The Next Chapter
February 9, 2026
Economic Development Workshop
•Economic Development Introduction
•Successes
•Challenges
•Where do we go from here?
•Direction and Discussion
What is Economic Development?
Economic Development is the creation of wealth
in which community benefits are realized. It is
more than a jobs program, it’s an investment in
growing your economy and enhancing the quality
of life for all residents.
California Association of Local Economic Development (CALED)
Why Economic Development?
Economic Development is the creation of wealth
in which community benefits are realized. It is
more than a jobs program, it’s an investment in
growing your economy and enhancing the quality
of life for all residents.
California Association of Local Economic Development (CALED)
What is Economic Development,
in Bellflower?
City Marketing and Promotion for Retail/Development
Development Facilitation/Process Streamlining
Small Business Concierge (point of contact)
Entrepreneurial/Small Business Assistance/Training
Public Art
Housing Efforts
Downtown Development, Placemaking & Stewardship
Property Acquisition & New Development
Business Expansion, Attraction, Retention
Successes
U C C E S S E S S
U C C E S S E S S
U C C E S S E S S
U C C E S S E S S
U C C E S S E S S
U C C E S S E S S
U C C E S S E S S
U C C E S S E S S
U C C E S S E S S
U C C E S S E S S
U C C E S S E S S
Economic Development
3 Major
Challenges
1 Built-Out City
-Minimal Developable Land
-Historical Development Patterns
-Many absentee owners, some long-term
1 Built-Out City
63% - 88%
Estimated percentage of absentee owned vacant commercial property 2022 Economic Development Dept.
-Development around Bellflower
(Adjacent and Nearby Cities)
-Retailers/developers more selective
-State Mandates
Competition2
Competition2
Challenging Demographics
Competition2
Positive Outlook
47%
3-5 Person
Households
12,413/mi
Population Density
3 Specialization
-Economic Development inexperience
-Public Affairs/Community
Development duties
-Revolving door of staff since
established
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City Council’s Vision
1.New Business/Development Attraction
a.Development/Project Support
2.Small Business/Entrepreneurial Programs
3.Maintain HOME/CDBG/SHA programs and
compliance
a.support above programs where possible
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT RE-ALIGNMENT
Provide
Development
and Project
Support
HOME/
CDBG/SHA
Administration
Property
Management
Business
Assistance
Program
Entrepreneurial
Programs
Outreach to
Small and
Large
Businesses/
Developers
Determine
Locational/Property
Needs
Identify Real
Estate
Opportunities
Real
Property &
Housing
Business
Outreach and
Support
Find Existing
Locations
Circling Back
1.Despite the challenges, Bellflower has had lots of Economic Development success over the past 20 -years.
2.With the Strategic Plan, we’re at a point where we need to re - align our efforts with City Council’s vision.
3.With the department’s updated structure, we can be
responsive to the City Council’s specific vision and direction.
Discussion and Direction
1.Downtown Bellflower?
2.Housing as an Economic Development tool?
3.Public Art – Murals/Utility Box Art?
4.Business Assistance Program (BAP)?
5. Uses you want to see?
6. Strategic Property Acquisition
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT RE-ALIGNMENT
Provide
Development
and Project
Support
HOME/
CDBG/SHA
Administration
Property
Management
Business
Assistance
Program
Entrepreneurial
Programs
Outreach to
Small and
Large
Businesses/
Developers
Determine
Locational/Property
Needs
Identify Real
Estate
Opportunities
Real
Property &
Housing
Business
Outreach and
Support
Find Existing
Locations
Director of Economic
Development
Executive Assistant II
Senior Marketing Specialist Management Analyst II
Management Analyst I
Pre-2025-27 Department Organization
Director of Economic
Development
Executive Assistant II
Senior Project Manager
Business Development
Senior Project Manager
Housing/Real Property
Economic Development
Specialist
Economic Development
Specialist
FY 2026-2027
Current Department Organization
Director of Economic
Development
Executive Assistant II
Senior Project Manager
Business Development
Senior Project Manager
Housing/Real Property
Economic Development
Specialist
Economic Development
Specialist
FY 2026-2027
Director of Economic
Development
Executive Assistant II
Senior Marketing Specialist Management Analyst II
Management Analyst I
Refresh Parapet
Example: Neighborhood Center Rehab
Business Improvement District
BID: Levied through business license fee
PBID: Levied through property tax bill
HOW MONEY IS SPENT: (BID, not the City, determines how the revenues are spent) Services – security, maintenance, landscaping, graffiti removal, sidewalk cleaning, ED services Streetscape – furniture, lighting, planters, street lighting Special Events – food tours, seasonal attractions
Signage – Décor, banners, murals, art pieces
Marketing – ads, brochures, website, social media, promos 91 FWY SPLIT:
North BID – 154 properties (14 city owned)*
South BID – 50 properties (5 city owned)*
Common ways to do BID Assessments: Street/building frontage – OR - Lot/building square footage * Property counts may have changed since City last looked at BID formation