Economic Development Moves Ahead In Tuolumne County

Sonora, CA — By a 5-0 vote this morning the Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors approved the formation of the Economic Development Joint Powers Authority.

Sonora City Administrator Greg Applegate commented that the city-county relationship must zero in on retention and expansion of current business it if is to be successful.

Tuolumne CAO Craig Pedro stated the goals of the J.P.A. would include developing and maintaining a favorable environment for conducting business in the county by providing a consistent, efficient and positive regulatory environment, promote the improvement of the infastructure, such as water, sewer lines, roads and power to increase the county´s marketability, assist start-up businesses with education and technical support, facilitate the development of adequate amounts of commercial industrial and recreational facilities to provide jobs for local residents and diversify the local economy and encourage the retention and expansion of existing business and encourage new business and industry to locate in Tuolumne County to generate local employment opportunities and help diversify the local economy.

Pedro stated that the next step is to hire an experienced director for the J.P.A., someone with an established record of success in the field of economic development.

Written by Bill Johnson