Economic Development Resources
CALED Releases Budget, Bonds & Ballot Update
Representing more than 900 economic development practitioners and stakeholders, CALED is the voice of California’s economic development network. We are taking advantage of the Legislature’s summer break to give our members a brief update on the budget, two proposed bonds, and the full list of items on the November ballot. The Legislature left town on July 3, after passing a state budget, approving both climate and school bonds, and negotiating agreements resulting in the removal of several initiatives from the November ballot. On August 4, they return to take action on more than 1,000 bills before an August 31 adjournment date. To [...]
City of Ontario’s Executive Director of Economic Development Jennifer McLain Hiramoto announced as CALED chair
Jennifer McLain Hiramoto, Executive Director for the City of Ontario, is now the chair of the board of directors for the California Association for Local Economic Development (CALED). Jennifer has been a member of the Association for more than 15 years, including serving as an active member of the CALED Board of Directors. Her peers elected her to this leadership position due to her passion for championing economic development tools and resources and her work in supporting and elevating her peers as evidenced during her service as the first chair of CALED’s Project Development and Finance Division. Read more - [...]
CALED Continues to Fight for Manufacturing Tools by Supporting HR 3787
CALED recently sent a letter to Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) requesting support of HR 3787, the Modernizing Agriculture and Manufacturing Bonds Act (MAMBA). This act specifically would benefit small- and medium-sized manufacturers through adjustments made to Industrial Development Bonds (IDBs) and agriculture bonds in California by: Increasing the maximum IDB size limit from $10 million to $30 million; and Increasing the limitation on small issue bond proceeds for first-time farmers. Manufacturers are particularly important in building a healthy middle-class in our country. MAMBA would help these businesses purchase equipment and land so they can grow in California [...]
CALED Speaks with Local Electeds on Ways to Advance their Economic Development Goals
Gurbax Sahota, President & CEO for the California Association for Local Economic Development (CALED), has been traveling throughout California, engaging with local elected officials to impart valuable insights in order to set a common foundation regarding the economic development environment. In addition, Gurbax shares available tools and resources to help local government leaders think through their economic development goals, projects and metrics. The unwavering commitment of CALED leadership continues to solidify CALED’s reputation as the foremost authority on economic development in California. In recent months, CALED members have held a diverse array of study sessions and leadership forums, sharing their [...]
City of Corona’s Economic Development Director Jessica Gonzales Announced as CALED Chair
Jessica Gonzales, Economic Development Director of the City of Corona, is now the Chair of the Board of Directors for the California Association for Local Economic Development (CALED). Jessica has been a member of the Association for more than 15 years and has been an active board member for the past six years. She was elected to this leadership position by her peers due to her economic development expertise, her commitment to helping others succeed and her history of giving back to the profession. Her economic development achievements include implementing innovative economic development strategies for Southern California cities and sharing [...]
Changes to SB 747 and Update on Surplus Land Act Bills
SB 747 Narrowed by Forced Amendments in Senate Housing Committee Discussions/Negotiations over Multiple SLA Bills Expected SB 747 (Caballero) – a bill protecting use of public land for economic development and making helpful changes to the Surplus Land Act (SLA) encountered difficulties Monday in the Senate Housing Committee, when the Committee’s chair, Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), forced the author to take significant amendments that narrowed the scope of several key provisions. While the amendments are not yet in print, CALED understands them to be as follows: Requiring local agencies to have a state approved housing element and a Prohousing designation [...]
CALED helps SB 747 (Caballero) Pass the Senate Governance & Finance Committee
CALED helps SB 747 (Caballero) Pass the Senate Governance & Finance Committee CALED continues to fight for effective economic development tools for California’s jurisdictions. On April 12, CALED Board leaders Aaron Laurel, City Manager, West Sacramento and Jennifer McLain Hiramoto, Economic Development Director, City of Ontario testified alongside Senator Caballero in support of her SB 747. The bill makes critical changes to the Surplus Land Act (SLA) that support our members’ ability to provide quality economic development services to their communities, including: Reconfirms the ability of cities and counties to use economic development tools created by the Legislature. Provides important clarifications [...]
State of Economic Development
In the wake of pandemic-related aid that flowed to the State, local governments, nonprofits, and businesses, discussions about economic development in California revealed some fundamental misperceptions about what it is and how it is implemented. This lack of clarity, particularly when viewed in the context of the potential recession facing our economy, underscores the need for a more precise, sophisticated understanding of economic development and its role if we are to successfully meet the challenges ahead. Read More
CALED Champions Manufacturing
$30 million now available in IDB allocation for small and medium-sized manufacturers to be used for land purchases, facility expansion, new production equipment acquisition, and solar and energy conservation retrofits! CALED CEO Gurbax Sahota and Program Director Michelle Stephens provided public comment to champion the value of manufacturing and economic development at today’s CDLAC hearing. Thank you to the CDLAC staff & Committee Members, Treasurer Fiona Ma, Controller Malia Cohen, and Representative of Governor Gavin Newsom Gayle Miller for their balanced approach to supporting economic development and affordable housing in CA. To learn more, visit www.ceda.orkexpo.net or LinkedIn To see [...]
CALED Provides Input on Funding for Pilot Economic Development Projects
The California Labor Agency, Governor’s Office of Planning and Research, and Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development recently launched the Community Economic Resilience Fund (CERF) program, a $600 million initiative supporting innovative plans and strategies to diversify local economies and develop sustainable industries. $50 million of that funding is currently being considered to support economic development pilot projects that meet CERF objectives. The State team recently shared and solicited public input on the framework for these pilots. CALED provided key input in these areas: Ensure regional and geographic equity in funding allocation Clarify grant scoring emphasis Clarify variety of local plans [...]
Data and Fact-based Inclusive Economic Development Strategies, Not Rhetoric, Will Lead to a Stronger California Economy
The State of California has ignited significant interest in regional economic development through its Community Economic Resilience Fund (CERF) program, a $600 million initiative supporting innovative plans and strategies to diversify local economies and develop sustainable industries. State leaders recently announced the first round of CERF awards and identified 11 entities selected for funding, with two more yet to be named. Six of the 11 regional entities chosen are being spearheaded by members of the California Association for Local Economic Development (CALED), California’s premier economic development association and one of the largest economic development associations in the nation. These CALED [...]
CALED Signs on to Encourage Administration to Continue Engagement to Avoid Rail Strike
With the potential for a rail strike still looming, CALED joined with other trade associations in California and around the country to ask the Biden Administration to continue to “work with the railroad unions and railroads to ensure that the tentative agreement that you helped broker is ratified by the parties.” To see who else signed on and view the letter, click here.
CALED President & CEO Gurbax Sahota Appointed to Key Task Force Recommending Policy and Programs to Support Entrepreneurship and Economic Mobility
Sacramento, CA — Gurbax Sahota, President and Chief Executive Officer of the California Association for Local Economic Development (CALED), has been appointed to the 2022 California Entrepreneurship & Economic Mobility Task Force. Tara Lynn Gray, Director of the California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA), which is part of the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz), announced the appointment this week. The 34-member Task Force’s mission is to propel inclusive entrepreneurship by recommending policies and programs to ensure that all California small businesses have access to the resources they need to grow and scale. “I’m honored to [...]
New Playbook Offers Tools, Best Practices & Resources for California Communities to Create a Resilient Economy
SACRAMENTO, Ca. — California’s economy continues to be affected not only by economic disruptions caused by severe weather events, but also the threat of disasters like wildfires, earthquakes and floods, and even a potential recession. Risk assessment, preparedness, response, recovery and resiliency are ongoing concerns for community leaders, who know that it’s not a question of if there will be another economic disruption, but when will it happen — and whether jurisdictions and businesses are prepared. To help city and county leaders address economic resiliency, the U.S. Economic Development Administration has partnered with the California Association for Local Economic Development [...]
Register to Attend “Completing Development Projects: CALED’s Finance & Real Estate Summit”
Register today for “Completing Development Projects: CALED’s Finance & Real Estate Summit” in Riverside on Oct. 12 at the Riverside Mission Inn. More info at
CALED Fall Journal and Annual Directory Mailed to Membership
The Fall 2021 California Economic Development Journal published by CALED, and the 2021 member directory “Who’s Who in Economic Development,” were mailed to all CALED members in mid-November. Watch your mailboxes for these exciting publications! The directory features CALED members and highlights their communities. CALED designed this tool to help our members get more attention outside of California. It is an important part of our effort to support and promote our members, as well as raise awareness about the positive side of doing business in California. This directory was included in Business Facilities’ 2021 Annual Rankings Report and distributed to [...]
View Recording of How to Select & Support the Most Competitive CalCompetes Grant & Tax Credit Applicants
We are pleased to partner with the CalCompetes team within the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) to bring you this informative and practical session on understanding the CalCompetes funding, who can apply, how to apply, and what are the key criteria used for evaluation. This webinar is a great opportunity to hear directly from GO-Biz leadership what it takes to identify the key characteristics of a competitive applicant and the keys to a persuasive application – whether you are helping a business apply for a tax credit or the newly-created CalCompetes grants. Speaker: Scott Dosick, Deputy Director, [...]
Alphonse Wilfred Joins San Diego Mobile Crisis Response Team
Alphonse Wilfred, CALED’s former Program Assistant, has joined the San Diego Mobile Crisis Response Team (MCRT) as its Community Relations Coordinator. The San Diego MCRT, championed by San Diego County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher, provides clinician-led mobile crisis intervention services in the community to address behavioral health needs, facilitate transportation to immediate care, and link the individual to appropriate services. The Telecare MCRT offers crisis triage and management, risk assessment, in-person intervention, and care coordination. Each team responds to calls from the mobile office van to provide services directly in the field in the following San Diego County Regions: Central, East, [...]
SB 162 – $600 Million Community Economic Resiliency Fund (CERF) Program
Governor Newsom signed SB 162 creating a $600 million Community Economic Resiliency Fund (CERF) Program. While this program will have a regional approach, we hope to reinforce that regional solutions require local voices and engagement to ensure long-term success. […]
Governor Signs SB 780 (Cortese) CALED’s Bill Improving Economic Development Financing Tools
On September 28, 2021, Governor Newsom signed SB 780 (Cortese) into law. CALED sponsored this bill based on input from economic development practitioners on how to improve California’s economic development financing tools. Dee Dee Myers, Senior Advisor and Director of the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development stated, “California’s local agencies have long used tax increment financing tools, and this bill provides needed clarifications to improve their utilization. Tools like Enhanced Infrastructure Finance Districts (EIFDs) and Community Revitalization Investment Authorities (CRIAs) are often used to help spur the development of affordable housing and community public infrastructure projects. The Governor’s Office of Business [...]
View Recording of “State Leaders Brief You on Economic Development Funding Opportunities”
View the recording of CALED's webinar with Dee Dee Myers, Senior Advisor and Director, Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz), Stewart Knox, Undersecretary, California Labor and Workforce Development Agency, Gurbax Sahota, President & CEO, CALED and Daniel Carrigg, CALED Strategic Policy Advisor as they highlight the historic investments in supporting economic development in the 21-22 State Budget, and how they can be used to further your economic development efforts. To view the recorded webinar, click here. You will need to register by putting your name and email in order to view it. To download the slide deck, click [...]
View Recording of “Hear it from the Source – EDA American Rescue Plan Funding”
CALED, together with representatives of the Economic Development Administration, recently held a webinar on the just released “EDA American Rescue Plan Funding." To view the recorded webinar, go to http://attendee.gotowebinar.com/recording/1845298687039121423 You will need to register by putting your name and email in order to view it. To download the slide deck, click here.
You’re Invited: EDD to Connect with Employer Representatives to Help Find Qualified Workers
The California Employment Development Department (EDD) cordially invites you to a virtual panel discussion about some of the key tools we have available to help connect employers with qualified job seekers. Event Details: As California reopens following the pandemic, EDD recently announced that people must start looking for work July 11th to remain eligible for unemployment benefits. Meanwhile, EDD offers useful, no-cost programs to help employers reopen businesses and hire employees. Speakers from EDD’s Workforce Services Branch and the Labor Market Information Division will share information and resources employers may find helpful and will also be available to answer questions. [...]
View Recording of “Getting Connected: A Broadband Deployment & Adoption Resource Guide for Local & Regional Government”
CALED, together with Valley Vision and the California Emerging Technology Fund, recently held a webinar on the just released “Getting Connected: A Broadband Deployment and Adoption Resource Guide for Local and Regional Government Leaders.” To view the recorded webinar, go to http://attendee.gotowebinar.com/recording/1044395724585606923 You will need to register by putting your name and email in order to view it. […]
Check Out the Only In-Depth Economic Development Summary on the May Revise!
Governor Newsom released his 2021 May Budget Revise on Friday, May 14, proclaiming that revenues had soared, producing an opportunity for a one-time “generational budget” called the “California Comeback Plan,” allocating over $100 billion in state surplus and federal pandemic relief funds. The May Revision builds off of the various proposals outlined previously in the Governor’s January budget, and offers new and expanded programs, assistance, and investments to stimulate the economic recovery. Compared to typical state budgets, the scope of this 200-page proposal is staggering, with over 400 new programs being proposed. Download CALED PDF Version of the Summary here.