Economy
Kern's unemployment rises to 14.5 percent
The unemployment rate in Kern County was 14.5 percent in October, up from 14 percent in September, according to figures released by the state Employment Development Department on Friday.
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SmartMeters to get expedited independent testing
The state Public Utilities Commission voted Friday to expedite the hiring of a contractor to provide independent testing of Pacific Gas and Electric Co.'s SmartMeters, the electrical meters that have prompted complaints recently in Bakersfield and elsewhere about unusually high power bills.
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People in Business: A who's who for Nov. 20
JACK A. DOREMUS has joined Keller Williams Realty on Olive Drive as its Responsible Broker. In his new position, Doremus is to oversee the agency’s three locations in Bakersfield and the one opening this week in Tehachapi. He also becomes Keller Williams’ Productivity Coach, teaching a course intended to provide “financial peace.”
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A glimpse at the state of Kern's economy
Here are some nuggets on the local economy from Abbas Grammy's reports in the Kern Economic Journal, 2009 third quarter issue, which just came out:
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Action Line: Beware of 'gray market' products
Editor's note: Action Line is a weekly column from the Better Business Bureau answering consumers' questions and concerns about money and business issues.
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Strictly Business feature: Q&A with Shari Cunningham of Sugardaddy's
Shari Cunningham has run Sugardaddy's boutique for 26 years. The locally owned, independent store specializes in designer clothes and accessories. Despite competition from department stores and other boutiques, the store has maintained a steady, loyal clientele. We sat down with her to talk about competition and working in retail in a recession.
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Retailers worry about soft sales over the holidays
This time of year, Into the Forest is typically bustling with customers rifling through Christmas ornaments, holiday decorations, candles and dolls.
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Market Intelligence: Items for use in the home may sell for holidays
Retailers offering items that can be used in the home are more likely to benefit from recent shifts in shopping behavior, compared to marketers of luxury items. According to a recent 2009 survey from the National Retail Federation and BIGResearch, 36 percent of U.S. consumers say they will shop for more practical gifts this holiday season.
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Survey: Little change in consumer sentiment
Bakersfield's Index of Consumer Sentiment inched up from 76 to 79 in the third quarter, its second consecutive increase after bottoming out at 73 in the first quarter. Prior to the second quarter, the local index had declined for eight consecutive quarters from a peak of 125 in first quarter 2007.
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Survey: Local businesses slightly more confident
Data from our recent survey indicate that Kern County businesses have turned optimistic about local economic conditions. In the third quarter (July through September) of 2009, the Business Outlook Index improved 1 point. The index stood at 109 compared to 108 in the previous quarter and 88 four quarters ago.
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Kern agencies see increase in homes without enough food
It isn't news to Kern County agencies that feed the hungry that the number of families unable to put adequate food on the table is soaring.
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Some residents still struggle to afford a place to live
Intuitively, it would make sense if the cost of owning or renting a home plummeted along with residential real estate prices.
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Sarah Palin slated for Bakersfield Business Conference
Former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin and actress Goldie Hawn will be among the speakers at next year's Bakersfield Business Conference.
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Former refinery workers' dilemma: Wait for Big West to reopen, or look elsewhere
Of all the people waiting to learn the fate of Big West refinery, perhaps none is more anxious than Roberto Cristobal.
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Credit unions, car dealers team up to boost sales
At a time of more pressing economic concerns, it went mostly unnoticed that for the first time in a quarter of a century, there was no big car sale in Bakersfield this year specifically for credit union members.
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Financial literacy programs take on greater importance in tough economy
Kathleen McNeil, who oversees financial literacy training for school children as district manager of Junior Achievement of Bakersfield, says students can hardly be blamed if they don't understand personal finance.
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Action Line: How to opt out of catalogs you don't want
Editor's note: Action Line is a weekly column from the Better Business Bureau answering consumers' questions and concerns about money and business issues.
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People in Business: A who's who for Nov. 13
RYAN CROSBY has received the 2009 Personal Insurance High Achiever Award from Travelers Insurance for the state of California. The award honors agents who provide superior customer service and contribute to the company’s success. Crosby is a third generation agent with Crosby and Crosby Insurance.
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Strictly Business feature: Three thoughts on how to reward good employees
As a means of recognizing hard work, the offer of continued employment goes only so far. This is especially true at a time of extra-lean staffing. But try as they might, managers in this economy typically don't have much to work with in the way of financial incentives.
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Market Intelligence: Transportation and commuting in Bakersfield
Federal stimulus money for transportation projects will certainly be welcomed by Bakersfield commuters as they navigate roads in need of maintenance and repair. But which roads do people use?
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Worth Noting in business: Grant for green job training, new hotel, new Bright House channels
A $319,655 grant awarded recently to Employers' Training Resource is expected to cover job training expenses for 120 people interested in working in the energy efficiency industry.
