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Inventory of the Records of the Department of Economic and Business Development
R279
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Title: Department of Economic and Business Development records
Dates: 1978-1984
Collection number: R279
Creator:
Department of Economic and Business Development
Extent:
20 cubic feet
Repository:
California State Archives
Sacramento, California
Abstract: The records of the Department of Economic and Business Development document California's efforts to promote economic development,
provide service to visitors, and assist California and foreign businesses active in international trade. This record group
contains 20 cubic feet of textual records covering the period 1978-1984 and includes sixteen record series. While the department
had several offices during these years, only the records pertaining to bill files, the Director's Office, the Office of International
Trade (OIT), and the Office of Small Business Development (OSBD) were transferred to the State Archives.
Physical location: California State Archives
Language:
English
While the majority of the records are open for research, any access restrictions are noted in the record series descriptions.
For permission to reproduce or publish, please consult California State Archives staff. Permission for reproduction or publication
is given on behalf of the California State Archives, Office of the Secretary of State, Sacramento, as the owner of the physical
items. The researcher assumes all responsibility for possible infringement that may arise from reproduction or publication
of materials from the California State Archives' collections.
[Identification of item], Department of Economic and Business Development Records, R279.[series number], [box and folder number],
California State Archives, Office of the Secretary of State, Sacramento, California.
The California State Archives acquired the records of the Department of Economic and Business Development per state law.
Originally established in 1969, the Department of Commerce was responsible for encouraging economic expansion in California.
Funds for the Department of Commerce ceased after June 30, 1975, whereupon the department terminated operations. Two years
later, in 1977, the State of California enacted legislation to create the Department of Economic and Business Development
within the Business and Transportation Agency, essentially resurrecting the old Department of Commerce (Statutes of 1977,
Chapter 345). It was to be the primary state agency responsible for promoting economic growth in California by evaluating
government policy, conducting studies on business and industry, and providing information to visitors and foreign business
representatives. The work of the department was initially divided into five offices: (1) Economic Planning, Policy, and Research,
(2) Local Economic Development, (3) Business and Industrial Development, (4) Visitor Services, and (5) International Trade
(Statutes of 1977, Chapter 345). Soon after, the Office of Small Business Development was added to the department (Statutes
of 1977, Chapter 924).
The first director of the Office of International Trade (OIT) was Richard King, who served from the office's effective date
January 1, 1978 through November 1979. Floyd Mori then served as director through the early part of 1982, when the California
State World Trade Commission was created within the Governor's Office to absorb the duties of the OIT (Statutes of 1982, Chapter
1526). The primary goals of the OIT were to publish an international trade directory, encourage product exportation from
California, and respond to inquiries from business in relation to international trade activities. Its program areas included
business advocacy, data gathering, legislation and policy formation, counseling, and overseas promotion.
The Office of Small Business Development (OSBD) was created for the purpose of aiding small business in the private sector.
This goal was carried out through many programs, including guarantee loans, business assistance, buyouts, and surety bonding.
Clarence Williams served as Executive Director through December 1982, and Oscar Wright served in this position from May 1983
through September 1984.
The Office of Business and Industrial Development was to act as an ombudsman between business and state government, assist
in the expansion of California business, and advise the Governor as well as the Secretary of the Business and Transportation
Agency. The Office of Economic Planning, Policy, and Research was responsible for publishing statistical information relevant
to industry, commerce, and agriculture. It was also tasked with preparing studies on the potential economic impacts of various
businesses, and responding to inquiries regarding the economic conditions of the state. The Office of Local Economic Development
administered business financing programs and offered technical assistance to local economic development organizations. The
Office of Visitor Services was responsible for distributing information related to tourism.
In 1984, the Department of Economic and Business Development was renamed the Department of Commerce (Statutes of 1984, Chapter
449).
The records of the Department of Economic and Business Development document California's efforts to promote economic development,
provide service to visitors, and assist California and foreign businesses active in international trade. This record group
contains 20 cubic feet of textual records covering the period 1978-1984 and includes sixteen record series. While the department
had several offices during these years, only the records pertaining to bill files, the Director's Office, the Office of International
Trade (OIT), and the Office of Small Business Development (OSBD) were transferred to the State Archives. Thus, the records
of the department are divided into three subgroups, with each being further divided into several series. The two cubic feet
of bill files document the legislation of interest to the department. The records of the OIT contain roughly twelve cubic
feet of chronological correspondence, solar energy files, speeches, governor's conference files, office files, the general
advisory council files, the Japan-California economic advisory council files, the agricultural advisory council files, topical
correspondence, and subject files. The records of the OSBD contain approximately five cubic feet of legal opinions, correspondence,
reports, and corporation files.
The Office of International Trade files contain ten series. The majority of these series date from 1978-1982, with the largest
series being the subject files. The chronological correspondence contains the outgoing correspondence from the director's
office. The solar energy files document Director King's advocacy of the solar energy industry both within developing nations,
as well as within California itself. Significant topics include Proposition 7 (1980) and the SolarCal Office (later called
Solar Business Office). The speech files document the speeches that were given by the director of the Office of International
Trade (OIT). Director King gave all but one of the eighty-eight speeches. Significant speech topics include the investment
climate in Mexico, the impact of multilateral trade negotiations on California, and the risks and rewards of trade with China.
The governor's conferences files pertain to those conferences where international trade was a significant topic, and thus
the input and/or presence of the director of the OIT was needed. Notable topics include the Governor's Roundtable on International
Trade, the National Governor's Association, and the Western Governor's Conferences. The office files pertain to the basic
organization and running of the OIT. Topics include goals and objectives, publicity, and staff meetings. The General Advisory
Council, the Japan-California Economic Advisory Council, and the Agricultural Advisory Council were private sector groups
consisting of international business leaders established to assist the Office of International Trade. The second correspondence
series within the subgroup of OIT is topically based and includes letters that are both incoming and outgoing. Significant
topics of correspondence include Canada, the Governor's office, out-of-state, and overseas. The subject files contain numerous
topics of interest to the OIT and include such subjects as agriculture, banks, coal exports, trade associations, chambers
of commerce, the International Trade Commission, legislation (federal and state), ports, and the wine industry.
The Office of Small Business Development files contain four series, the largest of which is the correspondence series (1980-1985).
The legal opinions file contains reports, studies, and legal analysis regarding proposed legislation relevant to OSBD. The
correspondence files include intra-office and intra-agency letters, minutes, and reports. The reports contain internal monthly
reports of both a fiscal and operational nature. Notable report topics include OSBD Budget, Grant/Loan Fund, Corporation
Summary, Conference Calendar, Legislation, and OSBD Activity. The corporation files primarily contain correspondence between
OSBD and the business development corporations with whom they partnered, as well as the corporations' annual report submitted
to the OSBD.
Notes to the researcher:
The researcher should note that, while the date of creation for this agency is from 1978 to 1984, the approximate dates of
record-keeping are from 1970 to 1987.
As outlined in the Agency History, the Department of Commerce was the predecessor agency to the Department of Economic and
Business Development. Later, the agency would be renamed the Department of Commerce. While these are considered separate
agencies, there may be overlapping records, especially from the period of 1975 to 1985. The researcher is strongly encouraged
to review the finding aids and records of both agencies.
No further accruals are expected.
California. Dept. of Economic and Business Development
California. Office of International Trade
California. Office of Small Business Development
Economic development
California Commerce