A NextGen Economy for Simi Valley
In the midst of a pandemic and economic hardship, it is hard to think about what is next. But now, more than ever, we must learn, adapt, and formulate what our future holds as a local economy here in Simi Valley. Our economic health is deeply intertwined with the fiscal health of our budget. While we continue our practice of a lean budget, we must think of how we spur economic activity for increased revenue to our city, without shouldering the cost to taxpayers. Our own Budget Advisory Committee has highlighted the need for economic development ideas.
We are no stranger to stagnation. As California Lutheran University’s Center for Economic Research and Forecasting (CERF) had presented just last year, our regional economy was in its fifth straight year of economic weakness, with a projection that this trend would continue for an additional three years. COVID-19 has made it certain for this year at minimum. Cited reasons for stagnation range include the loss of high-paying jobs, the inability to attract and retain talent, and housing affordability.
Growing Challenges
There are a number of realities that our town must face in order to meet the 21st century. First, the pressures of a remaining strictly a bedroom community are growing too great. There is a desire to be a community where you can live, work, and play. Those who wish to live in Simi Valley and work in neighboring Los Angeles are experiencing growing traffic congestion, resulting in hours of driving time. Secondly, housing continues to become less and less affordable, and out of reach for young people trying to start a family. The healthiest communities are multigenerational. And lastly, technological advances in the workplace are causing a decline in the need for retail and office spaces.
That is why my top priority as your next Councilmember is economic development by fostering an environment for small businesses to succeed, good-paying jobs to grow, and to sustain our quality of life. The very promise of what Simi Valley is is threatened by the economic stagnation we have experienced.
Through focusing on entrepreneurship, smart planning, and workforce development, we can tackle this new era head-on. I believe I can be that bridge.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Developing a “2040 Vision”
Much like our city’s former “Vision 2020” plan developed in the late 1990’s, a new economic era and changing conditions of the workplace call for a next generation vision for our community that reflects progress in technology, the workplace, and economic sectors that reflect our largest growth potential. By bringing together stakeholders from across the community, we can set a roadmap reflective of our future, without sacrificing the character of our community.
Simi Valley as a “Silicon Suburb”
Cities similar to ours in character and size have begun a movement towards becoming a “Silicon Suburb” or innovation-centric communities. Simi Valley itself has a two-thirds population that are college educated with a top notch school district that educates some of the best and brightest. With companies such as Fortune-500 company Amgen downsizing, Simi Valley has an opportunity to draw those in the biotech sector, for example. Let’s build an exciting community that entrepreneurs want to be a part of and retain the students we produce.
A Business Incubator for Inspiring Entrepreneurship
One idea in achieving a culture of entrepreneurship is a business incubator for startups to get their footing with work space, resources, internet, and mentorship from local business owners. That is why I am proud to have co-founded the Simi Valley Business Incubator Committee, formed out of the Simi Valley Youth Employment Service (YES) Advisory Board, because we understood that employment opportunities do not have to mean working for others, but rather launching your own next big idea.
Protecting Our Hometown Mom and Pop Shops
As your Councilmember, I’ll always look out for our mom and pop shops, which are the backbone of our community. An eventual goal of ours should be to create a “legacy business” tax credit to hometown businesses that have been at the core of our community for decades.
SMART PLANNING
Smart Planning of Economic Development Corridors
The 3rd District is the economic engine that drives Simi Valley, from the Los Angeles Avenue Area to industry along East Street to our Town Center. Future economic development corridors should have forward-thinking smart planning that understands the need for solutions to traffic congestion, utilization of public transportation, connectivity with surrounding neighborhoods, proximity of housing options for our workforce, walkability, beautification, balancing projects with green space, and keeping the character of neighborhoods intact.
Inclusion of Small Businesses in Our Future
Neighboring communities have seen the rise of economic activity along “main streets”, led not by government, but by associations of surrounding small businesses who understand that their input is essential for vibrant neighborhoods. Facilitating these types of partnerships of small businesses for the specific planning of key economic areas, such as the Los Angeles Avenue area, will be a priority of mine. The voices of small businesses, like our Neighborhood Councils, should be heard by your Councilmember.
Revitalization of the Simi Valley Town Center
The Simi Valley Town Center’s decline is a reflection of a well-intentioned project with a failure of foresight by City Council. Challenges include retail’s movement to online platforms, inconsistent foot traffic throughout the day, and major competing malls within miles. However, the Town Center is an economic development corridor whose future can be salvaged and must be revitalized. The Town Center shows promise in its westend that has excellent entertainment and dining options. Future plans should rely less on retail and more on activities for our community and making Simi Valley a destination.
Housing Our Workforce
Within the City of Simi Valley’s own “Economic Development Program” (2012), the very first named liability (weakness/threat) of the community is the “cost of housing and lack of workforce housing”. The housing affordability crisis in our state is impacting every community and we must do our part to ensure that our workforce has housing options with inclusionary policies.
Improving Infrastructure
From our roads to fiber optics, infrastructure is a key ingredient to our economic growth. Early on in this race, I launched a “What to Fix” campaign to hear from 3rd District residents. I intend to continue this program as your Councilmember and push priority projects for our district.
Cultural and Environmental Tourism
In line with our goal to become a destination for visitors to spend their money, our cultural and environmental resources are irreplaceable treasures that add to our community’s value. That is why I am a major proponent of the Rim of the Valley, not only for its preservation of our hillsides, but the potential for Simi Valley to become a national park hotspot through future backpacking, biking, and hiking trails. While the Ronald Reagan Library draws visitors from across the country, hidden gems such as the Strathearn Museum and the VFW Museum deserve our support and provide for excellent avenues for visitors to extend their time here.
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
Building a Coalition for Growing Manufacturing
As the home to employers such as Milgard and Meggitt, we know that manufacturing is a central sector of our community. We have excellent organizations such as the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce’s Manufacturing Roundtable and the Workforce Development Board, who have made it their priority to bolster manufacturing locally, but as a city we must do our part in supporting them and promoting their efforts to the public.
Bolstering Trade Apprenticeships
Trade jobs are high-wage jobs that keep up with our cost of living, from construction jobs to electricians to carpenters. Let’s bring together businesses, labor, and our education partners to promote these jobs through career pathways and apprenticeships for our young people. Likewise, let’s look for what future projects can include these tradesmen and women in their development to keep jobs local.
