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30 ❘ NORTH COUNTY BUSINESS JOURNAL ❘ Spring 2017 ❘ sdnedc.org ● SPOTLIGHT SAM ABED ■ THE MAYOR OF ESCONDIDO OFFERS INSIGHT INTO WHAT'S AHEAD FOR 2017 W hen it comes to the city of escondido, Mayor sam Abed is bullish about the fu- ture. A council member since 2004 and mayor since 2010, Abed says the prospects for escondido are outstanding, energetic and inspiring. he recently delivered his 7th state of the City Address at the California Center for Arts in escondido, and touched on what the city is doing to encourage economic growth as well as its priorities in 2017. here are some highlights: ON ECONOMIC GROWTH the private sector confidence to invest in our city is stronger than ever. last year, 560 net new businesses moved to escondido. the City Council has also just approved the new Marriott springhill suites at la terraza. Our first full-service hotel will break ground in the next couple of months. ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Our management team is focused on "getting to Yes" when it comes to new proj- ects. We have streamlined and reduced regulations to help lower the cost of affordable housing and to fast track 35 major commercial, industrial and residential projects un- derway in escondido valued at $1.2 billion. ON CITY PARKS last year, the City spent $2.6 million to improve our seven parks and five recreation Centers. the Boys & girls Club celebrated a new baseball field last year with a $350,000 donation from the san Diego padres and Major league Baseball, providing a safer place for children to play ball. ON PRIORITIES FOR 2017 As part of the City Council Action plan and economic development goals, we are working on relocating our public Works Yard to be ready to build the escondido Business park. this strategic location at interstate 15 and highway 78 will create 1,000 new jobs at $75,000 average pay and attract clean tech manufactur- ing. to improve our water reliability, the City is spending $300 million over the next 20 years to improve and expand our water delivery system, including the recently approved recycled water facility at Ash and Washington. A smart City uses innovation and technology to enhance online services, reduce cost and engage people more actively. es- condido has been on the forefront of using technology. the report it App and the track it program are good examples of our efforts to provide real-time civic engagement plat- forms to more effectively report graffiti, potholes, shopping carts and street lights. For us to be a smart City, we must create a comprehensive policy framework, assess our readi- ness to innovate, incorporate energy, public safety, trans- portation, traffic signal synchronization and telecomm- unication to ensure connectivity and create partnerships. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ❯❯ LEARN MORE about the city at escondido.org.