Worth Noting: Economic optimism reigns in survey
| Monday, May 04 2009 04:47 PM
Last Updated Tuesday, May 05 2009 09:36 AM
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Henry A. Barrios / The Californian
The International Trade and Transportation Center northwest of Bakersfield was one of the stops during a Kern County bus tour by the Kern Economic Development Corp with brokers and businessmen. There is hope that more businesses will locate in Kern County and bring jobs to the area.
The Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce recently conducted a survey focusing on the current economic climate and related challenges. Chamber members, representing a wide range of business types, responded as follows. So far, 158 people have responded.
How do you think economic conditions in Bakersfield/Kern County will change in the next six to 12 months?
Significantly better: 4.4 percent
Somewhat better: 41.7 percent
About the same: 32.9 percent
Somewhat worse: 18.3 percent
Significantly worse: 1.8 percent
No response: less than 1 percent
Which statement best describes how you are feeling about your business?
My business is thriving: 20.8 percent
My business is down but I am going to make it: 55 percent
My business is really struggling but I think we'll survive: 13.2 percent
I am concerned that my business may not survive: 5.6 percent
Other: 4.4 percent
No response: 1 percent
-- Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce
Processes Unlimited International Inc., an engineering and design firm with offices in Bakersfield, has boosted its ranking this year to 247 from last year's 427 in Engineering News-Record magazine's "Top 500 Design Firms."
The firm credited its improvement to a strong presence in the oil and gas, food and beverage, alternative energy and international markets. Also, last year it acquired Dean Oliver International.
Processes Unlimited also has offices in Fresno, Pasadena, Walnut Creek and elsewhere.
The Bakersfield ServiceMaster franchise at 217 Daniels Lane changed hands in September, and is now owned by Tony Benevento and Jon Mueller, the two announced Friday.
Benevento purchased Visalia's ServiceMaster by Benevento from his father in 2006. Mueller, his brother-in-law, is preparing to become general manager of the Bakersfield franchise.
ServiceMaster offers residential and commercial cleaning services, as well as disaster restoration services.
