HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-07-08 - AGENDA REPORTS - ECONOMIC DEV WORK PGM (2)AGENDA REPORT
City Manager Approval Z4��
Item to be presented by:
Mike Haviland
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
DATE: July 8, 1997
SUBJECT: ECONOMIC.DEVELOPMENT WORK PROGRAM
DEPARTMENT: Community Development
This report is a follow up to a previous presentation on March 25, 1997 on the outlining of a
work program for the City's Economic Development program. Attached to this report is the
Recommended Economic Development Work Program outline. Per City Council request a
summary of the goals and accomplishments of the first year's Economic Development Service
Contract with the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce will also be presented.
Additionally a brief discussion of the City's Economic Development policy with respect to
priority of staff time will be presented.
The proposed economic development work program contains the following elements:
1) Continue the economic development service contract with the Chamber of Commerce in
the areas of Small Business Assistance, Shop Local, Filming, and Tourism Promotion.
2) Continue with both attraction (commercial/manufacturing) and retention efforts, but
make retention and support of existing businesses (retaiVmanufacturing) the primary
focus of time (80%) commitments.
3) Continue efforts with Redevelopment Program and EDA/CDBG grant implementation.
4) An additional staff person is proposed for Economic Development. His or her primary
responsibility will be in the area of business retention. The retention item described
under the attachment outlines the specific work tasks for this proposed position.
5) Economic Development staff will give priority to addressing the needs of existing small
retailers, addressing geographic areas with declining or weak retail sales performance,
and focussing on specific development projects as identified by City Council. -
M��D Agenda It01ae 40
L-Ju011us
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that 'the City Council approve the recommended Economic Development
Division work program.
ATTACHMENT
Economic Development Work Program Outline
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econdev\ero6207.1
RECOMMENDED ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WORK PROGRAM
Primary Work Tasks
A. Retention and Expansion
• Strategic Planning Workshop (Chamber of Commerce) to recommend programs to
assist existing small retailers.
• Shop Local (Chamber of Commerce) - Campaign of "shop local" logo decals for all
businesses, also City-wide advertising, bus stop posters, etc.
• Small Business Assistance (Chamber of Commerce contract) - Three day workshop,
plus one-on-one. in-store consultations small business owners.
• Annual local business/economic conference (with Chamber) - Proposal in cooperation
with Chamber of Commerce to present examples of Santa Clarita business success
stories along with keynote address/speakers and panels.
• Annual retention survey - Personal interview surveys with businesses as done
previously in 1991-94.
• Annual wage salary survey (with VIA) - In cooperation with VIA to create data bank
on comparable salary levels for specific job classifications.
• Annual industrial/business inventory/directory - To inventory existing manufacturing
and service businesses in Industrial Park to develop data base and to encourage
shopping local.
• RMDZ expansion (with Public Works) - Encourage local business expansion
investments around recycling to take advantage of RMDZ program in coordination
with Public Works Department.
• Tourism Program development - events/attraction - Promotion of hospitality industry
and local events and attraction, i.e., Cowboy Poetry, Santa Clarita Marathon, PGA
Golf, in cooperation with Chamber of Commerce.
• Film Industry Development (Chamber of Commerce contract) - Develop annual film
guide listing locations, studios, talents, crews, products, and services. Vendor
opportunity seminars, film tours, location assistance, and referrals.
B. Redevelopment
• Liaison for Railroad Avenue and Metrolink Station Improvements
• Adopt and implement Newhall Redevelopment Plan
C. Image/Marketing and Technical Information
• Promote Santa Clarita (brochure, Internet, etc.)
• Technical Information inquiry response
• Annual public opinion research
D. Grants Manaeement
• Economic Development Administration funds
• Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds
Secondary Work Tasks
A. Attraction
• Respond to inquiries for relocation to Santa Clarita
• Limited outreach. to target industries that support existing business clusters
identified in Economic Development Strategy
• Image/marketing promoting Santa Clarity identity