Amador County – The Amador County Business Council sought $50,000 over two years from Amador County Supervisors last week, when it formally took a proposal to the full board.
The request seeks a two-year investment in “the newly created Amador County Partnership Economic Development Corporation,” what the letter, signed by Business Council board members, called “an aggressive, well focused and well-funded Economic Development Corporation.”
The letter to Supervisor Chairman John Plasse, said the new EDC will be designed to “expand Amador County’s economic base through county-wide cooperation.” It also would “secure new investment and jobs,” create a “more favorable image of Amador County as a place to do business” and “provide Amador County the necessary resources to act as a catalyst for business deals impacting its future growth.”
It already had $80,000 collected from private businesses, and sought Supervisor investment, toward a goal of $360,000, an estimated three-year budget.
Supervisor Louis Boitano asked how much Calaveras County spends on economic development. Jim Conklin, Business Council Executive Director, said: “I would be surprised if they spent a nickel.”
Supervisor Brian Oneto said: “What are we going to compete for, or with?” Conklin said they could consider Littleton, Colorado, which in 10 years turned around its revenue by 100 percent “by investing in programs to expand existing businesses.” He said Littleton invested “$650,000, spent exclusively on internal businesses, to get better placing on Internet searches.” They started with an investment of $50,000, and have “doubled their job base.”
Boitano said “mining put us on the map” and “there’s a good chance that mining will be coming back.” Conklin said the new EDC should consider Sutter Gold Mining’s position, and “what about the wineries?” He noted Lodi has had a significant increase in tourism, and wine sales and production.
Supervisor Richard Forster pointed at San Joaquin County’s high unemployment rate of 17-18 percent, and asked how the new EDC would help employment. Conklin said leadership of the EDC would determine who they want to market to, and how it is led.
Amador Economic Development Corporation’s Ron Mittelbrunn said Mariposa County has a public economic director, but funding is low. He said Amador cannot compare to Tuolumne County, triple the size, with a successful EDC.
In public comment, Kay Reynolds said she has 37 years’ experience in economic development, Amador-based since 1994. She said Mittelbrunn has AEDC website linked to “tools for business success,” forms and paperwork for marketing, “how to go global,” and “economic gardening.” Reynolds said Supervisors “should really be aware of what is being done, and what has been done,” and “how you kept that multi-year funding coming.”
Jillian Murphy of the San Joaquin College Small Business Development said Mittelbrunn has brought $11 million and 80 jobs to the county, and has free workshops online.
Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
