Agriculture Today - March 2007

FCFB is part of Fresno County’s One Voice trip to Washington, D.C.

FCFB President Russel Efird and Executive Director Ryan Jacobsen were in Washington, D. C. last month as part of the Fresno County Council of Government’s One Voice Program, advocating for resources for major infrastructure projects to benefit the county.

The cold weather did not deter the group, who pushed for federal funding for such projects as a transportation bridge over Arroyo Pasajero Creek near Huron, the widening of Friant Road, a vocational education center on the west side, completion of a Mendota federal prison and Fresno Yosemite International Airport’s designation as a port of entry. In addition to the FCFB representatives, the One Voice delegation included elected officials from the cities of Kerman, Clovis, Fresno, Kingsburg, Sanger, Fowler, Selma, Reedley and Firebaugh, County Supervisors, and representatives from the Greater Fresno Area Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development Corp, Building Industry Association, Fresno Business Council, Fresno Yosemite International Airport, Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District, I-5 Business Development Corridor, Inc. and major businesses in Fresno.

The One Voice program is designed for local officials and business leaders to collaborate on advocating for a single list of projects and activities to benefit the county. Elected officials from the County and representing cities, as well as business representatives, attended the week-long effort.