How to resolve AdBlock issue? 
Business News
- Details
- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
Century 21 Epic has 15 locations in Northern California and serves Sonoma, Solano, Contra Costa and Lake counties with over 350 sales associates.
RISMedia, the leader in U.S. real estate news and information services, announced its more than 300, 2023 Real Estate Newsmakers in both an online directory on RISMedia.com and in the February issue of its flagship publication, Real Estate magazine.
RISMedia’s 2023 Real Estate Newsmakers were nominated in 2022 by RISMedia readers and editors and are showcased in the following categories: Influencers, Trailblazers, Futurists, Achievers, Crusaders and Luminaries.
“It’s always so inspiring to see the incredible accomplishments of so many real estate professionals around the country and this year’s group of 2023 Newsmakers takes that concept to a whole new level. From the creativity and innovation being implemented through our changing times, to industry records being broken, to the wonderful charitable work being done across the nation, we continue to be amazed by the ingenuity and success of these real estate professionals, over 300 of whom we are honoring on our sixth year of publishing Real Estate Newsmakers," said John Featherston, founder, CEO and publisher of RISMedia.
"We are so proud every year to recognize the hard work, dedication and determination of these finest industry professionals — the 2023 Real Estate Newsmakers — who went above and beyond in 2022 amid the challenges and opportunities of this historic market. Help us in celebrating their hard-earned recognition," Featherston added.
Within RISMedia’s Newsmakers showcase, you’ll also meet this year’s “Hall of Fame” class — a select group of eight industry icons who have gone above and beyond toward the betterment of the real estate industry.
RISMedia will honor this year's Real Estate Newsmakers, including the 2023 Hall of Fame, at a reception and dinner on Sept. 6 at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C., in conjunction with our 2023 CEO & Leadership Exchange.
“This is truly a privilege to represent and share this spotlight with my co-owners Pat Provost, Glenn Gephart, agents, clients and staff. We truly love the communities we live and work in. I would like to also congratulate the other participants in their achievements and I am humbled to share this stage, Ensign said.
- Details
- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
In collaboration with the California Office of the Small Business Advocate, Lake County Economic Development Corp., or Lake EDC, launched the California MicroBusiness COVID-19 Relief Grant Program last August.
The grant program provides $2,500 to microbusinesses in Lake County, who have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Currently there are still grant funds available, and the last day to apply for this program is May
31, 2023.
If the funding is not granted to businesses, the state of California will reclaim the funds and it will no longer be available to Lake County businesses.
For business owners who are interested in applying, do not delay.
Information can be found on the Lake EDC website or by calling the Lake County EDC office at 707-263-6217.
Commissioner Lara and FAIR Plan reach agreement to increase commercial coverage limit to $20 million
- Details
- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
The FAIR Plan is an association of all insurers authorized to transact basic property insurance in California, and designed to be the state’s property “insurer of last resort,” writing coverage for businesses and residences when other insurance options are not available.
Commissioner Lara and the FAIR Plan have been working on this issue since the Commissioner’s investigatory hearing into the FAIR Plan last July where homeowners associations, youth recreational camps, agricultural groups, and other businesses spoke about the growing need for greater commercial coverage limits.
Prior to Commissioner Lara taking office in 2019, the FAIR Plan’s commercial limits had not been adjusted in more than two decades to keep pace with increasing property values and coverage needs.
“Giving businesses greater options for insurance coverage is a top priority of mine. I am pleased the FAIR Plan is stepping up when insurance companies fall short in providing businesses and homeowners access to the coverage they need,” said Commissioner Lara. “I will continue working to expand coverage options and drive down the costs of insurance through wildfire safety discounts and increasing competition in the market.”
Wednesday’s agreement signed by Commissioner Lara and FAIR Plan President Victoria Roach will increase the combined coverage limits for the FAIR Plan, under its Division I Commercial Property Program, from $8.4 million to $20 million per location and, under its Division II Businessowners Program, from $7.2 million to $20 million per location.
“The FAIR Plan is committed to strengthening consumer choice in the voluntary insurance market and ensuring all Californians have access to basic property coverage,” said Roach. “We appreciate Commissioner Lara’s leadership to take this step forward to address the challenges in the current commercial coverage market, while attempting to balance those challenges with the need for stability in the insurance market. We welcome the opportunity to continue collaborating with the Department of Insurance, the Legislature and other stakeholders to restore a viable insurance market for all Californians regardless of where they reside.”
State legislators joined Commissioner Lara’s call for an increased commercial coverage limit at the FAIR Plan in letters sent earlier this year.
“I applaud Insurance Commissioner Lara and the California FAIR Plan for working together to increase access to coverage for homeowners in high fire risk areas,” said Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego). “Longer, more devastating fire seasons mean that Californians are feeling the impacts of climate change now. Expanding coverage is an important step towards preventing further displacement and protecting homeowners throughout the state. I look forward to continued conversations on how to make insurance more accessible for residents in high fire risk areas.”
“Consumers at risk of losing their homes need immediate relief. They cannot wait for long-term solutions to current insurance market challenges, in particular the impacts of climate change,” said Senator Susan Rubio (D-Baldwin Park). “At this moment, inaction is not an option. I commend Commissioner Lara for taking decisive action to protect consumers who are most at risk of losing protection. As Chair of the Senate Insurance Committee, I look forward to our continued collaboration and discussions with all stakeholders to identify viable long-term solutions for a healthy and stable insurance market.”
"This action to increase the California Fair Plan's commercial coverage limit will improve access to fire insurance coverage for our businesses as well as multi-residential properties across our high fire risk areas,” said Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil (D-Jackson). “My constituents are directly impacted by the lack of available fire insurance coverage and I applaud the Insurance Commissioner and California Fair Plan leadership for working together to implement this necessary increase in the coverage limit. As a member of the Senate Committee in Insurance, I look forward to continuing to work with Commissioner Lara and my colleagues to deliver solutions to the fire insurance crisis impacting so many across Senate District 4 and our entire state."
The new coverage limits will take effect after the FAIR Plan submits a new rule filing for approval by the Department of Insurance. The FAIR Plan has 60 days to submit a rule filing to the Department, with the goal of the Department approving these coverage limit increases, meaning coverage could be available in the fourth quarter.
Business groups welcomed the additional coverage.
“The increase in commercial coverage amounts provided by the FAIR Plan offers a much needed reprieve for the summer camps of California. Summer camps provide valuable opportunities for California’s youth but, in recent years, challenges to camps have been exacerbated by increasing costs for insurance coverage, and too often the coverage that was available came at too high a cost for these small businesses to afford,” said Mike Stillson, Chair of the California Collaboration for Youth. “This action by Commissioner Lara will provide the opportunity to properly insure our camps, buildings, and property moving forward, insuring our infrastructure in order to provide services to the youth of California. The California Collaboration for Youth thanks Commissioner Lara for once again working to help summer camps provide unforgettable experiences for the children of California.”
“This is a step forward in helping community associations find available, reliable, and affordable insurance coverage,” said Kieran Purcell, Chair of the Community Associations Institute California Legislative Action Committee. “We support Commissioner Lara’s continued efforts to promote wildfire safety measures while aggressively pushing insurance companies to write the coverage that our communities need.”
“California’s diverse farms need more than a one-size-fits-all solution for insurance,” said California Farm Bureau President Jamie Johansson. “Increased FAIR Plan coverage limits give farm families greater options and security to plan for the future. We thank Commissioner Lara for continuing to support our agricultural community.”
Since taking office, Commissioner Lara has prioritized increasing access to affordable insurance for California consumers and businesses. In October 2022, Commissioner Lara enforced the nation’s first Safer from Wildfires regulation requiring wildfire safety discounts for homes and businesses. In November 2021, Commissioner Lara ordered the FAIR Plan to increase its combined commercial coverage limits for the first time and, in November 2019, he ordered the FAIR Plan to increase its personal dwelling coverage limit to $3 million, doubling it from where it had been for two decades.
- Details
- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
The market will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Kelseyville Event Center, 5345 Third St., from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
There will be over 20 designers and makers from all over Lake County.
The event takes place on the third Sunday January through May.