HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-03-25 - AGENDA REPORTS - ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WORK PGM (2)City Manager Approval 4
Item to be presented by:
Mike Haviland
NEW BUSINESS
DATE: March 25, 1997
SUBJECT: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WORK PROGRAM
DEPARTMENT: Community Development
This report recommends a specific Economic Development work program and has been
developed as a result of a January, 1997 City Council study session which discussed the future
direction for the City's Economic Development program.
The January study session: 1) outlined Economic Development goals; 2) highlighted prior
accomplishments; and 3) identified future opportunities for the Division work program.
Additionally, the study session described some key benchmarks in the Economic Development
Division�s evolution which are summarized in the following:
1) In 1991-1993 Economic Development strategy was focused on retention efforts.
2) In 1994 it gave increased emphasis on attraction efforts.
3) Post -earthquake strategy shifted Economic Development focus away from traditional
attraction/retention into Redevelopment and EDAICDBG Grant implementation.
The direction received from Council at this study session was to focus economic development
activities on business retention, rather than business attraction.
The future Economic Development work program will require the completion of EDA�CDBG
grant implementation, and should continue the Economic Development marketing/information
function as well as continuing our major staffing commitment to the start up and
implementation of the Redevelopment program in Newhall.
Due to size limitations of the proposed Newhall Redevelopment program, there will not be
funding resources (i.e., redevelopment tax increment) to implement an aggressive "attraction"
program with redevelopment. Consequently, a fairly limited attraction program should be
implemented consistent with the lin-Lited funding resources available.
Age,nda Iten-4
Page 2
The City's overall attraction program should represent a secondary priority in terms of staff
time commitment. In summary, Economic Development staff will meet with businesses
contacting them about relocating to the City but will not aggressively pursue businesses to
relocate to the City. I
A return to the earlier emphasis on retention and expansion for business and industry would
represent a major staff time commitment and focus of the Economic Development function. To
re-establish a competent retention/expansion program effort would require a professional level
full time Economic Development Assistant position be added to the Division. The adding of this
position will be handled through the budget process. The specifies of a retention/expansion
program, as well as the remainder of the proposed Economic Development work program, are
outlined in the attached work program summary (Exhibit A). The proposed program would
define retention activities of the Division as a primary priority of the Division.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the recommended Economic Development
Division work program.
Economic Development Work Program (Exhibit A)
MM:H
..d.,�2597.1
EXHIBIT A
Recommended Economic Development Work Program
Primary Work Tasks
A. Retention and Exi)ansion
0 Shop Local (Chamber of Commerce contract) - Capaign 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, with Kent Burnes, plus one-on-one in-store consultations to local
business owners.
0 Annual local businessfeconomic 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.
0 Annual retention survey - Peronal interview surveys with businesses as done
perviously in 1991-94.
Annual wage salary survey (with VIA� - In cooperation with VIA to create data
bank on comperable salary levels.for specific job classifications.
Annual industriallbusiness inventory/directory - To inventory existing
manufacturing and service businesses in Industrial Park to develop data base
and to encourage shopping local.
RMDZ expan ion (with Public Works) - Encourage local business expansion
investments around recyling to take advantage: of RMDZ program in
coordination with Public Works Department.
Tourism Program development - events/attraction (Chamber of Commerce
contract) - 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. Redeveloimient
Stimulate mature area reinvestment (Public and Private)
Adopt and implement Newhall Redevelopment Plan
C. ImaLre/Marketinz and Technical Information
Promote Santa Clarita (brochure, Internet, etc.)
Technical Information inquiry response
Annual public opinion research
D. Grants Manay-ement
Economic Development Administration funds
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds
Secondary Work Tasks
A. Attraction
Respond to inquiries for relocation
Limited outreach to target industries that support existing business clusters
identified in Economic Development Strategy
Limited image/marketing promoting Santa Clarita identity