Valley Vision

06/01/2026

“My favorite part about this program was that I learned something to better my skills but to better myself as well. […] I want to do something with my life, I want to be working, and I want to be learning while I’m working.”
- Sean Jefferson, Project IGNITE Student

Last week, Valley Vision had the opportunity to attend Project IGNITE’s Advanced Manufacturing Student Showcase at Aggie Square and celebrate the accomplishments of their students, as well as hear from our regional industry experts. This project established an advanced manufacturing job training blueprint for underserved youth, and is helping to address important regional workforce needs.

Many congratulations to these talented individuals, their parents, and Project IGNITE educators! Kudos to many partners, including Simeon Gant, Angelina Moradzadeh, Aura Planning, Sacramento Valley Manufacturing Alliance, Sierra College, Green Tech Education, Capital College & Career Academy, Roseville Precision, Inc, and more.

Project IGNITE is funded through the We Prosper Together initiative led by Valley Vision. To read more about our projects and the California Jobs First program, check out weprospertogether.org

05/29/2026

Strong turnout this week for Valley Vision’s Capital Region Legislators Roundtable, bringing together state and federal legislative staff for focused conversations on manufacturing and the potential of reshoring around two of our California Jobs First priority sectors - semiconductors and life sciences.

A huge thank you to our partners and speakers from the California Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) and the Reshoring Institute, for helping ground the discussion in both statewide manufacturing strategy and national reshoring and nearshoring trends.

As California continues advancing California Jobs First, advanced manufacturing and high-tech industries remain key priority sectors for the Capital Region. As we look to the future of our region, we appreciate this conversation with our legislative staffers who are navigating real opportunities around supply chains, workforce development, infrastructure, and industrial growth.

One point that resonated throughout the discussion came from Rosemary Coates: “We don’t have a workforce problem, we have a skills problem.”

We are grateful to the legislative staff who continue showing up, asking thoughtful questions, and doing the hard work to better understand the opportunities and pressures facing these industries. Valley Vision is proud to continue holding space for these important conversations that strengthen alignment between regional priorities and state and federal policy discussions, especially as the challenges and opportunities discussed today require continued engagement between industry, government, workforce, and regional partners.

05/28/2026

We can't wait to share the final videos with everyone at the Sept. 9th We Prosper Together Catalyst Summit in Citrus Heights!

Snag tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/we-prosper-together-catalyst-summit-2026-tickets-1988922700337

Two weeks. 13 locations. 1,000+ miles driven. KJ 2 Productions has been on the road capturing stories across the region for Valley Vision

05/22/2026

Yesterday members of the Valley Vision team attended the Sacramento Metro Chamber's annual Metro EDGE Emerge Summit! Attendees learned how to grow their careers, expand their networks, and make an impact in their community. Great work by the organizing team and we can't wait for next year!

05/22/2026

This week Valley Vision and the California Air Resources Board connected with South Sacramento community members and sought feedback on potential updates to clean vehicle and greenhouse gas regulations.

This effort is part of the State's continued commitment to meet state and federal clean air and climate goals through the Drive Forward Initiative, charting the next phase of light, medium, and heavy-duty clean vehicle deployment. Community input will inform how stringent clean vehicle and greenhouse gas regulations should be for auto manufacturers.

Learn more about Drive Forward: https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/drive-forward

Southgate Recreation & Park District

05/20/2026

Kudos to Carrie Johnson, Debbie Holden, the City of Rancho Cordova, and so many others on today's grand opening of the Rancho Cordova Food Locker!

This innovative facility was designed to serve thousands of families throughout the greater Sacramento region with a dignified, grocery-style shopping experience centered around accessibility, choice, and community.

Read more about the Rancho Cordova Food Locker: https://www.ranchocordovafoodlocker.org

05/15/2026

Read the Sacramento Business Journal piece about Valley Vision's new Economic Mobility Poll, which reveal Capital Region residents' priorities and concerns regarding housing affordability, transportation, access to child care, and new artificial intelligence (A.I.) tools in the workplace.

Thanks to the Sacramento State Institute for Social Research and Sacramento Area Council of Governments for their partnership on this poll!

Valley Vision poll spotlights Sacramento workforce strains >> See the full article below ⬇️

05/15/2026

This week Valley Vision’s Evan Schmidt spoke on a panel with Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry and Khaim Morton at the California Women’s Economic Summit, elevating women’s economic leadership and the important contributions of women entrepreneurs to our state’s prosperity strategy.

05/12/2026

We are so excited to be supporting Color the Block in ensuring that everyone has access to the Internet. Thank you to the California Emerging Technology Fund for spearheading this work!

05/11/2026

Valley Vision staff were excited to join Breathe California Sacramento Region and Sacramento Area Bicycle Advocates (SABA) for the 5th Annual Breathe Bike Festival this past weekend in the City of West Sacramento,!

Thank you to Yolo-Solano Air Quality Management District, Cemex U.S., Sacramento Area Council of Governments, and others for sponsoring this great celebration of sustainable mobility.