Business Retention & Attraction

Purpose

One of the primary goals of Brea's Economic Development is to maintain and enhance the economic viability of Brea. This goal is implemented through many different policies and programs. The Business Retention and Attraction Program is one of the key programs that helps implement this goal.

Program Outline

The city's Business Retention and Attraction Program is a multifaceted approach that has been designed to preserve and enhance the city's business environment. The city recognizes the value and importance of a strong and varied business community. We appreciate our businesses as corporate residents with longterm investments. The following statements reflect the specific goals of the Business Retention and Attraction Program.

• The city will maintain and enhance the positive pro-business approach of city staff as they assist both current businesses and businesses seeking to relocate.
• The city will seek to enhance communication with the business community regarding areas of interest and concern to their ongoing operations.
• The city will assist and encourage the relocation of strong positive new businesses and retain existing businesses.
• The city will assist businesses in efforts to influence legislation and other factors to make Orange County and California a more attractive place to do business.
• The city will strengthen our competitive economic environment by developing programs and providing financial assistance for new construction and rehabilitation of a range of housing opportunities in the city.

Business Approach

The city will maintain and enhance the positive pro-business approach of city staff as they assist current businesses and businesses seeking to relocate.

• Continue to provide a user-friendly Development Manual that outlines all of the city's permitting processes in an easy-to-follow format.
• Develop a business-friendly training program incorporating business issues in actual customer care training programs for appropriate city staff.
• Assign a "team coordinator" to act as liaison for all permit processing. Provide for a choice of the "team coordinator" by the applicant.
• Encourage the use of the free "screen check" process for initial plans to assist in expediting planning reviews and save applicant costs with early planning input.

Communication

The city will seek to enhance communication with the business community regarding areas of interest and concern to their ongoing operations.

• Create a team approach regarding the city's job vis-à-vis the public.
• Involve resident and business representatives in reviewing building codes.
• Design and implement a computerized tracking system for plan check and building permit applications and submissions, including a counter terminal for easy applicant access.
• Send letters to new businesses welcoming them to the city.
• City staff to conduct weekly visits to random city businesses to find out how they're doing and if the city can help.
• Schedule city / chamber visits to various large businesses.
• Create a Large Employer Roundtable to discuss economic issues affecting national and international businesses located in Brea.

Business Relocation

The city will assist and encourage the relocation of strong positive new businesses.

• Work cooperatively with the city where the business is relocating from to ensure that every effort is made to retain the business in its present location first. Then address relocation issues if that is not possible.
• Maintain access to listings of significant commercial and industrial vacant properties, buildings, or space in the city, including the key real estate broker or salesperson involved through use of the Internet.
• Direct potential buyers or tenants for retail, commercial, or industrial space to appropriate brokers.
• Track industry trends and reports for staff reference regarding industrial and commercial markets.
• Economic Development staff will facilitate, when appropriate, planning and permitting processes for businesses that are trying to relocate.
• Work with Orange County Business Council on promoting Orange County as a business location.
• The city may utilize the services of relocation consultants to assist businesses to relocate. Relocation consultants can provide assistance with housing, city services transfers, and miscellaneous issues.
• The city will participate in area trade shows that focus on marketing Orange County as a good location for business.

City Partnerships

Coordinate the North Orange County Partnership (cities) effort on behalf of the North Orange County region.

• Meet on a regular basis to discuss mutual issues
• Implement mutually beneficial programs and share information related to regional economic development
  • Capitalize and market the diverse economy of North Orange County
  • Focus on improvements to transportation and housing

Assist Businesses

The city will assist businesses in efforts to influence legislation and other factors to make Orange County and California a more attractive place to do business.

• Integrate the business community's legislative advocacy agenda in the city's legislative advocacy work.
• Inform the Chamber of Commerce regarding legislative efforts that will negatively impact the city's ability to pursue and finance economic development efforts.