Monterey Bay Economic Partnership

Directions Website Contact the organization

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.

MBEP recently had the opportunity to attend the 3rd Annual Co-op Day, hosted by Ventures, celebrating the power of wor...
10/16/2026

MBEP recently had the opportunity to attend the 3rd Annual Co-op Day, hosted by Ventures, celebrating the power of worker-owned cooperatives and collective ownership models to build economic opportunity and strengthen communities.

The event featured keynote speaker Mayra Alvarez, President of The Children’s Partnership and former Obama administration appointee, who shared valuable insights on health equity, community resilience, and supporting working families.

A highlight of the gathering was Futuro, a worker-owned cooperative network creating pathways to economic mobility and wealth-building for working-class families in the Salinas Valley, particularly women and immigrant workers. Through collective ownership, Futuro is helping expand access to living wages, more flexible work opportunities, and greater financial independence.

MBEP is proud to support initiatives that foster inclusive economic growth, empower local workers, and create pathways to shared prosperity across the Monterey Bay region.

The Future of Flight Is Taking Off on the Central Coast!From uncrewed aircraft systems to advanced air mobility, the Mon...
10/15/2026

The Future of Flight Is Taking Off on the Central Coast!

From uncrewed aircraft systems to advanced air mobility, the Monterey Bay region is helping shape the next generation of aviation—and the economic opportunities that come with it.

In her latest Economy Matters column in the Monterey Herald, MBEP President & CEO Tahra Goraya explores our region’s growing role in this emerging industry and the potential to drive innovation, attract investment, and create new workforce opportunities.

📖 Read the full column: https://ow.ly/ROiT50ZXSQV

The votes will be in. What comes next for housing in the Monterey Bay region?Just three days after the November election...
10/15/2026

The votes will be in. What comes next for housing in the Monterey Bay region?

Just three days after the November election, MBEP's 2026 State of the Region will explore what the results could mean for housing policy, affordability, and development in 2027.

New panel announced: Election Results Are In! What Do They Mean for Housing in 2027?

Moderated by Alexa Johnson, MBEP's Director of Housing Policy and Advocacy, the conversation will feature Elaine Johnson, Executive Director of Housing Santa Cruz County; Dr. Shawn Tennenbaum, Superintendent of San Benito High School District; and Matt Huerta, MBEP's Senior Housing Advisor.

Together, they'll examine the potential implications of the election and opportunities to advance housing solutions across our region.

📅 Friday, November 6, 2026
🕘 8:30 AM–3:00 PM
📍 CSUMB University Center

⏳ EARLY BIRD RATES END OCTOBER 23!

Don't miss this conversation and a day of insights on the issues shaping our region's future.

🎟️ Register today: https://ow.ly/kwCK50ZXRh6

MBEP recently met with Congressman Jimmy Panetta to discuss key priorities shaping the future of the Monterey Bay region...
10/13/2026

MBEP recently met with Congressman Jimmy Panetta to discuss key priorities shaping the future of the Monterey Bay region, including artificial intelligence, advanced aviation, affordable housing, and digital connectivity.

Building on insights from our recent AI Summit, we discussed the importance of aligning federal policy with rapidly evolving technologies, particularly as they impact agricultural workforce transitions and election integrity. We also highlighted opportunities to expand investment in advanced aviation, address regional housing challenges, and protect critical connectivity through the FCC’s E-Rate program, which supports affordable internet access for schools and libraries.

We appreciate Congressman Panetta’s continued engagement and look forward to working with his office to advance policies and investments that strengthen our region’s economy, infrastructure, and communities.

Honoring Indigenous Peoples’ DayToday, we honor and celebrate the rich cultures, histories, traditions, and enduring con...
10/12/2026

Honoring Indigenous Peoples’ Day

Today, we honor and celebrate the rich cultures, histories, traditions, and enduring contributions of Indigenous peoples, including the Native communities who have stewarded the lands of the Monterey Bay region since time immemorial.

We recognize the resilience, leadership, and continued contributions of Indigenous communities, whose knowledge, perspectives, and traditions enrich our region.

At MBEP, we believe a thriving and inclusive regional economy is one that recognizes the voices, contributions, and opportunities of all communities.

On this Indigenous Peoples’ Day, we celebrate Indigenous heritage and reaffirm the importance of building a future rooted in respect, inclusion, and shared prosperity.

AI is already working in the fields of the Salinas Valley. Are we preparing our workforce for what comes next?From autom...
10/09/2026

AI is already working in the fields of the Salinas Valley. Are we preparing our workforce for what comes next?

From automated weeders to precision agriculture, artificial intelligence is transforming how we grow food — creating new opportunities for innovation, efficiency, and economic growth across the Monterey Bay region.

In her latest op-ed, MBEP President & CEO Tahra Goraya explores the growing connection between Silicon Valley and the Salinas Valley, and why investments in workforce development, broadband connectivity, and research partnerships are essential to ensuring our communities benefit from this technological transformation.

The opportunity isn't just to bring new technology to our fields — it's to ensure the people who have worked them for generations have the skills and opportunities to lead the next wave of agricultural innovation.

"The technology is already in our fields. Now we need to make sure our people are ready to lead it."

🔗 Read Tahra's full op-ed: https://ow.ly/wRrs50ZWvFZ

The Central Coast is Built to Prove What’s Next!A newly released regional prospectus highlights the companies, talent, i...
10/09/2026

The Central Coast is Built to Prove What’s Next!

A newly released regional prospectus highlights the companies, talent, infrastructure, and innovation positioning California’s Central Coast as a hub for autonomous systems and advanced air mobility.

With more than 7,000 firms and 80,000 jobs across the broader industry, our six-county region is helping shape the future of aviation and autonomous technologies.

MBEP is proud to be part of this momentum through our California Advanced Air Mobility Corridors Initiative (CAAMCI), a $7.45 million effort to advance a multi-airport flight corridor network across the Monterey Bay region.

Developed through Uplift Central Coast, convened by MBEP, REACH, and EDC, the prospectus showcases regional strengths and opportunities for continued investment, innovation, and job growth.

🔗 Explore the prospectus: https://ow.ly/MLlt50ZWvwJ

10/09/2026

We’re excited to welcome Dr. Somjita Mitra, Chief Economist for the California Department of Finance, as the keynote speaker for MBEP’s 2026 State of the Region!

Dr. Mitra will share insights into California’s economic outlook, labor market trends, and county-level forecasts—and what these developments could mean for the future of the Monterey Bay region.

Taking place just days after the midterm election, State of the Region will bring together regional leaders to explore what’s ahead, including a special fireside chat examining election results and their potential implications for California and our region.

Join us for a day of conversations spanning housing, healthcare, workforce, education, infrastructure, innovation, and regional economic development.

📅 Friday, November 6, 2026
🕘 8:30 AM–3:00 PM
📍 CSUMB University Center, Seaside

Register now: https://mbep.biz/events

More speaker announcements coming soon!

MBEP is hiring! Join MBEP as a Digital Navigator.MBEP is seeking TWO bilingual (English/Spanish) Digital Navigators to s...
10/07/2026

MBEP is hiring! Join MBEP as a Digital Navigator.

MBEP is seeking TWO bilingual (English/Spanish) Digital Navigators to support residents in building the skills and confidence to navigate today’s digital world.

Two positions available:
• One serving Monterey County
• One serving Santa Cruz County

Digital Navigators will provide hands-on, one-on-one support at community-based Hubs, helping residents with everything from basic computer and internet skills to accessing online services, troubleshooting devices, and finding and enrolling in affordable broadband options.

This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys helping people, is comfortable with technology, and wants to make a direct difference in their community.

💻 Part-time | Flexible schedule
💵 $50/hour
🗣️ Bilingual English/Spanish required
📍 In-person, with travel to community Hub locations

Interested or know someone who would be a great fit? Learn more about the positions, qualifications, and how to apply: https://ow.ly/9byN50ZVEpG

10/06/2026

Tomorrow: Get informed before you vote.

What could Proposition 43 mean for our region’s ability to fund affordable housing locally?
MBEP is supporting a NO vote on Proposition 43, which would raise the voter approval threshold for certain local special taxes from a simple majority to two-thirds — potentially making it more difficult for communities to approve local funding for affordable housing and other essential services.

Here in our region, locally approved funding has already demonstrated what’s possible. In 2025, Santa Cruz voters approved Measure C with 54% of the vote, creating a new resource expected to generate approximately $100 million over 20 years to support affordable housing and homelessness prevention.

Prop 43 is just one of the statewide housing measures on the November ballot. Tomorrow, MBEP’s Housing team will break down the key propositions, MBEP’s positions, and what each could mean for the Monterey Bay region.

📅 Tomorrow, October 7
🕙 10–11 a.m.
💻 Virtual

There’s still time to register — join us and get informed before you cast your ballot: https://ow.ly/jILx50ZVbMW

In the meantime, read MBEP’s 2026 Housing Initiative Proposition Brief: https://ow.ly/bu8850ZVbMY

Address

3180 Imjin Road, Suite 153
Marina, CA
93933

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Monterey Bay Economic Partnership posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Monterey Bay Economic Partnership:

Shortcuts

Share

Category