A Vibrant City of Cultivated Growth and Community

Embracing Diversity, Innovation, and Sustainable Development

 

Fairfield, California is a city that pulsates with an undeniable energy. Its regional presence is defined by its dynamic growth and surging economic strength.

Determined to give its residents what is on their wishlist, and ensure that the city meets its commercial potential, civic officials are busy implementing core initiatives that lead to a solid fiscal path forward.

The city is bolstering its commercial core, with several new restaurants and businesses opening downtown in the past year, reflecting a thriving local economy.

However, it’s not just new businesses that are responsible for stimulating the city’s economy.

The continued investment from anchor businesses, such as AB InBev, which recently completed energy efficiency upgrades at its 50-year-old brewery, and Jelly Belly Candy, whose new ownership is committed to its Fairfield facility, demonstrates a deep-seated economic stability.

Additionally, thanks to supporting organizations like the Visit Fairfield and the Fairfield-Suisun Chamber of Commerce, the city has identified itself as the ideal destination for both expanding businesses and sightseeing tourists alike.

Businesses looking for systemic support should look no further than Fairfield, thanks to its new business retention program, supported by a coalition of local economic powerhouses.

And even developers have considerations being made for them in the form of the city’s recently rolled out Fairfield Build initiative.

Overall, it’s clear that Fairfield, California, is masterfully deploying a wide breadth of pioneering strategies that have transformed its convenient location and operational efficiency into a model of sustained economic prosperity.

For prospective businesses and residents, the question couldn’t be any clearer: who wouldn’t want to be a part of this city’s remarkable trajectory?

Community Investments as a Foundation for Growth

Fairfield, California, embodies a palpable sense of community where diversity is celebrated, and continuous improvement is a way of life.

This dynamism is vividly reflected in Fairfield’s wide array of events and festivals, which serve as gathering points for its proud residents.

Key events like the historic Tomato and Vine Festival and the increasingly popular Blues, Brews, and Barbecue event consistently draw large crowds.

Additionally, cherished national holiday events like the Veterans Day and July 4th parades serve to foster a strong sense of unity among residents.

“If there’s one word that could describe Fairfield right now, it’s energetic. There’s been a lot of positive energy and movement here in the last year… It’s really a community that prides itself on coming together through its diversity,” says Director of Community and Economic Development Dave Zellers.

Fairfield’s key events primarily take place downtown, an area that has seen substantial city investment and is now thriving with new businesses, serving as the heart of the community.

Thanks to that rise in activity, Fairfield is keenly focused on enhancing its visibility and appeal to the outside world with a forward-thinking approach to promotion.

A noteworthy initiative includes the production of a small broadcast media piece set to be released on PBS, highlighting the city’s story to a broader audience.

“Our communications team is excellent and has the in-house capacity to make video productions; it makes a huge difference,” Zellers says, expressing how he and other members of the Fairfield leadership team want to continue to push forward in that area, as it provides a significant advantage in crafting compelling narratives.

Beyond traditional and digital media, Fairfield is expanding its presence in crucial business attraction efforts.

However, the challenge, as articulated by Director Zellers, lies not in a lack of opportunity but in effectively capturing attention and conveying the full scope of the city’s dynamic story to potential investors and new residents.

So, the city is actively working with organizations like Team California to ensure consistent participation in trade shows that can help position itself as an attractive destination for businesses.

To complement these efforts, Fairfield is leveraging its abundant industrial and commercial space, as well as ongoing housing construction, to present itself as a fertile ground for growth.

“We adopted our new General Plan at the end of the last calendar year,” Zellers begins, referring to the city’s ambitious commitment to infrastructure development and long-term planning, setting an ambitious time horizon stretching to 2050.

“The implementation of that begins in earnest with zoning updates to better identify areas for priority development,” Zellers says.

The focus lies on enhancing the livability and appeal for both businesses and residents. Currently, Fairfield is on the cusp of completing Phase One of its downtown streetscape revitalization.

This initiative is complemented by an upcoming project set to commence this summer, focusing on creating a more walkable and safer corridor that connects Interstate 80 directly to the bustling downtown area.

Bolstering Economic Development, Quality of Life, and Private Sector Partnerships

Fairfield is very mindful of best planning practices, including the “complete streets” philosophy, which prioritizes safety and accessibility for all modes of transport.

“We’re working closely with our partner organizations here in the county, as well as our neighbors in Suisun City, on transit-oriented development opportunities between our two downtowns, which are very close to each other and share a common Amtrak station,” Zellers explains.

These efforts aim to make daily life easier and more convenient for residents, recognizing that walkability, safety, and ease of transit are highly sought-after qualities.

However, beyond that, Fairfield is also investing in its character and aesthetics through initiatives like a recently completed mural project along its linear trail, recognizing that a commitment to public art is essential for creating the unique “sense of place” and vibrant community spirit that people actively seek to be a part of.

On the economic side, Fairfield’s landscape is experiencing an exciting period of expansion.

“We’ve seen over half a dozen new restaurants open downtown in the past 12 months, and what’s cool about that is that they’re all different types of cuisine,” Zellers says.

This influx signifies a vibrant, expanding commercial sector, and beyond new eateries, the city boasts established, globally recognized anchor businesses that continue to invest heavily in their Fairfield operations.

“Anheuser Busch, or I should say AB InBev, just completed more energy efficiency investments in their brewery, which is really great. I had the chance to tour it last summer, and it was an incredible operation. We also have Jelly Belly Candy; their new ownership is excited to continue investing in the facility here because they recognize that we have a tremendous workforce capacity in food production and confections. So, it’s great to know that that’s something that we can lean on as we try to attract new businesses here as well,” Zellers expresses.

A significant recent addition to Fairfield’s financial landscape is the new headquarters of Valley Strong Credit Union.

This substantial investment not only signals strong confidence in Fairfield as a prime location but also elevates the community’s profile. It clearly shows that Fairfield’s economic outlook is positive and brimming with potential.

To further support this new influx of business, Fairfield is proactively enhancing its business support infrastructure through a new, partnership-driven business retention program.

This initiative, championed by a newly appointed economic development manager, aims to create a unified approach to supporting local businesses.

Collaborating with key regional partners, including the Solano County Economic Development Corporation, the Workforce Development Board of Solano County, the Small Business Development Center for Napa and Solano counties, the local Chamber of Commerce, and community colleges, Fairfield is building a formidable coalition.

“So, when we go out and meet with these businesses, it’s one visit and they see really a cadre of organizations that are there to first and foremost listen to what their needs are and then be able to provide that exceptional level of follow-up,” Zellers clarifies.

Vision for a Resilient and Prosperous Future

In terms of incentives, the city is actively exploring tax incentives for incoming businesses and collaborates with the county economic development corporation to promote its small business loan program, which has already made a positive impact on smaller enterprises.

However, like many cities, Fairfield faces the pervasive challenge of economic uncertainty, particularly concerning the cost and availability of labor and materials for construction.

A major step in this direction is the recent rollout of Fairfield Build, a new permitting and planning software.

This online portal will allow projects to track their progress, ensuring predictable review times and providing developers and investors with greater clarity, thereby alleviating some of the anxieties associated with fluctuating supply costs and market volatility.

“We can’t change macroeconomic trends, but what we can do is create more certainty in our development processes and timelines so that they can move quicker through what we need to do to secure the labor, materials, and services we need to get those construction projects underway,” Zellers says.

Overall, the long-term vision centers on how Fairfield, with its ample room for growth within city limits and a prime Bay Area location, can maximize its benefits from statewide dynamism.

This includes leveraging the region’s strong research and development sector, as well as the influx of next-generation technologies.

By attending conferences at institutions like the NASA research center, Fairfield is increasing its understanding of California as a state with an unparalleled workforce, tools, and partnerships for companies seeking to innovate and imagine the future.

The city’s role, therefore, is to act as a crucial connector, linking businesses to these invaluable resources and fostering strategic partnerships, even unconventional ones.

The commitment to such collaborative endeavors is expected to unlock unprecedented opportunities for both existing businesses and those looking to relocate to Fairfield.

As Fairfield continues to execute its General Plan, it will ultimately create more dedicated space for city growth and diversify the local economy.

So it’s clear that Fairfield stands at the precipice of a time of renewed opportunity, confident in its strategic location, existing assets, and inherently growth-minded approach.

The city will undoubtedly be able to sustain a new level of vibrancy for many years to come. This future is not just about development for its own sake, but about fostering unseen opportunities that will lead to the greatest benefits, moving towards horizons of lasting prosperity.

AT A GLANCE

Who: The City of Fairfield, California

What: A vibrant and forward-looking city guided by a strong commitment to sustainable development, inclusive growth, and economic resilience.

Where: Located in the County seat of Solano County, California in the North Bay region of the San Francisco Bay metropolitan area

Website: www.fairfield.ca.gov