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Policy Corner
Vice - President of Legislative Action Council
Timothy Widman
At our April 4 LAC meeting we were pleased to have Matthew Mahood, President & CEO, of the San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce, address the theme of regional economic development. Mr. Mahood was introduced by the Cupertino Chamber's Vice President of Advocacy Kevin McClelland, whom I would also like to thank for contributing to this policy corner.
Mr. Mahood reported on a SJSV Chamber initiative supported by the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors designed to attract, retain and expand businesses throughout the county in response to efforts by competing regions to lure our top employers away from our region and our state. To this end, the Board of Supervisors has provided some seed money for the concept of a "one stop shop" that would actively partner with local chambers, such as ours, to provide the information, resources and connections businesses need to be successful in Santa Clara County.
Mr. Mahood reported that $250,000 of public and private money has been committed to the effort so far; however, another $100,000 will need to be raised within the next 60 days in order for the initiative to become reality this calendar year. Private business sector support of the initiative is key in helping this initiative get off the ground. The Regional Economic Development Initiative, also known as REDI, will be housed within the SJSV Chamber with a separate operating budget and steering committee made up of key funders.
If you are interested in pledging your financial support towards this important regional initiative, which will be the first of its kind to aggressively retain, promote and grow the interests of businesses in our County, then please contact Mr. Mahood at the San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce.
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