SACRAMENTO – Today, Dr. Richard Pan (D-Natomas) and Sacramento City Councilmember Angelique Ashby (District 1) announced they will spearhead efforts to create jobs and economic engines in Natomas as co-chairs of Natomas Subcommittee, a part of the regional Think Big Committee aimed at creating a modern sports and entertainment complex that benefits the entire Sacramento region.
"Councilmember Ashby and I are proud to work on behalf of Natomas and the City to explore solutions toward creating an economic engine and community asset that will be beneficial to the Sacramento region," said Dr. Pan.
"Assemblymember Pan and I are excited to have a committee of regional partners ready to work with us as we address the future of the current arena site in Natomas," said Ashby. "The goal of this sub-committee is to work concurrent to the larger committee's efforts in addressing regional impacts associated with building a new arena."
Among the actions to be taken by the Natomas Subcommittee is a town hall on August 11, 2011, as well as a 100-Day Technical Review Report Back, which is scheduled for September 6th at Sacramento City Hall Chambers.
"Speaking on behalf of the Chamber, we've encouraged that this subcommittee be formed from the start," said Ed Koop, Natomas Chamber of Commerce President. "We want to ensure that we've got a long term, sustainable economic solution that is as good as, or better than what the arena brought in."
"World class cities are formed from good public policy that encourages businesses to be successful," said Joshua Wood, Vice President of Sacramento Regional Builders Exchange. "We've worked together as an industry to send the city a list of recommendations that would improve the permitting process. The City is embracing these things, which can make Sacramento successful and help businesses."
The following state, local and business leaders make up the rest of the membership for the Natomas Subcommittee:
Darrell Steinberg, pro Tem, California State Senate
Ed Koop, President, Natomas Chamber of Commerce
Greg Guardino, Alleghany Properties Executive Vice President
Greg Thatch, Development Attorney
James Beckwith, CEO, 5 Star Bank
Jesus Arredondo, Westlake President, Community Leader
John Dukes, Mayor, Yuba City
Kip Blewett, Rubicon Partners
Martha Lofgren, Interim CEO, Sacramento Metro Chamber of Commerce
Michael Ault, Executive Director, Downtown Sacramento Partnership
Ted Gaines, Senator, California State Senate
Tim Youmans, Principal, Economic & Planning Systems
Dr. Richard Pan is a father, pediatrician, educator, small business owner and first-term Assemblymember that lives in Natomas Park. He represents Natomas and portions of the City of Sacramento, along with Arden Arcade, Carmichael, the City of Citrus Heights, Fair Oaks, the City of Folsom, Granite Bay, North Highlands, McClellan Park, Orangevale.
Angelique Ashby is a mother, business owner, neighborhood leader and first-term Councilmember. She represents Natomas and Downtown Sacramento.
CONTACT: Brian O'Hara (Pan) - (916) 319-2005
Michelle Kille (Ashby), (916) 808-7001
