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Downey presents 2026'028 economic development action plan; council receives and files update
Summary
City staff briefed the council on a three-year Economic Development Action Plan built from a 135-response business survey and a Nadelson Dale market study; the council unanimously received and filed the report and directed staff to advance marketing, retention, and housing-catalyst actions.
City staff presented an update to Downey's Economic Development Action Plan for 2026'028 and the council voted unanimously to receive and file the plan.
Economic Development Director Austin Ramirez summarized research including a business-assessment survey (135 responses), a market-demand study by the Nadelson Dale Group, and Placer visitation data. Ramirez said Placer data showed approximately 7,100,000 unique visitors to Downey in 2024, which the staff used to argue for Downey's regional draw and tourism potential.
The presentation identified business challenges (costs of doing business, competition, workforce availability, public-safety concerns tied to homelessness, permitting complexity) and segmented priorities by business age and size: newer businesses prioritized marketing, promotions, and access to grants and loans; larger and older businesses prioritized stability, infrastructure and public safety.
Ramirez outlined goals and actions: pursue redevelopment opportunities (Rancho Los Amigos, Back 20), support downtown activation and family-friendly daytime amenities, prepare a "Discover Downey" marketing refresh (to return to council in Q1), and use targeted incentives and operational best practices to retain and recruit businesses.
Council members asked for more granular data on new-business challenges and urged closer coordination with the Downey Chamber of Commerce. Staff said small-business workshops, site-selection assistance and proactive retention visits would be part of implementation.
Councilmember motioned to receive and file the report; the motion passed unanimously. Staff will post the action plan and return with KPIs and timing for specific initiatives.
