Sid White

Sid White has worked in public and private sector economic development for more than 36 years throughout the United States.

Sid started his career in the Northeast directing economic development activities for the Troy Urban Renewal Agency and the City of Troy, New York. There, he designed and managed programs to redevelop the City’s historic downtown, and implemented a major downtown Capital Improvement Program to stimulate private investment in the local economy. He also formed a Local Industrial Development Authority and served as Secretary/Treasurer providing financing for the first university-based business incubator in the United States. Redevelopment of Troy’s “Historic District” downtown received the New York State Main Street Award in 1984.

In 1984, Sid began working in Santa Monica as a project manager for the City’s Redevelopment Agency. In this capacity, he implemented the Ocean Park Project, a major beachfront residential and public recreation area and worked on the Third Street Mall Specific Plan and created a financing plan for its $16 million Capital Improvement Program.

Sid also spent significant time in the private sector. While a partner with Economic Research Associates, he managed a community and economic development practice with specific expertise in feasibility and financial analyses, for business developments, hotels, tourism and public assembly facilities. His “ERA” projects ranged from boutique market analyses for small community business parks to investor risk analyses for the Portland Trailblazers sports arena complex.

Back to the public sector, Sid was Economic Development Manager at the Community Development Commission of Los Angeles County. There he managed four Redevelopment Project Areas, several neighborhood improvement programs and worked with Chambers of Commerce and local Merchant Associations. He also provided financial and feasibility analyses for various projects throughout Los Angeles County including a network of business incubators.

As Economic Development Manager for the City of Ventura, Sid authored and was responsible for overseeing the City’s Five-Year Economic Development Strategy. The strategy encompassed six focus areas for capital improvements and business development such as the Downtown, the Auto Center, and developing the New Economy. Managing the Redevelopment Agency he developed projects such as the WAV(Working Artist Ventura) and Ventura County’s only High Tech Business Incubator. He also managed a robust business assistance/retention program, a revolving loan program, and the City’s Community Development Block Grant and Affordable Housing Programs.