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businesses to build or enhance industry clusters. the focus group format would be an especially useful method to collect information from producer companies about ke\ suppliers that could be targeted for recruitment. Attraction strategies might include targeted outreach to specific types of businesses in specific locations elsewhere in the region, a direct mail campaign. attendance at trade showsievenm advertisements in trade publications. etc. Roles and Responsibilities. Economic Development staff will be responsible for coordinating the more detailed study of industries to be targeted for attraction. The in- depth analysis of business sectors and/or clusters can be conducted by a consultant. under the direction of City staff, with input provided by the EDAC. Priority: MEDIUM Costs and Sources of Funding. This program calls for a one-time study effort. with an estimated cost of MEDIUM. In addition to in -kind staff time for coordination. detailed consulting study of emerging industry trends and opportunities might cost approximately $25.000 to $50.000. depending on the scope of work. Costs might be funded from the Economic Development consulting budget. CDBG funds. or the General Fund. While this program is considered as a one-time activity, the City might consider updating its study of emerging trends and opportunities every several years. as warranted by changes in the regional economy. Periodic costs for updating'this stud% would likely be LOW to MEDIUM. In addition. the follow-up outreach and marketing that will follow -from this action (see Action 1.12) will likely be on -going. Action L 19: Explore Potential for Creating Local Business Incubator Much of San Leandro's notable economic development activity has involved relocation of existing businesses to San Leandro. Small business start-ups are a less visible component of local economic development: however. they can play an important role as a means for employees of local companies to spin off their own businesses. or for the City to attract entrepreneurs from other areas and help to nurture their growth in the local economy. A small business incubator is a facility that is designed to provide start-up businesses with an opportunir, to become established in an environment which can offer benefits of reduced rents. on -site technical assistance. shared services. small spaces. or favorable terms. Such a facility can reduce the barriers to small business formation. and provide resources necessary to promote long-term success. Ultimately, the goal of small business incubators is to "graduate" their tenants into larger spaces where they will become self- sufficient. Depending on the findings from an in-depth study of businesses to be targeted for attraction. the Cite might consider developing an incubator as one tool to use in attracting neH businesses that would strengthen an existing industry cluster or form the core of a new cluster. - 2 ,i 36