Learning from Others - Part II

I love hearing from other economic development organizations about what they are doing. It’s an easy way to learn what’s working in other communities and how it might be applied elsewhere. It’s also a great way to get ideas flowing to improve economic development strategies. Here’s a few more examples of what others are doing.

Sonoma County

Sonoma County Economic Development Board has defined their role as providing tools to help businesses perform better and stay ahead of emerging trends. The organization has stimulated economic vitality for the technology, tourism and agricultural sectors in recent years. Evidence of this is seen in the science curriculum at their state university where 70 percent of graduates are able to find jobs. They have created the Sonoma Tourism Bureau and have developed integrated marketing program for county agriculture.

The Board understands that education attainment is a priority noting that a well-educated work force will attract business. They have initiated a website to show small business how to survive tough economic times. As well, they are conducting a permitting function study with the goal of accelerating operations along with another project monitoring how climate change legislation will impact firms in their area.

City of Cloverdale

This community conducted a branding study that revealed 70 percent of residents leave each day for jobs elsewhere. The Cloverdale Economic Partnership updated their general plan to include ways to attract more jobs to the community. The city also wishes to expand Cloverdale’s sphere of influence by annexing Asti and an unincorporated area near the southwest side of town.

Cloverdale received an MTA grant to study ways to transport people from downtown to the future SMART station on the other side of Highway 101. They will be exploring ways to commercially use land formerly occupied by the Citrus Fair.