10-04-2011 CC RPT 01 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Report and Recommendations from Austin, Texas visit • Page 2 Riverside has much to boast of ourselves and in some instances our programs and practices exceeded that of Austin's. To wit, our Riverside Renaissance program, Seizing Our Destiny, a myriad of clean and green accomplishments that are second -to -none in the State, widely recognized digital inclusion program, and civic engagement programs, to name a few — all of which have gained us the tremendous honor of being recognized as one of the Top 7 Most Intelligent Communities in the World by the Intelligent Communities Forum. In fact, it was ironic that we received notice of an addition to our list of awards and recognitions while we were in Austin. Riverside was named the 3 rd best "Can -Do City" in America by Newsweek - Austin was named the 10 However, a recent LA Times article pointed up the widening disparity in economic prowess and potential between the relatively prosperous coastal areas and the inland areas which have fared much less well in recovering from the recession. The construction dependent Riverside area is extremely slow to rebound from the recession and is "facing the specter of long -term employment levels that may not return to their pre- recession highs until 2017 at the earliest and perhaps much longer" according to the quarterly economic forecast recently released by UCLA's Anderson School of Management. It is in this context that the need to innovate, change, and advance in creative and unprecedented ways cannot be understated. We cannot simply rely even on proven programs and plans to deal with this kind of economic uncertainty and difficulty. We must innovate or face continued record high unemployment, foreclosures and lost vitality. Following are a series of recommendations that the delegation pulled from dozens of other ideas; we met and ranked the ideas and innovations culling down and coming up with the 18 listed below. Big Picture Recommendations re Economic Development 1) Major staff resources are devoted to their economic growth efforts. For example, Austin has 21/2 people devoted to international investment and trade. Action Ask City Manager to evaluate our economic development efforts and our need for more staff. If economic development is our highest priority, we should match our call with effective staffing. 2) "Opportunity Austin." Economic game plan. Major role played by Chamber of Commerce in recruitment and attraction. Their emphasis is on life sciences, clean energy, and interactive media. They have taken 35 recruitment trips so far this year.... Action Refer business attraction /recruitment role of Chamber to the City Manager and the President /CEO of Chamber. 3) Small Business Development Program. Many important initiatives, including Business Solutions Center, Information and Referral, Special Events, Technical Assistance, and Business Resources. Have "coaches" to guide small business folk through the permitting process. Their calls: "Small business is big business! "Good place to do business." Action Refer increased emphasis on small business development to the City Manager and Assistant City Manager for Development. 1 -2 2