Kern Business
Destination Kern: Officials work to promote county as sports mecca
Sports events have become the star of Bakersfield’s tourism and hospitality industry, which now supports the city’s economy to the tune of more than $20 million a year. (To be clear, that figure is based on 44 events drawing 110,000 delegates and resulting in 71,000 Bakersfield hotel room bookings in the fiscal year ended June 30.)
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Market Intelligence: Kern County's hotel and motel industry
There are 190 hotels and motels in Kern County. Together, they have an estimated 2,300 employees and make $96 million in sales annually. The majority are small operations making less than $1 million. However, like most industries, a few businesses get the lion’s share of the revenue.
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Real estate column: New appraisal code irks some
If you need commercial or residential property appraised, there’s something you ought to know. As of May 1, appraisals are subject to the Home Valuation Code of Conduct, which was hammered out in a settlement agreement among the New York Attorney General, the Federal Housing Finance Agency, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
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Oil column: Looking for a bonanza
Its thirst for capital makes Bakersfield-based oil producer Bonanza Creek Energy Co. LLC much like a ... Lamborghini. No, wait — make that a Corvette, said company President and CEO Mike Starzer, apparently sensitive to the challenges facing General Motors. (Good point: Use more domestic metaphors!)
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Amgen bicycle race news expected soon
By now, much has been made of the city’s application to be part of the 2010 Amgen Tour of California, the United States’ premiere professional bicycle race, set to take place May 16-23. Far less has been said about how the bid came together.
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Guest column: Hotels taking hit from economy
With the first quarter of 2009 behind us, it is clear that declining room rates are having a much more dramatic effect on hotel performance than we expected.
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Summer looks hot for hotels
Others’ misfortune may benefit Bakersfield’s hotel market this summer. Trends across the broader industry suggest vacationers are looking to spend less and stay closer to home.
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Retail column: Credit card bill will impact consumers
It never fails that when I’m in a hurry at a store, I get stuck in line behind a little old lady who takes forever to write a paper check. Shifting my weight from foot to foot and glancing at my watch, I can’t help but wonder, “Who writes checks anymore?”
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Health care column: Understanding Medi-Cal a headache
Finally. Someone out there understands us. Or at least, somebody empathizes with our confusion over what’s going on with Medi-Cal and state budget talks.
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Legislation column: Stalled in Sacramento
While the governor and legislative leaders muddled though the state’s finances — in hopes of putting together a budget deal by the time you read this — a significant deadline slipped by.
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Gaylen Young column: Often it’s who you know
I suppose it’s true that we rely on friends to give us the best service at the best price. Perhaps that’s why so many people network via breakfast groups, the Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce or Facebook, Twitter and Plaxo.
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Guest column: Managing through pain
When the going gets tough, the tough get going. Joseph Kennedy’s famous phrase is especially appropriate now. Today’s uncertain business environment is taking its toll on everyone. Here’s what employers can do to manage during this difficult economic climate:
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Guest column: Respect intellectual property when creating your Web site
Web sites are your first online impression to a client. This is why it is so important to make sure you craft your site intelligently, with foresight that will avoid unwelcome attention that can come from infringing on someone else’s intellectual property.
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Comings & Goings in Kern Business
A Famous Footwear distribution center opened at the foot of The Grapevine. The chain’s owner, St. Louis-based Brown Shoe Co., opened the 350,000-square-foot plant in May.
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July Business Calendar
Get involved in business events and seminars happening in Bakersfield.
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SPECIAL REPORT: Russell V. Judd, president, Mercy Hospitals of Bakersfield
This year, with the new Obama administration and new Congress in Washington, our nation has a rare opportunity to achieve health-care reform. We must encourage our leaders to make the most of it.
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SPECIAL REPORT: Kathleen Allman, CEO/ administrator, Millennium Surgery Center
While it remains true that many Americans are uninsured or underinsured, the solution is not as simple as “universal care for free.” Free enterprise and free health care are difficult to blend.
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SPECIAL REPORT: Dr. Ravi Patel, managing partner, Comprehensive Blood and Cancer Center
The Obama/Congressional health-care reform plan is still in its formative stage.
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SPECIAL REPORT: Jarrod McNaughton, vice president, San Joaquin Community Hospital/ Adventist Health
Imagine being in line at a grocery store, waiting to purchase a gallon of milk priced at $5. There are four other people in front of you waiting to purchase a gallon of milk as well.
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SPECIAL REPORT: Carol Sorrell, president and CEO, Kern Health Systems
Is there anything wrong with health care in Kern County? Plenty. There are not enough people in Kern County with adequate health-care coverage and, for those of us who do have coverage, the escalating costs have made how to pay for that coverage a topic of considerable discussion.
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SPECIAL REPORT: Paul J. Hensler, CEO, Kern Medical Center
To some, health-care reform means universal coverage; others view reform as a reduction in the portion of the GNP consumed by health care; reform is sometimes viewed as improvement to the quality, safety or accessibility of health-care services; and others seek reform to reduce the cost of health benefits to employers or to taxpayers.