LAKEPORT >> The Lake County Chamber of Commerce (LCCC) created an Ad Hoc Committee with the Board of Supervisors to further business and commercial interests.
The Board approved the committee with the appointment of District Supervisors Rob Brown and Moke Simon to represent the county. Two county staff members were also appointed.
Representatives from the two cities in the county are still being sought, with a goal of equal representation from all sides.
“We are interested, as all business associations are, in improving our economy. That’s our goal, that’s our focus and to that end, we want to work with the County of Lake,” said Melissa Fulton CEO of the chamber.
She said that when she moved here 29 years ago, her and her late husband agreed that the county is “ready to pop.”
“It hasn’t popped yet, and we’re 29 years past that,” Fulton said.
Being with the LCCC since 1990, she said that she and her board members have all shared a similar belief in helping Lake County grow.
“It is our goal to work with and collaborate with, not just the board of supervisors and the various county departments but also our various business associations, which includes the Clearlake Chamber of commerce, the winery association, the Wine and Grape Commission, the Farm Bureau and other associations,” Fulton said. “Collaboration is key.”
One recommendation she gave when it comes to helping businesses is updating the county’s General Plan. She said it should envision support for unique communities, clean water, safe roads, good education, scenic landscapes and a prosperous economy.
“It’s time to work together to get investment in the county up. We must reach beyond tourism and agriculture tourism to supplement and grow our economy. While they’re hugely important, they cannot be our end-all if we are to succeed in growth. Change- a scary word to many- needs to occur,” Fulton said.
Brown said he is happy to be a part of this but he also does not want to create the idea that the county government is involved in everything and whats to make sure the community knows the county’s role when it comes to businesses and economic growth.
“I think we’ve created this environment where we involve the county to the point where we can use it as an excuse for every bit of failure and I’m not going to accept that because, we are a part of it but not all of it,” Brown said.
He added that he would want this to be something that is not just involving the county but holds public participation as well. Being a business owner and having some opposing views will be a beneficial aspect to being on the committee and give a different side of input to topics discussed.
“We need to lift barriers and we need to do these kinds of things as far as policies go, but we do not go out and attract businesses, we aren’t real estate developers so we need to be real careful about our role. We are policymakers,” Brown said.
Simon said he would like for the community to take advantage of the commercial properties that the county does have and be more welcoming to businesses.
“It is time for a change in economic development. When people do come in and buy commercial zoned properties or other things that they are zoned for, we need to do our best to support them both at the board and with all of our departments,” Simon said.
With the Ad Hoc coming into place, he hopes that it will change the culture of how businesses are let in and the county changes it’s “not opened for business” stigma.
