Issuu

DECEMBER 24' UPDATE

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CHRIS RICO

President &

CEO

Dear Members, Partners, and Friends of the EDC,

I hope that everyone had a relaxing and enjoyable Thanksgiving with friends and family. Several weeks ago I had the good fortune to attend the Plug n Play annual conference in Sunnyvale for 3 days with several thousand people from all over the world thanks to the generosity of Manveer Sandhu, newly elected Fairifeld City Council Member. In a previous iteration of my career, I ran the center for Innovation at the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation for five years. It’s always exciting to jump back into the startup ecosystem and learn about new products and ideas that entrepreneurs and innovators are bringing into the marketplace.

Manveer was born and raised in Fairfield and is an Air Force Reservist. Like many of us, he’s keen to bring better jobs to Solonoans, particularly in the area of defense tech. Travis Air Force Base is a 3.4 Billion dollar driver of our regional economy and its mission is of global importance. Currently there are no major defense tech companies domiciled in Solano County. We hope to change that and create better jobs for our residents, and career opportunities for Airmen as they retire and move on to their next careers.

As this year winds down and we settle into the Holiday season, I like to take stock of all of my blessings. I’m incredibly fortunate to work with a small, but dedicated team of professionals that feel like a family, in partnership with a constellation of leaders across the region. We’re doing great work and will continue to bring greater prosperity to the people, communities, and businesses of Solano County.

Wishing you all good health and continued prosperity.

Happy Holidays.

Chris Rico President/CEO

Solano County Charts

Future for Agriculture with $500K Grant

Solano County is leveraging a $500,000 state grant to create a comprehensive agricultural economic development plan. This initiative aims to calculate agriculture’s full value to the local economy, address challenges like urban encroachment and aging farmers, and protect agricultural lands. Committees will craft strategies for sustainable practices, infrastructure needs, and fostering the next generation of farmers, integrating this vision into the 2028 General Plan update. By uniting farmers, planners, and state leaders, the county seeks to secure agriculture’s role as a cornerstone of Solano’s economy.

Vallejo begins a $25M project to build Northern California’s first diverging diamond interchange. This upgrade will ease traffic, cut emissions, and improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists. Benefiting an underserved community, the project enhances access to Six Flags and supports future development near the county fairgrounds, boosting Vallejo’s economic appeal.

Solano County Receives $145K Grant to Enhance Child Car Safety

Solano County Public Health has secured a $145,310 state grant to improve child passenger safety. The funding will support car seat safety classes, inspection events, and community outreach, raising awareness about proper car seat use and the dangers of leaving children in hot cars. Services will be available in English and Spanish.

Wells Fargo Donates $100K to Prevent

Homelessness in

Solano County

Wells Fargo has awarded $100,000 to Resource Connect Solano, a Caminar program, to provide emergency rental assistance, utility relief, and other support to prevent family displacement. Announced during National Homelessness Awareness Week, the grant highlights the role of private philanthropy in addressing urgent housing needs and fostering community resilience.

NorthBay Health Expands with New Urgent Care Clinic in Dixon

NorthBay Health has opened its fourth urgent care clinic in Dixon, adding to its facilities in Fairfield, Vacaville, and Napa County. Located at 1305 Stratford Ave., the clinic supports NorthBay’s $250 million expansion plan to open up to 10 new primary and urgent care centers by 2030, enhancing regional healthcare accessibility.

Vallejo Secures $3.85M Grant to Expand Broadband Access

Vallejo has been awarded a $3.85 million CPUC grant to enhance broadband infrastructure, targeting underserved areas. Starting in 2025, projects will improve connectivity on Mare Island, North Sonoma Boulevard, Porter Street to Seaport, and Trailer City Park. These upgrades aim to support businesses, boost educational and healthcare access, and improve residents’ quality of life.

Solano County Honors Veterans, Strengthens Workforce Potential

The Solano County Board of Supervisors recognized the county’s 34,000 veterans, emphasizing their skills and contributions to the community and workforce. By supporting veterans’ integration into local industries, Solano County enhances its economic development potential, fostering a skilled labor pool that attracts businesses and drives regional growth.

Touro University Begins Landmark Restoration on Mare Island’s Historic Hospital

Touro University California is investing $2 million to preserve Mare Island’s historic 1899 Naval Hospital, a site of groundbreaking medical advancements, including WWII prosthetics innovation and Spanish Flu pandemic response. While full restoration could cost up to $60 million, this project reflects Touro’s commitment to honoring Mare Island’s rich history and serving the community.

Suisun City Earns Three STA Awards for Transportation Excellence

Solano Home Assist Launches to Support Housing Stability

BrandGov, led by Fairfield City Councilwoman K. Patrice Williams, has launched the Solano Home Assist program with funding from an American Rescue Plan Act grant. The initiative provides free housing counseling services, including workshops, one-on-one counseling, and online resources, to help residents prevent foreclosure, manage finances, and secure stable housing.

Vallejo Joins Nation’s First Zero-Emission Ferry Network

Vallejo is set to benefit from a $55M EPA grant powering the nation’s first zero-emission ferry network. This game-changing initiative will upgrade the SF Bay Ferry fleet, improving air quality, connecting Vallejo to key economic hubs like San Francisco, and creating local maritime job opportunities through cutting-edge workforce training programs.

Congressman Mike Thompson Presented

American Farm Bureau

Federation’s ‘Friend of Farm Bureau’ Award

U.S. Congressman Mike Thompson received the “Friend of Farm Bureau” award for championing farmers during the 118th Congress. He authored disaster relief legislation, supported the Inflation Reduction Act’s $43 billion for agriculture, and secured vital aid for California farmers facing wildfires and storms, earning praise for his commitment to agriculture’s success.

Sen. Bill Dodd Honored with Climate Action Leadership Award

State Sen. Bill Dodd received MCE’s 2024 Climate Action Leadership Award for his dedication to community choice energy and climate change solutions. Known for wildfire safety legislation and resilience initiatives like Napa’s flood control project, Dodd continues championing clean, affordable energy and climate resilience for California communities.

Shop Local with Fairfield’s ‘The Buck Stops Here’ Campaign

This holiday season, Fairfield’s Community Development Department launches “The Buck Stops Here – Shop Small, Shop Local,” showcasing local businesses that strengthen our economy. Featured in this campaign is Mad Alpaca Games, where owner Zach creates an inclusive space for games like Magic the Gathering, Warhammer, and D&D.

Cal Maritime Ranks #1 in U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 Best Colleges

Cal Maritime has been ranked #1 among Top Public Schools and #2 in Regional Colleges (West) by U.S. News & World Report. Recognized for its academic excellence, the Vallejo-based university also earned accolades for social mobility and undergraduate engineering. As the only maritime academy on the West Coast, Cal Maritime continues to lead in education and innovation.

DECEMBER

DEC 04

12 - 12:30PM

DEC 11

12 - 12:30PM

AI Lunchbreak: Supercharge Your Social Media with A.I.

T R A I N I N G S

DEC 12

6:30 - 7:30PM

AI Lunchbreak: Create Custom GPTs for your Business Start Smart Business Group Meeting

Your Partner for Social Care

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SOLANO BIZ-GROW

Small Business Loan Program

Loan Amount: $25,000 to $125,000

Interest Rate: 6%, Fixed Rate

LoanTerm:5Years

MinimumCreditScore:630

No Prepayment Penalty

Loan Application Fee: $250 (Borrowers who complete an assessment and counseling with the Solano-Napa Small Business Development Center shall receive a $250 rebate)

Eligibility: Small Business must meet Covid-19 impact eligibility requirements and be located in Solano County.

Must be in business prior to 12/31/21