As part of an aggressive effort to attract more big companies to the Tri-Valley, business leaders outlined a plan this week to raise the area's profile in the Bay Area and build more awareness of it as a destination for corporations looking to grow.

It's the first time the area, based around the cities of Pleasanton, Livermore, Dublin, San Ramon and Danville, has outlined such an initiative.

"I love it because it will inspire larger companies to come here and make it their home," said Brad Kinney, owner of Brad Kinney Productions. "I think this plan is a real rallying point we can all get behind."

As part of the effort, a committee of business leaders plans to create a marketing program embracing all the area's separate cities; take advantage of incubators to help startup businesses; and put together a "one-stop" package to make it easier for businesses to get permits and deal with utilities, as well as offering them financial incentives.

The area is already home to giant companies, including Pleasanton-based Safeway and San Ramon-based Chevron, but is looking to attract more as well as fast-growing firms.

Marty Beard, president of Sybase 360 and part of the committee steering the plan, believes the area is particularly good for "small technology companies ramping up to become something bigger."

Currently, the Tri-Valley has about 800 tech companies, including many seeing sales growth of 20 percent or more a year.

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The full report can be found at www.innovationtrivalley.org.

Contact David Morrill at 925-977-8534.