Solano EDC Economic Update - January 2023

JANUARY 23' UPDATE

CHRIS RICO

President & CEO

Dear Members, Partners, and Friends of the EDC,

I hope you all had a restful and connected holiday season and Happy New Year!

Wishing you all good health and continued prosperity. Before the break I had the opportunity to visit the California Conservation Corps along with a host of civic leaders including Supervisor’s Vasquez and Brown, Council Members Panduro and Tonnesen, and Leo Callejas who leads the Solano Hispanic Chamber. Their facility is located on the grounds of the Fairfield Suisun Sewer district. If you aren’t familiar with the Conservation Corps, they were founded in 1976 by Governor Brown. The CCC is dedicated to transforming the lives of California’s young adults, ages 18 to 25, and military veterans through age 29, through hard work, education and training; enabling them to earn meaningful skills and handson experience for launching a career and becoming assets to our communities. It’s a great resource in our community so I was thrilled to learn what they’re up to. You can learn more about them here.

I also had the pleasure of accompanying Supervisor Hannigan, Tiffanee Jones, District Director for Congresswoman Lori Wilson, and Council Member Pippin Dew of Vallejo to the Northern California Carpenter’s Union Moose feed in San Francisco at the invitation of board Member Fidel Chavez. This venerable event has taken place for over sixty years. Due to the pandemic, it hadn’t happened since 2020. People were ready to party. We heard from Mayor London Breed and several state senators, union leaders, and other elected officials.I had the good fortunes to sit with Council Member Jim Ernest and Mayor Bird from Dixon. We had the opportunity to discuss Priority Production Areas along the 505 corridor.

Speaking of Priority Production Areas (PPAs), we’re working with STA and the 7 cities to seek grant funding from the ABAG (Association of Bay Area Governments) and MTC (Metropolitan Transportation Commission) to develop the 7 PPAS in Solano County. The goal is to be shovel ready for all of the infrastructure necessary to build out these industrial areas and create high wage jobs. 140,000 Solanoans commute out of the County to work each day. We want to change that and get people working closer to home so that they can have a better quality of life, with less congestion and cleaner air.

Chris Rico President/CEO

Wishing you all good health and continued prosperity.

Mayor London Breed

State Senator Scott Wiener & Vallejo City Council Member Pippin Dew

WELCOME NEW MEMBER: REPUBLIC URBAN PROPERTIES

Over the course of the last 40 years the Republic Family of Companies has developed 29,000,000 square feet of real estate, across all categories, representing an investment at cost over $9 billion. Republic has executed over 35 private/public sector projects and is working on several multi-hundred million-dollar projects in major cities across the U.S. with millions of square feet in its development pipeline. Republic was recently rewarded for a project in uptown Charlotte, North Carolina for a 16-acre project including a major public transportation hub in one of the fastest growing cities in the country. Republic strong partnerships with financial lenders, jurisdictions and local businesses has been the building blocks of our success.

WELCOME NEW MEMBER: FOOD BANK OF CONTRA COSTA & SOLANO

The Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano serve an astounding 1 in 6 residents for emergency and supplemental food. Many are unable to make ends meet and the Food Bank helps them cover one of life’s basic needs—nutritious food.

They strive to serve all people experiencing hunger or food insecurity in Solano and Contra Costa counties and commit to never turn anyone away.

Our Bay Area Regional Energy Network (BayREN) team sponsored and volunteered for the 10th Annual, Fairfield Community Services Foundation (FCSF) toy/coats-for-kids and food drive giveaway; located at Bethel Community Church on East Tabor.

The FCSF's goals are to ensure low-income children in the community receive at least one new toy for Christmas, a warm coat to keep them healthy during the cold winter months and provide food for their families.

Toy and coat donations were collected in mid-November, with bins placed inside local businesses and non-profits. In addition, on December 3rd and 4th, toy and coat donations were collected at a booth outside of Macy’s in the Solano Town Center. BayREN provided all-purpose bags, information on free energy efficient kits, toiletry items and crayons for the children. The National Council of Negro Women, Inc. also provided brochures on their "Black Infant Health" initiative.

On December 17th, 1,138 children received coats and toys, families received 500 bags of food, 500 bags of personal hygiene products and community information. In total, 1,759 people were served.

Two days earlier, FCSF Board members, Fairfield Police, Fire Departments and representatives from Casa De Oracion of Fairfield (Rev. Nora Macias de Mora, who serves on the FCSF Advisory Committee) provided 153 toys and coats to children at an apartment complex on Crowley Lane. The Fairfield-Suisun School District's Family Resource Center received 83 coats and 12 toys to help students in need. On Christmas Day, members of the Fairfield Police Department used 15 bags of toys from FCSF to distribute to 200 children on Phoenix Drive.

The Aviatrix at Fairfield

Thoughtfully designed and conveniently situated adjacent to the Fairfield Capitol Corridor Train Station, the Aviatrix at Fairfield brings together resort style living and transit-oriented development all in one. Our Build-For-Rent development, featuring 346 three-story town homes on 26 acres, has been designed to appeal to a broad demographic of renters from young professionals who need more space to start a family to mature couples who do not want the maintenance responsibilities of homeownership. Each unit features a sustainable all electric home with discounted solar energy, standard two-car garage, private patios, and access to numerous amenities including a club-style community center, resort pool and spa, and fitness center. Given the severe housing shortage that California is in, our development provides much needed housing for the missing middle such as teachers, fire fighters and military personnel.

Being the first developer in Planning Area 1 of the Train Station Specific Plan (TSSP), the project will be a much needed economic catalyst for an area that’s currently occupied by vacant greenfields and industrial uses. The influx of residents into this neighborhood will incentivize future developers and businesses looking to capitalize on this growing market. In addition, the residents of Aviatrix will have access to the many businesses and jobs across Solano County through the train station, contributing to the economic ecosystem along the transit corridor.

Republic is investing over $15M in master planning and infrastructure improvements on roads such as Peabody Road and creating new public parks that will be open to the community. A Community Facilities District (CFD) will also be formed by Republic which will reduce the offsite infrastructure burdens for future developers coming into the area. Republic is fully committed to this community, and we aim to create a lasting positive impact through our development.

Orthopedic Specialist Andrew Brooks, M.D.

A promising new treatment for knee injuries -- popularized in recent years by professional athletes like Tiger Woods and Rafael Nidal -- is now among the arsenal of advanced medical options available at NorthBay Health.

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) injections offer promise in the treatment of sprains and tendon injuries and NorthBay orthopedic specialist Andrew Brooks, M.D., is now including it as an option for certain patients. He is the only orthopedist offering the treatment in Solano County.

Platelet-rich plasma consists of two elements: plasma, or the liquid portion of blood, and platelets, a type of blood cell that plays an important role in healing throughout the body. Platelets are well-known for their clotting abilities, but they also contain growth factors that can trigger cell reproduction and stimulate tissue regeneration or healing in the treated area. Platelet-rich plasma is simply blood that contains more platelets than normal.

To create platelet-rich plasma, a blood sample is taken from the patient and placed it into a centrifuge that rapidly spins the sample, separating out the other components of the blood from the platelets and concentrating them within the plasma, which is then injected into the target area, such as an injured knee or a tendon.

Studies have shown that the increased concentration of growth factors in plateletrich plasma may stimulate or speed up the healing process, shortening healing time for injuries and decreasing pain.

Patients can call 707-624-7900 for more information.

The California Conservation Corps welcomes young individuals from all backgrounds. Once enrolled, expectations are high. Corpsmembers emerge from the CCC with character, credentials and commitment.

The CWA will be hosting multiple regional webinars in January to discuss the benefits of the Homeless Hiring Tax Credit (HHTC) for employers and community members alike. Last year, Assembly Bill (AB) 150 was signed which established the Homeless Hiring Tax Credit (HHTC). The credit is available for taxable years beginning January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2026. Employers may receive $2,500 to $10,000 in tax credit per eligible employee based on the actual hours worked in the taxable year. Employers may claim up to $30,000 of credit per taxable year.

The regional webinars will provide a step-by-step guide on the process of reserving the tax credit, answer any questions related to the tax credit and it’s benefits.

We will have a panel discussion with the Franchise Tax Board and Local Workforce Development Boards leaders to discuss the benefits of this groundbreaking tax credit that simultaneously addresses the homelessness crisis by incentivizing the hiring of homeless individuals while providing tax credits to small businesses.

We ask that you please share the invitation with local partners, employers and homeless advocacy groups in an effort to better inform and promote the reservation of the tax credit.

We highly suggest attending the session in your designated region as we will be working to connect you with local partners. The dates are as follows:

Southern California: Wednesday, January 11, 2023 at 3:00 p.m.- 4:00p.m.

Central Valley: Thursday, January 12, 2023 at 1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m.

Northern California: Friday, January 13, 2023 at 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.

You may register for free at https://www.tickettailor.com/events/californiaworkforceassociation/801864.

If you have any questions pertaining to which region you may join, please email Isis Medina Orellana at iorellana@calworkforce.org.

Valero Benicia CAP Receives Presentation About the Solano Land Trust

Valero Benicia Refinery released its 2022 Solano Land Trust presentation. As business partners in conservation, together they strive to protect some of the most beautiful natural parks in Solano County.

Their main focus is to:

Protect land to serve both conservation and community need Model stewardship to balance inclusive recreation and conservation Catalyze community support and actions to address climate change Expand opportunities for meaningful outdoor experiences for all people

Founded in 1986, the Solano Land Trust was the result of open space advocates, land developers, and a municipal government working together to benefit the community.