Recursos en Español
Resources in Spanish
Recursos en Español
Resources in Spanish

Business and Employment

Ventura County is projected to have modest overall long-term job growth, consistent with long-term population growth. Projected growth will occur in most major industry groups, with the largest growth in health care, professional services, education, and hospitality. Economic opportunities will come from both locally generated growth and trade generated through national and global markets.

Ventura County’s economy has traditionally had high concentrations of jobs and economic activity in agriculture and manufacturing, while recent trends have shown more rapid growth occurring in other sectors. The manufacturing and agriculture sectors are projected to continue growing slowly over the long-term, but as discussed above, these industries have many issues to resolve in order to retain their strength within the local economy. Policies to support retention and expansion of manufacturing industries are addressed below in Section 10.2, Goal EV-4, which supports expansion and retention of industry clusters. Other existing sectors that could be expanded include tourism and defense technologies.

  • Tourism: Ventura County has numerous scenic destinations that draw thousands of visitors to the area. Local businesses that serve the tourism market include hospitality (accommodations and food service), agriculture, and recreation. Accommodations in Ventura County represent an underserved market, and potential opportunity for expansion in certain unincorporated areas. In addition, agri-tourism is another area of potential expansion.
  • Military: Naval Base Ventura County (NBVC) supports over 20,000 direct, indirect, and induced jobs, including active duty and reserve military, civilians, and contractors. These jobs include scientists, engineers, acquisition professionals, police and fire protection, tradespeople, airfield and port operations, and a wide variety of other fields. The base’s high-level operations, technological focus, and unique geography (including the 36,000 square mile Point Mugu Sea Range) are anticipated to keep the base in the Navy’s long-term plans, recognizing, however, that defense priorities can change. NBVC projects significant growth in coming years as an emerging hub for unmanned systems. Overall, NBVC generates about $2 billion in total economic benefit to Ventura County each year.

At a local level, population growth and increasing household income levels will support additional demand for local-serving businesses. The challenge in Ventura County will center on how new businesses and commercial developments address existing and future consumer needs.

Goal: EV-1

To foster a robust and diversified local economy that provides quality employment and attracts stable businesses in Existing Communities and unincorporated Urban Areas.

The County shall use the Ventura County Economic Vitality Strategic Plan, as updated, as an operational guide to implement the economic development goals, policies, and programs of the General Plan.
FB
MPSP
SO

The County shall prioritize investment in infrastructure, services, safety net programs and other assets that are critical to future economic vitality, including public safety, healthcare, library services, water supply and quality, transportation, energy, and environmental resources. This investment shall consider equity in investment opportunities to designated disadvantaged communities, including designated Opportunity Zones under the federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. The focus of these efforts shall be to improve social equity and opportunity for all.
FB
SO
EJ

The County shall continue to work with cities and community organizations to implement best practices, pursue funding, and implement programs that reduce the cost of housing to retain and attract employers and employees.
IGC
MPSP
HC

The County shall promote business-friendliness in the regulatory and permitting environment throughout Ventura County through collaboration, exchange of ideas and best practices, improvement in clarity and efficiency in the permitting process, taking advantage of opportunities for streamlining in the development process, and promoting consistency in policy and practice among cities and the County.
IGC
RDR

The County shall encourage the development of sustainable and innovative visitor-serving attractions that expand on the tourism market in Ventura County and add to the quality of life for residents. This would include identifying viable locations for new or expanded accommodations in the unincorporated areas of Ventura County and support for ecotourism associated with the Santa Monica Mountains, Los Padres Forest, the Channel Islands, and other natural areas.
JP
MPSP

The County shall work with local chambers of commerce, countywide economic development organizations, and businesses to support the appropriate expansion of the local economy and job creation, particularly in Existing Communities and unincorporated Urban Areas where zoning allows.
JP
MPSP

The County shall strive to attract industries based on existing and projected workforce demographics, educational attainment, skills, and commute patterns, and which provide opportunities to residents living in designated disadvantaged communities.
JP
MPSP
EJ

The County shall coordinate and work with cities in the county to enhance the efficiency of development of remaining vacant commercial and industrial sites and encourage infill and revitalization of underutilized sites.
IGC
MPSP

The County shall encourage the development of a range of commercial uses in urban areas and Existing Communities, where zoning allows, that fulfill the daily needs of residents and visitors.
JP
MPSP

The County shall strive to attract and retain high-quality, full-service grocery stores and other healthy food purveyors in Existing Communities and adjacent urban areas, particularly in underserved areas.
JP
MPSP
EJ
HC

Goal: EV-2

To improve the economic viability of agriculture through policies that support agriculture as an integral business to the County.

The County should encourage the growth and expansion of new, innovative agricultural-related business opportunities, including technological advancements in irrigation, crop production and pest control, new crop types, and agritourism, and “farm-to-table” programs and events.
PI
RDR

The County shall encourage the expansion of value-added agricultural products (e.g., processing, packaging, product development) within Existing Communities, where zoning allows, and on agricultural land consistent with SOAR policies.
JP
MPSP
RDR

In accordance with Section 2, subsection I(m) of the County’s 2050 Save Open-Space and Agricultural Resources (SOAR) Ordinance, facilities for the processing of locally grown food are authorized for approval on up to a cumulative total of 12 acres in the unincorporated area on land designated Agricultural Exclusive, Open Space, and Rural, provided that:

a) the locally grown food processing facility is approved on or before January 1, 2030;

b) no more than 3 acres per legal lot is devoted to the locally grown food processing facility use;

c) the locally grown food processing facility does not require the expansion or extension of new sewer lines;

d) the locally grown food that is processed at a facility would otherwise likely be transported out of Ventura County for processing as determined by the Agricultural Commissioner; and

e) the locally grown food processing facility use will not result in a direct or indirect loss of soils on land classified as “Prime” or “Statewide Importance”, and/or “Unique” by the California Department of Conservation Important Farmland Inventory, unless the Planning Director, in consultation with the Agricultural Commissioner, determines that the land is developed or otherwise unsuitable for agricultural activities.


Additional policies on the agricultural economy are located in Chapter 8, Agriculture Element.


0 bookmarks selectedExport 0 bookmarks