21 - Laserfiche WebLink

The near doubling of in-commuters to fill the growing number of jobs, and the "job rich" nature of the economy, has resulted in increased traffic congestion and pollution, and brought about many of the perceptions attributed to the impacts of growth. Many communities with these patterns of a slowly growing workforce, a simultaneously rapidly growing job base, and resulting increased in-commuting, face the impacts influencing Pleasanton today. With strong economies and resulting fiscal vitality, job-rich communities at the same time face traffic congestion and rising home prices. Some stakeholders perceive these trends as a threat to future economic vitality. Although most of Pleasanton's jobs are generated by larger companies, small business has played an increasingly prominent role in the local economy. As documented by the Tri-Valley Business Council's Preserving Prosperity Project, many of these small, rapidly growing firms are involved in "knowledge economy" activities such as producing biomedical products, software, and communication technology. These types of entrepreneurial, innovative companies are considered the linchpin to economic sustainability by economists, and create a uniquely strong foundation for Pleasanton and the Tri-Valley's economy. Place-based attributes such as housing, transportation and quality of life are key components of this innovation environment. Pleasanton's Jobs By Industry 2002-2004 a,ooo ~,ooo 6,000 6,000 4,000 3,000 2,000 1,000 ^2002 Jobs 62004 Jobs