■ Arts’ economic impact also to be discussed

Carter Rankin, owner of Carter’s Biz Café, will provide an update to the Economic Development Board Wednesday on the opening of his business in the Commanding Officer’s Quarters of the Arsenal. Rankin was scheduled to give a presentation in April but the EDB meeting was cancelled because of a lack of quorum.

The COQ was refurbished and seismically retrofitted in 2009 by the city of Benicia, and a long-term tenant had been sought since at least 2010. It was officially leased to Rankin in October 2014.

The principal idea behind Carter’s Biz Café is to give space to small business owners who can operate their companies remotely, with a laptop and cell phone, from anywhere in the world.

Since the COQ lease was approved the building has hosted a few events, the EDB will hear. An open house for the café took place Nov. 12, showcasing artist Kerry Lee Hedrick as part of an “Entrepreneurial Series.” On Feb. 27 a Meet Your Local Officials event featured Chef Joe Rodrigues, owner of Pleasanton-based Valley Catering.

In other business before the EDB, members of the Benicia Arts and Culture Commission will present information on a recent publication from Americans for the Arts on economic prosperity.

The nonprofit Americans for the Arts was formed in 1960 “to serve, advance, and lead the network of organizations and individuals who cultivate, promote, sustain, and support the arts in America.” Arts & Economic Prosperity IV is its fourth study of the nonprofit arts and culture industry’s impact on the economy.

The study uses full-time-equivalent jobs, resident household income and revenue to local and state governments to measure and define economic impact.

The study measured the spending of 9,721 nonprofit arts and culture organizations “to determine total industry spending.” It can be downloaded at AmericansfortheArts.org/EconomicImpact.

Two EDB members, Duane Oliveira and Chad Coester, are stepping down and will be recognized.

Coester joined the EDB in August 2013 but received a promotion at his job and will relocate to Idaho, Economic Development Manager Mario Giuliani said.

Oliveira joined the EDB in June 2006 and announced his retirement in March.

If You Go
The Economic Development Board will meet at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Commission Room at City Hall, 250 East L St.

Giuliani said Coester will miss the EDB’s May meeting, but Oliveira plans to serve on the board until he is replaced.

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