UPDATE
SPONSORED BY: SPONSORED BY:
CHRIS RICO
President & CEO
Dear Members, Partners, and Friends of the EDC,
My apologies to anyone and everyone whose NCAA bracket was busted by my alma mater’s epic collapse on Sunday. For those of you who know me, I’m a pretty rabid Duke basketball fan as I was there for the Chrisitan Laettner, Bobby Hurley, Grant Hill dynasty. What many don’t know is that, while at Duke, I was studying to be a diplomat and spent a semester studying in Geneva at the United Nations. When I graduated from Duke in 1993, the global economy wasn’t great, so I pivoted to another passion of mine, film and television.
So many decades later, I get to lean into my foreign affairs passion and connect with consular folks from countries who we are pursuing to bring large investments into Solano County. In February, as I wrote about last month, we hosted folks from Sweden, Japan, and South Korea. Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to visit the Korean Consulate with Jaclyn Funasaki from the East Bay EDA. Jackie has 13 years of consular experience, so she’s a well informed collaborator as we build relationships with foreign governments.
As we move forward to build an advanced manufacturing ecosystem in the inner Bay Area, East Bay EDA is an important partner. We’re partnering with them on our California Job’s First Shipbuilding initiatives. When we are building ships again, we will lean heavily on the supply chains in the East Bay all the way down to Fremont, and the industrial waterfront in Eastern Contra Costa will be reignited. We are talking to our regional peers about creating a Select the Bay
event for foreign direct investment specifically into advanced manufacturing in our region, something that Los Angeles has done for over a decade with Select LA. Silicon Valley has never done this because it didn’t need to. The tech ecosystem had its own global conferences and gravitational pull.
After so many decades of the wealth and opportunity being concentrated in and around Silicon Valley, it’s exciting to contemplate growing the wealth and prosperity in our region. What I’m committed to ensuring, is that we do this equitably and that we are very intentional of building housing at the pace of job creation. What we don’t want to replicate from the coastal part of the Bay, is making housing unaffordable and displacing people and communities along the way. Go Duke (in 2027)!
Wishing you good health and prosperity.
POWER UP POWER UP
SOLANO COUNTY SOLANO COUNTY
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From cafes to salons, From cafes to salons, Solano small businesses Solano small businesses are saving an average of are saving an average of $2,800/year with energy- $2,800/year with energyefficient upgrades. efficient upgrades.
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So Solano Secures $37M to lano Secures $37M to Expand Mental Health & Expand Mental Health & Recovery Services Recovery Services
Solano County secured over $37 million to Solano County secured over $37 million to develop a new Behavioral Health Recovery develop a new Behavioral Health Recovery Campus, expanding crisis care, treatment Campus, expanding crisis care, treatment capacity, and support services. This investment capacity, and support services. This investment strengthens community health, reduces strain strengthens community health, reduces strain on emergency systems, and supports a more on emergency systems, and supports a more stable workforce—benefiting residents, stable workforce—benefiting residents, employers, and overall economic resilience employers, and overall economic resilience across the county. across the county.
$3.4M Workforce Grant Fuels $3.4M Workforce Grant Fuels Solano Economic Recovery Solano Economic Recovery
A $3.4 million workforce grant will support displaced Solano County workers impacted by major closures, funding job training, career services, and business support. This investment helps stabilize the local economy, retain skilled talent, and create pathways into new industries—critical for long-term resilience and growth for residents and employers alike.
Solano College Solano College Leads
in Gene Leads in Gene Therapy
Therapy Workforce Innovation
Workforce Innovation
Solano College’s cutting-edge gene therapy program is preparing students for high-demand biotech careers, supporting a rapidly growing industry in the Bay Area. By building a skilled workforce pipeline, the program strengthens Solano County’s position in life sciences, driving innovation, job creation, and long-term economic opportunity for residents and businesses.
Fairfield Launches Grant Fairfield Launches Grant Program to Revital Program to Revital
ize ize
North Texas Street North Texas Street
Suisun City received a $209,712 grant from Suisun City received a $209,712 grant from the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation to upgrade its the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation to upgrade its fire station alerting system. The modern fire station alerting system. The modern technology will enhance emergency response technology will enhance emergency response times, reduce stress for firefighters, and times, reduce stress for firefighters, and improve overall safety. The investment improve overall safety. The investment supports the city’s commitment to public supports the city’s commitment to public safety and firefighter wellness. safety and firefighter wellness.
Vacaville Adopts Stric Vacaville Adopts Strict Energy t Energy
Storage Ordinance Prioritizing Safety Storage Ordinance Prioritizing Safety
Vacaville approved a new ordinance limiting battery energy storage systems, prioritizing safer technologies and stricter regulations. While restricting certain developments, the policy provides clarity for investors and protects community safety—balancing innovation with risk management, which is key for maintaining a stable, business-friendly environment in Solano County.
New Vanpool Program New Vanpool Program
Approved to Connect Solano
Approved to Connect Solano
Commuters to UC Davis Commuters to UC Davis
A new vanpool pilot program will replace the A new vanpool pilot program will replace the Blue Line, expanding commute options between Blue Line, expanding commute options between
Solano County and UC Davis. The cost-effective Solano County and UC Davis. The cost-effective solution supports workforce mobility, reduces solution supports workforce mobility, reduces transportation barriers, and helps residents transportation barriers, and helps residents
access education and jobs—strengthening access education and jobs—strengthening regional connectivity and economic opportunity regional connectivity and economic opportunity for Solano businesses and commuters. for Solano businesses and commuters.
State of the State of the City: Suisun City: Suisun Business Leaders Business Leaders
Headline April Luncheon Headline April
Suisun City’s “State of the Business” luncheon on Suisun City’s “State of the Business” luncheon on April 10 brings together key leaders to discuss April 10 brings together key leaders to discuss economic growth, workforce development, and economic growth, workforce development, and regional partnerships. The event offers valuable regional partnerships. The event offers valuable insights and networking opportunities, helping insights and networking opportunities, helping local businesses and residents stay informed, local businesses and residents stay informed, connected, and prepared for continued economic connected, and prepared for continued economic progress in Solano County. progress in Solano County.
Vallejo Advances $23M Blu Vallejo Advances $23M Blue e
Rock
Springs Vision for Rock Springs Vision for Future Growth Future Growth
Vallejo approved concept plans for a $23 million Blue Rock Springs redevelopment, including a youth center, housing, and expanded amenities. While still in early stages, the project signals long-term investment, potential housing growth, and economic activity important for attracting residents, supporting local businesses, and enhancing community assets in Solano County.
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WEDNESDAY – APRIL 5 INTRODUCTION TO CALGREEN
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WEDNESDAY – MAY 13 025 ENERGY CODE
SOLANO COUNTY SOLANO COUNTY
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DIXON DIXON
FAIRFIELD FAIRFIELD
R RIO VISTA IO VISTA
S SUISUN CITY UISUN CITY
VACAVILLE VACAVILLE
