Title
Review Strategies Matrix and Provide Direction for Drafting the Economic Development Strategic Plan (EDSP)
Body
Date: December 12, 2016
To: Members of the Planning Board
From: Lois RP Butler, Economic Development Manager
Re: Review Strategies Matrix and Provide Direction for Drafting the Economic Development Strategic Plan (EDSP)
BACKGROUND
The City of Alameda has contracted with Strategic Economics to help prepare a citywide Economic Development Strategic Plan (EDSP), which will be the long-term (five to ten years) roadmap for business attraction, retention, and workforce development activities. The EDSP will identify specific goals, strategies, and actions necessary to create, support and attract businesses and jobs, diversify the local economy, and maintain fiscal health.
During its June 22, 2016 meeting, the Planning Board appointed Lorre Zuppan as its representative to provide guidance to both City staff and the consultant team throughout the process of drafting the EDSP.
Tonight, staff and the consultant team are at a point in the process-between having completed the initial research and developing a framework for the final document-to report back to the Planning Board and to receive direction on proposed goals and strategies (see Exhibit 1-Draft Strategies Matrix).
DISCUSSION
Strategic Economics recently compiled its research and analysis of Alameda’s existing economic conditions, opportunities, and constraints into a Background Report (see Exhibit 2-Background Report). The Background Report provides the data and factual foundation for the EDSP.
Strategic Economics supplemented the quantitative data with qualitative information gained from two community workshops (September 22, 2016 and December 8, 2016), two meetings of the Mayor’s Economic Development Advisory Panel (EDAP), and eight focus group discussions with representatives from:
• Bio-, clean-, green-, and hi-tech companies.
• Chamber of Commerce’s Government Relations and Economic Development Committee
• City division managers
• Commercial and recreational maritime businesses
• Retail businesses and brokers
• Specialty food and beverage manufacturers
• Tourist attraction businesses
• Workforce development agencies
Strategic Economics also conducted one-on-one/two interviews with major commercial and retail brokers, local developers, the representative from the Planning Board, the City and Assistant City Managers, and members of the City Council.
With this information, Strategic Economics has prepared a draft vision statement and matrix of preliminary goals and strategies for the EDSP. The Strategies Matrix is meant to be the framework for the EDSP, providing the direction and structure for the final document. Tonight, staff is asking the Planning Board to review and comment on the Strategies Matrix. Does it meet the Board’s vision of a healthy local economy? Are there any elements that should be added or modified to its proposed goals and strategies?
Next Steps
1. Incorporating the comments received from the Planning Board, staff will present the Strategies Matrix to the City Council early next year.
2. Staff anticipates that a draft EDSP will be completed for review by the EDAP, Planning Board, and City Council in February or March, 2017.
RECOMMENDATION
Review Strategies Matrix and provide direction for drafting of the Economic Development Strategic Plan.
Respectfully submitted,
By,
Eric Fonstein, Development Manager
Exhibits:
1. Draft Strategies Matrix
2. EDSP Background Report