Body of News Release
Marin County, CA – Amid rising costs, shifting workforce trends, regional housing challenges, and calls for more vibrant community spaces, Marin County leaders are looking beyond local borders for practical ideas that work. To learn from proven regional partnerships and economic strategies, a group of County and city officials, and community and business partners recently visited the San Luis Obispo area for a two-day working visit.
The Marin County Board of Supervisors and the public will hear about the Marin-SLO Learning Exchange during the November 4 regular Board meeting.
Joined by 20 other Marin leaders in government, business, and the nonprofit world, five County staff and two Supervisors – Board President Mary Sackett of District 1 and Brian Colbert of District 2 – spent October 22-24 in San Luis Obispo to connect on topics such as community-building, placemaking, business growth, higher education pipelines, regional branding, and cultural development. The Marin delegation spent time with more than 40 leaders from the San Luis Obispo area.
The participants toured several sites and visited with civic leaders in roundtable discussions. Key objectives were to gather information about public-private partnerships, investigate models of entrepreneurship, and study creative marketing campaigns that boost small businesses and attract larger ones. The Marin group heard from local developers and city planning staff on what has worked to build walkable housing and development that has been welcomed by the community. They also heard from local leaders who organized “Build a Better SLO,” a civic speaker series created to educate residents, businesses and city staff around smart growth ideas, and shift public attitudes on change.
The findings from the trip will help shape Marin’s Economic Vitality Strategic Plan, which will get underway in spring 2026 and include Marin-wide branding, an outline for more regional collaboration, and state and federal advocacy for economic development. It will be the first such plan for the County of Marin since Marin Economic Forum’s 2022 study. The forum ceased operations earlier this year.
The idea for the learning exchange came from Colbert in conversation with County Executive Derek Johnson, who had spent 11 years as San Luis Obispo’s City Manager prior to joining the County of Marin in spring 2024. Both wanted to understand the successes of a regional economic plan called REACH 2030+. Started five years ago, REACH was set up to create 15,000 jobs across six Central Coast counties, undertake the region’s first Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS), and transform the area into a hub of innovation, housing opportunity, and collaboration. The Marin group had an opportunity to hear directly from REACH’s leaders.
“At its heart, the SLO Learning Exchange resonated because it embodied a simple truth: curiosity leads to understanding,” Colbert said. “By asking thoughtful questions and engaging openly, we discovered not just what makes San Luis Obispo thrive, but what’s possible for Marin when we listen, learn, and adapt.”
The Economic Vitality initiative was established by the Office of the County Executive in 2024 to strengthen and sustain a diverse, inclusive, and thriving economy in Marin. Guided by the County’s commitment to fostering healthy, safe, sustainable, and equitable communities, the division works to ensure that businesses and residents alike have the tools and opportunities they need to thrive.