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SEPTEMBER 24' UPDATE

CHRIS RICO CHRIS RICO

President & CEO

Dear Members, Partners, and Friends of the EDC,

I recently created an update on Moving Solano Forward III that I wanted to share with you. This was a great exercise because it showed just how much a small, dedicated team of professionals has achieved in addressing the 7 key strategies (see on page 3) that came out of this forensic analysis of our economy. As you may remember, Moving Solano Forward 3 was funded by the EDA in response to the Covid crisis with the goal of creating a more resilient economy. All seven cities and the county contributed to the required match.

These strategies inform both our mission of creating more prosperity for the people and businesses of Solano County, as well as the projects and programs upon which we focus our resources, time, and energy. These include:

Non Profit Capacity building efforts like the Syar Foundation Summit and the year of capacity building support from We Are For Good for a cohort of non profit leaders.

The Revolving Loan Fund that we created in partnership with First Northern Bank, Travis Credit Union, and Valley Strong Credit Union with generous support from the County with ARPA funds.

The Priority Production Area grant from MTC/ABAG in partnership with STA to develop our industrial lands and ensure that they are shovel ready for Infrastructure Dollars.

The Priority Development Area grant from MTC/ABAG in partnership with STA to develop transit-oriented housing adjacent to the Fairfield/Suisun train station with the goal of bringing economic vibrancy to the downtowns of both cities.

The housing work we are doing in partnership with STA and the county planning collaborative including co-producing a developer forum. The regional ADU strategy we’re building with support by the Kaiser Foundation and in partnership with Community Planning Collaborative, including the creation of the SolanoADU.org website

The Kaiser sponsored Speaker Series that we produce to inform and educate our ecosystem about various facets of our economy. This exceptional newsletter that Darren continues to elevate as both a celebration of our cities and businesses, and as a key source of information.

Our emergent Business Assistance and Retention program led by Nicole Mooc including a recent partnership with CMTA (California Manufacturing and Trade Association).

Our Bay Area leading BAYREN program led by J. Paul Harrington that has saved our businesses hundreds of thousands of dollars, while substantially lowering carbon emissions.

I’m proud of the work that we’re doing and grateful for your support and partnership. If you’re interested in diving into the report, you can find it here. Wishing you all good health and continued prosperity.

Try to stay cool!

Chris Rico

THEPATH FORWARD

SEVEN forward thinking strategies were identified for creating a stronger EDC and moving Solano County and its cities forward to a more resilient and sustainable economy through guiding principles that build on assets and opportunities:

Diversify The Economy

Focus on more diversification to expand and attract investment and well-paying jobs in advanced manufacturing and life sciences.

Approach economic development more strategically to build a more resilient local economy. Improve local business development programs, particularly focused on business retention and expansion programs, such as a business retention program and financing programs.

Build Long-Term Resiliency

Build additional capacity at the EDC to target efforts effectively to prepare the county and jurisdictions to withstand and recover from economic shocks, natural disasters, and mitigate challenges that would constrain the county from achieving economic growth

Economic Growth through Business & Job Development

Protect the county’s core economic base and major employers by retaining businesses and providing them with the support necessary to do business and continue to grow 4 6 3 5 2 7 1

Inspire Workforce & Career Development

Seek to build a culture where talent is celebrated as a key element of a diverse, equitable and inclusive community, and careers are meaningful work experiences building economic and social wealth

Invest in Placemaking & Real Estate (Infrastructure)

Position Solano County as a strong competitor for retaining and attracting talent, capital, and resources by attracting investment in long-term planning and infrastructure, aligned with county and individual city economic growth strategies.

Promote Solano as a Megaregion Connector

Market Solano as a unique connector (hub, bridge) between megaregions with a dynamic ecosystem of economies, resources, infrastructure, history, culture, and education attracting talent, capital, and new resources for strategic economic development

September5th,2024

SPONSOREDBY:

Seamus Murphy Executive Director

Matt Schrap CEO

Trucking Association Phil Pierce Senior Public Policy Manager

SOLANOCOUNTYHARVESTED RECORDCROPIN2023

TOMATOESLEDTHEWAYFORAGREBOUND

Solano County’s agricultural sector experienced a record-breaking year in 2023, with crop values reaching an all-time high of $460 million, largely driven by strong tomato yields. While heavy rains provided much-needed relief from drought, they also caused $3 million in damages, showcasing the challenges farmers face. The growing indoor farming industry, producing fresh vegetables like lettuce and mung bean sprouts, represents a key area of expansion, though infrastructure constraints remain a significant barrier to further growth.

SOLANO FIRMS RANK ON INC. 5000 FASTGROWTH LIST FOR 2024

Firms from Solano County have earned a spot on Firms from Solano County have earned a spot on this year’s Inc. 5000 list of America’s fastest-growing this year’s Inc. 5000 list of America’s fastest-growing private companies. These businesses are driving private companies. These businesses are driving local economic growth. Their success not only local economic growth. Their success not only highlights the region’s thriving entrepreneurial spirit highlights the region’s thriving entrepreneurial spirit but also showcases its contributions to job creation but also showcases its contributions to job creation and industry innovation. and industry innovation.

$2M GRANT HELPS TO ENHANCE RURAL HEALTH

Touro University California (TUC) was awarded a grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) that will provide $443,000 annually over five years (totaling $2 million) to support Physician Assistant (PA) students' primary care training in rural and underserved areas, with additional focus with on mental health.

THOMPSON SECURES $250,000 IN THOMPSON SECURES $250,000 IN APPROPRIATIONS BILL FOR VACAVILLE’S APPROPRIATIONS BILL FOR VACAVILLE’S HARMONY VILLAGE AFFORDABLE HARMONY VILLAGE AFFORDABLE

HOUSING PROJECT HOUSING PROJECT

Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-04) announced $250,000 in community project funding for Harmony Village, the City of Vacaville and Habitat for Humanity’s affordable housing project, has been included in appropriations legislation and passed out of committee.

Once passed and signed into law, funding will go towards building a 10parcel subdivision that will house 20 families in ten single-family semidetached duet homes in Vacaville. These homes are located on lots ranging from 2,700 to 3,680 square feet.

SOLANO COMMUNITY COLLEGE FREE BACHELOR'S BILL GOES TO

GOVERNOR

FIRSTNORTHERNREINVESTSIN HOUSINGSUPPORT

First Northern Bank of Dixon has doubled its line of credit with the California Community Reinvestment Corporation (CCRC) to $1 million, further supporting affordable housing efforts. This partnership, which has existed since 2002, plays a vital role in addressing California’s housing crisis by financing multifamily rental projects. With CCRC’s efforts, over 48,000 low-cost housing units have been created statewide, benefiting vulnerable communities and strengthening the local economy.

MCE LAUNCHES NEW ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAM TO HELP SMALL BUSINESSES UPGRADE AND SAVE MONEY

Small businesses in Solano County have new

opportunities to save money on their monthly opportunities to save money on their monthly bill with local clean energy provider, MCE. bill with local clean energy provider, MCE.

The newly launched Small Business Energy The newly launched Small Business Energy

Advantage program provides no- and low-cost upgrades that make it easy and simple to upgrades that make it easy and simple to achieve real savings, improve comfort, and achieve real savings, improve comfort, and build healthier spaces. build healthier spaces.

Advantage program provides no- and low-cost

SOLTRANS ANNOUNCES COMPLETION OF PHASE 1 BEAUTIFICATION PROJECT

Solano County Transit announced the successful completion of Phase One of the Sereno Transit Center Beautification Project — a $1.2 billion initiative, multi-year clean-up effort to remove trash, create jobs, and engage communities to revitalize public spaces.

SOLANO LAND TRUST OPENS NEW PARK

Solano County is set to boost its economic and Solano County is set to boost its economic and tourism profile with the grand opening of the tourism profile with the grand opening of the Patwino Worrtla Kodoi Dihi Open Space Park. Patwino Worrtla Kodoi Dihi Open Space Park.

Spanning over 1,500 acres, this new attraction is Spanning over 1,500 acres, this new attraction is expected to draw hikers, cyclists, and outdoor expected to draw hikers, cyclists, and outdoor enthusiasts from across the region, benefiting enthusiasts from across the region, benefiting local businesses and promoting community local businesses and promoting community engagement. As a hub for recreation and cultural engagement. As a hub for recreation and cultural education, the park’s development reflects a education, the park’s development reflects a strategic investment in both the county’s natural strategic investment in both the county’s natural assets and its rich Indigenous heritage. assets and its rich Indigenous heritage.

COUNTY MOVES FORWARD ON THREE BROADBAND PROJECTS

Solano County is moving forward with its efforts to provide high-speed broadband access to all its residents. The three projects identified would provide fiber or fixed wire infrastructure for high-speed broadband to 1,515 local residential and business locations in unincorporated Solano County.

FIVE SOLANO COUNTY RESTAURANTS TO RECEIVE PG&E GRANTS

Five Solano County restaurants have been awarded $5,000 resilience grants from the PG&E Corporation Foundation, strengthening local business recovery efforts. These grants are part of a broader program supporting 154 restaurants across 29 counties, providing a total of $900,000 in financial aid. This investment helps sustain the region’s economy by supporting small businesses and promoting longterm resilience in the local dining industry.

The STATUS Newsletter is published every month after the STA Board meeting to inform the public and our stakeholders of what’s happening with transportation in Solano County.

NorthBay Health

NorthBay Health has named Larry Trilops its chief strategy officer, the Fairfield-based has named Larry Trilops its chief strategy officer, the Fairfield-based health care system. Trilops will play a pivotal role in determining NorthBay’s strategic health care system. Trilops will play a pivotal role in determining NorthBay’s strategic direction and initiatives as the health care system “executes its $250 million direction and initiatives as the health care system “executes its $250 million ambulatory network strategy and plans to open six to 10 neighborhood primary care ambulatory network strategy and plans to open six to 10 neighborhood primary care clinics in the region by 2030,” according to the news release. Trilops has more than 30 clinics in the region by 2030,” according to the news release. Trilops has more than 30 years of experience in the health care industry, including leading, growing and years of experience in the health care industry, including leading, growing and operating large-scale health care networks across the public, for-profit and nonprofit operating large-scale health care networks across the public, for-profit and nonprofit sectors, according to the announcement. sectors, according to the announcement.

HIGHLIGHT HIGHLIGHT

La Guagua La Guagua

Latin Cafe Latin Cafe

La Guagua Latin Cafe La Guagua Latin Cafe

La Guagua Latin Cafe, a family-owned business founded in 2020, was born from a dream to celebrate Latin American culture. At La Guagua, you can embark on a culinary journey through Latin America, savoring the diverse flavors and traditions of its countries. With two locations at 309 Marina Center, Suisun City, CA 94585, and 501 Merchant St, Vacaville, CA 95688, La Guagua serves up Latin favorites like sandwich revoltillo, chilaquiles divorciados, empanada al horno, and croqueta de pollo.

La Guagua's Suisun City location recently participated in the BayREN Business program, allowing them to upgrade their lighting to energy-efficient LEDs at no cost, with the program covering the entire $1,600 project. The BayREN Business program is designed to help small businesses across the Bay Area reduce energy consumption and lower their carbon footprint, offering incentives for energy-efficient LED lighting, refrigeration, and more. Participating contractors streamline the process, helping businesses identify the best upgrades to save energy and cut costs.To see if your business qualifies, please contact Nicole at 707-864-1855 x18 or nicole@solanoedc.org

DISCOVER WHAT’S NEW IN SOLANO COUNTY: STREET BEAT

KAIROS OPENS NEW 'STUDENT KAIROS OPENS NEW 'STUDENT

CUSTOMIZED' HIGH SCHOOL CUSTOMIZED' HIGH SCHOOL

IN VACAVILLE IN VACAVILLE

The first campus now consists of the TK-5 Foundation Academy and the Grade 6-8 Leadership Academy on Elm Street. The high school campus, which is starting out with four modular classrooms and a modular restroom, is at the 27-acre Sunflower Street location that is also home to the K-8 Kairos Innovative Scholars Pathway campus. That school opened in 2016-17. The two campuses share administrative space

RORY CROWLEY CONGRATULATIONS

NEW POSITION:

AGRIBUSINESS EXECUTIVE

Crowley, who is pursuing a STEM-designated Business Administration master's with a focus in Agricultural Administration master's with a focus in Agricultural Finance, AI-Fintech and Sustainability at the University of Finance, AI-Fintech and Sustainability at the University of California, Davis, will be responsible for deepening client California, Davis, will be responsible for deepening client relationships and expanding the bank’s agribusiness loan relationships and expanding the bank’s agribusiness loan portfolio. portfolio.

Crowley, who is pursuing a STEM-designated Business

WELCOME WELCOME

JAYTWANN JAYTWANN BELL BELL

SOLANO EDC SOLANO EDC

IINTERN NTERN

We are excited to welcome Jaytwann Bell to the Solano Economic Development Corporation team through our partnership with Rising Sun. Jaytwann will be supporting our efforts in promoting economic growth and sustainability, while also learning about key initiatives for BayREN and Rising Sun. We’re looking forward to the positive impact he’ll bring to Solano EDC.

In the past year alone, the Solano-Napa SBDC has helped local businesses boost their sales by an incredible $20.8 million! Imagine what we can do for your business—join Solano County’s growing community and unlock new opportunities for success. Become a client today!

Celebrating Solano's Workforce is an opportunity for the community to come together to recognize and honor our 'Workforce Heroes' - the businesses, job seekers and employees, and community partners who support and exemplify workforce efforts in Solano County.