At our first monthly luncheon meeting of the 2015-16 business year, many of our industry colleagues gathered at the Hilton Hotel for networking and socializing.  The Sierra Chapter was treated to a tag-team discussion from Mr. Christopher Jordan and Mr. Darrell Doan from the City of Elk Grove.  Mr. Jordan, who works in the City Manager’s office, began the presentation by providing an overview of the current and upcoming major projects in Elk Grove.  The City is currently preparing a comprehensive update of the General Plan, which will provide the framework for much of the future planned development in the City. The City is in the midst of the largest and most ambitious master planned project in City history, the 1,200-acre employment-focused Southeast Policy Area (SEPA).  The City is taking a proactive approach of planning and installing the infrastructure to enforce the City’s commitment to the project and attract the development community. In addition, the City is proceeding with other major projects; such as the 1.3 million square feet outlet mall dubbed “The Outlet Collection at Elk Grove,” the 76-acre Civic Center and Community park, and the 100-acre multi-sport complex.

Mr. Doan, the City’s Economic Development Director, discussed the City’s strategy to evolve the City’s business climate.  The ultimate goal is to attract more jobs and business sectors to Elk Grove and to better balance the resident-to-job ratio.  The City is focusing to attract new and/or growing sectors, such as health-care, education, and government services.  The City has created a business-friendly environment through incentives and an innovative new program called “Permit Simplicity,” which streamlines the permit process to grant building permits in one-day.  Within days of our meeting, the City announced that Costco was moving into Elk Grove, validating the program is working.

The duo’s discussion confirmed that there is a lot of development and capital improvement activity in Elk Grove, and the growing City will soon shed the moniker of being Sacramento’s bed-room community.