By Michael Ammann
President, Solano Economic Development Corporation
As we move into the second quarter of 2011, things are beginning to pick up a little on the economic front, in the nation and California. With this improvement come the opportunities for Solano County to step up to the plate and take advantage of its tremendous location in Northern California Mega Region.
We are centrally located between two of the fastest growing mega regions in the nation – if not in the world. The Bay Area and Sacramento metropolitan areas, even with all their challenges, are still dynamic and full of potential.
Solano County is the “heart” of these two Mega Regions.
Just stop and think about what Solano County offers:
Transportation. Freeway link Solano County east and west, via Interstate 80. Then, add freeways that go from Solano south into Walnut Creek, Plesanton and points south. And, from Vacaville, freeways link Solano to the fast growing areas of Yolo and points north along I-5. And remember the investment in two new bridges, the repaving of I-80 and on-going improvements to Highway 12 from Rio Vista to Napa.
Solano also is within an hour’s drive of three major metropolitan airports: San Francisco, Oakland and Sacramento. No other county can make that boast.
Think of it this way: within an hour you are on your way to visit family, take a business trip to New York or Europe, or just go skiing in Colorado or Canada!
In addition, express buses move easily through morning and evening freeway traffic on their way to major cities, and the Amtrak service offers the opportunity to take a ride into downtown San Francisco.
Housing: The recession and housing crash was a tremendous blow to Solano’s overall economy. That is a fact, but that will change – it already is showing signs of new life. As the economy begins to grow families will be seeking areas that offer good housing at prices lower than those they can find closer to San Francisco, Napa, and the East Bay.
Great Communities: Our cities are among the best in California. They are clean, safe, and affordable, with convenient shopping and low traffic congestion. Through all the growth of the past decade Solano’s cities have been able to maintain that “hometown” atmosphere many seek.
Jobs: While we can expect a continual need for our county residents to commute to good jobs in the Bay and Sacramento areas, we still can boast a pretty solid core of jobs – and that can be expected to grow as businesses grow in the coming years.
Solano Economic Development Corporation, working with the Solano County Board of Supervisors, has conducted extensive research studies for the past four years. These studies are creating a blueprint for growth. These combined studies make it clear where our best economic growth opportunities lie. It can allow developers and local cities to focus on economic clusters that can bring new dollars and jobs into the county boundaries. Life sciences, agriculture and food processing, alternative energy products and sources, research and development, and manufacturing—these are the areas that promise economic stability in the years to come.
It’s time for all of us – and especially those involved in planning – put on an optimistic face and move forward.
A better future for Solano County and its residents can only be achieved if we act now. Solano EDC is prepared to embrace this tremendous opportunity and all the challenges that come with it.
We truly are the “Heart of two Mega Regions – San Francisco and Sacramento.
Benefits of redevelopment projects in Solano County Take center stage March 30 at EDC meeting
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.
# # #
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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Time to tell Solano’s story: We’re the crossroad of two mega-regions
Submitted By: Michael Ammann, President,
Solano Economic Development Corporation
It’s time to tell the Solano County story.
Four years of Solano County’s economic development studies has shown that we are not what other people think we are.
Many in the Bay Area and Sacramento see Solano as a pass through agricultural open space area devoted to suburban sprawl growth patterns with lower-income job opportunities. They wrongly believe that Solano is either on the Bay Area fringe or the in between rest stop when traveling between San Francisco and Sacramento.
So what is Solano’s story?
Solano is the emerging growth center at the heart of the Northern California Mega Region.
The factual indicators presented in four years of economic development and industry cluster studies tell the true Solano story.
These studies, conducted by Collaborative Economics of San Jose, reveal clearly the long-term trend numbers. Solano Economic Development Corporation wanted to have solid research which would point toward trends in the private sector—trends that would show opportunities for new growth and higher paying jobs for residents. With funding from the County of Solano, the these EDC studies show that our community and business leaders have made wise choices on how to grow both physically as well as connect economically as the heart of a growing 12 million consumer Northern California Mega Region.
In a short 30 years, Solano’s economy changed from a primarily agriculture- and government services-based economy into a diverse economy with five major new clusters in life sciences/biotechnology, renewable energy production, professional services/higher education, state-of-the-art health care centers, and logistics.
For example, add up the numbers for the adjacent communities of Vacaville, Fairfield, Suisun City, Benicia, Vallejo, American Canyon and Napa. Those numbers add up to 350,000 population-sized city that is the fourth largest in the Bay area, with more than 40,000 university and college students, and home to the last major Department of Defense facility employing over 15,000.
Solano’s center to the Northern California Mega Region is also the logistical equivocate to the gateway to the world. Solanoans have access to three major passenger and freight international airports as well as the fourth largest port in the nation. Solanoans are less than hour to most of the major urban Northern California business and tourism attractions and the political capitol of California. Frankly, Solano has the best weather since “it’s always sunny in Solano.”
The vitality or our communities and residents has allowed Solano County to weather the economic storm much better than some of our neighboring counties.
In 2008 and 2009 alone some 2500 new small businesses opened their doors in Solano. That’s a tremendous number and has gone a long way toward providing income for many many families.
Our unemployment rates, even though too high—much too high—are lower than rates in surrounding counties. And, the good news is that late last year we saw a dip in the jobless rates. Another positive – our four-year college graduation rate has increased 26 per cent since 2005
Researchers conclude there is a vitality alive in Solano.
This view is seconded by Doug Hosley, interim vice chancellor for university relations at the U.C. Merced campus. Hosley says Solano’s “…vitality is making a difference” in the county’s economic picture.
It’s time for all of us to take a new step forward and go tell the new Solano story, using the real facts to change the minds of business and community leaders.
Once others begin to recognize Solano as the true heart for the Bay Area and Sacramento mega-regions we will see more opportunities for good paying jobs and increased tax revenues to maintain the high levels of service that has made Solano such a great place to live. To view the 2010 Economic Index visit www.solanocounty.com/economicindex.
Solano Economic Development Corporation
It’s time to tell the Solano County story.
Four years of Solano County’s economic development studies has shown that we are not what other people think we are.
Many in the Bay Area and Sacramento see Solano as a pass through agricultural open space area devoted to suburban sprawl growth patterns with lower-income job opportunities. They wrongly believe that Solano is either on the Bay Area fringe or the in between rest stop when traveling between San Francisco and Sacramento.
So what is Solano’s story?
Solano is the emerging growth center at the heart of the Northern California Mega Region.
The factual indicators presented in four years of economic development and industry cluster studies tell the true Solano story.
These studies, conducted by Collaborative Economics of San Jose, reveal clearly the long-term trend numbers. Solano Economic Development Corporation wanted to have solid research which would point toward trends in the private sector—trends that would show opportunities for new growth and higher paying jobs for residents. With funding from the County of Solano, the these EDC studies show that our community and business leaders have made wise choices on how to grow both physically as well as connect economically as the heart of a growing 12 million consumer Northern California Mega Region.
In a short 30 years, Solano’s economy changed from a primarily agriculture- and government services-based economy into a diverse economy with five major new clusters in life sciences/biotechnology, renewable energy production, professional services/higher education, state-of-the-art health care centers, and logistics.
For example, add up the numbers for the adjacent communities of Vacaville, Fairfield, Suisun City, Benicia, Vallejo, American Canyon and Napa. Those numbers add up to 350,000 population-sized city that is the fourth largest in the Bay area, with more than 40,000 university and college students, and home to the last major Department of Defense facility employing over 15,000.
Solano’s center to the Northern California Mega Region is also the logistical equivocate to the gateway to the world. Solanoans have access to three major passenger and freight international airports as well as the fourth largest port in the nation. Solanoans are less than hour to most of the major urban Northern California business and tourism attractions and the political capitol of California. Frankly, Solano has the best weather since “it’s always sunny in Solano.”
The vitality or our communities and residents has allowed Solano County to weather the economic storm much better than some of our neighboring counties.
In 2008 and 2009 alone some 2500 new small businesses opened their doors in Solano. That’s a tremendous number and has gone a long way toward providing income for many many families.
Our unemployment rates, even though too high—much too high—are lower than rates in surrounding counties. And, the good news is that late last year we saw a dip in the jobless rates. Another positive – our four-year college graduation rate has increased 26 per cent since 2005
Researchers conclude there is a vitality alive in Solano.
This view is seconded by Doug Hosley, interim vice chancellor for university relations at the U.C. Merced campus. Hosley says Solano’s “…vitality is making a difference” in the county’s economic picture.
It’s time for all of us to take a new step forward and go tell the new Solano story, using the real facts to change the minds of business and community leaders.
Once others begin to recognize Solano as the true heart for the Bay Area and Sacramento mega-regions we will see more opportunities for good paying jobs and increased tax revenues to maintain the high levels of service that has made Solano such a great place to live. To view the 2010 Economic Index visit www.solanocounty.com/economicindex.
Issues with Delta Water legislation will be aired June 30
Solano EDC members and guests will have the chance to learn more and voice concerns or support for the recently enacted Delta Water Legislation when State Sen. Lois Wolk speaks at the June 30 membership networking breakfast in Fairfield, CA.
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on June 3 signed legislation by Senator Lois Wolk (D-Davis) to extend a cost-sharing program that helps many local levee agencies afford necessary maintenance and improvements to levees that protect lives, farmland, and drinking water in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.
“This legislation will help sustain Delta maintenance programs during this time of transition," Wolk concluded. "Until the state develops and begins to implement its plans for the Delta, the Delta Levee Program must remain in place to help provide necessary levee maintenance and improvements that protect Delta levees and the communities living and working behind them."
Mike Ammann, President of Solano EDC said this event will provide the opportunity for members not only learn more about the Delta package but also provide recommendations that can be implemented to ensure that the Delta business community remains vital economically.
The event will be held at 8:00 a.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn in Fairfield. For reservations contact Solano EDC at 707 864-1855. Cost is $25 for EDC members and $35 for non-members.
The event is sponsored by Kaiser Permanente, Sutter Health and B&L Properties and Placer Title Company.
The monthly meetings are held by the Solano EDC to bring topics of interest and concern to community, private sector and government leaders.
The monthly series is underwritten by the Solano EDC Chairman Circle Members, Solano Transportation Authority, Syar Industries, Solano Garbage Company and Republic Services, Inc.
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on June 3 signed legislation by Senator Lois Wolk (D-Davis) to extend a cost-sharing program that helps many local levee agencies afford necessary maintenance and improvements to levees that protect lives, farmland, and drinking water in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.
“This legislation will help sustain Delta maintenance programs during this time of transition," Wolk concluded. "Until the state develops and begins to implement its plans for the Delta, the Delta Levee Program must remain in place to help provide necessary levee maintenance and improvements that protect Delta levees and the communities living and working behind them."
Mike Ammann, President of Solano EDC said this event will provide the opportunity for members not only learn more about the Delta package but also provide recommendations that can be implemented to ensure that the Delta business community remains vital economically.
The event will be held at 8:00 a.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn in Fairfield. For reservations contact Solano EDC at 707 864-1855. Cost is $25 for EDC members and $35 for non-members.
The event is sponsored by Kaiser Permanente, Sutter Health and B&L Properties and Placer Title Company.
The monthly meetings are held by the Solano EDC to bring topics of interest and concern to community, private sector and government leaders.
The monthly series is underwritten by the Solano EDC Chairman Circle Members, Solano Transportation Authority, Syar Industries, Solano Garbage Company and Republic Services, Inc.
Manufacturing can propel State forward—if Politicians Act
Michael Ammann, President, Solano Economic Development Corporation
As Sacramento politicians grapple with a $20-plus billion dollar deficit, there is a growing disconnect between a thriving private sector economy and the dysfunctional financing of government services.
The latest example of this disconnect is the automotive industry’s departure as a California economic force. The last vehicle production facility (NUMMI-Toyota) closed in March resulting in the closure by all California auto suppliers with an estimated loss of 20,000 production jobs.
The continued debate of whether to make drastic cuts to state government versus painful tax increases has set in at the Capitol with the same old rhetoric that has got us nowhere. Those running for office especially the gubernatorial candidates need to focus on ways to get our economy growing with a strong competitive state economic development program that partners with local economic development organizations. This is in the interest of all Californians, particularly Solano County where unemployment has reached more than 13 percent and may go higher.
Even Solano’s strategic location, skilled and trained work force which makes the County’s communities an ideal location for expanding high wage manufacturing firms cannot overcome California’s negative business investment climate.
There is a continued inaction by the legislature producing unresolved growing structural budget deficits. The outcome is few and unclear business investment incentives—resulting in a “wait and see” attitude about expanding—or even worse, decisions to relocate out of state. If you question this, just try to convince an out-of-state friend or business associate to make a business invest or consider moving into the State of California. You’ll quickly learn how difficult it is to attract investment and talent to California.
Jobs and the economy have topped every opinion poll for the past 18 months. So it is only logical that the Legislature and candidates for state offices address the issues that are most important to residents - Jobs-Jobs-Jobs.
There are opportunities: the biotech industry for example. Biotech has skilled labor. It’s labor intensive and provides high wages. Biotech is crucial to California’s and Solano County’s economic future. A recent survey by the California Healthcare Institute and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP forecasts good and bad news.
Good News -- biotechnology companies expect to maintain or add jobs over the next two years. Of the 200 biomedical employers surveyed for the report, 92% of companies see revenue growth and plan on expanding their research and development investment.
Bad News-- two-thirds of the survey’s respondents expect to increase out-of-state manufacturing as opposed to growth within California. To further exacerbate our concerns nearly 6 and 10 indicated they will grow their research and development departments outside of California.
With Genentech/Roche, Bio-Rad, ALZA and Novartis among the leading employers in Solano County, I am increasing concerned that our state leaders are not doing enough to promote growth within our state. While policymakers have long seemed content to watch California’s manufacturing base whittled away, they have also assured Californians that as long as we remain the leader in venture capital and research our state will continue to prosper. However, this report should undermine this sense of complacency.
This report coupled with our state’s terrible economic situation should be a serious wakeup call.
Our state cries out for a comprehensive consistent economic development policy, plan and staffing. While our Legislature has seen the importance in providing incentives in situations, their success has been limited to clean energy. Creating forward-looking plans to promote economic growth and jobs is something this state has been waiting on for several administrations.
The launching of the centralized Governors Office for Economic Development (GoED) office this month is too little too late, and most likely will not survive or thrive in the next administration. Meanwhile the legislature is developing bills that sunset for all investment incentives, including tax credits, deductions and exemptions, and caps how much can be claimed each year, thereby creating substantial uncertainty for employers and discouraging future investment in the state.
The final key to revitalizing California’s economy is to streamline regulations so that the entitlement process actually “entitles” investment that expands businesses that hire unemployed people. Regulatory reform will bring investment and payrolls to provide new tax and fee revenues to Solano communities.
As Sacramento politicians grapple with a $20-plus billion dollar deficit, there is a growing disconnect between a thriving private sector economy and the dysfunctional financing of government services.
The latest example of this disconnect is the automotive industry’s departure as a California economic force. The last vehicle production facility (NUMMI-Toyota) closed in March resulting in the closure by all California auto suppliers with an estimated loss of 20,000 production jobs.
The continued debate of whether to make drastic cuts to state government versus painful tax increases has set in at the Capitol with the same old rhetoric that has got us nowhere. Those running for office especially the gubernatorial candidates need to focus on ways to get our economy growing with a strong competitive state economic development program that partners with local economic development organizations. This is in the interest of all Californians, particularly Solano County where unemployment has reached more than 13 percent and may go higher.
Even Solano’s strategic location, skilled and trained work force which makes the County’s communities an ideal location for expanding high wage manufacturing firms cannot overcome California’s negative business investment climate.
There is a continued inaction by the legislature producing unresolved growing structural budget deficits. The outcome is few and unclear business investment incentives—resulting in a “wait and see” attitude about expanding—or even worse, decisions to relocate out of state. If you question this, just try to convince an out-of-state friend or business associate to make a business invest or consider moving into the State of California. You’ll quickly learn how difficult it is to attract investment and talent to California.
Jobs and the economy have topped every opinion poll for the past 18 months. So it is only logical that the Legislature and candidates for state offices address the issues that are most important to residents - Jobs-Jobs-Jobs.
There are opportunities: the biotech industry for example. Biotech has skilled labor. It’s labor intensive and provides high wages. Biotech is crucial to California’s and Solano County’s economic future. A recent survey by the California Healthcare Institute and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP forecasts good and bad news.
Good News -- biotechnology companies expect to maintain or add jobs over the next two years. Of the 200 biomedical employers surveyed for the report, 92% of companies see revenue growth and plan on expanding their research and development investment.
Bad News-- two-thirds of the survey’s respondents expect to increase out-of-state manufacturing as opposed to growth within California. To further exacerbate our concerns nearly 6 and 10 indicated they will grow their research and development departments outside of California.
With Genentech/Roche, Bio-Rad, ALZA and Novartis among the leading employers in Solano County, I am increasing concerned that our state leaders are not doing enough to promote growth within our state. While policymakers have long seemed content to watch California’s manufacturing base whittled away, they have also assured Californians that as long as we remain the leader in venture capital and research our state will continue to prosper. However, this report should undermine this sense of complacency.
This report coupled with our state’s terrible economic situation should be a serious wakeup call.
Our state cries out for a comprehensive consistent economic development policy, plan and staffing. While our Legislature has seen the importance in providing incentives in situations, their success has been limited to clean energy. Creating forward-looking plans to promote economic growth and jobs is something this state has been waiting on for several administrations.
The launching of the centralized Governors Office for Economic Development (GoED) office this month is too little too late, and most likely will not survive or thrive in the next administration. Meanwhile the legislature is developing bills that sunset for all investment incentives, including tax credits, deductions and exemptions, and caps how much can be claimed each year, thereby creating substantial uncertainty for employers and discouraging future investment in the state.
The final key to revitalizing California’s economy is to streamline regulations so that the entitlement process actually “entitles” investment that expands businesses that hire unemployed people. Regulatory reform will bring investment and payrolls to provide new tax and fee revenues to Solano communities.
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