Suggestions Include: Cut Red Tape, Speed Up Permit Processing, Invest in Infrastructure, Partner with Business Groups
Councilmember Carl DeMaio wrapped up the first in a series of “Job Creation Summits” with San Diego business leaders armed with a list of what he calls “cutting edge ideas that will make San Diego the leader in innovation, entrepreneurship, and job creation.”
“We need to get San Diegans back to work – and I’m aggressively pursuing ideas to make city government a help, rather than a hindrance, to economic recovery in our region,” DeMaio said.
The Summit was attended by over 60 local business leaders from the hotel, tourism, defense, banking, construction, development, insurance, retail, and restaurant industries. Among the ideas generated during the three hour summit:
- Switch to fixed-price permits with turn-around time guarantees
- Use “self-certification” for some city permits
- Expand online business services and permit applications
- Expand the Convention Center
- Commit to fair competition policies on construction and development projects
- Create “Innovation Labs” within the Development Services Department to encourage competition and efficiencies
- Update community plans as soon as possible
- Encourage businesses to be more proactive in their interaction with policy-makers at City Hall
- Make it easier to hold special events in San Diego, which brings tourism and boosts the economy
- Direct the Tourism Management District to pursue “niche” tourism sectors, such as major cultural events
At several points during the summit, DeMaio committed on-the-spot to champion many of the ideas offered, and to thoroughly review all of the ideas with his “Job Creation Task Force” in the coming weeks. DeMaio is adding ideas weekly to his “Pathway to Prosperity” Jobs Plan which he is using to drive changes in city government policy, regulation, and processes.
DeMaio will hold another Job Creation Summit on October 21 – focused on Workforce Development, the retail and restaurant industries, and other small business sectors.
“If you want to know how to position government to help the economy, you need to listen to the people who actually create the jobs: our small business owners and entrepreneurs,” DeMaio concluded.
To view DeMaio’s “Pathway to Prosperity” Plan visit: www.sandiego.gov/cd5