*Links to articles at www.pressdemocrat.com may require a one-time free registration or log-in thereafter.

• Manufacturing growth
  (December 16, 2008 — Press Democrat)
  Despite weak economy small and midsize Businesses find creative ways to keep growth and jobs.
   
• Wi-Fi on wheels
  (November 24, 2008 — Press Democrat)
  Santa Rosa engineer has designed a wireless Internet router that provides Wi-Fi in a vehicle.
   
• Visitors sustain local economy
  (November 17, 2008 — Press Democrat)
  Numbers of Visitors to Sonoma County slightly up.
   
• Economist: It's going to get worse before it gets better
  (November 15, 2008 — Press Democrat)
  More news on the current economic downturn.
   
• Sonoma County job growth to be led by service sector
  (October 13, 2008 — Press Democrat)
  Changes in work force occupations anticipated by State forecast.
  
  
• Financial markets in turmoil: The view from Sonoma County
  (September 21, 2008 — Press Democrat)
  Sonoma County experts discuss how the current financial crisis may affect Sonoma County.
  
  
• Unemployment hits 4-year high
  (July 19, 2008 — Press Democrat)
  Sonoma County jobless rate reaches 5.6 percent; slowdown in job growth tied to housing crisis.
   
• Hotels spring up
  (July 3, 2008 — Press Democrat)
  3 new inns opening in county reflect industry's optimism.
   
• The gains outweigh the losses
  (June 29, 2008 — Press Democrat)
  17th annual survey of Sonoma County's financial health finds big firms still doing robust business in wine, food, tech sectors; housing, cars among those struggling.
   
• Yes, we're in a recession. So, when will it be over?
  (June 29, 2008 — Press Democrat)
  Recession in Sonoma County and the uncertainty of how long it will be expected to continue.
   
• More pain forecast for local economy
  (June 21, 2008 — Press Democrat)
  REPORT: County in recession; home prices fall 16% more.
   
• The Matchmakers
  (June 2008 — North Bay Biz)
  Santa Rosa’s award-winning Venture Communities Program is like speed dating  for entrepreneurs and investors.
   
• Growth In Stages*
  (June 15, 2008 — Press Democrat)
  The Windsor-based company is an example of a "second-stage" business, an enterprise that has left the startup stage and is poised for growth.
   
• Forward Thinking
  (June 2008 — North Bay Biz)
  Look forward 10 years from now, to the year 2018: What will the world look like? What will the North Bay look like? What kind of jobs will (and won’t) be needed? What will the population be, and what new infrastructure will be required to meet their needs? What new businesses will be here?
   
• Export opportunities *
  (June 2, 2008 — Press Democrat)
  North Coast manufacturers find weak dollar, Internet open new markets
   
• County jobless rate improves *
  (May 17, 2008 — Press Democrat)
  Spring bounce improves month-to-month, but rate sharply higher than 2007
   
• Architect Larry Simons is honored for his body of work
  (April 28, 2008 — North Bay Biz)
  Larry Simons is being honored by the Redwood Empire chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the Sonoma County Economic Development Board.
   
• What downturn? *
  (April 14, 2008 — Press Democrat)
  For healthy, recession-proof companies like Santa Rosa's G&C Auto Body, now's the time to expand
  
  
• County jobless rate dips slightly *
  (March 22, 2008 — Press Democrat)
  Business picks up after dismal January, but forecast 'fair to cloudy'
   
• County backs energy independence *
  (March 20, 2008 — Press Democrat)
  Water Agency proposes solar-powered complexes, fleets of electric cars
   
• Going green, saving green *
  (March 1, 2008 — Press Democrat)
  16 Sonoma County companies honored for practices that are easy on the environment.
   
• Businesses going green with BEA *
  (February 29, 2008 — Press Democrat)
  Business Environmental Alliance honors top local eco-friendly companies.
   
• Officials: 10-year plan can help guide choices *
  (February 3, 2008 — Press Democrat)
   
• Calculated Influences *
  (February 3, 2008 — Press Democrat)
  County employs complex model to analyze conditions, their effects on future growth.
   
• Economic diversity will weather slump
  (February 2, 2008 — Sonoma News)
  Forecaster likes county's diverse economy.
   
• County's 'big picture' healthy *
  (January 24, 2008 — Press Democrat)
  County Economic Development Board issues Sonoma County passing grades in annual report.
   
• It's Vegas, baby! *
  (January 24, 2008 — Press Democrat)
  New flights to Las Vegas from Sonoma County Airport.
   
•  Horizon responds to desire for air service to Las Vegas
  (January 23, 2008 —North Bay Business Journal)

• SR-Petaluma area No. 17 on list of secure places *
  (December 11, 2007 — Press Democrat)
  Despite headlines about gang violence, home loan foreclosures and other social ills, the Santa Rosa-Petaluma region is one of the most secure places to live in the country, a study released Monday said.
   
• Motherland of invention *
  (November 18, 2007 — Press Democrat)
  Sonoma County residents taking problems, challenges, and some tinkering, to becoming a patent leader
   
• Study: Counties competing for jobs *
  (November 6, 2007 — Press Democrat)
  Companies not fleeing to other states as much as thought but are escaping costly L.A., SF areas
   
• County job growth up in September *
  (October 20, 2007 — Press Democrat)
  Sonoma County job growth outpaces the average for California
   
• Sonoma County Health Action team holds first meeting
  (October 12, 2007— North Bay Business Journal)
  A 32-member council has begun discussing how to change health care in Sonoma County.
   
• County economy stable, report says *
  (October 10, 2007 — Press Democrat)
  Moody's Economy.com analyst calls housing downturn biggest short-term risk to growth
   
• Supervisors name Innovation Council
  (September 11, 2007 — North Bay Business Journal)
  The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors today appointed 34 individuals to serve on the Sonoma County Innovation Council, an advisory committee that will be charged with overseeing the development of an economic strategic plan for the county.
   
• County job growth slows in August
  (September 22, 2007)
  Real estate slowdown affects the number of worker seeking jobs
   
• Yankovich, Raeside on Innovation Council
  (September 18, 2007 —Sonomanews)
  Over the next 10 years, approximately 80 million baby boomers will retire nationwide, and it's expected that only about 40 million people will replace them in the workforce.
   
• Mapping county's economic future *
  (September 12, 2007 — Press Democrat)
  34 business, community leaders selected for Innovation Council will advise elected officials
    
• Disaster Comes In Many Forms *
  (September 10, 2007 — Press Democrat)
  When Sonoma County businesses plan for disaster, they may think about fires, floods or earthquakes.
    
• County jobless rate hits 2-year high *
  (August 18, 2007 — Press Democrat)
  July unemployment figures included losses in real estate, home finance, education
  
  
• Sonoma County vacancy rates drop *
  (August 8, 2007 — Press Democrat)
   
• Back In Business *
  (July 23, 2007 — Press Democrat)
  After post-9/11 slump, future rosy again for Sonoma County hotels
   
• Going the distance *
  (July 22, 2007 — Press Democrat)
  Annual Vineman triathlon events strengthening Wine Country's draw for tourists, world-class athletes
   
• Sonoma County adding jobs *
  (July 21, 2007 — Press Democrat)
  Unemployment rate up slightly, but more people working than last year
   
• Tourist Attraction
  (June 30, 2007 — North Bay Business Journal)
  Winery visiters are bringing big bucks into the North Bay's Economy
   
• Sonoma County adds jobs in May *
  (June 16, 2007 — Press Democrat)
  Farm, tourism, construction sectors boost employment from April
   
• Forecast for county economy looks upbeat *
  (June 1, 2007 — Press Democrat)
  Despite a drop in housing prices, Sonoma County's economy is expected to remain strong for the coming year
  
  
• 'Innovation Council' good step toward economic plan
  (May 28, 2007 — North Bay Business Journal)
  Business Journal Editorial
   
• Report: Sonoma County economy improved in first quarter
  (May 24, 2007 — North Bay Business Journal)
  Sonoma County's overall economy improved during the first quarter 0f 2007
   
• Tourism outlook strong in Sonoma County
  (May 22, 2007 — North Bay Business Journal)
  Hotel occupancy rates in Sonoma County are at their highest in six years
   
• New council will address innovation, economic stability
  (May 21, 2007 — North Bay Business Journal)
  Sonoma County Supervisors approve funding for new council to create an economic strategic plan
   
• Car sales stall *
  (May 20, 2007 — Press Democrat)
  New car sales in Sonoma County for the 1st quarter of 2007 are down 11.7 percent, compared to the 1st quarter of 2006
   
• County jobless rate holds steady *
  (May 19, 2007 — Press Democrat)
  The April unemployment rate for Sonoma County remained the same as the same period one year ago.
   
• Offices on the go *
  (May 8, 2007 — Press Democrat)
  Regus Group to open furnished & staffed business rental suites in Petaluma in June.
   
• County adds 600 jobs in March*
  (April 21, 2007 — Press Democrat)
  Unemployment rate drops to 4%, indicating strong local economy
   
• Job gains span various industries
  (April 2, 2007 —North Bay Business Journal)
  Business services, education, construction among fields seeing employment gains
   
• A career in hospitality*
  (March 26, 2007 — Press Democrat)
  Hotels, restaurants eager to fill growing number of jobs
   
• County jobs growth best since 2001*
  (March 24, 2007 — Press Democrat)
  The job market in Sonoma County continued to grow in February at the fastest pace since 2001, state labor analysts reported Friday
   
• Air Service returns to Santa Rosa with Horizon Air*
  (March 18, 2007 — Press Democrat)
  Daily flights from the Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport offer travel convenience to local businesses and residents
   
• Strong jobs report raises questions about monthly data
  (March 12, 2007 — North Bay Business Journal)
  Data reporting differences result in confusion about employment statistics
   
• Incentives for health*
  (March 11, 2007 — Press Democrat)
  Employers find programs reduce absenteeism, boost productivity, retain workers, lower insurance costs
   
• County economy looking better*
  (March 3, 2007 — Press Democrat)
  Contrary to previous estimate, Sonoma County gained the most jobs last year since 2001
   
• Bright year ahead for hotels*
  (February 26, 2007 — Press Democrat)
  Industry optimism: Hoteliers in Sonoma County hoping upward swing of 2006 continues in room occupancy
   
• Going green, saving green*
  (February 23, 2007 — Press Democrat)
  Group honors businesses that find ways to be kind to environment,bottom line at same time.
   
• Making room for new hotel*
  (February 7, 2007 — Press Democrat)
  Hotelier plans 38-room downtown inn to capture tourist overflow.
   
• Officials worried about county economic health*
  (January 25, 2007 — Press Democrat)
  Sonoma County's economy is stalled by lackluster job growth.
   
• Dive in county home prices may be leveling off*
  (January 17, 2007 — Press Democrat)
  Number of homes available falls as more owners drop out of market
   
  
• Cloudy skies ahead*
  (January 7, 2007 — Press Democrat)
  Housing slump, projected slowed growth in retail and income point to mild recession

Archive