One of the privileges I enjoy as a member of the city council is attending the monthly meetings of the Visalia Economic Development Corporation (VEDC). These meetings are held at 7 a.m. on the third Wednesday of each month at the Buckman Mitchell offices downtown. The VEDC is a 501c(3) non-profit organization formed in 1996 to nurture and develop the Visalia economy, to help businesses thrive and to create jobs. According to its website at visaliaedc.com, the VEDC acts as a catalyst in creating a positive business climate, facilitating a stronger link between the business community and local education-training programs, and ensuring adequate infrastructure investment. It is committed to addressing unemployment, Visalia’s general plan, education and positive growth. The attendees include various businesspeople, bankers, retailers and government officials, and is open to the public. Its executive director is Nancy Lockwood, Stephen Peck is the outgoing president, and Wayne Millies is the incoming president of the board of directors.
VEDC’s website provides an all-in-one location for advertising Visalia, Visalia demographics, information about the community and business incentives. For instance, go to its website, click on “demographics,” and you can find out what the average hourly and annual wage is for just about every occupation in Visalia.
At these monthly meetings, we often hear from guest speakers on topics of current interest. At our most recent meeting, Ted Smalley of TCAG (Tulare County Association of Governments), gave us a presentation regarding Measure R. Mr. Smalley’s report touted the success of the first five years of our Measure R regional projects (2007-2012). Measure R is a half-cent sales tax measure that was approved by county voters, and is making possible major improvements to Tulare County’s transportation system, from major road improvements and pothole repair to bike paths and mass transit. The monies raised by Measure R have been used to successfully leverage over $200 million in state funding for shovel-ready Tulare County projects. In Visalia, you can see those tax dollars at work when you view the Plaza Drive/198 interchange under construction, as well as the recent Ben Maddox/198 bridge remodel, and our beautiful trail system. Close by in Goshen, is the recently completed Betty Drive bridge and street widening connecting to the industrial park and Riggin Road. Some of these dollars also were spent on widening Mooney Blvd. which made that street three lanes in each direction. Additional projects have included the Santa Fe bridge overcrossing, and the Road 80 widening to Dinuba. Measure R funds have been used in Visalia to resurface streets, install sidewalks and upgrade traffic signals. Visalia has received local funding from Measure R of $8.23 million, and Tulare County has received $17.4 million, with additional monies going to the other cities in the county.
Mr. Smalley’s report was just one example of information that is shared with the attendees at our monthly VEDC meetings. I encourage all that are interested in our business community and in what is happening locally, to join with us.
Next Donuts and Discussion: August 24, 2013, 7:00 a.m. at Panera Bread. Police Chief Colleen Mestas will be with me to discuss public safety and to answer questions from the public.
More Good News: New tax revenue projections indicate that this year, real property valuations will increase by 4.8%, which roughly translates into another $500,000.00 of projected tax revenues for the City of Visalia.
Business Friendly Visalia: A June 3, 2013 Editorial in the Fresno Bee, while describing Fresno’s ongoing problems, had this to say about Visalia: “But it’s impossible to overlook the fact that Bakersfield and Visalia, for the past several years, have billed themselves as business-friendly cities and now are on the leading edge of the recovery. What makes for a business friendly city? Encouraging entrepreneurs, answering their questions straight up and briskly processing their permits. A business friendly city bends over backward to ensure that projects aren’t held up by last-minute surprises.”
If you have questions or topics regarding the city which you would like to have addressed in future articles, please email Warren at wgubler@ci.visalia.ca.us, or call (559) 713-4400 x 3313. For past articles, visit directfromwarren.blogspot.com.
Warren Gubler
Visalia City Councilmember
