HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-05-30 - AGENDA REPORTS - COC ROLE IN ECONOMICS (2)SANTA CLARITA COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT
COLLEGE OF THE CANYONS
Board of Trustees Meeting 5/30/07 .
AGENDA
CATEGORY JOINT MEETING
ITEM/TITLE Presentation on College of the Canyons' Role in
Economic Development in Santa Clarita
a.1
ACTIONICONSENT
ACTION
0 INFORMATION
Q DISCUSSION
BACKGROUND / ANALYSIS:
Since 1989, College of the Canyons has been a driving factor in the economic growth of the Santa Clarita Valley.
Working to develop relationships with business partners, the College, over the last ten years, has trained over 11,000
individuals employed in the valley. Apart from its role as the leading producer of transfer -ready students in Los Angeles
County among the 21 community colleges located in this county, College of the Canyons has emerged as a leader in the
development of business partnerships and In its support of training and technical development of the region's workforce.
By way of example, this presentation will feature two key components of the College's role in economic development.
The first is the University Center. The brainchild of College of the Canyons Superintendent -President Dr. Dianne Van
Hook, the University Center will house the programs of our university partners, and will also include the William S. Hart
District's Academy of the Canyons, the Advanced Technology Business Incubator initiative, customized training programs
for local business and industry, and a professional development institute to foster teaching, contract education and access
to continuing education extension programs, as well as teleconferencing venues and meeting facilities that will serve as a
resource to local business and community groups.
Job responsibilities, family obligations, long commutes and rush-hour traffic prevent many residents from commuting to
higher education institutions outside the Santa Clarita Valley. By bringing bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees from
four-year colleges and universities to the College of the Canyons campus, the University Center removes barriers and
opens the door of opportunity for local students. The training provided by the University Center will fuel the economic
development of the city by raising the level of education, along with their earning potential, of our citizens.
(Continued)
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
Presented as Information/Discussion only
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Presented as Information and for Discussion only
Submitted by: Approval for submission to Board of Trustees:
Dr. Dena Maloney 014,/ts`• � 4�II
Dean, Economic Development Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook
Superintendent -President
Recommended by:
Dr. M1tjl £apet
Assistant Superintendent/VP of Instruction
2.1, Page 1
May 30, 2007
SANTA CLARITA COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT
COLLEGE OF THE CANYONS
PAGE: Two
AGENDA CATEGORY: JOINT MEETING
ITEM TITLE: Presentation on College of the Canyons Role in Economic
Development in Santa Clarita
MEETING DATE: May 30, 2007
Background/Analysis (cont'd):
Moreover, the University Center operations are directly supportive of the City's mission to provide high quality
education, access to training, and developing a local workforce that will live, play, and learn in the Santa Clarita
Valley while fostering economic development and local spending.
The nearly $36 million needed for construction of the University Center is funded by state and federal sources,
along with local bond measures, and contributions from private foundations, corporations and donors.
Fundraising activities are ongoing in order to provide the resources needed to equip the 110,000 -square -foot
facility with state-of-the-art learning technology. Dr. Dianne Van Hook, Dr. Barry Gribbons, and Dr. Dena Maloney
will discuss the University Center programming, Its impact upon the economic development of the City, and profile
plans for opening the permanent space.
The second example of the College's support of economic development is the Advanced Technology Business
Incubator to be housed in the University Center on the College of the Canyons campus. The Incubator will house
up to 15 start-up and early stage technology companies and will provide programs and services to support
business growth. As they grow and graduate from the Incubator, these companies will contribute to the economic
development of the community through the creation of technology-based jobs and attraction of investment capital
into the community.
College of the Canyons, the City of Santa Clarita, the SCV Economic Alliance, commercial property developers,
the Valley Industrial Association, the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce, and the venture capital and
angel investor community all have a stake in the success of the Incubator. The Incubator project will brand Santa
Clarita as "the best place for start up companies," be linked to community business attraction and retention
strategies, and create a pipeline of small, successful technology companies which will require commercial space
and create jobs upon exiting the Incubator.
Dr. Dena Maloney and Mr. Douglas Howe, Interim Director of the Incubator, will provide an overview of the
Incubator through a brief presentation of the project.
2.1, Page 1
May 30, 2007