City, county try to bring in more money

A collaborative effort by city and county representatives to stimulate economic development got the endorsement of the Orland City Council and Glenn County supervisors this week.

Members of the Joint-Cities/Glenn County Economic Development Steering Committee spoke with Orland council members on Monday and board members on Tuesday about their accomplishments.

And both bodies urged the group to continue its mission.

The steering committee has asked Yassi Lam, Glenn County's business recruiter, to be the contact person who will put prospective entrepreneurs and business owners in touch with the right city or county departments for their needs.

She also will offer them the services of volunteer "strike force" and "navigation" teams — comprised of knowledgeable business people — who can help them through the permit and application process if they want such help.

"I love the single point of contact," Supervisor John Viegas said. "Yassi Lam is a good choice."

He added Glenn County is too small of a county not to be working together with the cities and other agencies.

In addition, the county and the cities have been working to streamline their permit application procedures and create a checklist for businesses to use when they initially apply for a permit.

The list includes 15 items commonly needed by the city and county planning and building departments, Glenn County Planning Director John Linhart said.

Again, Viegas said he liked the new forms but wondered why 15 copies were needed.

"They are spelled out in state code," Linhart said. "Often times we need that many other times we don't."

But we don't want people to be surprised, he said, if they are asked for that since copies must be distributed to different state agencies.

Also on the group's agenda is developing a marketing logo for Glenn County.

The one being considered now is a blue circle with the state of California in it and a star denoting Glenn County's location.

Its blue background to the left could be used to put slogans like "GC" for Glenn County or "Growing Glenn" along with other ideas, committee member David Allee said.

Allee is the county's employment development manager with the Human Resources Agency and has been working with the group since it started last fall.

Other members include Orland City Councilman Bruce Roundy, HRA Director Scott Gruendl, Willows City Manager Steve Holsinger, Orland Economic Development Commissioner Helen Duree, Foltz, Supervisor Mike Murray and other city county representatives and staff members.

"This is a neat start," Supervisor Leigh McDaniel said while showing the blue logo to the audience.

However, any logo and marketing campaign will need the assistance of professionals before it is adopted by the local governments or area residents, officials said.

"I am glad to see some many (committee members) here," Orland Mayor Wade Elliott said Monday. "It is an encouraging sign."

Councilman Dennis Hoffman asked if the program was up and running and was told it is ready to start, but the committee wanted consensus from the governmental bodies before proceeding.

The committee goes to the Willows City Council on Feb. 14.

Councilman Charles Gee said the program is not creating another layer of bureaucracy, but will leave it up to the business owner if he or she wants assistance.

Contact Rick Longley at 934-6800 or rlongley@tcnpress.com.