Economic Development

2005/2006 Policy Platform
This Policy Platform is adopted by the Board of Directors of the Antioch Chamber of Commerce (“The Chamber”) to provide a basis for The Chamber to act on local, state and federal government issues and to support a vibrant business environment. The Chamber's Board of Directors has given authority to Economic Development Committee/Government Affairs Committee (EDC/GAC) to approve, on behalf of The Chamber, any positions of "support," "oppose," or "no position" that align with this Policy Platform, subject to the Board of Director's approval or modification.

A. Economic and Workforce Development

1. Support private enterprise and evaluate development projects within Antioch and its surrounding region.
2. Support business attraction and retention issues. Evaluate business incentives with the expectation for a good return in the form of jobs and future business.
3. Support small and/or disadvantaged business assistance programs (grants, loans, workshops, etc.).
4. Support efforts to reform tort law and frivolous lawsuits.
5. Monitor land use, planning, housing and zoning issues that affect the business community. Promote a balance between a solid infrastructure base with reasonable cost to businesses.
6. Monitor and focus on targeted industry clusters.
7. Continue to study and support the construction of new business park development, including but not limited to East 18th area, Hwy 4 & Hwy 160 area, and the East end of FUA1 to encourage business parks that are likely to generate a higher paying professional jobs base.
8. Review and evaluate moving the Fairgrounds to redevelop the location into a transit and business hub.
9. Review and evaluate the establishment of a transit center to promote local jobs, a thriving business climate, and better transportation. These developments should fit into the lifestyle in Antioch in a reasonable way to generate key improvements with minimum disruption.
10. Focus on long-term business viability and local history and river access including review and assistance in master development plans for the historic downtown area.
11. Review and evaluate the General Plan-based zoning measures.
12. Review and evaluate continued retail development.
13. Continue to participate in the City Economic Development (ED) Commission.
14. Continue to support the establishment of the city ED staffed department.
15. Continue to support the establishment of a city ED Director position.
16. Continue to support FUA1 planned development and Business Park.
17. Review and evaluate options for continued improvement of Police Services.
18. Continue to oppose discriminatory legislation regarding size, location and type of business.
19. Review and evaluate the effect of gaming on Antioch and the business community.
20. Review and evaluate the creation of an Antioch Job Center.

B. Taxation and Government Finance

1. Support and recommend ways to privatize cost-effective government services and public contracts while maintaining or improving standards.
2. Support alternatives to state and local tax increases and new tax categories affecting the Antioch business community. Promote an understanding about the benefits of a reasonable business cost basis within the City and the State.
3. Solicit state programs to secure tax credits for targeted work training programs.
4. Take an active role in re-establishing the Urban Limit Line zone in reference to Policy 45.
5. Oppose excessive or unlimited taxation on business.
6. Support the retention of local government funds.

C. Pro-business leadership

1. Monitor and make recommendations on selection and the filing of vacant key city commission and board appointments.

D. Employee Relations

1. Review and evaluate alternatives to a State minimum wage increase and any local living wage ordinance. Promote the benefits of a reasonable cost basis for business.
2. Support and promote, when appropriate, the preparation of cost/benefit analyses ensuring economic impacts are weighed before the imposition of regulatory statutes. Challenge regulation that does not effectively target a problem area.
3. Explore and support options for effective community health care.
4. Work proactively with area partners in seeking effective outreach and recruitment of manufacturing workers as well as other industry cluster needs.

1. Support and promote the welfare-to-work process though legislation that provides for training, tax credits and other incentives that assist local businesses.
2. Support and promote training programs that provide incentives for local companies to hire vocational students.
3. Support programs encouraging or enabling internships and job opportunities for youth.
4. Create an Education Task Force (accomplished).
5. Promote cooperation between the business community and the education system to improve student performance.
a. Partner with organizations that impact secondary education and workforce development within the region.
b. Assess educational activities and resources in the community for business involvement.
6. Hold events that educate and inform the business community regarding educational systems, issues and partners (i.e. State of the Schools, Principal for a Day, Educational Summit, luncheons).
7. Form a foundation for educational purposes. Potential uses include scholarships, program creation and input, events and other educational activities.

F. Linking Business with Government

1. Support programs that identify the problems facing particular neighborhoods, integrate government resources, and work with community leadership to improve the quality of life for the residents of Antioch.
2. Monitor local and statewide legislation as it pertains to policy priorities and communicate the information to the Chamber membership.
3. Review and evaluate the implementation of a service for Chamber members to email federal, state, and local representatives to provide support for or opposition to legislative issues.
4. Continue a working relationship with local, state, and federal representatives.
5. Continue the periodic special events linking the business community with local elected leaders and city hall staff.
6. Participate in the city budget process as it pertains to business, resource issues and finding alternative to increases in fine, penalties and fees for businesses.
7. Monitor and make recommendations to limit the shifting program costs from the city to businesses.
8. Assist in monitoring that taxes and fees collected are used for their intended purpose.
9. Partner with local chambers when appropriate to develop and coordinate a yearly lobbying trip to Sacramento for chamber members.
10. Communicate with business associations to identify areas of concern and develop partnerships.
11. Coordinate opportunities when appropriate for the chamber membership to attend city council meetings to offer advice on business-related agenda items.
12. Establish opportunities for new businesses, including SBIC.
13. Review and evaluate the likely effects of California redistricting.
14. Review and evaluate Assembly and Senate term limits.
15. Review and evaluate SBA size policies for contract bidding.
16. Actively participate in the reform of restrictive or burdensome city or county regulations.
17. Encourage primary zoning authority to remain with local government.

G. International Trade

H. Workers Compensation

1. Monitor and provide recommendations to workers’ compensation reform efforts to reduce costs to businesses, but not at the expense of injured worker’s benefits.
2. Monitor and make recommendations to reduce health care costs and minimize cost to employers.

I. Preference for Local Antioch Businesses

1. Monitor and make recommendations to establish a Local Preference Ordinance to ensure preference for city contracts are awarded to Antioch or regional businesses.

J. Transportation

1. Partner with outside agencies/authorities to ensure a reliable, useful, sustainable and cost-effective transportation and regulatory system.
2. Monitor and make recommendations for current plans regarding long-term improvement efforts to Highway 4.
3. Involve Chamber membership and leadership in policy discussions with local, state, and federal representatives as it pertains to options to funding Highway 4 improvements.
4. Review and evaluate proposed federal transportation bills as they pertain to local funding.
5. Review and Evaluate Antioch Ferry service and other alternative transportation.
6. Monitor proposed usage of transportation 1/2 cent sales tax funds.

K. Regional Growth

1. Review and evaluate regional East Bay Area growth issues, including the Byron Airport, Buchanan Airfield, and the Concord Naval Weapons Base.
2. Review and evaluate ULL Parcel Triggering.
3. Review and evaluate ULL Compromise/City Vote.
4. Review and evaluate the Jobs Housing Nexus.
5. Review and evaluate Regional Density mandates.
6. Review and evaluate Open Space requirements.