Business Round table is a Success

Last month we held the first of our Mayor's Council meetings, bringing together staff and Board members from the city's HOAs (Click Here). Everyone agreed it was a big success and we are already planning our next get together. We continued our outreach efforts this month with a round table discussion with business executives.

The City of Lake Forest held the Executive Roundtable on Tuesday, April 24. The event featured a keynote presentation from Jocelin Jimenez, Economic Development Director of the Orange County Business Council (OCBC), Orange County’s leading economic development organization. Staff also provided an overview of the City’s Business Development and Attraction Plan and identified ways the City can assist local businesses with growth and expansion needs in Lake Forest. The Executive Roundtable featured representatives from Oakley, Y-tel, Applied Medical, and other businesses. In addition, the Lake Forest Chamber of Commerce, SCORE and the Small Business Administration (SBA), were in attendance.

Attendees engaged in a roundtable discussion regarding employment trends and workforce development, with a focus on young employees (ages 24-44). The data suggests that Orange County is loosing its Millenial workforce which creates challenges for local businesses. In addition, staff discussed the General Plan Update. Attendees expressed interest in providing feedback to the City. Staff is working to schedule the next Executive Roundtable in August with a presentation and focused discussion on the General Plan Update. Staff received very positive responses to the format and the discussion. The Corner Bakery catered breakfast.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. Jim Gardner is on the City Council for Lake Forest where he serves as Mayor. You can check him out on LinkedIn and/or Facebook and you can share your thoughts about the City at Lake Forest Town Square on Facebook. His Twitter handle is @DrJimGardner. His comments are not meant to reflect official City Policy.

Dr. Gardner has office hours every Tuesday from 4 pm to 6 pm at the City Hall. In addition, he holds a town hall meeting every quarter. The next meeting will be May 17 at 7 pm at the Lake 1 Clubhouse (Ridge Route).