Monterey Bay Economic Partnership Shares State of the Region Recordings
The Monterey Bay Economic Partnership's (MBEP) 2025 Annual State of the Region event, held on Friday, October 17th, 2025 at the CSU Monterey Bay University Center, brought together cross-sector leaders to focus on the key pillars driving the tri-county region's economic health and quality of life. The conversations centered on actionable strategies for jobs, housing, broadband access, and the impact of policy on the Monterey Bay area.
The day was packed with high-level speakers and focused panels, underscoring the interconnectedness of regional challenges and the necessity of collaborative solutions including but not limited to:
Regional Healthcare and Policy Impact: Dr. Allen Radner, President & CEO of Salinas Valley Health, delivered a keynote on "Regional Healthcare at a Crossroads" examining how federal policy changes are impacting the local healthcare system.
The Future of Mobility: Advanced Air Mobility (AAM): A dedicated spotlight and panel explored Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) and Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), featuring leaders from Archer Aviation, Joby Aviation, etc. discussing pioneering the next era of air transport and its potential economic benefits for the region.
Legislative Updates and Policy Advocacy: Attendees received important from state leaders, including Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas and Senator John Laird, highlighting the critical role of state and federal policies in addressing local needs.
Broadband and Digital Equity: The Broadband Spotlight: Connected Communities session addressed the critical goal of increasing digital access and opportunity, a foundational element for a resilient and inclusive economy.
Workforce and Education: A panel on "Educating for the Future" brought together presidents and chancellors from UC Santa Cruz, CSU Monterey Bay, Hartnell College, and Cabrillo College to discuss regional strategies for cultivating a thriving, future-ready workforce.
Housing Momentum: The Housing Spotlight, "Building Momentum" provided key insights from 10 years of MBEP's impact in addressing the housing crisis, a challenge recognized as inseparable from economic vitality.
Throughout the event, speakers and panelists repeatedly emphasized MBEP's ongoing commitment to several foundational areas:
Housing for All: MBEP's recent accomplishments were highlighted, including the launch of the Monterey Bay Housing Trust to fund new affordable homes and the publication of crucial white and blue papers to recommend policy changes that are improving affordability and increasing housing production.
Economic & Workforce Development: Discussions centered on fostering AgTech innovation and expanding workforce development programs to create good-paying jobs, including efforts that support the statewide California Jobs First Initiative.
Triple Bottom Line Approach: The overarching theme reinforced MBEP's dedication to its "triple bottom line" of equity, economic health, and the environment, ensuring that regional development benefits all stakeholders.
The 2025 State of the Region affirmed that by championing cross-sector collaboration and a strategic focus on these core areas, the Monterey Bay region is actively building a more vibrant and resilient future for its communities. Click on the link below to view the recordings captured of all the speakers during the event.
