SAN DIEGO-According to the newest report by the State of California Employment Development Department, the county started off 2003 with a drop in employment. The EDD research shows that the unemployment rate here rose slightly from 4.2% in December of 2002 to 4.4% in January of 2003.

SAN DIEGO-Roel Construction wraps up work on a brand new 37,000-sf performing arts center, which is part of the $94-million Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center.

SAN DIEGO-Construction is underway on the $22-million Grandon Village affordable housing complex, which will also include a retail component when completed.

SAN DIEGO-L-20 LLC acquires the 15,580-sf facility from Elizabeth B. Kamber, trustee of the Lawrence L. Kamber Trust. Located at 4395 El Cajon Blvd., the building is currently occupied by Spectrum Printing Inc.

OCEANSIDE, CA-Wendy's restaurant chain will soon be opening a new location at the College Plaza retail complex, having recently signed a 20-year lease for 16,000 sf here. The transaction is valued at nearly $1.7 million.

SAN DIEGO-JMI Realty, Jackson & Blanc Mechanical Contractors and Role Construction will break ground on the chilled water production facility with an official ceremony to be held tomorrow morning. The project, which has a $16-million total development cost, is slated for completion in December of 2003.

SAN DIEGO-State Farm Mutual inks a lease for 42,834 sf at the Rio Vista Plaza office facility, bringing the 78,167-sf building up to 100% occupancy. The transaction is valued at $5.8 million.

RANCHO BERNARDO, CA-GMAC Commercial Mortgage Corp. places a $26-million equity investment in Pacific Property Co.'s acquisition of the 338-unit Carmel Mountain Apartments and 262-unit Mountain Ranch Apartments in Rancho Bernardo.