Camarillo City Council
AGENDA REPORT
Date: July 9, 2025
To: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
From: Greg Ramirez, City Manager
Submitted by: Carmen Nichols, Assistant City Manager
Subject: Economic Development Strategic Plan Update
BACKGROUND
The City Council adopted the Economic Development Strategic Plan (EDSP) on September 5, 2018, to serve as a roadmap for cultivating a vibrant business environment in Camarillo. The plan was developed through community engagement, stakeholder interviews, and analysis of regional economic trends. Its primary objectives included strengthening the City’s marketing and branding efforts, fostering a “Get-to-Yes” culture in development services, and formalizing internal support for economic development through the hiring of a dedicated Economic Development Manager.
The EDSP outlined a series of targeted strategies organized by key focus areas such as marketing, business outreach, infrastructure, and workforce development. It was designed to be both actionable and adaptable, with the expectation that it would be revisited over time to reflect progress and respond to changing market conditions.
DISCUSSION
Since the adoption of the EDSP, staff have made significant progress in carrying out the plan’s strategies. The core objectives of developing a clear marketing identity, supporting a business-friendly development process, and expanding staffing capacity have been accomplished. Most of the identified action items have either been completed or incorporated into ongoing City operations.
While much of the original plan has been implemented, many of its strategies continue to serve as the foundation for current programming, outreach, and marketing. Completed actions have transitioned into recurring responsibilities, such as maintaining and improving the ChooseCamarillo.com platform, facilitating coordinated consultations for development projects, and engaging regularly with local businesses.
Economic Development Strategic Plan Update
July 9, 2025
2 6
8 8
There are also important items that remain incomplete due to factors outside the City’s control. These include regional and private-sector initiatives such as the Mian Plaza hotel project, the 101-freeway widening, and the fading of the local entrepreneurial ecosystem during the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, the overall demands of economic development have increased. What began as a finite set of tasks has evolved into a broader and more integrated program that requires sustained attention and adaptation.
Each of these ongoing activities has room to grow in impact and alignment, and staff believe the City has only begun to uncover the full potential of this work.
In addition, the Old Town Strategic Plan remains in need of adoption and implementation.
Its recommendations should be evaluated and incorporated into future economic development workplans to ensure coordinated and place-based strategies are addressed.
At this meeting, staff will provide an overview of the completed action strategies and the continuing efforts they have informed. Staff also recommend returning to the City Council at a future meeting with a refreshed version of the EDSP. This updated plan would function as an annual workplan, helping to align staff efforts with Council priorities, monitor progress, and guide future resource allocation. Treating the EDSP as a living document will support a proactive and flexible approach to economic development and allow the City to respond effectively to a changing economic landscape.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no budget impact as a result of this action.
CEQA DETERMINATIONS
City staff has determined, in accordance with Section 15061(b)(3) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, that the CHTA annual plan approval is not subject to CEQA review because it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the annual plan approval may have a significant effect on the environment.
RECOMMENDATION
Receive and file.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Economic Development Strategic Plan
REFERENCE MATERIALS – AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW AT CITY HALL None