Gov. Newsom’s Regions Rise Together initiative recognizes the importance of elevating inland California’s economic fortunes.

Since its inception, the California Economic Summit has taken a regional approach to economic problem solving, promoting a triple bottom line strategy for sustainable economic development. Gov. Newsom has been a strong partner from the beginning because he understands the power of developing sustainable economic approaches that create opportunities for all Californians.

The governor is also taking advantage of the recent merger between California Forward and the California Stewardship Network, which dramatically strengthens the regional footprint of a state organization that is working on the big economic issue facing us—how to make sure the California Dream is accessible for all—no matter where they live.

As the governor pursues this Regions Rise Together initiative, we will share what we have been doing in the Inland Empire to identify and solve our own problems and what his office can do to help.

Our Inland Economic Growth and Opportunity initiative is a two-county collaboration of business, educators and government that has resulted in four key recommendations that include building on our vast logistics sector through the creation of a “Center of Excellence” focused on maintaining our job base and creating a world-class environmentally-sustainable goods movement infrastructure. Similarly, focusing on our region’s advantages in advanced manufacturing by better coordinating the thousands of manufacturing companies doing business throughout the Inland Empire; including supporting small businesses’ capacity to export to global markets.

Our region has become a national leader in cybersecurity training. We want to continue providing a well-prepared workforce for the government and also an entrepreneurial ecosystem that will help us create new innovative companies and jobs locally.

We are capitalizing on other regional assets, including solar energy and the economic potential presented by the relocation of the California Air Resources research facility to Riverside.

Of equal importance, our educational and business leaders have committed, through Growing Inland Achievement, to focus resources and human capital on raising our baccalaureate attainment and educational outcomes, ensuring that the Inland Empire has the workforce necessary to have a successful economy for the 21st century.

These initiatives are key to the economic future of San Bernardino and Riverside counties, a region of 4.6 million people that is projected to grow to 6 million. While the Inland Empire has led the nation in job growth in the past ten years, we are also one of the largest regions in the United States susceptible to job loss due to automation. The Inland Empire also produces 12% of the State’s college-ready high school graduates, yet it only accounts for 6% of the State’s BA degrees. When added to the State’s current housing crisis, the economic pressures on the future of the Inland Empire mandate regional focused solutions like those presented by the work of the Inland Economic Growth and Opportunity initiative, supported by the research done by the Brookings Institution.

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How can anyone deny the reality of climate change? The process of pulling industry, labor and environmentalists together can happen because of our commitment to finding triple bottom answers to our economic challenges. We must create a 21st century economy that employs people, respects the environment and provides access to the middle class for millions of our neighbors.

A group of regional leaders will meet with the Governor’s Office this week. We will remind them that the Inland Empire is unique and requires unique attention from the state. This new approach can guarantee a strong and inclusive economic future for the 11% of California residents who call the Inland Empire home.

When the Governor finishes his listening sessions, he will come to the California Economic Summit in Fresno in November and outline his vision for inland California.

His vision could be a national blueprint for how to ensure equitable economic success for regions like the Inland Empire.

Let’s help shape that vision together.

Paul Granillo is president and CEO of the Inland Empire Economic Partnership and Micah Weinberg is president and CEO of California Forward.