Santa Rosa staff report one‑third progress on three‑year economic development plan; retail "leakage" estimated at about $1 billion

City of Santa Rosa economic development staff told the Economic Development Subcommittee that they are about one‑third of the way through implementing a three‑year economic development strategic plan adopted by the City Council last year.

“The implementation plan…was approved by the city manager’s office and launched in January of this year. That is a 40‑page plan,” Chief Economic Development Officer Scott Adair told the subcommittee, describing a set of action items grouped under business growth and retention, entrepreneurship and small business, economic vibrancy and resiliency, and community investment.

Why it matters: staff said the plan organizes specific projects and investments that drive business retention, downtown activation and use of federal ARPA funds. Several initiatives the subcommittee discussed — an enhanced infrastructure financing district downtown, a one‑stop shop for businesses, a pop‑up/street activation program, and ARPA‑funded façade and childcare grants — could affect small businesses, downtown retailers and public‑space programming.

Key progress and metrics - Overall: staff said the division is about 35% complete on implementation across the four categories and roughly one‑third of the way through the three‑year plan. - Business growth and retention: average completion reported at 36%; notable items include a completed physical one‑stop shop (Room 6 in the economic development lobby) and…