Friday 15, is a new series from Google designed to help small businesses succeed online.  These webinars (or online “Hangout’s”) are each 15 minutes or less and always begin at 11am PST.

The next Hangout is Friday, February 8^th @ 11am PST.

WET Center Member AG/H2O is helping to produce a website called Grange Network, a site that showcases webinars as well as other topics of interest for the agriculture irrigation industry.

The first webinar features Inge Bisconer, Technical Marketing & Sales Manager at Toro.  She will present on Making Drip Pay: Increasing Income, Reducing Costs & Improving Flexibility Thursday, February 28^th at 10am PST.

Other webinars are being scheduled – visit Grange Network to register for the webinar, and for more information on upcoming webinars.

Both the Friday 15 and Grange Network webinars will be recorded, so if you are unable to attend you can view them on-demand anytime.

Although the year has just begun, we have made great progress in spurring our economies.  For instance, our CVBI-SBDC clients in Fresno, Madera, Tulare and Kings Counties have already generated more than $6-million in capital infusion!  This is a great indicator of strengthening businesses and job growth across our region, and we’re only in January!

The Water, Energy and Technology Center is full – with five new, high-potential technology-based companies that are preparing to enter and grow their products into our local markets.  And, as they develop, they will create jobs and continue to support the development of new technologies – especially relative to food and water use – supporting and growing our proud ag-heritage and helping our region feed the world!

And, speaking of feeding the world … FOOD is a major focus of CVBI programs this year.  There are so many initiatives growing (pun intended), from the Public Market to Commercial Kitchens to a Kitchen Incubator, and CVBI is supporting these efforts to ensure that the entrepreneurial and innovation opportunities are fully leveraged – keeping dollars and talent here in our region.  An excellent example is CVBI-SBDC client Rosa Brothers Milk Co. a Hanford Dairy that opened a processing and distribution plant in Tulare and is now processing their own milk and ice cream and distributing it through the Central Valley under their own brand.

Especially exciting is the growth of the BlueTechValley initiative. It’s hitting full-throttle, creating awareness across the nation and world of the many unique assets, resources and opportunities our valley provides to develop and advance solutions to the world’s water crisis and protecting this valuable resource in support of our Ag-economy.

2013 is a year of innovation, technology and job development.  Through our programs and partners, CVBI will work at full capacity to drive business launch, job development and awareness of the tremendous opportunity and contributions if our Valley.

We gratefully acknowledge our key funders, The Fresno Regional Workforce Investment Board, the University of California, Merced Regional Small Business Development Network, and the City of Clovis.  And the many contributions by our local foundations and institutions, including Wells Fargo, Bank of America, Central Valley Community Bank, Small Business Administration, Comerica Bank, PG&E, AT&T, Sebastian Enterprises, Grundfos and all the members of the BlueTechValley Committee.

Here’s to a great 2013!

announce that starting and growing a business just got easier thanks to a $10,000 grant from Bank of
America to support small business.

This $10,000 Bank of America grant will fund high-quality; one-on-one consultations for those who want
to start or strengthen a small business in the four counties of Fresno, Madera, Tulare and Kings. The
grant funds will also further the development and commercialization of technology based businesses
across our region.

Business support is provided through CVBI-SBDC via consultations with industry experts, workshops and
training, research and online learning services.

“Bank of America’s commitment enables our organization to provide much needed support to grow our
local small businesses and to strengthen our communities,” says Kirk Nagamine, President and CEO of
Central Valley Business Incubator- SBDC in Fresno.

“Fresno’s economic growth is intrinsically tied to the success and vitality of our small business
community,” said Randy Dhindsa, Fresno market president of Bank of America. “Bank of America is fully
committed to supporting small business owners by working with them directly and through important
partners like CVBI-SBDC who provide critical technical support to help new start-ups make their business
dreams a reality.”

In addition to working with business incubators such as CVBI-SBDC to support new start-ups, Bank
of America also works with experienced small businesses ready for traditional bank capital through
its Small Business Banker network of local experts who meet with small business owners to provide
expertise and guidance how to grow. Bank of America has four Small Business Bankers across the four-
county market locally. Across California in 2012, Bank of America provided $1.84 billion in new lending
and credit to small businesses, a 41% increase over 2011.

For more information on the business support offered through CVBI-SBDC or to get connected to an
CVBI-SBDC Consultant to assist with your business, please contact Barbara Rodiek at (559) 292-9033 or
email Barbara@cvbi.org.

Make of it. This Saturday, Februrary 2nd, join Emmy Award-winning composer, philanthropist
and New York Times best-selling author Peter Buffett as he brings his music and message of
his book Life Is What You Make It to the stage in the Old Administration Building Auditorium at
Fresno City College 6:30 p.m.

The concert benefits arts education programs at the College of Arts and Humanities at Fresno
State, State Center Community College District, the Fresno County Office of Education, and
University High School. Tickets for the event are $100, $65 and $45 and can be purchased at:

http://www.fresnostate.edu/artshum/buffett.

Bennett & Bennett Irrigation is a leader in utilizing new innovations in agricultural technology, including drip and micro-irrigation.  Bennett & Bennett Irrigation is able to provide highly efficient irrigation systems to growers to save water while increasing yields.  The company offers a complete line of irrigation services including system design, installation, and repair.  Dairies are also provided with flush systems and manure water pipeline and transfer systems.

H2O Optimizer focuses on increased uniformity in agricultural products by solving issues of soil differences and deficiencies through targeted irrigation, nutrient management, and customized data analysis programs for lasting success.  H2O Optimizer helps customers navigate the successful implementation of nutrient and nitrate management regulations, water quality standards and land treatment practices.

OnFarm Systems unifies field and cloud based agriculture date from multiple sources and delivers an available anywhere software platform that helps growers increase farm productivity and profits. As the only company today that has built an integration system for fixed field and cloud based agriculture data from a wide variety of existing hardware and information workers, OnFarm Systems has successfully built an intuitive dashboard designed for growers to use anywhere.

Join Us…

After a successful 2012, the WET Center encourages businesses in the water, energy and agricultural technology field, to become a member of the WET Center today.  Join the WET Center to connect to a leader in the area of Water, Energy, Air Quality and Ag Technology innovation, development and commercialization.

For more information regarding membership options and benefits, please do not hesitate to contact us at 559.278.4540 or visit: http://wetcenter.org/membership_program/.

http://www.cnbc.com/id/100289321- Reported  Friday, December 7 by CNN regarding U.S. Economy.

Locally- CVBI-SBDC continues to support small business owners and entrepreneurs in their efforts to help keep these jobs growing.  In 2012, CVBI-SBDC services helped generate 53 new businesses launched in Fresno, 338 jobs created & over $11.3 million in capital infusion.

Are you ready to think about how YOU can create jobs with a new or stronger small business?

Connect to CVBI-SBDC for a business readiness consultation.  CVBI-SBDC services are provided at no charge to entrepreneurs and business owners.   In Fresno and Madera counties, email: rich@cvbi.org. In Tulare and Kings counties, email: Gil@cvbi.org, and for assistance commercializing your technology, email Helle@cvbi.org.

“We’re very focused on supporting our customers with products and resources that will help them increase profits and improve sustainability,” said Mark Ensworth, Director of Rain Bird’s Agriculture Division. “The ClimateMinder organization embodies that same spirit, making it and its products an excellent fit with Rain Bird. This acquisition allows us to continue offering the most advanced technology in the agriculture industry.”

The ClimateMinder system can automate the collection of data from a wide variety of sensors as well as control the operation of irrigation equipment.  The system uses battery/solar powered stations that are connected wirelessly to the internet.  From any internet enabled device, including cell phones, users can perform a wide variety of tasks including viewing sensor information, defining irrigation schedules, and setting e-mail or text alerts based on real-time sensor readings.

Rain Bird and ClimateMinder executives finalized the acquisition on Friday, December 14, 2012. Following the acquisition, Bulut Ersavas, CEO and founder of ClimateMinder, joined Rain Bird as the Business Development Manager for the Agriculture Division.

“This acquisition is the culmination of many years of hard work and effort by the entire ClimateMinder team,” Ersavas said. “I’m extremely proud that our company and its products have evolved over the years to the point where an organization like Rain Bird recognizes their value to the agriculture market. It’s an exciting time, and I look forward to working with Rain Bird to bring technology like this to more growers worldwide.

For more information about the ClimateMinder system, visitwww.climateminder.com. To learn more about Rain Bird’s products for the agriculture, golf, and landscape markets, visit www.rainbird.com.

Over 70 startup companies from 12 countries submitted entries related to this year’s competition theme: Consumer Innovations. The global field represented a diverse range of personalized solutions to water challenges related to quality, efficiency and access in both developed and developing economies.

“Regardless of location or economics, people require solutions to ensure water efficiency, safety and accessibility,” explained Scott Bryan, Imagine H2O’s Chief Operating Officer. “This year’s Imagine H2O finalists represent a broad selection of innovative solutions to personal water challenges around the world.”

Imagine H2O’s judging panel, which includes some of the water sector’s leading experts, based their selection of the finalists on market opportunity, customer value proposition, go-to market strategy, financial plan, and general quality of presentation and pitch. The finalists (alphabetical) are:

Pre-Revenue Track

• Dlo Haiti 

(Haiti) www.dlohaiti.com
Led by a team of Haitian and Silicon Valley entrepreneurs and investors, Dlo Haiti offers a market-based solution providing safe drinking water in Haiti at a price average Haitians can afford. Dlo Haiti seeks to replace the expensive and inefficient model of centralized water purification and delivery by truck with a decentralized approach that will lower costs and improve water quality for Haitian consumers.

• Flush-Master

(Corona,CA) www.flush-master.com
This stainless steel retrofit toilet flapper is designed to address a very basic, yet large, source of lost water. According to the American Water Association, one out of five toilets are leaking today because of faulty toilet flappers.

• Innogation Inc.

(Eagle,ID) www.smartrotor.com
By matching the flow of water to lawn outlines, Innogation’s SMARTRotor™ dramatically reduces water used for outdoor irrigation while providing up to 98% distribution uniformity.

• NBD Nanotechnologies, Inc.

(Danvers,MA) www.nbdwater.com
A biomimicry and nanotechnology company that harvests water from the air, NBD Technologies employs materials science and chemical engineering innovations to create water from the air.

• ReFresh

(Boston,MA) nowebsite
A provider of water on the go, ReFresh’s water distribution machines provide bottled water and accept used bottles for a partial refund making drinking water cheaper, more convenient, and more environmentally friendly.

• Sentinel Hydrosolutions, LLC                                                       

(Escondido,CA) www.leakdefensesystem.com
Sentinel’s Leak Detections System combines an easy-to-install fixture and control panel that automatically identifies home leaks and shuts off supplies to prevent water damage and loss.

Early Revenue Track

• Celsius Global Solutions

(Trune,Scotland) www.jompy.co.uk
The Jompy water boiler is a simple, easy to use device that allows the user to cook food and boil water simultaneously, so saving on fuel and time spent over an open fire. The Jompy will pasteurize contaminated water reducing the chance of water borne diseases such as diarrhea and cholera.

• HighSierra Showerheads, LLC

(Coarsegold,CA) www.highsierrashowerheads.com
The HighSierra Showerhead combines a low-profile design that uses 40% less water and a flow control that maintain the feel and experience of a conventional showerhead even at varying pressures.

• PaveDrain, LLC

(Greenfield,WI) www.pavedrain.com
Mitigating storm water through arched paving bricks, PaveDrain incorporates an arch design in the middle of an articulating concrete block to create an internal storage chamber that can be filled with storm-water runoff while simultaneously providing strength for heavy vehicular loads.

Fresno Regional Workforce Investment Board and the Central Valley Business Incubator – Small Business Development Center (CVBI-SBDC) have partnered to provide community members the opportunity to attend a fully funded entrepreneurship training class.

The class will be five weeks long from January 22, 2013 through February 20, 2013. Classes will be held twice a week on Tuesday and Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and will cover topics such as legal procedures, business plan development, business financing, bookkeeping and accounting basics, marketing, management, and growth. Training will be delivered through the classroom as well as a virtual platform called Central Valley Business Incubator Online. The virtual training portion will give participants the freedom to access sessions at their convenience.  

The goal of the Entrepreneurship Training Program is:

• To provide flexible, realistic, and results-driven training to give clients the information and tools needed to launch a small business legally and appropriately;
• To provide an understanding of managing the fundamental business functions;
• To capitalize on business resources and programs available to participants.  Each participant will also be eligible for ongoing business counseling.

CVBI-SBDC will be the location for the assessment, intake, and all class sessions. A preliminary screening process is required to establish the eligibility of clients. WIB clients, eligible through WIA and all other unemployed persons are eligible for the class—though not guaranteed placement due to the screening process. CVBI-SBDC will give priority to those who demonstrate they have (or have access to) the tools needed to launch a successful business or have previous entrepreneurial experience.

For additional information about the ETP course, please contact Rich Mostert at (559) 292-9033 x. 106 or rich@cvbi.org.

Most notably, Hansen honored the City of Fresno, Calif., with an award of distinction for Utility Performer of the Year. Martin Querin, assistant director of the Department of Public Utilities’ Water Division, accepted the award on behalf of the city.

The exchange was especially meaningful because of Grundfos’ history with Fresno, the birthplace of its North American presence. Indeed, ever since Grundfos opened its first U.S. offices there in 1973, the company has been building its relationship with the local public water and wastewater utility.

Never has that partnership been more vital than it is today. Population growth has forced Fresno to triple the amount of water it pumps. Meanwhile, the aquifer beneath California’s central valley is not expected to last another 50 years. So in 2012, the city of Fresno made the bold decision to wean itself off groundwater by switching to surface water for its future supply.

Plans include an expansion of 30 million gallons per day (MGD) to the city’s surface water treatment plant, a new 80 MGD surface water treatment facility, and a $76 million project to install 110,000 automatic meter readers. At the same time the city’s wastewater department has begun a treatment upgrade to the city’s water reclamation plant that will create 25,000 acre feet of reclaimed water by 2025 to offset potable water demand.

While the city took advantage of forward thinking and creativity to confront a growing reality of water scarcity, Grundfos leapt at the opportunity to contribute at its own facility.

A global leader in high-efficiency water technology, the company broke ground on a three-part project to recover and reduce irrigation water at its Fresno facility last summer. The construction of a water-conscious landscape, a natural filtration system and two water detention basins were all part of an effort to boost the city’s groundwater supply by completely eliminating the use of potable water for campus irrigation.

The project is Fresno’s largest scale replacement of traditional landscaping, as well as the first combination of rainwater recovery and groundwater recharge by a private company in cooperation with the City of Fresno.

“Grundfos’ water conservation efforts have provided a mutual benefit in terms of sustainable and economic management of our water resources,” said Querin. “This is a partnership that every city needs.”

When the project is completed in January 2013, Grundfos Fresno will feature a water-wise landscape design that replaces existing plants with species that consume less water and are more appropriate to the area’s demanding climate. The campus originally consumed nearly 6 million gallons of potable water each year. The new design will reduce water demand by more than 83 percent.

“Our work in Fresno demonstrates Grundfos’ commitment to practice what we preach with respect to sustainability and the appropriate use of potable water,” Hansen said.

The water conservation initiative will also include a recovery system to reclaim, treat and reuse rainwater to irrigate the new water-wise landscape. A four-acre water detention basin is planned to collect enough recycled water to support the external water needs of the entire campus – about the size of 21 football fields – without the use of any potable water. Another basin will allow rainwater to seep into the earth and recharge the area’s groundwater supply. To help purify the water prior to entering the detention basins, the architects have designed a natural filtration system called a bio-swale. The plan also includes installing a smart irrigation system that ties into existing Grundfos technology for monitoring and operation.

The aggressive plan bolsters existing sustainability programs already in place at the 180,000 square-foot manufacturing facility, which has already achieved a 30 percent reduction in energy use per unit of output since 2000. Other energy-saving initiatives include the addition of a 1 Megawatt solar array spanning seven acres, use of energy-efficient lighting, air compressors, pumps, fans and low-flow plumbing fixtures. The effort is part of a corporate-wide sustainability initiative that seeks to reduce CO2 emissions, energy consumption and hazardous waste levels.

For more information, visit the website at www.grundfos.us

ABOUT GRUNDFOS:

With an annual production of more than 16 million pumps, Grundfos is a global leader in advanced pump solutions and a trendsetter in water technology. The company specializes in circulator pumps for heating and air conditioning as well as centrifugal pumps for industrial applications, water supply, sewage and dosing. Grundfos also manufactures standard and submersible motors and state-of-the-art electronics for monitoring and controlling pumps.

High on the company’s corporate agenda is an active commitment to improving the environment. Grundfos contributes to global sustainability by pioneering technologies that improve quality of life for people and care for the planet. For more information, visit www.grundfos.us