In my opinion, and with respect to short-term measurability, higher education would make the best strategic starting point for Envision’s platform of growth. People are being trained here, now we have to make them want to work here.

Firstly, the love-hate relationship between UCSC and the City must end. On and off campus communities need to recognize each other as valuable resources that can be leveraged for the mutual benefit of all. Every business in Santa Cruz should be getting involved with the University, through the PPIE or on their own. One, it focuses the attention of on-campus talent on Santa Cruz rather than over the hill. Two, boosting involvement with local campuses will increase the attractiveness of going to school in Santa Cruz –creating cycles that improve both the size and quality of the local talent pool.

By getting involved with relevant departments, offering internships, sponsoring both competitive and collaborative programs, providing mentors, and providing opportunities for students to learn hands-on and make tangible contributions, we can keep a whole lot of talent focused on local interests. But someone has to start this relationship and economically speaking, the transaction costs are much lower if individual businesses begin this interaction with the schools, rather than the other way around.

In theory, we tend to develop attachments to the things we helped create, we become passionate and driven from realizing our aspirations even if it’s a step at a time, and we develop communal loyalty through overcoming challenges together. We must foster these processes to actualize sustainable growth.