Economic Development Resources
CALED helps SB 747 (Caballero) Pass the Senate Governance & Finance Committee
CALED helps SB 747 (Caballero) Pass the Senate Governance & Finance Committee CALED continues to fight for effective economic development tools for California’s jurisdictions. On April 12, CALED Board leaders Aaron Laurel, City Manager, West Sacramento and Jennifer McLain Hiramoto, Economic Development Director, City of Ontario testified alongside Senator Caballero in support of her SB 747. The bill makes critical changes to the Surplus Land Act (SLA) that support our members’ ability to provide quality economic development services to their communities, including: Reconfirms the ability of cities and counties to use economic development tools created by the Legislature. Provides important clarifications [...]
State of Economic Development
In the wake of pandemic-related aid that flowed to the State, local governments, nonprofits, and businesses, discussions about economic development in California revealed some fundamental misperceptions about what it is and how it is implemented. This lack of clarity, particularly when viewed in the context of the potential recession facing our economy, underscores the need for a more precise, sophisticated understanding of economic development and its role if we are to successfully meet the challenges ahead. Read More
CALED Champions Manufacturing
$30 million now available in IDB allocation for small and medium-sized manufacturers to be used for land purchases, facility expansion, new production equipment acquisition, and solar and energy conservation retrofits! CALED CEO Gurbax Sahota and Program Director Michelle Stephens provided public comment to champion the value of manufacturing and economic development at today’s CDLAC hearing. Thank you to the CDLAC staff & Committee Members, Treasurer Fiona Ma, Controller Malia Cohen, and Representative of Governor Gavin Newsom Gayle Miller for their balanced approach to supporting economic development and affordable housing in CA. To learn more, visit www.ceda.caled.org or LinkedIn To see [...]
CALED Provides Input on Funding for Pilot Economic Development Projects
The California Labor Agency, Governor’s Office of Planning and Research, and Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development recently launched the Community Economic Resilience Fund (CERF) program, a $600 million initiative supporting innovative plans and strategies to diversify local economies and develop sustainable industries. $50 million of that funding is currently being considered to support economic development pilot projects that meet CERF objectives. The State team recently shared and solicited public input on the framework for these pilots. CALED provided key input in these areas: Ensure regional and geographic equity in funding allocation Clarify grant scoring emphasis Clarify variety of local plans [...]
Data and Fact-based Inclusive Economic Development Strategies, Not Rhetoric, Will Lead to a Stronger California Economy
The State of California has ignited significant interest in regional economic development through its Community Economic Resilience Fund (CERF) program, a $600 million initiative supporting innovative plans and strategies to diversify local economies and develop sustainable industries. State leaders recently announced the first round of CERF awards and identified 11 entities selected for funding, with two more yet to be named. Six of the 11 regional entities chosen are being spearheaded by members of the California Association for Local Economic Development (CALED), California’s premier economic development association and one of the largest economic development associations in the nation. These CALED [...]
CALED Signs on to Encourage Administration to Continue Engagement to Avoid Rail Strike
With the potential for a rail strike still looming, CALED joined with other trade associations in California and around the country to ask the Biden Administration to continue to “work with the railroad unions and railroads to ensure that the tentative agreement that you helped broker is ratified by the parties.” To see who else signed on and view the letter, click here.
CALED President & CEO Gurbax Sahota Appointed to Key Task Force Recommending Policy and Programs to Support Entrepreneurship and Economic Mobility
Sacramento, CA — Gurbax Sahota, President and Chief Executive Officer of the California Association for Local Economic Development (CALED), has been appointed to the 2022 California Entrepreneurship & Economic Mobility Task Force. Tara Lynn Gray, Director of the California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA), which is part of the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz), announced the appointment this week. The 34-member Task Force’s mission is to propel inclusive entrepreneurship by recommending policies and programs to ensure that all California small businesses have access to the resources they need to grow and scale. “I’m honored to [...]
New Playbook Offers Tools, Best Practices & Resources for California Communities to Create a Resilient Economy
SACRAMENTO, Ca. — California’s economy continues to be affected not only by economic disruptions caused by severe weather events, but also the threat of disasters like wildfires, earthquakes and floods, and even a potential recession. Risk assessment, preparedness, response, recovery and resiliency are ongoing concerns for community leaders, who know that it’s not a question of if there will be another economic disruption, but when will it happen — and whether jurisdictions and businesses are prepared. To help city and county leaders address economic resiliency, the U.S. Economic Development Administration has partnered with the California Association for Local Economic Development [...]
Register to Attend “Completing Development Projects: CALED’s Finance & Real Estate Summit”
Register today for “Completing Development Projects: CALED’s Finance & Real Estate Summit” in Riverside on Oct. 12 at the Riverside Mission Inn. More info at