Monterey Bay Economic Partnership

Monterey Bay Economic Partnership Serving the Monterey Bay Region including Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz counties.

MBEP’s mission is to improve the economic health and quality of life in the Monterey Bay region. Launched to brand the Monterey Bay Region as a top tier location for economic development and investment in order to create new business opportunities and a dynamic job base. The partnership consists of public, private and civic entities located throughout Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz counties, united in the vision to increase prosperity and enhance the quality of life for all citizens.

We're excited to welcome Donnie Fowler to MBEP's AI & the Future of Our Region Summit!As a state policy leader at OpenAI...
08/20/2026

We're excited to welcome Donnie Fowler to MBEP's AI & the Future of Our Region Summit!

As a state policy leader at OpenAI, Donnie brings a firsthand perspective on the rapidly evolving intersection of artificial intelligence, public policy, and regulation—and what emerging AI policy could mean for businesses, governments, and communities.

Donnie will join Ian Calderon and Nicole Lopez for "The Policy Horizon — What's Coming & What's at Stake: State & Federal AI Regulation." Together, they'll explore California's evolving regulatory landscape, key legislation moving through Sacramento and Washington, how organizations should be preparing, and what the future of AI governance could mean for California and the Monterey Bay region.

With AI policy developing nearly as quickly as the technology itself, this is a conversation you won't want to miss.

📅 September 10 | CSU Monterey Bay

Register today: https://ow.ly/1h2H50ZxO1b

California’s affordability crisis is, at its core, a housing crisis.New research highlighted by UC Berkeley takes a clos...
08/20/2026

California’s affordability crisis is, at its core, a housing crisis.

New research highlighted by UC Berkeley takes a closer look at why California has become so expensive—and points to a fundamental challenge: we simply haven’t built enough homes. The research explores how decades of growth restrictions, regulatory barriers, and other policies have constrained housing production and contributed to rising costs.

It’s a conversation that closely aligns with MBEP’s longstanding work to increase housing supply and affordability across the Monterey Bay region. Today, our Housing Initiative combines early-stage financing, project advocacy, policy leadership, research, and regional collaboration to help move housing from concept to construction.

Our latest Housing Initiative Investor Briefing highlights the impact of that approach: more than 1,100 affordable homes created or preserved through Monterey Bay Housing Trust-supported financing, $54 million+ in regional housing investment, and thousands of additional homes advanced through advocacy, policy leadership, and collaboration.

There is no single solution to California’s housing crisis. But increasing supply, reducing barriers to production, investing strategically, and working across jurisdictions are essential pieces of the puzzle.

Read the UC Berkeley article: https://ow.ly/Y1UC50ZC25A
Explore MBEP’s Housing Policy Papers to learn more about the work underway in our region: https://ow.ly/Glhe50ZC25v

The California Advanced Air Mobility Corridors Initiative (CAAMCI) is moving closer to implementation!MBEP convened the ...
08/19/2026

The California Advanced Air Mobility Corridors Initiative (CAAMCI) is moving closer to implementation!

MBEP convened the airport directors from Salinas, Marina, Hollister, and Watsonville — the four airports at the heart of the CAAMCI project — to review the CAAMCI Business Plan and discuss next steps as the initiative prepares to move into the implementation stage.

The conversation focused on turning the work completed to date into action, identifying priorities, opportunities for collaboration, and the next steps needed to support advanced air mobility infrastructure and operations across our region.

We’re grateful for the continued partnership and leadership of our four regional airports as we work together to build the foundation for advanced air mobility in the Monterey Bay region and beyond.

Learn more about CAAMCI: https://mbep.biz/caamci/

Not to be missed! AI & the Future of Our Region is coming to CSU Monterey Bay on September 10.Artificial intelligence is...
08/19/2026

Not to be missed! AI & the Future of Our Region is coming to CSU Monterey Bay on September 10.

Artificial intelligence is reshaping nearly every industry—and raising important questions about our workforce, public policy, democracy, trust, innovation, and the future of our communities.

MBEP's half-day summit brings together nationally recognized experts and regional leaders to explore what AI means for California and the Monterey Bay region, with speakers from Loti AI, Influent AI, OpenAI, GoFundMe, Stanford Law School, and more.

We'll tackle some of today's biggest questions: How will AI impact jobs and wages? What's coming in state and federal regulation? How are deepfakes and synthetic media affecting elections and civic trust? And how can organizations embrace innovation while navigating a rapidly changing landscape?

Plus, Margaret Richardson, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at GoFundMe, will sit down with summit moderator Zach Friend for a featured lunchtime fireside chat.

📅 September 10, 2026 | 7:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
📍 CSUMB University Center

Don't miss your chance to be part of the conversation. Register today:
https://ow.ly/7uvF50ZBFkz

Reliable, high-speed internet is no longer a luxury—it's essential infrastructure that powers education, healthcare, ent...
08/18/2026

Reliable, high-speed internet is no longer a luxury—it's essential infrastructure that powers education, healthcare, entrepreneurship, workforce development, and economic opportunity.

In her latest Economy Matters column for the Monterey Herald MBEP President & CEO Tahra Goraya explores why broadband must be treated as an economic development priority and how expanding digital access creates a stronger, more resilient, and more equitable region.

The column also highlights the impact of the Central Coast Broadband Consortium, led by MBEP, which has helped leverage more than $106 million in broadband infrastructure funding, connect 11,000+ locations, and expand digital access and skills training across Monterey, Santa Cruz, and San Benito counties.

"Broadband is not just about faster downloads. It is about a student learning, a business growing, a farmer reaching customers, a worker gaining new skills and a patient getting the healthcare they need."

Read the full column in the Monterey Herald: https://ow.ly/SwYL50ZB8lq

Grant Opportunity for NonprofitsThe California Public Utilities Commission has opened applications for the 2026–27 Digit...
08/17/2026

Grant Opportunity for Nonprofits

The California Public Utilities Commission has opened applications for the 2026–27 Digital Divide Grant Program, providing up to $100,000 for projects serving eligible public schools and up to $50,000 for community-based organizations working to bridge the digital divide.

Funding can support projects that improve broadband access, device availability, affordability, and digital skills training in underserved communities.

Learn more about the grant: https://ow.ly/qA8m50ZAF3O

Did you know? MBEP membership can include support identifying grant opportunities, developing competitive applications, and connecting organizations with funding resources.

Learn more about MBEP membership: https://ow.ly/nRTc50ZAF3N

Housing Trust Silicon Valley President & CEO Julie Rosser Mahowald recently joined NBC to discuss the organization's end...
08/14/2026

Housing Trust Silicon Valley President & CEO Julie Rosser Mahowald recently joined NBC to discuss the organization's endorsement of Proposition 1, the Veterans and Affordable Housing Bond of 2026, and its potential to expand affordable housing and homeownership opportunities across California.

In the interview, Julie noted that, if approved by voters, the measure could help move forward 40,000 shovel-ready affordable homes across the state.

We're grateful for Housing Trust Silicon Valley's continued leadership and partnership in advancing innovative housing finance and expanding access to affordable housing throughout our region.

Learn more and watch the clip: https://ow.ly/Tz0Z50ZxTq7

New Report: MBEP Housing Initiative Investor BriefingHousing is one of the most pressing challenges facing California's ...
08/13/2026

New Report: MBEP Housing Initiative Investor Briefing

Housing is one of the most pressing challenges facing California's Central Coast—and it requires regional solutions.

We're proud to share our latest Housing Initiative Investor Briefing, highlighting how MBEP is advancing affordable and workforce housing across Monterey, Santa Cruz, and San Benito counties through financing, policy leadership, research, advocacy, and regional collaboration.

Over the past decade, MBEP has:

>>Helped unlock more than $55 million in regional housing investment through the Monterey Bay Housing Trust.

>>Supported the creation or preservation of more than 1,100 affordable homes through early-stage financing.

>>Advanced thousands of additional housing opportunities through project advocacy, policy leadership, and cross-sector collaboration.

The report showcases how MBEP brings together public agencies, nonprofit developers, employers, philanthropic partners, and community leaders to advance lasting housing solutions that strengthen our regional economy and improve quality of life.

Read the full report: https://ow.ly/cE4Y50ZxJHu

We're excited to welcome Nicole Lopez to MBEP's AI & the Future of Our Region Summit!A nationally recognized leader in A...
08/12/2026

We're excited to welcome Nicole Lopez to MBEP's AI & the Future of Our Region Summit!

A nationally recognized leader in AI policy, trust & safety, and youth online protection, Nicole has helped shape technology policy at the highest levels of government and industry. Drawing on leadership roles at Meta and years as a California prosecutor specializing in child abuse and exploitation cases, she brings a unique perspective on the intersection of innovation, regulation, and public safety.

Nicole will join our panel, "The Policy Horizon — What's Coming & What's at Stake: State & Federal AI Regulation," alongside Ian Calderon and Donnie Fowler. Together, they'll explore California's evolving AI regulatory landscape, legislation moving through Sacramento and Washington, and what businesses, educators, local governments, and civic leaders should be doing now to prepare.

As AI policy continues to evolve at a rapid pace, this conversation will provide valuable insight into the future of AI governance—and what it means for California and the Monterey Bay region.

Register today: https://ow.ly/2HJy50ZvYQ8

How can communities prepare for the future of advanced air mobility?In a new interview with Unmanned Airspace, Lavera Al...
08/11/2026

How can communities prepare for the future of advanced air mobility?

In a new interview with Unmanned Airspace, Lavera Alexander, MBEP's Chief Growth Officer and Director of the California Advanced Air Mobility Corridors Initiative (CAAMCI), shares how the Monterey Bay region is helping answer that question.

The conversation explores CAAMCI's work to build California's first FAA-compliant, multi-airport advanced air mobility network, advancing the infrastructure, partnerships, and community engagement needed to support the safe integration of next-generation aircraft.

Lavera also discusses the importance of regional collaboration, community voices, and creating a scalable model that can help airports across California prepare for the future of aviation.

Read the full interview: https://ow.ly/LhCB50ZxJmT

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3180 Imjin Road, Suite 153
Marina, CA
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