Recap: 25th Placer County Economic Development Summit

Rocklin, Calif. – Celebrating its 25th year, Placer County’s annual economic development summit breakfast showcased the breadth and quality of all that is made in Placer; from high-tech manufacturers like Printrbot and ioSafe to the gourmet coffees of Rogers Family Company.

The summit was held at William Jessup University in Rocklin and attended by nearly 400 community and business leaders.

⤥ Summer Fun Starts Here ⤦

⤥ Summer Fun Starts Here ⤦

⤥ Summer Fun Starts Here ⤦

⤥ Summer Fun Starts Here ⤦

Keynote speaker Ken Sloan, registrar and chief operating officer for the University of Warwick, had a simple message: Warwick is here, and we’re focused on building partnerships in this community.

“We’re proud of our growing international reputation as a young and enterprising university – as a place of possibility,” Sloan said. “Meeting Placer’s business leaders, it’s clear that we are joining a community that shares our values and entrepreneurial spirit.”  

The United Kingdom-based university in February 2015 announced plans to site a new campus in the county, partnering with Placer County and the University Development Foundation to develop the project. For its first offering in Placer, Warwick is developing two master’s courses, expected to start in September 2018. Warwick will begin recruiting its first local class in September 2017. Warwick is ranked third best young university (under 50 years old) by the QS World University Rankings.

The summit was hosted by the Placer County Economic Development Board and organized by the county office of economic development. Sponsors included Pacific Gas and Electric Co., Rogers Family Company, Sierra College, Consolidated Communications, SME Sacramento Valley Chapter 145, High Hand Nursery and William Jessup University.

Each year the summit also recognizes business and community leaders at the heart of Placer’s enduring prosperity. This year’s winners were:

• “Most Inspirational, Challenging and Unique Endurance Event in the World” — The Tevis Cup and Western States 100-mile Endurance Run
• “Best Dining Experience and Catalyst for Downtown Revitalization”– Old Town Pizza
• “Most Innovative and Entrepreneurial Advanced Manufacturer”– Printrbot
• “Outstanding Contributions to the Economic Health and Prosperity of the Region” — Flyers Energy, LLC and the Dwelle Family
• “Best Collaboration to Encourage a Prosperous, Sustainable and Healthy Lake Tahoe Basin”– Heidi Hill Drum, Ken Riley and the Tahoe Prosperity Center
• “Best Support for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Deployment” — Carol Pepper-Kittredge and Sierra College’s Center for Applied Competitive Technologies

The EDB is an advisory board that assists the county with its business attraction and retention efforts. It promotes the creation of new jobs and tax revenue and supports tourism, agribusiness, film production and workforce development initiatives.

The EDB includes representatives from the Placer County Board of Supervisors; the town of Loomis; and the cities of Auburn, Colfax, Lincoln, Rocklin and Roseville. It also has members who represent agriculture, public and private education, healthcare, utilities, manufacturing, tourism, communications and nonprofit organizations.