About the County's Economic Strategy
The County of San Luis Obispo works with REACH to implement its economic strategy.
Economic Strategy Key Industries
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Aerospace + Defense
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Agriculture Technology
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Building + Design + Construction
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Healthcare + Life Sciences
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Precision Manufacturing
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Clean Tech + Renewable Energy
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Technology + Innovation
In 2020, REACH released the REACH 2030 economic strategy in partnership with the County and the local business community. The plan — crafted over the course of a year with input from 1,000 residents and 200 regional leaders — aims to create 15,000 good-paying jobs over the coming decade through six strategic initiatives.
In addition to the initiatives, the partnership involves enhanced communication between local governments and private industry and a collaborative approach to implementing a variety of economic initiatives.
TARGET INDUSTRIES
This initiative aims to accelerate high-wage job growth by building on several burgeoning global industries: aerospace and defense; agriculture technology; building design and construction; healthcare and life sciences; precision manufacturing; cleantech and renewable energy; and technology.
DIABLO CANYON
The impending closure of Diablo Canyon Power Plant presents an opportunity to transform the existing facilities and infrastructure – plus 12,000 acres of pristine land and 14 miles of unspoiled coastline — into a catalyst for economic opportunity.
The County joined a coalition with REACH, Cal Poly, Congressman Salud Carbajal, State Sen. John Laird, Assemblyman Jordan Cunninghan, The Land Conservancy of SLO County, the Tri-Counties Building and Construction Trades Council and the yak titʸu titʸu yak tiłhini Northern Chumash in 2021 to work toward creating a mix of conservation, sustainable eco-tourism, renewable energy, water resilience and cutting-edge research and development at the site
REGIONAL PLANNING
The strategy embraces a regional approach to addressing the cornerstones of job creation: housing, transportation, water and high-speed broadband connectivity. Under-investment in these areas have limited economic growth, and collaboration among the public and private sector on forward-thinking, long-term regional planning is needed to move the needle.
INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT
Innovative financing with public and private sector collaboration can spur the long-term investments in infrastructure the region needs to thrive down the road. New tools, creative approaches and efficient processes can enable faster prioritization and implementation.
EDUCATION
A skilled and knowledgeable workforce is at the root of any economy. This initiative aims to expand and integrate educational opportunities in order to prepare our residents for the jobs of today and tomorrow.
For more in-depth descriptions of these initiatives, please see the REACH 2030 plan pdf or website.
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