Solano Economic Update: July 2025

JULY 25' UPDATE JULY 25' UPDATE

David Danzeisen

MD - Kaiser Permanente

Solano EDC Board Member

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SOLANO EDC SOLANO EDC JUNE BREAKFAST JUNE BREAKFAST

We had a full house at this morning’s Solano EDC June Breakfast, where this

We had a full house at this morning’s Solano EDC June Breakfast, where this quarter’s program, “Tariffs, Headwinds, and Opportunities,” brought together a quarter’s program, “Tariffs, Headwinds, and Opportunities,” brought together a powerhouse panel of economic leaders. Jeff Bellisario (Bay Area Council powerhouse panel of economic leaders. Jeff Bellisario (Bay Area Council Economic Institute), Dr. Rob Eyler (Sonoma State University), Michael Likosky Economic Institute), Dr. Rob Eyler (Sonoma State University), Michael Likosky (Results), and Chris Rico (Solano EDC) led a compelling discussion on today’s (Results), and Chris Rico (Solano EDC) led a compelling discussion on today’s shifting economic landscape—from inflation and international trade to the shifting economic landscape—from inflation and international trade to the strategies Solano County can leverage for sustainable growth. The session strategies Solano County can leverage for sustainable growth. The session concluded with a lively Q&A, sparking meaningful cross-sector dialogue. We’re concluded with a lively Q&A, sparking meaningful cross-sector dialogue. We’re grateful to everyone who joined us, and to our generous sponsors—Travis Credit grateful to everyone who joined us, and to our generous sponsors Travis Credit Union, Recology, and Pacific Gas and Electric Company—for making impactful Union, Recology, and Pacific Gas and Electric Company—for making impactful conversations like this possible. conversations like this possible.

We’re proud to highlight an inspiring local success story! In this special feature, We’re proud to highlight an inspiring local success story! In this special feature, our President & CEO Chris Rico, sits down with Nicole Hodge, the passionate our President & CEO Chris Rico, sits down with Nicole Hodge, the passionate owner of Provisions in Downtown Vallejo. Nicole shares how support from the owner of Provisions in Downtown Vallejo. Nicole shares how support from the Solano Biz-Grow Revolving Loan Fund allowed her to invest in her dedicated Solano Biz-Grow Revolving Loan Fund allowed her to invest in her dedicated team, expand operations, and strengthen her business after the challenges of team, expand operations, and strengthen her business after the challenges of the pandemic. the pandemic.

Thanks to this vital funding opportunity, Nicole continues to create a welcoming

Thanks to this vital funding opportunity, Nicole continues to create a welcoming and vibrant space in the heart of Vallejo—proving that small businesses truly are and vibrant space in the heart of Vallejo proving that small businesses truly are the backbone of our communities. the backbone of our communities.

Fairfield Breaks Ground on $28M First 5 Recreation Center Fairfield Breaks Ground on $28M First 5 Recreation Center

Fairfield officially began construction on the $28 million 2030 North Texas Recreation Center. The new hub will include a recreation center, sports fields, playgrounds, and more. First 5 Solano will offer family services on-site. Completion is expected by April 2026 as part of Fairfield’s broader Community Spaces initiative.

Supervisors award

$2.17 million in Community Investment grants

$2.17 million in Community Investment grants Supervisors award

Solano County supervisors approved $2.17 million in Community Investment grants supporting mental health, homelessness, youth, and housing. Six organizations received one-time grants, with additional funding directed toward legacy programs and deep programming efforts, including Touro University and homelessness prevention. The funds aim to expand impactful local services across the county.

Solano County Fairgrounds Reimagined as Year-Round Economic Driver Solano County Fairgrounds Reimagined as Year-Round Economic Driver

With Solano360 sidelined, the Solano County Fairgrounds is pivoting to a business-focused model—booking major events, upgrading infrastructure, and saving costs. Under new leadership, nearly every weekend in 2025 is filled. The fair remains a community gift, while talks of film studios and conventions hint at an ambitious future.

$29,000 in Scholarships Awarded to Solano Ag Students by Friends of the Dixon May Fair

Solano’s own Sen. Christopher Cabaldon is moving the needle on affordable housing. With Governor Newsom’s support for Senate Bill 417, a $10 billion housing bond could be headed to the 2026 ballot. While local funding for emergency housing is drying up, Cabaldon is pushing for long-term solutions to California’s housing crisis—reminding us that accountability must be paired with real investment.

PG&E is boosting power capacity in Solano County by 12–13 megawatts at the Vaca-Dixon substation by early 2026. The upgrades aim to support growing demand from EV chargers, Amazon warehouses, and new businesses, addressing past delays in power connections for developments in the region.

Solano County Nears Full Spend of $87M in ARPA Funds

Solano County has obligated nearly all of its $86.95M in American Rescue Plan funds, with $63M spent and $450K repaid from business loans. County staff discussed reallocating remaining funds before the 2026 deadline, focusing on emergency communications and early learning initiatives.

Highway 37 Widening Project Gets Boost with $73M Grant Recommendation Highway 37 Widening Project Gets Boost with $73M Grant Recommendation

A $73 million grant is recommended to fund Phase 2 of the Highway 37 project, easing congestion and mitigating flooding along the vital MarinVallejo corridor. The upgrade includes added lanes, flood protections, and ecological restoration, with construction targeted to begin in 2026 pending final approval by the California Transportation Commission.

Travis Credit Union Awards $40K in Scholarships to Support Local Graduates

Travis Credit Union awarded

$2,000 scholarships to 20 students across six counties, including eight from Solano County. The $40,000

Travis Credit Union awarded $2,000 scholarships to 20 students across six counties, including eight from Solano County. The $40,000

total supports graduating seniors as they begin college journeys.

TCU has awarded over $637,000 through its Community Impact Scholarship program since launching 21 years ago.

Vallejo Opens Long-Awaited Homeless Navigation Center Vallejo Opens Long-Awaited Homeless Navigation Center

Vallejo celebrated the grand opening of its long-awaited Navigation Center, offering 125 beds and comprehensive support services for people experiencing homelessness. Located at 1937 Broadway, the center was made possible through a decade of collaboration among city leaders, nonprofits, and health partners to address urgent housing and service needs.

CONGRATULATIONS

ANDREAS ANDREAS BOHRER BOHRER

LONZA

LEGAL LEGAL CHIEF CHIEF

Lonza has promoted Andreas Bohrer to Chief Legal and Corporate Lonza has promoted Andreas Bohrer to Chief Legal and Corporate Affairs Officer, effective July 1. Based at the company’s Vacaville site, Affairs Officer, effective July 1. Based at the company’s Vacaville site, Bohrer will join the executive committee and oversee legal, ethics, Bohrer will join the executive committee and oversee legal, ethics, and compliance functions, expanding his leadership in one of Solano and compliance functions, expanding his leadership in one of Solano

County’s key biomanufacturing hubs. County’s key biomanufacturing hubs.

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Land Trust Expands Presence with New Vacaville Office

Solano Land Trust Expands Presence with New Vacaville Office

The Solano Land Trust celebrated the opening of its new downtown Vacaville office at 198 Dobbins St. with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The move strengthens their community presence and supports land preservation efforts, education programs, and workforce flexibility through hybrid work and outreach across Solano County.

Solano Land Trust Solano Land Trust for their 4th Annual Country for their 4th Annual Country Night at Rush Ranch—an evening of music, food, Night at Rush Ranch—an evening of music, food, community, and conservation. community, and conservation.

Enjoy live performances from Myriah Monet & Enjoy live performances from Myriah Monet & The Little Fridays and Tom Drinnon, shop from The Little Fridays and Tom Drinnon, shop from local vendors, enjoy food trucks and drinks, and local vendors, enjoy food trucks and drinks, and dance under the open Solano County sky—all in dance under the open Solano County sky—all in support of protecting local open space and support of protecting local open space and working lands. working lands.