+ Connections between the Food System, Economic Development & Jobs Capital Region

+ Accelerating Job & Wealth Creation Launched in August 2011 Inspired by some of the region’s leading organizations – SACTO, Metro Chamber, Valley Vision, and SARTA Engages private and public sectors, elected officials, workforce development, education, labor and community members Cluster-based evaluation and approach “Initiatives such as Next Economy are the kinds of regional efforts that are necessary to drive American economic competitiveness and will become the defining model for growing jobs throughout our nation.” ― Matthew S. Erskine, Acting Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development

Eight Inter-related Economic “Guideposts” INCREASE entrepreneur & small business support GROW public- private capital investment pools ATTRACT, EDUCATE & RETAIN our workforce INVEST in region’s economic infrastructure and cultural & civic amenities INCREASE foreign direct investment & export activity STREAMLINE regulations and reduce costs at all levels INSPIRE new regional image and celebrate successes CAPITALIZE on university strengths for tech transfer and commercialization

+ Agriculture & Food Industry Cluster: Economic Facts Agriculture and food cluster is one of a handful of the region's economic base sectors that grew between 2000 and 2010 Crop production and food manufacturing = 30% of annual export activity Supports 37,000 jobs and $3.5 billion of output Output expected to increase by 24% between $97 million of venture capital was invested in the cluster between 2005 and 2010, and 36 patents were granted

+ Agriculture & Food Industry Cluster: Priority Strategies Develop regional ag alliance to establish broadly supported policy recommendations Forge linkages between economic development and UCD’s innovation areas Create outreach materials to help audiences value agriculture and the food system Develop the next generation of farmers Support implementation of food processing and distribution hubs