Letter from the Mayor

On behalf of the city of Fresno, I am proud to say that our city has played a key role in supporting Fresno’s local business community, by recognizing that the businesses that are already located here have the greatest impact on our local economy. Our economic development efforts at City Hall have been focused on what is going to grow our local economy, provide more jobs over time and support the local businesses that we believe are our greatest asset.

Over the past four years we have made a number of great accomplishments, many of which have been made possible by the support of the Fresno Chamber of Commerce. Early on, the city adopted an ordinance that provides local small businesses with additional contract opportunities related to city purchasing. As a result, the city has dramatically increased the products and services it purchases from our local businesses. We have also made it easier for consumers to choose local businesses, having released our third edition of Eat, Play, Shop, Fresno last November, a directory of more than 1,600 locally owned restaurants, retailers and entertainment venues for people to choose from.

Our efforts to assist our export-oriented companies have expanded dramatically over the past two years through the Fresno Food Expo; a regional food show that allows locally owned and headquartered food producers and growers to exhibit their products to real industry food buyers. The Fresno Food Expo has served as a catalyst for many local food manufacturers, some of which now have their own facility due to the exposure they received at the Fresno Food Expo. Others have increased sales by as much as 30 percent.

Our region is rich with thriving food producers and now it’s our turn to tell our story. In May, we launched www.fresnofood.org, a first-class website used to attract food producing companies looking to relocate or expand because we are the nation’s premier location for food production and food related companies.

It is through these efforts and with the continued support of the Fresno Chamber and their members that we will continue to grow our local economy and provide a great place for our local business community.

Sincerely,
Ashley Swearengin, Mayor

IMMEDIATE ROI EXCLUSIVE TO
2013 PUBLICATION ADVERTISERS

Table Mountain Casino
www.tmcasino.com

Boy Scouts of America
www.seqbsa.org

Fresno Lexus
www.fresnolexus.com

Peoples Church
www.peopleschurch.org


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