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North San Joaquin unveils California Jobs First plan, pledges $9 million in local grants and seeks outside investment
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Summary
Regional leaders presented the North San Joaquin Jobs First plan at Stanislaus State, highlighting advanced manufacturing, bioeconomy and clean energy as target industries, a $9 million local grant program and plans to attract more than $1 billion in outside investment.
STANISLAUS STATE, Turlock — Leaders from the North San Joaquin Valley presented Gov. Gavin Newsom with their regional California Jobs First plan on Monday, outlining priorities for advanced manufacturing, the bioeconomy and clean energy and announcing $9,000,000 in local grants to implement strategies.
Doctor Britt Rios Ellis, president of California State University Stanislaus, said the campus and region succeed together. “When Stan State thrives, the entire Central Valley does too,” she told the governor and attendees.
The plan, delivered by Eric Serrato, convener of the North San Joaquin Valley region and Merced County director of workforce development, emphasizes translating innovation into production because of the region’s proximity to Silicon Valley and available land and logistics infrastructure. “The plan that we are presenting you today — it’s clear and it is decisive,” Serrato said.
Why it matters: Regional leaders say the plan is a locally driven effort intended to produce good jobs while preserving the region’s agricultural and environmental assets. The presentation framed the North San Joaquin Valley as a potential production hub for electric vehicle batteries, climate-related technologies and other manufacturing tied to the state’s clean-energy goals.
Details: Serrato said the region has spoken with more than 700 community stakeholders and that about 200 organizations participated in developing the plan. The plan highlights worker training aligned with industry needs and the state’s master plan on career education, including K–16 alignment and apprenticeships.
Serrato said the region will make $9,000,000 in local grants available to support tactics and that the region expects to attract more than $1,000,000,000 in outside investment to fund the strategy. The plan also calls for cutting red tape, innovating around water use and supporting working parents.
Next steps: Serrato told Newsom the plan will move into a phase of deeper engagement with industry to sharpen tactics. The presentation ended with a ceremonial handoff of the plan and plans for follow-up work with local partners.
