IRVINE : Plan to Attract Firms Is Topic of Meeting
Business leaders will get their first look next week at a long-awaited plan to attract and retain companies to the city at a breakfast sponsored by the Irvine Chamber of Commerce.
City Manager Paul O. Brady Jr. and John Gaffney, a chamber vice president, will discuss the economic development plan and how it relates to the city’s future. Mayor Michael Ward is also scheduled to deliver his State of the City address at the Jan. 5 breakfast.
The plan, which the city developed in conjunction with the chamber, is designed to promote Irvine as a business-friendly home for companies. The slogan for the campaign is “The City of Choice For Business,” said Terri D’Alessandro, a spokeswoman for the chamber.
Details of the plan will also be outlined at the Jan. 11 City Council meeting, when officials will share their thoughts on the proposal and consider how much to allocate for the program.
“I think it will take some seed money,” said Councilwoman Christina L. Shea. “We might have to spend some money in order to make it back.”
Irvine’s once-booming economy has been hit hard by the statewide recession. The slump has also reduced tax and development fee revenues, forcing the city to lay off dozens of workers.
Shea suggested that the city produce a glossy brochure that lists the attractive qualities of doing business in Irvine. She also said the city should attempt to lure mail-order catalogue firms to the city because of the tax revenues they could generate.
The breakfast will be held at the Irvine Marriott hotel, 18000 Von Karman Ave. It begins at 7:30 a.m. Tickets are $14 in advance and $18 at the door for chamber members. Non-members pay $18 in advance and $22 at the door.
