February 2008

Table of Contents
- Real Estate Roundup (January 2008)
- Scott Reynolds – 2008 Chairman of Solano EDC
- 2007: A strong economic year for Solano County
- 2007 Highlights
- Did you know?

Real Estate Roundup (January 2008)
CBRE (http://www.cbre.com/)
-Building 126, Mare Island, Vallejo – 16,958 sf lease to Alamillo Rebar
-Building 674, Mare Island Vallejo – 8,804 sf lease to EP Architectural Builders
-865 Cotting Lane, Vacaville – 5,000 sf lease renewal to K.C. Engineering

Colliers International (http://www.colliersparrish.com/)
-64 Union Way, Vacaville – Land sale of ±1 acre industrial parcel to Rave Properties

Cornish & Carey (http://www.ccarey.com/)
-5080 Park Road, Benicia - 17,482 sf lease to CDX
-6730 Goodyear Road, Benicia, 8,045 sf lease to Industrial Gasket
-370 Chadbourne Road, Fairfield 4,000 sf lease to Cal Trans

Grubb & Ellis (http://www.grubb-ellis.com/)
-2489 Courage Drive, Fairfield – 7,347 sf condo sale to Fit Tech
-Watt Court , Fairfield - 2.97 acre land sale Cowan Thompson

Scott Reynolds named to chair
Solano Economic Development Corporation board
S. Scott Reynolds, managing shareholder in the law firm of Gaw Van Male, has been named 2008 Chairman of the Solano Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors. Reynolds will serve as chair as Solano EDC celebrates its 25th year anniversary.

Reynolds is general counsel for many corporations with headquarters in California, and is a certified specialist in probate, estate planning and trust law certified by the California State Bar Association.

He received his J.D. from the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law. Actively involved in the community, Reynolds is on the NorthBay Healthcare Foundation, the Fairfield-Suisun Chamber of Commerce and is a member of the Vacaville Rotary Club.


2007: A strong economic year for Solano County
2007 was a good year for Solano County, and economic development leaders predict the area is poised to take on the financial challenges of 2008.

At the EDC annual meeting Sam Zuckerman, senior economic writer for the San Francisco Chronicle, told the 300 attendees that Solano County has the assets needed to meet the uncertain times ahead.

“Skilled labor, land, access (to the Bay Area and Sacramento), a diverse economy and a strong government will allow Solano to grow within the next two years at a solid pace,” Zuckerman said.

Michael Ammann, president of the EDC, made the same prediction, also citing benchmarks that point to continued growth. Zuckerman and Ammann acknowledged the challenges faced regionally, statewide and nationally – housing, market volatility and technical downturns.

“We have the most diverse Bay Area economy,” Ammann said, “And that will allow us to overcome the challenges facing our state and nation.”


Major 2007 economic projects highlight the EDC’s Annual Meeting
Major developments, infrastructure projects and increasing sales tax during 2007—all created a good year for Solano County cities. Michael Ammann, EDC president, gave attendees at the annual meeting a brief overview of 2007’s major accomplishments. These included:
· BENICIA: Expansion of the Benicia Industrial Park, including Bio-Rad, Cole Supply and Bruni Glass; new downtown boutiques and cafes; sales tax revenue increased 16%.
· DIXON: Campbell’s Soup invests $20 million in plant improvements; retail growth; hybrid vehicle startup company.
· FAIRFIELD: 2 million sq. ft. project at Green Valley Corporate Park; Sutter Medical Offices, CalBee America snack food; new auto dealerships.
· RIO VISTA: Waterfront development plan approved; research center at the former Army Base; Rio Vista Industrial Park infrastructure improvements.
· SUISUN CITY: Harbor Square construction; neighborhood improvements, apartments and family mixed uses; future Highway 12 development approved.
· VACAVILLE: Kaiser Hospital construction; Genentech expansion; Alza multi-million solar farm; State Compensation Insurance Fund offices.
· VALLEJO: Transportation and retail/commercial opportunities including the Vallejo Intermodal Facility; heavy-ion cancer treatment center; expansions at Touro University and California Maritime Academy.
Ammann also citied Travis AFB, a low unemployment, and the potential for expanded biotech manufacturing as highlights for Solano County economic development.


Did you know?
Solano County is the only county that has had two cities serve as the state capital. Can you name the cities?

Vallejo from January 5, 1852 to February 4, 1853 and Benicia from February 4, 1853 to February 25, 1854 (right: Benicia State Capital Building)

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
Website: http://www.solanoedc.org/