Ashley Swearengin looks on as Gov. Gavin Newsom answers questions from reporters Thursday. Photo by Frank Lopez

Gov. Gavin Newsom made a stop in Fresno on Thursday, lauding the region’s economic impact to the state and country, addressing Californian’s environmental and energy concerns and highlighting plans to strengthen the San Joaquin Valley’s economy.

Newsom’s held a news conference at the Fresno City College West Fresno Center’s Automotive Technology Center, praising the work of Central Valley organizations and leaders to boost the local economy and create jobs.

Local and state leaders joined the Newsom at the event, including Central Valley Community Foundation CEO Ashley Swearengin, Assemblymember Joaquin Arambula and Sen. Anna Caballero.

The Sierra San Joaquin Jobs Initiative is a 20-year, $58 billion investment plan for the Central San Joaquin Valley aiming to create 138,000 new jobs in sectors including construction, health care, education, manufacturing, clean energy and food systems.

Since 2022, the state has invested $287 million, including $5 million per each of California’s 13 regions; $39 million for pilot projects across the state; and $14 million per region to develop projects that advance their strategic centers.

Newsom said he recognizes there is an air of anxiety due to the current political and economic situation, but the initiative is a cause for optimism.

“In January, we will be releasing the most comprehensive, nuanced, sectorial strategy and workforce strategy in the state’s history,” Newsom said.

Newsom said $120 million in competitive grants will go out for early, ready-to-go projects.

Newsom said the state is currently seeing positive trends with the economy, inflation and employment, but people don’t feel that, instead feeling that “the economy is not supportive or nourishing.”

Gas and energy

Newsom said it’s a point of pride that other states and nations model their own plans after California’s Low Carbon Fuel standards.

Newsom said Californians have been “fleeced” by oil companies for decades. He pointed out that two years ago, residents were paying $2.61 cents more per gallon than the national average at a time when the state did not increase taxes, fees or impose any new regulations.

He said oil companies took advantage of market conditions.

“If you think big oil has your back, you’ve got another thing coming,” Newsom said.

He noted concerns employers in the manufacturing sector have about rising energy costs, and said he wants to work with the legislature to move more aggressively to manage costs.

In October, Newsom issued an executive order that asks the California Public Utility Commission to evaluate electric ratepayer programs and costs of regulations and make recommendations on additional ways to save consumers money.

In early November, the California Air Resources Board passed new special blend mandates for the state’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard, which require that refiners produce — and retail gas stations sell — a new California special blend in 2025.

Newsom said that no other Democrat worked more closely with the Trump administration than him, but did call out Trump’s actions against California.

“At the same time, he took $1 billion of your high-speed rail money. He tried to take your crime grants. He tried to vandalize most of the progress of the last half century. We know exactly what he intends to do — he’s been very honest about that,” Newsom said.

Valley future

Arambula said that for decades, communities in Southwest Fresno have been neglected when it comes to investment.

He said the West Fresno campus will give opportunities to the next generation workforce including professional training and well-paying jobs.

“I’m grateful that State Center Community College District has spent the time and energy to develop this campus and give students those opportunities for tomorrow,” Arambula said.

Swearengin said that a thriving Sierra San Joaquin region is essential to California’s future.

She highlighted that the region produces 25% of the nation’s food supply.

Even though the region is situated in 15% of the state’s land mass, it is expected to produce 25% of California’s future renewable energy needs, Swearengin said.

She said when the $58 billion plan is implemented over 20 years, the region could expect to see nearly $100 billion in economic impact and support more than 2,000 manufacturers, 6,000 small businesses and childcare for more than 40,000 families.

“Gov. Newsom’s commitment to this scale and quality of work I’ve not seen before, and it is welcome in our region. Words on page do not transform, but they do mobilize,” Swearengin said.