Useful links posted by Steve Turitzin

1. Micro Lending Action Plan For California (prepared by the California Association For Micro Enterprise Opportunity, CAMEO) http://www.microbiz.org/micro-lending-action-plan.pdf CAMEO website is http://www.microbiz.org/

2. The University of North Carolina has a library with online resources. http://www.sog.unc.edu/library/guide/institutes.html One of their publications that I mentioned briefly at the meeting is, "Clusters and Competitive Advantage: Finding a Niche in the New Economy" http://www.sog.unc.edu/pubs/electronicversions/pg/pgspsm04/article6.pdf

3. One fairly local endeavor is the Truckee Meadows Tomorrow project. It includes economic health as part of a broader quality of life initiative. http://www.truckeemeadowstomorrow.org/about

4. The article I circulated from Forbes showed how Modesto ranks economically (not well) but was light on suggestions for action http://www.forbes.com/2009/11/19/cities-recovery-unemployment-lifestyle-real-estate-top-ten.html

5. A book that was recommended to me was, "Results That Matter - Improving Communities by Engaging Citizens, Measuring Performance and Getting Things Done" by Paul D. Epstein, et al. There is a preview available on Google books. I haven't tried to read it. It was described to me "a bit of a slog." There is a preview on Google Books. If anyone of you with Interlibrary Loan access through the MJC library wants to request a copy it might interesting to look at.

6. Another paper "Third Tier Cities: Adjusting to the New Economy" is perhaps less useful because it was published in 2001 and may be a bit dated. Also the cities discussed are somewhat smaller than Modesto (up to 100,000 pop) and are in slow or no growth regions. Nevertheless, it may have some useful stuff. I have given it only a cursory look. The link is http://www.geoearth.uncc.edu/people/iheard/4000_5000Readings/ThirdTierCities.pdf

July 19th 2010 meeting

In Attendance: Amanda Hughes, Bill Anelli, Deborah Gilbert, Mike Smedshammer, Richard Anderson, Stephen Turitzin

Next Meeting: August 16th Morris A, noon

I. Review July 8th Minutes
II. Discuss Wish Lists
a. Bill’s wish list for speakers :

CAUSES/CONTEXT SESSION

1. Rates of employment/unemployment for past 100 years (i think this will be covered by Larry?) vs. California employment/unemployment rates...

2. % of adults with High school-only education in CV vs. California as a whole in past 50 years??

3. Top 5 industries in Stanislaus county - in terms of #jobs and WAGES - what's the median wage of largest group of employed workers? (for instance, 30% make a median wage of xx dollars... ).

4. What would be considered to be a LIVING WAGE in Stan county?

5. Employer surveys? What are employers "top 5" requests/concerns when it comes to workers, hiring?

6. COHORT INFO: what other counties in california are similar to ours in terms of geography, demographics, and industry (AG). Do any these other counties have significantly LOWER unemployment rates? If so, why? what's the relevant difference? Public policy differences?

7. % of jobs in local, family-owned small businesses (less than 25 employees?) vs. large/non-local/corporate owned? How have these figures changed over time?

8. Prior/recent history of inviting new businesses to Stan County - how many specific "invites" vs. specific successes? Zoning issues/enterprise zones - any attempts there?

9. Key county supervisor votes or key ballot propositions or court rulings that have affected employment directly or indirectly?

SOLUTIONS

1. Is employment growing in any areas? which areas? types of businesses?

2. Case examples of someone who has started a successful business with only $5,000 in personal assets? type of business? how were they able to get a loan? educational background of entrepreneur? prior business background of entrepreneur?

3. case examples of successful micro loans here in stan county OR in a cohort county?

III. Confirm Speakers for Each Session
a. Larry Giventer and Bill Bassitt in first session, will be invited to sit on panel in second session for Q/A
b. Debbie stated that the Workforce Investment Alliance, Great Valley Center, and Congressman Cardoza’s office are the only organizations that are actively working on long-term planning around employment issue.
i. Audience Members: nonprofits who have interest in putting people to work, MJC students, community members, business owners, policy makers
ii. Schedule/Speakers:
1. Panel 1 on Context (1pm-2:15)(1:15 minutes total, 20-25 minute each plus discussion)
a. Larry Giventer (Amanda), can explain how unemployment rates are calculated and clarify some of the common misconceptions about them, share
b. Bill Bassit (Richard Anderson)
2. Break 2:15-2:25
3. Panel 2 (2:30-5pm)
a. George Boodrookas, Dean of MJC of MJC’s Community and Economic Development (Bill) (10 minutes)
b. David Hosley, Executive Director, Great Valley Center (Debbie) (25 minutes) (can speak from perspective that Agriculture is a competitive advantage, what needs to happen to make bring ag better jobs)
c. Teresa Kinney Cardoza’s Economic Development/Grants Coordinator (Karl) (25 minutes)
d. Dan Costa-what is preventing him from growing business, what does he want policy makers to change (Amanda) (25 minutes)
e. California Association for Micro Enterprise Opportunity (Steven will contact) (25 minutes)
f. Valley First Credit Union (Karl)
IV. Plan of Action for August/Division of Duties
a. For next meeting, please contact designated speaker and confirm whether they can attend, make sure to emphasize that the speaker needs to address specific solutions
b. Invite nonprofits to have tables
c. Coffee/Dessert served during break? Bill will find out about food restriction with Sherri Suarez
d. For next meeting discuss publicity/media/poster

July 8th, 2010 MINUTES – CEP - Stanislaus Solutions

Attendance: Amanda Hughes, Bill Anelli, Deborah Gilbert, Mike Smedshammer, Richard Anderson, Stephen Turitzin

Next Meeting: Monday, July 19, at noon

I. CEP Stanislaus Action Items Approved or Denied
a. No action items were voted upon

II. Stanislaus Solutions – follow-up status from prior meeting (HW)
a. Agreed to one day symposium on October 15th, MJC West Campus, Debbie booked room

III. Meeting/Discussion
a. General comments, suggestions, concerns
i. Given our limited time and need for community participation and discussion amongst panelists, we must be careful to limit the number of speakers in each panel.
ii. Publicity, publicity, publicity!
iii. Speakers usually prefer to be given a roadmap – where we want them to go, etc…
iv. SOLUTIONS PANEL…
1. Consider breaking down solutions-discussions into SHORT-TERM solutions and LONG-TERM solutions since these are probably quite different and require different sorts of resources and knowledge…
2. Given the challenges, we should focus on “out of the box” solutions. Examples of short-term out of the box solutions: MICRO LENDING; MORE GRANTS APPLICATIONS (can we identify groups that have successfully implemented these solutions either here or in our “cohort” community? (which towns/areas would fit as our cohort?)
b. Breakdown of Panel Presentation
i. Panel #1 (Context/Background to Employment) – from 1 pm to 2:30 pm?
1. The point was made that the context/background panel will most likely require less discussion than the subsequent “solutions” panel… so shorten the first panel?
2. Proposed speakers for Panel #1 – Causes/Context
a. Lawrence Giventer, Professor, Politics and Public Administration, CSU Stanislaus
b. Bill Bassett or Jeff Rowe
c. Jeffrey Michaels – University of the Pacific
d. Invite non-profits from Modesto as well as the airport district (suggested by Deborah/Dan)
e. Invite a good speaker who happens to be unemployed-with-skills and can offer a direct perspective (suggested by Bill)
ii. Panel #2 – Employment Solutions – from 3 pm to 6 pm?
1. Proposed speakers for Panel #2 – Employment Solutions
a. George Boodrookas, Dean of MJC’s Community and Economic Development, can provide intro/set the stage
b. Michelle Weber, PH.D. in Political Economy, Financial Advisor, Edward Jones Investments (she offered interesting ideas on the potential role of micro lending)
c. Dan Costa?
d. Invite a good speaker who happens to be unemployed-with-skills and can offer a direct perspective (suggested by Bill)
iii. MC for the event? - Bill Anelli/coordinator of CEP or ??
iv. Non-profit participation
1. Table display for non-profits who are actively addressing employment issues in the valley
2. Invite these non-profits to submit power point slides to be projected before each panel and during breaks…
3. List of possible non-profits
a. Great valley Center
b. Stanislaus Alliance
c. Habitat for Humanity
d. City of Modesto

IV. HOMEWORK FOR COMMITTEE MEMBERS (DUE NEXT MEETING)
a. Bill –
i. Minutes
ii. email Amanda five “wish list” items that panelists should cover – for both panels
b. Mike
i. contact George – would he like to be on a solutions panel? (we did speak with George at the end of the meeting – and he tentatively said yes… ??)
ii. Research: non-profit groups, speakers, ??
iii. Public Relations - ??
iv. email Amanda five “wish list” items that panelists should cover – for both panels
c. Deborah
i. Will research non-profits to invite
ii. email Amanda five “wish list” items that panelists should cover – for both panels
d. Richard
i. Will contact Bill Bassett, Jeff Rowe – are they available?
ii. email Amanda five “wish list” items that panelists should cover – for both panels
iii. Research…
e. Amanda
i. Research…
ii. Compile wish list items for speakers (and bug us if we haven’t submitted these via email to her… : ) )

V. EMPLOYMENT PANEL SYMPOSIUM INFO, CONTACTS, RELEVANT WEBLINKS
a. When: October 15, Friday, 1 to 6 pm in Sierra 132
b. POSSIBLE SPEAKERS/EXPERTS
i. Keith Griffith, Senior Manager for Education, Stanislaus Economic Development and Workforce Alliance, 567-4985; griffitk@stanalliance.com
ii. Lawrence Giventer, Professor, Politics and Public Administration, CSU Stanislaus, (209) 667-3509, LGiventer@csustan.edu
iii. George Boodrookas, Dean of MJC's Community and Economic Development , 575-6714 boodrookasg@mjc.edu
iv. Michelle Weber, Ph.D. (political economy) Financial Advisor Edward Jones Investments 848-4496 mweberphd@gmail.com
v. Randall Svedbeck, Research Manager, Stanislaus Economic Development & Workforce Alliance, 567-4636 SvedbeR@stanalliance.com
vi. Balvino Irizary
vii. Virginia Medueno
viii. Carla Strong
ix. Bill Bassett
x. Jeff Rowe
xi. Dennis Cardoza
xii. Rich Homer (?)
xiii. Bill Lyons
xiv. Ann Venomen
xv. Curtis Clark
xvi. Someone from Stoobies Organic Dairy
xvii. Hans Bjornsen, UC Merced (he has experience creating alternate business models)
c. WEBLINKS
i. Cisco De Vries/PACE - http://www.renewfund.com/ ; http://www.grist.org/article/2010-04-22-cisco-devries-renewable-funding-earth-day-40-people

Minutes: Stanislaus Solutions Meeting -- June 9th, 2010

Amanda welcomes everyone and explains who we are: “Stanislaus Solutions: Town hall meetings to discuss and solve local issues.”

The following people are at the table and introduce themselves: Amanda Hughes, Keith Griffith, Randall Svedbeck, Larry Giventer, Karl Reitz, Michelle Weber, George Boodrookas, Debbie Gilbert, Bill Anelli, Richard Anderson, Mike Smedshammer -- and his kids, Samantha and Calvin

1. Keith Griffith, Senior Manager for Education, Stanislaus Economic Development and Workforce Alliance, 567-4985; griffitk@stanalliance.com

2. Lawrence Giventer, Professor, Politics and Public Administration, CSU Stanislaus, (209) 667-3509, LGiventer@csustan.edu

3. George Boodrookas, Dean of MJC's Community and Economic Development , 575-6714 boodrookasg@mjc.edu

4. Michelle Weber, Ph.D. (political economy) Financial Advisor Edward Jones Investments 848-4496 mweberphd@gmail.com

5. Randall Svedbeck, Research Manager, Stanislaus Economic Development & Workforce Alliance, 567-4636 SvedbeR@stanalliance.com


Richard explains how Stanislaus Solutions came about: he wanted a program, like MAPS, but with more of a sociological approach to local problems.

Amanda requests presentation for those prepared to do so.

Larry shows us a set of interactive maps that visually present the changes in national and local unemployment rates over the last five to ten years. The documents are called:
•“When Did Your County’s Jobs Disappear”
•“The Decline: The Geography of a Recession”
•“Unemployment in California”
-->They can be found at blackboard.csustan.edu, search course name “American Government” then go to topics – employment, education, social services

Larry summarizes his findings: The San Joaquin Region has always had about 5% worse employment than California, even in good times, as well as dramatic seasonal shifts. We have a weak manufacturing sector and more annual, dramatic seasonal shifts than other regions; this situation is only partly due to agricultural rhythms. It’s hard to know exactly what’s going on since we don’t keep track of employment rates according to industry. The San Joaquin Region is a severe pocket of unemployment comparable to three other regions in the U.S.: the Iron Range, the Deep South and Appalachia. Something distinct is going on in our region vis-a-vis California at large, but no one really knows why it is so anomalous.

Keith says that we have isolated three main reasons for the high unemployment:
•low education rates – Stanislaus County has a 68.1% high school graduation rate
•high illiteracy rates – Stanislaus County has 23.8% functional illiteracy
•drugs

George reads from a document entitled “Central Regional Economic Overview” prepared by Michelle Marquez, director of MJC’s Center for Excellence; it’s a twelve-page report that provides an industry and occupational overview of the Central Region and includes a one-page cover sheet that lists growth sectors. (I think we can email George for it.)

Michelle says that one solution would be to incentivize entrepreneurial activity. 15,000 out of the 45,000 unemployed are skilled and/or have other credentials; they are potential entrepreneurs. She thinks that we need to focus on providing entrepreneurial opportunities – what she calls organic economic growth or incubator projects – rather than trying to get big companies to relocate here. She is looking for similar projects in cohort-type regions to study so as to predict and plan out the future.

Minimum job qualifications in the region have shifted in the last 40 years: less than 10% of jobs in Stanislaus County can be done without a high school diploma; in the 1970’s 68% of jobs could be done without one.

George points out that a lot is being done already to train people and prepare the workforce but the picture isn’t changing much. His question is: What can we do differently to be more effective?

Keith believes that a major problem is that we don’t provide incentive to companies to move here. He drew a comparison to a county that gave Hyundai $100 million to build a factory.

George asks: What kind of jobs do we want? That’s another question for this panel.

Larry mentions two projects with potential: a UC Merced teaching hospital and a transfer center at Crows Landing (stuff would be shipped from Oakland and warehoused there). Both would create ancillary jobs

Keith thinks that the Crows Landing plan has potential especially when considering that 16.7% nationwide are in moving goods. The relevant curriculum is called logistics.

He mentions two more projects with potential: Riverbank Army Plant and a VA Corrections Hospital.

He then points out that the state spends $7,000 to keep a public student in school per year and $52,000 to keep a prisoner in jail for a year; spending money on education is cost effective.

Michelle fears that if we don’t create opportunities now, when the economy starts to improve we’ll have mass relocation of the skilled unemployed who will leave for jobs in the Bay Area or elsewhere making our situation worse yet.

The problem, when considering green jobs is that, most probably, new jobs wouldn’t be created. Instead, workers will simply retool by adding green skills to their qualifications.

At this point in the meeting, the conversation turns to assets of the local region including:
•affordability
•good schools (see cde.ca.gov for education statistics including local school ratings)
•available land
•cheap water
•sun
•agriculture
•an aging population (thus providing job opportunities)

A good analysis will look at assets versus obstacles.

Two major growth industries are: geriatric goods and service, education.

George makes the comment that what we’re doing in this meeting is important and novel because faculty is asking for it. He summarizes what we are doing as “raising awareness to lead to potential solutions.”

Google analytics can determine where money and demand are and may be a good tool for determining what kinds of businesses make sense locally.

Stanislaus County only has 529,000 residents which prevents some companies, like Nordstrom, from considering setting up shop.

George makes a request: Since what we’re doing – incremental adaptation – has not worked, he would like part of a session devoted to thinking completely out of the box.

Michelle suggests that in the first session we discuss context and causes including opportunities.

Dan points out that we should decide who we want our audience to be and be sure to let our speakers know.

Larry suggests a one-day, six-hour session.

Possible speakers for our series:
•Dan suggest we invite non-profits from the Airport District who are trying to get people into jobs and unemployed people with innovative ideas
•Balvino Irizary
•Virginia Medueno
•Carla Strong
•Bill Bassett
•Jeff Rowe
•Dennis Cardoza
•Rich Homer (?)
•Bill Lyons
•Ann Venomen
•Curtis Clark
•Someone from Stoobies Organic Dairy
•Hans Bjornsen, UC Merced (he has experience creating alternate business models)

Amanda, Bill and Debbie decide on October 15th from 1-6 and book Sierra Hall 132 for that day.