The Economic Development Unit, in conjunction with partner agencies, provides grants and/or loans to partner cities, districts, and businesses to create and retain jobs. The Economic Development Unit also collaborates with cities, unincorporated communities, businesses and other economic development agencies to coordinate economic development activities in rural Fresno County. In addition, the unit develops and implements economic development strategies for Fresno County, administers the County’s Redevelopment Agency, implements the Redevelopment Plan for the community of Friant and maintains and analyzes economic and fiscal data related to employment trends and other fiscal implications for Fresno County.

The County provided $16,896 in CDBG funds to the I-5 Business Development Corridor, Inc. (I-5 BDC), in collaboration with the Economic Development Corporation serving Fresno County (EDC), to create an inventory of available industrial and commercial land in western Fresno County cities and communities. The I-5 BDC completed the project during the reporting period. The inventory will be used to support business expansion and location inquiries.

The County of Fresno received a $15,000 LEGACI grant from the Great Valley Center to conduct a series of community workshops to develop a shared vision for the Golden State Corridor. The Golden State Corridor stretches 13.5 miles from Conejo Avenue in Kingsburg on the south, to American Avenue, north of the City of Fowler. The Corridor is bounded by State Highway 99 on the west, and the Union Pacific Railroad (adjacent to the old Highway 99 - Golden State Boulevard) on the east. The unincorporated area of the Corridor includes agriculture and industrial uses. There is a great potential for the Corridor to serve as an economic engine for the County and the cities.

Since 2001, the County and the cities of Fowler, Selma and Kingsburg have collaborated in a joint planning and economic development effort to improve the Golden State Corridor. The Community Vision for the Golden State Corridor Report, prepared by a consultant team, has been completed. The report presents a vision statement as well as specific goals and objectives for the economic development of the Corridor. The report was presented at a joint meeting of the Board of Supervisors, City Councils of Fowler, Selma and Kingsburg, and their respective Planning Commissions, in August, 2003. The next phase of the project will include master planning and the development of related implementing mechanisms. This next phase will likely involve innovative approaches and new policy development in collaboration with the three cities to implement the strategies and enable the Corridor region to become more economically competitive.

The County of Fresno is a member/sponsor of the Yosemite/Sequoia Resource Conservation and Development Area (RC&D) and participated in the formation of the San Joaquin Valley RC&D. The RC&D program was initiated by USDA in 1962 to help people care for and protect their natural resources and improve their area’s economy, environment, and living standards. The Natural Resources Conservation Service provides financial and staffing support to the RC&D councils. Most RC&D funding comes for grants received from local, state, and other federal agencies.

The Yosemite/Sequoia RC&D area covers the foothill regions of Mariposa, Madera, Fresno, and Tulare Counties. The mission of the Yosemite/Sequoia RC&D is to promote quality and aesthetic value of our cultural, environmental, and recreational resources by improving the quality of life through sustainable, diverse economic development.

The County of Fresno participated on the steering committee to form the San Joaquin Valley RC&D. The San Joaquin Valley RC&D covers the valley floor areas of Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Merced, Stanislaus, and Tulare Counties. The mission of the proposed San Joaquin Valley RC&D is to serve as a forum for the needs and interests of residents, business, and agriculture, to provide economic resources to develop comprehensive solutions to area needs and to support and encourage a collaborative effort in improving the quality of life for Valley residents. The steering committee submitted an application to USDA for designation as a RC&D in March of 2002. The area has not received its designation as RC&D. The steering committee will continue its efforts to receive a RC&D designation from USDA in the coming year.