Yuba County presents quarterly economic development update; highlights startup program, building permit growth

YUBA COUNTY, Calif. — Yuba County’s Community Development Services on Tuesday presented its quarterly economic development update, announcing a departmental naming shift to “Yuba County Economic Development,” a targeted business-attraction blueprint and a successful local startup pitch program.

Rachel Downs, deputy director for community development, said the change in nomenclature is intended to reflect a countywide mission while retaining the locally known “Yes to Yuba” mindset. “We’re shifting the nomenclature of calling, just our specific team, Yes to Yuba to Yuba County Economic Development,” she said, adding the strategic-plan language behind the earlier brand remains in use.

Ashley Potocnik, the department’s newly introduced business engagement manager, outlined five pillars of the county’s economic strategy and described two initiatives: a business-attraction blueprint being developed with the Golden Shovel Agency to target industries and a Yes to Startups “Shark Tank”–style pitch program. “Last week, we wrapped it up, and we had 14 businesses participate in the Shark Tank style, pitch competition,” Potocnik said, naming the top three participants announced at the event.

The building department reported 575 building permits issued this quarter and 123 final occupancy permits for production homes, figures staff said keep the county “on track to be hitting at least that 400 new homes, per year in Yuba County.” The presentation cited a previous California Department of Finance report describing rapid per-capita growth.

Staff also highlighted commercial activity and infrastructure projects: a building permit is under review for a proposed Chipotle at the Feather River Shopping Center in Linda, public works previewed construction season projects on Feather River Boulevard and Northfield Road near Yuba College, and airport staff detailed monument-sign improvements and a lease executed for the former Coca‑Cola building at 1430 Melody Road.

Supervisors praised the department’s outreach but asked for continued tracking of transit and major facilities; one supervisor urged staff to document where Yuba Sutter Transit will establish a permanent facility to support corridor marketing. Staff said they will continue outreach and report back on the projects’ status.

The county’s economic team said the new branding is intended to be organizationally consistent while preserving the local “Yes to Yuba” approach, which county leaders and staff said helps make the county “easy to do business with.” The board had no formal action on the update and moved on to the meeting’s public hearings and consent items.