California Economic Information Project

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California Regional Economies Project Introductory
Remarks
Ed Kawahara Labor and Workforce Development Agency
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THE California Regional Economies Project

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• The Project is a detailed analysis of each
  regional economy in California -- and their key
  industry clusters -- that identifies structural
  economic changes and long-term trends.

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The Project Institutionalizes Regional Analysis

• To continuously measure performance throughout
  the California economy.
• To improve economic and workforce development
  planning and decision-making.
• To bridge economic and workforce policies and
  programs at the state and regional levels.
• To enable users statewide to obtain, interpret,
  and apply economic and workforce information.

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Project Sponsor

• The California Workforce Investment Board was
  established to provide strategic guidance to the
  states workforce investment system.
• The Board needs better information on industry
  and job trends to ensure that its system partners
  can respond to changing workforce needs.

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Planning Partner

• The California Economic Strategy Panel was
  established to continuously monitor the state of
  the economy, and to make recommendations to the
  Governor and Legislature.
• The Panel needs current and more detailed
  information on industry and employment trends to
  formulate economic strategy.

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Key Assistance

• The California Employment Development Department
  prepared special NAICS-based job data that
  underlie the economic and industry cluster
  analyses.

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Project Management

• Economic Strategy Panel staff provide contract
  management, technical assistance, and overall
  Project oversight, including outreach to the user
  community and the dissemination of Project news
  and products.

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The Project Team

• Collaborative Economics
• Center for Continuing Study of the California
  Economy
• California Center for Regional Leadership
• JK, Inc.

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Customer Involvement

• A Joint Committee of Board and Panel members
  review and comment on the work as it progresses.
• The User Community of local WIBs, EDCs, community
  colleges, and other customers provide input on
  research products and regional conditions.

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Joint Committee Members (2003)

• California Workforce Investment Board
• Jim Crettol, President, Crettol Farms
• Larry Gotlieb, Vice President KB Homes
• Kathleen Milnes, Senior Vice President
  Entertainment Industry Development Corporation
• California Economic Strategy Panel
• Donald Fowler, Vice President, TechNet
• Jerold Neuman, Partner, Allen, Matkins, Leck,
  Gamble, Mallory LLP
• Bill Simmons, Yuba County Supervisor

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Project Products

• Regional Economic Base Reports
• Annual reports for nine regions.
• Regional trends in jobs, income, population and
  other key indicators for 1990-2002.
• Major industry trends using a standardized set of
  industries by NAICS code for all regions.
• Major trends in each region using a
  region-specific set of industries.

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The Project Regions
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Products (cont.)

• Industry Cluster Studies
• Cluster profiles at the regional level.
• Cluster dynamics from 1990 to 2002.
• Cluster maps.

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Products (cont.)

• Cross- Regional Economic and Labor Studies
• Identifying similarities and differences among
  regions.
• Discussing issues affecting regional economic
  growth and development.
• Providing user guidelines on applying the Project
  information and findings to workforce development.

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Products (cont.)

• Monographs on California Labor and Economic
  Issues
• Three will be prepared.
• The issues will be selected in consultation with
  the Joint Committee.
• The issues will build upon the findings of the
  base reports, cluster analyses, and
  cross-regional studies.

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For More Information

• Visit www.labor.ca.gov
• for the Economic Strategy Panel Web Site.
• Or contact
• Edward Kawahara, Ph.D
• Principal Consultant
• ed.kawahara_at_labor.ca.gov
• Don Perry
• Senior Economist
• don.perry_at_labor.ca.gov