February 7, 2020 

For Immediate Release

Contact: Carmel J. Angelo, Chief Executive Officer
Phone: (707) 463-4441

Mary Anne Petrillo, CEO West Business Development Center
Phone: 707-964-7571

MENDOCINO COUNTY BEGINS SECOND PHASE OF ECONOMIC RECOVERY AND RESILIENCY PLAN:
“M.O.V.E. 2030: MENDOCINO OPPORTUNITIES FOR A VIBRANT ECONOMY”

M.O.V.E. 2030 Will Be a Look at How to Build Resiliency in Mendocino County

Program Administered by West Business Development Center

Ukiah, California – Mendocino County is proud to announce the second phase of the Economic Recovery and Resiliency Plan awarded by a Federal Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant of $500,000 administered in 2018, following the wake of the 2017 wildfires.

The first phase of the plan included data-gathering by the Economic Development and Financing Corporation (EDFC) who reviewed 11 economic indicators and interviewed more than 15 key business owners, industry leaders, and stakeholders. In January of 2019, EDFC then held an Economic Summit in Willits that was open to all. Data and input from all stakeholders and community members were put into a 28-page Economic Assessment Report, which can be viewed here.

The second phase of the Economic Recovery and Resiliency Plan is called “MOVE 2030: Mendocino Opportunities for a Vibrant Economy”. West Business Development Center (West BDC) will lead the development of a formal plan and roadmap for the next decade to ensure Mendocino’s economic resiliency in the face of changing climate, demographics and technology. The focus will be on three areas: understanding our assets, what is changing in our world, and how to collaborate to make change possible. Assessing priorities will be mapped to where the data from community input demonstrates the most need.

Sheilah Rogers, Interim Director, EDFC notes, “What is important is the community has input into the next steps. We look forward to completing the information gathering process by meeting with community members in the cities and rural communities across the county, to hear directly from them, their issues and ideas. Getting everyone behind this initiative is important to both the plan’s success, and our resiliency as a County.”

West BDC will explore what is currently shaping the economy of the region,
what skills are needed to drive a new economy, and what assets can be expanded to make the County more resilient. Through data gathering from local and regional agencies, as well as Town Hall meetings across the County, a formal roadmap will be created. Mary Anne Petrillo, CEO of West BDC notes, “West BDC is looking forward to partnering with Mendocino County and City officials to explore how to create economic resiliency as we go forward in a rapidly changing economy and climate. Our goal is to create a plan of action that creates a more vibrant economy for all”.

Mendocino County Chief Executive Officer Carmel J. Angelo says, “We appreciate the work done in phase one of the plan. We’re looking forward to partnering with West Business Development Center to review and prioritize all the information and lead the process to create a roadmap for the next ten years.”

Drafting a broadband implementation plan is also being addressed as part of the resiliency planning. Jeff Tyrrell has been hired by The Community Foundation of Mendocino County to partner on broadband research and planning, through the Broadband Alliance of Mendocino County.

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Founded in 1988, West Business Development Center (West BDC) is a non-profit hosting a Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and Women’s Business Center (WBC) serving small businesses of one to 100 people in Mendocino and Lake Counties with offices in Ukiah and Fort Bragg. West BDC offers free business advising and low-cost workshops. To connect with a free business advisor or sign up for a workshop, call (707) 964-7571or get started here: https://www.westcenter.org/getting-started

The County of Mendocino is a general law County. The Board of Supervisors, which serves as the legislative and executive body of County government and many special districts, is comprised of five full-time members elected by their respective districts. Pursuant to the California Government Code, the Board enacts legislation governing Mendocino County and determines overall policies for County departments and various special districts, adopts the annual budget, and fixes salaries. The Board also hears appeals from decisions of various Planning related committees and commissions in addition to considering such Planning matters as General Plan amendments.
https://www.mendocinocounty.org/government/economic-development

EDFC was founded in 1995 through the efforts of the County of Mendocino and the four incorporated jurisdictions: Willits, Ukiah, Point Arena, and Fort Bragg. Its purpose is as relevant today as it was in 1995: to provide a collaborative approach to economic development and to provide an alternative source of financing to Mendocino County businesses that are unable to access bank financing. https://www.edfc.org/

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