County economic-development team outlines business workshop for Parlier; staff update on parks, downtown and water projects

Representatives from the Fresno County Economic Development Corporation briefed the Parlier City Council on a business workshop the county will co-host with the city to help local businesses access site-selection assistance, grant and capital resources, and workforce services.

Marcia Dansby, an economic-development specialist with Fresno EDC, said the free workshop — planned for Jan. 23 at 5:30 p.m. at Parlier City Hall — will include partners such as the Fresno Area Hispanic Foundation, AccessPlus Capital and Valley First Credit Union. Dansby said Fresno EDC will present funding and capital resources and invited local business owners to attend; council members asked whether a later start (6:30 p.m.) would be possible for businesses that close later, and Dansby said the partners would try to accommodate time changes if needed.

City staff then reported on capital projects: downtown façade renovations are about 90% complete; Fig Tree Park is in active construction with utilities being installed; the Manning Avenue median landscaping is roughly half done and expected to be substantially complete by February; the Police Department parking lot is under construction (wall installed, asphalt pending) and expected to wrap up by the end of the month; multiple water-well workstreams (Wells 2A, 4A, 8 and 9) are progressing with vessels set and wiring underway.

Council members thanked staff and volunteers for the New Year’s Eve dance and asked staff to pursue signage grants and to bring back a plan for downtown storefront proposals. Staff said they will return with follow-ups as projects progress.