Economic development
Proposed Speedways Fail To Provide Fast Track To Jobs
Submitted by Paul Shigley on 25 February 2010 - 10:30amAs the popularity of motor sports, especially stock car racing, blossomed during the late 1990s and 2000s, a number of would-be race track developers and local government officials in California pursued high-speed economic dreams. However, actually building a race track in California has proven to be far more difficult than proposing a track and even winning development entitlements.
Researchers Question Value Of Enterprise Zones
Submitted by Paul Shigley on 26 June 2009 - 11:07amThere is no evidence that California’s enterprise zone program – the state’s largest economic development effort – has increased jobs in program areas, according to a Public Policy Institute of California study. “Our main finding is that, on average, enterprise zones have no effect on business creation or job growth,” PPIC researchers Jed Kolko and David Neumark wrote.
Cities Try To Stir Local Economy
Submitted by Paul Shigley on 26 February 2009 - 2:21pmFaced with rapidly declining revenues and extremely difficult budget choices, local governments are starting to invent their own economic stimulus programs. Cities have begun loaning money to car dealerships, cutting development fees, promoting buy-local programs and undertaking new redevelopment projects, among other things.
Lindsay Executes Ambitious Ideas On Tight Budget
Submitted by Paul Shigley on 31 July 2008 - 9:18amWhen an untimely freeze destroyed the Tulare County citrus crop two years ago, costing many people their farm labor jobs, the City of Lindsay responded with a program modeled on the Works Project Administration. The city built a number of projects, the most novel of which was the conversion of an empty fruit-packing plant into a 172,000-square-foot sports and fitness complex.
Astute Planners Will Use 'The Next Big Thing' To Cities' Advantage
Submitted by Robin Andersen on 30 May 2008 - 10:48amWhat’s the next big thing?
The last big thing was housing, and it’s over. So what’s next?
We may be in a real estate slump, but as California communities and planners begin mapping out their futures, it is not too early to start thinking about what the next big thing will be in the world of real estate development.
No, Seriously: Golf Course Saves Fresno
Submitted by Robin Andersen on 27 November 2007 - 11:13amWhy is Trump asking the city to get involved in his purchase of Running Horse?
Minor League Stadium Needs Big-Time Subsidy
Submitted by Bill Fulton on 30 April 2007 - 2:46pmThe scene is a minor-league baseball stadium somewhere in the Inland Empire. The broadcasters are Ralph and Jim, a pair of middle-aged sportscasters, who are calling a Class-A game for local radio listeners.
Proposed Horse Track Goes Before Dixon Voters
Submitted by admin on 1 March 2007 - 1:00amVoters in the northern Solano County city of Dixon will decide in April on a project that could change the nature of town: A horse racing track and entertainment center capable of handling events for up to 50,000 people, plus more than 1 million square feet of hotel, entertainment, retail and office development.
Santa Cruz Boardwalk Expansion Proposed
Submitted by importer on 1 October 1998 - 12:00amExpansion plans for Santa Cruz's beach boardwalk amusement park have been on a roller coaster ride for months, with election results in November's city council races expected to offer a public referendum on the city council's recent decision to limit the huge plan.