LIVE OAK, CA (MPG) - At the March 4 meeting of the Live Oak City Council, members heard a presentation on the Yuba-Sutter Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) 2025 Annual Performance Report.

Brynda Stranix, director of the Yuba-Sutter Economic Development Corporation, presented the annual report with updates about regional projects, overall economic strategy and current economic conditions.

Stranix said Sutter and Yuba counties have seen labor force growth of more than 7,300 over 10 years and the area has a 30% lower cost of living than the average California family. The regional gross domestic product (GDP) was $8.8 billion last year with a net of 233 new business establishments year over year. She said this is consistent growth since COVID, with numbers exceeding those before the pandemic. “Progress isn’t measured by plans but by outcomes,” said Stranix.

Over the last year, the Yuba-Sutter Economic Development Corporation worked with 3,800 businesses on business planning, financial assistance and marketing and lent $230,000 to local businesses through its independent loan program.

Their efforts helped create more than 70 new jobs last year and Stranix emphasized that “small businesses remain the backbone of the community.”

The manufacturing workforce is expanding to meet the needs of local employers, housing projects are increasing across all income levels, arts and culture are drawing visitors and parks and trails are revitalizing downtown areas.

In order to unlock more development opportunities, the Yuba-Sutter Economic Development Corporation is supporting infrastructure investments to build regional capacity for the future, including a water and wastewater project. Long-term projects will support housing, jobs, transportation and environmental resilience.

Without existing infrastructure, economic development is a challenge, so these projects will make the region more competitive. In fact, Stranix said the region missed out on many large development projects last year due to a lack of infrastructure.

Sutter County has about $1.2 million in annual “retail leakage,” which Stranix said occurs when residents purchase items in other counties instead of where they live, causing the local economy to lose that sales tax revenue. Over the coming years, officials will focus on bringing in more businesses that meet those retail needs so sales tax stays local.

Stranix announced a grant received from the California Finance Consortium, through the Wells Fargo Foundation, for a downtown revitalization strategy for Live Oak and Wheatland. This will give the city a playbook for development, including cleaning up existing businesses and attracting new businesses.

Councilmember Ashley Hernandez said the strategy will give the city a “path forward,” and Vice Mayor Aaron Pamma added that the Yuba-Sutter Economic Development Corporation is a great resource for the city.

Mayor Jeramy Chapdelaine said the organization does significant work for the region.

“You always give it your all for every jurisdiction,” Chapdelaine said, adding that the downtown area is a priority, so he appreciates that they were able to secure this funding to focus on that mission and find new opportunities.

The council voted 4-0, with Councilmember Nancy Santana absent, to approve the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) 2025 Annual Performance Report.

The next meeting of the Live Oak City Council is scheduled for March 18.