Ag Econ Expert To Discuss How Region Can Literally Grow Its Economy

CAMARILLO, Calif. - Jan. 18, 2016 - PRLog -- Food processing in Ventura County is two-thirds lower in employment concentration than the California average, despite its extraordinary value and diversity of crops grown. The Economic Development Collaborative-Ventura County will unveil results of a comprehensive study related to the role of agriculture in the regional economy and possible solutions on how to strengthen it with “Growing Strong: Ventura County’s Ag Economy” at its 19^th Annual Meeting from 3-7 p.m., Jan. 21 at Spanish Hills Country Club, 999 Crestview Ave., Camarillo.

As keynote speaker, Lon Hatamiya, president and CEO of The Hatamiya Group in Davis, CA, will share his insights on EDC-VC’s recently completed feasibility study “Food Processing in Ventura County” that The Hatamiya Group conducted in partnership with Applied Development Economics, Inc.

“Based on the feasibility study, ag processing could be a powerful economic driver for our county,” said Bruce Stenslie, EDC-VC president/CEO. “Lon is a specialist in regional economic analysis and former administrator of the Agricultural Marketing Service of the USDA, so he sees the long view and can communicate food processing’s possible benefits and challenges in ways that everyone can understand.”

In addition to economic analysis, Hatamiya specializes in litigation support, political economy, international business transactions, banking, government, transportation, entertainment and sports and public infrastructure finance. He assists businesses and public agencies in analyzing existing and proposed government policies, developing sound policy alternatives and communicating the results to decision-makers.

Hatamiya graduated from Harvard University with a bachelor’s degree in economics and received his MBA from the Anderson Graduate School of Management at UCLA. He received his law degree from the UCLA School of Law, and serves as a lecturer at the University of California at Davis School of Law. Hatamiya also served from 1999 through 2003 as secretary of the California Technology, Trade and Commerce Agency, then the state’s primary promoter of economic development, job creation and business retention efforts.

Cost to attend the EDC-VC Annual Meeting is $75, and dinner is included. For reservations or information, call 805-384-1800, ext. 21.

EDC-VC is a private, nonprofit organization that serves as a business-to-government liaison to assist businesses in Ventura County by offering programs that enhance the economic vitality of the region. For more information about the services available to small businesses through EDC-VC, contact Stenslie at 805-384-1800, ext. 21 or bruce.stenslie@edc-vc.com. Or visit www.edc-vc.com.