Since we’re subcontractors to the County’s Economic Resource Council, we were hoping to get a heads up about its new executive director, Robert Trent, or at least an email from the group.
No such luck. But we did get an email from Sierra Commons, which we’ve supported over the years, along with Robert, going back to its inception. (One example is here. In September, we enjoyed hearing Michael Funk, chair and co-founder of United Natural Foods; and David Wood, founder of Ensemble Designs, speak at a Sierra Commons fundraiser).
Sierra Commons has supported our growing business — and this blog, for that matter. The internet is changing how we communicate, we’ve noted together. We appreciate the group’s “thought leadership” — the Funk and Wood presentation about entrepreneurship was one of the most stimulating discussions I can remember around here. (And I used to sit on the ERC board — still dominated by our western county’s construction and real-estate interests).
Sierra Commons’ “heads up” email pointed to an announcement that is going up on the group’s website later this morning — and it expressed some disappointment in The Union’s “apparent lack of interest in investigating the question” of Sierra Commons future, focusing solely on the ERC instead:
“We at Sierra Commons are proud of today’s news that Robert Trent has been appointed Executive Director of the Nevada County Economic Resource Council. Robert has held this role at Sierra Commons since we opened our doors in August of 2009. His appointment to the post at the ERC is a validation that Sierra Commons’ ground-up focus on micro-enterprise and small business has become a key building block for economic rejuvenation in Nevada County, as well as a testament to his personal capacity and expertise in economic development.
“Robert will continue to serve Sierra Commons as Executive Director in a part-time capacity as he takes up his responsibilities as ERC ED. We’re very happy that our long-time office manager, Kim Albanese, has agreed to assume additional operational responsibilities. We are moving forward with the next Business Ignitor course, starting March 6th, and offering co-working memberships in our beautiful new facility at 792 Searls Avenue in Nevada City.
“Sierra Commons is committed to strengthening our community and our local economy. We wish Robert the best as he works towards this goal with the ERC, and are excited to broaden the partnership between the two organizations.”
We look forward to a broadened partnership as well. In fact, at the September gathering, I half joked to Robert and Jon Blinder that it was time to ask Funk to join the ERC.
He’s about the most successful national entrepreneur I can think of from here; United Natural Foods is now a multibillion-dollar Fortune 500 firm. His business, organic food, is growing at double-digit rates.
At any rate, the ERC will benefit from “new blood”; it long has been too consumed with Grass Valley-centric construction and real estate — and all the politics that go with it.
Our local economy will only be ignited by a multi-faceted, collaborative approach to economic development. It must be regionally focused too. Good luck Robert!
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I am absolutely thrilled that Robert has been named the new ED at the ERC. The mindset that Robert brought to Sierra Commons is exactly the right strategy to move Nevada County forward– expand services and markets for existing businesses, foster entrepreneurs by giving them the tools to get over the top, and encourage collaboration as a business strategy.
Here’s to Robert…..
DITTO ! Good Luck Robert, I do not envy you concerning the challenge to bring the multitude of groups together in a united formation to move this County forward in bringing more people to the Gold Country. As I have stated before – United We Win, Divided We Fall !
Seems YubaNet was disappointed about how this information got disseminated at the ERC:
“YubaNet
Glad that Sierra Commons sent this statement yesterday, because the ERC obviously can’t be bothered to let the media know what they are up to. Hopefully Robert can bring some transparency to the outfit.”
Thank you for your encouragement. I am excited about the new position and working in sync will ALL of you.
I want there to be some tangible results shown as the ERC has been a “black-hole” and in my opinion, we’d been better to offer tourists a $20 free gift certificate to come up for a visit……
I’m still trying to figure out why we don’t have a “special annual” event at one of the local fishing spots (Scott’s Flat maybe?) where we have the lake stocked and then off a $1,000 cash prize for the biggest fish caught. This will bring people in and get Nevada County imprinted on this minds as the place to come.
The Empire mine is about as exciting as going to a truck stop!
We need something to draw families and their pocket books up to our Hamlet.
We could also use a creative thinker who might bring some insight as how to attract some businesses up here too.
Or why not pin tokens for a big night out to a bunch of fish in the Scott’s lakes? Thar’s Nevada County gold inn them thar lakes!
Leave it up to Robert. He’ll get us out of the box.
Brad, I love your idea about a fish derby. If not Scotts Flat, then how about Hirschman’s Pond? Nevada City would love the revenue! Direct it towards some cool community projects? The ERC should ask you to jump on their board for clever, family oriented ideas like this.
And in the meantime, congrats, Robert!
I do not know Robert, but the ERC is in bad need of stable leadership. I wish Robert the best. Western Nevada County can be an exciting and dynamic place with lots of potential to expand and diversify the local economy
This is a good ERC board and Robert will do well. Congrats, Robert!
The trick will be integrating with private vendors, the various Chambers (don’t forget Penn Valley!!), and county and city gov’ts.
I think one of the biggest challenges will be figuring out how all of these new western Nevada County efforts will integrate with the needs of our good neighbors in eastern Nevada County. This is always a subject that comes up when we have a shift in the business development roles here.
I’m sure there are advocates in both county lobes who are ready to make their needs known.