VCEDA has created TRIAD: The Consortium for National Defense, Security and Disaster Preparedness (TRIAD) to facilitate the coordination of the military, public and private sectors of the region’s economy. The goal of Triad is to enhance and strengthen the economic vitality of Naval Base Ventura County (NBVC) and the region and, in the process, establish Ventura County as a center for military and commercial technological innovation, particularly in the areas of workforce development, national security and disaster preparedness.

Since the conclusion of Base Realignment And Closure 2005 (BRAC), VCEDA has had many conversations with the various organizations at NBVC. These discussions have focused on a number of central themes:

• The need to identify and engage more regional private sector businesses in the work at NBVC.
• The need to develop better mechanisms and processes for the transfer of technology between the military and private sector.
• The need to more proactively promote NBVC among the private sector and community at large.
• The need to meet demands to increase efficiency of NBVC operations.
• The need to address the concerns about an aging workforce on the NBVC.
• The need to promote and facilitate new missions for NBVC.
• The desire to attract new domestic and foreign customers for NBVC and regional private firms.

TRIAD will develop specific programs to enhance the future economic development of the military, public and private sectors (triad) in the region.

The War on Terror, 9/11 and Katrina have heightened awareness of the need to more efficiently and effectively prevent, plan for, respond to and recover from natural and manmade disasters. New technologies, systems and procedures must be developed. A new skilled workforce must be trained. New relationships between federal, state and local responders must be forged. The role the military will play in times of disaster must be examined and redefined. Triad’s mission will also include involving private businesses in the process of strengthening homeland security and disaster preparedness around the county, including our harbor, and enhancing the ability of our public safety teams to respond to disasters – be they manmade or natural.

VCEDA is well positioned to provide the leadership for this new economic and workforce development organization. VCEDA has a growing and engaged Board of Directors focused on its mission of regional economic and workforce development. Through its efforts in BRAC 1995 and 2005, VCEDA demonstrated the ability to effectively mobilize the public and private sectors. VCEDA has a demonstrated ability to manage the fiscal and organizational operations of a separate entity under its umbrella. Triad will enhance VCEDA influence and strengthen its economic development mission for its members and Ventura County.

TRIAD will be a “Win-Win-Win” for the Navy, local government, private industry, and the citizens of the entire region.