Board adopts two-year Economic Development Action Plan focused on growth-from-within and creative economy

The Nevada County Board of Supervisors on March 26 unanimously adopted a two-year Economic Development Action Plan that lays out near-, short- and longer-term steps to support existing employers, boost entrepreneurship and align county partners to pursue state and federal funding.

Consultant Bill Mueller of Integrated Communication Strategies said the plan was driven by key-informant interviews and is meant to act as a flexible "playbook" the county and its partners can activate over the next two years. "This plan is essentially the next two years of action, both what needs to happen within the county as an entity and the county interacting with its many partners," Mueller said.

The plan lists five focus areas, including growing the creative economy, strengthening workforce and training, improving business services and increasing accessibility of capital for small businesses. Supervisors and participants at the meeting pressed for careful sequencing, stressing that recruitment or marketing efforts should account for local housing and transportation constraints. Several board members asked staff to prioritize business retention, workforce housing and federal/state grant opportunities.

The Board approved the resolution adopting the action plan by roll call; supervisors voted yes on the motion. County staff said the plan will be followed by partner meetings to produce an annual work plan and key performance indicators to track progress.