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County and city officials plan to gather on Feb. 8 in Nevada City to discuss a plan to revitalize the area's economy and bring higher-paying jobs to the area.
The meeting at the Miners Foundry will include officials from the county and cities of Grass Valley, Nevada City and Truckee. It comes in the wake of a report that said the county needs to ignite efforts to attract new businesses and become less dependent on tourism to sustain economic growth.
"This is a very good, solid first step," county Supervisor Ted Owens said of the meeting. "It makes sense for the county and cities to get on the same page."
Owens echoed a growing sentiment that the county needs to diversify its economy with a greater sense of urgency.
"We can't be reliant on construction and tourism - both are fickle markets," he said. "We have to bet on a more diverse job base to keep our kids working here."
The lack of well-paying jobs, coupled with high housing costs, has prompted some families to go elsewhere - a concern of many Sierra communities. The county's population is growing only about 1 percent a year.
The author of the report, Libby Seifel of San Francisco-based Seifel Consulting Inc., said the county should focus on industries such as information technology, health care and professional services, among others. It urged ramping up efforts to train local workers, as well as a marketing campaign.
The report's findings were "very refreshing," said supervisor chairman John Spencer. He added he would like to implement some of its recommendations soon.
"Having outside eyes look at the situation in Nevada County was very helpful," said Supervisor Sue Horne. "It makes absolute sense to me."
Seifel and an official from Cal-Ed, the state's economic development group, also could attend the February meeting, according to county executive officer Rick Haffey.
"This is among the highest priorities in the county," Haffey said. The topic was chosen before the report was released, he added.
Some residents have complained that private and public sector leaders have taken too long to embrace the idea of quality job growth, now being discussed more openly as the state's economy is sputtering from a prolonged housing slump and credit crunch. An election will be held for two of the county's five board seats next year.
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To contact Senior Staff Writer Dave Moller, e-mail dmoller@theunion.com or call 477-4237.
The meeting at the Miners Foundry will include officials from the county and cities of Grass Valley, Nevada City and Truckee. It comes in the wake of a report that said the county needs to ignite efforts to attract new businesses and become less dependent on tourism to sustain economic growth.
"This is a very good, solid first step," county Supervisor Ted Owens said of the meeting. "It makes sense for the county and cities to get on the same page."
Owens echoed a growing sentiment that the county needs to diversify its economy with a greater sense of urgency.
"We can't be reliant on construction and tourism - both are fickle markets," he said. "We have to bet on a more diverse job base to keep our kids working here."
The lack of well-paying jobs, coupled with high housing costs, has prompted some families to go elsewhere - a concern of many Sierra communities. The county's population is growing only about 1 percent a year.
The author of the report, Libby Seifel of San Francisco-based Seifel Consulting Inc., said the county should focus on industries such as information technology, health care and professional services, among others. It urged ramping up efforts to train local workers, as well as a marketing campaign.
The report's findings were "very refreshing," said supervisor chairman John Spencer. He added he would like to implement some of its recommendations soon.
"Having outside eyes look at the situation in Nevada County was very helpful," said Supervisor Sue Horne. "It makes absolute sense to me."
Seifel and an official from Cal-Ed, the state's economic development group, also could attend the February meeting, according to county executive officer Rick Haffey.
"This is among the highest priorities in the county," Haffey said. The topic was chosen before the report was released, he added.
Some residents have complained that private and public sector leaders have taken too long to embrace the idea of quality job growth, now being discussed more openly as the state's economy is sputtering from a prolonged housing slump and credit crunch. An election will be held for two of the county's five board seats next year.
ooo
To contact Senior Staff Writer Dave Moller, e-mail dmoller@theunion.com or call 477-4237.
