Sacramento County supervisors back staff direction for updated economic development strategy

Sacramento County supervisors on April 23 unanimously approved a resolution affirming staff direction to continue development of an updated five‑year economic development strategic plan for unincorporated areas and countywide collaboration.

The item followed a workshop presentation by Crystal Bethke, director of economic development for Sacramento County, and consultants from HR&A Advisors that summarized existing conditions, stakeholder outreach and seven draft strategies intended to guide county investments and incentives.

County officials said the plan aims to strengthen small‑business technical assistance, clarify and advertise incentives, streamline permitting, support retail‑corridor revitalization, coordinate workforce partnerships and boost marketing to attract tradable sectors. Bethke told the board the office is seeking feedback that will be folded into a final plan to return for approval.

Judy (Judy/Judith) Taylor, a partner with HR&A Advisors, presented the findings and said the firm had conducted an existing‑conditions analysis and extensive outreach, including interviews, eight focus groups and three community meetings. "We really want to ensure that these strategies reflect the needs of residents and businesses," Taylor said during the presentation.

HR&A and county staff told supervisors the county’s current economic base is driven heavily by government and health‑care employment, that tradable sectors are limited, and that retail vacancy is highly visible in some commercial corridors. The consultants recommended OED expand capacity for direct small‑business programs such as the Small Business Liaison and the Business Environmental Resource Center (BERC) and to add outreach and an additional staff position to increase program reach.

Supervisors pressed for concrete tools to make the plan actionable. Supervisor Kennedy said the county needs a broader “toolbox” of incentives and tangible resources to attract and retain businesses, noting that infrastructure and certainty in permitting are decisive for developers and employers. "We need to get all those tools in the same toolbox so that we have a menu for people to choose from," Kennedy said.

Deputy County Executive David DeFonte told the board the county is hiring an infill coordinator and a development program manager to provide more developer‑oriented services. He said those positions and process improvements — not only direct financial incentives — can serve as important inducements for projects. "One of the things I want [the infill coordinator] to be looking at right off the bat is viewing these corridors through the eyes of a developer," DeFonte said.

Supervisors asked the Office of Economic Development (OED) and consultants to clarify how the county’s incentive offerings would align with regional priorities and to return with implementation details. HR&A recommended the county develop a transparent scoring rubric for incentives tied to public priorities and fiscal returns, and to formalize partnership agreements that set targets and reporting expectations for high‑value collaborations.

Several community and regional partners offered public comment after the presentation. Dean Peckham, executive director of the Sacramento Valley Manufacturing Alliance, urged the county to support manufacturing clusters in Mather, McClellan and Metro Air Park and to back workforce pathways into manufacturing. Kyla Bryant of Luminary Partners, who served on the advisory committee, told supervisors she supported aligning the county plan with regional initiatives such as California Jobs First and We Prosper Together. Jim Alves of SMUD said the utility will continue partnering with the county on outreach and programs for underresourced communities.

After discussion and direction to staff and consultants to incorporate the feedback, Supervisor Serna moved the resolution affirming staff direction; the motion was seconded and the board voted unanimously in favor. The clerk recorded a unanimous vote by the members present. County staff said the consultants will revise the plan and return with a final draft and implementation guidance, including suggested personnel and partnership arrangements.

The board’s action affirms direction to staff to continue refining the draft strategic plan and to bring a final plan and associated implementation recommendations — including any proposed staffing or budget implications — back to the board for approval.

Notes: The presentation and discussion focused on the unincorporated areas of Sacramento County while acknowledging overlap with incorporated cities and regional partners. Staff emphasized that several recommendations — such as streamlined permitting, a centralized business website, incentive scoring and partnership agreements — will require follow‑up work and potential resource commitments before they can be implemented.