Economic Development

Overview

Economic Development

Article Features Julia Lave Johnston

Planning for Healthy and Sustainable Cities: National City Offers a Model

National City used a comprehensive planning approach to address community environmental and health concerns.

Article Features Dan Carrigg

New Economic Development Tools Offer Opportunities for Creativity

Three new tools provide a number of promising options.

Article President’s Message L. Dennis Michael

League Leaders Set 2016 Strategic Goals

Each year we ask a diverse group of about 100 city officials to tell us which policy envelopes we need to push, which walls we need to scale and what partnerships we need to build. Bringing…

Article Features Dan Carrigg

2015 Legislative Year in Review

Significant positive developments for the League included the adoption of a new economic development tool for lower-income communities and the passage of a medical marijuana regulatory bill package.

Article Executive Director's Message Chris McKenzie

Significant Progress Made on 2015 League Strategic Goals

The strategic goal-setting process involves representatives from all of the League’s policy committees, departments, divisions and diversity caucuses as well as its entire board of directors….

Salinas Fosters Ag Tech Innovation

Technology will soon be radically transforming agriculture and the Salinas Valley, home to an agricultural industry that generates over $8 billion annually.

Article Features Eva SpiegelJude Hudson

The Sharing Economy’s Impact on Cities

Ride-sharing and home-sharing services are affecting cities in a variety of ways. Seven California cities report their experiences.

Article Legal Notes Thomas B. BrownRichard Doyle

California Supreme Court Upholds Inclusionary Housing Programs

The California Supreme Court in June 2015 issued one of its most important and city-friendly decisions in many years, reaffirming the breadth of cities’ power to address the affordable housing…

Article Features Cory Golden

Challenges of Closing the Digital Divide

The City of Winters illustrates the difficulties of deploying broadband in smaller cities.

Benicia Turns Green Laws Into Greenbacks for Local Businesses

The Business Resource Incentive Program combines economic development and environmental sustainability.

Partnering for Prosperity

Residents, entrepreneurs and nonprofit representatives in Merced share ideas on how business and community leaders can partner to help grow, strengthen and diversify the local economy.

Article Features Ryan Becker

Using Tourism to Grow Your Community’s Economy

Travelers spent $117 billion in California in 2014, and tourism provided jobs for more than 1 million Californians. Many regional destinations are leveraging their unique qualities and…

Team Chico Boosts Economic Development

Team Chico is a public-private partnership that helps businesses identify and explore opportunities for growth and expansion.

Fontana Arts Program Invigorates Local Economy

A dynamic arts program enhances the community’s quality of life and the local economy.

Article City Forum Dan Carrigg

Prospects for Community Economic Development Are Finally Looking Up

Two new tools and positive developments on the legislative front are welcome news for cities.

Dublin Uses Public-Private Partnership to Transform Neighborhood

The city converted public housing to privately owned affordable housing and created a new neighborhood. The five-year planning process involved all key stakeholders, including existing residents,…

Article Features Julie Pierce

The Future of SB 375 Implementation and Regional Planning

All 18 metropolitan planning organizations in California will have adopted their first Regional Transportation Plans under SB 375 by May 2015. This article looks at what SB 375 has accomplished…

Article President’s Message Stephany Aguilar

Grappling With the Challenges of Transportation Infrastructure Financing

California’s local streets and roads network is currently funded through a variety of sources including the state gas tax, federal transportation funds, local tax and bond measures, and…

A Renaissance for Long Beach Airport

The $45 million project, completed five months ahead of schedule and on budget, was funded by a General Airport Revenue Bond and passenger facility charges.