Plan to Bolster Business Approved : Economy: City Councilman Bob Filner, however, questions whether the $450,000 could be better spent in ‘areas that actually create jobs.’

Searching for ways to jump-start the local economy, the San Diego City Council on Monday tentatively approved an ambitious economic development plan, but not before questioning whether the city can afford the nearly half million dollars allocated to the project.

In a debate that crystallized the economic challenges and budgetary constraints confronting San Diego, the council members lauded the program’s goals of attracting new businesses to San Diego and persuading firms already here to expand, even while they lamented that its $450,000 price tag could exacerbate a potential $50-million city budget deficit.

The fact that much of the money will finance studies of local economic problems, rather than go directly to job-creation programs, was criticized by Councilman Bob Filner as “typical of bureaucracy.”

“At a time when you’re telling (us) we have a $50-million shortfall, not doing something to directly stimulate the economy instead of studying it seems a little bit behind the curve,” Filner told city administrators.

Under the program, the San Diego Economic Development Corp. and the San Diego Chamber of Commerce will receive $100,000 and $25,000, respectively, to develop business marketing strategies and to conduct forums on economic issues.

The rest of the money would go to a variety of city programs to assist small businesses, promote international trade and encourage the retention and expansion of existing San Diego firms. Toward the latter goal, the program would provide ombudsmen and expedite permit procedures for major companies, develop plans to convert shrinking defense-industry jobs to non-military occupations and explore opportunities for growth in the key biomedical industry.

Dismissing the proposed program as “a lot of . . . advocating and convening and meeting and coordinating . . . to tell us what we already know,” Filner argued that the revenue could be better spent in “areas that actually create jobs,” such as a revolving loan program for small businesses.

Despite his objections, Filner joined in the council’s unanimous vote for the program. At his request, however, city staffers will have to return to the council within several weeks for final approval of the proposed two-year contracts with the Chamber of Commerce, the Economic Development Corp. and the San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Other council members offered more sanguine assessments of the economic development program, which Councilwoman Abbe Wolfsheimer described as a combination of “good philosophy and good common sense.”

“For the first time, we’re doing something positive, and it feels good,” added Councilwoman Judy McCarty.