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Jeff 4 Redlands.com

For Immediate Release: October 19, 2007

Jeff Sceranka has released a detailed economic development plan for the City of Redlands, which was released to the community at the Chamber of Commerce and Daily Facts Forum Thursday night October 18.

What is my recommendation for an economic development program?

1. Hire an economic development director

2. Establish a retail potential analysis within the existing General Plan (work with

    BEDAC Commission)

3. Evaluate hindrances to maximizing revenue potential within current land use.

4. Develop programs to remove hindrances

5. Establish priority list of targeted achievable tenants.

6. Look at main employers locally and target subsidiary and support businesses to them.

7. Target areas for re-evaluation of the General Plan

8. Make all zoning conforming to the General Plan.

9. Have strategic discussions with small businesses regarding a city wide marketing

    program

10. Evaluate the downtown core: potential, strengths, weaknesses.

11. Finish and implement downtown specific plan.

12. Work with landowners, developers, and real estate brokers on targeted tenants and

       project priorities.

13. Develop triage system for important and targeted projects.

14. Create on stop permitting and have one individual walk city approvals through so

      communication is clear with each department and delays are minimized.

15. Discuss strategies, timelines, etc. for annexing the donut hole or specific properties in

      it.

16. Establish vacant land inventory, contact owners, discuss plans, identify property

      features, i.e. utilities, size, access, etc.  Put it on City website.

17. Meet with site selection reps, real estate brokers, tenants for targeted uses within city.

18. Hold workshops with existing developers, brokers, past project reps, citizens to

     discuss experience with Redlands on approvals, timelines, and overall impressions. 

     Develop programs to correct deficiencies.

19. Identify incentives for fast tracking triaged projects that are highly desirable and will

      create revenue.

20. Identify advertising, marketing opportunities, such as re-branding of the City of

      Redlands, trade show attendance, (such as ICSC), periodical advertising etc.

21. Identify immediate competitive situations with other cities, identify campaign and

      implement it.

22. Clarify and identify appropriate city teams to work on negotiations, tours, meetings,

      etc.

23. Become part of an expanded Enterprise Zone that currently exists in Loma Linda and

      San Bernardino.

24. Coordinate with redevelopment on extension of existing district, new north Redlands

      revitalization, and infrastructure needs.

25. Improve ties with IVDA (Inland Valley Development Authority) where all of the tax

      increment for the donut hole (Citrus Plaza etc.) is going.