Supes Plan Economic Studies

Supes Plan Economic Studies
Board Expected to Hire Solano EDC to Complete the Reports
By Danny Bernardini/Staff Writer
Article Launched: 02/26/2008

In an attempt to unify economic development efforts across the county, the Board of Supervisors will discuss today contracting the Solano Economic Development Corporation for a variety of studies.

The Solano County Board of Supervisors will contemplate hiring the Solano EDC to the tune of $484,250 to create an Economic Indicator Index, a Land Inventory and Absorption Study as well as the profiling of five Key Industry Cluster Analyses.

The creation of these studies comes after many discussions in 2007 toward maintaining a high quality of life by promoting sustainable economic development within Solano County, according to staff reports.

The content of those studies are as follows:

• The Economic Indicator Index will document aspects such as economics, workforce, housing and education and the role of Solano County as a regional hub of innovation and opportunity.

• The Land Inventory and Absorption Study will identify all undeveloped parcels in the county that are zoned commercial and industrial. It will also include if they are development ready.

• Key Industry Cluster Profiles will focus on areas such as bio- and life-sciences; agriculture and food processing and energy production.

The first report on these studies is expected in November with annual updates to follow.

The Solano County Board of Supervisors meets today at 9 a.m. in the Supervisors Chamber in Fairfield.

Danny Bernardini can be reached at county@thereporter.com.