Local Firm Awarded Construction Management and Inspection Services Contract

At the May 4th City Council meeting, Porterville based Dee Jaspar & Associates, Inc. was awarded the construction management and inspection services contract for the Martin Hill and Rocky Hill water reservoir projects. The purpose of the Martin Hill and Rocky Hill water reservoir projects is to provide additional water pressure and operating capacity for Porterville's hillside and airport sections of the City's water system to allow for development to occur as described in the City's 2030 General Plan.................. Continue Reading »

Outstanding Business Honoree
Sidley's Porterville Chrysler Jeep Dodge

The City of Porterville is pleased to announce Mark Sidley’s Porterville Chrysler Jeep Dodge as an Outstanding Business Honoree.

In 2004, Mark and Debbie Sidley purchased the Dilfer Chrysler dealership located at 777 W. Olive Avenue and changed the name to Mark Sidley’s Porterville Chrysler Jeep Dodge.

In 2006, under the Sidley’s ownership, the showroom underwent a massive remodel to give the business a new and polished look. The new showroom and offices offer both customers and 32 employees a modern and comfortable place in which to conduct business.

Mark Sidley not only wanted his business to look successful, but wanted to ensure that his customers needs were being met. Mark’s goal was to achieve Chrysler’s Five Star Dealer Award, which he accomplished in 2006 – just 2 years after taking over the dealership. Only 8 dealerships between San Francisco and Bakersfield received the coveted award that year.

During the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina, Porterville Chrysler employees raised money to give to the local campaign for the American Red Cross. Sidley matched the donation which was then matched by the Chrysler Corporation.

Porterville Chrysler’s name can be seen as a sponsor of Sober Grad, Rollin Relics Car Club events, Business Ag Lunch, and Walk for the Cure cancer benefit.

Congratulations to Sidley Porterville Chrysler Jeep Dodge for their selection as a Porterville Outstanding Business Honoree.

SOUTH COUNTY JUSTICE CENTER

Design is underway for a new nine-courtroom Superior Court at the site of the current Porterville Fairgrounds.  The project includes construction of a site on 7.41 acre approximately (95,000 square foot building and will include surface parking for court staff and visitors, secure parking area for Judges, and a secure sally port for in-custody transport).  Considered by the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) as one of its highest priority capital projects, at an estimated construction cost of $90 million, the new facility will replace the existing two-room facility in Porterville and the one room Tulare-Pixley Court to create the new South County Justice Center.

The development of the South County Justice Center (courthouse and related governmental offices and support facilities) will serve as a community centerpiece and economic force for years to come.  It is estimated the new facility will need to increase staff from the present 30 employees to more than 100 employees to support additional courtrooms, new judgeships, growth in family court services, drug court, and greater number of cases.

Construction is scheduled to begin in Fall 2011 and be completed late in 2012.  Sundt Construction, the construction manager for the project, will conduct outreach to pre-qualify local subcontractors and suppliers, further benefiting the local economy.

The Porterville Fair will move to a new location near the Porterville Municipal Airport that will offer them 15-acres, up from the current 7-acre site, to grow and support additional community opportunities at the new Fairplex. 

Back to top

PORTERVILLE NAMED IN TOP CITIES
FOR MANUFACTURING

In a recent study conducted by The Boyd Company comparing cost of operating a high technology manufacturing facility in 45 small market cities across the U.S., the City of Porterville beat out the other California cities of Folsom, Apple Valley, and Walnut Creek, just to name a few. Of the 45 small market cities evaluated, the annual costs for doing business ranged from a high $28.0 million per year in Walnut Creek, California, to a low $21.1 million in Quincy, Washington.  In today’s economy, comparative economics are ruling the corporate site selection process.

The Princeton, New Jersey based company compared up and coming small market cities in each region of the country which were considered to be on the forefront of new industry as the economy slowly comes out of the recession in 2010-2011.  Overall costs were scaled to a hypothetical 250,000 square foot production facility employing 300 workers. The study was done solely for comparative purposes, with only major geographically-variable factors being considered.  These factors are thought to be most pivotal to the corporate site selection process.

The Boyd Company, Inc. provides independent location recommendations to leading U.S. and overseas corporations.

Back to top

LOCAL STUDENTS COMPETE IN
ENTREPRENEUR CHALLENGE

Congratulations to Monache and Porterville High Schools for competing and placing in this year’s Student Entrepreneur Challenge event, sponsored by The Gas Company. The event is designed to encourage students to develop a product, service or some other type of economic growth idea that can be applied in the San Joaquin Valley.

The Monache teams placed in the Presentation and Business Plan categories, winning a combined total of $650 for their school.  Porterville High School’s Academy of Business tied for first place in the Best Exhibit category, winning a prize of $150 for their school.

During the events, Monache High School senior Imran Noorali received the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Entrepreneur Scholarship of $1,000, sponsored by TUCOEMA Federal Credit Union.

Back to top

YOUNG’S COMMERCIAL TRANSFER, INC. RECOGNIZED AT EXCELLENCE IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP AWARDS

During the Excellence in Entrepreneurship Awards luncheon presented by the Tulare County Economic Development Corporation, Young’s Commercial Transfer, Inc. was recognized as an Entrepreneur in the Innovation category.  Young’s was nominated by the City based on their commitment to excellence in their business and commitment to the community.

This year, Young’s Commercial Transfer will be celebrating 75 years as a family-owned and family-managed business.  The company was built on the local agriculture industry and has grown to be a trucking firm that is known throughout California.  They have found their niche in hauling produce and their trucks can be found on the highway throughout the state.  As Young’s business continues to grow, they recently moved from their Olive Avenue location to new headquarters, shop, and yard at the site of the former National Vitamin plant on Scranton Avenue. 

Personal attention to customer service is important to Young’s Commercial Transfer, as they regularly visit with their customers to build relationships and gain a better understanding of their customers’ needs.  The company founder was driven to succeed through hard work and dedication to his customers.  Three generations later, the same values remain in the business.

Congratulations to Young’s Commercial Transfer, Inc. for their Excellence in Entrepreneurship recognition.

Back to top

SEQUOIA VALLEY ENTERPRISE ZONE ANNOUNCED

The City of Porterville was excited to learn that soon local businesses will, once again, be able to take advantage of the State's Enterprise Zone incentives.

On Wednesday, August 19, 2009, the California Department of Housing and community Development announced conditional designation of the Sequoia Valley Enterprise Zone, which will include the cities of Dinuba, Exeter, LIndsay, Farmersville, Porterville, Tulare, Visalia, Woodlake and parts of the unincorporated communities in Tulare County. The Sequoia Valley Enterprise Zone is one of five new zones that were announced. The others are Hesperia, Pittsburg, Sacramento, and Taft. The new Sequoia Valley Enterprise Zone will replace the existing Business Incentive Zone (BIZ), California's only Targeted Tax Area, which is due to expire in 2012.

In 1990, the City of Porterville was one of the first Enterprise Zones in California. The Porterville Enterprise Zone expired in October 1006 and the City did not reapply for a new zone designation, instead opting to take full advantage of the BIZ. However, the new Sequoia Valley Enterprise will broaden the types of businesses that can take advantage of state and local incentives, which were restricted to certain manufacturing and transportation businesses under the BIZ.

Porterville City Manager John Lollis stated, "The designation of the Sequoia Valley Enterprise Zone is an integral component to our efforts to recruit and retain business in Porterville. Once the final designation is received, local businesses will be able to benefit from tax credits, including hiring credits, sales and use tax credits, and preference points on state contracts. Local benefits include a permit fast tracking and development fee deferral programs."

REVOLVING LOAN FUND

The City's Business Assistance Program provides funding of $35,000 per every NEW job created by the project that is funded by the City. These funds may be provided to the Business by a low-interest loan. Determination of the loan is made by a project basis, utilizing a variety of criteria to determine the level of assistance that may be provided to the business.

At least 51% of the full-time equivalent permanent jobs created must be made available to moderate-income individuals. A Non-Financial Employment Plan will be made a part of the Assistance packet. New jobs must be listed with the California Employment Development Department and/or Tulare County Workforce Investment Department.

The City's Revolving Loan Fund Program is funded by Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) funds. CDBG funds are federal dollars; therefore, construction projects using CDBG funds are subject to prevailing wage.

Limited funding is available and priority will be given to projects creating employment opportunities and/or benefits to the community. Approval for the use of these funds is subject to the Community Development Financial Review Committee.