LAKEPORT, Calif. – Community leaders and economic development practitioners from Lake and Mendocino counties gathered on Feb. 27 at the Mendocino College Lake Center for a strategic planning session.
Leaders from the county of Lake, the two cities of Clearlake and Lakeport, educators, workforce developers, lenders and representatives from local agencies and organizations were among the more than 30 people who participated in the half-day discussion.
Margaret Silveira, city manager of Lakeport, presented opening remarks and welcomed the attendees, followed by Rebecca Southwick, manager of the new Lake County Tourism Ambassador program, and Steve Hixenbaugh, interim dean of the Lake Center.
Kelly Cox, retired county administrative officer, provided background information about the Lake County Regional Economic Development Committee, highlighting activities and accomplishments since its inception over two years ago.
Larry Cope, director of the Tuolumne County Economic Development Authority, was the facilitator and principal speaker during the retreat.
Cope has an extensive professional involvement in rural economic development and presented various organizational structures for the group to consider. These options included the need to address governance and financing.
Based on his experience, Cope emphasized that consolidation and regionalization of economic development in a rural area like Lake County results in cost savings and increased effectiveness.
He applauded the efforts of the Regional Economic Development Committee in fostering a cooperative working relationship on economic development matters between the governments of the two cities and the county.
These efforts have included Workforce Lake, the Lake County Office of Education, the community colleges and Marymount California University, along with the chambers of commerce, the two hospitals, tribal representatives and other business organizations.
An exercise devoted to Lake County’s strengths/weaknesses/opportunities/threats (SWOT) with regard to economic development demonstrated a strong majority in the areas identified by the group as strengths and opportunities.
Michelle Scully, executive director of Marymount’s Lakeside campus in Lucerne, expressed her endorsement of the SWOT analysis.
“Lake County has so many incredible and unique assets that can foster economic growth while preserving the rural environment we love and strive to protect. Working cooperatively and in partnership with one another creates some truly amazing opportunities,” Scully said.
The committee meets monthly and will continue its review of organizational structure options while developing an action plan for facilitating economic growth, increased employment and investment opportunities in Lake County.
More information about the work of the all-volunteer Regional Economic Development Committee may be obtained by emailing Wilda Shock, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Lake County Regional Economic Development Committee meets for strategic planning session
- Lake County News reports
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