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City hires its first economic development coordinator
Will start May 21
By Oakley Brooks
Local business owners who feel their everyday concerns aren't being heard by city hall should take heart: Danielle Surdin is on the way.
Surdin will become the city's first economic development coordinator in early May, as part of Saratoga's efforts to boost its relationship with area businesses.
City Manager Dave Anderson says Surdin is confident and energetic, and will act as an ambassador for the city in the business community, and report back to the city council on commercial issues.
"It's always good to have open communication with the city but it's so challenging with the pace of life," said Mountain Winery President Nancy Bussani. "It will be nice to have a day-to-day liaison."
Specifically, Anderson says Surdin will work with Public Works Director John Cherbone to provide feedback from businesses to the city on the upcoming Village and Gateway revitalization projects.
Cherbone says that some flower planters and benches will be placed in the Village in the next month as part of a trial program for the revitalization project. The Gateway Project, a similar improvement on Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road, could be under way as early as this summer.
"Anybody to help out with this process is greatly appreciated," says Cherbone.
Anderson is also counting on Surdin to write up an economic profile of the city to determine the character of the local business community and potential areas of growth.
Surdin says she's been working on business retention and growth for almost two years as part of the economic development staff in San Juan Capistrano. Before that she spent two years as an economic development intern in Palm Desert.
"In civic life, you quickly see the effects of your work," said Surdin, "I like that about it."
Over the last four years she has also worked toward a business administration degree at Concordia University in Irvine. Surdin will graduate with honors on May 5, then shed the cap and gown and make the trip north in time to start in Saratoga on May 21.
"I think Saratoga's a good match for me," says Surdin. "It's very similar to San Juan Capistrano; it's charming and unique."
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Saratoga, California Since 1955
