September 2009

Table of Contents
-  Real Estate Roundup (August 2009)
-  PG&E Solar Project Marks Construction Milestone
-  Did you know?
Real Estate Roundup - (August 2009)
CBRE   (www.cbre.com)
-  767 Eubanks Drive, Vacaville – 65,000 SF lease renewal to CSK
-  640 Eubanks Court, Suite 900, Vacaville – 5,600 SF lease to Novartis
Colliers International   (www.colliersparrish.com)
-  5357-5365 Industrial Way, Benicia – 13,930 SF lease renewal to Areva NP, Inc.
-  2701 Maxwell Drive, Fairfield – 150,000 SF lease renewal to Amcor Pet Packaging USA
-  324 Campus Lane, Fairfield – 13,930 SF lease expansion to Private Industry Council
Cushman & Wakefield (www.cushmanwakefield.com)
-  499 Edison Court, Fairfield - 5,100 SF lease to Westinghouse
-  499 Edison Court, Fairfield – 3,300 SF lease to Michael Ellis 
-  2850 Cordelia Road, Fairfield - 1,700 SF lease to NdataStor 
-  380 Chadbourne Road, Fairfield – 1,700 SF lease renewal to Honeywell 
Premier Commercial (www.pcres.net)
-  260 Link Road, Fairfield – 3,500 SF lease to Living Waters Ministries, Inc.
The Wiseman Company   (www.wisemanco.com)
-  2420 Martin Road, Fairfield – 7,500 SF lease to EMQ Families First    
_____________________________________________________________________
PG&E Solar Project Marks Construction Milestone

For many construction projects, the biggest challenge is getting past all the reviews and winning all the approvals needed to actually put shovels in the ground.


PG&E's 2 megawatt solar photovoltaic pilot project--named the Vaca-Dixon Solar Station after the electrical substation it neighbors--has achieved that milestone and is moving quickly to become a reliable source of clean, renewable electric power later this year.

This photo, taken September 14, shows the first panels going up. They are polycrystalline modules from Solon Corporation, which PG&E selected after competitive bid as the turnkey supplier to build the facility.

Solon is building the facility with help from Silverwood Energy, Inc., a California disabled veteran business enterprise.

The pilot represents the utility's first step in implementing its plan to promote 500 MW of clean new PV power over five years--250 MW to be built by the utility and 250 MW by independent developers. (The plan, proposed in February, is under consideration by the California Public Utilities Commission.)

If the projects are approved and finished by 2015, they are expected to deliver more than 1,000 gigawatt hours of power each year, equal to the annual consumption of about 150,000 average homes. In all, this program would meet over 1.3 percent of PG&E's electric demand.

For more information on Solano’s energy opportunities be sure to attend the Solano EDC Member Breakfast Event, November 19th, 2009 on the Solano Energy Cluster Study.

Marshall, Jonathan.  “PG&E Solar Project Marks Construction Milestone”.  PG&E.  Web.  September 15, 2009. 
_____________________________________________________________________
Did you know?

Queen Elizabeth II was one of many celebrities known to stop by the Nut Tree for a visit.

In fact, in 1983 they catered a state luncheon for her in the rotunda of the State Capitol in Sacramento serving sole and shrimp as the entrée (They were an early leader in a cooking style called ‘California Cuisine’).   Trying to please the Queen, the Nut Tree staff brewed 50 different types of teas so the queen could pick her favorite.  She decided she would have a coffee instead, later switching to a gin and tonic.


The Solano Economic Development Corporation’s mission is to enhance the economic vitality and quality of life in Solano County communities through the attraction, growth and retention of business and industry.

Solano EDC Team


Mike Ammann, President (mike@solanoedc.org)
Sandy Person, Vice-President (sandy@solanoedc.org)
Pat Uhrich, Office Manager (pat@solanoedc.org)
Andy Turba, Special Projects (andy@solanoedc.org)

Solano Economic Development Corporation
360 Campus Lane, Suite 102, Fairfield, CA 94534
Phone: (707) 864-1855 Fax: (707) 864-6621

Impact of state’s raid on city and county budgets

Impact of state’s raid on city and county budgets
Explained at Sept. 30 Solano EDC event

The impact of California’s raid on city and county budgets will be explained when John Shirey, executive director of the California Redevelopment
Association speaks in Fairfield.

The event will be held at 7:30 a.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn in Fairfield, hosted by the Solano Economic Development Corporation.

In a move to help reduce California’s state budget deficits, Sacramento has turned to local governmental entities, taking and/or reducing funding that has helped sustain local economic balance.

“The moves at the state level have, and will result in some drastic changes in local communities,” Michael Ammann, president of Solano EDC said. “Literally millions will be lost to Solano cities and county governments because of the state’s inability to balance its own budget.”

The monthly breakfast meetings are hosted by EDC as a way to bring attention to important economic issues that affect the residents and private sector.

“Our cities will face some critical budget shortages because of California’s actions,” Ammann said. “John Shirey will be able to help us grasp the enormous loss in money that local entities will have to battle.”

The Sept. 30 meeting is sponsored by Vacaville Christian Schools and Kitchell, and is presented by the Solano EDC chairman Circle members: Syar Industries, Solano Garbage Company, Touro University and Republic Services, Inc.

To register call 707 864-1855. Cost sf $25 for EDC members and $35 for non members.


August 2009
Table of Contents
-  Real Estate Roundup (July 2009)
-  Dixon Ridge Farms: A Leader in Sustainable Farming
-  Did you know – Solano at the State Fair
Real Estate Roundup
(July 2009)

CBRE   (www.cbre.com)
  -  853 Cotting Court, Suites C & D, Vacaville, CA – 4,620 SF lease to VWR International
  -  821 Eubanks Drive, Suite C, Vacaville, CA – 4,542 SF lease to Dow Diversified
  -  871 Cotting Court, Vacaville, CA – 3,450 SF lease to North Coast Energy Services
  -  Quarters O, Mare Island, Vallejo, CA – 7,358 SF lease to Green Tech Power Group
Colliers International   (www.colliersparrish.com)
  - 506 Stone Road, Benicia - Lease Renewal of 12,624 SF to Mission Linen Supply, Inc.
  -  4620 Westamerica Dr. (Pony Express) Fairfield - Sale of 12,830 SF to MV Transportation, Inc.
  -  4725 Mangels Blvd., Fairfield - Sale of 2,155 SF to Sierra Pacific Investment Co., LLC
Cornish & Carey (www.ccarey.com)
  -  4950 Fulton Drive A&B, Fairfield – sold ±10,328 SF to Prema Thekkek
  -  473 E. Channel Road, Suite B, Benicia – leased ±4,000 SF to Benicia Fabrication & Machine, Inc.
______________________________
Dixon Ridge Farms: A Leader in Sustainable Agriculture
Dixon Ridge Farms located east of Winters in Solano County are leaders in organic walnut farming and sustainable agriculture.


Over the year the owners, Russ and Kathleen Lester, have worked hard to reduce their farms carbon footprint with great success through simple and advanced techniques.

In 2007 Dixon Ridge set a 5 year goal for energy self-sufficiency.  The goal led them to become the first farm to use a 50 kilowatt BioMax co-generator which converts walnut shells (they have plenty of them on a walnut farm) into renewable energy.  The generator uses a technology called “flash pyrolysis” which transforms the walnut shells into biogas which is sufficient to power their 12,000 square foot storage refrigerator and also provides a good amount of the propane needed in the walnut drying process and heating all of the buildings in the winter.  The system has been such a success for Dixon Ridge they plan on adding an addition BioMax generator in the near future.


They also take action to conserve water.  On the portion of the farm where they use flood-irrigation, they have retention basins to retrieve the excess water and recirculate it into the irrigation system.  The Lesters also use extra walnut shells as mulch which reduces weeds and slows water evaporation.


By running an Organic farm they eliminate waste and the use of chemicals.   By using natural fertilizers and such as compost the can return twig, leaves and hulls removed during the harvest back to the orchard where they can return their nutrients to the soil.  This returns all the ‘waste’ to the farm which would be removed and burned in traditional farming practices.


With the Lester’s efforts and environmental conscience they were awarded the state’s highest environmental honor in 2008, the Governors Environmental & Economic Leadership award in the categories of sustainable practices that reduce the effects of climate change.  They set a great example of putting the land first.

To learn more about Dixon Ridge Farms check out their website, www.dixonridgefarms.com.
______________________________
Did you know?
 Did you know that Solano County won three awards at this year’s State Fair?  Solano County won…

-         Best of Show & The Gold Award for the Solano County State Fair Exhibit (for the 5th year in a row!)

-         The Agricultural Award which is presented by the California Exposition and State Fair Board of Directors to recognize an individual or organization that has contributed extensively over a number of years to the promotion, advancement and growth of the California State Fair Agricultural programs. (This is the first time a county has ever won the in the 17 year history of the award)

Congratulations to all that help set the high bar of achievement that is expected from Solano County.
 Solano EDC Team

Mike Ammann, President (mike@solanoedc.org)
Sandy Person, Vice-President (sandy@solanoedc.org)
Pat Uhrich, Office Manager (pat@solanoedc.org)
Andy Turba, Special Projects (andy@solanoedc.org)
Solano Economic Development Corporation
360 Campus Lane, Suite 102, Fairfield, CA 94534
Phone: (707) 864-1855 Fax: (707) 864-6621
Website: www.solanoedc.org


August 2009
Table of Contents
-  Real Estate Roundup (July 2009)
-  Dixon Ridge Farms: A Leader in Sustainable Farming
-  Did you know – Solano at the State Fair
Real Estate Roundup
(July 2009)

CBRE   (www.cbre.com)
  -  853 Cotting Court, Suites C & D, Vacaville, CA – 4,620 SF lease to VWR International
  -  821 Eubanks Drive, Suite C, Vacaville, CA – 4,542 SF lease to Dow Diversified
  -  871 Cotting Court, Vacaville, CA – 3,450 SF lease to North Coast Energy Services
  -  Quarters O, Mare Island, Vallejo, CA – 7,358 SF lease to Green Tech Power Group
Colliers International   (www.colliersparrish.com)
  - 506 Stone Road, Benicia - Lease Renewal of 12,624 SF to Mission Linen Supply, Inc.
  -  4620 Westamerica Dr. (Pony Express) Fairfield - Sale of 12,830 SF to MV Transportation, Inc.
  -  4725 Mangels Blvd., Fairfield - Sale of 2,155 SF to Sierra Pacific Investment Co., LLC
Cornish & Carey (www.ccarey.com)
  -  4950 Fulton Drive A&B, Fairfield – sold ±10,328 SF to Prema Thekkek
  -  473 E. Channel Road, Suite B, Benicia – leased ±4,000 SF to Benicia Fabrication & Machine, Inc.
__________________________________________________________________________
Dixon Ridge Farms: A Leader in Sustainable Agriculture
Dixon Ridge Farms located east of Winters in Solano County are leaders in organic walnut farming and sustainable agriculture.
Over the year the owners, Russ and Kathleen Lester, have worked hard to reduce their farms carbon footprint with great success through simple and advanced techniques.
In 2007 Dixon Ridge set a 5 year goal for energy self-sufficiency.  The goal led them to become the first farm to use a 50 kilowatt BioMax co-generator which converts walnut shells (they have plenty of them on a walnut farm) into renewable energy.  The generator uses a technology called “flash pyrolysis” which transforms the walnut shells into biogas which is sufficient to power their 12,000 square foot storage refrigerator and also provides a good amount of the propane needed in the walnut drying process and heating all of the buildings in the winter.  The system has been such a success for Dixon Ridge they plan on adding an addition BioMax generator in the near future.
They also take action to conserve water.  On the portion of the farm where they use flood-irrigation, they have retention basins to retrieve the excess water and recirculate it into the irrigation system.  The Lesters also use extra walnut shells as mulch which reduces weeds and slows water evaporation. 
By running an Organic farm they eliminate waste and the use of chemicals.   By using natural fertilizers and such as compost the can return twig, leaves and hulls removed during the harvest back to the orchard where they can return their nutrients to the soil.  This returns all the ‘waste’ to the farm which would be removed and burned in traditional farming practices. 
With the Lester’s efforts and environmental conscience they were awarded the state’s highest environmental honor in 2008, the Governors Environmental & Economic Leadership award in the categories of sustainable practices that reduce the effects of climate change.  They set a great example of putting the land first.
To learn more about Dixon Ridge Farms check out their website, www.dixonridgefarms.com.
__________________________________________________________________________
Did you know?
Did you know that Solano County won three awards at this year’s State Fair?  Solano County won…
-         Best of Show & The Gold Award for the Solano County State Fair Exhibit (for the 5th year in a row!)
-         The Agricultural Award which is presented by the California Exposition and State Fair Board of Directors to recognize an individual or organization that has contributed extensively over a number of years to the promotion, advancement and growth of the California State Fair Agricultural programs. (This is the first time a county has ever won the in the 17 year history of the award)
Congratulations to all that help set the high bar of achievement that is expected from Solano County.
 Solano EDC Team

Mike Ammann, President (mike@solanoedc.org)
Sandy Person, Vice-President (sandy@solanoedc.org)
Pat Uhrich, Office Manager (pat@solanoedc.org)
Andy Turba, Special Projects (andy@solanoedc.org)
Solano Economic Development Corporation
360 Campus Lane, Suite 102, Fairfield, CA 94534
Phone: (707) 864-1855 Fax: (707) 864-6621
Website: www.solanoedc.org
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