SEPTEMBER 25' UPDATE SEPTEMBER 25' UPDATE
CHRIS RICO
President & CEO
Dear Members, Partners, and Friends of the EDC,
I’ve learned over the last few decades that the work we do, and the choices we make, in Economic Development are inherently political ones. Economic Development requires us to make decisions about land use. As much as I would like to only focus on our mission of bringing more prosperity to the people, cities, and businesses of Solano County, I know that, from time to time, people will take shots at me personally. We are not all going to agree on everything, nor should we. I believe in healthy discourse to inform the choices we make, so much so that I chose to put California Forever, and Solano Together on stage together a few years back at our annual breakfast. I have also created a board that represents as many voices and perspectives as possible, so that we are doing work that is supported by a broad swath of our county. . When California Forever joined the Solano EDC, it was, of course, controversial. What I said at the time, and still maintain, is that we all need to be at the table together to make these decisions. They own 15% of Solano County and I run an Economic Development Corporation. It is appropriate for them to be at the table; a table which also includes: The Solano Land Trust, other non profits, nearly every major employer, all seven cities and the County, the education and workforce development ecosystem, the banks, healthcare, labor, and other developers and homebuilders. The most recent accusation leveled against me is that I’m in the pocket of CA Forever. Their membership represents less than 1% of our total budget. I have also never accepted sponsorship dollars from them, specifically to avoid any misguided perception that they were buying influence.
We are in a moment in time when we need to make consequential decisions with urgency. All seven cities, the county, and my organization are all operating with structural defecits. I ask us all to consider the old Greek proverb that reads, “A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in. ” In the case of Solano, it's about developing cities and creating a diverse stock of housing that younger people want to live in, and retired people can age safely in, at the same time freeing up the single-family homes they currently live in for people with families. It’s also about setting the stage for companies to bring great paying jobs that allow the 80,000 people who spend years of their life sitting in traffic to go to jobs that are not in our county. Based on results, what we are doing is not working.
We have the opportunity to use 7,500 acres ( 1% of the total land in the county) to create 10,000 generational, high paying jobs on land that is currently almost entirely vacant, all in the service of our national security. This will lay the foundation for an entire ecosystem of living wage jobs in what will emerge as a ship building cluster in the region and facilitate the power and infrastructure that will unlock more advanced manufacturing jobs. I know it’s scary to consider, but AI is coming for many of our jobs very soon. The folks who commute out of our county to tech jobs in other counties will be the first to be cut. We could get ahead and employ our folks close to home and give them the luxury of more time with their children and families, something that has direct impacts on crime, mental health, education, and general well-being.
I say, let’s go!
Wishing you all good health and continued prosperity.
Chris Rico President/Ceo
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Meet Steve Kirnig Meet Steve Kirnig
SolanoEDC|BusinessRetentionandExpansionManager SolanoEDC|BusinessRetentionandExpansionManager AstheBusinessRetentionandExpansionManager,Stevesupports SolanoEDC’smissiontostrengthenandgrowthelocaleconomyby engagingdirectlywithSolanoCounty’sbusinesscommunity.Witha strongfoundationinadvancedmanufacturingandautomation,Steve bringsdecadesofindustryinsighttosupportbusinesssuccessand fostereconomicvitalityacrosstheregion.
BeforejoiningtheSolanoEDCteam,Stevebuiltadynamic30+year careerinengineeringdesign,distribution,andglobalacc management.Mostrecently,heservedastheTeslaGlob AccountManageratBoschRexrothCorporation,where internationalsalesstrategyandhelpedlaunchkeyautom solutionsforTesla’sglobalproductionlines,includingthe X,Y,Cybertruck,andPowerwallplatforms.
SteveholdsaB.S.inMechanicalEngineeringfromCSU,C completedextensiveleadershiptrainingincludingBosch program,LeanProductionprinciples,andmarketresearc semiconductortechnologies.Heiseagertobeginthisne supportinglocalbusinessesandhelpingdrivegrowthan opportunitythroughoutSolanoCounty.
ConnectwithSteve andsayhello!
Meet Jesus Rosas Meet Jesus Rosas
SolanoEDC|Co-ProgramDirector SolanoEDC|Co-ProgramDirector
We’rethrilledtowelcomeJesusRosasasournewCo-ProgramDirector atSolanoEDC.JesuswillleadourBayRENprograms,supportingefforts toimproveenergyefficiencyforbusinesses,residents,andcommunities throughoutSolanoCounty.HewillalsocontributetotheSolanoBizGrowRevolvingLoanFund,whichprovidesflexible,low-interest financingtohelplocalbusinessesgrowandbuildlong-termresilience.
Jesusbringsmorethan14yearsofexperienceinthenonprofitsector, withexpertiseinhealthcareprogrammanagement,operationalanalysis, performancemeasurement,andstakeholderengagement.Overthe courseofhiscareer,hehasledinitiativesthatimprovedcommunity healthoutcomes,strengthenedservicedelivery,andexpanded outreachandprogramimplementation.
Heisknownforhisabilitytobuildcross-sectorpartnershipsandapply data-drivenstrategiestoenhanceorganizationalimpact.Jesusholdsan MBAfromSt.Mary’sCollegeofCaliforniaandaBAinEconomicsfrom SonomaStateUniversity.
PleasejoinusinwelcomingJesustotheteamaswecontinueadvancing economicdevelopmentandenergyefficiencyinSolanoCounty! ConnectwithJesus andsayhello!
CUT COSTS WITHOUT CUTTING CORNERS CUT COSTS WITHOUT CUTTING CORNERS
SAVE THOUSANDS UPGRADE YOUR BUSINESS BAYREN CAN HELP SAVE THOUSANDS UPGRADE YOUR BUSINESS BAYREN CAN HELP
From cafes to salons, Solano small businesses are saving an average of $2,800/year with energyefficient upgrades. BayREN Business offers free assessments, rebates, and project support — often with zero upfront costs.
CHILL:CUT COSTSWITH COOLER UPGRADES
Incentives for energysaving refrigeration and HVAC improvements.
BayREN’s CHILL program offers free expert support and cash incentives for grocery stores, corner markets, and food service businesses to upgrade refrigeration, cooling, and HVAC systems.
Federal clean energy tax credits are ending soon! Stack MCE’s EV Instant Rebate with the federal tax credits for up to $11,000 off a qualified new or up to $6,000 off a qualified used EV. Act before September 30, 2025.
Vallejo Invests $275K to Power
Vallejo Invests $ 5K to Power
Local Events & Economic Impact
Local Events & Economic Impact
The City of Vallejo awarded $275,000 in event sponsorship grants to 18 nonprofits, boosting local tourism, small business activity, and civic engagement. These events are expected to drive visitor spending, energize community pride, and stimulate the creative economy across Solano County.
Kaiser Vacaville Expands Emergency Department to Meet Regional Needs Kaiser Vacaville Expands Emergency Department to Meet Regional Needs
Kaiser Permanente Vacaville unveiled its expanded Emergency Department, adding 12 beds and state-of-the-art trauma bays. This
$multi-million investment strengthens Solano County’s only Level II trauma center, reducing wait times, enhancing care, and reinforcing Kaiser’s role as a critical healthcare partner for the growing Vacaville and broader regional community.
Kaiser Permanente Vacaville unveiled its expanded Emergency Department, adding 12 beds and state-of-the-art trauma bays. This $multi-million investment strengthens Solano County’s only Level II trauma center, reducing wait times, enhancing care, and reinforcing Kaiser’s role as a critical healthcare partner for the growing Vacaville and broader regional community.
Vallejo City Council approved $643,000 in opioid settlement funds to launch the Broadway Project, a permanent supportive housing facility. This investment helps cover startup costs while awaiting federal vouchers bringing vital housing, services, and economic activity to Solano County by addressing homelessness and boosting public health infrastructure.
Solano County Among North Bay Leaders on Inc. 5000
-Growth List Solano County Among North Bay Leaders on Inc. 5000
Solano County is proudly represented among 11 North Bay firms honored on the 2025 Inc. 5000 list for fast growth. While specific Solano businesses weren’t named, this recognition boosts the county’s reputation as a rising player in innovation, business resilience, and economic strength across the region.
Solano County is proudly represented among 11 North Bay firms honored on the 2025 Inc. 5000 list for fast growth. While specific Solano businesses weren’t named, this recognition boosts the county’s reputation as a rising player in innovation, business resilience, and economic strength across the region.
Travis Credit Union Empowers Educators with $1,000 Grants Travis Credit Union Empowers Educators with $1,000 Grants
Vacaville-based Travis Credit Union has launched a Teacher Grant Program offering five $1,000 grants to K–12 educators across Northern California. This initiative supports classroom innovation and strengthens Solano County’s educational ecosystem, continuing TCU’s legacy of community investment and student impact through financial literacy and academic support.
Vacaville Expands Fire Academy to Strengthen Local Workforce Vacaville Expands Fire Academy to Strengthen Local
Workforce
Vacaville Fire Department extended its training academy to 20 weeks, now including Firefighter 1 certification, to boost recruitment and prepare more candidates inhouse. This strategic shift supports Solano County’s emergency services pipeline, aiming to fill vacancies with well-trained personnel familiar with Vacaville’s methods and community-focused approach.
Vacaville Fire Department extended its training academy to 20 weeks, now including Firefighter 1 certification, to boost recruitment and prepare more candidates inhouse. This strategic shift supports Solano County’s emergency services pipeline, aiming to fill vacancies with well-trained personnel familiar with Vacaville’s methods and community-focused approach.
Vine Electric Powers Innovation in Solano County
Vine Electric Powers Innovation in Solano County
Vacaville-based Vine Electric is leading smart home innovation in Solano County. With rapid growth and a spot on the Inc. 5000 list, the company is creating jobs, advancing clean energy tech, and reinforcing Solano’s role as a hub for high-quality, future-ready skilled trades and smart infrastructure solutions.
$13M Investment Set to Boost Solano County Roads $13M Investment Set to Boost Solano County Roads
Solano County will receive nearly $13 million for four critical road projects, including major upgrades to I-80 in Vallejo and the replacement of Miner Slough Bridge. These infrastructure investments will improve road safety, extend pavement life, and reduce maintenance costs— supporting economic growth and commuter efficiency across the region.
Solano County will receive nearly $13 million for four critical road projects, including major upgrades to I-80 in Vallejo and the replacement of Miner Slough Bridge. These infrastructure investments will improve road safety, extend pavement life, and reduce maintenance costs— supporting economic growth and commuter efficiency across the region.
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WEDNESDAY – SEPTEMBER 3
SINGLE-FAMILY STANDARDS: ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS (ADUS)
WEDNESDAY – SEPTEMBER 24 INTRODUCTION TO CALGREEN
WEDNESDAY – OCTOBER 16 HEAT PUMP WATER HEATERS FOR BUILDING DEPARTMENTS
WEDNESDAY – OCTOBER 21 RESIDENTIAL HVAC SIZING AND DUCT DESIGN
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