Council Briefs Gov.-elect Newsom on Megaregion Project

Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom received a briefing today on research the Bay Area Council Economic Institute is doing that examines the important economic ties between the Central Valley, Silicon Valley and the broader Bay Area. Newsom was joined by number of Central Valley leaders, including former Fresno Mayor and Central Valley Community Foundation CEO Ashley Swearengin, to hear from Economic Institute President Micah Weinberg on economic opportunity and regional connectivity in the Central Valley. The Economic Institute and CVCF are partnering on the report. A host of other Central Valley elected officials and business leaders presented on key areas that should be priorities for the Newsom’s administration. Council board member and UC Merced Chancellor Dorothy Leland also attended and highlighted the amazing and often-overlooked innovation in areas such as autonomous vehicles happening in the region. The Economic Institute will be releasing its full Valley to Valley report in the first part of next year.