On July 20, Tony Giovaniello, President of the Economic Development Corporation of Shasta County (Shasta EDC), gave a presentation to the Rotary Club of Burney-Fall River about Shasta EDC’s work to promote and sustain economic development in Shasta County.
Tony Giovaniello talks with Rotary about economic development in Shasta County
The Economic Development “Commission” of Shasta County was originally formed on September 16, 1957 with the objective “to promote and encourage a balanced economic growth in Shasta County.” The original Board of Directors for the Shasta EDC was made up of Lou Gerard, M.F. Parker, and Charles J. Gleeson from Redding, A.B. Hood, Edward McMahan, Matt Burgan and John Perez from Anderson, G.F. Forester from Cottonwood, John H. Carlton from Burney and William Phelps from Fall River.
The formal filing of Incorporation for the Economic Development Commission of Shasta County took place on January 6, 1958. On May 18, 1964, the name was formally amended to Economic Development Corporation of Shasta County.
Over the past 59 years, the mission of the EDC has evolved.
Mr. Giovaniello became executive director of Shasta EDC in April of 2016. He has an extensive background in business management and development on a local, national and international level. After receiving his MBA from Columbia University in 1997, he has worked for and helped to launch numerous businesses.
EDC receives both public and private funding.
Currently, the EDC has two primary areas of focus: economic development and competitive viability. Economic development includes company recruitment, expansion and retention as well as entrepreneurial development. Efforts to improve competitive viability involve helping to provide capital resources, workforce development, regulatory assistance, business and tax incentives, and other efforts to provide a positive environment for businesses.
Giovaniello said that the EDC’s primary focus is on manufacturing and technology businesses. The reason is that these businesses tend to generate higher salaries and greater economic output.
It is difficult to get some businesses to locate in California because costs are high. At the same time California has more businesses than any other state and profits for businesses are higher because we have a large market area.
EDC has also been working to improve service at the Redding Airport by increasing the number of passengers and the number of destinations.
Giovaniello also highlighted training for youth as part of workforce development. Only 25% of Shasta County youth graduate from college. EDC sponsors “cloud wise” training programs that teach young people skills that can lead to good jobs in the technology field. He showed pictures of one such session, involving both American and South Korean youth, held in conjunction with Shasta Community College.
These programs are open to young people throughout Shasta County including the Intermountain area.
Mr. Giovaniello also said that he would like more participation from businesses in Eastern Shasta County. The EDC is interested in both forest products and biomass business and has been in touch with some of the business leaders in this area.
“I hope that this visit is a good start,” he said.
For more information contact: Shasta EDC 888-618-0887.
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