County debuts new economic development website
Tulare County unveiled a new economic development website at Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting in Visalia.
County Administrative Officer Jean Rousseau said the board has had a longstanding vision for the county to create an economic development website that pulls together relevant industry information about local agribusiness, workforce development partners, site selection, zoning assistance and other factors considered essential to implement an effective campaign to foster increased economic development in the county.
Board Chairman Allen Ishida made economic development a focal point when he delivered his State of the County speech during the meeting.
“We will actively market the many benefits Tulare County has to offer businesses that are ready to expand or relocate,” Ishida said. “We have a young workforce; 30 percent of our population is 18 years old or younger and eager to find meaningful work.”
The website, www.tularecountyeconomicdevelopment.org, will go live today.
County economic development officials believe one of the most effective ways to influence private-sector investment is to steer decision-makers toward opportunities that can lead to sustained growth.
One way to accomplish this, they feel, is for local leaders to communicate with potential site selectors about local areas that may offer suitable conditions to match their proposed business needs, such as access to adequate transportation corridors so they can ship their goods to target markets.
The website was developed by Resource Management Agency staff in partnership with other county departments. It includes industry portals designed to quickly inform prospective business site selectors about agriculture, the county’s dominant industry.
Additionally, the website provides detailed information about important local demographics and includes a guide to local educational institutions and other business-development partners that can provide access to a local workforce with the relevant specialized skills a particular business desires.
Most importantly, the website is designed to put prospective businesses directly in touch with dedicated contacts trained to rapidly respond to economic-development needs and direct them to potential site locations with proper zoning and adequate infrastructure that will support their proposed business activities.
