Economic development staff reports progress on implementation plan, dashboard and events management

Program analyst Rachel Beer and the city’s economic development team updated the Economic Development Subcommittee on progress implementing the council‑adopted 2024 economic development strategy and related operational items.

Beer reported completed and ongoing items across the plan’s pillars. Highlights included executed contracts for a virtual one‑stop business portal and for Placer AI analytics; a completed retail and office sector analysis with a grocery analysis in permitting; strengthened partnerships with the Small Business Development Center, Redwood Credit Union and the economic development collaborative; and ongoing Rise and Thrive and micro‑enterprise programs. Beer said the annual community survey was open through Aug. 15 and that event coordination for Courthouse Square is now handled in‑house with a newly approved events specialist position.

Staff described a draft quarterly economic report intended for public release and an economic dashboard under development in partnership with Sonoma State faculty to make indicators and interpretation more accessible. The draft report pulls metrics such as unemployment, wages, vacancy rates, business licenses, and other community profile metrics.

In program updates staff detailed active recruitment and retention work: a near‑final draft business recruitment plan and a “Why Invest in Santa Rosa” guide to be published once the one‑stop portal is ready; ongoing work with a prospective woman‑owned niche manufacturer looking to relocate and create approximately 20 jobs; broker engagement meetings with about 30 commercial agents; and continued liaison support for businesses navigating permitting, inspections and code compliance. Staff also noted the city’s coordination with Go Local and other partners to promote brick‑and‑mortar commerce.

Arts and events initiatives described included the Asawa panel project moving into production with final family approval, an Art Walk temporary sculpture program with two‑year placements, and a successful Live at Juilliard outdoor concert that drew an estimated 1,300 attendees according to Placer AI mobile analytics. Staff said they had assumed control of event permitting and management for Courthouse Square from the Chamber in July and noted over 40 activations where a temporary stage has been built and removed repeatedly, prompting ongoing discussion about whether a permanent stage is warranted.

Ending: Staff said they will return for deeper quarterly briefings, will present the business recruitment plan when approved by department heads and the city manager, and will continue coordinating cross‑departmental efforts around placemaking, a one‑stop portal, the dashboard and downtown activation projects.