Interagency Task Force for the Economic Development of the Central San Joaquin Valley

Authors: Interagency Task Force for the Economic Development of the Central San Joaquin Valley    

The San Joaquin Valley (the Valley) is a region with unique and serious social, economic, and environmental challenges that merit special attention by the federal government. In February 2002, President Bush implemented Executive Order 13173, which created the Federal Interagency Task Force for the Economic Development of the Central San Joaquin Valley as the primary vehicle for leading change. The Task Force comprises 19 federal agencies that seek to leverage each other’s strengths and resources, as well as work in partnership with local and state governments, the private sector, universities, Congressional representatives, and other local organizations.

During the past year, the Task Force has made great progress toward achieving the goals of the executive order. The Task Force has chosen to focus on three priority economic development initiatives, which include measurable goals and outcomes. The Regional Jobs Initiative focuses on alleviating chronic double-digit unemployment through a comprehensive private-public effort aimed at creating new jobs in the Valley. The Clean Air/Clean Energy Initiative focuses on alleviating the region’s poor air quality, a major obstacle to the region’s economic development, by a series of innovative efforts to clean the environment in ways that create new jobs. The Financial Education Initiative seeks to create more opportunities for homeownership, small business development, and personal savings through increased banking relationships and access to financial services by Valley residents.

Publication Categories: Publications     Community and Economic Development     Other