California Partnership for San Joaquin Valley Adopts Strategic Action Proposal
FRESNO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Recognizing that challenges in the San Joaquin Valley will affect the entire state, the California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley today adopted a Strategic Action Proposal to tackle its economic, environmental and social challenges, as well as to position the region as central to the future of California.
"The San Joaquin Valley already is the number-one agricultural area in the world, but we can diversify the economy and make it even stronger," said Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. "Today's meeting shows that the Partnership's hard work means action for Californians in the Valley."
Gov. Schwarzenegger established the California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley through Executive Order S-5-05 in Fresno on June 24, 2005. He directed his Cabinet to join forces with the leaders and residents of the San Joaquin Valley to produce a proposal “to improve the economic well-being of the Valley and the quality-of-life of its residents.”
Gov. Schwarzenegger called upon Business, Transportation & Housing Agency Secretary Sunne Wright McPeak to chair the Partnership efforts. Secretary McPeak moved quickly to host 18 meetings and public forums in each of the eight counties – in which more than 300 people participated – to obtain input for the Strategic Action Proposal adopted today.
“We have worked hard to produce a proposal that recognizes the Valley’s agriculture as the foundation for economic growth – combined with new frontiers to pursue in manufacturing, logistics, technology, health care and renewable energy,” said Secretary McPeak. “Our goal is to help state and federal decision makers to reposition the San Joaquin Valley as a significant contributor to the California economy.”
The Partnership already has generated many positive results including accelerating highway construction projects, facilitating new Enterprise Zone designations, endorsing medical education programs, facilitating deployment of high-speed information technology, securing funding for workforce training, recommending air-quality improvements, and obtaining $5 million from the state Budget to expedite implementation of the Strategic Action Proposal.
“With focused attention and dedicated leadership, the San Joaquin Valley can become world-class in every dimension,” said Secretary McPeak. “Doing so will benefit all of California because the San Joaquin Valley is California’s 21st Century opportunity.”
Strategic Action Proposal at http://www.bth.ca.gov/capartnership/sanjoaquinvalley.asp.