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COOPER’S CORNER

“UNDERCOVER LEADERSHIP” The City of Vallejo has several departments headlines. The outcomes will be best
involved with business permitting and planning experienced by those yet to go through the
By James Cooper including Building, Public Works, and Water. permitting and planning process. And yet, the
President/CEO, Vallejo Chamber of Commerce These departments interpret and enforce the likelihood of a potential new business opening
The Vallejo Chamber of Commerce has four city’s rules. In 2018, the Chamber created a its doors in Vallejo—or a current business
primary functions—represent the interests of working group focused on discussing Vallejo’s expanding its operation—is higher today than
business to government; take political action permitting and planning process challenges. ever before. The City of Vallejo is becoming
in support of those interests, when necessary; Attendees included the city manager, more customer–focused; as such, additional
promote our community; and organize events department heads, and Vallejo businesses. businesses will have a chance to start and
and activities at which Chamber members The Chamber impressed upon the city the grow, due in large part to the Chamber’s
can market, network, and promote their severity of the problems that existed in the work of focusing the city on these issues.
organization. These are all done with one goal permitting and planning processes. The city This type of work exemplifies undercover
in mind: To grow the economic prosperity of manager and his staff, to their credit, also leadership: it doesn’t happen on the front page
our members, businesses, and community. recognized the problems and were ready of the newspaper and doesn’t populate social
Although we have a number of visible, public for constructive criticism from the business media. Rather, it goes to the very root of what
functions, our purpose is to focus on economic community. Our input made clear the areas drives our economic development process for
development. For some, this means opening a of permitting and planning that concerned businesses, which is the
new business or growing an existing business. the business community, and conveyed a real value of having a
And while such actions are critically important vision for what the processes should be like. strong Chamber presence
for our community, the fact is the Chamber has Over the course of several meetings, the in our community.
little direct control over either outcome. What city made incremental changes in policy Thank you for supporting
the Chamber does have input on, however, and personnel that has led to a much more the Chamber, our
are the permitting and planning processes that customer–friendly and transparent process. businesses, and the entire
lead to a business starting or expanding. This isn’t the kind of leadership that grabs community of Vallejo!

Amtrak San Joaquins Copart
Stockton, CA 95202 Vallejo, CA 94590
(510) 285-6751 (707) 644-4468
amtraksanjoaquins.com copart.com
Budget Inn Noonie’s Place
Vallejo, CA 94590 Vallejo, CA 94590
(707) 643-4248 (707) 652-3348
budgetinnvallejo.com
Kathe Chandler – Retired
Washing Well Laundry Vallejo, CA 94591
Vallejo, CA 94590 (707) 562-4650
(707) 704-7681
We would like Ken Ross – Retired Lewis Management Corp.

to welcome our Napa, CA 94558 Sacramento, CA 95826
(916) 363-2617
(707) 328-3256 lewisgroupofcompanies.com
new members Vallejo Pet Services

who are Vallejo, CA 94591 Kathleen DIohep
Vallejo, CA 94590
(707) 564-3454
dedicated to vallejopetservices.com (415) 377-8611

the community The Wiseman Company
Fairfield, CA 94533
(707) 427-1212
and you wisemanco.com

6 Spring www.vallejochamber.com
6 Spring www.VALLEJOChamber.com Discover Our Community 2019 7