No. California Civic Leaders Join Forces to Rebuild Regional Economy

Public-Private Collaboration Aims to Transform Oroville Region into
California's 'Clean Tech' Capital

OROVILLE, Calif., April 20 /PRNewswire/ -- In an unprecedented show of
community unity, a new group of regional business, government and civic
leaders has been formed to design, implement and promote a new economic
blueprint for the greater Oroville and Butte County region. Named the BayTEC
Alliance, the group includes prominent business and labor leaders, education
and elected officials and nonprofit champions. The Alliance aims to stem the
exodus of jobs from the region, while laying the foundation for both future
economic growth and the preservation of the area's quality of life.

"The Oroville region is at a crossroads," said Weldon C. Larson, Senior
Partner/Principal at Hignell Development Group, Inc., and host of the
gathering. "The one-two punch of a global downturn compounded by the
years-long degradation in the local jobs base has resulted in regional
unemployment rising to more than 10 percent. Worse, the long-term trends show
our future economy and quality of life at great risk. We are calling upon the
collective wisdom and effort of all our area community leaders to join this
important initiative to rebuild the region's economy."

From the inaugural meeting a consensus was reached to formalize the ad hoc
group into the BayTEC Alliance, an ongoing non-profit organization funded by
local businesses and governments.

Atop the Alliance's agenda is developing the region as an attractive home for
new high growth, export-oriented industries, specifically in the growing
"cleantech" segment. Cleantech is the label for technologies in areas such as
renewable energy (wind, solar, and biofuels), end-use and resource efficiency,
and green buildings. Related "green" businesses include a wide range of
companies offering products, services, and financing for a cleaner
environment, healthier lifestyles, and a low carbon economy.

Bill Connelly, chairman of the Butte county Board of Supervisors, applauded
the group's formation. "Regions around the country are stepping up and
organizing to compete in these new high growth industries--with an effort like
the BayTEC Alliance, we can rightly compete for our share also. I am
impressed with the number and caliber of both private sector and public sector
leaders who are behind this important effort."

"Cleantech is a logical extension of our community's inherent
strengths--leveraging everything from the curriculum at Butte College to the
presence of clean technology start-ups and entrepreneurs we already have in
our midst," said John Peace, Executive Director, Oroville Economic Development
Corporation. "The group's job will be to help identify and promote our
current community assets while working to attract new companies and
resources."

One existing regional asset identified by the Alliance is the Bay View
Regional Innovation and Technology Center, a 170-acre campus currently under
development by the Hignell Group. The developers hope the complex will become
northern California's first "Green Certified" innovation and technology
center, ready for occupancy by January 1, 2011. Under the current plan, the
campus would attract millions of dollars in new research and development
funds, provide home to 50 new clean tech enterprises and could generate
upwards of 1,000 new jobs for the region.

"I applaud this effort and commend the leaders who have given life to this
important endeavor," said Oroville Mayor Steven Jernigan. "Clearly, the
future of our economy and community relies upon attracting and retaining high
growth industries while at the same time supplying the competitive, educated
workforce these companies dearly need. This Alliance will help prepare our
community to compete and prosper in the years to come."

The BayTEC Alliance plans a series of public events intended to communicate
with and involve as many area residents as possible, including a major
Community Briefing to be held in Oroville on June 18. For more details, visit
the group's website at: www.baytecalliance.org

SOURCE BayTEC Alliance

Weldon Larson, +1-530-342-8900, or Virginia Walker, +1-530-342-1009, both for
the BayTEC Alliance