No. California Civic Leaders Join Forces to Rebuild Regional Economy
April 17, 2009—Oroville, CA. In an unprecedented show of community unity, a new group of regional business, government and civic leaders has been formed to design, implement and promote a new economic blueprint for the greater Oroville and Butte County region. Named the BayTEC Alliance, the group includes prominent business and labor leaders, education and elected officials and nonprofit champions. The Alliance aims to stem the exodus of jobs from the region, while laying the foundation for both future economic growth and the preservation of the areas quality of life.
"The Oroville region is at a crossroads," said Weldon C. Larson, Senior Partner/Principal at Hignell Development Group, Inc., and host of the gathering. "The one-two punch of a global downturn compounded by the years-long degradation in the local jobs base has resulted in regional unemployment rising to more than 10 percent. Worse, the long-term trends show our future economy and quality of life at great risk. We are calling upon the collective wisdom and effort of all our area community leaders to join this important initiative to rebuild the region's economy."
From the inaugural meeting a consensus was reached to formalize the ad hoc group into the Bay Tech Alliance, Inc, an ongoing non-profit organization funded by local businesses and governments.
Atop the Alliance's agenda is developing the region as an attractive home for new high growth, export-oriented industries, specifically in the growing "cleantech" segment. Cleantech is the label for technologies in areas such as renewable energy (wind, solar, and biofuels), end-use and resource efficiency, and green buildings. Related "green" businesses include a wide range of companies offering products, services, and financing for a cleaner environment, healthier lifestyles, and a low carbon economy.
Bill Connelly, chairman of the Butte county Board of Supervisors, applauded the group's formation. "Regions around the country are stepping up and organizing to compete in these new high growth industries-with an effort like the BayTEC Alliance, we can rightly compete for our share also. I am impressed with the number and caliber of both private sector and public sector leaders who are behind this important effort."
"Cleantech is a logical extension of our community's inherent strengths-leveraging everything from the curriculum at Butte College to the presence of clean technology start-ups and entrepreneurs we already have in our midst," said John Peace, Executive Director, Oroville Economic Development Corporation. "The group's job will be to help identify and promote our current community assets while working to attract new companies and resources."
One existing regional asset identified by the Alliance is the Bay View Regional Innovation and Technology Center, a 170-acre campus currently under development by the Hignell Group. The developers hope the complex will become northern California's first "Green Certified" innovation and technology center, ready for occupancy by January 1, 2011. Under the current plan, the campus would attract millions of dollars in new research and development funds, provide home to 50 new clean tech enterprises and could generate upwards of 1,000 new jobs for the region.
"I applaud this effort and commend the leaders who have given life to this important endeavor," said Oroville Mayor Steven Jernigan. "Clearly, the future of our economy and community relies upon attracting and retaining high growth industries while at the same time supplying the competitive, educated workforce these companies dearly need. This Alliance will help prepare our community to compete and prosper in the years to come."
The BayTEC Alliance plans a series of public events intended to communicate with and involve as many area residents as possible, including a major Community Briefing to be held in Oroville on June 18. For more details, visit the group's website at: www.baytecalliance.org
Contact: Weldon Larson
530-342-8900
Virginia Walker
530-342-1009
