Special to The Enterprise

We know you donÕt hear it often these days, but this is an exciting time for the Davis economy. On Sept. 23, more than 150 Davis community members participated in a workshop titled ÒDesigning a Sustainable and Innovative Davis Economy.Ó

Discussions at the DSIDE workshop (pronounced ÒdecideÓ) indicate there are clear opportunities for strengthening our economy in ways that are consistent with and enhance the special quality of life and community identity we all enjoy.

We think this was a momentous event for our community, but it is just a beginning. We have work to do and we invite members of the community to help shape a shared vision of a sustainable and innovative Davis economy.

Davis has unique potential in a reshaped economy. The national and global economies continue to fluctuate in a reshaping rather than a recovery from the global recession. Davis is well-positioned to lead in this reshaped economy.

We are home to UC Davis, the major engine of innovation for the region and a world-class research university. We are located between the Bay Area and the capital of the nationÕs largest state. We have a legacy of creative private enterprises and innovative public policy.

UC Davis Chancellor Linda Katehi has called for increased attention to technology transfer from the laboratory to the marketplace. Cities and counties throughout the region are working to support ÒgreenÓ business and knowledge-based business startups. The Davis City Council has established objectives to promote appropriate partnerships with the private sector and the university community and develop and implement a comprehensive economic development strategy.

DSIDE efforts to date address knowledge-based business startups and relocations. The DSIDE workshop on Sept. 23 focused primarily on actively creating an environment that will support a vibrant economy consistent with our community identity and unique niche as the home of a world-class research university.

The DSIDE workshop, held at the UCD Conference Center, was jointly sponsored by 12 local businesses as well as UCD, UCD Extension, the city of Davis, Davis Chamber of Commerce, Davis Downtown Business Association and the Yolo County Conference and Visitors Bureau. Representatives of the leadership of these organizations comprise the steering committee of this DSIDE effort, which has been under way since last spring.

Over the course of the workshop, the participants heard presentations from a series of speakers on the topics of technology transfer, regional economic development efforts under way, the successful startups of two Davis technology companies and the health of the Davis economy.

In her address, Katehi described the role of higher education in economic development and the charge of land-grant universities to support the broader communities. She introduced the themes of Òeco-systemsÓ that support industry clusters and nurture the transfer of ideas from the laboratory bench to the marketplace. Katehi announced that in the near future, UCD will release a Òrequest for ideasÓ to locate and develop one or more Òinnovation parks.Ó

The DSIDE participants worked through several facilitated sessions to identify strengths and weaknesses of our community in the area of economic development and discuss the opportunities and obstacles. Through this work, the group arrived at a set of strategic issues and suggested several actions. These actions can be grouped in the following broad categories, each with several specific actions:

** Creating a shared community vision;

** Innovation park/eco-system;

** Economic development activities; and

** Business climate improvements

Next steps for DSIDE

More detailed information about the emerging ideas developed at the DSIDE workshop can be reviewed at http://www.davischamber.com. Visitors to this website will see the entire content generated by workshop participants as well as key summaries. The next steps for this DSIDE effort include:

** Continue to engage community members in building a shared community vision. DSIDE participants have been invited to review all draft materials and comment at [email protected];

** DSIDE workshop results will be presented to the cityÕs Business and Economic Development Commission for consideration in October and to a joint meeting of the commission with the City Council in November;

** Continue to build on the collaboration of public, private, and academic interests;

** Engage in UCD efforts to advance an innovation park or other elements of an Òeco-systemÓ; and

** Explore necessary actions in enhancing Davis as a destination and other business enterprises.

We encourage members of the community to engage in these ongoing discussions and to check out more information and avenues to participate. A website is being developed for this effort at http://www.davisdside.org. Information will be posted there in the near future. In the meantime, your comments are welcome at [email protected]

We are in an exciting time that holds much promise for our community. It is a time that demands our efforts. Together we must create and act on a vision that will utilize our unique advantages to support the identity and quality of life we all enjoy.

Ñ Bill Alger is chairman of the Davis Chamber of Commerce and Don Saylor is mayor of Davis. They are co-chairs of the DSIDE steering group.

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