Advanced Polymer Technologies expands in Stockton / San Joaquin Partnership "Janaury 2013 Economic Review"

San Joaquin Partnership

ECONOMIC VIEW -

Grow It! Make it! Ship It! @ San Joaquin USA

January 2013

Advanced Polymer Technologies Relocates to Larger Facility -

Remains in Stockton

Advanced Polymer Technologies (APT) has announced the relocation of its manufacturing facility to a larger facility approximately twelve miles from its prior location at the Port of Stockton.

For APT, a manufacturer of plastic stock shapes, the new space means improved manufacturing capabilities, new amenities for employees and room for growth. APT will occupy a 59,850 SF facility in Stockton's industrial area, located off of I-5 at Arch Road. Darren McFadden, of Lee & Associates Commercial Real Estate assisted APT in its new location decision.

APT Logo "The new floor plan will provide greater efficiency in our manufacturing processes. We expect this to improve internal and external communication, and most importantly our ability to fulfill our customer's requirements," says John Sharpe, General Manager. "We were fortunate to find such a nice space so close to our prior facility. We really wanted to limit the impact that relocation could have on our customers and our employees. I don't think we could have found a better location for our team. Our new location and enhanced operational efficiencies will help us continue to grow and evolve to keep pace with our customer's needs, allowing us to provide exceptional value and superior service along APT New location the way."

APT's enlisted the expertise of the San Joaquin Partnership to assist with permitting and incentive analysis.

"It is gratifying to assist an established company grow in San Joaquin County," says Partnership President & CEO Mike Ammann. "APT's decision will mean 25 people keep their jobs and more will be hired. A major part of our community's future growth will come from expanding existing companies that see the business value of a San Joaquin USA location that serves the NorCal Mega region with 14 million consumers."

APT's phone and fax numbers will remain the same The new address is:
3837 Imperial Way, Stockton, CA 95215

About APT
Advanced Polymer Technologies, LLC (APT) was founded in 2002 by Steve Kessler in Stockton, CA for the manufacture of engineering plastic stock shapes, and is an ISO 2001 certified company. The company focuses on production flexibility, taking requests for special resins and certifications and specializes in custom products. It maintains a full-service testing lab at its Stockton facility for evaluation of mechanical and physical properties, fabrication trials, and analytical testing.

For more information about APT, visit http://www.aptllc.net or call 800-590-7527.
The San Joaquin Partnership would like to thank our many partners that teamed to assist this client to remain in San Joaquin County. These include staff at the San Joaquin County Economic Development and Community Development Departments.

San Joaquin Partnership Board of Directors Transitions

The New Year has brought changes to the San Joaquin Partnership Board of Directors through public elections and company transitions.

At the December 20th Board meeting, the Partnership voiced its appreciation to outgoing Directors who had a leadership role the past several years. Pictured below is Chairman Kevin Huber and President & CEO Mike Ammann with outgoing County Supervisor Leroy Ornellas (center).

Board 3

(L-R) Former Stockton Mayor Ann Johnston, Huber, former Lathrop Mayor Chaka Santos and Ammann.
Board 2

Also leaving the Board is PG&E, represented by Phil Pennino (retired) and John Chin, as well as John Harris, from the City of Manteca Bestolarides . New directors will be welcomed at the January 24, 2013 Board meeting. Incoming Directors are San Joaquin County Supervisor Steve Bestolarides (pictured), City of Manteca Councilmember Debby Moorhead and Lathrop City Manager Steven Salvatore.

INVESTOR UPDATE!

Blain Bibb became sole owner two years ago and has expanded the company to San Diego and Ventura.

ServiceMaster is currently serving more than 360 buildings covering most every industry, i.e. manufacturing, distribution, industrial, Class ABC office space, healthcare and education.

According to Bibb, "San Joaquin County truly has been good to us and been the launch pad for our other ventures. We are looking to add at least another 50+ buildings in San Joaquin County this year."
ServiceMaster provides building maintenence and is Green Sealed certified.

$24,000 IN AWARDS FOR WINNING ENTREPRENEURS

San Joaquin Angels Seek Entries for the San Joaquin Entrepreneur Challenge

A total of at least $10,000 in cash and $14,000 in professional services will be awarded to the two winning entrepreneurs when the San Joaquin Angels investment group, in collaboration with regional educational institutions and economic development groups, stages the third annual San Joaquin Entrepreneur Challenge on Wednesday,

February 27, 2012, and Wednesday, March 20, 2013. Professional services will include legal, accounting, marketing and general business assistance.

The San Joaquin Entrepreneur Challenge is an American Idol style multi-round business plan competition including audience and expert judging. Challenge organizers are seeking individuals or start-up companies with a great idea to compete during two public events for selection as the most persuasive business opportunity. The audience and judges will select two finalists eligible for the top prizes and an opportunity for further discussions with potential investors and advisors.

SJ Angels logo

Mark Plovnick, San Joaquin Angels President and University of the Pacific Director of Economic Development, says, "San Joaquin Angels is a private syndicate of angel investors whose goal is to help develop promising start-up and early stage companies in the San Joaquin region."

Plovnick continued, "We hope that the San Joaquin Entrepreneur Challenge will help stimulate business development in our region by encouraging aspiring local entrepreneurs to pursue their goals through an entertaining business plan competition that offers mentoring, cash prizes and access to investors."

John Paoluccio, winner of the 2012 Challenge described his experience: "By winning the San Joaquin Entrepreneur Challenge I was able to meet with marketing, legal, management, and financial advisors who knew how to help a start-up business succeed and grow. The funding and professional assistance that we received from the Challenge helped to put our product in the marketplace spotlight. We now have sales in Florida, Las Vegas, Canada and even Dubai".

The previous three years' Entrepreneur Challenges attracted applications from over 200 aspiring entrepreneurs with the public events drawing over 300 audience participants each year.

This year's Challenge is again being organized by business and community leaders from San Joaquin, Stanislaus and Merced counties with the added participation of Calaveras, Amador, Alpine, Mariposa and Tuolumne counties. Entrepreneurs from the eight counties must apply online to compete in the Challenge at

http://www.sjchallenge.com. Workshops to help entrepreneurs prepare their applications will be offered in all three counties, with details about time, location, etc. available on the SJ Challenge web site.

The February 27 and March 20 events will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Stockton Golf & Country Club, 3800 West Country Club Boulevard, Stockton, Calif. Members of the public are invited to attend for a cover charge for each event of $15.00 prepaid on-line or $20.00 at the door.

For more information and to register to attend the events: http://www.sjchallenge.com.

San Joaquin County

Enterprise Zone

Company of the Month!

Diamond Pet Foods

Diamond Pet Foods is a leading manufacturer of super premium, nutritious and natural pet foods; and is the choice of top breeders, kennel owners, sporting enthusiasts, and family pet owners world-wide. Headquartered in Missouri, they located their first West Coast plant in Lathrop, CA approximately 12 years ago. When they decided to expand their operations in 2010 they chose a location in the City of Ripon which was, at the time, in the process of joining the San Joaquin County Enterprise Zone.

Mark Schell, Executive VP Manufacturing, is quick to note, "The expansion of the San Joaquin County Enterprise Zone was one of the contributing factors on why we decided to locate our second West Coast plant in Ripon. This plant will employ around 120 people once it is fully operational. The construction phase has brought over 200 jobs to the area. The plant should be operational in... 2012."

Diamond Pet Foods took advantage of these incentives:

1. Hiring Tax Credit - up to $37,400± per eligible
employee over a five year period.
2. Sales and Use Tax Credit on qualified machinery.

3. Business Expense Deduction - up to $20,000
per year on tangible personal property.
4. Net Operating Loss Carryover - up to 100%

carryover to future years. (Suspended 2010-2012)
5. Net interest deduction for lenders - which may
result in 3-4% increase in return on investment.

Call to learn how your

business can benefit!

Visit www.sjcez.org for more information and a map or contact your EZ Specialists: Connie Rill and Ed Wanket at 209-468-3615.