NAPA VALLEY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

History

 Napa Valley Economic Development Corporation (NVEDC) is a Private/Public non-profit organization that has been operating since 1984. The organization was formed to promote balanced economic growth and create opportunities to develop industrial and commercial businesses located in areas where they are best suited, that create employment opportunities for the citizens of Napa County and sources of revenue for local governments.

NVEDC is funded through investments made by private enterprise partners such as Dey Labs, Coldwell Banker and many others and public partners such as the County of Napa and the cities of Napa and American Canyon. Twenty-five community and business leaders make up The Board of Directors They meet monthly on the fourth Thursday. Some of our board members have government affiliations but most are from private businesses. The Napa County Administrator, The Napa County Agricultural Commissioner, and the City Managers of Napa and American Canyon are automatically on our board. The Executive Director, The Project Director, and Administrative-Assistant are the only paid employees. To leverage NVEDC's outreach efforts, we work in partnership with many organizations on cooperative ventures that promote the quality of life that is so unique in Napa County.

Economic Development is not new to Napa County. The county established The Napa County Development Council in 1967. Its first Executive Director was Don McFarland. He served for one year and created the infrastructure and partnership ethic that is in place today. Jack Hancock followed Don and did a great job for five years. Jack focused on southern Napa County's growing importance as a business park and is credited with bringing IASCO to Napa. They in turn encouraged Japan Airlines to locate their Airline Training Center next-door. Ron Greenslate served for four years as The Council's CEO and led the successful effort create the Brazzos Railroad Bridge and the Southern Crossing.

Financial support for the Council was eliminated June 30th, 1977 during a time when California voters were rallying against taxing measures. The shortsightedness of their decision was evident as Napa County careened into a difficult recession in the late 1970's and early 1980's, facing a devastating 11% unemployment rate.

Change is inevitable! Who would have thought that Kaiser Steele, Rough Rider Inc. and the Tanneries would close, resulting in the loss of more than 2,000 jobs? When Napa shifted from a sleepy county with limited manufacturing and a few wineries into what is would become in the 21st century, balanced and sustainable land use policies, the creation of new employment opportunities, and the fervent protection of agriculture were the BIG issues taking center stage...

Napa County Administration, through the California Employment Training Act (CETA), provided funding in 1982 for The Napa Business Development Council and Art Youngberg was selected as its Director. Bank of America provided the Council with a "loaned executive". Chuck Meres assisted the Council for over a year and helped the Council refocus their energies to consider the importance of collecting essential site and economic data while actively pursuing the development of employment opportunities in Napa County. The discontinuance of CETA in 1983 meant funds were no longer available and The Napa Business Development Council looked to local visionaries for leadership.

Julian Weidler and Angela Pieper, both Napa Chamber volunteers, carried on the work of the Council. With the assistance of Napa City Manager Bill Bopf and Napa County Administrator Al Harberger, a successful appeal was made to the City/County and the newly established Private Industry Council, for joint funding. Understanding that private and public funding was essential to the long-term stability of the organization, partnership/memberships with local businesses became the norm. Napa City/County Development Corporation (NC/CDC) was registered with the State of California December 29, 1983 as a non-profit corporation 501(c)(3).

In 1984 the organization moved from the Napa Chamber of Commerce building on Jefferson Street to 100 Coombs Street. During this time Angela Pieper accepted the Executive Director position and provided strong leadership in building the foundation of our present organization for over ten years. The Napa City/County Development Corporation name was changed to Napa Valley Economic Development Corporation (NVEDC) in 1992. Since American Canyon incorporated and became a financial participant, "Napa Valley" was the more appropriate name for the organization's outreach. NVEDC moved from the Coombs Street location in 1993 to 1091 Fifth Street until 1999 when the organization moved to the Gasser Building at 433 Soscol Avenue, Suite B131.

When Angie Pieper retired in 1994, Steve Kokotas replaced her. Steve, with the assistance of Dave Dickson and other community leaders, facilitated a series of community meetings at the Napa Valley Expo that led to coalition making the Napa River Flood Control Project possible. NVEDC's project leadership resulted in the successful passage of "Measure A", the sales tax measure needed to fund the Napa County Flood Control Project. Celine Haugen replaced Steve Kokotas in late 1997 and carried on the activities of NVEDC, undertaking the cluster development projects, focused on key sectors of the local economy. The Board of Directors developed a five-year Strategic Plan and refocused their vision. Long time Napa County leader and former President of NVEDC, Sheldon Davidow, stepped into the CEO position at this critical time in the organization's history. Sheldon assisted in rejuvenating NVEDC's mission, work program and leadership in the community.

The organization has a history of strong board members who step up to the plate when necessary, and that's no exception today. Dorothy Lind-Salmon, Measure A's Fundraising Co-Chair and community activist, is working hand in hand with the Board of Directors and staff as they begin a new era of cooperation, partnerships, and focused energy and leadership. NVEDC will again, step up to the plate and work with the business and nonprofit community and local governments to find solutions to Napa County's transportation, housing and employment issues, while working to retain and develop appropriate business in Napa County. NVEDC will move forward as it refocuses its core mission on the four pillars.