No. 1, bury the sprawl myth; then change the message
Sonoma State University School of Business and Economics Dean Bill Silver declared recently “The Time is Now” for a regional economic strategy.
Forthwith, taking cues from Dr. Silver and others, here are 10 steps toward reaching that goal:
1. Bury deep, deep into the permafrost the notion that building a stronger, thriving economy is somehow rooted in San Jose-type sprawl versus no growth. That hasn’t been so in the North Bay for decades.
Marin County is mostly protected open space. Napa County is unwavering in preserving its future as a world-renowned wine destination. Sonoma County has urban growth boundaries and is devoted to preserving open space and its own world-class wine and agriculture assets. Within minutes of being in downtown Santa Rosa, one can be amidst vineyards and open space in every direction.
The notion that sprawl could occur or that anyone credible wants it simply has no basis in reality.
The good news is that within current urban centers, the North Bay has hundreds of thousands of square feet of affordable commercial space available where companies can thrive.
2. Change the message we send to the outside world. This was one of Dr. Silver’s central themes: How we describe ourselves to others has consequences. So instead of lamenting how hard it is to build here, we should be telling people about the diversity of our economy and quality of life.
Also, business needs to do a better job of explaining what it contributes to community life, from supporting the individuals it employs and their families, to funding municipal budgets to nonprofits serving those in need. The worse conditions become for business, the worse they become for many of our governments and neediest residents.
3. Another central point Dr. Silver makes is that we need to come to common ground about what we value as a community. We may be closer than we realize, we just need to try.
4. We need an independent economic development corporation that can skillfully and consistently represent the region based on those shared values.
5. Change the culture of our planning agencies. Surely there are agencies that are exceptions, but there is simply too much evidence to deny any longer that delay and outright obstructionism have become ingrained in many of these organizations.
6. After a full public discussion, cities and counties that have not yet done so should move toward specific plans. Those plans should designate areas for specified uses, giving business more certainty about what is allowed and how much time it will take to get approvals.
7. We must enthusiastically embrace innovation and knowledge as the key to our economic future.
8. Systematically feed that enthusiasm back through the entire education system.
9. Commit to jobs for all residents. It may be hard to imagine that last decade unemployment was under 3 percent. Today it is in excess of 11 percent in most of the North Bay, the highest in at least two and a half decades.
Jobs are the foundation of prosperity and social equity. And the number of jobs that has been shed in this recession makes the telecom bust seem small. In Sonoma County alone, the total number of jobs was 171,000 in January, down from about 195,000 before the downturn. Sonoma lost 8,300 jobs in the tech bust.
10. Finally, stick to nurturing a strong economy with equal vigor though booms and downturns, alike.
10.1. Now, let’s get started.
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Brad Bollinger is Business Journal editor in chief and associate publisher. He can be reached at 707-521-4251 or bbollinger@busjrnl.com.
Ok, it’s time for a choice to be made in your list:
2. Change the message we send to the outside world. This was one of Dr. Silver’s central themes: How we describe ourselves to others has consequences. So instead of lamenting how hard it is to build here, we should be telling people about the diversity of our economy and quality of life.
vs.
5. Change the culture of our planning agencies. Surely there are agencies that are exceptions, but there is simply too much evidence to deny any longer that delay and outright obstructionism have become ingrained in many of these organizations.
So which is it? You really do have to choose your path towards real economic development: More trash talk this election season (“pothole capital”, “anti-growth forces”, “too much public process”, or settling down to getting this done together?
by David
Just wish yourself a water supply to allow all the “growth” that you want. California has a perpetual water shortage due to overpopulation. That’s why lawns are virtually illegal and low flow showerheads and toilets are mandated. That’s why these mandates are not disappearing even after a wet winter.
While it is true that this place is livable at the moment, it will not be if you build more houses. Actually, there will not be enough water to double the population unless everyone limits their showering to five minutes a week. (Low flow toilets and showerheads have already been mandated. You have to do something else.) Can you recommend an investment in a deodorant manufacturer?
by John Hudson
Cost of doing business, education of the workforce, ease of transportation, and policies and regulations that are not overbearing. These and having a legal and professional system that is in line with that of the rest of America are just a few of the essentials to attract and maintain businesses.
Unfortuanately, we have none of the basics. Among the highest taxes in the nation, and perhaps the most corrupt legal and regulatory systems in the free world. Just perhaps this is why we have the unemployment rate we have now, and why businesses shun both Marin and Sonoma Cty.
by Joe