Page 8 - Vallejo_Chamber_of_Commerce_Magazine_Spring_2020

COOPER’S CORNER

by James Cooper history, from just after it became a city in to promote Vallejo as a city of opportunity
“Progress, One Step at a Time” the mid-19th century to 1996 when the needed to begin (see choosevallejo.com).
Mare Island Naval Shipyard closed. In the All of these (and more) have happened
“A little progress every day adds years since Vallejo has had to relearn how in just the last few years. All are critical
up to big results.” Satya to do economic development without its for a community’s economic development
When you drive around Vallejo, what do you largest employer present in the community. efforts to succeed, which means businesses
see? Do you see the new businesses that have The city attempted to kickstart the process moving into, and growing within, Vallejo.
opened up in the last 12 months: new stores, following the shipyard’s closure, with limited This doesn’t happen in an instant. Opening
restaurants, and professional services that success until the financial crisis of 2007 took a business takes time and numerous steps,
are now contributing to the local economy? the wind out of the economy altogether. As the from pulling permits to fixing up the space.
Or, do you see closed businesses and empty economy started to move forward again, the But the process is easier today because
parking lots, signs of dreams that once city realized there were numerous economic the City of Vallejo has made progress on
were promising but have now moved on? development opportunities right here at economic development. The permitting
You see both, of course. Like any community, home. The question was, how could they be process is more transparent; General Plan
Vallejo experiences the ebb and flow of converted from an idea to an open door? 2040 was passed; and the Zoning Code is
business. There are times when it feels like What needed to happen to create interest in undergoing public comment and review.
the tide is pulling out and a new vacant opening a business in Vallejo, not just by our Plato once said, “Never discourage anyone
storefront appears on every other block. local residents but also by other businesses who continually makes progress, no matter
There are other times, though, when and industries around the Bay Area? how slow.” We hope you
it is clear that progress is being made The city needed to start making progress continue to support the
with new businesses and new industries on economic development, one step at a City of Vallejo’s economic
sticking their toes into Vallejo’s waters. time. A vision needed to be articulated, with development efforts and
When observing these shifts up close, it the boundaries of that vision contained in remember: Rome wasn’t
can be easy to get excited or depressed. an updated General Plan. With the current built in a day. The city
It is important to resist both reactions, to code more than 40 years old, zoning is making progress, one
be more pragmatic in understanding what requirements needed refreshing. The step at a time. To learn
is happening. The City of Vallejo existed permitting process needed overhauling, and additional information,
mainly as a military town for its entire to be made more efficient. And an effort contact the Chamber!

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ms.loviepriscillareneejackson@gmail.com Diaz & Loera Centro Latino
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Slater and Associates www.LoveLifeCOGIC.org
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www.SlaterAndAssoc.net McKinley Realty Partners, LLC
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dedicated to Vacaville, CA 95696 • (707) 451-8460 Vallejo, CA 94591 • (707) 806-0060
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