January: Leadership Visalia

Economic Development…like a game of chess

By Maria Rodriguez Ornelas, Kaweah Health

Life is like a game of chess, in order to move forward you have to make a move. But, even a seasoned player with tactics and a streak of success can flop. One wrong move, and it's checkmate.

Economic development is truly a game of chess. Devon Jones, Economic Development Manager for the City of Visalia, is a key player who knows the game backwards and forwards. But he didn’t count on a new piece being added during the match: COVID-19. How can you make any move when you don’t know what this new piece can do? Stalemate… or is it?

COVID-19 changed the rules of the game. Mr. Jones moved his pieces cautiously, following his opponent’s unpredictable moves. The pandemic caused a devastating financial impact on businesses, employees, and consumers.  Businesses began to close. Employees were furloughed or laid off. People couldn’t leave their homes, so they stopped shopping locally or doing the leisure activities they most enjoyed throughout the city. Visalia became a ghost town for some time.

And, what about the pieces waiting to be moved? How long would it take before they knew their fate? Business leaders gave their perspective. They faced downsizing, supply chain disruptions, never-ending changes in regulations, lack of information, and a shift in priorities for the workforce. Businesses knew that to stay relevant, they had to come up with innovative solutions. Whether it was curbside pick-up, working from home, or changing their product entirely like Chris Wilson, owner of Beatwear Inc., who transitioned from selling dance wear to uniforms. Others like Sam Sigal, President and Co-Owner of Visalia Rawhide completely reinvented the way they kept their sports entertainment alive in the community. There were a few fortunate who saw business thrive as was the case for Ace Hardware Distribution Center. Jenea Martin, Human Resources Coordinator for the company, saw increased revenue, but also a shift in what the workforce valued.

A competitive salary is enticing, but COVID-19 became a shock that displaced many pieces on the chess board. Getting and staying in a job no longer depended solely on paying the bills. Mental wellness and workplace culture became a determining factor in how aspiring candidates and long-time employees made their moves. This is precisely where the Workforce Investment Board (WIB) of Tulare County, one of many resources in the community, aims to connect businesses with qualified candidates. Jennie Campos Bautista, Deputy Director of Operations for WIB, explained the power of partnership in the community. Businesses are only as successful as the people they hire. Creating a pathway for unemployed or low-income individuals to explore a wide range of careers, learn about scholarships, and discover training opportunities can encourage them to better their financial situation, as well as mitigate workforce shortage for many businesses. Plus, through close partnerships, candidates can easily find a workplace that aligns with their mission and vision. This has become increasingly important in the overall employee retention rate and satisfaction, which was evident during an Ace Hardware Distribution tour given to the Leadership Visalia cohort.

But why do thriving businesses choose Visalia? Retail development is a crucial piece in this match. Visalia is a hub for businesses, greatly due to its prime location as it sits between Bakersfield and Fresno. But having the piece on the board is half the battle. It’s important to move it strategically to create harmony in the game. Creating spaces that bring people together makes the shopping experience a family-friendly adventure for the community. It becomes the place where you live, play, and work. Richard Feder, Senior General Manager overseeing the Visalia Mall, said the mall is sitting at 98% occupancy, which is better than the national average. And despite the financial losses brought by the pandemic, consumers came roaring back and business is thriving once more.

But, are there businesses more essential than others? That was a common question during the pandemic. Frankly, we all are. Every business. Every leader. Every employee. Every member of the community is a moving piece playing an essential role in the economic development of Visalia.