Pathway to Prosperity Reform #2 – Clean Tech Incubator Center and Retail Expo

Carl DeMaioCarl DeMaio 1 Comment

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Getting San Diegans back to work is one of my top priorities – which is why I am presenting my “Pathway to Prosperity” plan to create and keep jobs in San Diego.

One of my Pathway to Prosperity reforms deals with attracting “Clean Tech” companies to San Diego.

The next big wave of innovation and economic growth will be fueled by the global transition to sustainable living – in terms of water conservation, renewable energy, materials reuse, and smart design.  San Diego must position itself at the forefront of that global transition – both for companies operating locally and for the manufacturers of Clean Tech products and services.

While San Diego already has a good share of Clean Tech firms, we can do better.  I propose to create a Clean Tech Incubator Center that provides low-cost commercial and retail space for start-up companies.  Like other incubator sites across the country, the Clean Tech Incubator will have a one-stop center for government services for the Clean Tech companies, and will serve as a gateway to both academia and private sector assistance (e.g. venture capital firms).

However, my experience as a businessman has caused me to pursue this initiative with a twist.  Start ups can benefit from the low-cost environment and synergy of an “incubator” site – but I want to see if we can give start-ups something much more important: CUSTOMERS.

That’s why the site will also feature a “Sustainable Living” Retail Expo for Clean Tech companies to demonstrate and sell their products and services – essentially a shopping center of new, green technologies which will be marketed to a strong consumer base in San Diego County.  This innovative project will not only provide a cost-efficient operating environment for emerging Clean Tech companies, but will also allow them to attract the all-important customer base necessary for a start-up company to graduate to “steady state” status.

There are a number of sites in the City which could potentially be a great location for this Incubator and Expo project, most notably the vacant space at NTC/Liberty Station that is currently managed for the city’s redevelopment agency by a non-profit organization.  These are VACANT city buildings – sitting in a prime location just waiting to be put to productive economic use.  My proposal for Clean Tech does just that.

Two related reforms which I support are the elimination of solar permitting fees and market-based financing for solar/energy conservation.

Elimination of Solar Permitting Fees: San Diego is blessed with sunshine – and historically has been a leader in solar power.  Unfortunately, San Diego risks losing our solar leadership position due to increased costs and regulations from government.  Two years ago, the City dramatically increased its solar fees – by 600%!  While some fees have since been restructured, the City is imposing costs on an investment it should be incentivizing.  Therefore, I propose that solar fees be entirely eliminated at the City.

Market-Based Financing for Solar/Energy Conservation: The City of San Diego should explore the creation of a revolving loan fund to provide low-cost financing for businesses and residents wishing to invest in renewable energy and energy conservation projects.

Attracting Clean Tech jobs – and helping the rest of our economy transition to sustainable operations – is just a part of my Pathway to Prosperity Plan.  In fact, the Pathway to Prosperity initiative includes four major components:

7 “Break Through” Proposals: I have unveiled 7 policy proposals (like this one on Clean Tech) that constitute a “starting point” for job creation – ranging from a complete overhaul of how the Development Services Department processes permits to cut red tape, to a “Hire-A-Youth” job training and apprenticeship program.

15-Person Task Force: To assist in the review and formulation of job creation and economic development strategies, I have appointed a 15-person volunteer Task Force comprised of well-known San Diego business leaders and experts.  We need to get our ideas for job creation from real business leaders – not Sacramento and Washington politicians that have only shown the ability to kill jobs rather than create them.

Job Creation Hotline: San Diegans can share their ideas for job creation and regulatory reform by calling 619-236-6210.

“Jobs Summits:” Over the next five months, I will convene a series of Town Halls where business owners and members of the public can help formulate and refine proposals for job creation.

So join in the conversation – and let’s get San Diegans back to work!

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Comments 1

  1. Let our Congress people bring jobs to San Diego. The city of San Diego should be cutting jobs within your own scope…Let the volunteer spirit take over.

    If you can appoint a 15 person volunteer task force…well go one step better……appoint a volunteer task force to keep our parks clean,then can the Parks and Rec Dept…….Allow for Corporate sponsorship on all of our parks….

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