Welcome!
SDNEDC New Members!
Please join us in welcoming our new member:
Lamas Services.
Renewals: Cal State San Marcos, Palomar
College, City of Vista, City of Escondido, NYCA, DDH,
Community National Bank, North County Times,
Palomar Pomerado Hospital District, and Scripps
Memorial Hospital Encinitas.
Board Meeting Notes
from August 11, 2005
Presentation: Michael Schuerman, Director
of Research with the San Diego Regional Economic
Development Council presented a report by SANDAG
and the San Diego Regional Economic Development
Corporation (EDC). The report analyzed three critical
quality of life indicators – economy, environment, and
equity -- that affect the region’s long-term
prosperity and competitiveness.
The 2005 Indicators of Sustainable Competitiveness
Report reveals how well San Diego’s quality of life
stacks up against 18 similar metro regions, revealing
where we excel and where we fall short, as well as
how we’ve done since a similar study in 2001.
According to the latest results, San Diego
sustainable competitiveness ranks ninth overall, the
same as it did in 2001. The Seattle area ranked first
in the report (up from number five in 2001), followed
by Denver, Portland, Raleigh, and Austin. At the
bottom of the list were Phoenix, Sacramento, Tampa,
Orange County, and Washington, D.C.
The environment is our strongest suit. San Diego
does well in most of the environment indicators, as
represented by per capita investment in sewer, solid
waste and water utilities and habitat preservation.
The region’s overall ranking was #1, tied with Seattle.
In what will be surprising to some, San Diego falls in
the middle of the pack on the economy. We continue
to have a strong showing in some knowledge-based
economy measures, like venture capital funding,
initial public offerings and patenting. But our
economic ranking is dragged down by lack of
investments in economic and human infrastructure,
as exemplified by per capita investment in
transportation and goods movement, as well as
overall adult educational attainment. San Diego was
ranked 9th among the 18 metro areas.
The equity element is our poorest showing against
our competitors, and is the only indicator where San
Diego ranks below the U.S. as a whole. It points out
that San Diego urgently must address issues like
traffic congestion, public transit investment, cost of
housing, and elementary school proficiency in
mathematics, factors the report used to measure
social equity.
Gary Knight gave a brief President’s Report
that focused on new membership development.
Stephanie Weber will give a short presentation at our
next board meeting on this project. Gary also gave
an update on the Caltran’s briefings that were
conducted last week. The presentations had good
press coverage and the community response was
very positive. Gary concluded with an update on the
Executive briefing with Assemblyman George Plescia
the day before, noting the attendance was very
good. The Assemblyman gave a report on his
projects and the major activities in Sacramento.
Julie Wright gave the Marketing Committee
report. Julie provided an update on the publication
that we are developing with the Union Tribune to
profile North County. The “magazine” will focus on
the key industry clusters and provide information
that promotes the region’s growth. It will also give
attention to the emerging clusters that demonstrates
the region’s diversity and creativity. Next Julie gave
an update on the Center for Entreprenomics and
encouraged the Board to participate by volunteering
for the guidance committee that is forming. The final
discussion was on the new web site that is being
developed for the EDC, which should be released
within the next month or two.
Paul O’Neal gave the Infrastructure
Committee report. The committee has been
developing a list of issues that the group will monitor
and take action on over the next year. The initial list
includes transportation, utility - energy production
and delivery systems (including water), airport site
selection, gasoline pipeline delivery system,
monitoring the BRAC process, and keeping current on
the quarry’s being proposed in the Temecula area.
For more information on
how
to become a member of the EDC, or if you know of
someone that should be involved, please contact our
office at 760-598-9311.
