Economic Development Implementation Plan - FY 2024-25
Updated October 14, 2024
Lead Partners Description Past Progress Status FY 25 Goal Infrastructure Financing CMO PW
Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District to fund
infrastructure improvements that support
economic development
Council approved feasibility study on 11/28/23. Study presented at Council on 3/12/24.
Working on possible participation from other agencies
in the proposed district. Finalize proposed district for Council consideration.
West Katella District CMO CDD, PW,
Chamber, EDR
Create a vision, place branding, and place making
for a resort district on West Katella that is
complimentary to OC Vibe and OC Riverwalk.
Council approved agreement with CityThinkers on 1/23/24, Kosmont on 3/12/24, and CivicBrand on 4/23/24. Held interviews with key property owners in April. Held stakeholder workshop on 6/20/24. Held branding focus groups in Aug/Sept.
Finalizing draft framework plan and brand vision
documents. Next step to get input from property
owners on these documents.
Finalize Vision Plan and place branding and place
making plans for the district. Identify development
feasibility and City policies to encourage desired
development.
Economic Development
Forum CMO Chamber
Convene a stakeholder group to review the
Economic Development Strategy and perform a
SWOT analysis on the economic development
program.
Forum held on 1/17/24.
Incorporated input into Economic Development
Strategy and presented report to City Council.
Developing plan for the next phase in the evolution of
this event.
Hold Forum in January 2025.
Economic Development
Roundtable CMO Chamber
Assemble a group to meet quarterly, review the
Economic Development Strategy, and guide its
implementation.
Group met on 3/4/24, 6/24/24, and 10/14/24 to review Economic Development Strategy and Implementation Plan. Need to schedule meetings for 2025. Hold quarterly meetings to review and provide input and support for FY 25 Implementation Plan.
Shop Local Program CMO Chamber, EDR Develop a program to encourage residents to support local businesses.
Experience Orange logo finalized, and agreement with Bludot approved by Council on 3/12/24 for an app-based incentive program to support small, non-chain businesses. Program was soft launched on 6/14/24 and fully launched on 6/25/24.
Over 900 people have signed up for the program and
business feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.
Evaluate the effectiveness of Open Rewards and
provide Council with recommendations on the
program going forward.
Tourism Promotion CMO Chamber, EDR
Create a plan to market Orange as a visitor
destination, work with Chamber to revive Visitors
Bureau, and explore the formation of a Tourism
Improvement District (TIP).
Created Orange Toursim Council (OTC) to promote tourism in Orange. Exploring the formation of a Tourism Improvement District (TID).
Orange Tourism Council (OTC) is exploring the
formation of a Tourism Promotion District (TID) and
better regional integration in promoting tourism.
Work with Orange Tourism Council to create a visitor
destination marketing plan and present a proposed
Tourism Improvement District for Council
consideration.
Hotel Development CMO Create incentives to develop high-end hotels in Orange.
Kosmont completed a market analysis, surveyed incentive programs in other cities and created a hotel incentive toolkit.
Completed Council briefings on the hotel incentive
toolkit.
Research incentives to develop high-end hotels in
Orange and present policy options for City Council
consideration.
Promote filming in Orange CMO Film LA Update film ordinance and create program to promote filming in Orange.
Met with Film LA and got feedback on updating our ordinance to match industry standards and how to best promote filming.
Working on a redline of filming ordinance to update it
to industry standards.
Prepare an updated Film Ordinance based on
feedback from Film LA for Council consideration.
Create a program to promote filming in Orange.
Microtransit Service for
Old Towne Chamber CMO, PW Launch a microtransit service through ATN for Old Towne and surrounding areas.
Funding for vehicles is in place and Council approved $100,000 in operational funding on 3/12/24.
ATN will not order vehicles until a permanent source
of funding is identified. ATN board to consider the
program at its November board meeting.
City/Chamber are exploring other funding options.
Launch microtransit service and evalute its
effectiveness while identifying possible sources of
funding for a permanent service.
Circulator Service PW CMO, Chamber
Study a circulator (shuttle) service for westside
Orange to connect hotels, The Outlets, hospitals,
and Old Towne.
Feasibility study is underway. Feasibility study has been complted. OCTA Project V funding will not be open for another 7 years or so.
Complete feasibility study and identify possible
funding sources.
Old Towne Parking
Management PW CMO, DMA
Develop and implement parking management
programs to support economic development in
Old Towne.
Held merchant meetings on 1/11/24 and 3/13/24. Next merchant meeting scheduled for 10/23.
Draft report is complete and Council was briefed. After merchant input is incorporated, the item will be
presented for Council consideration.
Present recommendations to Council on
implementation of a parking management program
with parking enforcement, improved wayfinding, and
possible paid parking component.
Development Review
Streamlining CDD CMO, EDR
Provide the City Council with policy options to
streamline the development review process and
create an expedited process for high priority
projects.
Developed memo to detail streamlining program. CDD is working on ordinance updates to streamline the development review process.
Identify ways to streamline the development review
process and create an expedited process for high
priority projects and present policy options for Council consideration.
CMO = City Manager's Office
PW = Public Works
CDD = Community Development Department