Solano EDC seeks Jobs First funding to prepare region for shipbuilding opportunities

The Solano Economic Development Corporation presented a countywide pitch to the Solano Board of Supervisors on Feb. 3 describing an $8.5 million request to the governor's Jobs First Initiative aimed at preparing the Bay Area for prioritized shipbuilding projects.

EDC representatives described three pillars of the application: a lead nonprofit to coordinate partners and pursue large grants; a Maritime Innovation Campus that would operate like an incubator/accelerator for maritime technologies; and a workforce integration network focused on cradle‑to‑career pathways with community colleges and Cal Poly Maritime. "We applied for $8,500,000 for three different projects," the EDC presenter said.

Corey Cook (introduced in the presentation) said the Maritime Innovation Campus would involve researchers, national labs and investors to support transportation and port innovations. The workforce pillar would partner with Bay Area community colleges and the Working Waterfront Coalition to expand pre‑apprenticeship and career pathways.

Supervisors asked about governance and local prioritization. Chair Monica Brown asked who would run the proposed nonprofit and whether the board would receive updates; EDC said governance is "to be determined" if the grant is awarded and that quarterly updates to the board could be provided. Supervisors also sought assurances that Solano County residents would be prioritized for jobs and asked about transportation barriers for high‑school and community‑college students. EDC and Cal Poly representatives said the proposal intends to make the county an "epicenter" of the effort while acknowledging the state's regional emphasis and constraints tied to some funding sources.

The presentation did not request an immediate board vote; EDC said it would return with periodic reports if awarded the grant.