Economic Development

The San Joaquin Valley has been consistently plagued with high levels of unemployment and poverty. The Valley’s average per capita income is 32.2 percent lower than the rest of the state. The factors contributing to the Valley’s economy are numerous, complex and interconnected. The Valley must shift to innovation-driven and value-added growth to sustain its economy.

California Central Valley Economic Development Corporation (CCVEDC) markets the eight-county region to businesses and site selectors looking for a business location. In addition, CCVEDC provides regional leadership on economic development through the California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley.

Regional Leadership
CCVEDC continued to provide regional leadership through meetings with legislators to discuss San Joaquin Valley issues and priorities. In 2016, meetings were held with 23 legislators, state officials and consultants. Regulatory reform, incentives and water storage topped the list of issues in the Central Valley. Regional collaboration focuses on various cluster industries that create jobs in the San Joaquin Valley including food processing, Ag tech and bio tech, manufacturing, supply chain management and logistics, health and medical care, and energy. See Full 2016 Review

The Economic Development Work Group focuses on growing businesses in targeted industries that have comparative advantages in the San Joaquin Valley – agribusiness, including food processing, agricultural technology and biotechnology; manufacturing; supply chain management and logistics; health and medical care; and renewable energy. The group is working on several fronts to support the region’s economic health through facilitating investments in infrastructure and business incentives, aligning economic development efforts in the eight-county region, creating a climate that supports and promotes entrepreneurship, leading renewable and clean-energy efforts, and promoting the San Joaquin Valley as a tourist destination.

• Facilitate investments in infrastructure and incentives that support the economic vitality of
  the region
• Align regionwide economic development efforts in support of target industry clusters: (1)
  agribusiness, including food processing, agricultural technology, and biotechnology; (2)
  manufacturing; (3) supply chain management and logistics; (4) health and medical care;
  and (5) renewable energy

See Full Action Plan