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THE CITY OF = ECONOMIC VITALITY COMMITTEE REPORT PLEASANTON, April 18, 2019 Economic Development TITLE: DISCUSSION REGARDING DEVELOPMENT OF A COORDINATED BUSINESS SUPPORT PROGRAM In 2013, the City Council adopted the current Economic Development Strategic Plan which the Economic Vitality Committee uses as the foundation for its work. The plan comprises 3 focus areas: Priority Area A: Business Development and Communication Priority Area B: Built Environment and Workforce Priority Area C: Economic Health and Resilience As noted for Priority Area A: Business Development and Communication, the goal is to conduct business development activities with particular focus on businesses that drive innovation in their sectors, and to expand communications, outreach, and technical assistance program to retain and expand existing firms. As identified in the strategic plan there several actions related to the development of a coordinated business support program, including ongoing outreach and coordination on issues like property leasing, development, and municipal services; conducting site visits, and regularly scheduled gatherings and events for business leaders; soliciting feedback from businesses regarding concerns and need for improvements via tools such as the regular business survey and various business leader roundtable discussions; communicating the attributes of Pleasanton as a business location; and educating residents of Pleasanton regarding the contributions of businesses to the overall quality of life. At its February 21 discussion regarding priority projects for the City Council Work Plan, the EVC prioritized the development of a coordinated business support program among its recommendations. As described, the program would include key strategies such as a `shop local' campaign, Doing Business with the City program, and local purchasing practices. The Council did include this recommendation among the priorities in its final work plan, which was formally adopted on March 19; the 2019-2020 Work Plan can be found here: http://www.cityofpleasantonca.gov/qov/depts/manager/performance.asp DISCUSSION Framework The EVC has had previous discussions related to business assistance; the development of a coordinated business support program is an opportunity to bring those ideas and discussion points together in a framework that addresses the strategic plan actions noted