SLO County Economic Strategy

The Economic Strategy Project is the first-ever public/private partnership to provide an in-depth assessment of, and strategies for, San Luis Obispo county’s economy. The project will develop a strategy to create more long-term prosperity for our local economy. Started in late 2009, this vital project is a multi-phase approach incorporating an analytical phase to determine challenges and opportunities through key information. Driven by the business community, companies from key business sectors will be gathered for their input. We anticipate a strategy to be completed in the Fall of 2010.

This project is endorsed by both the public and private sectors. The County, local cities, CSDs and the business community are all supporting the project. The County of San Luis Obispo and several businesses are sponsoring the project (see list below). The supporters believe that our local economy can be healthier in the long-term and continues to face certain challenges that must be addressed through strategic planning.

The County Board of Supervisors appointed the Economic Vitality Corporation of San Luis Obispo County (“EVC”) to manage this project and help raise funds for it. As a non-profit economic development organization that provides business resources throughout the county, the EVC is viewed as being unbiased, with strong relationships throughout the County’s business community.

In the summer of 2009, a steering committee was formed and County Supervisors Frank Mecham and Adam Hill were selected as co-chairs of the project. Consulting firms were interviewed that specialize in developing economic strategies, and in the Fall of 2009, the Steering Committee selected Collaborative Economics (a Mountain View, California-based firm) as being the best qualified.

The finished product will be a written strategy highlighting the results of data analysis and input from business leaders throughout the county. The final document will be unveiled in an economic summit in the Fall of 2010.

Virtually all residents throughout the county will be impacted by, and benefit from, the proposed strategy. Because a healthy community requires healthy businesses, the strategy will impact people of all ages and companies in nearly every sector of our economy. Citizens and local government will benefit from an increase in the number of head-of-household jobs and more revenue for vital infrastructure and community services.

Yes. This project will benefit citizens outside of the workforce such as students and retirees, because it will help provide revenue to cities and the County to pay for the vital community services and infrastructure. Through the creation of a more vital and diverse economy, more tax revenue will be generated to help local governments.

No. The project is not a reaction to the current economic recession, but will offer solutions to near-term and long-term challenges and opportunities.

The proposed strategy will help the all local governments, as well as all communities and businesses. It will differ significantly from the County’s Economic Element in the General Plan by instead being driven by the business community. Public involvement will be encouraged for this strategy to be realistic and viable. It has not been determined whether this proposed strategy will replace the existing Economic Element.

It is envisioned that the proposed strategy will positively impact our local economy and communities by providing a deep analysis of our business sectors, and develop solutions from the business community for a healthier economy. The strategy will offer ways to create more head-of-household jobs, foster more businesses that are compatible to our county, and create ways to develop more tax rolls for our local government to pay for vital infrastructure and services.

The project is a public/private partnership, funded 50% from the County of San Luis Obispo and 50% from the business community. Additional funds to implement the strategic plan are being sought through project sponsorships.

• County of San Luis Obispo
• Morgan Family Foundation
• Southern California Gas Co.
• Pacific Gas & Electric Company
• Rabobank, N.A.
• Bank of America
• AT&T
• First Solar
• SunPower
• Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center
• Andre, Morris & Buttery
• TJA Advertising