Economic
Development
Strategic Plan
Adoption
August 17, 2022
City Council Meeting
1 Economic Development Strategic Plan Process
Economic
Research
Analysis
(UCR)
Community
Engagement
SWOT
Analysis
Identify Goals
and Strategic
Actions
Create and
Adopt
Strategic Plan
Annual
Review and
Update
(Optional)
2 Community Outreach and Engagement
3 Resident Outreach
Business & Stakeholder
Outreach City Council Updates
• Communitywide surveys:
(English and Spanish)
• Shared via Social Media
Themes:
Shopping, Dining & Entertainment
Starting / Owning a Business
Workforce Needs & Wealth
Building
Sep 2021 – April 2022
• Property manager & broker
interviews
Aug – Sept 2021
• Traditionally under-represented
business interviews
Nov 2021– Feb 2022
• Catalytic business interviews
Jan – June 2022
• Chamber of Commerce Meeting
May 17, 2022
• City Council Committee
of the Whole
May 26, 2021
November 10, 2021
July 13, 2022
Over 3,500 +
responses
4 Strategic Goals
Elevate Entrepreneurs &
Support Small Businesses
In partnership with our local
and regional partners, elevate
and support entrepreneurs and
small businesses in Corona.
Facilitate Business
Retention & Expansion
Facilitate the retention and
expansion of existing
businesses and the attraction
of new businesses in Corona.
Prepare & Support Our
Residents for Jobs of the Future
Provide our community with
the skills, resources, and
support they need to prepare
for the jobs of the future in
Southern California.
Facilitate Planning &
Development
Facilitate a collaborative,
responsive, efficient, and
business-friendly development
review process to ensure best
in class service to our
development community.
Encourage Placemaking &
Community
Encourage the development of
lively public spaces by
celebrating our heritage to
promote the local economy
and our community’s health,
happiness, and well-being.
Enhance Communication &
Connection
Enhance communication and
connection with community by
celebrating our successes and
ensuring all residents have
equitable access to City
resources.
5 Goal 1: Strategic Actions
Elevate Entrepreneurs and Support Small Businesses
1.1 Increase visitations and outreach to businesses to strengthen business partnerships and foster dialogue. Provide targeted business outreach through phone, email, in person visits, and social media.
1.2 Augment entrepreneurial pathways through expanded and enhanced partnerships with resource agencies (e.g., Asociacion de Emprendedor@s, SCORE, SBDC, etc.).
1.3 Continue targeted promotion of small business resources through thematic outreach (e.g., Small Business Week, Manufacturing Day/Week, Hispanic/Latino business owners, women business owners, etc.).
1.4 Evaluate ways to enhance participation in Annual Riverside County Innovation Month by promoting and coordinating events in Corona that showcase innovative and entrepreneurial businesses.
1.5 Enhance the relationship with the Greater Riverside Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Corona Chamber of Commerce to create additional support for economic and workforce development initiative and business events that support entrepreneurial development for small business owners.
1.6 Build upon the success of the inaugural New Business Reception with the Corona Chamber of Commerce and implement as an annual event to celebrate new businesses locating in Corona. 6 Goal 1: Strategic Actions (cont’d.)
Elevate Entrepreneurs and Support Small Businesses
1.7 Create a “How to do Business in Corona” guide, in both English and Spanish, that details the permitting process and business ombudsman services. Include the guide in a digital welcome packet for new businesses that register for business licenses.
1.8 In partnership with either a local resource partner, and/or third-party consultant, create guidelines, implement, and administer a Small Business Grant Program funded through ARPA funds.
1.9 Explore the feasibility of a commercial façade improvement program for small businesses. Options may include grants or low-interest loans. Consider combining with Small Business Grant Program.
1.10 Identify and partner with regional business incubators or colleges to connect entrepreneurs with office and meeting spaces while the City secures funding for the development of an Innovation Center.
1.11 Expand partnerships to offer an in-person Small Business Symposium on both basic and critical issues for small business owners. Topics could include marketing, social media, finance, human resources, access to capital, technology, and more.
1.12 Partner with technology programs at local colleges, universities, and high schools to create internship programs with businesses, such as support in building websites and social media. 7 Goal 1: Measuring Success
Elevate Entrepreneurs and Support Small Businesses
Key Performance Indicators Milestone Measurements
Number of small business grant applicants Complete an annual survey of businesses visited to determine value of relationship with City
Percentage of ARPA funds distributed Completion of “How to Do Business” Guide Percentage of small businesses that remained open one
year after participating in various small business programs Hold two annual working meetings with Chambers of
Commerce
Increase in promoted activities for promoted businesses Hold Small Business Symposium Percentage of Emprendedor@s graduates that successfully launch their business
Survey New Business Reception participants to
determine value of program
Number of entrepreneurs utilizing work and meeting spaces in local incubators and colleges
Identify a focus area for initial phase of the façade
program within one year
Utilization of 300 intern hours each year through partnerships with local colleges
Complete feasibility study and identify source of
funding for façade program, if feasible
8 Goal 2: Strategic Actions
Facilitate Business Retention and Expansion
2.1 Enhance promotion of Team Corona to provide exceptional customer service to businesses seeking to locate or expand in Corona as well as resolve business concerns.
2.2 Continue promotion of LocateInCorona.com for businesses and entrepreneurs to locate available commercial space in Corona.
2.3 Build upon the Manufacturing Assistance Program (MAP) and enhance the resource partner network to support the manufacturing and industrial clusters in the city.
2.4 Determine if an incentive strategy for focused, desired businesses to locate in Corona to augment existing industries is feasible. Incentives could include, but are not limited to, additional City staff support, financial assistance, and expedited permitting.
2.5 Complete Phase II of the review and update to the City’s purchasing process to follow best practices and provide better opportunities for local vendors. Host a workshop for local businesses to educate them about procurement opportunities in the government.
2.6 Explore the feasibility of establishing a program to assist long-time Corona restaurants to open smaller scale operations in the downtown area.
2.7 Continue Film Corona and continue to streamline film permits. 9 Goal 2: Measuring Success
Facilitate Business Retention and Expansion
Key Performance Indicators Milestone Measurements
Number of businesses that utilized LocateInCorona.com
as part of their decision to locate in Corona
Hold initial meetings with partners and identify
opportunities and barriers to facilitating business
relocations to the City
Percentage of City contracts awarded to Corona-based
businesses Complete Feasibility Analysis for incentive strategy Number of film permits issued Conduct a survey of MAP participants to determine the value of the program
Survey businesses that have utilized Team Corona
services to determine value of the program and ways to
improve customer service
10 Goal 3: Strategic Actions
Prepare and Support Our Residents for Jobs of the Future
3.1 Continue to strengthen the partnership with the Corona Chamber of Commerce to implement the Live Work Corona workforce development initiative. Programming to include a local Corona Job Fair to match local businesses with local talent, internships, externships, and workforce development.
3.2 Secure long-term funding for Emergency Housing Needs Rental Assistance Program.
3.3 Expand partnership with Corona Regional Medical Center, City of Hope, and other medical facilities to create a workforce development program for local high school students interested in entering the medical field.
3.4 Partner with local technical and trade schools to determine the feasibility of creating an internship program to introduce local students and residents to opportunities in the construction industry, a growing sector in Corona.
3.5 Leverage assets in the community college system and the Corona-Norco and Alvord Unified School Districts that already provide workforce development programs for the growing industries in Corona. Connect community colleges, CNUSD, and AUSD to local businesses for workforce opportunities. 11 Goal 3: Measuring Success
Prepare and Support Our Residents for Jobs of the Future Key Performance Indicators Milestone Measurements
Number of new internship programs created for local
students
Implement Job Fair and survey participants to determine value of program
Percentage of households that do not default on rental
payments within a year after receiving assistance
Meet with leaders in Corona’s healthcare industry to
determine the feasibility of creating a medical field
workforce development program and identify partners
Number of households assisted through Emergency
Housing Programs
12 Goal 4: Strategic Actions
Facilitate Planning and Development
4.1 Support prompt location of desired industry clusters or business types through Team Corona assistance.
4.2 Upon the implementation of the Downtown Revitalization Plan, support and facilitate redevelopment of the Corona Mall properties and support a cohesive vision for a prosperous and diverse downtown.
4.3 Develop a robust communications strategy highlighting City’s streamlined reviews and Team Corona resources to facilitate prompt business location and expansion.
4.4 Host Broker/Property Manager outreach or education events to provide timely information on City’s entitlement process.
13 Goal 4: Measuring Success
Facilitate Planning and Development
Key Performance Indicators Milestone Measurements
Percentage of Team Corona meetings that result in
Corona business expansion or relocation
Host informational seminar/webinar on entitlement
process
Number of annual permits and corresponding to cluster
industries
Launch City Permitting and Resources awareness
campaign
Number of Corona Mall properties redeveloped via the
Downtown Revitalization Plan
14 Goal 5: Strategic Actions
Encourage Placemaking and Community
5.1 Enhance awareness of the Police Department’s Business Liaison Program to build partnerships and strengthen trust with local businesses and residents. Utilize data to increase the officers’ presence and drive enforcement operations in areas of concerns.
5.2 Implement the Community Placemaking Pilot Program to increase community connection and economic development through public activities.
5.3 Evaluate the formation of a Business Improvement District (BID) in Downtown Corona to assist businesses with costs such as marketing, additional security, and events.
5.4 Evaluate the creation of a concert series in Downtown Corona to engage residents with the area and promote foot traffic for local businesses. The City could partner with businesses to ensure events are beneficial to the area and not a hardship on business activity.
5.5 Continue to showcase local restaurants, food, and beverage vendors at City-sponsored events throughout the year to assist them in promoting their products and generating new customers. 15 Goal 5: Strategic Actions (cont’d.)
Encourage Placemaking and Community
5.6 Initiate and complete the Sixth Street Beautification and Revitalization Project.
5.7 Utilizing ARPA funds, activate the open-air stage to host community events and provide additional entertainment activities.
5.8 As new Specific Plans and Master Plans are adopted, encourage the development of bike lanes and trails through developer agreements, community benefit agreements, etc.
5.9 Promote and enhance micro-mobility options.
16 Goal 5: Measuring Success
Encourage Placemaking and Community
Key Performance Indicators Milestone Measurements
Percentage of residents rating the quality and number of places to recreate, socialize, meet, and connect as
good or excellent
Produce a Business Liaison brochure and distribute to
Downtown businesses
Survey Downtown businesses on the interest and
feasibility of forming a BID
Number of events held in the Downtown
Completion of Beautification and Revitalization Projects Complete evaluation of public financing feasibility
Number of events and attendees at open-air stage
events
Number of new trails and bike lanes constructed
17 Goal 6: Strategic Actions
Enhance Communication and Connection
6.1 Continue coordination with the Office of Communications on rebranding efforts. Update the City website and marketing materials and create a specific economic development website with current information on available programs and resources.
6.2 Enhance the successful and informative monthly Economic Development newsletter with business promotion of new businesses, success stories, and locally made products. Celebrate and elevate Corona’s local businesses.
6.3 Increase utilization of the City’s social media accounts to publicize City accomplishments and updates related to economic development activities and events.
6.4 Establish an opt-in citywide text messaging system for residents and businesses that provides updates on local events, programs, and resources.
6.5 Develop a resource list with contact information for Spanish-speaking staff that can support Spanish-speaking residents and business owners. Translate City documents into Spanish.
6.6 Launch an internal training program to train staff on their roles in Economic Development, including a City tour for all new staff to understand how they influence resident and business satisfaction.
6.7 Establish regular broker appreciation events, such as a broker breakfasts and sector specific broker events, to foster relationships with the broker and real estate community. 18 Goal 6: Measuring Success
Enhance Communication and Connection
Key Performance Indicators Milestone Measurements
Percentage of City resources that can be accessed in Spanish Complete rebranding guidelines Growth in followers across social media platforms Update economic development website and marketing materials
Number of annual social media impressions
Percentage of residents opting into text messaging system program
Percentage of City employees that have completed
economic development program
Increase in rating in customer service surveys
Percentage of brokers engaged with and completion of
annual city satisfaction survey
19 City Council
Adoption
August 17, 2022
Finalize
Implementation
Schedule
Including Metrics and
Milestones
Fall 2022
Implementation
Underway
FY 2023-2027
Quarterly &
Annual Updates
Next Steps
Questions?
Lynn Kelly-Lehner
RSG, Inc.
[email protected]
714-316-2198