CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Key community leaders representing a wide range of government, business and educational interests from throughout Lake County gathered on Aug. 23 at the Lake County Campus of Woodland Community College in Clearlake for the Economic Outlook & Forecast II, "Maximizing Lake County’s Opportunities."

The keynote speaker, Robert Eyler, PhD, president of Economic Forensics and Analytics Inc., and professor and chair of economics at Sonoma State University, focused his presentation on Lake County’s evolving economy and workforce.

He stressed the importance of working regionally and developing key partnerships to take advantage of Lake County’s economic opportunities, encouraging the audience to think five to ten years out.

Eyler shared both “bad and ugly” points and the “good and opportunities” during his one-hour presentation.

He addressed housing considerations through 2020 and the need to develop a Lake County brand and marketing strategy, emphasizing that, "solutions cannot happen from inside Lake County alone.”

Eyler kept the audience of close to 70 community members engaged throughout his thought- provoking presentation.

He finished the afternoon session with a clear list of suggested action steps, including deciding which four industries should be the focus of economic development for the next five years, and identifying partners and what they need to do.

Overall, his message is positive: the economy is good and continues to show forward, steady progress.

He summarized with a challenge to the audience: Where is the planning and the nexus of economic development and workforce training?

Those in attendance represented business and development, education, social services, agriculture, banking and finance, real estate, business associations and communities, as well as county and city government.

Dr. Michael White, president of Woodland Community College; Dr. Douglas Houston, chancellor of Yuba Community College District; and Lake County Superintendent of Schools Brock Falkenberg also participated.

District 3 Supervisor Jim Steele represented the Lake County Board of Supervisors and members of the Lakeport and Clearlake city councils with staff were present.

The offices of Senator Mike McGuire and Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry were represented and the event was supported by Brad Onorato of Congressman Mike Thompson’s office.

Other speakers included Bruce Wilson, executive director, Workforce Alliance of the North Bay; Andy Lucas, Lake County Economic Development Corp.; and Executive Dean Annette Lee, Lake County Campus of Woodland Community College.

At the close of the presentation, attendees were treated to the hospitality and expertise of students enrolled in the college’s culinary management program.

The event was coordinated by Monica Rosenthal on behalf of the Workforce Alliance of the North Bay and the Lake County Economic Development Corp., hosted by the Lake County Campus of Woodland Community College, and supported by the Lake County Chamber of Commerce.

The first Economic Outlook & Forecast event was held in December 2015. In September of 2015, Lake County was impacted by the Valley fire, the third most destructive fire in California history, which destroyed nearly 1,300 homes. In 2016, the Clayton Fire destroyed nearly 200 homes and much of Main Street in the town of Lower Lake.

Although the economy of Lake County has been severely affected by natural disasters in recent years, residents remain resilient, optimistic and engaged in making their community one that continues to be geologically unique, offer world-class air quality, fishing and wines, provides opportunity for business development and growth, and maintains rural charm and natural beauty.

The potential of Lake County to support industries such as tourism, outdoor recreation and hospitality continues to grow.

Additionally, with its close proximity to the Bay Area and Sacramento, Lake County has the potential to increase its light manufacturing and technology sectors as housing prices remain more affordable than in either area.

The Economic Outlook & Forecast II provided guidance and an opportunity for stakeholders to come together and acknowledge the current economy of Lake County. The event facilitated increased efforts to collaborate and develop partnerships within the county and region in order to maximize Lake County’s opportunities.

Monica Rosenthal is a board member on the Workforce Alliance North Bay regional committee and executive committee, a private business owner, and a Director with the Middletown Area Merchants Association, an organization focused on promoting and supporting local businesses and business owners.