# 8.20.2026 Economic Development Subcommittee

The City of Ventura Economic Development Subcommittee meeting, dated October 8, 2026 (the meeting title refers to August 20, 2026), discussed the proposed Catalyst Projects initiative. Staff presented a shift from a points-based system to a staff assessment and intake process, with coordinated departmental review, a single point of contact, and clearer timelines for qualifying projects. The framework remains under development; staff plans to work with other departments and report back before seeking a final recommendation. Staff also reported submitting an application to USC’s Sunstone Economic Development Challenge. The discussion noted a $15,000 Sunstone contract related to setting up the accelerator program and estimated that operating an accelerator would require at least $400,000 annually; no new spending approval or procurement vote was reported.

Staff also updated the subcommittee on an informal bid process for a study of financing tools, including tax-increment financing, EIFDs, and climate resilience districts. Five firms were contacted and two responded; COSMO Services submitted the lowest-cost proposal, but no contract had been awarded. Staff was refining the scope and said it would proceed only in accordance with city procurement requirements; if pursued, the cost would be shared equally among four departments. Other updates covered the waterfront project’s pending HCD determination, public engagement planning, and state recommendations for Opportunity Zones. No votes or motions related to procurement were identifiable in the transcript.

**Jurisdictions:** sled
**Industries:** Professional Services, Construction & Infrastructure
**Topics:** Grants & Funding, Physical Infrastructure
**Published:** October 08, 2026

### Sources
- [8.20.2026 Economic Development Subcommittee](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D56IPthAZTU) - City of Ventura