Babies and Local Economics

Big news from the Economic Development team: we've expanded with two new adorable additions to our division! We're thrilled to welcome Magnolia Farah Miers-Harrison, born to Economic Development Director Neal Harrison and his wife Rachel Miers, and Tessa Ruby Hurley, born to Economic Development Coordinator Brendan Hurley and his wife Kelli Lampkin. Congratulations, Neal and Brendan! These newest "team members" join the ranks alongside Brendan's 20-month old Teal and six-year old Marley Owen and her mom, Economic Development Coordinator Jennifer Owen.

While they might be a few years away from conducting economic impact analyses or crafting new policies, the team's new arrivals have sparked some interesting conversations about Napa's demographic trends and their implications for our local economy.

Despite our office's exciting growth, broader demographic patterns show a significant decline in labor force growth since the early 1980s, with both birth rates and net immigration rates showing sustained downward trajectories. Looking ahead, projections through 2060 present a challenging outlook - while the broader Bay Area is expected to grow by 8.2% from 2020 levels, Napa's population is projected to decrease by nearly 10%.

That's why understanding these demographic trends will be critical to implementing effective policies for Napa's economic future. And with our diversely equipped team, we're ready to tackle these challenges head on!

Our Economic Development Director Neal Harrison draws from extensive experience with accelerators, startups and international business development to facilitate connections and engage relevant stakeholders, driving collaborative solutions that meet broader community needs across all areas of Economic Development.

Economic Development Coordinator Brendan Hurley, who holds a master's degree in urban planning, applies his analytical mindset and research expertise to develop strategic policy that creates sustainable, economically vibrant cities. In addition to leading the RiverLine project, Brendan made significant contributions to the City's General Plan, which recently received State and Regional awards from the American Planning Association, giving him keen insight into the City's overall vision.

Economic Development Coordinator Jennifer Owen brings valuable private sector experience to the table, having worked in a diverse range of industries including food and beverage, hospitality, communications and more. These experiences, coupled with being a local government "outsider," give Jennifer an insider's understanding of the challenges faced by Napa's small businesses, enabling her to develop innovative, outside-the-box strategies that drive Napa's economic growth - like pioneering Napa Makes initiatives.

While our team's personal growth may not single-handedly solve Napa's demographic challenges, it has certainly given us renewed perspective on what it means to foster a community that attracts and retains families. Whether it's improving regional transportation connections, developing workforce housing strategies, or creating family-friendly programs, our (slightly larger) team remains committed to shaping a vibrant economic future for Napa.

Congratulations again to Neal and Brendan on their newest family members!