YUBA-SUTTER ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT
2023 CEDS ANNUAL
PERFORMANCE
REPORT
ABSTRACT
The Annual CEDS Performance Report
for 2023 analyzes the Yuba-Sutter
region’s current economic conditions
and serves as an update on the
region’s progress towards reaching
regional goals and objectives. This
report covers a period from January 1
through December 31, 2023
i
2023 Annual CEDS Performance and Update Report
EDA Investment #22SEA3020024
Introduction
Yuba-Sutter Economic Development Corporation (YSEDC), established in 1994 to support economic development efforts, is organized as a nonprofit private corporation governed by a 23-member board of directors. The corporation represents business interests of both public and private sectors within the Yuba City Metropolitan Statistical Area.
The corporation was designated as an Economic Development District (EDD) by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration (EDA) in 1996. Yuba‐Sutter Economic Development District (YSEDD) is synonymous with Yuba‐Sutter Economic Development Corporation (YSEDC). The district is comprised of the counties of Sutter and Yuba and the cities of Live Oak, Marysville, Wheatland, and Yuba City. The region is referred to as the Yuba City Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) as defined by U.S.
Office of Management and Budget and used by the U.S. Census Bureau and other U.S. government agencies for statistical purposes. The U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration provides financial assistance to designated districts for the purpose of developing an Economic Development Strategy and provides funding, in part, for community development planning designed to assist in alleviating economic distress and unemployment.
The Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) document is a significant component of remaining a designated EDD. YSEDC updates the region’s CEDS and submits a performance report annually. The CEDS document and appendices can be found on YSEDC’s website:
https://www.chooseyubasutter.com/strategy
Yuba-Sutter Economic Development Corporation is pleased to submit its 2023 CEDS Annual Performance Report to the EDA.
ii
Table of Contents
Introduction...........................................................................................................................................................i 2023 Annual Performance Report........................................................................................................................1 CEDS Committee...............................................................................................................................................1 Adjustment to the Strategy ..................................................................................................................................3 Labor Force .......................................................................................................................................................3 Unemployment.................................................................................................................................................3 Per Capita Personal Income..............................................................................................................................4 Average Wages.................................................................................................................................................4 Establishments..................................................................................................................................................5 Gross Domestic Product ...................................................................................................................................5 Performance Measures.........................................................................................................................................6 Performance Metrics........................................................................................................................................6 Evaluation of Progress on Goals and Tactics ........................................................................................................7 Vision ................................................................................................................................................................7 Goals and Accomplishments in 2023....................................................................................................................7 Goal 1 – Create and maintain a competitive region through economic development....................................7 Goal 2 – Develop, retain, and attract talent...................................................................................................11 Goal 3 – Improve and modernize infrastructure ............................................................................................12 Goal 4 – Foster overall quality of life and place..............................................................................................23 Economic Disaster, Recovery and Resiliency......................................................................................................29 Report on Economic Development Activities.....................................................................................................30 Schedule of Goals - YSEDC ..................................................................................................................................32 Schedule of Goals - Region .................................................................................................................................33 1 2023 Annual Performance Report
This report analyzes the Yuba-Sutter region’s current economic conditions and serves as an update on the progress toward reaching regional goals and objectives and implementing the region’s plan of action.
CEDS Committee
The CEDS committee completed the process of the five-year update of the CEDS (2020-2025), and it was approved by the Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration on August 8, 2020. The 2022-2023 CEDS committee composition consists of the following membersrepresenting both the private and public sectors. There are no changes to the staff or the capacity of the organization to support the development or implementation of the CEDS.
Private Sector
Name Company/Organization Position Interest Group
Gus Becerra Regional Housing Authority CEO Nonprofit, housing, low-income Robert Bendorf Hard Rock Hotel and Casino
Sacramento
Director of Government
Relations
Consultant, businesses
Camille Benner Habitat for Humanity Director of Family Services Nonprofit, Affordable Housing, Lowincome, Poverty Mark Birtha Hard Rock Hotel and Casino
Sacramento
CEO Hospitality, Restaurant, Private Individual
Arun Bhardwaj US Bank Assistant V.P. Banking/Finance, Community Leader Molly Bloom Sutter County Museum Museum Director Nonprofit, Arts & Culture Johnny Burke Sutter Yuba Homeless Consortium Director Nonprofit, Private Individual George Carpenter Sutter Pointe Vice President Construction, Housing, Private Individual Laurie Johnson Y.S. Farm Bureau Executive Director Agriculture, Workforce Development Thomas Engler Marysville Flood Protection P.E., CFM Government, City of Marysville Rachel Farrell Harmony Health CEO Healthcare, Private Individual Chuck Ferguson The Work Hub Owner Entrepreneur & Startup Bus Development, community workplaces
Johnnise FosterDownsPG &E Public Affairs Utilities, Private Individual Matt Goody UA Local Union 228 Business Manager Union, Private Individual Beth Hammes Local Union 228 Training Coordinator Union, Private Individual Bob Harlan Yuba-Sutter-Colusa United Way Executive Director Nonprofit, Low-income, Poverty, Community Leader
Cathy LeBlanc Camptonville Community
Partnership
Executive Director Nonprofit, Environmental, Community
Leader
Alyssa Lindman Sutter Buttes Regional Land Trust Executive Director Natural Resources, Education, , Environmental, Tourism
Julius Murphy The Salvation Yuba Sutter Corps Corps Officer Nonprofit, Low-income, Poverty, Community Leader
John Nicoletti Habitat for Humanity Yuba Sutter Public Relations Nonprofit, Low-income, Poverty, Community Leader
Joe Pacheco Northrop Grumman BAFB Lead Executive Private sector, Aeronautics David Read Yuba-Sutter Regional Arts Council CEO Arts & Culture, Nonprofit, Education Cynthia Roderick YSEDC/YSEDD Grant Specialist Economic Development, Business Development, Capacity Building
Janelle Willis Yuba-Sutter Chamber of
Commerce
CEO Economic Development, Tourism, Business
Assistance and Education, Community
Leader
Brynda Stranix YSEDC/YSEDD President/COO Economic & Business Development, Poverty, Community Leader
Tim Styczynski Bridge Coffee Co. Owner Retail, Private Individual Tom Williams Yuba River Moulding & Millworks President Manufacturing, Private Individual 2 Public Sector
Name Company/Organization Position Interest Group
Gary Arnold Caltrans Associate Transportation
Planner
Government, State, CA, Transportation
Blaze Baker Beale AFB Installation Management
Flight Chief
Government, Military, BAFB
Rinky Basi Sutter County One Stop CEO Public, Workforce, Education Swarnjit Boyal OPUD Manager Wastewater, water
Michael Bessette Sutter Butte Flood Control Agency Executive Director Butte, Sutter, Cities of Biggs, Gridley, Live Oak, Yuba City & Levee Districts 1, 9
Don Blaser Yuba County Board of Supervisors Government, Yuba County Kevin Bradford City of Yuba City Public Works Government, Yuba City, Public Works Jeremy Brown Yuba College Vice-President Education, Public Samuel Bunton Yuba County Director of Public Works Government, Yuba County Brian Davis Linda County Water District General Manager Government, District Tawny Dotson Yuba College President Education, Public, Yuba Sutter Rachel Downs Yuba County Community Development
& Services Agency
Government, Yuba County
Dan Flores City of Marysville Community and Economic
Development
Government, City of Marysville
Neal Hay Sutter County Director Development
Services
Government, Sutter County, Public Works
Brennan Howell Beale AFB Lt. Col., USAF Commander Government, Military, BAFB Caron Job Yuba County One Stop CEO Government, Education, Workforce Suki Johal Caltrans Associate Transportation
Planner - District 3
Government, State, CA, Transportation
Kimberly Matta Yuba County Airport Projects Y.C. Airport Administrator Government, Yuba County Jason Kopping Yuba County Airport Projects Y.C. Airport CEO Government, Yuba County Diana Langley City of Yuba City City Manager Government, Yuba City Mike Lee Yuba County Community Development
& Services Agency Director
Government, Yuba County
Creig Marcus Enterprise Rancheria Estom
Yumeka Maidu
Tribal Administrator Native American, workforce, tourism Mathew Mauk Yuba Sutter Transit Executive Director Government, District, Transportation Patrick Meagher RD 784 Reclamation District
Manager
Government, District, Flood Control
Ymelda MendozaFloresBETTER WAY Homeless Services Program Coordinator
Government, Homeless, Better Way
Ben Moody City of Yuba City Director of Public Works &
Development Services
Government, Yuba City
Kyle Morgado Yuba County TRLIA Operations Manager Government, Yuba County, Flood Protection
Aaron Palmer City of Live Oak City Manager Government, Live Oak Sami Nall Yuba Water Agency Flood Risk Manager Government, Yuba County, Flood Protection
Sean Powers Yuba County Assistant CAO Government, Yuba County Jim Schaad City of Marysville City Manager Government, City of Marysville Jackie Sillman Yuba Water Agency Community Relations Government, Hydro Power, Flood Control John Tillotson, PE OPUD Director of Public Works Government, District, Olivehurst Bill Zenoni City of Wheatland City Manager Government, City of Wheatland 3 Adjustment to the Strategy
In 2020, YSEDD/YSEDC completed its five-year update of the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy.
The process began in February of 2020 and was approved by the Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration in August 2020. A comprehensive community-wide SWOT analysis and survey was conducted, analyzed, reviewed and new regional goals and tactics were set or strengthened. Since the completion of the 2020-2025 CEDS five-year update, the Yuba City, CA MSA economic strength ranking ranks 148 out of 384 Metropolitan Statistical Areas. Since 2016, it improved by 126 rankings according to POLICOM, an independent research company that specializes in studying the dynamics of local economies.
Although the COVID-19 pandemic had a major impact on all sectors of the region, both private and public, the region has bounced back for the most part except for three factors which are currently affecting businesses in the region. These factors include workforce issues including wages and cost of living and are reflected in the region’s demographics.
Labor Force
The region's economic activity and well-being is reflected to large degree by the number and types of jobs available. Between December 2022 and
December 2023, the region’s annual labor
force increased from 75,500 to 79,800
which was a 5.79 percent increase over the
year. Between 2013 and 2023, the number
of individuals counted as part of the labor
force increased by 4,900 or 6.54 percent
over the 10 years. The region has 58.3
percent participation rate. For purposes of
comparison, California has 63.9 percent,
and the nation has 63.2 percent. The region
is currently experiencing an abundance of
jobs but is lacking an experienced/trained
workforce to fill these jobs. Source: State of
California Employment Development Department – Labor
Market Information
Unemployment
The region’s 2023 annual average
unemployment rate (6.3 percent) was 183.3
percent higher than the national average
(3.6 percent) and 147 percent higher than
the state’s (4.5 percent). Rates are not
seasonally adjusted. Since the Yuba Sutter
Economic Development District was
formed, the gap between the regional and
national annual average unemployment
rate has been closing. In 1996, the annual
average unemployment rate for the region
was 15.3 percent and the national 5.5
percent, a 283 percent difference compared
to the January 2021 rate, (Yuba City MSA
10.2. vs National 6.8 percent), a difference of 150 percent.
Source: State of California Employment Development Department – Labor Market Information & Bureau of Labor Statistics 70000
71000
72000
73000
74000
75000
76000
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 Regional Labor Force 2011 - 2022
0 5
10 15
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
Region, State, and US Annual
Unemployment Rates 2014-2023
Yuba City MSA California US
4 Per Capita Personal Income
Per capita personal income is widely used as an indicator of the economic well-being of the residents in an area.
Changes in these figures provide evidence that regions are becoming wealthy as compared to a national benchmark. It is a measure of all income sources, wages and salaries, asset income and transfer payments divided by total population. In 2022, Yuba City, CA (MSA) had a per capita personal income (PCPI) of $50,252. This PCPI ranked 279th in the United States and was 76.8
percent of the national average of $65,470. The 2022
PCPI reflected a decrease of 2.2 percent from 2021.
The 2021–2022 national change was 1.6 percent. In
2012, the PCPI of Yuba City, CA (MSA) was $33,931 and
ranked 308th in the United States. The 2012–2022
compound annual growth rate of PCPI was 4 percent.
The compound annual growth rate for the nation
was 4 percent.
In 2022, Yuba City, CA (MSA) had a personal income of $9,186,797. This personal income ranked 255th in the United States. In 2012, the personal income of Yuba City, CA (MSA) was $5,697,583 and ranked 260th in the United States. (Source: U.S Department of Commerce Bureau of Economic Analysis). *Personal income estimates are in thousands of dollars, not adjusted for inflation.
Average Wages
The average worker in the Yuba City MSA earned annual average wages of $55,907 as of 2023Q2. Average annual wages per worker increased 3.6 percent in the region over the preceding four quarters. For comparison purposes, national annual average wages were $70,318 for the same period. The lower wages are generally attributed to the fact that the region is predominately rural with the largest industry sectors being Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting, and Retail Trade.
Sectors in the Yuba City, CA MSA with the
highest average wages per worker are
Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas
Extraction ($117,824), Management of
Companies and Enterprises ($94,641), and
Utilities ($91,491). Regional sectors with
the best job growth (or most moderate job
losses) over the last 5 years are
Accommodation and Food Services (+1,997
jobs), Transportation and Warehousing
(+1,211), and Health Care and Social
Assistance (+985).
Over the next 1 year, employment in the
Yuba City, CA MSA is projected to expand by
384 jobs. The fastest growing sector in the
region is expected to be Health Care and Social Assistance with a +1.6% year-over-year rate of growth. The strongest forecast by number of jobs over this period is expected for Health Care and Social Assistance (+151 jobs), Accommodation and Food Services (+36), and Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting (+28). $10,000
$20,000
$30,000
$40,000
$50,000
$60,000
Average Annual Wages per Worker
5 Establishments
Establishment counts represent the number of locations with paid employees at any time during the year. Growth in the number of establishments can reflect increased tax base and jobs. In 2023Q1, Yuba City MSA had 5,408 establishments, a 2.25 percent increase from 5,289 in 2022Q1. Source: JobsEQ Gross Domestic Product
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is the total value of goods and services produced by the region. In 2022, Yuba City MSA produced $8,608,166,000 in current-dollar total GDP* compared to 2021 total GDP of $8,104,050,000. This GDP ranked 272nd among MSAs. In 2022, real GDP expanded 6.2 percent. This follows growth of 9.3 percent in 2021.
Industry Composition: Goods-and
services-producing industries and
government comprise total GDP.
Industry statistics reflect the value of
goods and services produced by each
of those industries located in Yuba City
MSA. Of the sectors in the Yuba City, CA
MSA, Health Care and Social Assistance
contributed the largest portion of GDP
in 2022 at $800,232,000. The next
largest contributions came from
Unclassified ($755,386,000); Public
Administration ($728,757,000); and
Real Estate and Rental and Leasing
($625,653,000).
(Source: U.S Department of Commerce Bureau of Economic Analysis). 0 1,000
2,000
3,000
4,000
5,000
6,000
7,000
2013Q1 2014Q1 2015Q1 2016Q2 2017Q1 2018Q1 2019Q1 2020Q1 2021Q1 2022Q1 2023Q1 Establishments
$1,000,000
$2,000,000
$3,000,000
$4,000,000
$5,000,000
$6,000,000
$7,000,000
$8,000,000
$9,000,000
$10,000,000
2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT
GDP estimates are in thousands of dollars
6 Performance Measures
An evaluation framework serves as a mechanism to gauge progress on the implementation of the overall CEDS. It is a crucial element of the ongoing planning process and should answer the questions “How are we doing?” and “What can we do better?”
The following performance measures help to provide a framework for evaluating if the progress of activities in achieving the vision, goals, and objectives of the CEDS are making a difference in the local economy. The metrics are broad measures of progress. Improvement in the metrics may be attributed to external factors other than causally related to the economic and workforce development efforts underway in the region.
Performance Metrics
1. Wealth Creation Gross Domestic Product (GDP) – Has real GDP increased in the region compared to the previous 12 months?
2. Employment Growth – Has employment increased in the Yuba-Sutter region compared to the previous 12 months?
3. Job Earnings – Has the percentage of job earnings in the region increased compared to the previous 12 months?
4. Poverty Rate – Is the percentage of individuals in the region below the national level?
5. Education – What is the percentage of education attainment as compared to the national level?
6. Unemployment Rate – Has the unemployment rate decreased compared to the previous 12 months? Performance Metrics Comparison 2022 versus 2023
Employment/Workforce - Yuba City MSA
2022 2023 Trend
Industry Employment (Annual) 56,600 57,500 1.6%
Labor Force 75,500 79,800 5.7%
Unemployment (Annual Not Adjusted) 6.15% 6.64% 7.97%
Annual Wages (Q3) $54,183 $55,907 5.6%
Economic - Yuba City MSA/USA
Yuba City MSA
2022
Yuba City MSA
2023
USA
2023
Trend
Poverty Levels 14% 13.8% 12.6% 1.4%
Median Household Income $61,676 $71,066 $74,580 15.2% Yuba City MSA
2021
Yuba City MSA
2022
Wealth Creation (Gross Domestic Product)
2021 vs 2022 $8,104,050,000 $8,608,166,000 6.22%
7 Education Attainment - Yuba City MSA/USA
Yuba City MSA 2022 Yuba City MSA 2023 USA
2023
Trend
No High School Diploma 19.11% 18.1% 10.3%
High School Graduate 23.68% 24.1% 25.3%
Some College, No Degree 27.1% 27.7% 20.1%
Associate degree 10.86% 10.8% 9.3%
Bachelor Degree 13.22% 13.1% 22%
Postgraduate Degree 6.03% 6.2% 13.1%
Evaluation of Progress on Goals and Tactics
This section presents the vision and goals for the Yuba-Sutter region. It also identifies actions that support the identified pillars and goals for the region. The CEDS will inspire and guide the community, its leaders, and the Yuba-Sutter Economic Development District in creating a dynamic region. The strategy focuses on economic resiliency and recovery while building regional diversity, capacity and collaboration resulting in a vibrant and prosperous community.
Vision
To foster a vibrant, prosperous, and growing Yuba-Sutter region through exceptional leadership and involvement of the community.
Goals and Accomplishments in 2023
Data for this section was provided by implementation partners for the region by responding to an evaluation questionnaire or providing direct outcomes to YSEDC. The implementation partners represented both public and private sectors.
Goal 1 – Create and maintain a competitive region through economic development
Strengthening existing clusters has the potential to entice similar industries and suppliers to the region’s existing industries in agriculture, healthcare, manufacturing, aerospace, and government. The region must coordinate efforts to build, grow and maintain competitive areas of proficiency and innovation to drive the evolution of these existing clusters. Regional development of the clusters will have considerable employment ripple effects and improve the wage and tax base.
Implementation Partners: Yuba-Sutter Economic Development Corporation (YSEDC); Sutter and Yuba Counties; Cities of Live Oak, Marysville, Wheatland, and Yuba City; Yuba-Sutter Chamber of Commerce; Sutter and Yuba One Stops; and Yuba College.
Tactic 1 – Attract more industries to the region
Both Yuba and Sutter counties worked diligently to improve the region to attract more industries by continuing to develop infrastructure projects. In 2023, there were 42 project inquiries for the region which had the potential private investment of $921 million and the creation of over 3,210 jobs. Unfortunately, the region was unable to site all but three small businesses which created eight jobs. 8 The two counties have continued support of their largest employers, Beale Air Force Base and agriculture. Ongoing drought conditions, reduction in acreage, and lower prices in crop values (especially in walnuts) did adversely affect agriculture and agriculture-based tourism. Yuba County’s agriculture’s 2022 gross value decreased by 9 percent from the 2021 values and Sutter County increased approximately 8.4 percent.
The region must continue to support and enhance base/community engagements to support Beale Air Force Base and its missions. In 2023, Beale Air Force Base completed 4 of the 24 construction/renovations projects listed in 2023 Appendix V of the CEDS. These projects represented $11.7 million in Federal Funds. Beale AFB added five new projects to the 2024 update.
Sutter County Superintendent of Schools announced the new location of its Cosmetology School which opened to students beginning in February 2023 aligning with their vision of creating opportunities for students outside of a two or four-year university experience.
Yuba County, the Olivehurst Public Utility District (OPUD), the City of Wheatland, and Yuba Water Agency have partnered to develop and implement a regional solution for immediate and future wastewater needs. The initial phase of the regionalization project is to connect two disadvantaged communities (DAC), Wheatland and Olivehurst. The project will connect Wheatland to OPUD for the provision of wastewater collection and treatment which allows for the decommissioning of Wheatland’s aging wastewater treatment plant. Efforts are being coordinated to obtain state grant funding for this project which will provide a more efficient and effective wastewater solution, and to protect the groundwater basins in south Yuba County. Design and environmental reviews are complete and being reviewed for state grant approval. Phase 2 of this regionalization project is to expand water and wastewater lines for the County’s employment corridor and Sports and Entertainment Zone.
Design and engineering are complete in this phase of the project.
Tactic 2 – Boost Entrepreneurial Development
There were 36 inquiries for business financial assistance of which 8 were for start-ups. Most of these businesses were not ready and were referred to Ken Freeman Consulting Services, Small Business Development Center, or Small Business Administration for start-up assistance such as business basics and planning. In 2023, YSEDC referred 74 businesses for this business assistance and 48 accepted assistance, 2 startups opened and currently employ 7 fulltime employees and 12 businesses are still in the development process. In addition, YSEDC offered QuickBooks Online training to 6 businesses with 4 completing the training and 2 receiving a one-year online scholarship. YSEDC partnered with The Work Hub and provided 14 entrepreneurs with a Lean Start-up series training and 4 received a one-year paid small desk scholarship.
Tactic 3 – Maintain, Promote and Expand Regional Businesses The Yuba-Sutter Business Consortium, a committee of YSEDC, conducted two business outreach walks, one in June (Yuba County – North Beale Rd., Olivehurst Ave., Skyway Dr., and Sky Harbor Drive) and one in October 2023 (Yuba City Downtown Corridor). The purpose of the walk was to determine the current health and needs of businesses in the survey area. There were 92 businesses visited and 70 participated in the survey. Of those surveyed, 37 percent reported their business was up, 21 percent were down, and 36 percent were steady or fluctuated between up and down. The Yuba County area businesses surveyed reported their greatest challenge was workforce and related issues, followed by government relations (State and Federal, prevailing wages, taxes, etc.) and the rising cost of goods and supply chain issues. The businesses surveyed in the Yuba City area reported their greatest challenges were homelessness and related issues, followed by financial challenges and workforce issues. The most requested business resource in both outreach areas was addressing the issue of lack of qualified workforce and assistance with hiring, training, and vetting followed by the need for business or marketing trainings. 9 YSEDC, in partnership with the city of Marysville, designed and implemented a business façade grant, business training or loan forgiveness program. The City has allocated $200,000 in funding for this program. To date 22 businesses have made application, 12 improvement projects have been funded, 1 loan forgiveness funded, and 9 are pending.
Sutter and Yuba County One Stops provided business services to employers; promoted 466 employment opportunities for employers, provided 10,953 employment services to individuals; hosted 66 job fairs/on-site and virtual recruitments; initiated 25 on-the-job training contracts; assisted 28 individuals with lay-off aversion and had 159 net jobs created.
YSEDC and consortium partner, SBDC provided a variety of technical/financial assistance resources and referrals.
There were 1,686 consulting hours and 3,114 businesses served. There were $562,784 in loans made with over $10 million in private capital infusion. This technical/financial assistance included federal, state, and private funded grant/loan assistance, marketing, and general business technical assistance. There were 40 jobs created and 120 jobs retained because of this assistance.
Yuba-Sutter Chamber of Commerce provided 91 business networking events to 3,407 businesses and made multiple referrals to other Yuba-Sutter Business Consortium partners. Chamber also has an established Government Affairs Committee, to study and analyze issues of interest to the Yuba-Sutter area and its business community; to take advocacy positions on those issues; and to communicate the Chamber’s viewpoint clearly to its membership, elected officials, and the community at large. While its endeavors may not have directly ushered in policy changes, the committee’s unwavering commitment to the well-being of the community has been palpable. Through a series of meticulously organized meetings, the committee has played a pivotal role in fostering a deeper understanding of governmental processes and policies among our citizens. In addition, the Chamber conducted its annual LEADership program with 9 graduates. The program is intended to shape the candidates into future leaders and set our community up with civically minded, strong leaders for the coming decades.
Bishop’s Pumpkin Farm was host of the California Pumpkin Growers 2023 National Pumpkin Weigh Off in the city of Wheatland. Growers from across the United States and Canada participated in the event bringing in thousands of visitors to the region and international attention.
The Yuba Water Agency has committed to investing $10 million a year into programs and projects that align with the agency’s core mission areas with a goal of improving the quality of life in Yuba County. The mission areas include infrastructure expansion, education and workforce development, tourism and visitor services and technology clusters.
One of Yuba County’s larger employers, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Sacramento at Fire Mountain, opened its HARD ROCK LIVE music and entertainment venue in June 2022 along with the Rocktane fuel station and convenience store. For HARD ROCK LIVE, the design approach focused on innovative staging, the latest technology and unrivaled guest amenities, HARD ROCK LIVE serves as a flexible event center with the capability to host a multitude of programs including live shows, a variety of premier sporting events, galas and more.
In its first year of operations, Hard Rock Live Sacramento brought more than 126,000 guests through the doors for 68 shows, 30 of which were completely sold out. The venue has also garnered numerous accolades from the industry since its opening from “Pollstar” and “Billboard Magazine.” Hard Rock Live has had an economic impact on the six-county greater Sacramento region of more than $17 million in its first year of operation. It was nominated for New Concert Venue of the Year 2023 by “Pollstar”. In 2022, it was listed as a Top 28 Venue to Watch by “Billboard Magazine”. It was ranked #24 worldwide, #19 in the U.S. and #1 in California by “Pollstar” in 10 2022 based on ticket sales in the Club category. As Pollstar’s 2023 Mid-Year reports show, Hard Rock Live has moved up to #4 worldwide, #3 in the U.S. and still holds onto #1 in California.
In 2023, Hard Rock Live hosted 88 events with nearly 170,000 in total attendance. Across 20 different entertainment genres, Hard Rock Live events continue to offer a variety of entertainment for all and has held several outdoor uses of the facility including tradeshows, meetings, charity events, and other activities.
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Sacramento at Fire Mountain and Enterprise Rancheria continue to focus on securing 352 acres between the existing casino and the Toyota Amphitheater for future ownership and development. They have obtained a property option and are beginning master planning discussions beginning in 2024 with the intent to create a one-of-a-kind regional entertainment destination to support its business diversification and supporting the growth of the sports and entertainment zone.
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Sacramento at Fire Mountain is proud to be a 2023 International Entertainment Buyers Association Casino of the Year Award Nominee. Through their success, Hard Rock and the Enterprise Rancheria Community Fund continue to support the community philanthropically and have provided approximately $3.1 million in charitable donations and in-kind gifts since opening, including over $160,000 provided to Sutter Health as a result of Hard Rock’s 2023 Pinktober Gala, and support and direct funding for numerous entities, including Ronald McDonald House Yearly Room Sponsorship, Marysville Peach Festival, Bok Kai Parade, Happy Landings with Beale Air Force Base as well as the Airmen’s Ball held at Hard Rock Live, host of local country music artist Tyler Rich’s “The Event” helping raise funds for the local K9 Officer’s Association, United Way and SAYLove, Flying U Rodeo’s Marysville Stampede and the Rideout/Adventist Fairway to Health fundraiser among others.
In Yuba City, the Feather River California Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was completed in late August and hosted a three-week open house for the community with 54,000 people touring the site. This event brought in thousands of visitors to Yuba City and the region. Additionally, a new 93-unit Holiday Inn Express with a swimming pool in the 500 block of Shasta Street was completed with approximately 75 jobs created.
Hampton Inn completed its 50-room expansion. There was one retail store (Tilley’s) and one food/eating establishment (My Boba Spot) that opened in 2023 which have created approximately 25 jobs. There are several projects coming in the next year or so, Raising Canes, Dutch Bros, Wayback Burgers, Nalu BBQ, Marriot Townhouse Suites (90 rooms) and Springhill Suites (91 rooms). It is anticipated these projects will create 100-150 jobs.
In Yuba County, Costco, a warehouse style store and gas station, opened in the fall of 2023. Job creation is projected to be 175.
In Marysville, there have been seven new businesses located within the city and one large development project. • 7-Eleven Convenience Store: Located at 501 5th Street. The $6,705,000 project opened in January 2023, and created approximately 11 jobs.
• Dutch Bros. Coffee: 1021 B Street opened in the spring of 2023 and created approximately 14 jobs. • Edible Memories Bakery: Located in Historic Downtown Marysville opened in winter of 2023 creating approximately 5 jobs.
• Lakeside Indian Cuisine Bar and Grill: Located on Ellis Lake opened in July of 2023 and created approximately 10 jobs.
• Marysville Market: A convenience store/deli across from the Yuba County Courthouse opened in winter of 2023 creating approximately 5 jobs.
• Elvy’s Clothing Store: Located in Historic Downtown Marysville opened late summer of 2023 creating approximately 3 jobs.
• The Ville Restaurant: Located in the Medical Arts District opened in October 2023 creating approximately 10 jobs.
11 • B Street Property: Marysville is moving forward with a hotel, banquet hall, restaurant, and grocery store across from Ellis Lake, on B Street. Marysville City Council entered into a Disposition and Development Agreement with Engstrom Properties LLC and the Presidio Companies LLC to move forward with the redevelopment of this five-acre city-owned property. The developers have submitted plans for construction to begin in summer of 2024.
Goal 2 – Develop, retain, and attract talent
It is imperative that the region prepare young students and adult learners with critical indemand education skills, competencies and knowledge that align with existing and evolving business and industry needs. Many industries are suffering because job seekers lack essential skills. The region must build awareness among residents, businesses, and leaders that education and lifelong learning are important drivers of economic development.
Implementation Partners: Yuba-Sutter Economic Development Corporation; Sutter and Yuba One Stops; TriCounty ROP/CTE; Yuba-Sutter Chamber of Commerce; The Work Hub; AeroSTEM Academy; K-12 Institutions; Sutter and Yuba Counties; Cities of Live Oak, Marysville, Wheatland, and Yuba City; and Yuba College.
Tactic 1 – Increase Collaboration between educational institutions Yuba College: Yuba College continues to collaborate with K-12 districts in our service district to create additional opportunities for students to pursue higher education, including workforce-focused programs at no cost to the high school students. In 2023 this included the creation of the Middle College Academy. The Academy is a high school run by the Marysville Joint Unified School District that is located on Yuba College's Marysville Campus.
Students in this program attend high school courses and college courses throughout their day. This non-traditional high school experience can result in the completion of both high school and community college at the same time in a program of study chosen by the student. YC's partnership with Yuba City Unified School District has resulted in four cohorts annually of the early college high school program. Marysville Joint Unified School District now has three active cohorts of the early college high school program. Wheatland Union High School continues to provide a comprehensive early college experience for all its students including a hybrid of on-campus career and technical education courses taught by Yuba College faculty. Expansion of these opportunities will continue throughout our service district to increase educational attainment for our community overall through broader access to higher education opportunities.
In the Fall of 2023, Yuba College offered the first courses in its Watershed Management Program, funded by a grant from the Yuba Water Agency. In its first semester, the new program saw more than 60 enrollments.
Graduates of this program will be certified in Geographic Information Systems qualifying them for many livingwage jobs at the Yuba Water Agency, in addition to local utility districts and state agencies. Most graduates will look for positions as a field technician with a statewide average annual salary of $68,000. Currently, three certificate programs have been developed in Field Technician-Watershed Management, Soil Conservation Technician, and Geographic Information Systems. This program will look to expand into Forest Management and Fire Suppression in the coming years. This program continues to receive input from local industry experts as a part of its ongoing advisory committee.
The Marysville Joint Unified School District (MJUSD) is rooted in the value of lifelong learning. The District recognizes the impact of the school programs on the larger community and therefore the need to work closely with local businesses and higher education partners to design pathways for graduates to succeed after high school.
While a two or four-year degree is not the only way to success, the need to establish college preparation for transition to higher education is imperative to growing a trained workforce. The district is intentional in preparing every student for college and career and equipping students to choose the future they desire. The district has also opened a new Middle College High School on the campus of Yuba College where the students take more Dual 12 Enrollment classes than traditional high school courses. This is the first of its kind partnership, north of Sacramento. In addition, the number of students in the Early College Program is also growing as it moves into the third year of the program. In 2021-22, the District formalized a partnership with Chico State University to assist with college information sharing with students and families and start laying a belief-system that four-year university education is within reach of every student. The District is currently working with Sacramento State to establish a similar program and pathway of transition.
The District supports 22 sequenced pathways in 9 industry sectors through its Career Technical Education (CTE) programs. CTE courses combine academic and occupation-related course requirements. In most cases, pathways are taught over multiple years, allowing students to develop critical workplace skills. Many CTE courses count for college credit and are approved to meet minimum admission requirements for the University of California system.
CTE courses range from medical to agriculture mechanics and touch on a wide range of careers in-between.
Currently, in partnership with UC Davis, MJUSD is designing an Engineering Pathway with emphasis on Coding and Robotics, to be implemented next year at Lindhurst High School. Yuba Water Agency has joined this pathway as a formal Industry partner as well. MJUSD has also established formal Internship and Work-Based Learning opportunities for students with 93Q Radio Station, Yuba County DA Office, Adventist + Rideout Hospital, Yuba County Health and Human Services, Ampla Health, Allison Chiropractic, and other clinical partnerships.
Peach Tree Dental runs a dental lab on the Marysville High School campus where high school students are provided dental services through the Shine Bright Dental program where students learn and get prepared for the dental pathway. MJUSD is solidifying a culinary partnership with the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Sacramento. Marysville High School is in the preliminary stages of planning for a medical four-year pathway with UC Davis, and are in talks with Adventist + Rideout to partner with us in this endeavour. These partnerships follow the existing medical and dental internships available at Marysville High School. Many such future partnerships with four-year colleges and industry partners will soon follow.
Their partnership with Yuba College continues to expand to create a seamless transition between the two organizations and design clear pathways for transfer to four-year colleges or careers after that.
Tactic 2 – Improve understanding of all ethnic cultures that live, work within, or visit the region The Sutter County Museum houses a permanent exhibit gallery with displays on the history and stories of YubaSutter’s diverse peoples. It includes permanent exhibits on Chinese Americans, Hmong Americans, Japanese Americans, Mexican Americans, and Punjabi Americans in the community’s history. Temporary exhibits in 2023 also supported the understanding of diverse ethnic cultures within the region: Chinese Pioneers, which explored the social, political, and judicial disenfranchisement of Chinese Californians, as well as moments of Chinese agency and resilience, in the decades before and after the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act. Unbroken Traditions is an exhibit developed to feature baskets made by several generations of women from the Meadows-Baker family. Many members were Mountain Maidu, and their baskets drew from a deep understanding of ecology, incorporated intricate weaving techniques, and employed creative and meaningful design elements.
Goal 3 – Improve and modernize infrastructure
Adequate capacity and condition of infrastructure assets contributes to overall economic competitiveness. Strategic investments must be made to ensure that these assets are maintained and expanded. The region will become more competitive when businesses, entrepreneurs and residents are able to make use of well-coordinated and robust regional infrastructure for transportation, water/sewer/gas, broadband, housing, and the natural environment.
13 Implementation Partners: Yuba-Sutter Economic Development Corporation; Sutter and Yuba Counties; Cities of Live Oak, Marysville, Wheatland, and Yuba City; Yuba-Sutter Chamber of Commerce; Yuba-Sutter Transit; Yuba Water Agency; and Caltrans.
Tactic 1 – Modernize the region’s Infrastructure to meet future demand and respond to changing business needs Regional Projects
Feather River West Levee Project: Sutter and Butte counties are planning to improve 44 miles of levees from Thermolito Afterbay south to the Sutter Bypass to reduce flood risk and remove more than 34,000 properties from FEMA Special Flood Hazard Areas. Among other important improvements, the project will sustain and grow the local economy by creating construction jobs, protecting property values, and allowing for responsible residential, commercial, and industrial development. Phase I –Thermalito Afterbay to Star Bend wastargeted to be completed by 2016. Phase II will include the area south of Star Bend to the confluence of the Feather River and the Sutter Bypass.
2023-2024 UPDATE: Levee repairs will be completed in two separate phases: Project I, the Feather River West Levee Project, includes work from Thermalito Afterbay to Star Bend, just south of Yuba City, and was completed at the end of 2020. Project II includes the area south of Star Bend to the confluence of the Feather River and the Sutter Bypass. Project II work completed to date includes a one-mile section of levee at Laurel Avenue, another five miles of levee improvements between Star Bend and Laurel Avenue completed by the U.S Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). USACE also completed another mile of levee improvements between Laurel Avenue and the Highway 99 bridge crossing the Feather River. SBFCA is currently in design and permitting of the last 1.6 miles of levee along the lower Feather River west levee which is scheduled to be in construction in 2025. The Feather River West Levee Project is on schedule and within budget.
Flood Protection of the City of Marysville: A public works project to repair and upgrade the ring levee to be certified as providing a 200‐year level of flood protection. The Marysville Ring Levee project is a multi-phase project that will upgrade the levee that surrounds Marysville. The primary purpose of the project is to strengthen the existing levee by implementing additional measures to reduce the likelihood of through-seepage and underseepage. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Sacramento District is partnering with the California Central Valley Flood Protection Board and the Marysville Levee District to complete the estimated $92.5 million project. The state of California has appropriated $17 million toward the project as part of their commitment to upgrade the state’s levee systems. Currently, project completion is slated for 2019. The project is designed and constructed to meet the state’s requirement of 200 year-level flood risk for urban areas - or a 1-in-200 chance of flooding in any given year. Due to the elevation of the levees, the project will surpass those criteria making Marysville one of the lowest at-risk cities in California’s Central Valley after all flood reduction measures are constructed. 2023-2024 UPDATE: The project has completed several phases of construction including Phase 1 on Simmerly Slough between Jack Slough Road and the Marysville High School; Phase 4A on Simmerly Slough in Binney Junction; Phases 2A North and South on the Feather River between 10th Street and the Yuba River; and on the Yuba River the project has completed improvements in Phase 3 between the landfill and Ramirez Road/Simpson Lane and Phase 2C from Highway 70 to the Feather River. A contract was awarded to construct Phase 2B between Ramirez Road/Simpson Lane and Highway 70 on the Yuba River in 2023; and the final phase of construction will be to repair the Yuba River levee beneath Highway 70 in 2024. The US Army Corps of Engineers is also completing a risk assessment of areas not improved in this project to ensure they meet criteria for greater than 200-year level of protection and will implement any repairs/improvements identified in that analysis in 2025-2026.
South Yuba County Regional Sewer Project: Yuba County, the Olivehurst Public Utility District (OPUD), the City of Wheatland, and Yuba Water Agency have partnered to develop and implement a regional solution for immediate and future wastewater needs. The initial phase of the regionalization project is to connect two disadvantaged communities (DAC), Wheatland and Olivehurst. The project will connect Wheatland to OPUD for the provision of wastewater collection and treatment which allows for the decommissioning of Wheatland’s aging wastewater 14 treatment plant. Efforts are being coordinated to obtain state grant funding for this project which will provide a more efficient and effective wastewater solution, and to protect the groundwater basins in south Yuba County.
Design and environmental review are complete and being reviewed for state grant approval. Phase 2 of this regionalization project is to expand water and wastewater lines for the County’s employment corridor and Sports and Entertainment Zone.
2023-2024 UPDATE: Olivehurst Public Utility District (OPUD) and Wheatland have applied to the State Water Resources Control Board Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SCWSRF) for construction funding for the regional pipeline from Wheatland to OPUD and for other necessary improvements to the OPUD wastewater treatment plant. The application is complete, and the project is categorized as “fundable” by the SWRCB and is going through the required stages of review by SWRCB staff. This grant would fund approximately $50 million of the estimated $130 million needed for the project. Yuba Water Agency is exploring options to loan the remaining funds necessary to complete the project. In addition, further expansion of this regional wastewater system to enable commercial and industrial development is designed and funding sources for the approximately $58 million needed for the project are being explored.
Yuba Water Agency – Water Projects
Goldfields Multi-Benefit Project Feasibility Study: The purpose of the Goldfields Multi-benefit Study is to develop a replacement feature for the 100-year embankment that is outside of the approved mining areas for both the dredge operations and aggregate extraction and that addresses the increase in flood risk associated with Western’s reclamation plan. The study will include opportunities to expand the Yuba River floodway to reduce flood stages and provide for ecosystem enhancement. The intent will be to develop an alignment for the flood protection embankment that will have a flood control easement that will allow for both the existence of the feature as well as OMRR&R.
2023-2024 UPDATE: The feasibility study on construction of a Multi-benefit project south of the Yuba River downstream of Daguerre Point Dam was completed in December 2023.
PROJECT COMPLETED-$500,000 (State-DWR & Local-YWA)
Yuba County
East Linda Detention Basin: This public works project would expand an existing detention pond to serve East Linda and is referred to within the South Yuba Master Drainage Plan. 2023-2024 UPDATE: The segment of the linear detention pond from Orchard Pond to North Beale Road is currently under construction and is funded as a condition of the surrounding subdivision. The remaining segment from North Beale Road to Hammonton-Smartsville Road is being designed in conjunction with the paralleling Goldfield’s Parkway project. This piece is dependent on funding but is expected to be completed in 2024-2025.
Reclamation District No. 784 (Special District)
Pump Station No. 9 Upgrades: This public works project would provide redundant pumping, backup generation and SCADA electronic system to existing Pump No. 9 as required by FEMA for operation during storm events and would protect West Linda and the Lindhurst Avenue commercial area. 2023-2024 UPDATE: SCADA PORTION (ONLY) OF PROJECT COMPLETED - $158,000 (State & Local Funds) Pump Station No. 7 Upgrades: This public works project would provide upgrades to Pump Station No. 7 with SCADA electronic system and redundant pumping to serve Wal‐Mart, Costco, and the general commercial area of Linda.
2023-2024 RD784 UPDATE: PROJECT COMPLETED-$158,000 (State & (State & Local Funds) Pump Station No. 5 Upgrades: This public works project would provide upgrades to Pump Station No. 5 with SCADA electronic system and redundant pumping to serve the east Linda area. 2023-2024 RD784 UPDATE: PROJECT COMPLETED-$158,000 (State & (State & Local Funds) 15 Storm Drainpipe Replacements: This public works project will replace up to 6 aging pipes located within the rural levee portion of the District.
2023-2024 Update: RD784 has been awarded a grant to complete this project.
Linda County Water District
Linda Avenue/Griffith Water Treatment: This Linda County Water District project would construct Well No. 17 and a water treatment facility at Linda Avenue at Griffith, to serve the East Linda Specific Plan area. 2023-2024 UPDATE: Project is under construction with a current anticipated finish date in June 2024.
Forest Biomass Business Center Development
Camptonville Community Partnership (CCP), is a small, rural, community-based non-profit organization located in the town of Camptonville in the Yuba County foothills that proposes to develop a small forest biomass to energy facility that would be part of a new small business campus, located in an unincorporated area approximately 11 miles southwest of Camptonville and 3 miles east of Dobbins. CCP intends to attract other businesses to the site, where heat and power would be available from the facility making the overall facility, a high efficiency combined heat and power operation.
2023-2024 UPDATE:
• Purchased 100 acres for the Forest Biomass Business Center (FBBC) parcel including 11 acres for the current bioenergy site.
• Secured interest for the development of a co-located sawmill and received USDA grant funding for design and engineering.
• Secured a Timberland Conversion Permit (TCP): Converting timberland into another use requires a TCP from Cal Fire. A part of the TCP process also includes preparation of a Timber Harvest Plan (THP). • Secured a loan for interconnection costs from YWA.
• Update permits and contracts with local and state agencies.
CCP continues to work with key partners such as USFS, USDA, YWA, Blue Forest Conservation, and others to develop the Forest BioMass Business Center. Project is working to be built and generating electricity to the grid in March 2026.
City of Marysville Project
Leachate Conveyance Project: The City has worked with its local solid waste contractor, Recology and the Linda Water District to collect leachate from their regional facilities and convey them through City sewer lines to the Linda Water District wastewater treatment facility. Recology has completed all required testing and has constructed holding tanks and metering equipment to release leachate at a controlled rate. The project has lowered Recology’s cost for leachate disposal (previously trucked to a disposal facility) and generates additional income for the City’s Sewer enterprise fund.
2023-2024 UPDATE: Project is completed, and Leachate is now being conveyed.
PROJECT COMPLETED-$180,000 (Private Company, Recology)
City’s Park Irrigation Well initiative: DWR has made grant funds available to commence the City’s Park Irrigation Well initiative that would improve water system reliability and cost savings to the City by converting City parks to a well and tank storage system, thereby eliminating the need for commercial water service. 2023-2024 UPDATE: PROJECT COMPLETED-$400,000 (State, DWR) City of Wheatland Project
Wheatland Comprehensive Water Project: The City of Wheatland water system is aging with portions of the system more than 100 years old. The project consists of removing the seismically deficient water tower from service by employing new ground mounted hydro-pneumatic tanks and booster pumps to supply water pressure to the City. The project also includes replacement of domestic water meters, new production meters, water meter 16 automation to assist with leak detection and remote metering reading, SCADA replacement, and new billing software.
2023-2024 UPDATE: Project is underway and is anticipated that construction will begin in 2024 and be completed in spring of 2025.
City of Yuba City Projects
Barry School Waterline: The project involves installing 12” and 14” diameter water transmission main in Railroad Avenue from Bogue Road to Stewart Road and in Stewart Road from Railroad Avenue to Garden Highway, as well as a 3” diameter private water service in Railroad Avenue and Barry Road to serve Barry School. 2023-2024 UPDATE: The project was awarded for construction in August 2023, subject to State approval of the increased construction cost. Construction is anticipated to begin in Spring 2024 upon State approval and is expected to be complete by the end of 2024.
Second Groundwater Well: The project includes constructing a second groundwater well at the City’s Water Treatment Plant to provide additional accessible water resources during times when the City’s surface water rights are curtailed.
2023-2024 UPDATE: The well was drilled and tested in 2022. Pump installation and above-ground piping was completed in 2023 with installation of electrical/mechanical equipment to be completed in 2024, subject to equipment availability. The well can be operated by generator power, if needed.
Aquifer Storage Recovery (ASR) Well: The project involves establishing an ASR well at the City’s Water Treatment Plant to further bolster the City’s accessible water resources during times when the City’s surface water rights are curtailed. The ASR concept includes injecting treated water into the groundwater aquifer during times when surface water availability exceeds demands while extracting groundwater during times when surface availability does not meet demands.
2023-2024 UPDATE: Design and environmental/permitting commenced in 2023 with construction anticipated to begin in late 2024.
WWTF Outfall and Diffuser Project: The project includes constructing a new 42-inch diameter discharge pipeline from the City’s Wastewater Treatment Facility (WWTF) and a new diffuser outlet to the Feather River. The proposed pipeline and diffuser will replace the City’s existing diffuser, which was damaged in 2011 by erosion of Shanghai Falls. This project will ensure the City’s capability to safely treat wastewater for existing customers, as well as future development.
2023-2024 UPDATE: Final design complete pending receipt of permit conditions from regulatory agencies. Project will be advertised for bids once funding and permits are secured.
Bogue Road Sewer Extension: The project involves extending the existing 18” diameter sanitary sewer in Bogue Road from Railroad Avenue to Phillips Road and constructing a new lift station to facilitate future connection of properties north and south of Bogue Road and east of State Route 99, and to address capacity issues and service of new development areas.
2023-2024 UPDATE: Final design in process. Project is being coordinated with Bogue Stewart Master Plan improvements.
Tactic 2 – Develop and improve alternative, multi-modal and inter-modal distribution infrastructure Regional Caltrans Projects
Caltrans had 34 projects slated for construction, rehabilitation, planned or program projects in the Yuba-Sutter region. Nine projects were completed in 2023, which represented an injection of $145.75 million in improvements within the region. Completed projects were:
17 Live Oak Streetscape, Rehab & Safety 03-3F99U This EA is combined from 3F990/1H150/2H230: In Sutter County, in and near Live Oak, from south of Coleman Avenue to Nevada Street. Rehabilitate pavement, improve pedestrian accessibility, add new electrical signals, upgrade drainage facilities, add streetscape elements & reduce traffic congestion by improving the vertical profile & providing two traffic lanes in each direction.
PROJECT COMPLETED-$37.4 Million (State, Caltrans SHOPP) Count Station Repair & Install 03-0H420 VAR: In Sutter County on Route 99, adding two new count stations. This project is also located in Colusa, El Dorado, Glenn, Nevada, Placer, Sacramento, Yolo, and Yuba Counties. Repair existing continuous count stations, install new loops at ramp meters, and install new radar count stations.
PROJECT COMPLETED-$14.072 Million (State, Caltrans SHOPP) Multi Location Bike and Ped Improvements 03-0J923: In Sutter County on Route 20 from Stabler Lane to Shasta Street. Enhance crosswalk visibility, add bike lane delineation, install signs and countdown pedestrian barricades to improve bicycle and pedestrian safety.
PROJECT COMPLETED-$3.246 Million (State, Caltrans SHOPP) Bridge Maintenance 03-2G070: In Sutter County on Route 20 near S. Tarke Road. Bridge preservation.
PROJECT COMPLETED-$1.642 Million (State, Caltrans Maintenance) D3 Advance Curve Warning #2 03-2G690: Install Horizontal Alignment Curve Warning Signs. Sutter County at various locations. PROJECT COMPLETED-$447,000 (State, Caltrans Maintenance) YUBA 70 Bridge Widening and Rail Replacement 03-1H270: Near Marysville, at Feather River Boulevard Overcrossing No. 16-0033 (PM 13.01) and South Marysville Undercrossing No. 16-0035 (PM 13.23). Upgrade bridge rails and construct median concrete barrier between project limits.
PROJECT COMPLETED-$12.16 Million (State, Caltrans SHOPP) Simmerly Slough 03-1E060 Overlay: In Yuba County near Marysville from 0.1 mile north of Binney Junction Underpass to 0.3 mile north of Laurellen Rd. PROJECT COMPLETED-$60.406 Million (State, Caltrans SHOPP) Count Station Repair & Install 03-0H420: 470 Locations. Repair existing continuous count stations, install new loops at ramp meters, and install new radar. PROJECT COMPLETED-$14.373 Million (State, Caltrans Maintenance) YUBA 20 RHMA Overlay/DIKE/PCC Island Removal 03-1G010: In Yuba County in and near Marysville from Buchanan Street to 0.1-mile East of Levee Road.
PROJECT COMPLETED-$2.006 Million (State, Caltrans Maintenance) Sutter County Projects
Howsley Road Bridge Replacement: The county will replace the existing two-lane 260-foot-long bridge utilizing FHWA Highway Bridge Program funds.
2023-2024 UPDATE: The design phase is scheduled for completion by June 2025 at which time the County will seek the required federal funding.
Larkin Road Bridge Replacement: The county will replace the existing two-lane 40-foot-long bridge utilizing FHWA Highway Bridge Program funds.
2023-2024 UPDATE: Due to a delay in receiving the federal funding, the environmental permits have expired and need to be reissued. The County is awaiting federal funding to update the permits and any design impacts.
Nicolaus Avenue Bridge Replacement: The county will replace the existing two-lane 70-foot-long bridge utilizing FHWA Highway Bridge Program funds.
18 2023-2024 UPDATE: Due to a delay in receiving the federal funding, the environmental permits have expired and need to be reissued. The County is awaiting federal funding to update the permits and any design impacts.
Tisdale Road Bridge Replacement: The county will replace the existing two-lane 40-foot-long bridge utilizing FHWA Highway Bridge Program funds.
2023-2024 UPDATE: The design phase is complete, with right-of-way acquisition and environmental permitting expected to be completed in April 2024. Federal Funding for the construction phase is not expected to be available until 2025.
Kent Avenue Bridge Replacement: The county will replace the existing two-lane 80-foot-long bridge utilizing FHWA Highway Bridge Program funds.
2023-2024 UPDATE: The design phase is complete, with right-of-way acquisition and environmental permitting expected to be completed in April 2024. Federal Funding for the construction phase is not expected to be available until 2025.
Yuba County Projects
County Bridge/Culvert Repair: There are 75 Highway Bridge Program (HBP) eligible bridges (greater than 20’ in length) and numerous other culvert and drainage structures owned and maintained by Yuba County. Currently the County has 75 bridges that are of sufficient length (>20’) to be eligible for Caltrans inspection. Of these, 29 bridges have a Sufficiency Rating (SR) below 80 and above 50 which qualify for HBP rehabilitation funds, and 8 bridges have a SR below 50 which qualify for HBP replacement funds. 2023-2024 UPDATE: Spring Valley Road bridge replacement expected to be complete in January 2024. Other current bridge replacement projects include Los Verjeles Road, Waldo Road, and Ellis Road. These are anticipated to be under construction in 2024-2025. The County applied for an additional five bridge projects through HBP.
Goldfields Parkway: This public works project would construct a four‐lane arterial around the easterly side of Marysville through the East Linda Specific Plan from Highway 65 at McGowan Parkway to Highway 20 at Plantz Road.
2023-2024 UPDATE: Nearing completion of design. Construction of the road is anticipated to be complete by 2026.
Highway 70/Plumas Lake Boulevard Interchange – Phase 2: This public works project would link Phase 1 of the Highway 70/Plumas‐Arboga Interchange to the eastern Phase II component of the interchange to include a Union Pacific Railroad overpass.
2023-2024 UPDATE: The County anticipates being approximately 50% complete with design in FY 23-24.
North Beale Road Revitalization Improvements: This public works project consists of implementing the road improvements recommended by the East Linda Revitalization Plan which consists of sidewalks, landscaped medians, street lighting, and parking that would improve the safety of the road for motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians as well as improve the appearance of the road corridor to help attract new and retain existing businesses.
2023-2024 UPDATE: North Beale Road Complete Streets Phase II (Hammonton-Smartsville to Linda Ave) is complete. The County secured grant funding to fund phase III (Linda Avenue to approximately 2,400 feet east).
Phase III design recently commenced with construction anticipated 2024-2025.
Olivehurst 11th Avenue Project: This public works project consists of implementing road improvements to 11th Ave. between Olivehurst Road and Powerline Road in Olivehurst. This project includes improvements to curb, gutter, sidewalk, drainage, and street overlay.
2023-2024 UPDATE: PROJECT COMPLETED-$1.7 Million (State, Caltrans ATP) 19 Linda – Cedar Lane and Alicia Avenue Project: This public works project consists of implementing road improvements to Cedar Lane and Alicia Avenue (from Riverside to Feather River Blvd) in West Linda. This project includes improvements to curb, gutter, sidewalk, drainage, and street overlay. 2023-2024 UPDATE: The project commenced in June of 2023 and is nearing completion of construction. Project completion is anticipated by March 2024.
McGowan Parkway Project: This public works project consists of implementing road improvements to McGowan Parkway between SR 70 and SR 65 in Olivehurst. This project includes improvements to curb, gutter, sidewalk, drainage, and street overlay.
2023-2024 UPDATE: Construction is nearing completion with several punch list items remaining.
City of Live Oak Project
Pennington Road Rehabilitation: Pennington Road is the main east/west arterial for the City of Live Oak, intersected by State Route 99. Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG) committed $915,000 for partial reconstruction of the road from Broadway to Connecticut Avenue during 2012 and 2013. Reconstruction to the east of State Route 99 is also necessary.
2023-2024 UPDATE: Construction on Pennington Road west of the railroad tracks to Connecticut was completed in 2023. Pennington Road East from the High School to the city limits has had a contract awarded and will be completed in 2024. PORTION OF PROJECT COMPLETED-$1,370,300 (State, SACOG & CDBG) City of Marysville Project
Systemic Safety Analysis Report Program (SSARP): Federal regulations require each State to have a Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP). An SHSP is a statewide data-driven traffic safety plan that coordinates the efforts of a wide range of organizations to reduce traffic accident fatalities and serious injuries on all public roads. In coordination with federal, state, local and private sector safety stakeholders, the SHSP establishes goals, objectives, and emphasis (or challenge) areas. The SHSP addresses the 4Es of traffic safety: Engineering, Enforcement, Education, and Emergency Services.
2023-2024 UPDATE: PROJECT COMPLETED-$40,000 (State Active Transportation) City of Yuba City Projects
Bridge Street Corridor Improvements: The Bridge Street corridor improvement project is a multi-phased project to extend four travel lanes from SR-99 to Marysville/SR-70. The project includes the construction of the 5th Street Bridge and phased reconstruction of Bridge St. Bridge Street will be widened from Gray Avenue to Cooper Avenue in late 2021 with completion anticipated at the end of 2023 with support from a $2.8 million Local Partnership Program grant from the CTC. The project will enhance a key gateway through the city to facilitate necessary traffic demands while coordinating with adjacent property owners to help facilitate Economic and Workforce Development in the area.
2023-2024 Update: Gray Avenue to Cooper Avenue segment completed in 2023. Total construction cost for this segment was $10.2 million, including the CTC grant. State Route 99 to Gray Avenue segment conceptual design for the final portion of the project will begin in 2024. The estimated cost to complete the conceptual design is $250,000, which is funded by the City. The City is looking for funding to implement the final design in 2025 with construction following in 2026, provided funding can be secured.
Gray Ave. to Cooper Ave segment of PROJECT COMPLETE-$10.2 Million (Local, State - CTC) Walton Avenue Complete Streets Improvements: The project includes rehabilitating portions of Walton Avenue from Hazel Avenue to Sam’s Club, including closing the gaps in sidewalks on the west side of Walton Avenue between Lincoln Road and Franklin Road, improving bike lanes, and upgrading the traffic signals. 2023-2024 UPDATE: Final design and easement acquisition is in progress with construction anticipated to commence and complete in 2025.
20 Tactic 3 – Promote transit planning to move people throughout the region and housing development Yuba-Sutter Transit
Assuming an extended pandemic recovery period, Yuba-Sutter Transit is now preparing a state-funded Comprehensive Operational Analysis / Short-Range Transit Plan to evaluate the appropriate scope, level and even model of public transit service for the bi-county area. The last study of this kind was adopted in early 2015 and a current plan is required to remain eligible for federal transit funding. This effort, which is expected to be completed in mid-2023, is a top-to-bottom assessment of the existing system and will result in specific service and program recommendations along with a corresponding operating and capital financial plan for implementation consideration over the next five to ten years. This plan is being developed with significant outreach to a wide range of community stakeholders.
2023-2024 UPDATE: The NextGen Transit Plan was adopted on May 18, 2023, and it is now available online along with an Executive Summary at www.yubasuttertransit.com/nextgen-transit-plan. The key recommendation from the plan is the gradual replacement of much of the fixed route network in the urbanized area with four on-demand service zones for faster and more responsive travel within each zone as well as improved connections to an enhanced network of two cross-town routes for longer trips. Roll-out of this new system is now expected to occur in three phases beginning Summer 2024 through Summer 2026. In addition to this new local hybrid on-demand and fixed route system, the plan also recommends the development of a first-ever connection between the YubaSutter area and south Placer County. This demonstration service, which is now expected to begin Summer 2024, would initially be operated through a shift of resources from Yuba-Sutter Transit’s existing Sacramento service.
The plan also recommends changes in previous fleet replacement and expansion plans to reflect the recommended operating changes which would require less and a different mix of vehicles in the future.
Facility Replacement: Yuba-Sutter Transit continues to plan for the replacement of its current operations, maintenance, and administration facility at 2100 B Street in Marysville. A new location is needed because this undersized and technologically obsolete 1960’s-era former Seven-Up Bottling Plant that was converted to transit use in 1996, lacks sufficient capacity to accommodate the infrastructure needed to meet the state mandate that only zero-emission buses can be purchased after 2028. In addition, Caltrans’ programmed and fully funded expansion of Highway 70 (B Street) adjacent to the facility may render it useless even earlier. 2023-2024 UPDATE: Yuba-Sutter Transit has been awarded significant additional funding from state and regional grant programs to secure over $40 million for what is now estimated as a $55.8 million project. As a result, related environmental and preliminary engineering work is expected to commence in early 2024. This will refine the project and update the early conceptual cost estimate based on the fleet and service assumptions from the NextGen Transit Plan. This effort will also improve the likelihood of success in the next round of grant applications to complete the funding package.
Regional Project
North Valley Rail is a proposed new passenger rail service that would transform regional and intercity transportation in the norther Sacramento Valley by offering a convenient, environmentally sustainable travel choice for residents, employees, and visitors in Butte, Yuba, Sutter, and norther Sacramento counties.
The project strategically builds off the larger Valley Rail program currently underway, which will expand rail service between the northern San Joaquin Valley, Sacramento, and the Bay Area. As a result, North Valley Rail would provide passengers with direct, reliable one-seat rides to Sacramento, Stockton, the Bay Area, Modesto, and Merced. In Downtown Merced, timed transfers will ensure seamless connections via high-speed rail to Fresno, Bakersfield, and Southern California. Linking North Valley communities to the Northern California megaregion and the larger statewide rail network will provide major benefits by reducing traffic congestion and greenhouse gas emissions; expanding access to housing, high-quality jobs, and higher education; and promoting economic development and tourism.
21 The North Valley Rail will serve the Yuba-Sutter area having stations located in Marysville near the Yuba Conty Government Center and Plumas Lake next to the Plumas Lake Boulevard interchange.
Housing and Affordable Housing Projects
There has been a concerted effort within the region to increase housing stock for all income levels as shown below.
City of Wheatland Projects
Wheatland 6th Cycle Housing Element Public Participation Process: The City of Wheatland has received $10,000 from SACOG for the public participation component of the 6 th Cycle (2021-2029) Housing Element Update using
grant funds available from the Regional Early Action Planning (REAP) Grants Program. 2023-2024 UPDATE: Housing Element has been certified by HCD - PROJECT COMPLETED-$10,000 (State – SACOG) Wheatland 6th Cycle Housing Element Update Preparation: The City of Wheatland has received $65,000 from the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) for the preparation of the 6 th Cycle (2021-
2029) Housing Element Update using grant funds available from the Local Early Action Planning (LEAP) Grants Program.
2023-2024 UPDATE: Housing Element has been certified by HCD - PROJECT COMPLETED-$65,000 (State-HCD Leap program)
Sutter County Projects
Lakeside at Sutter Pointe in Sutter County consists of 873 acres on the north side of Riego Road, approximately
1.5 miles east of State Route 99 in south Sutter County. Lakeside is planned for 3,388 single family homes, 399 multifamily homes, 59 acres of parks, 55 acres of open space, 44 acres of employment centers, 25 acres of commercial and a proposed K-8 school. Construction of Phase 1 began in 2023 with the mass grading of the southern 386 acres of Lakeside. Phase 1 construction is anticipated to continue in spring 2024 with backbone infrastructure improvements, including construction of a 7-mile sewer main, that will serve the Sutter Pointe Specific Plan area. Construction of community amenities and services and homes is expected to begin in 2025.
Yuba County Projects
Cedar Lane Permanent Supportive Housing: Is a 41-unit rental development, providing permanent supportive housing targeted to homeless and mentally disabled individuals, with one additional unit reserved for an on-site resident manager. A community center on the first floor will include a community room with kitchen, property manager’s office and on-site case management offices in which individualized supportive services will be provided.
A dog park, barbecue area with tables and pergola, a community garden and bicycle lockers will be located near the building. The balance of the site will provide a paved driveway and off-street parking, and landscaping. The project was completed in January 2023. Adjacent is a separate new construction 108-unit multi-family affordable housing project, with 2- and 3-bedroom dwelling units, community center, children’s playground, and a soccer field, with rents targeting family households earning less than 60 percent AMI. The project was completed in April 2023.
River Oaks - Plumas Lake: Construction will start in February 2023 of a 48-unit multi-family project, consisting of 2- and 3-bedroom units, targeting low-income families. Construction is expected to be completed in July 2024.
Innovation Housing Center: Located in Olivehurst, is a low-income housing project made possible by Habitat for Humanity and it will consist of 13 housing units and include supportive services from case workers and other onsite providers. The project is in design phase and estimated to be completed 2024 -2025.
Serenity Village: Located in Olivehurst at 1645 Chestnut Road in Olivehurst will offer 124 units of affordable rental housing. This affordable housing development project seeks to provide new levels of housing for families in the area with the purchase of infill lots. The development team seeks to combine four (4) separate lots into one project 22 site and build 124 units of affordable rents. This project serves the community's need for an increased affordable housing supply. Families who will benefit from this project will typically have a median income of around 50% of the area’s average, though the actual range can go from 30% to 80%. Habitat will develop, own, and manage the site and there will not be on-site supportive services provided. Projected completion date is anticipated to be 2025, and the project budget is approximately $28 million dollars.
Sierra Vista Development – Humanity Park: After 5 years in the making, the completion of the 36 home permanent housing community, Sierra Vista. Culminated with a new playground for the surrounding community, which includes a play structure, swing sets and a walkable path. Project is completed and serves 162 individuals.
Fernwood Development: Located in Linda is an 88-home development project for low-income persons is in process for final approvals and Habitat for Humanity is currently seeking funding to develop this project. It is anticipated the project should be completed in 2027.
The Regional Housing Authority has a multi-family project under construction in Plumas Lake consisting of 48- units, with 2- and 3-bedroom dwelling units, a community center and a children’s playground, with rents targeting family households earning less than 55 percent AMI. The project should be completed by May 2024.
Live Oak Projects
Oak Haven Estates, a 16-unit low-income housing project, overseen by Habitat for Humanity and was completed December 2023.
Kristen Court Apartments- Phase III, a 32-unit housing project was completed in 2023.
Marysville Projects
Marysville East Lake Apartments development, a 71-unit rental new construction project was completed in summer of 2023. Bounded by Yuba and Ramirez Streets, and E. 13th and 14th Street, it is a mix of 24 onebedroom units, 24 two-bedroom units, and 23 three-bedroom units. East Lake Apartments is providing affordable housing for families earning up to 60% of the area median income for Yuba County.
Other housing projects include 1. 3rd and D Street apartment development, which will feature 34 market rate units. These apartments will fulfill a need for housing adjacent to the medical arts district. Plans for the 3rd and D Street apartments are still in the conceptual phase. 2. The Delta Building at 425 5th St. is being remodeled to allow for more residential units in the downtown area. The exact number of units has not been finalized due to the project also being in its conceptual stages. 3. The Nakagawa, a 10 unit, two story building at 308 C Street is in the development stage.
Wheatland Projects
The Regional Housing Authority completed a new construction multi-family project in Wheatland consisting of 48-units, with 2- and 3-bedroom dwelling units, a community center and a children’s playground, with rents targeting family households earning less than 55 percent AMI. The project was completed in December 2023.
The Regional Housing Authority will be closing on the construction financing for a new construction 32-unit senior affordable housing project in Wheatland consisting of 32-units, with 1- and 2-bedroom dwelling units, a community center, and a dog park, with rents targeting senior households earning less than 60 percent AMI.
Construction is scheduled to start in February 2024, and the first residents to move-in by April 2025, weather permitting.
23 Yuba City Projects
Tranquil Harbor Estates, located on Walton Avenue, will be overseen by Habitat for Humanity and is a low-income senior housing project with 20 units and could house 20-40 individuals. The plan has been approved by the Yuba City Planning Commission and has been approved for the sale of the property. Construction is anticipated to be completed 2024-2025.
Merriment Village, a 217-unit complex is in process and completion is anticipated by 2026.
Richland Village Phase II, a proposed residential affordable apartment complex that would consist of 88 onebedroom, 44 two-bedroom, and 44 three-bedroom units at 470 Bernard Drive in the Richland Housing complex.
Plans also include a community center and other recreational amenities for residents.
Goal 4 – Foster overall quality of life and place
To attract and/or retain businesses and residents, both urban and rural communities must actively maintain or revitalize their city or town centers and amenity assets. Quality of life includes a complex balance of jobs and education to healthcare and housing, protecting, and promoting the region’s natural resources and outdoor spaces, cultural and art spaces, and community spirit.
Implementation Partners: Yuba-Sutter Economic Development Corporation; Sutter and Yuba Counties; Cities of Live Oak, Marysville, Wheatland, and Yuba City; Yuba-Sutter Chamber of Commerce; Yuba-Sutter Regional Arts Council; Sutter Buttes Regional Land Trust; Sutter and Yuba County Libraries; Yuba Water Agency; Local theatres, museums, and art galleries.
Tactic 1 – Promote and Market for continued investment in regional amenities With the relaxation of COVID-19 pandemic mandated closures, local amenities which included the arts, history, and recreational venues moved forward with their programs and projects.
Yuba Water Agency
Hallwood Habitat Restoration Project: The project design is based on the premise that restoration of natural river and floodplain processes, including the removal of large portions of the Middle Training Wall, will create a healthier, more natural, and therefore, more productive river. Improvements will enhance up to 157 acres of seasonally inundated riparian floodplain, approximately 1.7 miles of perennial side channels, and approximately
6.1 miles of seasonally inundated side channels, alcoves, and swales. The project will improve more than 170 acres of seasonally inundated riparian floodplain habitat for numerous riparian tree species, and the host of aquatic and terrestrial organisms that reside in these habitats. This project increases the connectivity of these habitats for a healthier, more productive river system; a resource benefit to the public for purposes such as aesthetics and recreation.
PROJECT COMPLETED - $12 MILLION (YWA, State, Federal) & $90 million in-kind contribution of rough grading and aggregate removal (Private, Teichart)
Yuba Sutter Arts & Culture (also known as the Yuba-Sutter Arts Council, YSAC), a mainstay in the community for 42 years, had many ongoing projects and programs. Here is a glimpse into how we directly impacted the arts and culture community and overall economic development.
Sutter Theater Center for the Arts Main Stage (STCA)
YSAC has retained an architectural firm to create a set of plans for its Main Stage redevelopment project at its Sutter Theater Center for the Arts. The back half of the 1950s vintage theater will be brought back to life as a 299- seat live performing arts space with a traditional proscenium arch raised stage for live music and theater 24 productions as well as film screenings. A capital campaign is underway to raise the $750,000 needed for the project.
Murals of Live Oak
YSAC continues its ongoing program with the City of Live Oak and in the Spring of 2024 will commission additional exterior murals. Over a dozen murals have been created in the last few years to celebrate the history and heritage of Live Oak. Each mural also has a hidden object in it to help keep the viewer engaged. Several artists’ designs and new mural locations are under consideration.
Center Stage Productions
Corey and Morgan Kersting formed a new youth performing arts program for the community. Based at STCA, Center Stage has conducted a series of Saturday workshops for 7–18-year-olds and produced two full length musicals, most recently “Seussical.”
Convergence Theatre Company
A group of theater professionals led by Matthew DeMeritt have formed the Convergence Theatre Company, another ensemble based at the STCA. To date, it has produced four high quality, entertaining and thoughtprovoking shows including “Godspell” and the “The Laramie Project” about the murder of gay University of Wyoming student, Mathew Shepard.
Yuba Sutter Big Band
Created as a showcase for local professional musicians and music educators, this 20-piece orchestra puts on several swinging concerts each year with hits from the Great American Songbook, popular tunes of the day and the occasional original composition.
Youth Mariachi Orchestra
This is a collaboration with the Alliance for Hispanic Advancement and the Marysville Joint Unified School District.
The program provides free instruments and instruction for interested middle and high school students to learn about this unique musical form.
Yuba County History Trail Sign Project
YSAC has been part of the development of the Yuba County History Trail Sign Project in collaboration with the Yuba County Historic Resources Commission. The first five signs along with a Yuba County History website have been funded by a grant from Yuba County. The free-standing signs will vary in size depending on the locations but will be nominally 2’x3’. Each sign will have text and images explaining the significance of the structure or the location and a QR code. Visitors can access a video of an actor explaining the location by scanning the QR code with their smart phone. A printed tour guide and eventually a smart phone app will guide visitors from location to location.
Historic Marysville High School Auditorium
YSAC serves on the committee to help restore the 1,000 seat Marysville High School Auditorium. There is a renewed vision for the redevelopment of the facility which had been closed due to seismic issues. New ideas have come forward to bring the magnificent building back to its former glory as the premier non-commercial performing arts venue in the region.
Sutter County Museum shares local stories to strengthen community bonds, to inspire celebration of our diverse cultural heritage, and to demonstrate how understanding the past prepares us for the future. The Museum is open to the public 40 hours per week with free admission and is a partnership between Sutter County and the Community Memorial Museum Association, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. In 2023, the Museum hosted over 9,000 visitors; displayed five temporary exhibits on a range of topics; was awarded over $400,000 in grant funding for 25 future permanent exhibits and educational programs; and provided over 95 educational public programs, field trips, and group visits to the community.
Marysville Drakes, an independent level professional baseball team, came to Marysville and completed its first successful season in September 2023. The Drakes are part of the larger Pecos League, which is split between the Mountain and Pacific Division consisting of multiple states in the desert mountain regions. The City replaced most of the field walls.
Marysville NABA, an adult baseball league, plays exclusively on Sundays for players ages 17+. Their goal is to offer the most complete amateur league experience in the Marysville area that includes a competitive All-Star Game, Playoffs, and Championship Games.
Yuba-Sutter Chamber of Commerce has developed an organization, Film Yuba-Sutter!, which is intended to attract and support the film industry in the Yuba-Sutter community. To date, they have created social media pages, created promotional videos, and represented the community at 4 industry events. Their webpage went live in 2023 and they have been included in the Creative Handbook and Destination Film Guide which has a monthly distribution reach of 28,000 industry professions. In addition, they hired a consultant to manage the organization.
Adventist Health+Rideout Blue Zones Project is a community-led well-being improvement initiative designed to make healthy choices easier through permanent changes to a city's environment, policy, and social networks.
Participating communities have seen double-digit drops in obesity and smoking rates, economic investment in downtown corridors, grant funding awards to support policies and programs aimed at improving health equity and measurable savings in healthcare costs.
2023-2024 UPDATE: Blue Zones Project Yuba Sutter completed year 1 in the transformation phase (August 1, 2022 – July 31, 2023). This phase of the project is focused on addressing the blueprint goals and objectives. The overall purpose is to lead a community well-being transformation initiative where healthy choice becomes the easy choice through permanent changes in environment, policy, and social networks.
Built Environment Policy Impacts - Blue Zones Project Yuba Sutter worked to support and influence efforts to create a more walkable and bikeable community by developing a bike implementation plan. Blue Zones brought on a consultant (Cole Peiffer) to identify gaps in Yuba-Sutter’s regional bike network, research and review existing bicycle plans and projects, and create a bike plan with detailed steps to implement the plan.
Blue Zones also worked on multiple efforts to help support policy and help build capacity for the area-built environments.
Food Policy Impacts - Blue Zones Project Yuba-Sutter was the leading entity in establishing a food policy council in Yuba-Sutter to enhance local food systems and food policy. Blue Zones Project Yuba-Sutter was instrumental in convening and helping facilitate a Farm to School Info Session with the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) with the intention to seek funding to enhance and build robust farm to school programming.
Tobacco Policy Impacts - Blue Zones Project Yuba-Sutter played a key role in helping the Yuba County Coalition (CHAT) establish goals, create subcommittees (which will carry out the goals), and develop an action-oriented coalition. Both coalitions are working on the same issues and working together to pass comprehensive smoke-free policies.
Places
Thirteen organizations (worksites, schools grocery stores and restaurants) were Blue Zones Approved.
People
Engaged with 2,206 individuals through a variety of efforts including presentations, cooking demonstrations, walking groups and purpose workshops.
26 Sutter Buttes Regional Land Trust (SBRLT), whose mission is to protect and maintain the natural and agricultural resources of the Sutter Buttes and the surrounding region for present and future generations, has several projects which are important to quality of life in the region.
Swan Festival - The California Swan Festival was started in 2013 by the Yuba Sutter Chamber of Commerce and California Department of Fish & Wildlife to highlight wintering waterfowl in the heart of the Pacific Flyaway. In 2022 Sutter Buttes Regional Land Trust became the festival lead with the intention of continuing to spotlight wildlife while adding a conservation focus to bring more awareness and understanding of our connection to the land. The festival serves to advance awareness and conservation of wintering waterfowl and other diverse wildlife that migrate through (and live in) the Pacific Flyway in the Yuba, Sutter, and Colusa region. 2023-2024 UPDATE: The Yuba County Government Center was utilized as a central location for all tours, presentations, and vendors. There were 149 attendees at the presentations by six presenters. The festival hosted 25 successful guided tours for 213 attendees at nine locations in the region. Additionally, The Sutter County Museum hosted the Swan Festival Kid’s Zone promoting early childhood development skills with hands-on learning activities and crafts for children ages 0 through 5 and their families. The total attendance was 66 adults and 115 children.
Conservation Easements: The land trust currently has five easements that protect agriculture and habitat. The land trust has two fee owned properties which it manages: a 100-year-old schoolhouse in West Butte, listed on the National Register of Historic Places and North Butte in the Sutter Buttes. On February 17, 2023, Sutter Buttes Regional Land Trust (SBRLT) acquired its newest agricultural conservation easement (The Danna Farms conservation Easement) in Yuba County adjacent to SBRLT’s existing Bear River Restoration area and Ecological Preserve near Plumas Lake development, permanently protecting approximately 876 acres of California farmland. The easement will preserve the agricultural landscape of our community, add to existing protected areas, and create a buffer of open space around development. SBRLT acquired the Easement with funding from both the Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation Program (SALC), which the California Strategic Growth Council administers in collaboration with the Department of Conservation (DOC); and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP).
Yuba County Project
Bikeways and Pedestrian Trails: Bikeways and pedestrian trails provide an alternative mode of transportation as well as an outdoor activity that has the added benefit of connecting people with other points of interest. In January 2013, Yuba County adopted an update to the Yuba County Bikeway Master Plan, which lists and prioritizes projects and their estimated costs.
2023-2024 UPDATE: County selected a consultant to complete the Bicycle and Pedestrian Mobility Plan (update to Yuba County Bikeway Master Plan). The project outreach and early plan development has started.
City of Live Oak Project
Complete Live Oak Community Trail Project: This one‐mile rail conversion project establishes a dedicated bicycle and pedestrian trail through the center of Live Oak on former railroad right‐of‐way. The project has four phases, with the first phase completed in 2010 and the third phase completed in 2015. 2023-2024 UPDATE: Phase 4 will be completed during 2023/2024. Phase 4 runs from Kola Street to Epperson Way utilizing the old Railroad Right of Way. It includes a bike/pedestrian trail and landscaping. The city continues to seek funding for phase 2.
City of Marysville Projects
Ellis Lake Restoration: A public works project to restore the 37‐acre Ellis Lake area (between 9th and 16th streets and from B to D streets). This park and open space are regional landmarks attracting visitors from throughout the Yuba‐Sutter area and the north state region. The lake was developed in the 1930s by the Work Progress 27 Administration (later renamed Work Projects Administration). The intended scope of work would include a master plan for facility improvements around the lake, including parking, lighting, landscaping, and irrigation, together with water quality improvements for the lake itself.
2023-2024 UPDATE: The city, with the assistance of YSEDC, has received $3 million in state funding to make improvements and add amenities to the greenspace around the lake. The city will continue to look for funding opportunities to allow for future improvements.
Rehabilitate the River District for recreation and eco‐tourism: A public works project to rehabilitate the waterfront setback areas along the Feather and Yuba rivers from the levees to the streambeds of both rivers. The area includes Riverfront Park and boat launch ramp, restrooms, soccer fields, vehicle parking, bicycle and pedestrian/jogging pathways, decommissioned sewer ponds. 2023-2024 UPDATE: Sewer Pond decommission was completed in October of 2023. Project cost approximately $7.5 million. The city is in the process of negotiating an agreement for utilization of the southernmost ponds for off-road motorsports. Previously unused Softball fields have been rehabilitated from a state of disrepair and are now in use. SEWER POND DECOMMISSION PROJECT COMPLETED-$7.5 Million (State funds) Proposition 68 Per Capita Program: The city received $177,952 in Proposition 68 grant funding under this program. City has proposed this funding be used for the replacement of the play equipment and play surfacing at Gavin Park and the addition of an accessible path based on the City’s Park and Open Space Master Plan. 2023-2024 UPDATE: The first phase of the Project was completed in November 2023. Additional amenities are planned for installation in summer of 2024. PHASE I OF PROJECT COMPLETED-$178,952 (Prop 68 State funds) Bryant Field Rehabilitation: 2023-2024 UPDATE: Multiple improvements completed for Bryant field with assistance from Highlands Community Charter Academy, local non-profit, Saylove, Local 228 Pipefitters Union, and Local 118 Ironworkers Union. Improvements included replacement of entire outfield wall, replacement of C Street fence, rehabilitation of playing field surface, HVAC and lighting upgrades, safety improvements, and rehabilitation of a structure to accommodate home team players. Investment by city and private partners is valued at over $500,000. Additional improvements are being contemplated to include additional safety netting to protect spectators, shade structures, field lighting upgrades, player facilities and restroom facilities upgrades, security/surveillance upgrades and additional HVAC replacements/additions.
PHASE I OF PROJECT COMPLETED-$500,000 (Local, Private Investors) City of Yuba City Projects
Yuba City Pedestrian Trail – Railroad Right of Way Conversion The project includes the conversion of existing railroad right of way, across the City, to facilitate a bike and pedestrian trail that links the Sutter Bike Path from the west to the east to the City’s bike network and across the City’s 5th Street Bridge, connecting to the trail network in Marysville/Yuba County. This is a multi-phased project that will promote quality of life and economic development for the City. 2023-2024 UPDATE: The first phase involved completing a Feasibility Study with assistance from a $200,000 Caltrans grant. The Feasibility Study was completed in 2023. Final design and construction will be substantially more expensive since there are 2 crossings of State Highways, as well as numerous City arterial street crossings.
PHASE I OF PROJECT COMPLETED-$200,000 (State funds)
Sutter Bike Path Extension: The project includes extending the existing bike path within the City right-of-way from Hooper Road to Harter Parkway and along Harter Parkway from State Route 20 to Butte House Road. 2023-2024 UPDATE: Final design and easement acquisition is complete with construction anticipated to commence and complete in 2024.
Plumas Street Historic District and Water Tower Park Improvements: The project will help transform, beautify, and connect the Plumas Street Historic District with other improvements already completed in downtown Yuba 28 City to create a cohesive downtown area enhancing civic pride and drawing businesses and visitors to this shopping and recreation district. Project elements include improvements to the Water Tower Park lighting improvements, construction of placemaking gateway arch, and development of a "Clean and Safe Yuba City" litter abatement campaign.
2023-2024 UPDATE: Construction of the Water Tower improvements was completed in 2023. The Center Street Lighting, Gateway Arch at Bridge Street, Water Tower Park improvements, and Cleanup Campaign will be completed in 2024.
Tactic 2 – Promote and support collaboration and shared resources for regional public safety Regional Projects
Sutter Yuba Homeless Consortium: The purpose of the Sutter Yuba Homeless Consortium (SYHC) is to connect our homeless population with programs and services that can help them overcome obstacles that are preventing permanent housing solutions for individuals and families. 2023-2024 UPDATE: In January 2023, the consortium conducted a Point in Time (PIT) count of all sheltered and unsheltered people experiencing homelessness. It was determined that 963 persons were experiencing homelessness, 418 in Sutter County and 545 in Yuba County. During the PIT count, it was also reported that 252 persons were “precariously housed” (Staying with friends/family or paying for a motel themselves, 105 in Sutter County and 147 in Yuba County).
In 2023, SYHC clients achieved the following:
• Employment: 24 clients obtained employment
• Education: 25 children and youth achieved basic grade levels; 46 adults demonstrated improved basic education
• Income and Asset Building: 36 individuals achieved and maintained capacity to meet basic need for 180 days.
• Housing: 592 households obtained safe temporary shelter and 135 obtained safe and affordable housing.
Sutter County Project
Better Way: Better Way Shelter is a low barrier homeless shelter that provides 40 individuals with a temporary place to stay for up to three months. This voluntary program works with single individuals 18 years old and above who are Sutter County residents. Participants in the shelter work alongside a case manager and housing navigator to find transitional or permanent housing. Better Way follows the Housing First model and case managers work with participants to secure housing while receiving supported services. 2023-2024 UPDATE: None provided.
Yuba County Project
14FORWARD Homeless Temporary Shelter
Yuba County partnered with several nonprofit agencies and the private sector to develop 14FORWARD, the first temporary shelter and resource center for the homeless in the region. The site includes 25 two-person structures, an onsite manager, dog facility, and provides services and resources to move the homeless toward permanent employment and housing.
2023-2024 UPDATE: The Salvation Army served 293 people in 2023 at 14Forward. Shelter was offered to every young person between the ages of 18-24 who was experiencing homelessness, resulting in 20 young people receiving shelter assistance during the year. 69 people aged 55 and older were provided services at the shelter as well, with the eldest being 84 years of age. Throughout the year, repairs were made to the warming/cooling room and offices at the shelter and additional facility safety improvements were completed. 29 Yuba City Project
Local Roadway Safety Plan
The plan will create a framework to systematically identify, analyze, and prioritize safety improvements on roads in Yuba City. 2023-2024 UPDATE: The plan was adopted in December 2023.
PROJECT COMPLETED-$80,000 (State & Local funds)
Tactic 3 – Promote the role of the Yuba-Sutter Economic Development District YSEDC/YSEDD completed the 2023 annual updates in March 2023 which were submitted and approved by EDA.
All updated documents were made available on YSEDC’s website and promoted through social media platforms and email blasts. YSEDC and the CEDS committee are currently working on 2024 update and anticipates it will be completed March 2024.
Economic Disaster, Recovery and Resiliency
Mitigation planning is essential to the region’s ability to withstand and recover from disasters.
Yuba County Office of Emergency Services had completed its five-year update of its Multi-Jurisdictional MultiHazard Mitigation plan (MJMH plan) in 2021. This Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) Update serves to update the 2015 Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approved Yuba County LHMP. The purpose of hazard mitigation is to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to people and property from hazards. Yuba County, two incorporated communities, and nine special districts prepared this LHMP Update. The purpose of Yuba County LHMP is to make the County and its residents less vulnerable to future hazard events. https://www.yuba.org/departments/emergency_services/multi-hazard_mitigation.php.
Yuba County maintains a comprehensive emergency services webpage that provides current information for disaster, flood and emergency preparedness, and resources and tools. https://www.yuba.org/departments/emergency_services/about_yuba_county_oes.php Sutter County had completed its update for its Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) in 2021. Sutter County partnered with the cities of Yuba City and Live Oak and several special districts to update their 2013 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP). Flood, drought, earthquake, and wildfire are just a few of the hazards to Sutter County.
While natural hazards such as these cannot be prevented, an LHMP forms the foundation for a community's longterm strategy to reduce disaster losses by breaking the repeated cycle of disaster damage and reconstruction. https://www.suttercounty.org/government/county-departments/emergency-services/office-of-emergencymanagement-oem/hazard-mitigation.
Sutter County maintains a comprehensive Emergency Services webpage that provides current information for disaster, flood and emergency preparedness, and resources and tools. https://www.suttercounty.org/government/county-departments/emergency-services/office-of-emergencymanagement-oem/flood-preparedness YSEDC completed a Yuba-Sutter Pandemic and Disaster Economic Recovery and Resilience plan in 2021. This plan is prominently displayed on YSEDC’S website, https://www.ysedc.org/strategy.
Yuba Water Agency
Yuba Foothills Healthy Forest Project: In 2019, Cal Fire awarded $4.5 million to Yuba Water Agency and partners to fund needed forest health treatments in the Yuba County foothills. The project is a collaborative effort that includes Yuba Water Agency, the Plumas National Forest, Yuba Watershed Protection and Fire Safe Council, private timber companies and landowners. This grant is supporting significant biomass removal treatments on 30 5,375 acres in the Yuba County foothills, all of which are adjacent to communities with limited resources for fire risk reduction efforts, including Oregon House, Dobbins, Brownsville, Challenge, and Rackerby. These treatments will improve forest health and reduce the risk of a catastrophic wildfire within a “Project Impact Zone” that spans more than 71,000 acres and includes an estimated 2,721 structures. This project began implementation in 2020 and is expected to be completed in 2024.
North Yuba Forest Partnership is a diverse group of nine organizations passionate about forest health and the resilience of the North Yuba River watershed. Together, the partners are working on an unprecedented scale to collaboratively plan, analyze, finance, and implement forest restoration across 275,000 acres of the watershed. Through ecologically based thinning and prescribed fire, the partnership seeks to protect North Yuba communities from the threat of catastrophic wildfire and restore the watershed to a healthier, more resilient state. Restoration efforts are expected to take many years, if not decades to complete, with the most critical project areas targeted first, i.e., at-risk communities, emergency response, evacuation access routes and treatments to areas that have the potential to stop a wildfire from spreading. In FY 2022 $6.8 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding (BIL) was expended and for 2022 through 2024 a total of $25.5 million in BIL funding is expected.
Report on Economic Development Activities
Yuba-Sutter Economic Development Corporation is committed to maintaining an understanding of the community it serves and is actively involved by having a seat on boards, commissions, projects, and events within the community. Workforce Investment Board, Sutter-Yuba Homeless Consortium, California Finance Consortium, local nonprofit capacity building and the military privatization P4 initiative are just some of the boards/organizations/programs of which are comprehensive and achievable goals of the CEDS.
YSEDC engaged in the following economic development activities throughout the 2023 year to support the implementation of CEDS. The following provides a summary of these activities that:
• Promote economic development and opportunity
• Support efforts to attract, maintain, promote, and expand regional industries and businesses • Maximize effective development, alignment, and use of workforce • Provide technical support and access to business and financial resources • Obtain and utilize adequate funds and other resources • Support the work of local governments in their efforts to provide sound physical infrastructure Promote Economic Development and Opportunity
Activity Time Frame
1. Implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Plan Ongoing
2. Maintain Economic Development District status for the region. This includes preparing the following documents:
• Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) 2020-2025 • Update CEDS appendices I, IV and V
• CEDS Annual Performance Report
• Conduct a regional SWOT Analysis every five years
Completed
Annually
Annually
FY2025 – 2029
3. Collaboration and coordination with state, regional, county, and local economic efforts.
Ongoing
31 • Serve on committees and boards to provide guidance • Provide venues for collaborative meetings
4. Provide technical assistance to jurisdictions through technical assistance programs
• Maintain data mining tools on YSEDC site
• Provide socioeconomic, transportation, demographic, etc. data as needed
• Assist with grant research, writing, administration as needed Ongoing
Support efforts to attract, maintain, promote, and expand regional industries and businesses Activity Time Frame
1. Maintain and continue Business Attraction Program
• Continue to partner with Greater Sacramento Economic Council, Center for Economic Development, Go-Biz, etc.
• Respond to RFP’s
Ongoing
2. Maintain and ensure Yuba-Sutter Business Consortium remains viable to private and public sectors
• Provide venue, schedule, and conduct meetings, develop and maintain programs and maintain administrative functions
• Ensure collaboration and interest of partners
• Review, develop and lead programs of the consortium
Ongoing
3. Promote, support, and enhance agriculture-based tourism • Continue to develop Highway 65 corridor and Sports and Entertainment Zone.
Ongoing
4. Promote the continued viability of military installations near the region. • Promote and protect Beale Air Force Base as the region’s largest employer
• Support expansion of Beale’s existing missions, recruitment of new missions, and regional pledge to protect Beale from reduction or closure • Provide support for Beale Air Force Base’s infrastructure needs Ongoing
5. Brand and Market the region for development, investment, and regional growth.
• Create marketing campaign for business attraction
• Promote visitor services and tourism
• Collaborate with private and public sector organizations to increase marketing of Yuba-Sutter
Ongoing
Maximize effective development, alignment, and use of workforce Activity Time Frame
1. Support the efforts of and collaborate with workforce development centers, community one stops, colleges and universities.
• Ensure continued partnerships with local agencies and educational institutions
Ongoing
32 Provide technical support and access to financial resources Activity Time Frame
1. Continue to assist jurisdictions with infrastructure development projects by providing technical assistance, funding opportunities and resources Ongoing
2. Continue Bear Essentials program to provide businesses with access to resources, tools, and lending programs
• Conduct two business walks within the district annually • Conduct business resource workshops
• Conduct and/or assist with business development workshops • Assist businesses with expansion projects
• Foster growth and development of local firms to create and retain jobs, increase the business, and tax base
• Provide financial readiness and loan accelerator program • Provide business education workshops
Ongoing
Obtain and utilize adequate funds and other resources
Activity Time Frame
1. Pursue additional funding from EDA while leveraging funding from additional private and public sources.
• Pursue EDA funds for Lending Program
• Pursue EDA funds for infrastructure for Highway 65 corridor and Sports and Entertainment Zone
Ongoing
2. Continue providing information on local, state, and federal economic and infrastructure development programs
Ongoing
3. Continue to provide administration and reporting of EDA-funded Yuba County Taxiway Project
Completed
4. Pursue funding from other sources for Multi-Jurisdiction Multi-Hazard Mitigation
Completed
Support the work of local governments in their efforts to provide sound physical infrastructure Activity Time Frame
1. Maintain communication with jurisdiction leaders regarding public works projects, provide technical assistance and funding sources as needed. • Ensure public works projects are included in CEDS document and progress is annually updated and reported.
Ongoing
Schedule of Goals ‐ YSEDC
1. YSEDC will continue to assist in the development and implementation of the CEDS by providing research, statistical updates, printing, planning and scheduling CEDS Committee meetings.
2. YSEDC will provide both technical assistance, demographic and economic mining resource tools, and capital access for both the public and private sectors through grant research and writing and small business loans throughout the year.
3. YSEDC to continue its community involvement by maintaining memberships, seats and associations with public, private, and non-profit organizations to maintain an excellent overview of the economic conditions of the district. 33 4. YSEDC to continue its two business walks (fall and spring), surveys, and business development assistance programs to maintain a comprehensive understanding of the needs and desires of the stakeholders of the community and to assist in employment development.
Schedule of Goals ‐ Region
The region will continue to work toward achieving its goals and tactics as stated in the CEDS and support the public works projects of the member jurisdictions within the District.