Solano To Conduct Economic Studies

Solano To Conduct Economic Studies
By Barry Eberling | DAILY REPUBLIC | February 27, 2008

FAIRFIELD - Solano County's economy is going under a microscope.

The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved spending $484,000 for a series of financial studies over the next three years. The Solano Economic Development Corp. will oversee the work.

Results can be used by the private and public sectors to attract and plan for business growth in the county. Initial studies are to be completed by late this year.

'Working across the county with our city partners and the private sector, I think we'll have the opportunity to make a tremendous difference for the people of Solano County,' Supervisor Mike Reagan said.

But Supervisor Barbara Kondylis cast the lone vote against proceeding with the studies. She didn't want to spend $484,000 at a time when county programs such as mental health face cuts.

One study will look at undeveloped properties in the county zoned for commercial and industry, and analyze to what degree they have available services such as water, roads and sewer service.

'We need to know where we can grow and what barriers, if any, are in the way,' Solano EDC President Michael Ammann said.

Another study will look at 20 or so key local economic indicators, such as housing, the economic workforce and transportation.

A third set of studies will look at economic clusters, such as life science industries, clean energy production and agriculture.

The studies are an outgrowth of three Economic Summits hosted by the county over the past year.

Reach Barry Eberling at 425-4646, Ext. 232, or at beberling@dailyrepublic.net.