Discover Elk Grove-Major Developments, Economic Incentives, Retail Growth & More!

Northern California's Address of Success
OCTOBER 2011 · VOLUME 3, ISSUE 10

Click here for information on doing business
in Elk Grove

Click here for map of Elk Grove, CA

ELK GROVE
QUICK FACTS:
Population: 153,015
Labor Force: 72,017
Households: 43,902
Median Household Income: $82,700
Per Capita Income: $33,500
Median Age: 32
Educational Attainment: 73% attended or graduated college
Click here for more information!

IN THIS ISSUE...

Discover Elk Grove! Major Developments Continue to Flourish in a Growing City

From City projects and new state offices, to multi-million dollar medical expansions and a rise in custom executive home building, the City of Elk Grove is enjoying major development growth as the City continues to move forward and prosper.

Looking to Start Business in Elk Grove? EG Offers Competitive Economic Incentives!
The City of Elk Grove offers many competitive incentive programs to assist and promote the local business community. From fee deferrals and grants to streamlining the review process for existing and emerging businesses, it's easy (and fruitful!) to do business in Elk Grove!

Big Name Retail Continues to Expand in Elk Grove
Elk Grove has enjoyed a slew of new store openings and the return of familiar favorites as large companies continue to eye Elk Grove as a good fit for retail business.

News from the EGEDC

Elk Grove Hires Economic Development Director
Business License Report Online--See Who Else Has "Opened Up to Elk Grove"
Online Plan Reviews Streamlined
Have Questions? Free Consulting From the Small Business Development Center Available!
EGEDC Upcoming Events

[Top]

Discover Elk Grove! Major Developments Continue to Flourish in a Growing City

From City projects and new state offices, to multi-million dollar medical expansions and a rise in custom executive home building, the City of Elk Grove is enjoying major development growth as the City continues to move forward and prosper.

EG Civic Center Sets Sites on Future Groundbreaking: Nearly 80 acres of land will transform into the home of the Elk Grove Civic Center, and the City of Elk Grove hopes break ground on the project within the next two years. World-renowned Zaha Hadid Architects from London will lead the design team. Uses identified for the Civic Center are not finalized, but include an aquatic center, sports field, integrated retail and restaurants, a hotel and conference center, community performance center, a library and a children's museum. Nearby is the suburban community of Madeira and the new Mercy Medical Plaza scheduled to open next year.

"I look forward to working with the EGEDC on marketing the community in region and nationally," said the City of Elk Grove's new Economic Development Director, Randy Starbuck. "Elk Grove has tremendous demographics and other competitive advantages that make us a location business should consider. I look forward to continuing our efforts on new Civic Center project as it enters its next phase."

State Office Relocation Brings 1,500 Jobs Into Elk Grove: California Correctional Health Care Services announced in August that its new headquarters will be located in Elk Grove, bringing with it 1,500 employees and generating up to an estimated $4 million dollars in economic benefit to the City. About half of the Correctional Health Care Services workers already live in Elk Grove and the nearby surrounding area. State officials who were initially drawn to the site because of free parking, plenty of retail, consumer services and public transit within walking distance, indicate the move will spread more of the state business throughout the region, helping to balance commute routes.

The EGEDC participated in the City of Elk Grove's State Office Ad Hoc Committee, along with Mayor Steven Detrick and Councilmember Gary Davis, tasked with attracting state agencies to Elk Grove. Elk Grove became the first city in California to introduce an incentive program to bring state jobs closer to where their employees reside by offering incentives that may be used towards relocation costs, fee reductions, construction costs, building improvements, monthly rent, or even transportation or other quality of life subsidies for the employees.

"The City of Elk Grove is laser-focused on job creation," said Councilmember Gary Davis. "In this tough economy we must be creative to succeed. To that end, we have adopted some of the most aggressive policies and economic incentive programs."

Major Medical Expansion--A Bright Spot in Elk Grove's Economy: Catholic Healthcare West--one of the nations largest not-for-profit health care systems--and the largest private hospital system in California--celebrated the groundbreaking of the new Mercy Medical Plaza last March. This state-of-the-art 65,000sf, $30 million facility will create more than 250 new jobs in Elk Grove. It will house physicians, an advanced imaging center, laboratory and outpatient surgery center. Located on 30 acres of land near the future Civic Center, the building is part of the first phase of a medical complex that will serve the healthcare needs in the fast-growing Elk Grove/South Sacramento area. The plaza is scheduled to open in spring 2012.

Kaiser Permanente--serving residents of Elk Grove and the surrounding South Sacramento area--recently announced the opening of its new South Tower, completing a five-year, $300 million expansion of its South Sacramento Medical Center. A Helipad was also added this year to support the medical center's Level II Trauma Center that opened in 2010. This month, Kaiser Permanente also announced the completion of its Promenade Medical Offices, the health-care system's newest state-of-the-art medical facility in Northern California. The two-story, 67,000sf facility is slated to open next month and will house a variety of outpatient services such as pediatrics, adult medicine, women's health, radiology, laboratory and pharmacy. It also houses a unique 4,000-square-foot Sports Medicine Center, which features a spacious gym with rehabilitation equipment, a fitness-testing lab and 40-meter outdoor track strip for running assessments.

Sutter Health broke ground this summer on a $10.8 million surgery center at the site of the Sutter medical campus in Elk Grove. The Sutter Elk Grove Surgery Center is the next step toward a full medical campus in Elk Grove. The surgery center will feature two operating rooms with a capacity of approximately 1,250 procedures the first year. Once completed, the surgery center plans to increase the number of physicians and staff on site. The project is expected to open in May of next year.

Demand for New Homes on the Rise: Worldwide custom homebuilder, G.J. Gardner Homes, launched a new franchise in Elk Grove earlier this year, offering executive custom homes priced considerably more affordable than what can be found in the San Francisco Bay Area and Silicon Valley. The company is getting close to breaking ground for Silvergates Estates where custom home sizes will vary between 3,000 to 4,500sf. Another G.J. Gardner Homes project, Shires Estate Homes, has drawn a great deal of interest from serious buyers looking to purchase within the 10-lot community that can accommodate 4,000 to 6,000sf homes as well as room for a guest house and horse stables.

GJ Gardner Silvergates Estates rendering

"My office has definitely seen a increase of customers looking to build a home in Elk Grove over the past four months which is a good sign that maybe people are getting a little more comfortable with the thought that the economy is coming back," said G.J. Gardner Homes Elk Grove franchise builder/owner, Dennis Hendricks. "I'm very optimistic that were going to be very busy in spring of 2012."

Close to the Mercy Medical Plaza expansion site and the future home of the Elk Grove Civic Center, is the suburban community of Madeira that will feature a total of 7,500 residences when complete. The family-friendly community-oriented neighborhood has convenient access to shopping, dining, walking trails, and parks.

Frontier Communications Acquires Verizon Wireline Operations: Elk Grove-based Frontier Communications Corporation announced earlier this year that it tripled in size after the acquisition of Verizon wireline operations. Frontier Communications is one of the largest employers in Elk Grove and is committed to a 100 percent U.S.-based workforce. The company brought back 500 jobs from India as part of the acquisition with Verizon. Last year, Frontier completed a $1.3 million upgrade to a state-of-the-art network that meets the increasing needs of High-Speed Internet users throughout the Elk Grove area.

Fore more information: The EGEDC serves as the first point of contact for businesses looking to expand in Elk Grove, working closely with the City of Elk Grove and local property owners to make locating business here a smooth and positive experience. For more information on business expansion in Elk Grove, please contact the EGEDC at info@elkgroveedc.org or call (916) 691-3895.

[Top]

Looking to Start Business in Elk Grove? EG Offers Competitive Economic Incentives!

The City of Elk Grove offers many competitive incentive programs to assist and promote the local business community. From fee deferrals and grants to streamlining the review process for existing and emerging businesses, it's easy (and fruitful!) to do business in Elk Grove!

Development Impact Fee Deferral Program:
Under this program, businesses may be able to defer impact fees for up to five years with no payments or interest for the first three years. Interest may be waived for companies that create 20 or more jobs with qualifying salaries. Reduced development impact fees may also available, offering a 30 to 55 percent reduction in fees for retail, office and industrial projects as well as a 30 percent reduction in fees for single-family homes. To learn more, click here.

Economic Development Incentive Program:
Fee reductions, grants, project coordination and an expedited plan review are available for businesses that contribute to Elk Grove's economic base in at least one of the following ways:

Create or retain 20 jobs with salaries equal to the Area Median Income or 50 jobs with salaries equal to 75% of the Area Median Income
Generate $15 million or more in annual taxable sales
Generate $250,000 or more in annual Transient Occupancy Tax revenue
Locate within the Old Town Special Planning Area
Reuse an existing vacant building

Click here to learn more about the Economic Development Incentive Program.

State and Federal Office Incentive Program:
Nearly one in three workers in Elk Grove is employed by the State of California--that's more than 24,000 state employees living within the city limits. Elk Grove has created a program that provides incentives for state or federal agencies that may be used toward relocation costs, fee reductions, construction costs, building improvements, monthly rent, transportation or other quality of life subsidies for employees. For more information, click here.

Sewer Fee Credit Program:
Any business that is creating new jobs within Elk Grove may take advantage of this program that provides fee credits reducing Sacramento Regional County Sanitation District sewer impact fees. Guidelines need to be followed in order to qualify for the program. Click here to view copies of the Elk Grove City Council's resolution and sewer credit guidelines, the indemnification agreement and sewer credit application.

Economic Development Project Review Team (EDPRT) Program:
This program provides enhanced customer service to a project with an economic development benefit by streamlining the review process, providing a dedicated single-point of contact within every department, and expedited reviews wherever possible. Projects must qualify as an "Economic Development Project" in order to be eligible. Click here to learn more about the EDPRT program.

Statewide Community Infrastructure Program (SCIP):
By partnering with the California Statewide Communities Redevelopment Authority using the Statewide Community Infrastructure Program (SCIP), the City of Elk Grove can offer new, cost-effective options for funding roadway development impact fees on non-residential projects. Property owners of non-residential projects may be reimbursed for roadway development impact fees paid at the time of building permit issuance, or can receive pre-funding of the roadway development impact fees just prior to obtaining a building permit. SCIP can be used for non-residential projects such as retail, commercial, office, and industrial projects. To learn more, click here.

For more information on any of these programs, please send an email to info@elkgroveedc.org or call (916) 691-3895.

[Top]

Big Name Retail Continues to Expand in Elk Grove

Elk Grove has enjoyed a slew of new store openings and the return of familiar favorites as large companies continue to eye Elk Grove as a good fit for retail business.

Riding on the coattails of big retail names like Five Guys Burgers and Fries, Sprouts Farmers Market, Pinkberry Yogurt, and Burlington Coat Factory that have all opened locations here during the last couple of years, big name stores continue to flow into Elk Grove. Anna's Linens opened a new 9,300sf location in Elk Grove this summer as part of a goal to open 30 stores in 18 states by the end of the year. Shopper's favorite Bed Bath & Beyond not only renewed a long-term extension lease at its 28,212sf location, the huge retail chain also opened a buybuy Baby store--featuring an extensive selection of children's merchandise--earlier this summer in a 31,000sf location. National children's wear retailer, Carter's, celebrated a grand opening this past spring, joining the growing list of big retail names in the Elk Grove area.

Restaurants continue to expand their presence in Elk Grove as well. Dining favorite, TGI Friday's, initially shut down its Elk Grove location in 2009, but re-opened under a new franchisee during the summer and is the only TGI Friday's operating in the Sacramento region. Also, the Sacramento Business Journal recently reported that Dallas-based Dickey's Barbecue Restaurants, Inc. is slated to open the chain's 21st California location in Elk Grove.

The City of Elk Grove prides itself with excellent customer service and a focus on helping business grow and expand. For more information on retail business in Elk Grove, please send an email to info@elkgroveedc.org.

[Top]

News from the EGEDC

Elk Grove Hires Economic Development Director

The City of Elk Grove hired Randy Starbuck as its new economic development director, city manager Laura Gill announced earlier this month. Starbuck will lead economic development initiatives, develop and execute a strategic plan aimed at attracting businesses, and support the growing Elk Grove business community.

"Randy is an extraordinarily accomplished economic development professional and public servant, and is an excellent match for this critical position," said Gill. "I'm confident he will be an invaluable asset in boosting the economic vitality of Elk Grove."

Randy Starbuck, new ED Director Starbuck has nearly three decades of economic development experience, more than 20 of which as a department director. He most recently served City of Pittsburg, California, where he was responsible for directing the city's redevelopment agency and securing more than $400 million in new private commercial, industrial, mixed use and retail development in the city. He has extensive experience developing collaborative partnerships with regional economic development associations and municipal jurisdictions.

"I am very excited to be joining the City of Elk Grove! I look forward to working with the City Council, the Elk Grove EDC, business community and residents on strengthening the local economy and bringing more jobs and business to Elk Grove," said Starbuck. "This is a terrific opportunity and I cannot wait to get started."

Starbuck currently serves on the Board of Directors for the California Association for Local Economic Development, a statewide professional organization that offers training, education and research in economic development. He is also the vice chairman of the Board of Regents for the California Academy for Economic Development, a non-profit organization that provides information and resources to economic development professionals in California. For more information, send an email to info@elkgroveedc.org or call (916) 691-3895.

Business License Report Online--See Who Else Has "Opened Up to Elk Grove"

The City of Elk Grove's monthly new business license report is now online making it easier than ever to see who else has made the smart and profitable decision to open a new business (or continue to grow business!) in Elk Grove. Click here for the latest report!

Online Plan Reviews Streamlined

A convenient web-based electronic plan submission, review and tracking system is available on the City's website that allows building permit customers to manage a plan review, upload files and track the status of a project review. For more information, contact the EGEDC at (916) 691-3895, or send an email to info@elkgroveedc.org.

Have Questions? Free Consulting From the Small Business Development Center Available!

The EGEDC and the Elk Grove Chamber of Commerce's partnership with the Small Business Development Center provides free business consultation to Elk Grove's existing and emerging entrepreneurs. The SBDC is a non-profit organization that offers consulting services to existing businesses or startup businesses. An SBDC consultant will be available once a month in the same office space as the Chamber and the EGEDC--a convenient one-stop-shop for all things related to small business development. Free and low-cost workshops are also available to meet local small business needs. Call (916) 691-3895 or send an email to info@elkgroveedc.org for more information.

[Top]

EGEDC Supporters