Title
Recommendation for the Planning Board to Review and Endorse the Economic Development Strategic Plan (EDSP)
Body
Date: March 26, 2018
To: Members of the Planning Board
From: Lois RP Butler, Economic Development Manager
Re: Recommendation for the Planning Board to Review and Endorse the Economic Development Strategic Plan (EDSP)
BACKGROUND
The City of Alameda contracted with Strategic Economics to help prepare a citywide Economic Development Strategic Plan (EDSP), which is the long-term (five to ten years) roadmap for business attraction, retention, and workforce development activities. The EDSP identifies specific goals, strategies, and actions necessary to create, support and attract businesses and jobs, diversify the local economy, and maintain fiscal health. The draft EDSP is attached as Exhibit 1. This document will replace the previous EDSP, which was originally prepared in 2001, and updated in January 2008.
Staff and Strategic Economics began work on the EDSP in 2016. At its June 22, 2016 meeting, the Planning Board appointed Lorre Zuppan as its representative to an Ad Hoc Committee for Preparation of the EDSP. Ms. Zuppan and three Mayor's Economic Development Advisory Panel subcommittee members met twice to develop guiding principles and a framework for the EDSP. These principles and framework were presented to the Planning Board in December 2016, and to the City Council in February 2017. In response to City Council direction, an EDSP Task Force was formed to provide a broader, community-driven process for completing the Plan.
The 21-member EDSP Task Force is composed of Alameda business owners, labor and housing advocates, developers, residents, and other community leaders representing diverse perspectives and interests. The Task Force includes John Knox White and Ms. Zuppan, who were both on the Planning Board when the Task Force was formed. The Task Force members selected them to be the chair and vice chair, respectively. ...
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