Economic Development Resources
View Recording of “Getting Connected: A Broadband Deployment & Adoption Resource Guide for Local & Regional Government”
CALED, together with Valley Vision and the California Emerging Technology Fund, recently held a webinar on the just released “Getting Connected: A Broadband Deployment and Adoption Resource Guide for Local and Regional Government Leaders.” To view the recorded webinar, go to https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/recording/1044395724585606923 You will need to register by putting your name and email in order to view it. […]
CALED Releases CA FDI Tech Guide
Tool Created to Help Foreign Enterprises Locate in CA The California FDI Tech Guide is a how-to tool for foreign tech-based companies looking to expand into California, meant to help them navigate important decisions and make appropriate plans so they can be successful when they locate here. It has a great checklist and associated resources for key items business owners should be considering before, during, and after their move. Feel free to use this in your FDI attraction efforts – including if you are attending SelectUSA’s Summit this week. This tool is also designed to assist with an economic [...]
Check Out the Only In-Depth Economic Development Summary on the May Revise!
Governor Newsom released his 2021 May Budget Revise on Friday, May 14, proclaiming that revenues had soared, producing an opportunity for a one-time “generational budget” called the “California Comeback Plan,” allocating over $100 billion in state surplus and federal pandemic relief funds. The May Revision builds off of the various proposals outlined previously in the Governor’s January budget, and offers new and expanded programs, assistance, and investments to stimulate the economic recovery. Compared to typical state budgets, the scope of this 200-page proposal is staggering, with over 400 new programs being proposed. Download CALED PDF Version of the Summary here.
CALED Board Appoints Tara Schiff To Second Term As Rural Liaison
Press Release – For Immediate Release Date: May 18, 2021 CALED BOARD APPOINTS TARA SCHIFF TO SECOND TERM AS RURAL LIAISON Contact: Michelle Stephens (916) 448‐8252, ext.12 On May 13, 2021, the Board of the California Association for Local Economic Development (CALED) appointed Tara Schiff, ACE and economic development specialist for Mariposa County, to her second term as the Rural Liaison to the Board. The term will last from July 1, 2021 until June 30, 2023. In this role, Ms. Schiff will inform the CALED Board of key issues and potential actions impacting the rural communities in our [...]
CALED 2021 Mid-Session Legislative Update
2021 Mid-Session Legislative Update Local economic developers have had little bandwidth to track state legislation this year, as they appropriately focused on assisting their communities, businesses and residents meet the challenges of the pandemic. Now, however, with the expansion of vaccines, case levels are finally abating. For those of you looking to catch up on legislative activity, CALED has prepared this mid-session update, which includes upcoming deadlines, political dynamics, recap of CALED’s major efforts on some key bills and issues. CALED Focus Key Deadlines: The Legislature is facing three [...]
Don’t Forget to Attend an Upcoming Just Transition Workshop
Per Governor Newsom’s Executive Order N-79-20, the Office of Planning and Research (OPR) and the Labor and Workforce Development Agency (LWDA) are leading the development of a Just Transition Roadmap. The Roadmap’s broad framework will be released over the summer, kicking off a longer-term public and private effort to ensure that all Californians benefit from the transition to carbon neutrality. Please register and join them on one of the following days to provide your input and learn about California’s framework for Just Transition: Tuesday May 25, 10 am-12pm Wednesday May 26, 1pm-3pm Thursday May 27, 6pm-8pm Other ways to get [...]
Member Budget Planning Information
As many of you are preparing your budgets for FY21/22, we’ve received requests for information regarding membership, the conference, and our trainings. We hope these details help you with your planning. CALED will not be increasing dues for the 2021/22 FY. CALED is watching public health guidance and is hoping to have an in-person annual event in Spring 2022. If able to move forward with those plans, we are committed to keeping the registration fees in line with past conferences ($495 early bird rate). CALED will be holding our Keys to Successful Economic Development Training and Advanced Economic Development Institute [...]
Economic Recovery & Resiliency Professionals RFQ
Economic Recovery & Resiliency Professionals RFQ CALED is pleased to have received a grant from the Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration to create an Economic Development Resiliency and Recovery Playbook – a comprehensive, strategic tool communities can use to prepare for and recover from disasters that impact their economy, including situations where a community experiences economic injury even though they are not experiencing the actual disaster. This Request for Qualifications is to select qualified volunteers (individuals or firms) to serve as advisors on content for the Playbook. When CALED starts the writing of the playbook, those that are selected [...]
City of Kerman Economic Development Strategy
The Kerman City Council approved a new Economic Development Strategy on February 24, 2021. The City initiated the strategy to focus on business retention, expansion, attraction, entrepreneurship and customer service. The purpose of the strategy is to identify steps that can better position Kerman for future growth that will provide further opportunity to all of its residents. The recommendations offered in this strategy are reflective of the City’s Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) analysis and provides a basic foundation to proactively address future economic development opportunities.
Governor Proposes $4.5 Billion for Recovery for Businesses and Jobs in 2021 Budget
Governor Gavin Newsom previewed his Equitable Recovery for California’s Businesses and Jobs plan, the business and workforce recovery elements of his 2021-22 State Budget that will help California through the COVID-19 pandemic and advance an equitable, broad-based recovery. […]
California Relief Grant Briefing for Economic Developers Recording
CALED, working in conjunction with the California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA) in the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development and Lendistry, held a webinar on December 29 on the $500 million grant program for small businesses prior to releasing the application on December 30. To access the recording of this webinar, click here.
Paul Saldana Retires from Tulare EDC
Paul Saldana, who has served as President & CEO of the Tulare County Economic Development Corporation for the past 20 years, will be retiring from his position effective October 31 to pursue projects to advance emerging industries in the post pandemic economy. Hired just before the 9/11 economic downturn, Saldana has shepherded the EDC through recoveries, recessions, natural disasters and now through the global pandemic. “Paul has been a champion for Tulare County’s economy for two decades and his contributions to our economic resilience will continue to be felt for decades to come” stated EDC Board Chairman Scott Harness in [...]
Tulare County EDC Receives Excellence in Economic Development Award from IEDC
Washington, DC – Tulare County Economic Development Corporation was recognized by the International Economic Development Council as an Economic Development Organization of the Year for organizations serving a population between 200,000 and 500,000 people. The EDC received the award along with the Jefferson Parish Economic Development Commission and the New Orleans Business Alliance in this population category. Montreal International and the Greater Phoenix Economic Council received the honor for population greater than 500,000. Tulare County EDC is the only EDO to be recognized in California with this honor. “To be recognized by our International professional association with this honor is a testimony to [...]
CALED CEO Gurbax Sahota Awarded Honorary ACE Designation
This summer, the Board of Regents for The California Academy for Economic Development (The Academy) awarded Gurbax Sahota, President and CEO of the California Association for Local Economic Development (CALED) an Honorary Accredited California Economic Developer (ACE) designation for her statewide leadership in economic development policy and programs. Past Academy Regents Chair Bruce Kern noted that this award acknowledges Ms. Sahota for her tireless efforts to support CALED members and ensure that they have the educational and training resources they need to be effective in their communities. The ACE Certification, now in its second year, was created in partnership between [...]
Read about CA Manufacturing Report from LocalIntel Economic Development
*From LocalIntel Economic Development California’s metropolitan areas continue their road to recovery by adding 30,100 manufacturing jobs last month. Using Localintel’s free and publicly accessible Industry Job Tracker, this report provides 7 observations highlighting changes in manufacturing employment levels for the state’s metro areas. At the time of writing, the Tracker draws on the data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics as released on July 17, 2020. For more information, click here.
Read the COVID-19 Employer Playbook For a Safe Reopening
This Employer Playbook provides guidance for employers to help them plan and prepare for reopening their business and to support a safe, clean environment for workers and customers. The guidance and links in each section are provided to give employers the tools they need to open safely and mitigate risks associated with COVID-19. The guidance is not intended to revoke or repeal any worker rights, either statutory, regulatory or collectively bargained, and is not exhaustive, as it does not include county health orders, nor is it a substitute for any existing safety and health-related regulatory requirements such as those of Cal/OSHA. Stay current on changes to public health guidance and state/local orders, as the COVID-19 situation continues. Cal/OSHA has also published interim safety and health guidance, Cal/OSHA General Guidelines on Protecting Workers. CDC has additional information on their guidance for employers. For more information, click here
Read CALED’s State Budget Update and See how CA’s Approved State Budget Impacts Economic Development
Read Full State Budget Update here. Appreciation and thanks is extended to CALED’s Strategic Legislative Advisor Dan Carrigg for his work reviewing the budget and providing this information.
Attend the Small Business Virtual Town Hall
*Provided by the California Department of Insurance Please join California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara on Friday, April 17th at 10:00 a.m. for a Virtual Town Hall to discuss insurance issues for small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic emergency. With many businesses experiencing tremendous economic loss, the California Department of Insurance would like to inform and hear from small business owners regarding insurance coverage issues. This will also be an opportunity to learn more details about the Commissioner’s myriad of Bulletins and Notices sent out to insurance companies designed to help protect California small businesses and consumers during this time of [...]
Get the Latest Coronavirus Information from California’s Department of Public Health
*CA Department of Public Health California is responding to the spread of a respiratory illness caused by a novel coronavirus (COVID-19) first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. Cases of COVID-19 are also being reported internationally and in the United States. See full page here.
Read from Camoin Associates Interesting Food Trends Developing & Tactics Communities Can Take to Support Food Innovation
*From Camoin Associates Where and what consumers eat is changing, and this is driving innovation in the retail food industry. Below we’ve compiled some of the interesting food trends we have seen in our work and experienced firsthand, followed by tactics that communities can take to support and encourage food innovation. Read full article here.
USDA Distance Learning Telemedicine (DLT) Grant Program was Announced
*Provided by the USDA Rural Development The Distance Learning and Telemedicine program helps rural communities use the unique capabilities of telecommunications to connect to each other and to the world, overcoming the effects of remoteness and low population density. For example, this program can link teachers and medical service providers in one area to students and patients in another. Who may apply? For both programs, eligible applicants include most entities that provide education or health care through telecommunications, including: Most State and local governmental entities Federally-recognized Tribes Non-profits For-profit businesses Consortia of eligible entities Deadline: April 10, 2020 For more [...]
Check out Smart Incentives Roadmap for Successful Incentives Programs
*Provided by Smart Incentives Click here for the Smart Incentives Roadmap
USDA Accepting Rural Business Development Grant Applications – Due Mar. 13
What does this program do? This program is designed to provide technical assistance and training for small rural businesses. Small means that the business has fewer than 50 new workers and less than $1 million in gross revenue. What is an eligible area? Rural Business Development Grant money must be used for projects that benefit rural areas or towns outside the urbanized periphery of any city with a population of 50,000 or more. Click here for more information and to apply
The Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta has released the 2019 Report on Minority-Owned Firms
Small businesses are crucial to the nation's economy. They employ almost half of U.S. workers, and are important sources of employment and wealth building, particularly for minority communities. The number of minority-owned businesses has grown rapidly in recent years, which means that their well-being and ability to access financing is increasingly important to fostering economic opportunity and broader economic growth. The Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta has released the Small Business Credit Survey: 2019 Report on Minority-Owned Firms. The report examines the state of minority-owned businesses, offering insights on their performance, access to financing, and experiences in the credit market. [...]
Final Opportunity Zone Treasury Regulations Released
*Provided by jdsupra "Treasury has issued two prior sets of proposed regulations. The Final Regulations consolidate these proposed regulations as well as change various parts to reflect comments received on the rules over the last two years. Among the changes that were made, the Final Regulations clarify aspects of the 180-day investment period, clarify how the substantial improvement test is met, changed the rules relating to the purchase and development of vacant property, expanded the working capital safe harbor for start-up businesses, and provided a de minimis exception for “sin” businesses." Full article here