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Local economy coverage
November 23rd, 2009
Dey labs staying in NapaDey LP, one of Napa’s largest employers, has decided to stay put.
November 18th, 2009
Forecast: California faces another massive deficitSACRAMENTO — California will face a nearly $21 billion budget gap over the next year and a half, extending a fiscal crisis that already has led to steep cuts to public schools, social services and health programs, a state analyst said Wednesday.
November 15th, 2009
Marketing reflects changing demand of Napa Valley wineMore than a year into the economic downturn, Napa Valley vintners are looking toward the future.
More wine stays unsold during economic slumpAn old wine industry adage says that during good times, people drink. During bad times, they drink more.
November 10th, 2009
At Napa's Latino markets, owners and shoppers feel the pinchIt’s a busy Saturday afternoon at La Morenita Market in Napa — parking spaces are scarce, customers file in and out of the Jefferson Street store, cash registers beep and Ramon Gonzalez patiently waits in line to send some money to relatives in Mexico.
November 9th, 2009
Feds close bank with Napa branchVisitors to the Napa branch of Pacific National Bank customers were in for a surprise this week when they saw a new name on bank doors.
October 30th, 2009
Revenue drop has American Canyon preparing for expense cutsThe city of American Canyon may eliminate up to $1.5 million worth of expenses as it faces record losses in property and sales tax revenues.
October 22nd, 2009
City funds dip; cuts may be comingWith Napa’s major sources of revenues dropping at an accelerating rate in the first half of 2009, new cost-cutting may be necessary this winter, Napa City Manager Mike Parness told the City Council Tuesday.
October 12th, 2009
County wants to buy localWith the rocky economy pushing the county unemployment rate past 9 percent, the Napa County Board of Supervisors is considering a local hiring and purchase preference aimed at pumping money into the economy and stimulating local job growth.
October 11th, 2009
Bank program protects houses and aids displaced residentsTwo of the biggest challenges banks face when foreclosing on a home are the condition of the house and getting the occupants to vacate as quickly as possible.
October 4th, 2009
St. Helena may scrap business capsFor years developers have chafed against St. Helena’s caps on hotels and restaurants. Now there’s growing support among city leaders to scrap the caps and find another way to maintain economic diversity on Main Street.
September 30th, 2009
Piccolino's in Napa closesDowntown construction projects, a down economy, moving the day of Chefs Market, lack of parking and closed streets — these are reasons Piccolino’s Italian Cafe shut its doors for the final time after the dinner crowd left on Monday night.
Stocking upFrom a $2.99 toy airplane to a $3,000 diamond ring, Napa’s newest department store seems to have something for everyone and every budget. After months of construction, Kohl’s department store hosts its grand opening Wednesday.
September 29th, 2009
County gets $1.6 million for low-income renters, othersAbout $1.6 million worth of help for the homeless is on its way to Napa County as part of the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
September 28th, 2009
Home loans attracts few in CalistogaThe city of Calistoga launched an assistance program for first-time homebuyers in July, but so far there have been few takers.
September 26th, 2009
Outlook: Economy turning the cornerThe economic turnaround is coming.
September 25th, 2009
Havens winery being liquidatedHavens Wine Cellars, a small winery well-known in Napa Valley for its merlot, cabernet franc and syrah, is being liquidated, its assets sold off to the highest bidder.
September 24th, 2009
Havens winery being liquidatedHavens Wine Cellars, a small winery well-known in Napa Valley for its merlot, cabernet franc and syrah, is being liquidated, its assets sold off to the highest bidder.
September 23rd, 2009
Time for local economic stimulusOne form of economic stimulus that should not be controversial is for our county to change the winery definition ordinance to allow for more types of marketing events at wineries. Napa County can certainly use the business, and it is rather mystifying that we are not already doing this anyway.
September 20th, 2009
Move grows to OK weddings at wineriesFour years ago, when Supervisor Mark Luce suggested Napa County allow weddings at wineries, the proposal met with so much opposition that even Luce backed down.
September 18th, 2009
Napa, state hit highest unemployment ratesSACRAMENTO — California’s unemployment rate climbed to 12.2 percent in August, setting a new modern record, with Napa County's rate hitting its highest mark this year.
September 10th, 2009
City: Rentals best use of housing fundsThe best way to expand Napa’s stock of affordable housing is to promote new rentals, not ownership housing, the Napa City Council was told Tuesday night.
August 29th, 2009
Apartment market softensNo one is building apartments these days, but Napa’s apartment vacancy rate is rising anyway.
'I want to come home'John Hayes lives on the other side of the continent, but that hasn’t stopped him from trying to buy a house in Napa — again and again and again.
Battling to buy a house in NapaWould-be Napa County homeowners face a Catch-22 these days.
August 21st, 2009
Napa jobless rate 3rd lowest in stateSAN FRANCISCO — California’s unemployment rate climbed to 11.9 percent in July, the highest number in modern record-keeping.
August 16th, 2009
Spotlight on the local economyRecently, the Register editorial board held its third economic roundtable since the nation’s precipitous slide in the fall of 2008. As the months have passed, the sense of free fall and uncertainty expressed by local experts from different economic sectors has given way to confidence that we are in for a near-term recovery.
Budget rains now a downpourAs if $4 million in cuts weren’t bad enough, Napa County is bracing for another round of spending cuts in the wake of a sobering state budget.
August 12th, 2009
Kohl's five-day job fair draws a crowdThis week, a crazy quilt of locals, from first-time job seekers to retirees looking to bolster their incomes, are appearing at the Chateau Hotel in north Napa, hoping to land a chance to work for the new Kohl’s department store coming to downtown Napa.
August 5th, 2009
Cash for clunkers program a big hit on local auto lotsClunkers are making a comeback.
August 2nd, 2009
Cruising into the job marketWith typical teenage verve, Rondalyn Skramovsky has big plans for her life.
July 26th, 2009
A silver lining in housing marketAt a time when so many see California government as being on an endless quest to wrest tax dollars from residents, someone should throw a bouquet to Napa County Assessor John Tuteur.
Beleaguered homeowners may find relief in HAMP loansAnyone having difficulties making monthly mortgage payments may want to take note: A federal program to assist beleaguered homeowners is giving hope to some valley residents.
A 'recovery market' builds in Napa CountyNapa County Assessor John Tuteur’s recent reconfiguring of local property values will save homeowners thousands of dollars in taxes and cost local government millions in revenue, but will have no effect on the buyers and sellers in the real estate market.
County resets worth of 10,000 homesNapa County Assessor John Tuteur has completed a reassessment of more than 10,000 Napa County homes, shaving a staggering $2 billion off the values of residences in comparison with the peak of the housing bubble earlier this decade.
July 23rd, 2009
Budget mayhem makes bad policyOne of the more insidious and corrosive aspects of California’s perpetual budget crisis is the inclination of politicians to enact major policy changes on the fly.
Tough vote ahead on deal to close state's $26B gapSACRAMENTO — The deal between Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and legislative leaders to close California’s $26 billion budget deficit may have been the easy part. Now they have to sell their plan to a skeptical Legislature amid partisan backpedaling, threatened legal action and potential walkouts by state government workers.
July 18th, 2009
Napa's jobless rate is state's 3rd lowestSACRAMENTO — California’s unemployment rate remained steady at 11.6 percent from May to June, the highest in modern record-keeping. The jobless rate for Napa is the third lowest of any California county.
July 17th, 2009
Napa's jobless rate is state's 3rd lowestin other states. ADDS byline. Moving on general news and financial services.
By SAMANTHA YOUNG
Associated Press
By SAMANTHA YOUNG
Associated Press
July 11th, 2009
Berryessa's federal job fair draws a crowdJeff Hansen drove to Lake Berryessa with a friend this week, but not with a fishing rod or a Jet ski.
July 10th, 2009
$100k study on how to fill downtown storefrontsAlarmed by the amount of vacant retail and office space in downtown, the city of Napa will spend nearly $100,000 to have a consultant put together a marketing and leasing strategy.
July 9th, 2009
$100k study on how to fill downtown storefrontsAlarmed by the amount of vacant retail and office space in downtown, the city of Napa will spend nearly $100,000 to have a consultant put together a marketing and leasing strategy.
July 1st, 2009
Changes afoot for local career centersThe two largest Napa public high schools’ career centers may survive budget cuts, but they will do less.
June 28th, 2009
Stimulus dollars: the good, the bad and the uglyAnyone who thinks it is easy to give away $787 billion has never tried it.
Napa County stimulus dollarsFlood control
Social services: A formula for confusionHealth and social service agencies trigger a unique set of complications under the federal stimulus plan. Faced with a confusing mix of formulas and vague projections, health is one of the few areas where federal awards could actually cost programs money in the long run.
For schools, a big math problemFederal stimulus money is headed for local school districts girding for an unprecedented level of expected state cuts. But the lack of a state budget is leaving local school officials pondering to what degree they will see real fiscal relief.
Waiting on stimulusWhen President Barack Obama signed the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act into law on Feb. 17, a beleaguered national economy readied for the influx of $787 billion. A combination of tax cuts and spending, the stimulus package was designed to create jobs and revitalize an economy in the midst of a national recession.
June 22nd, 2009
Changes on auto rowBeginning in late 2010, Napans looking to buy a new Cadillac or Buick will have to travel out of town.
June 19th, 2009
Napa jobless rate lowest in four monthsSACRAMENTO — California’s unemployment rate climbed to 11.5 percent in May, the highest in modern record-keeping, the U.S. Department of Labor reported Friday, while Napa County's rate dipped to its lowest in four months.
June 16th, 2009
County OKs budgetThe $4 million in cuts approved by Napa County Monday may be just the tip of the iceberg.
June 4th, 2009
Stimulus money for two Napa parksNapa will use a special pot of federal stimulus money to improve play equipment at two parks and contribute to the salary of an intake worker at the battered women’s shelter.
American Canyon finances steadyThe city of American Canyon will have to dip into its reserves to maintain the same level of services next fiscal year, city officials said Tuesday, but no city staff layoffs are expected.
Napa ready for financial stormsEven if the California Legislature siphons off several million dollars to balance the state budget, Napa expects no layoffs or service cutbacks over the next two years.
June 3rd, 2009
New Vine Logistics shuts abruptlyFacing what a company founder called “a state of financial crisis,” Napa-based wine shipping and fulfillment company New Vine Logistics abruptly closed its doors Friday, sending many of its 95 employees home. It’s unclear if they will have jobs to return to.
May 28th, 2009
County, schools expect more budget cutsAs the state grapples with what is now projected to be a $24 billion budget deficit, fallout from the May 19 special election could spell millions of dollars in additional cuts to Napa County government agencies.
May 26th, 2009
Schwarzenegger proposes $5.5 billion more in budget cutsSACRAMENTO — Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Tuesday provided lawmakers with a detailed list of cuts to close the state’s $21 billion deficit, proposing that California eliminate welfare for 500,000 families and terminate health coverage for nearly 1 million children.
May 24th, 2009
Job losses to hit UpvalleySt. Helena Hospital announced this week that it’s eliminating 40 full-time positions in an attempt to remain viable while it weathers heavy financial losses.
Local merchants on the lookout for shopliftersThey may look like normal shoppers, but they’re not. Some carry large bags. Others travel in packs. A few wear wigs or other disguises. Price is no object for these people. They are shoplifters.
May 22nd, 2009
Napa unemployment down, but still double last yearSACRAMENTO — California’s unemployment rate dropped slightly from last month’s modern record, falling to 11 percent in April after months of sharp increases, the state Employment Development Department said Friday.
May 16th, 2009
Toughing it outNapa businessmen Rick Cabral, Josh Yeager, Brian Cain and Layne Craig know exactly how bad the economy is. They are self-employed, and no one feels economic pain quicker and more painfully than self-employed entrepreneurs.
Evans in thick of things as budget drama unfoldsThe Capitol building in Sacramento is one of California politics’ most ironic metaphors.
May 15th, 2009
California's budget problems at a glanceGov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is expected to release two versions of the state budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1. Both will show the state slipping back into the red. Here is a brief explanation of California’s current fiscal crisis and a summary of the governor’s budget proposal, which will be sent to the Legislature:
Schwarzenegger calls for layoffs, fewer school daysSACRAMENTO - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Thursday called for laying off thousands of state employees and slashing billions from education to deal with California's latest budget deficit.
May 14th, 2009
Schwarzenegger calls for layoffs, fewer school daysSACRAMENTO - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Thursday called for laying off thousands of state employees and slashing billions from education to deal with California's latest budget deficit.
Napa car dealers survive Chrysler closuresNEW YORK — Chrysler LLC wants to eliminate roughly a quarter of its 3,200 U.S. dealerships by early next month, saying in a bankruptcy court filing Thursday that the network is antiquated and has too many stores competing with each other.
May 9th, 2009
County unions forgo raisesIn recognition of the dismal economic climate, Napa County employees have agreed to give up pay raises and discuss possible work furloughs.
April 29th, 2009
County social services struggle in the face of increased demandNapa County Health and Human Services officials say their agency is feeling the strain of dwindling funding at a time when the public’s need for its programs is escalating dramatically.
$99 million for Napa flood workRep. Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena, announced Tuesday that the Napa River Project will receive more than $99 million in federal funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
April 25th, 2009
Keeping foreclosure trouble at bayOvergrown lawns, vandalism, squatters and green pools that breed mosquitos.
April 16th, 2009
Napans join nationwide tax protestNapa County residents fed up with Democrats and taxes made sure not to leave Napa behind in a tax filing deadline day filled with nationwide demonstrations.
April 15th, 2009
Napans join nationwide tax protestNapa County residents fed up with taxes and Democrats made sure not to leave Napa behind in a tax filing deadline day filled with protests across the nation.
April 11th, 2009
Napa earns better financial gradeEven as the beleaguered economy takes its toll on local governments, Napa County’s ability to pay back bonds is strengthening, according to bond rating service Standard & Poor’s.
April 10th, 2009
$100k more in costs for new Napa downtown planWhen it comes to planning Napa’s new downtown, citizen involvement doesn’t come cheaply.
April 9th, 2009
$100k more in costs for new Napa downtown planWhen it comes to planning Napa’s new downtown, citizen involvement doesn’t come cheaply.
April 6th, 2009
Slow going for Napa’s Riverfront, but tenants are on the wayThe Riverfront, downtown’s Napa’s most ambitious commercial project stretching two blocks along the river, is nearly finished, but where are the tenants?
April 1st, 2009
Tuteur: Home values to slide through 2013Property values are expected to sink over the next four years in Napa County, with an unprecedented flat year anticipated in 2009 followed by three years of overall decline.
March 31st, 2009
Poll: What do you think of sales tax increase?Starting April Fools' Day, the sales tax in Napa and all California counties jumps 1 percent to help solve the state's massive budget crisis.
Napa, state's sales tax jumps 1 percentSACRAMENTO — Get ready to pay more for cars, furniture, laptops and toys.
March 27th, 2009
Not enough stimulus money means $1 billion in state cutsSACRAMENTO — State officials on Friday said California will not receive enough direct aid from the federal stimulus package to prevent nearly $1 billion in program cuts and higher taxes.
March 21st, 2009
Two Napa employers lay off 216 workersNapa County has lost another 216 jobs as tough economic times continue to hurt local businesses.
AmCan leads county jobless numbersWhile Napa County’s unemployment rates remain among the lowest in the state, the number of people looking for work remains at a record high.
March 20th, 2009
California jobless rate jumps to 10.5 percentSACRAMENTO — California’s jobless rate climbed to 10.5 percent in February, the second month of double-digit unemployment.
Two major regional hospitals face costly upgrade deadlines as hard times hitA state law requiring hospitals to earthquake-proof their facilities is racking up considerable costs for cash-strapped California medical centers.
March 19th, 2009
City warns of fiscal dangersNapa is holding its own better than most California cities, but financial troubles lie ahead, City Manager Mike Parness warned the City Council Tuesday night.
March 18th, 2009
Thompson seeks to capture AIG bonusesWASHINGTON — Talking tougher by the hour, livid Democrats confronted beleaguered insurance giant AIG with an ultimatum Tuesday: Give back $165 million in post-bailout bonuses or watch Congress tax it away with emergency legislation.
Kaiser cuts Napa data center jobsKaiser Permanente is cutting 860 employee positions, including 275 in Northern California and a fraction of those at the company’s Napa data center.
March 13th, 2009
Report: State faces another $8 billion budget gapSACRAMENTO — The recession will take an $8 billion bite out of California’s finances next year unless Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and lawmakers make more spending cuts or close some tax loopholes, the state’s leading budget analyst said in a new report Friday.
March 12th, 2009
Bankruptcy 101: Seminar educates about financial disasterTuesday’s sunshine provided cold comfort to the 40 people who had come to the Napa City-County Library to learn about their options regarding bankruptcy.
March 5th, 2009
Federal stimulus funds boost valley projects A burst of federal economic stimulus money will pay for $6.7 million worth of transportation projects in Napa County, including a bike trail in Yountville, four new VINE buses, miles of street paving and a park-and-ride lot on Solano Avenue in north Napa.
Layoffs hit DiageoNineteen Diageo employees in California, including Diageo Chateau & Estate Wines President Ray Chadwick, have been given termination notices as part of a global restructuring of the beverage giant.
February 27th, 2009
AAA layoffs touch NapaTwo Napa AAA employees received termination notices Wednesday as part of a restructuring that includes the closing of 18 American Automobile Association offices, including the one in Fairfield.
Evans counts budget tallyNow that the state budget is signed, Noreen Evans is tallying her district’s wins and losses.
County still suing state for fundsEven with California’s budget finally signed, Napa County is among those charging ahead with a lawsuit against the cash-strapped state, whose fiscal crisis has resulted in millions of dollars in deferred payments to California counties.
February 26th, 2009
Napa flood money trickling inMatching local expectations, the House of Representatives voted $10.5 million Wednesday for the Napa flood control project.
February 24th, 2009
Upbeat Obama says US will revive past 'reckoning'WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama promised a nation shuddering in economic crisis Tuesday night that he would lead it from a dire "day of reckoning" to a brighter future, summoning politicians and public alike to shoulder responsibility for hard choices and shared sacrifice.
February 22nd, 2009
Napa officials seek ways to build for local workersWith local wages low and housing prices still relatively high, finding ways to promote affordable housing is one of Napa’s greatest challenges, the City Council said this week.
February 21st, 2009
Industry insiders spend $1.5 million at Premiere Napa ValleyExceeding expectations of Napa Valley Vintners in the current economic slump, attendees at Saturday’s midwinter auction spent close to $1.5 million on wines blended just for the wine trade.
NVUSD to layoff 82 employeesEighty-two of Napa Valley Unified School District’s nearly 2,000 full-time employees won’t be returning for the 2009-10 school year.
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