Mariposa County Board of Supervisors Accept the Amended Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) from the Economic Development Corporation of Mariposa County

Mariposa County Board of Supervisors Accept the Amended Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) from the Economic Development Corporation of Mariposa County

Roger Biery, President of the Economic Development Corporation of Mariposa County presented to the Mariposa County Board of Supervisors (BOS) the DRAFT Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Plan on February 7, 2012.

The Plan:
DRAFT Mariposa County 2012 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy

Audio is in minutes and seconds and the time is approximate.

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0:00 Mr. Biery mentions that the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) will be presented to the Central Sierra Economic Development District and it's purpose is to be included into a larger economic development package involving five counties and seven cities. The Mariposa County plan includes twenty four separate items. The main purpose of the CEDS is to be eligible for grants from the Economic Development Administration (EDA). Townsend will be looking over the Mariposa County CEDS and providing advice. Mr. Biery mentions that the EDA does not recognize Tourism as an industry. After receiving further advice from others that have knowledge of EDA requirements some of the twenty four projects may be left out of the final document. The ones that do not make the final list will still be considered using other methods for obtaining grant funding.

7:45 Mr. Biery mentions that they will have to be proactive in looking for funding. Supervisor Jim Allen asks why Lake McSwain was not included in the document when Lake Don Pedro and Lake McClure are mentioned? It is noted that it will be included in the final document. Mr. Allen asks about the formula used in stating how many jobs will be created?  Mr. Biery responds by saying the formula used is "little better than a dartboard", but if they apply for a grant they will have to justify the number of jobs.

18:15 Supervisor Janet Bibby asks about Timber being included in the plan. Mr. Biery said that at first it was included and then it was pulled out. Mr. Biery mentions that EDA would never build a hotel/conference center but may fund infrastructure improvements and that their barometer is how many jobs are created. Having a parking structure is discussed. Mr. Biery said that they will be applying a lot of effort for having a hotel/conference center as it will provide a lot of jobs. Supervisor Bibby mentions that onsite parking for the hotel/conference center is critical.

31:35 The BOS on a 5-0 vote accepts the amended CEDS document.

33:00 Commercial flights at the airport is mentioned. Only permanent jobs are included in the EDA's requirements for funding, not construction jobs.