The San Joaquin Valley

Ashley Swearengin, Fresno State, California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley

If the San Joaquin Valley was a state, it would have . . .

• A population greater than 23 states;• A land area greater than 10 states;• More agricultural revenue than every other

state;• More world-class national parks than every

other state; and• A higher population growth rate than all but

three states…

But it would also have . . .

• The highest percentage of people living below the poverty line;

• The lowest per capita income;• The lowest educational attainment;• The poorest access to health care;• The worst air quality; and• One of the lowest federal “direct expenditure”

rates.

Interagency Task Force for the Economic Development of the San Joaquin Valley

By Executive Order #13173

Amended 10/21/2004

Four Initiatives:

• Jobs

• Clean Air/Energy

• Financial Ed

• Rural Infrastructure

Success for theSan Joaquin Valley

The Partnership• Unprecedented public-private partnership

– focused on improving the region’s economic vitality and quality of life for the 3.4 million residents

• Addressing the challenges of the region by implementing measurable actions – on economic, environmental, and social levels to help

the San Joaquin Valley emerge as California’s 21st Century Opportunity

“The strength of California is tied to the economic success of the San Joaquin Valley.”

–Governor Schwarzenegger

History

• Formed in June 2005 through an Executive Order by Governor Schwarzenegger

• Led by an appointed board

• Engaged hundreds of people in the region through public forums and 10 work groups

• 10-year Strategic Action Proposal in October 2006

• Governor Schwarzenegger and the state Legislature approved $5 million in the State Budget for 2006-2007 to jumpstart implementation

The Opportunity

• The Partnership’s six major initiatives:1. Grow a diversified, globally-competitive economy supported by

a highly-skilled workforce;

2. Create a model K-12 public education system;

3. Develop high quality health and human services;

4. Attain clean air standards;

5. Implement an integrated framework for sustainable growth; and

6. Build a 21st century transportation mobility system.

The WorkThe Partnership is focused on

action in ten work groups:• Air Quality• Economic Development• Energy• Health and Human Services• Workforce Development and Higher Education• K–12 Education• Land Use, Agriculture, and Housing• Advanced Communication Services• Transportation• Water Quality, Supply and Reliability

The Partnership

The WorkThe Partnership is focused on

action in ten work groups:• Air Quality• Economic Development• Energy• Health and Human Services• Higher Education and Workforce Development• K–12 Education• Land Use, Agriculture, and Housing• Advanced Communication Services• Transportation• Water Quality, Supply and Reliability

The WorkThe Partnership is focused on

action in ten work groups:

• Higher Education and Workforce Development

Higher Education and Workforce Development

THE FOCUS:

Expand higher education opportunities and develop the workforce preparation infrastructure to support sustained, long-term economic vitality.

Higher Education and Workforce Development

• Workforce Development is Economic Development

• Central Valley Career Advancement Academy – the model for the Valley

• Key Ingredients:– Innovation

– Collaboration

– Sustained Effort

The San Joaquin Valley

Ashley Swearenginwww.sjvpartnership.org / (559) 294-6021