Business briefs: Ag-nature tourism workshop scheduled

A free workshop on “Growing Your Ag-Nature Tourism Business” will be held Nov. 10 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Tulare County Supervisors Chambers.

The workshop is designed for farmers, ranchers, bed and breakfasts, wineries and other outdoor, recreational and nature entrepreneurs within Fresno and Tulare counties.

Topics presented will include: Exploring if AgriTourism is Right for You, Creating a Business Plan, Legal Issues and Risk Management and Marketing Your New Endeavor. Old Town Clovis Farmer’s Market, Fresno Wine Journey and Nationwide/Allied Insurance are among the many organizations that will be represented.

RSVP by emailing info@ysrcandd.org or calling (559) 877-8663.

Construction of Alpaugh area solar plant starts soon

A Houston company will build a 20-megawatt solar power project near Alpaugh.

Quanta Services Inc. won the contract for the Atwell Island Solar Generation Facility, which will use solar photovoltaic panels to convert sunlight into electricity. The project is being developed for SPS Atwell LLC, a company partly owned by Samsung C&T America – an American affiliate of the South Korean Samsung conglomerate that manufactures solar panels, among other things.

Construction is expected to begin by the end of October and be completed by August 2012.

Valley Commerce profits up

Valley Commerce Bancorp, the Visalia-based parent of Valley Business Bank, reported a profit of $826,000, or 26 cents per share, for the third quarter of 2011.

The figure represents a 22.3% increase over the third quarter of last year, when the bank reported a profit of $675,000, or 21 cents per share.

Through the first nine months of the year, the bank’s net income is $2.3 million, up from $1.4 million through the first three quarters of 2010.

Central Calif. auto show returns to Fresno in Nov.

The Central California Auto Show will be Nov. 18-20 at the Fresno Convention Center.

This year’s show will feature new 2012 models, including all-new or redesigned vehicles from Acura, Chevrolet, Dodge, Fiat, Ford, Jeep, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota and other companies. Also included will be the 40+ MPG Club, showcasing vehicles rated at 40 miles per gallon or more on highways.

Show hours will be 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Nov. 18 and 19, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Nov. 20. Tickets are $7 for adults, $5 for seniors 62 and older, and $2 for children 7 to 12.

Details: FresnoClovis-AutoShow.com.

The Fresno Bee