Diego 92106; pre-paid registration $39, $49 at the door).

• Nov. 22 – Restaurant 101 – 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Point Loma Nazarene University in Mission Valley (4007 Camino del Rio South, San Diego 92108; pre-paid registration $49, $59 at the door).

• Nov. 23 – Internet Marketing 201: SEO – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Point Loma Nazarene University in Mission Valley (4007 Camino del Rio South, San Diego 92108; pre-paid registration $69, $79 at the door).

• Nov. 23 – Business Basics 101 – 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at SCORE Entrepreneur Center (550 West C St., #550, San Diego 92101; FREE! Please pre-register).

• Nov. 30 – Tax Considerations for Small Business – 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at SCORE Entrepreneur Center (550 West C St., #550, San Diego 92101; pre-paid registration $29, $39 at the door).

The Daily Business Report is produced by REP Publishing Inc., publisher of San Diego Metropolitan Magazine, the North Park News, Kensington News and the West Coast Craftsman. (619) 906-4104.