By Keri Luiz
Assistant Editor

The Economic Development Board will receive an update Wednesday on the Business Resource Incentive Program, an implementation strategy for the city’s recently adopted Business Development Action Plan that was designed to combine two of the city’s top priorities: economic development and sustainability.

Staff will report on the status and progress of BRIP, which is funded with $625,000 of Valero Improvement Project-Good Neighbor Steering Committee Settlement Agreement funds.

“On April 17, 2012, the City Council accepted the recommendation of the Community Sustainability Commission to fund the ‘Sustainable Management Program,’” wrote Mario Giuliani, Economic Development Manager, in a report to the EDB.

“This program is designed to save financial resources and reduce consumption of energy, water and reduce waste and carbon emissions of businesses in the Benicia Industrial Park.”

Giuliani pointed out Monday that after the program was rebranded BRIP, in November 2012 it received the International Economic Development Council “Excellence in Economic Development” award — before the program was even implemented.

In other matters before the EDB, two items on the agenda came from last month’s meeting: participation in Clean Tech Expo 2.0, a followup to November’s event that was organized by the Community Sustainability Commission, and discussion of an arts and performance center.

Giuliani said there are as yet no plans on either issue, and Wednesday will be an opportunity for EDB members to discuss them.

Staff will also show a video and Powerpoint presentation highlighting the Office of Economic Development’s 2012 accomplishments, a recap focusing on the development of the BID, tourism-promotion efforts, work on the Business Development Action Plan, and a look ahead to continued work on Industrial Park needs.

New Benicia businesses, or businesses that have moved or made any changes to their business name, will be acknowledged in a presentation. These businesses are: Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.; Pelicor LLC; Julie Parsons CMT; Charbonneau Industries Inc.; Smoke 4 Less; Benicia 76; State Farm Insurance; PCS Claims Solutions LLC; Napa Valley Distillery.

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.

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