1. 2014-2017 Regional Economic Development Strategy
August 9, 2016
Jennifer Macarthy
Butte County
Deputy Administrative Officer - Economic & Community Development

2. Initiative #1 – Ensure Butte County is a competitive location for new investment.
Initiative #2 – Grow existing key industry sectors.
Initiative #3 – Coordinate business development services on a regional basis.
Initiatives

3. Work Plan Year 3 WHAT’S HAPPENING IN 2016?
Continuation of Business Ombudsman Duties
Continuation of Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC)
Initiate Changes to Project Review/Approval Process
Expand and Maintain Available Land/Building Inventory
Implement Butte County Communication Strategy
Monitor Incentive Programs and Distribute Information to Businesses
Implement Energy Project/Program Opportunities
Support Sector Strategies
Support Business Incubation and Innovation
Support Expansion of Business Financing Programs
Implement the Regional Tourism Strategy
Improve Infrastructure to Support Business Growth and Development
Assist Jurisdictions with the Expansion of Retail Market
Provide Business Recruitment Assistance
Coordinate Regional Economic Development Programs and Services
Work Plan Year 3
WHAT’S HAPPENING IN 2016?

4. Economic Development Tools
Tools to assist with business retention, expansion, and recruitment
Economic Development Tools

5. Economic Development Tools
Explore Butte County – TBID
Board of Directors Elected:
3 Chico
2 Oroville
1 Paradise
1Unincorporated Area
2 Community at Large
RFP Issued - Marketing Strategic Plan and Implementation Program
10 qualified responses
Top 3 present to Board August 11th
Economic Development Tools

6. Economic Development Tools
Micro Goes to Market
April 14, 2016
50+ attendees
CAMEO, 3CORE, SBDC Partnership
Looking forward to 2017!!
Economic Development Tools

7. Economic Development Tools
Etsy Craft Entrepreneurial Training
August 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 6pm-8pm
SBDC delivering training with Etsy Craft Entrepreneurship Trainer
CAMEO, 3CORE, SBDC Partnership
Economic Development Tools

8. Economic Development Tools
Butte County Business Incubator Program (BCBIP)
Eligibility:
Micro-enterprises = 5 or fewer employees
Business located in unincorporated area, Oroville, Biggs, or Gridley
Current Program Status:
10 companies various stages of one-on-one business consulting
3 companies participated in group training
Economic Development Tools

9. Economic Development Tools
Feather River Brewing
Economic Development Tools

10. Economic Development Tools
Sophia’s Tortillas
Economic Development Tools

11. Economic Development Tools
Anog Foods
Economic Development Tools

12. Economic Development Tools
Community Choice Aggregation
Board direction to research CCA – August
Board approval to move forward with CCA technical study – June 2016.
Next steps:
Review RFP scope with Oroville, Chico, and Paradise,
Review RFP scope with CCA Steering Committee,
Issue RFP,
After RFP responses received, return to Board for further direction.
Economic Development Tools

13. Business Assistance Services
Business Assistance provided directly by County staff or indirectly through contracts with other providers
Business Assistance Services

14. Business Assistance Services
Economic Development Assistance Committee
Industry
# of Meetings
Business Location
Manufacturing 2
Chico Area/Oroville Area
Ag Processing 1
Oroville Area
Nursery
Magalia
Education
Chico Area
Health
Retail/Office
Oroville Area/Durham
Events
Chico Area/Durham
TOTAL 11
Business Assistance Services

15. Business Assistance Services
Alliance for Workforce Development
Employment services to Butte County businesses funded through County’s allocation of WIOA funds and various contract to implement other sources of funds through DESS.
Program Year (July 1, 2015 –June 30, 2016)
Total businesses served = 979
Total positions filled = 774
Business Assistance Services

16. Economic Development News
Notable Projects
Weiss-McNair
JM Smucker Co.
Fed Ex
Whisper Ridge
Economic Development News

17. Community Development
Housing and housing related projects
Community Development

18. Community Development
Housing Rehabilitation:
CDBG and HOME
4 projects under construction
9 applications in process
Housing Rehabilitation Waiting List:
14 properties on waiting list – down from 50 in 2014!
Community Development

19. Questions/Comments