Monterey Herald Economy Matters: Monterey Bay’s next harvest isn’t in the fields. It’s in the data.

by Tahra Goraya | Jul 30, 2026 | Economy Matters, MBEP News, Tech & Innovation

Artificial intelligence is no longer a distant, futuristic idea — it is already reshaping agriculture, healthcare, education, and local business across our region. From precision irrigation on Salinas Valley farms to diagnostic tools in our clinics, AI is quietly...

CAAMCI Chronicles | Vol. 2: What If the Biggest Challenge Facing Advanced Aviation Isn’t Certification?

by Lavera Alexander | Jul 24, 2026 | CAAMCI Chronicles, MBEP News, Tech & Innovation

One question surfaces repeatedly when people ask me about CAAMCI: When will the aircraft be certified? The short answer is: we don’t know. That is a question only the FAA and the aircraft manufacturers moving through the certification process can answer. But I...

California Public Utilities Commission Approves $33.2 Million to Expand Broadband Access Across the Central Coast

by Marie Vasari | Jul 16, 2026 | Broadband, MBEP News, Tech & Innovation

Surfnet Communications’ Central Coast Fiber Broadband and Santa Barbara Fiber projects will connect nearly 1,300 unserved locations across five counties (July 16, 2026 — Marina, CA) — The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) today voted to award up to...

CAAMCI Chronicles: What is Economic Development Doing in an Aviation Conversation?

by Lavera Alexander | Jun 22, 2026 | Advanced Air Mobility, CAAMCI Chronicles, Tech & Innovation

Over time, one question has surfaced repeatedly in my role as Director of the California Advanced Air Mobility Corridors Initiative (CAAMCI): What is economic development doing in an aviation conversation? It’s a fair question. Advanced aviation is often discussed...

Commentary: Let’s Talk Plainly About Advanced Air Mobility

by Tahra Goraya | Apr 28, 2026 | Advanced Air Mobility, MBEP News, Op-Ed, Tech & Innovation

Helping our region understand AAM and why the rapidly evolving sector is so important By Tahra Goraya, President & CEO of Monterey Bay Economic Partnership and Lavera Alexander, Chief Growth Officer and CAAMCI Director (April 28, 2026 — Marina) — Let’s be honest:...

CPUC Awards Monterey Bay Economic Partnership $463,644 Million to Expand Digital Literacy and Broadband Access in the Tri-County Region

by Marie Vasari | Feb 27, 2026 | Broadband, Economic & Workforce Development, MBEP News, Tech & Innovation

Since December, MBEP has secured more than $613,000 in CASF Adoption grantsThe California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) on Thursday awarded Monterey Bay Economic Partnership (MBEP) $463,644 for three Connected Communities Hubs projects establishing free...