San Diego North EDC launches publication, hands out awards
By Ruth Marvin Webster

ESCONDIDO - Nearly 100 community and business leaders attended a holiday luncheon hosted by the San Diego North Economic Development Council (San Diego North EDC) Thursday at California Center for the Arts, Escondido.

Chris Jennewein, chairman of the San Diego North EDC board of directors and director of Internet operations for signonsandiego.com, opened the event program by welcoming the attendees and introducing Gary Knight, the council chief executive officer.

Working with local Chambers of Commerce, health organizations, local governments and educational institutions, the San Diego North Economic Development Council seeks to improve the economic base and quality of life in North County. Knight, who has been at the helm of the council for one year, spoke about his organization's future activities, noting that he learned from his days on the high school track team to always look ahead rather than behind.

Knight briefly summarized the council projects on tap for 2006, including the Center fro Entreprenomics, which is an initiative to promote growth of the small business community or "the blending of the entrepreneur with support by the established business community of North County."

Knight also introduced the EDC's inaugural publication, San Diego Economic Outlook. The new glossy will feature editorial by industry leaders and offer important advertising opportunities for local businesses.

Knight said the plan is to distribute 25,000 copies of the publication. Its launch is scheduled for the State of the County Address on Feb. 7 at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido. The deadline to reserve advertising space is Thursday.

Guest speaker Michael Levine, author of "Broken Windows - Broken Business" spoke about common business mistakes and misconceptions. "The bad news is that businesses are being challenged in ways like never before," said Levine, who explained that the premise of his book - and his speech - is based on the notion that if a broken window is not repaired quickly in a community, it sends a signal of urban decline that in turn incities more crime. "But the good news is that your competition is largely stupid and lazy," he said.

At the end of the program, the EDC presented its awards to businesses and business leaders: San Diego Gas & Electric was presented with the Private Business Partner of the Year award while Palomar Pomerado Health was awarded Public Partner of the Year. Joe Gabaldon was given the Chairman's Award and Bill Horn, supervisor for the Fifth District of San Diego County, received the Leadership Award.