To: HONORABLE MAYOR AND From: Del D. Borgsdorf

CITY COUNCIL

Subject: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Date: November 6, 2003

STRATEGY

A major work program item for the City Manager’s Office this year is the preparation of a citywide Economic Development Strategy. I am pleased to forward a draft of the proposed strategy document. The Economic Development Strategy will be reviewed by the City Council at the November 18, 2003 Study Session.

The preparation of the strategy is the culmination of ten months of work by a project team led by the Office of Economic Development that included the Redevelopment Agency, and the Departments of Housing and Planning, Building and Code Enforcement. Airport and Transportation also played a significant role. More than 300 business leaders, residents and experts contributed to the strategy. The outreach process included 14 Focus Groups, involving 210 people, interviews with senior executives from 50 companies and 30 interviews with economic development partners and City leaders. Input from the more than 60 people who testified at five days “Getting Families Back to Work” Study Sessions convened by the Mayor and City Council was also incorporated.

The Economic Development Strategy is being distributed outside the normal process for agenda items to allow additional time for your review of this comprehensive document.

DEL D. BORGSDORF

City Manager