ELK GROVE, CA (MPG) - The Elk Grove Chamber of Commerce hosted its Economic Outlook 2025 event Aug. 12 at District56, drawing local entrepreneurs and city officials to hear from leaders in economic development.

Speakers included Dr. Ed Bush, president of Cosumnes River College; Darrell Doan, Elk Grove’s economic development director; and Kelly Brothers, a former KCRA news anchor and now principal and financial advisor at CAPTRUST.

Brothers, a lifelong Sacramento resident, spent 30 years in broadcast journalism with KCRA 3 and KFBK before moving into financial advising. He offered insight to help attendees better understand global markets and personal finance in the current economic state. 

Bush opened the program with a presentation focusing on equitable economic development and community empowerment. He outlined hidden disparities, wealth-building pathways and entrepreneurial solutions as key reasons equity matters in Elk Grove’s economy.

 

Cosumnes River College President Dr. Edward Bush was the first to present at the Economic Outlook 2025 event, hosted by Elk Grove Chamber of Commerce, on Aug. 12 about equitable economic development and community empowerment. 

“The time for action is now,” Bush said, adding that the city is currently in a position where it can establish a vision of shared prosperity that benefits all residents.

He emphasized that closing the racial income gap strengthens the economy, fosters innovation and builds social cohesion. Citing U.S. Census American Community Survey data from 2019-23, Bush shared that Elk Grove’s population is diverse with 65% People of Color (including Asian, Black, multiracial, Pacific Islander, Native American, and other races) making up the city’s total population.

The city’s median household income is $122,229, homeownership rate is 73.9%, poverty rate is 5.5% (below national and county averages) and 39.6% of residents hold a bachelor’s degree. While these figures indicate strong economic health, Bush said opportunities remain to ensure prosperity is shared equitably.

He recommended data-driven approaches such as measuring equity goals, fostering culturally affirming entrepreneurship and promoting community integration through business fairs integrated with cultural events.

Doan followed with an overview of Invest Elk Grove, the city’s economic development office, and an outlook on current market generalized trends. The office’s mission is to promote an innovative, inclusive and resilient economy for the city. It achieves this through partnerships, business retention and attraction, and focusing in on growth in the visitor and arts economies.

Its services include small-business navigation, permit expediting and workforce development programs such as Startup Elk Grove, the Brewery, Restaurant and Winery Program, and the State and Federal Office Incentive Program.

Recent accomplishments of the economic development office include fully-funded workforce training for residents in technology and manufacturing, transitioning to on-demand business services, expanding the Tourism Marketing District and completing the Railroad Street redevelopment project. Doan explained that there are a few upcoming plans in the working, such as the Elk Grove Auto Mall re-envisioning to boost sales tax growth and launching a new incentive program to help Main Street businesses.

 

Kelly Brothers, a former KCRA news anchor and now principal and financial advisor at CAPTRUST, was the keynote speaker at the Economic Outlook 2025 on Aug. 12 at District 56. 

Brothers closed the event with a market overview that he described as a “five-year emotional rollercoaster.” He reviewed recent geopolitical crises and their impacts on markets such as inflation and interest rates.

Using historical data and charts, Brothers emphasized that volatility is normal, noting the S&P 500’s 34% intra-year drop in 2020 before finishing the year with a 16% gain. He urged investors present at the event to build strategies that can withstand different market environments and remain disciplined during downturns.

Brothers also addressed common client concerns, including asset protection, avoiding financial burden on children, tax strategies and investment approaches.

Overall, the 2025 Economic Outlook event offered entrepreneurs, investors and city officials a glimpse into Elk Grove’s economic future while providing strategic insights on how to navigate it successfully.