Economy &
Workforce
Broad-based access to good-paying jobs, and affordable education and training to prepare for them, are critical markers of a thriving, inclusive regional economy.
The Policy & Innovation Center conducts research and partners with a wide array of stakeholders to advance ideas that support the growth of good jobs; identify barriers to equitable access to good jobs by attributes such as race, ethnicity, and age; and pilot new approaches and policies that break down those barriers and promote economic advancement for all.
CASE STUDY
USDA Grant: Uplifting Local Fishermen
How many San Diegans buy and eat local fish? Less than you think – but it doesn’t have to be that way.
In 2023, the Policy & Innovation Center and San Diego Fishermen’s Working Group were awarded a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service as part of its Local Food Promotion Program to support the livelihood of local fishermen.
We’re seeking to raise the profile of the local fishing community and increase local fishing purchasing in the long term. We are doing this through consumer and restaurant education, and special events like the Dockside Night Market Fish Festival in September 2024, which highlighted local fisherman and fish and some of the region’s top chefs.
“San Diego has a long and rich history as a commercial fishing hub. However, like in many coastal areas, these local providers have been forced to compete in global supply chains that value efficiency and low cost over quality and sustainability. The time to forge a path toward increased local purchasing of San Diego caught fish is now.”
Pete Halmay, director and founder Tuna Harbor Dockside Market:
CASE STUDY
San Diego Emerging Leaders
As a part of a national emerging leaders’ program, the Policy & Innovation Center partnered with Greenprint Partners to create a capacity-building program to train and lift diverse government staff to create pathways for advancement. Each learned to leverage cross-departmental efforts, pursue green infrastructure solutions that prioritize equity and community input, and learn how to identify and secure federal funding opportunities.
Representing engineering, economic development, grant writing, and planning departments, the fellows completed a year-long accelerator program culminating in a grant application to the California Resilience Challenge.
“I’m most grateful for my learning and development in terms of being able to advocate for green infrastructure. I gained the confidence and reassurance that the work my team and I do daily is valuable in protecting valuable resources.”
Kim Silva, Senior Environmental Program Specialist:
“Partnering with the Policy & Innovation Center and Greenprint Partners has fast-tracked my understanding of how best to collaborate with other departments, external stakeholders, and community-based organizations to maximize our impact in the region.”
Matthew Anderson, Grant Writer at Escondido:
CASE STUDY
California Jobs First
On behalf of the State of California, the Policy & Innovation Center and the Centers of Excellence at the San Diego and Imperial Community Colleges conducted rigorous research, community forums, and surveys to inform the California Jobs First Regional Plan for the counties of San Diego and Imperial. Using this information, the Southern Border Region will set economic priorities for state investments. This work resulted in a $14M award from the state for equitable economic development, and enables our region to apply for us to $135M in future grants
CASE STUDY
Older Adults in the Workforce
San Diego’s senior population is growing, and the cost of living is rising, but more seniors report struggling to find well-paying jobs. The Policy & Innovation Center partnered with the San Diego Workforce Partnership to pilot a research-driven workforce development program targeted to the needs of older job seekers. Evidence from this evaluation will inform senior services across the country, especially as Baby Boomers stay in the workforce longer. The work received statewide recognition at the California Commission on Aging’s General Meeting.
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Creative Economy in the San Diego Region
Creative Economy in the San Diego Region New Report by City of San Diego and San Diego Regional Policy & Innovation Center Shows Creative Industries Had More Than $10 Billion Impact The report, the second for the San Diego region, is commissioned by the City of San Diego and the San Diego Regional Policy & Innovation Center offering insights in…
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Report: Planning a Thriving Ecosystem of Higher Education in South County
Report: Planning a Thriving Ecosystem of Higher Education in South County In partnership with Southwestern Community College District and City of Chula Vista, PIC’s research team has completed a workforce and academic needs assessment report to determine what careers and pathways are most needed for South Bay to thrive in the future. Executive Summary The…
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Elevating Opportunities: San Diego’s Tourism Jobs Create Economic and Social Mobility
Elevating Opportunities: San Diego’s Tourism Jobs Create Economic and Social Mobility While revealing there are many high-quality tourism jobs locally, this research also demonstrates how to further improve jobs and attract future workers. This report, created for the San Diego Tourism Authority, describes the impact of tourism on San Diego’s economy, the perspectives of San…
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Contact us to discuss workforce development, research and policy needs, economic analysis, convening services, and help with federal and state grant applications.