Colusa County held the first public meeting Monday ahead of developing an action plan to diversify and strengthen the local economy.
Colusa County is partnering with the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration to develop a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy.
“The Economic Development Strategy is really a five-year plan to put in place the parameters to ensure sustainable economic development in the county going forward, which is really important,” said Colusa County Community Development Director Greg Plucker.
A comprehensive plan (CEDS) is required for the county to be eligible for certain federal grants, officials said.
The Colusa County Board of Supervisors contracted Chabin Concepts, the same Chico economic development and marketing firm it used previously to do the community outreach and data collection to develop the strategy.
The CEDS report will include an analysis of current economic conditions; identify resources and partnerships; identify projects, programs, and activities; detail and action plan; and performance measures.
Colusa County is still seeking input from residents and businesses, and has extended the deadline to complete a confidential survey that will be used to identify opportunities and challenges.
Plucker expects the draft CEDS report to be out in about a month. Once approved, the CEDS report will be delivered to the Economic Development Administration in May.
The county’s goals are to create sustainable long-term economic growth that provides high-paying jobs, reduces unemployment, and diversifies the county’s economic base.
The community is invited to visit the Colusa County CEDS project website, which can be accessed at ColusaCountyCEDS.com to hear Monday’s presentation on the current economic analysis.
The project website also hosts two surveys: one for residents and one for business owners to provide their input on living and doing business in Colusa County.
The information is confidential and critical to helping the county’s elected officials understand the public’s priorities and needs, officials said.
Representatives from Colusa County, the cities of Wiliams and Colusa, the Colusa County Chamber of Commerce, and One-Stop attended Monday’s kick-off meeting.
The CEDS project is a collaborative effort and the public is encouraged to participate.
“There is going to be a lot of activity that is going to be happening,” Plucker said.
The next CEDS workshop will be held at 10 AM on Monday, April 10, in the Board of Supervisors Chambers at 546 Jay Street, Suite 108, Colusa.
The workshop is open to the public. ■