Re.new.al (n)
The Plan is ongoing.
We have completed phase one, which included governance, data research, community engagement, and made foundational and transformational recommendations.
The next phase will be to mobilize the team to implement the foundational recommendations and to convene an economic development body to work on transformational activities.
MOVE 2030 timeline
Our areas of focus
Business Development & Expansion
Diversification within and across sectors helps the overall economy expand employment opportunities, absorb external shocks, minimize adverse effects, and recover faster
Below is a consolidated list of activities initiated during the community lead economic action phase of MOVE 2030. The steering committee and the County of Mendocino will review actions proposed and seek to quantify their benefits to the overall economy over the next decade. These actions will be part of the final economic resiliency plan.
#1 – Create a Mendocino Business Development Network
Establish a public/private partnership team to develop a scope of work, governance model, and engagement process to have oversight of work
#2 – Administer an Entrepreneurial Ecosystem
Capital: Expand financial resources and capacity
- Research gaps in access to capital (survey, data)
- Directory of what capital resources are available
Culture: Create a buy local culture
- Buy Local: a local first procurement program/build a local regional supply chain
- Develop a marketplace portal
- In coordination with the artistic community create noteworthy downtown spaces that includes multi-purpose artist workspace and retail space.
Climate (government): Establish a business-friendly environment
- Streamline permitting process through improved communication and online capacity
- Establish a mobile permitting education for remote areas to understand the process
- Jurisdictions to endorse and simplify permitting requirements and process county wide
- Revise land use laws to encourage manufacturing and mixed use in downtown communities
- Secure a Business Navigator as single point of contact for referrals (EARN network)
- Secure a Mendocino Business Advocate to develop pipeline of business growth (West Center)
- Create a package of promotional B2B materials to “bring your business” here
- Develop internship and apprenticeship programs in partnership with Mendocino College and other agencies
Coaching: Improve Small Business Operations
- Improve small business operations in remote areas and under served communities through education of the market and advising (supply chains, inventory mgt)
- Create a business advisory council to mentor businesses
- Expand Startup Mendocino-type program that produces and expands entrepreneurship in growing high wage industries (healthcare, forestry, manufacturing, cannabis); growth industries vs living wage
- Develop a succession planning program for business continuity
Connections: Provide Economic Opportunities to remote areas of the county
- Identify core components of the economy that are missing from our rural communities through a county-wide survey
- Build capacity for grant writing support with resource and a point person (i.e. Healthy Mendocino)
- Enhance the Employer Advisor and Referral Network (EARN)
- Reassess the “MAC” format and develop unified processes/governance/metrics for providing opportunities
- Strengthen our “restorative” business sector through Large Industry/Business Sector dialog
- Foster artist residency programs with lodging partner
- Establish a roadshow program that brings business services to remote areas (work with already existing activity)
Below is a consolidated list of activities initiated during the community lead economic action phase of MOVE 2030. The steering committee and the County of Mendocino will review actions proposed and seek to quantify their benefits to the overall economy over the next decade. These actions will be part of the final economic resiliency plan.
#1 – Create a Mendocino Business Development Network
Establish a public/private partnership team to develop a scope of work, governance model, and engagement process to have oversight of work
#2 – Administer an Entrepreneurial Ecosystem
Capital: Expand financial resources and capacity
- Research gaps in access to capital (survey, data)
- Directory of what capital resources are available
Culture: Create a buy local culture
- Buy Local: a local first procurement program/build a local regional supply chain
- Develop a marketplace portal
- In coordination with the artistic community create noteworthy downtown spaces that includes multi-purpose artist workspace and retail space.
Climate (government): Establish a business-friendly environment
- Streamline permitting process through improved communication and online capacity
- Establish a mobile permitting education for remote areas to understand the process
- Jurisdictions to endorse and simplify permitting requirements and process county wide
- Revise land use laws to encourage manufacturing and mixed use in downtown communities
- Secure a Business Navigator as single point of contact for referrals (EARN network)
- Secure a Mendocino Business Advocate to develop pipeline of business growth (West Center)
- Create a package of promotional B2B materials to “bring your business” here
- Develop internship and apprenticeship programs in partnership with Mendocino College and other agencies
Coaching: Improve Small Business Operations
- Improve small business operations in remote areas and under served communities through education of the market and advising (supply chains, inventory mgt)
- Create a business advisory council to mentor businesses
- Expand Startup Mendocino-type program that produces and expands entrepreneurship in growing high wage industries (healthcare, forestry, manufacturing, cannabis); growth industries vs living wage
- Develop a succession planning program for business continuity
Connections: Provide Economic Opportunities to remote areas of the county
- Identify core components of the economy that are missing from our rural communities through a county-wide survey
- Build capacity for grant writing support with resource and a point person (i.e. Healthy Mendocino)
- Enhance the Employer Advisor and Referral Network (EARN)
- Reassess the “MAC” format and develop unified processes/governance/metrics for providing opportunities
- Strengthen our “restorative” business sector through Large Industry/Business Sector dialog
- Foster artist residency programs with lodging partner
- Establish a roadshow program that brings business services to remote areas (work with already existing activity)
Technology Expansion and Use
Below is a consolidated list of activities initiated during the community lead economic action phase of MOVE 2030. The steering committee and the County of Mendocino will review actions proposed and seek to quantify their benefits to the overall economy over the next decade. These actions will be part of the final economic resiliency plan.
#1 – Provide access to computational thinking and expand computer science for all students
- Standardize best practices to encourage students to utilize technology for their own productivity and to create and collaborate
- Fund Youth Participatory Action Research initiatives to increase youth and educator’s capacity around creative problem solving, entrepreneurship and design thinking
- Establish mentoring programs for tech industry professionals to work with students and/or teachers
- Offer Hour of Code events with MCOE and local partners
- Create “feeder programs” in 3rd-8th grades for already established CT/CS career pathways at the high school and junior college levels
- Establish student-led, adult-supported clubs that promote CT/CS, Invention Education, STEAM, STEM career-exploration or creative problem solving with CS in grades TK-5
#2 – Establish peer-to-peer tech learning
- Work with educational institutions to do reverse mentoring programs
- Set up classes and user groups through MCOE
- Adopt a model of salon-style trainings in person
- Create learning pods with nonprofits
#3 – Create a TechUp Awareness Campaign
- Establish partnerships with granges/community centers to become countywide tech hubs
- Create a countywide marketing campaign to educate and foster technology use for businesses, social services, government agencies
- Integrate businesses into existing tech and portals
- Research economic gains and phase a rollout as capacity builds
green infrastructure
Below is a consolidated list of activities initiated during the community lead economic action phase of MOVE 2030. The steering committee and the County of Mendocino will review actions proposed and seek to quantify their benefits to the overall economy over the next decade. These actions will be part of the final economic resiliency plan.
#1 – Educate the public on green infrastructure programs
- State’s SGIP (Self-Generation Intensive Program)
- Property Assessed Clean Energy
- Current and future emergency power systems in community centers
- How to apply for various “Green” programs
- What PG&E is doing in remote communities with diesel generators
- Solar power storage & power locations for Emergency Power Shuts Offs
#2 – Work with partners to explore feasibility of expanded use of Green Infrastructure
- Battery manufacturers and use
- Lime model pedagogy and training systems
- Establish a vocational training camp for young adults on green infrastructure
- Create a regional partnership via SMEDD/Humboldt resiliency to establish and fund micro grids
- Create a pilot program in Covelo or Elk for micro grids
- Work with Mendocino College on education program for solar installers.
Community Economic Action Plan
This MOVE 2030 Community Economic Action Plan is an effort which utilizes the power of locals who are taking a lead role in the economic revitalization of our community. Items listed in this Economic Action Plan have the potential to create lasting positive economic change because it reflects the work priorities of community stakeholders who are ultimately involved in implementation.
2021 County of Mendocino Economic Development Analysis
The 2021 County of Mendocino Economic Development Analysis, prepared by Beacon Economics, represents the culmination of the accomplishments of MOVE 2030’s more than 18-month collaborative effort. The key goals in commissioning this report include identifying priority issues for policy makers in the county and recommending immediate action items for the County of Mendocino’s consideration in enhancing the regional competitiveness as it evolves post-pandemic.
join the conversation
In the face of changing climate, demographics, technology, and health safety, what would it take to transform the Mendocino County economy into a vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable economy for the next generation?
