What they are saying: Leaders from across the state celebrate transformative economic investments through California Jobs First

SACRAMENTO – Yesterday, Governor Gavin Newsom announced $48.5 million in grants through the California Jobs First Regional Investment Initiative to support 18 innovative projects throughout the state that will support the creation of 20,000 jobs while advancing regional economic priorities in California’s key economic sectors.

Governor Newsom launched the Regional Investment Initiative in 2021 to create good-paying, accessible jobs and sustainable economic growth by building statewide collaboratives and identifying regional strengths and opportunities. To date, the initiative has now invested $434.5 million in communities across California. 

This latest round of awards spans seven project clusters across 33 counties, focused on advancing the aerospace & defense, advanced manufacturing, high-tech, shipbuilding and quantum sectors. These investments follow the $80 million that was distributed in August 2025, which supported 11 projects across seven economic regions and 18 counties. These projects focused on uplifting the Jobs First pilot sectors – aerospace & defense, agtech & farm equipment, bioeconomy and life sciences – and are expected to create more than 23,000 jobs across California.

Regional leaders, partners and grantees are supporting this historic momentum to uplift California’s diverse economic regions and priority industries. 

North State 

Jason Schwenkler, Executive Director, North State Planning and Development Collective at Chico State, regarding the state investment into cutting-edge irrigation and virtual fencing technology to fight drought, improve grazing, and boost sustainability: “This funding will allow the Collective and our regional partners to deliver high-impact projects that support our region’s goals—creating good-paying jobs, improving resource management, and strengthening our communities. We’re grateful to California Jobs First for investing in the North State’s future.” 

Tonya Dowse, Executive Director of Siskiyou Economic Development, regarding the state investment in Yreka Carnegie, a once-shuttered historic building that has been transformed into a rural hub for business innovation, entrepreneurship and community connection serving Siskiyou County and California’s North State: “The Carnegie is proof that rural communities can innovate, compete, and lead when local vision is matched by strong partnerships. As one of California’s early Jobs First pilot investments, it demonstrates what is possible when state, local, philanthropic, and private-sector partners come together to create opportunity in rural communities. We are grateful to the State of California for recognizing Siskiyou County as a place of innovation, possibility, and long-term investment.”

Redwood

Leoni Esmee Fohr, Communications & Program Director, California Center for Rural Policy, regarding the overarching impact of California Jobs First on the Redwood Region: “Across the Redwood Region, 175+ organizations and thousands of residents — brought together as Redwood Region RISE (RRRISE) — have mobilized California Jobs First funding into 19 community-endorsed projects, spanning sustainable forestry, regional food access, cultural placemaking, healthcare training, Tribal-led clean energy, and blue economy infrastructure like Noyo Harbor’s new ice house. California Jobs First has also supported new and innovative training programs to expand workforce capacity. RRRISE has sustained cross-sector infrastructure that rural regions rarely get the chance to build, and strengthened relationships between Tribes, counties, and industries. The region leveraged an additional $2.5 million in philanthropic funding for projects to remove barriers in workforce training and housing. RRRISE proves that local communities can turn state investment into good jobs that strengthen regional resilience for all.” 

Capital 

Evan Schmidt, CEO, Valley Vision, regarding the state’s investment into launching the Capital Biomanufacturing Alliance (CAPBIO), a coordinated effort to accelerate the region’s growing biomanufacturing industry: “The Capital Region has all the pieces: world-class research, industry momentum, and a workforce ready to grow. What was missing was a coordinated strategy. California Jobs First gave us the framework and with this multi-million dollar investment in CAPBIO, the Capital Region will commercialize technologies, attract companies, connect investors, and build the talent pipelines that turn breakthroughs into great careers right here in the Capital Region. This award is for the benefit of our community, its students, its families, our industry and educational partners across this region.”

Sierra Region

John Wentworth, CEO, Mammoth Lakes Trails & Public Access Foundation, regarding the overarching impact of California Jobs First on the Sierra Region: “California Jobs First identified a sector of the state’s economy to “strengthen,” and its initiatives are doing just that. With significant investments in our Sierra region through Jobs First Catalyst funding, our Outdoor Recreation and Tourism working groups are implementing multiple projects to enhance and steward our region’s outdoor recreation assets, including trail and campground renovations to improve accessibility and connect our region’s communities. These projects are also building career pathways and strengthening our rural economies, which depend on revenue from the millions of visitors who visit our region every year.”

Bay Area

Jeffrey D. Armstrong, President, Cal Poly Maritime Academy, regarding the state’s investment in transforming Mare Island’s historic shipyard into an applied research and technology acceleration campus, alongside the creation of an integrated talent pipeline for maritime manufacturing: “The Governor’s investment into the Bay-Delta’s shipbuilding industry demonstrates what is possible when higher education, industry and the state work together to create economic opportunity for all Californians. California’s maritime industry is essential to our economy, our supply chains and our national security, and its future depends on developing the skilled workforce and new technologies needed to remain competitive. Cal Poly Maritime Academy brings our Learn by Doing approach to this important industry, preparing individuals for successful careers while helping drive innovation and job creation across the state.”

Northern San Joaquin

Karen Warner, CEO, BEAM Circular, regarding the state’s investment into building a vibrant regional ecosystem for circular bioeconomy innovation in California’s agricultural heartland: “Our mission has always been to unlock the potential of the North San Joaquin Valley by building a thriving circular bioeconomy. The California Jobs First funding accelerates that mission. It will advance our development of the California Bioeconomy Innovation Campus, accelerate the growth of innovative businesses, allow local farmers to capture more value from what they produce, and ensure that our communities benefit directly from this growing industry.”

Chris Vitelli, President, Merced College, regarding the state’s investment in shovel-ready projects that will create more than 3,000 high-quality jobs, support over 100 agtech startups, and provide 250 internships for underserved populations: “This unprecedented state support affirms what we know: the Central Valley is essential to California’s future. We thank the Governor and GO-Biz for trusting Merced College and our Alliance to deliver on our region’s vast potential. By accelerating workforce development and transformative technology advances in agriculture, we are building a more equitable and prosperous future for the people of the Valley and beyond.” 

Central San Joaquin 

Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval, President, Fresno State, regarding the state’s investment to establish The Forge, a new innovation and commercialization hub designed to help entrepreneurs and emerging companies build, test and grow their businesses in the Central Valley: “We are deeply grateful to Governor Newsom and the California Jobs First team for this significant investment in Fresno State and the Valley. For too long, entrepreneurs and emerging companies from our region have had to look elsewhere for the specialized facilities, technical support and connections they need to grow. The Forge will help change that. We want innovators to start here, build here, manufacture here and create jobs here.” 

Genelle Taylor Kumpe, CEO of Fresno Business Council and San Joaquin Valley Manufacturing Alliance, regarding the state’s investment to support manufacturing projects, workforce training, education, innovation and access to capital: “The Central Valley has long been a place where things are made. Through California Jobs First, manufacturers had the opportunity to help shape a strategy that reflects the needs of our industry and our workforce. As one of California’s fastest-growing manufacturing regions, we know that the state’s ability to compete depends on strong regional economies, a skilled workforce, and manufacturers that can innovate and grow.” 

Central Coast

Melissa James, President & CEO, REACH, regarding the overarching impact of California Jobs First on the Central Coast Region: “California Jobs First is helping regions turn their unique strengths into economic opportunity. On the Central Coast, we’ve seen firsthand how state investment is accelerating growth in space, aerospace, energy, quantum and precision manufacturing, attracting new investment and creating pathways to good-paying jobs. It’s exciting to see California continue making these strategic investments and betting on the people, places and industries that will drive our state’s future.”

Kern

Vernon B. Harper, Jr., Ph.D., President, California State University, Bakersfield, regarding the state’s investment to support the University in providing regional cluster leadership, increasing commercialization activity, and implementing the “Aerospace Valley” regional identity: “This California Jobs First award comes at a pivotal moment for Kern County. It allows us to sustain and scale a strategy to accelerate the growth of one of the most promising opportunity industries in our region—space, defense, and satellites—and help create the quality jobs we need. This award is the latest evidence that years of research, organizing, and cross-sector collaboration are gaining real traction. We’re grateful to Governor Newsom and the California Jobs First Council for this investment, and to our partners at the Griffiss Institute and across the Aerospace Valley for the collaboration that made it possible.” 

Bryan Went, CEO, Future Labs, regarding the state’s investment to help the organization expand and enhance a maker-space style facility adjacent to China Lake: “California has all the ingredients required to lead the next generation of aerospace and defense innovation: exceptional people, world-class institutions, pioneering companies, and an unmatched culture of invention. We are grateful to Governor Newsom, the Governor’s Office, and California Jobs First for helping us bring those ingredients together through TechGrid. This investment will create meaningful opportunities for Kern County while producing benefits that reach across the state and the nation.”

Los Angeles County

Stephen Cheung, President and CEO, LA County Economic Development Corporation regarding the state’s nearly $24 million investment into the region’s Life Science Sector: “This initiative builds a future where the life sciences sector serves as a catalyst for inclusive, high-quality jobs for the people of Los Angeles County. By anchoring leading life science companies in our region, we’re laying the foundation for an economy that is more innovative, equitable, and resilient. LA County has the talent, the research, and the infrastructure. This funding allows us to connect the dots and help life sciences companies land here, grow here, and hire here.”

Kelly LoBianco, Director, LA County Department of Economic Opportunity, regarding the state’s nearly $24 million investment into the region’s Life Science Sector: “Thank you to the State of California for this landmark investment in LA County’s life sciences sector. This funding will fast-track implementation of our five-year regional strategy and action plan, driving inclusive industry growth, expanding high-quality job pathways, and building the infrastructure needed to keep cutting-edge innovation and talent right here in LA.”

Inland SoCal 

Julie Hackbarth-McIntyre, President, Barstow Community College District Board of Trustees, regarding the state’s investment to help construct the College’s high tech workforce accelerator – a cross-sector training facility with technical training labs and flexible instruction space: “This grant is about more than repurposing a vacant building at the heart of our community or expanding our college’s career technical education programming: it’s an investment in the future of Barstow and the North High Desert. When we deliver access to training that leads to family sustaining wages and in-demand careers, we inspire residents to aim high and stay local, strengthen family bonds, generate new business for local employers, and expand our economy, as a whole.” 

Orange County

Jeff Ball, President & CEO, Orange County Business Council, regarding the overarching impact of California Jobs First on the Orange County Region and the state’s investment to increase accessibility to quantum education and training opportunities: “California Jobs First is the most meaningful regional economic development work the state has done in decades. Through this initiative, Orange County has strengthened relationships with stakeholders across sectors to mobilize faster on economic and workforce development opportunities, and has funded 46 projects that boost our economy, workforce, and community. Orange County’s involvement in the recently awarded SoCal Quantum Alliance funding has put the exclamation point on this entire initiative.”

Southern Border

John McMillan, Assistant Vice President for Economic Development, San Diego State University regarding California’s investment to support the first phase of the SDSU Mission Valley Innovation District – a National Security Hub for the rapid commercialization of technology in collaboration with government and businesses: “With support from the California Governor’s Office, the National Security Hub will benefit the entire southern border region by providing much-needed training, classified space, equipment, and investment in innovative small businesses in an industry that has been a core part of San Diego’s identity for decades. We will be building on the work we have done in the past few years to convene community partners and meet the region’s workforce needs.” 

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