FRESNO, Calif. (KMJ/KFSN) –Governor Gavin Newsom visited the Central Valley on Thursday, promising to bring an economic boost to the region.
Newsom held a news conference as part of a roll-out of his 20-year economic development plan for the state that aims to create new jobs across California.
The plan will focus on developing the workforce and strengthening the agriculture industry in 13 regions, ultimately strengthening the state’s economy.
A draft of the plan shows that Fresno, Madera, Kings, and Tulare counties have asked for $58 billion in public and private funding by 2045 to be successful.
So far, Newsom says the state has secured $182 million in grants to put toward the plan.
Newsom’s choice to unveil the plan in Fresno was notable because of the recent political shift in the county.
After voting for the Democratic candidate for President since 2008, in the 2024 election a majority of Fresno County residents voted for President-elect Trump.
Fresno County has also historically had a higher concentrated poverty rate than the rest of the state, according to the Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission.
Despite being one of the top agriculture producers in the United States, Fresno County has a 7.3% unemployment rate, compared to the state average of 5.4%
The governor recently met with President Joe Biden and other White House leaders to highlight his “key priorities” before President-elect Donald Trump takes office on January 20.
Listen to the report by KMJ’s Liz Kern.
