ECONOMIC & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
Making Connections
We connect businesses, government, and education to retain and recruit companies, build a skilled workforce, and attract federal and state investments. Our leadership secured the region’s Economic Development District designation, unlocking new funding streams, and co-created economic blueprints like Uplift Central Coast and Regions Rise Together.
Why It Matters
A coordinated economic vision attracts capital and positions the region for large-scale investments. Skilled talent pipelines make our region a top choice for companies seeking a competitive, ready-to-work labor force.
Key Achievements
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$19M in Catalyst funding secured and 13 local projects supported through Uplift Central Coast
MBEP helps turn investment into impact by guiding inclusive economic development efforts across the region.
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$510M regional investment needs outlined in Regions Rise Together 2.0 Blueprint
Convened over 35 organizations during a two year planning process to identify shovel ready projects.
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Elevated childcare & early learning as a priority at major convenings and in Uplift Central Coast and Regions Rise Together
Ensures childcare is seen and funded as essential infrastructure in regional economic plans.
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Secured CA’s first Economic Development District designation in 15 years
Unlocks access to federal funding to support long-term economic growth in a historically under-resourced region.
Building an Inclusive Economy in the Monterey Bay Region
In this report, researchers from the Institute for Social Transformation, in partnership with the Monterey Bay Economic Partnership, aim to help community and business leaders throughout the Monterey Bay Area (Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz Counties) better understand the progress they are making towards a more inclusive economy. Click here for the full report. Click here for an executive summary.
Uplift Central Coast
Co-led by Monterey Bay Economic Partnership (MBEP), REACH, and the Economic Development Collaborative (EDC), Uplift Central Coast is a collaborative effort to build a more inclusive, resilient, and prosperous economy across six counties: Santa Cruz, San Benito, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura.
Now operating under California Jobs First (formerly known as the Community Economic Resilience Fund or CERF), Uplift is uniquely positioned to create a community-driven economic development plan that reflects the distinct needs, values, and strengths of the Central Coast.
Regions Rise Together
Led by the Monterey Bay Economic Partnership (MBEP) with the support of CA Forward and funding by the James Irvine Foundation, the Regions Rise Together initiative supports the creation of an inclusive economic development initiative that seeks to achieve inclusivity and prosperity for all residents in the tri-county region, to synchronize and leverage existing efforts, enable and empower communities through the co-creation of investment plans, and ultimately demonstrate that our region is investment ready and worthy.
Monterey Bay
Tech Hub
The Monterey Bay region — spanning Monterey, Santa Cruz, and San Benito counties — has emerged as one of the nation’s leading centers for advanced air mobility (AAM) and drone innovation. Home to pioneering companies in eVTOL, hydrogen-fueled aircraft, and drone technology, the region brings together industry leaders, higher education, defense installations, and agriculture to fuel economic growth and create jobs in one of California’s most promising sectors.
Most recently, the California Jobs First Council awarded $7.45 million to the Monterey Bay Economic Partnership on behalf of the Monterey Bay Tech Hub to launch the California Advanced Air Mobility Corridor Initiative (CAAMCI). This transformative investment will establish California’s first FAA-compliant multi-airport flight corridor network, positioning the Central Coast as a national leader in sustainable aviation, workforce development, and next-generation aerospace innovation.