CEPCO’s Mission
The primary goal of CEPCO is to create new jobs and new wealth for the Chico Community by aiding in the retention and expansion of existing businesses, providing local residents employment, and attracting new businesses to the area.
We believe that economic development is one of our most important community services, and a crucial function that provides the kind of boost that keeps our economy strong and allows us to maintain a high quality of life.
CEPCO works with other visionary business and community leaders, including the City of Chico, Greater Chico Chamber of Commerce, Butte Community College, CSU, Chico, Tri-County Economic Development Corporation, and Butte County Economic Development Corporation, to accomplish these goals.
CEPCO’s principal governing body is our Board of Directors (see below). Download recent Board of Directors agenda packets to keep track of CEPCO’s major initiatives and community interaction as we bring economic development issues in our community to the forefront of public awareness.
Recent Board of Directors minutes & agendas: January 2011 — March 2011 – August 2011
Contact
Phone: (530) 895-1202
Email: bob@wemanage.org
Mailing: 555 Main St. Suite 400
Physical: 300 Salem St.
Chico, California 95928
Board of Directors
History
The Chico Economic Planning Corporation (CEPCO) was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation on July 30th, 1985. As stated in the original articles of incorporation, CEPCO sought to “provide for a substantial improvement in the economic wellbeing of the Greater Chico Area or Butte County… to provide area residents employment through added commerce and industry; to assist existing local business and to encourage their retention and local expansion; to provide a vehicle which will enable the planned organized growth of the Greater Chico Area of Butte County… to provide greater employment opportunities to those who may become displaced by enforced layoffs of business closures; to bring into the area selected new and diversified commerce and industry, including small business concerns, and to reduce unemployment.”
From its inception, CEPCO has maintained a non-partisan identity. The original articles of incorporation put it very clearly: “the corporation shall not participate or intervene in any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office.” CEPCO’s mission to enhance economic opportunities and quality of life in Chico is not bound by partisan politics. We are proud to maintain this tradition today.
Our original two-fold Statement of Purpose rings true even almost 30 years later:
- To retain existing employment in the Greater Chico Area; and
- Through direct marketing, to create diversified, stable new employment in the Greater Chico Area, which is compatible with the community’s unique quality of life.
While today’s market requires focusing our efforts in areas scarcely developed back in 1985 such as technology and innovation, the core values and goals remain the same. CEPCO will continue striving to improve the job market in our area to enhance the quality of life those in Chico have come to know and love.
CEPCO Founding Members List – 1985
These are the people and organizations who originally dedicated themselves to enhancing the economic climate of Chico for job creation and retention. Their legacy lives on in today’s initiatives and goals. The names have changed, but the commitment remains. Thank you to our founders!
- Doug Guillon (President): Ingram Realty (Guillon Brouhard Real Estate)
- Howard Isom (Vice President): Matson & Isom
- Carolyn J. Johnson (Secretary): Spectra Marketing
- Donald R. Wallich (CFO): Bank of America
- Michael Orr: Sacramento Savings & Loan
- Howard Collins: Chico Chamber of Commerce
- Joy Kimball: Anderson & Associates
- Craig Alger: Acme Personnel
- Robert Fortino: The Safor Corporation
- Dave Jeffries: Drake Holmes
- Bruce Norlie: Norfield Industries
- Richard S. Matson: Marshall, Burghardt & Matson
- Douglas Parker: Community Hospital
- Syl Lucera: Collier Hardware
- Bob Foster: Duke’s Cork and Bottle
- Georige Bellin: Fran Shelton & Associates
- Scott Chalmers: RSC Associates
- Duane Abbott: Lindo, Hanna & Abbott (Interwest Insurance Services)
- Robin Wilson, President: CSU Chico
- Jim Sweeney: N.T. Enloe Hospital (now Enloe Medical Center)
- Frank Mertz: KPAY Radio
- Judy Katz: Italian Cottage
- Ed Anderson: Rolls, Anderson and Rolls
