COSTA MESA

The Costa Mesa manufacturer of one of the planet’s most obscure devices was recently named California Small Business Person of the Year by a federal agency.

The U.S. Small Business Administration awarded David Cline, 56, the honor for starting a program that encourages high school students to go to college. Cline is president of Balboa Instruments Inc., a locally based manufacturer of a waterproof, chlorine-safe, floating controller of spa temperatures, jet flow and water-massage speeds.

Cline is one of 53 small-business owners the U.S. Small Business Administration will consider for the National Business Person of the Year.