Strong, stable leadership and policy direction from the Board of Supervisors inspired the County Economic Development Department to create programs that won three 2023 Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo) – two in the Community and Economic Development category and the other in the Arts, Culture, and Historic Preservation category.
One of the awards recognized the department’s work to bolster international trade in San Bernardino County. The International Trade and Export Readiness Program helps position County businesses as globally-oriented competitors for international markets. To increase effectiveness, the program also positions County businesses in international markets and regions where the products and services manufactured are most competitive. A key strategy increases the number of local companies that are export-ready and assists current exporters with increasing international sales in specifically tailored markets based on each company’s products and services. A critical strategy is the department’s engagement with key stakeholders through targeted meetings with potential and current exporters. Implementation of each strategy and its associated tactics is quantifiably measured using quarterly customized metrics.
The Arts, Culture, and Historic Preservation category award cited the department’s work to leverage San Bernardino County’s adjacency to the motion picture capital of the world by providing permitting and site selection services to the motion picture and film industries to draw these and associated business sectors to the county. Studies indicate that the film and entertainment business sector is a $229 billion industry and San Bernardino County is well positioned to build a strong film and entertainment sector. SBCFilm, a “one-stop shop” for commercial production studios, photographers, and students, showcases San Bernardino County’s commercial production filming assets, provides site selection and permitting assistance and markets the County as a premier location for the film and entertainment industries.
The third award received by the department recognized the success of the San Bernardino County Microbusiness COVID Relief Grant. This program supports small businesses that were negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligible applicants have five or fewer full-time employees located in the county with gross revenues of less than $50,000 in the 2019 and 2020 tax years. The grant provided a valuable lifeline for those who met the criteria, allowing them to focus on their operations and continue making a positive impact in their community.
“Being recognized by NACo for this work is a great honor for our team and the County’s leadership. More than that, it underscores the value of these programs in helping encourage job creation, save businesses as well as encourage more business investment,” said Derek Armstrong, San Bernardino County Economic Development Director.
Additional County Update News – July 21, 2023
- Mountain lion cubs ready for visitors at the Big Bear Alpine Zoo
- Registration opens for Children’s Network Conference
- Caregivers sought for County’s most vulnerable populations
- Join us to improve the well-being of your community
- Arrowhead Family Health Center at Fontana to offer mammography exams
- Air quality safety: protecting your health during the summer
- Animal Care dedicated to keeping dogs cool amidst summer heat
- Chill at Regional Parks with ice cream events, movie in the park
- How are short-term rentals impacting the housing market?
- Jobs of the Week
- Pet of the Week: Rain (ADOPTED)