HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-03-02 - AGENDA REPORTS - ECONOMIC DEV PGMS (2)CITY OF SANTA CLARITA Agenda Item 1
INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM
TO: r We and City Councilmembers
FROM: en uls camp, Ci anager
DATE: March 2, 2010
SUBJECT: PRESENTATION OF THE CITY'S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
PROGRAMS
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council receive an overview of the City's Economic Development programs
including business attraction and retention, Enterprise Zone, WorkSource, sponsorships,
film, tourism, and the 21 -Point Business Plan for Progress.
BACKGROUND
In December 2007, the nation was declared to officially be in a recession. Between 2007
and 2009, the national economy lost 8.4 million jobs, about four times the net job losses
in the recession of the early 1980s, Additionally, more than 2.3 million homes faced
foreclosure proceedings in 2008 and 2.8 million in 2009. At the state level, the
unemployment rate is currently over 12 percent and California accounts for more than 50
percent of the nation's 2009 foreclosures.
While not immune to the economic perils of the national and state economies, the City of
Santa Clarita has fared better than most other cities as a result of preemptive, innovative,
and proactive approaches to economic development by City Council and staff:. .
Most specifically it has been City Council's fiscally prudent policies and understanding
of the'important roles the business community and jobs play in the overall health of the
community that have contributed to Santa Clarita's stability in these tough economic
times. Proudly, the City has increased business retention and attraction efforts,
developed hard-hitting business programming, and provided grants to small businesses,
all while maintaining the high quality of life enjoyed in Santa Clarita, In 20091 City
Council empowered staff to develop and implement the 21 -Point Business Plan for
Progress to combat the recession at the local level.
The presentation tonight is an overview of the City's Economic Development programs
and priorities now and post -recession.
KP:JC:DL:ms
S,VCCONDEW.etters-MemosWcmus\2010 Memos4010 02-22 Study Session Presemaiion.doc