REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
December 17, 2024
FROM
DEREK ARMSTRONG, Director, Economic Development Department
SUBJECT
Title
Out-of-Country Travel Request
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Approve out-of-country travel request for two Economic Development Department staff to travel to Mexico City, Mexico, at an estimated cost of $7,900, for the period of February 24, 2025, through February 27, 2025, to represent the County at SelectUSA Mexico Conference for the purposes of attracting foreign direct investment to San Bernardino County.
(Presenter: Derek Armstrong, Director, 387-4386)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Promote the Countywide Vision.
Create, Maintain and Grow Jobs and Economic Value in the County.
Ensure Development of a Well-Planned, Balanced, and Sustainable County.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not result in the use of additional Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The cost to attend the SelectUSA Mexico Conference is estimated to be $7,900, with a cost of $3,950 per County representative. Sufficient appropriation is included in the Economic Development Department’s 2024-25 budget.
|
Expense |
Amount |
|
Conference: $1,500 x two staff |
$3,000 |
|
Air Travel: $700 x two staff |
$1,400 |
|
Lodging (3 nights): 900 x two staff |
$1,800 |
|
Meals & Incidentals: $300 x two staff |
$600 |
|
Cultural Event Costs: $300 x two staff |
$600 |
|
Local travel/Ground Transportation: $250 x two staff |
$500 |
|
Total |
$7,900 |
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The Economic Development Department (EDD) is involved in fostering a globally competitive economy by building a network of partnerships across multiple levels to drive international trade and attract foreign direct investment (FDI). By doing so, EDD is laying the foundation to create new jobs, improve capital access for local businesses, boost productivity, and stimulate economic growth. This multifaceted approach not only promotes local economic development but also strengthens the region's positioning in the global market. The County continues to become an increasingly important gateway for international trade and prime investment location.
The SelectUSA Mexico Conference is a comprehensive event that will comprise one-on-one meetings, connections between economic development organizations and Mexican companies, and invaluable networking opportunities. The programming will focus on industry sectors including manufacturing, healthcare and biotechnology, logistics and transportation, and energy. This conference serves as a crucial bridge for Mexican investors looking to explore opportunities in the United States (U.S.), as well as for economic development organizations aiming to attract FDI to U.S. markets. By connecting these groups, the conference will provide a platform for discussing investment incentives and exploring the regulatory and financial landscapes for cross-border investments.
The approval of this item will allow two County staff to participate in the conference to continue the momentum gained during previous engagements, make new connections to increase international trade, and attract FDI.
Per County Policy No. 08-04, prior approval for travel outside of the United States for County business must be authorized by the Board of Supervisors.
PROCUREMENT
N/A
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Dawn M. Martin, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on November 19, 2024; Finance (Carl Lofton, Finance Analyst, 387-5404) on November 27, 2024; and County Finance and Administration (Robert Saldana, Deputy Executive Officer, 387-5423) on December 02, 2024.