Tuesday, November 19, 2019
Open Board of Directors Meeting
Inland Atrium
3200 Inland Empire Blvd.
First Floor Conference Room
Ontario, California
Minutes
Present: Deborah Barmack, Peter Barmack, Carole Beswick, Ken Coate, Ashley Gaines, Lowell King, P.T. McEwen, John Mirau, Keven Porter, Brian Reider, Dan Roberts, Kristine Scott, and David VanVoorhis.
Guests: Trelynd Bradley and Peggy Hayes.
Announcements: 1) Members were reminded to respond for the December 5th Inland Action holiday event. 2) Please note that the Executive Director of the South Coast Air Quality Management District, Wayne Nastri will be our speaker on Wednesday, December 18. Inland Action will not have a meeting on Tuesday that week. 3) A good deal of follow up continues since the Economic Summit held in Fresno, attended by Inland Action CEO Carole Beswick & President Deborah Barmack. 4) Inland Action staff continue to coordinate an Inland Empire leadership meeting.
M/S/P: Minutes from November 12, 2019.
Recently, member Vavrinek, Trine, Day & Co. LLP became a part of Eide Bailly LLP. Representative Kevin Pulliam has asked that Phillip White serve as the alternate.
M/S/P: Phillip White will serve as the alternate for Eide Bailly LLP.
Keven Porter introduced Dr. Angelov Farooq, Chair, California Workforce Development Board.
Members of the California Workforce Development Board (CWDB) are appointed by the Governor and represent the many facets of workforce development – business, labor, public education, higher education, economic development, youth activities, employment and training, as well as the Legislature. The Board meets on a regular basis and decisions are reached through a collaborative process.
Their fast-growing operation utilizes numerous teams with focused efforts in small business innovation, assistance with business tax credits, international development and import-export advisors.
The California Business investment team works confidentially and at no cost to assist new or expanding businesses in California. GO-Biz serves as the State of California’s leader for job growth and economic development efforts. They offer tailor-made services which include site selection, navigation of incentives, utility reductions (up to 12%), tax credits and sales tax exclusion for advanced manufacturing. They also address permit and regulation assistance as well as attracting and retaining employees. Businesses have expressed that these services are like having a consultant they didn’t have to pay for.
Job Centers are supported by the CWDB but are run by each County. The CWDB is reimagining these existing Job Centers and believe better access can be achieved. Discussions include utilizing neighborhood office space around public schools in depressed areas, as those in poverty have reduced access to technology. Such changes would create a more deeply integrated system with broader coordination.
The “Future Work” commission is reviewing the impact artificial intelligence and automation will have. California is well positioned as a global leader with Silicon Valley at the forefront. The inland areas are most susceptible if we rely on a singular focus. Our logistics industry is very important and must be protected, but we must also build resiliency to be well equipped for the future. Healthcare needs will expand and efforts to incubate these good jobs like STEM education are helpful.
Governor Newsom has set a goal of ½ million apprenticeships by 2027. Apprenticeships will create a vocational pipeline with this “earn and learn” system that strengthens our middle class. These apprenticeships should be “good jobs” with living wages in sustainable industries. Business must drive and suggest the apprenticeship efforts and models.
The Governor continues to advocate for a “California for All”. His efforts are earnest and intentional, recognizing the assets and factual inequities that are structurally unfair. Programs such as “Regions Rise Together” can be opportunities, but the Inland Empire must take the initiative on their own behalf. The Inland Empire has greater capacity than Fresno but are lacking cohesion between Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. Fresno’s proposals could serve as a road map for us.
As a native of the Inland Empire, Dr. Farooq indicated that he is part of this community and desires to create an environment that retains and attracts talent.
A Q & A period followed.
Meeting adjourned 8:30 a.m.