Congratulations to the 2023 CALED Award Winners

Below are the Award of Excellence and Award of Merit recipients in each of the three categories (Collaborations/Partnerships,
Game Changer, and Economic Recovery & Resiliency). Congratulations on your great work!

City of Escondido Economic Development & Fresh Brewed Tech: Inaugural AgTech Hackathon

The City of Escondido partnered with Fresh Brewed Tech, a San Diego tech ecosystem, to host a three-day AgTech Hackathon in October 2022 to bolster the region’s role in the global AgTech economy by supporting farmers facing a myriad of challenges after COVID-19. The event sparked a series of AgTech initiatives commercializing technological advancements for agriculture and food systems for the purpose of retaining existing firms, creating new companies, and expanding employment opportunities for local residents. The event had over 200 attendees, awarded $10,000 to the winning startup companies and created a community for AgTech, with over 200 participants.

For more information, contact Jennifer Schoeneck, Deputy Director of Economic Development, 760.839.4587

City of Burbank/Visit Burbank: Monumental Bronze Statue Program

Burbank Economic Development’s Monumental Super- Hero Statue project is a multi-year collaboration among Burbank Economic Development, DC Comics, and Visit Burbank to brand Burbank as an appealing visitor destination. The collaboration has led to the creation of two DC Universe Super-Hero statues, Batman and Wonder Woman, at prime tourist locations in the city and more are planned for the future. The statues become tourist attractions and increase social media awareness and buzz about Burbank as a tourist destination, ultimately boosting tourism and solidifying the city’s reputation as Media Capital of the World.

For more information, contact Mary Hamzoian, Economic Development Manager for the City of Burbank – Community Development Department, 818.238.5208

City of Corona: City of Corona Economic Development Strategic Plan

The Economic Development Strategic Plan (Strategic Plan) is a comprehensive, five-year plan to guide the City of Corona’s business attraction, development, retention, expansion, and resiliency efforts. Development of the Strategic Plan was rooted in collaboration between Corona’s Office of Economic Development, City Council, 10 City departments, 22 private businesses, 18 members of the commercial brokerage community, 10 business resource organizations, and more than 3,500 residents. Critical importance was placed on conducting outreach and establishing dialogue to build relationships and strong partnerships to bring to fruition the strategic goals and actions outlined in the Strategic Plan.

For more information, contact Jessica Gonzales, Director of Economic Development for the City of Corona, 951.736.2297

City of Glendale: Glendale Three-Year Economic Development Strategic Plan

The City of Glendale adopted its first-ever Economic Development Strategic Plan in 2022. It focuses on measurable strategic goals and objectives designed to increase economic competitiveness, create a vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable economy. With over 12,000 businesses and a diverse population of 201,000+, Glendale boasts a thriving economy with a white-collar workforce of over 76%. The Plan is designed to build upon the City’s strengths, leverage partnerships, and will be adjusted annually to adapt to changing conditions. It serves as a roadmap to build a stronger economy, as we continue to foster an ecosystem committed to economic vitality and sustainability.

For more information, contact Soua Vang, Deputy Director of Economic Development, 818.548.2005

Greater Sacramento Economic Council: Digital Upskill Sacramento

In 2020, Greater Sacramento Economic Council (GSEC) received $787,650 in CARES Act relief funding from the City of Sacramento to develop a digital upskilling program for those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. GSEC partnered with the Greater Sacramento Urban League (GSUL) to digitally train disadvantaged and displaced workers in Sacramento’s most impacted communities. 5,000+ people applied for the 40 openings once the program was announced. GSEC met national industry standards by engaging General Assembly and Merit America, which both have track records of delivering high-quality immersive instruction. Upon completion, participants received a certification in IT Support or Advanced Data Analytics.

For more information, contact Jasmine Ward, Vice President of Marketing, 916.287.9043

City of Hayward/ Small Business Development Center, California State University East Bay: Open for Business Video Program

The City of Hayward’s Open for Business campaign is a comprehensive effort to promote the city’s diverse and vibrant business community by establishing an education partnership with California State University East Bay College of Business and Economics to create 12 promotional videos for local businesses. These videos show that the businesses are open, safe, and ready for customers to come back to brick-and-mortar. By providing support and resources to businesses, the program is helping to build a stronger, more resilient business community in Hayward, which benefits the city as a whole.

For more information, contact Daniel Mao, Economic Development Specialist, 510.583.5543

City of Menifee: Menifee Workforce Development Center

The City of Menifee in partnership with Riverside County Workforce Development, has opened the Temporary Menifee Workforce Development Center at the Kay Ceniceros Senior Center located at 29995 Evans Road, Menifee, CA 92586. The Temporary Menifee Workforce Development Center is housed in the Senior Center’s upgraded computer lab and is currently open to individuals (by appointment only) on Thursdays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., with plans later this fall to expand on Tuesdays from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. to provide additional service times for potential job seekers.

For more information, contact Kayla Charters, Senior Management Analyst, 957.723.3712

City of Moreno Valley: Moreno Valley Homeless Taskforce

Recognizing that homelessness must be addressed through services, education and prevention, the City of Moreno Valley’s Homeless Taskforce was formed. The Homeless Taskforce is a collaborative effort between City departments and community partners that compassionately assists community members experiencing homelessness or who are at risk of becoming homeless. The goal is to provide access to resources that lead to shelter and ultimately, a path toward self-reliance.

For more information, contact Melissa McClain, Senior Management Analyst, 951.413.3471

City of San Diego Economic Development Department and California Coast Credit Union: San Diego Promise Zone Partner Financial Assistance

San Diego Promise Zone Partner Financial Assistance aims to support the grant writing efforts of Promise Zone partners by providing individual professional grant writing technical assistance for partner projects. Funding will also support the capacity building of Promise Zone partners and partner work assisting individuals experiencing barriers to post-secondary education and employment. Additional opportunities for financial literacy education for Promise Zone partners, business owners, and youth will be explored, and a focus on creating awareness and ultimately new partnerships between Cal Coast and Promise Zone Partners will be priority in order to advance the goals of the designation.

For more information, contact Monica Hardman, Deputy Director, 619.533.6544

City of Tustin: Tustin Cares Program

Initiated in 2020 as a response to the COVID-19 public health emergency, the Tustin Cares Program has provided funding and training to Tustin commercial businesses, home-based businesses and nonprofits. The major focus has been to serve small commercial businesses through a partnership between the City and CSUF Small Business Development Center (SBDC). The collaboration has delivered assistance in two phases: the first phase, primarily 2020 and 2021, provided 608 businesses with $5,193,800 in emergency grants; and the second phase, late 2021 and 2022, provided 112 businesses with $835,000 in training grants, serving 720 businesses with $6,028,800 in grants.

For more information, contact Jerry Craig, Deputy Director of Economic Development, 714.573.3121

City of Moreno Valley: Moreno Valley Industrial Area Transformation

Robertson’s Ready Mix is a leading supplier of concrete products. They operated a batch plant in Moreno Valley from before City incorporation. Over the years, the area surrounding the plant transformed. However, the batch plant remained as a non-conforming use; it became the source of substantial health hazards and roadway deterioration.

The Moreno Valley Industrial Area was created to address the City’s jobs-to-housing imbalance, residents’ long commutes, and General Fund revenue needs. The City adopted the Moreno Valley Industrial Area Specific Plan, made strategic partnerships, created a series of incentives, and invested in infrastructure. Now, 30 manufacturing, logistics, and e-commerce companies occupy more than 20 million square feet, and the City has seen powerful improvement to residents’ incomes and quality of life and generated almost $18.8 million in property tax, sales tax, and utility users tax revenues for the General Fund to support public safety, parks & community services.

For more information, contact Mike Lee, City Manager, City of Moreno Valley, 951.413.3460.

City of Fairfield: City of Fairfield REAP Program

Fairfield’s Revitalization & Enhancement Assistance Program (REAP) is intended to encourage business and property owners in the core area of downtown to enhance their properties. The program provides grants to make improvements to the appearance and utilization of properties in the following ways: Exterior facade improvements – windows, doors, stucco, paint, awnings; signage, outdoor dining seating & improvements, and interior improvements in tandem with exterior work. These improvements have had a significant impact on the appearance, community pride, economic setting, and marketability of the properties and businesses located in the City of Fairfield’s Heart of Fairfield Plan

For more information, contact Dwayne Dalman, Economic Development Division Manager, 707.428.7649

City of San Diego, Economic Development Department: Bridge to Home Affordable Housing Program

The Bridge to Home (BTH) Program was launched by Mayor Todd Gloria as part of his effort to produce more homes that are affordable for all San Diegans. BTH is administered by Economic Development Department and provides gap financing to qualified developers to make affordable housing projects a reality to create homes for families and individuals who can’t afford market-rate housing; including many who are at risk or currently experiencing homelessness. Funding was provided through a rolling Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). $53 million was made available in Rounds 1 and 2.

For more information, contact Monica Hardman, Deputy Director, 619.533.6544

City of Hayward: Together for Hayward Economic Recovery Programs

The Together for Hayward Economic Recovery programs focus on the economic development and recovery for small businesses and other impacted business industries, improving access to training and skills development for the workforce, and promotion of our business community. These programs focus on the needs of Hayward’s most vulnerable populations and implementing funding and programs with an equity lens as has been done throughout the City’s COVID response. These 6 programs not only provide direct assistance to the businesses, but also to employees that were displaced and engagement of customers to bring them back to Hayward businesses.

For more information, contact Daniel Mao, Economic Development Specialist, 510.583.5543

City of Burbank: City of Burbank Future of Work Accelerator

Burbank Economic Development’s Future of Work Accelerator was created in January 2021 to ensure that entrepreneurs were provided with resources to address the challenges facing the future of our workforce. In partnership with Untapped Ventures, a local Los Angeles-based startup/venture studio and Venture Capital firm, The City launched the pre-seed virtual Accelerator which was designed to stimulate economic development and advance innovation for startups and small businesses. The Accelerator was the next step in the already established entrepreneurial programming for the City which currently includes the Burbank Tech Talks event series and the award-winning Startup Burbank Pitch Festivals.

For more information, contact Mary Hamzoian, Economic Development Manager for the City of Burbank – Community Development Department, 818.238.5208

Community Strong Strategies: Sacramento Inclusive Economic Development Collaborative (Sac IEDC) Minority Business Assistance and Recovery Kickstart (MBARK) Program

The Minority Business Assistance and Recovery Kickstart (MBARK) is a multi-pronged, cross-disciplinary program that is structured on 1:1 technical assistance that Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) need to navigate the post COVID-19 business environment.  By bringing together the cultural and ethnic expertise of the five (5) regional Chambers of Commerce (SACC, SBCC, SHCC, SMCC, and the Slavic Chamber of Commerce), Hacker Lab, and the geographical, grassroots framework of the property and business improvement districts (PBID) and other qualifying census tract (QCT) commercial areas, MBARK has played a significant role in the stabilization, retention, and expansion of small businesses throughout Sacramento County.

For more information, contact Tracey Flaningam, Partner, 916.825.8405

City of Dublin: City of Dublin Business Recovery Playbook

The Business Recovery Playbook is a comprehensive approach to assist the Dublin business community’s recovery efforts from the impacts of COVID-19. The Playbook focuses on three phases: Assessment, Build, and Implementation, and utilizes key economic development tools such as conducting a Business Needs Assessment survey and creating funding and resource programs. It includes innovative, unique features such as a mobile text program; a loyalty rewards program; an on-demand business training library; a small businesses spotlight program; business webinars and roundtables; and a small business navigator program. The Playbook demonstrates Dublin’s excellence in addressing the needs of the business community.

For more information, contact Rhonda Franklin, Management Analyst II, 925.556.4524

City of Glendale: Artsakh Creative

The City of Glendale has implemented Artsakh Creative, a short-term retail pop-up shop project for arts, entertainment and artisanal retailers in the heart of Glendale’s burgeoning Arts & Entertainment District. The program aims to enrich the district by creating destination venues in four vacant City-owned commercial units located in the pedestrian-friendly Artsakh Paseo. Glendale has a strong desire for creative place-making and re- imagining public spaces to create more urban, pedestrian friendly, walkable areas. The launch of Artsakh Creative has so far successfully expanded traffic in the pedestrian walkway and generously assisted new brands and retailers in expanding their market.

For more information, contact Juan Gonzalez, Neighborhood Services Supervisor, 818.937.8322

City of Lancaster: Lancaster Stand Strong

While there was much uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Lancaster’s commitment to its business community never wavered. Within the first eight days of the emergency declaration, the City launched its “Lancaster Stand Strong” Recovery and Resiliency program. Through this robust program, Lancaster offered

forgivable business loans, reopening assistance materials at no cost, innovative ways to boost local shopping at both small businesses and auto dealerships, and resources to help businesses operate within the restrictions from the County Health Order. Lancaster continued to adapt its program to match the everchanging needs of the business community as they evolved.

For more information, contact Sydney Yeseta, Assistant Manager, Economic Development, 661.723.5998

City of Menifee: Business Incentive Program

COVID-19 took the world by storm, however, it also presented new unique opportunities in the City of Menifee. In the midst of the pandemic, Savage Chef Bar & Grill opened their doors to Menifee. With a sales leakage of $829 million, and majority of residents leaving the area to spend their discretionary income, the city was looking for creative entertainment and nightlife concepts to serve the needs of our residents. The city partnered with Chef Dylan Soro of Savage Chef on a Business Incentive Program that would benefit the restaurant, the residents, and the city itself.

For more information, contact Kayla Charters, Senior Management Analyst, 957.723.3712

City of Moreno Valley: Moreno Valley Business & Employment Resource Center

Good quality jobs and economic vitality are at the center of every great community. The Moreno Valley Business and Employment Resource Center (BERC) ensures that local jobs and a skilled workforce exist. First opening in 2009, the BERC has come a long way to become the newest America’s Job Center of California despite a global pandemic. Amidst constant uncertainty, the BERC never once closed its doors during the COVID-19 Pandemic and served individuals from across Southern California by adapting and launching hybrid and innovative services to ensure businesses and local workers could thrive and maintain a respectable quality of life.

For more information, contact Mike Lee, City Manager/Economic Development Director, 951.413.3025

City of San Luis Obispo: Buy Local Bonus

Buy Local Bonus is a promotion designed to encourage people to shop at local businesses in San Luis Obispo. The City of San Luis Obispo purchases $25 gift cards from local businesses and gives them to shoppers who turn in $100 worth of receipts from local businesses. Buy Local Bonus was implemented quickly in response to COVID-19 uncertainties and is now an annual promotional campaign that sells out ahead of schedule due to popularity. Each year since its inception in 2020, the promotion has garnered involvement from nearly 150 local businesses and more than 4,000 shoppers in the community.

For more information, contact Molly Cano, Tourism Manager, 805.431.0454

City of San Marcos: City of San Marcos COVID-19 Business Sustainability Program

In March 2020, the City of San Marcos, like many other California cities, was facing severe fiscal challenges in the wake of COVID-19. The City acted quickly and launched its Business Sustainability Program with approval from the City Council on March 24, 2020. 120 businesses were assisted and $2,944,800 in loans were funded at low interest rates through the City’s general fund reserves. In the end, San Marcos forgave everyone’s loans 100% with the money they received from the federal CARES Act. In doing so, this project ended up saving hundreds of businesses from falling into financial hardship.

For more information, contact Tess Sangster, Community & Economic Development Director,  760.885.3827

City of Santa Clarita: City of Santa Clarita COVID-19 Business Assistance Programs

To assist businesses negatively impacted by the pandemic, the City of Santa Clarita launched a series of targeted, complementary programs: Shop Local and Eat Local: allowed local businesses to continue serving patrons safely by providing no-cost, temporary use permits for outdoor expansion; Safer Business Commitment: restored consumer confidence by highlighting businesses that committed to following COVID-19 safety guidelines; 2020 Santa Clarita Small Business COVID Relief Grant Program: provided financial reimbursements to small businesses for expenses incurred due to the pandemic, and  SizeUp Santa Clarita: an online tool that provides free market research and business intelligence.

For more information, contact Monica Fawcett, Economic Development Associate, 661.286.4017

Congratulations to all the 2023 Award Winners!