The San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce Wednesday annouced an initiative to spur economic growth and create jobs for the entire California-Baja region.
Called the “Regional Jobs Strategy,” the initiative includes more than 40 of the region’s business organizations, providing a diverse range of industry and geographical perspectives. The coalition will work to match proven solutions to shared challenges, as well as align and leverage existing job creation efforts.
“We are fortunate to have so many partners with successful initiatives participating in this coalition,” said Jerry Sanders, President and CEO of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce. “Through the collaboration we will identify and share ways we can build a stronger, more resilient regional economy. This is just the beginning and we look forward to this effort growing over the next year and adding the insight and perspectives of even more business community partners.”
While most job creation efforts tend to be designed around municipal or other political borders, regional economies are defined by monetary transactions, commute patterns and relationships. This effort will take a broad and inclusive view of job creation to create the most benefit for the region as a whole.
In its first meeting held Wednesday, the coalition, which includes the county of San Diego, the city of San Diego and the San Diego Association of Governments, focused on determining San Diego’s strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities with respect to job creation.
The data-based initiative will progress over the next year to identify opportunities for collaboration and best practices for job creation. The partners will aim to issue a Regional Jobs Strategy final report early next year that truly represents a unified vision for job creation. The report will contain a clear and direct strategy for leveraging the region’s resources and aligning initiatives.
