California legislators have been invited to attend Solano Economic Development Corporation membership networking event on March 30 to learn how redevelopment projects have benefited the Solano economy.
Meeting speakers will demonstrate how redevelopment funding has created economic opportunities through Solano County – from the Suisun waterfront to the Vacaville downtown redevelopment, and in Vallejo, Fairfield, Dixon and Rio Vista.
“The Governor has proposed in his budget that redevelopment funding be eliminated. I cannot stress too strongly just how devastating that would be to California and our Solano communities – especially right now with 12% unemployment. Michael Ammann, president of Solano EDC said.
Speakers at the meeting will include representatives from local cities in Solano County who discuss the impact redevelopment projects have had on the economy including new business investment, increased job opportunities and construction of low income housing. They also will address how the funding elimination will hurt the cities in the coming months and years as economic development and housing staff will be reduced or eliminated.
Keynoting the program will be Jim Wunderman, president and CEO of the Bay Area Council, an organization of private business firms and executives. The Bay Area Council has endorsed Gov. Brown’s proposed budget – a move that would eliminate most of the state’s economic development programs and realign and push many state programs down to county and city agencies. However, the Bay Area Council has call for reform of Redevelopment Agencies and not there elimination.
“California’s budgets of the recent past have violated every principle of fiscal responsibility by conjuring up billions of dollars in fake revenues and pushing hard decisions off to ‘next year’,” said Jim Wunderman, president and CEO of the Bay Area Council. “We don’t like everything in this proposal. Our members don’t like the higher taxes, which run counter to expanding business and jobs in the state. But on balance, we need to be part of the solution and we support the governor’s proposal overall.”
“You will not want to miss this opportunity to learn and question why business leaders from around the state have endorsed the governor’s budget plan and its effect on Solano communities.”
“This is critical legislation and our representatives need to know more about the history of redevelopment funding and what it has meant to Solano County residents,” Ammann said. “It’s a positive story.”
“This proposed budget cut cannot be taken lightly,” he said. “At a time when our economy desperately needs opportunities for jobs and investment capital it just doesn’t make any sense to eliminate one of our state’s more successful programs.”
The meeting is one of EDC’s monthly breakfast meetings to provide a forum to discuss critical issues and challenges. Registration starts at 7:30 a.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn in Fairfield. Private sector, government and community leaders are urged to attend. Cost is $25 for Solano EDC members, $35 for non-members. Call 707 864-1855 for reservations or email pat@solanoedc.org. This meeting is sponsored by NorthBay Healthcare and First Northern Bank.
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About the Solano EDC
- Sandy Person, President
- Founded in 1983 and known as SEDCORP, the Solano Economic Development Corporation is a collaboration of private and public investors that provides leadership for economic development marketing of Solano County and its seven growing cities: Benicia, Dixon, Fairfield, Rio Vista, Suisun City, Vacaville and Vallejo.