Sunnyvale City Council
February 27, 2024

Review and Consider Adoption of the
Economic Development Strategic Plan
Christine L. Velasquez, Economic Development Manager
February 27, 2024
Major services include:
• Business Development Assistance
• Marketing Sunnyvale as a Great Place to
Do Business
• Business Retention and Expansion
• Strategic Partnerships— Businesses &
Business Associations
• Leads Key Economic Development
Initiatives
Economic Development Division
Responsible for economic development programs and serves as liaison between City and business community
Background
2022-2023
• Council Strategic
Session - Jan 2023
• Draft Plan/Goals
• Short Term Actions
• Outreach/
Engagement
2019
• Outreach/
Engagement
• Opportunities/
Challenges
• Goals & Priorities
Economic Development Strategic Plan (EDSP) Phases
2024
• Council Strategic
Session – Jan 2024
• Final EDSP
• Adoption/
Implementation
2020-2021
• COVID-19
• Sunnyvale Cares
• Outdoor dining
• Shop Sunnyvale
EDSP – Process and Considerations

PROCESS
• Meetings with key stakeholder groups
• Input from business organization (Sunnyvale Downtown Association, Sunnyvale Chamber of Commerce and Moffett Park Business Group)
• One-on-one meetings with businesses
• Presented draft EDSP at January 25, 2024 Council Strategic Workshop

CONSIDERATIONS
• Ability to adapt to changes in post-pandemic market
• Business retention efforts focused on pandemic impacts • Adapt to changes in workforce conditions (e.g., remote work) • Flexibility in prioritizing focus areas due to new and evolving situations • Economic Development role on development projects to help ensure economic success Sunnyvale Demographic Highlights

Sunnyvale Demographic Highlights

1. Prioritize Key Regional Issues that Drive and Support Economic Development

2. Strengthen and Expand Program Capacity & Assist with Development Review Process

3. Support Small- and Medium-Sized Non-Retail Businesses

4. Enhance and Maintain Retail Vibrancy
EDSP Strategic Priorities

Strategic Priority Actions Summary: On-Going
Prioritize Key Regional
Issues that Drive &
Support Economic
Development
Strengthen and Expand
Program Capacity &
Assist with the
Development Review
Process
Support Small- and
Medium-Sized
Non-Retail Businesses
Enhance and Maintain
Retail Vibrancy
 Market available sites
to housing developers
 Advocate Housing Trust
Silicon Valley to fund
Sunnyvale projects
 Support use of
innovative first/last-
mile transportation
solutions
 Collaborate with
transportation agencies
and advocate for
projects benefiting
business/development
community
 Promote Sunnyvale to
attract new
businesses
 Conduct business
outreach/engagement
activities
 Assistance through
the pre-entitlement,
permitting and grand
opening phases
 Support and promote start-
ups companies
 Preserve land uses in Woods
& Oakmead Districts
 Preserve existing service
spaces in W. Evelyn District
 Market Sunnyvale at industry
events
 Assist/attract new
neighborhood serving
businesses
 Support public art programs
 Support Village Centers
development
 Retention of small/affordable
retail spaces
 Meet with businesses, property
owners, brokers, retailers and
auto dealers
 Participate in industry events
 Provide business content for
City publications
Prioritize Key Regional Issues that Drive & Support Economic Development Strategic Actions
Market available sites to housing developers
Monitor formation of Transportation Management Association in Moffett Park Strengthen/Expand Program Capacity & Assist with Development Review Process Strategic Actions
Collaborate with stakeholders on shared issues/interests​ Annual work plan to allocate sufficient staffing/resources to support EDSP​ Increase involvement with regional business and industry organizations Survey businesses during development review process

Support Small- and Medium-Sized Non-Retail Businesses
Strategic Actions
Continue Tech Expo to promote tech start-up companies
Connect start-up businesses to major companies for support and mentorship Review/evaluate existing permitting requirements for home-based, new start-ups and small businesses to lower barriers to entry ​ Formalize City program to serve innovative and emerging start-ups Explore ways to expand inventory of commercial space in ground floor space in mixed-use developments​
Enhance and Maintain Retail Vibrancy
Strategic Actions
Implementation of Murphy Avenue Pedestrian Mall​
Annual event to update business community on new development, initiatives, accomplishments, and market conditions
Monitor/analyze retail trends and major market shifts to remain competitive

Strategic Priority Actions: 2024 - 2026
2024 2025 2026 TBD
 Tech Expo
 Work plan
 Meetings with key
stakeholders and
industry leaders
 Murphy Avenue
pedestrian mall
 Connect start-ups
to major companies
for support/
mentorship
 Economic
Development
event
 Survey businesses
during the
development
review process
 Increase
involvement with
business and
industry groups
 Review/evaluate
permitting
requirements for
home-based
start-ups/small
businesses
 Formalize program
for innovative and
emerging technologies
 Review/evaluate
policies to remain
competitive
 Inventory of
affordable
commercial space
in mixed-use
developments
 Monitor and
support the
formation of the
Transportation
Management
Association in
Moffett Park
Staff Recommendation
Staff recommends the adoption of the EDSP to inform and guide continued work to support and actively promote the City’s economic development efforts.