Economic Development

A recent set of meetings of the Marina Economic Development Commission (EDC), of which I am a member, has brought up a rather interesting discussion - one in which I think is important enough to continue through this election cycle.

As a Commission we heard a report from staff that outlined the restructuring of the Development Services Department into what will now become the Economic Development Department. We also heard about other changes that came or will continue as a result of the new City budget that was finally passed in July.

To make a long story a bit shorter, the EDC Commissioners asked a lot of questions and determined that the half funding of an Economic Development Manager and not hiring an Airport Manager was important enough to Marina’s economic future that we should ask the City Council to reconsider these positions. This was a unanimous vote by the four commissioners present. Our Chairperson volunteered to write a draft letter for the EDC’s review and approval at a special meeting scheduled for the following week.

At the Special Meeting called to review the letter, we found extreme opposition from members of the public to bringing this item back to the City Council for consideration. This opposition, led by our current Mayor, really missed the point. Their primary points were that we should wait on these decisions until we hire a new City Manager next year and that hiring these positions will do greater harm to our budget.

I have an issue with each of these points. One, the hiring of an Airport Manager comes from a separate Airport budget, not the general fund where we have the problem. Second, we are asking to consider adding full funding for the Economic Development Manager so we have the ability to accomplish the work already requested by the City Council. Each of these positions should pay for themselves over time.

Finally, waiting for up to a year for a new City Manager to decide on these positions puts Marina way behind the economic development curve. We have heard of many new projects proposed by Monterey, Pacific Grove, Seaside and Del Rey Oaks lately. We have our own areas that we wish to redevelop, that include our Downtown, and our Airport, as well as many infill projects around Marina that will need proper staff support to see them become a reality.

This is not a case of waiting for the economy to recover since projects take years to come together. If we wait we will miss the opportunities and try to start something at the inevitable down cycle that will come years from now. Now is the time to plan and do the work needed to facilitate these projects for Marina’s future economy and we need the staff to help make that happen.

The discussion should be encouraged and pursued as we look to Marina’s long term economic health and vitality.

More later…