Struggling businesses and shaky unemployment rates have sent the nation into a well-controlled panic. However, some areas are still seeing signs of growth.
Richmond, for example, is thrilled by the new ‘Hiring’ sign that hangs at a formerly-vacant warehouse on West Cutting Boulevard. Placed there by the “superfood” importer and marketer Nutiva, the message brings with it hope, as well as at least 50 new job opportunities in the area.
John W. Roulac, founder and CEO of the company, explained the need for the relocation:
“In the last year, because of growth, we needed a much larger facility.
“We wanted a place close to the Port of Oakland, the most centralized port on the West Coast. Richmond has a focus on food production and being a greener city… It also has a rail, so we can ship and have a lower carbon footprint. We can reduce the amount of fossil fuel and transportation cost and bring products to the Port of Oakland and ship to Canada and the East Coast.”
Councilman Tom Butt added:
“He (Roulac) told me their hottest market is here in the Bay Area and places like Berkley and Marin, because they are into health and can afford these kinds of products.”
He also said “they had done research and felt the city was on an upward trajectory.”
Nutiva is one of the companies which suffered little from the economic turmoil; since 2005 the business has recorded a 42% annual growth rate. Its products are sold in local health food stores, as well as Safeway, Whole Foods, and Amazon.com.
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