Governor Gavin Newsom announced $48.5 million in funding to support 18 projects spanning eight economic regions and 33 counties through the California Jobs First Regional Investment Initiative. The state said the awards are expected to support the creation of 20,000 direct and indirect jobs.
The funding represents the final tranche of implementation funding across seven project clusters. Aerospace and defense received $3,950,000 to establish research and innovation infrastructure in the Southern Border Region. Advanced manufacturing received $17,750,000 across two projects in the Central San Joaquin Region and Capital Region. High-tech received $1,940,000 for the Inland SoCal Region, shipbuilding received $8,236,000 for the Bay Area Region, Space, Defense & Satellites received $6,846,000 for Kern County, and quantum technology received $9,742,000 for Southern Border, Orange County and Los Angeles County regions.
The awards build on more than four years of regional planning and prior investment. In May 2023, the state awarded nearly $40 million to launch pilot projects. In March 2024, the state announced $14 million in Catalyst funding for regional collaboratives. In August 2025, the state distributed $80 million in the first round of implementation funding, which supported 11 projects expected to create more than 23,000 jobs.
All 13 California economic region roadmaps were designated as Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies by the U.S. Economic Development Administration in April 2025, marking the first time in state history that all 482 cities, 58 counties and every community have a federally recognized strategy. In June 2025, 14 California Native American tribes and tribally led organizations were awarded $15 million to advance projects supporting economic growth and workforce training within tribal communities.