KPBS Evening Edition

5 North County Cities Join Forces To Boost Region's Economy

By Dwane Brown / KPBS Evening Edition Anchor/Reporter

Published April 7, 2015 at 3:42 PM PDT

This story was published more than 9 years ago.

Leaders from five North County cities launched a campaign on Tuesday to collectively promote the Highway 78 corridor as a magnet for jobs and investment.

The campaign "Innovate 78," which was launched by Escondido, Carlsbad, Oceanside, San Marcos and Vista, hopes to send a message that North County is a place to do business.

San Marcos Mayor Jim Desmond is one of the leaders behind the effort.

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"What we found out is businesses are attracted to talent," Desmond said. "If we can make this also a talent corridor then the businesses will follow."

The initiative includes a new website that will serve as a resource for the cities and promote the region’s more than 20,000 businesses and more than 200,000 employees at those businesses.

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Dwane Brown

Brown started his career with KPBS in the early '90s as a radio anchor and reporter before expanding his broadcast news experience at CBS radio and television in New York. He’s been a news director, anchor, reporter and correspondent in San Francisco and has worked as a writer, producer, assignment editor and talk show host. He returned to KPBS in 2005. As the former anchor for KPBS Evening Edition, Brown provided an in-depth look at issues and stories relevant to San Diego. He spent nearly seven years as anchor/host of Morning Edition on KPBS Radio. Between 2006 and 2010, the San Diego Press Club named Brown "Best Morning Newscaster" in San Diego Radio. In 2006, the Society of Professional Journalists also named him "Best Morning Newscaster." During that time he managed and taught a two-week high school boot camp for aspiring radio reporters at KPBS in conjunction with the California Chicano News Media Association. Brown studied English/Journalism at San Diego State University and is a Fast Trac graduate from UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business. He’s a popular public speaker and Toastmaster International member. He’s been master of ceremonies for the American Red Cross, VA Medical Center San Diego, Urban League, San Diego Office of Emergency Services and numerous foundations. Brown is also a voice actor for movie, documentary, television, radio and Internet projects.

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