title
Adopt a resolution to approve the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) prepared by the Solano EDC; and Direct the Solano EDC to submit the CEDS to the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) for their review and approval
body
Published Notice Required? Yes ____ No __X_
Public Hearing Required? Yes ____ No __X_
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The County Administrator’s Office recommends that the Board of Supervisors:
1. Consider adopting a resolution to approve the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS), prepared by the Solano Economic Development Corporation (EDC), with input from all seven incorporated cities, the Solano Transportation Authority and Solano County; and
2. Direct the Solano EDC to submit the CEDS to the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) for their review and approval.
SUMMARY:
In 2013, the Board of Supervisors accepted a grant from the Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA) to develop a countywide economic strategic approach to further diversify the Solano County economy so that the local economy is less dependent on defense expenditures at Travis Air Force Base. That project, called Moving Solano Forward-Economic Diversification Study Project (MSF I) was completed in 2014.
In August of 2015, Solano County was awarded a second grant from the OEA in the amount of $453,460. The County and Solano Economic Development Corporation (Solano EDC) provided $53,208 in match funding to meet the 10% local match requirement. The grant funding allowed the County to undertake the economic diversification project called Moving Solano Forward Phase 2 - Implementation of Diversifying Actions (MSF II) Project. The Board approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Solano EDC to assist with administering the grant, manage the project and to undertake development of the Solano EDC Transition Plan. The MOU was for $176,625.
The MOU, in part, called for the Solano EDC to prepare a CEDS for Solano County. Regions must prepare a CEDS and have it approved by EDA, and update their CEDS at least every five years to qualify for EDA assistance under its Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance programs. Each incorporated city, the Solano Transportation Authority and Solano County provided input into the CEDS. The CEDS drew heavily on the work of both Moving Solano Forward projects. Chabin Concepts assisted the Solano EDC in preparing the CEDS.
EDA requires a public noticing of a 30-day public review of the CEDS which began on July 20, 2017 and concluded on August 20, 2017. Additionally, EDA requires the Board of Supervisors to adopt a resolution to submit the CEDS to the EDA. Solano EDC publicly noticed the availability of the CEDS in three local newspapers and the CEDS was available for review and comment at the Solano EDC, the Solano County Clerk of the Board’s office and on the Solano EDC website <https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bz0KtN0Uw9zcang1NEJzRU9PbUE/view>.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The cost of preparing the CEDS was part of the MOU previously approved by Solano County with the Solano EDC.
DISCUSSION:
With funding provided by Solano County as part of the MOU for the MSF II project, the Solano EDC prepared a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS), which is required for the cities and the County to access federal Economic Development Administration funds. Meetings have been held with all the cities, the County and the Solano Transportation Authority to discuss and review their priority economic development and infrastructure projects for the CEDS. The CEDS is complete and upon approval will be submitted to the Economic Development Administration (EDA). The CEDS is a prerequisite for qualifying for economic development assistance under the EDA’s public works, economic adjustment and planning grants.
The CEDs builds upon and incorporates a significant amount of the work and public participation for both Moving Solano Forward projects. The CEDS is one of the implementation steps from these projects.
The Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) is also preparing a CEDS for the nine Bay Area counties. The Solano County CEDS is ahead of the regional process but should complete the regional CEDS. Solano EDC staff has meet with the regional staff preparing the CEDS and has shared this CEDS.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board could choose not to approve the CEDS. This is not recommended as the Board will miss an opportunity to have the CEDS submitted to EDA for their review and approval.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Solano EDC worked with all seven cities, the Solano Transportation Authority and Solano County in preparing the CEDS. The CEDS built upon both Moving Solano Forward projects which had broad based participation form the public and private sectors.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION