special promotional section economy , as the funds would be available to local businesses .

“ We ’ ve had success convincing regional cities and counties to move hundreds of millions of dollars from national and international banks to local banks ,” Wood says . “ However , the future needs to be getting from those hundreds of millions of dollars to billions of dollars to help ensure we keep these banks here because even though we had funds moved , we ’ ve still been losing local banks . Our goal is to move from these small investment accounts to the cities ’ and counties ’ core banking accounts .”

Region Business ’ s approach is to ensure that every ballot measure related to bonds or taxes has language requiring that the funds be held in local banks . This will help work toward the goal of having billions of dollars held here so that the money is able to work in our regional economy . It also ensures that local banks will remain headquartered here even if there is a merger or acquisition .

“ It ’ s a two-part goal — saving local banks and giving businesses access to capital ,” Wood says . “ If some of the things on the ballot this year pass , there are already commitments for $ 2.5 billion . That means we ’ ll have gone from securing about $ 250 million to commitments of more than $ 2.5 billion , and we ’ re going to keep doing this every year — because to strengthen our economy , we must .”

Supporting STEM at Sac State Region Business is also supporting Sacramento State in implementing its master plan , working with state and local partners to get funding for the university ’ s engineering buildings and looking at additional sites for future expansion .

“ Sac State has been overlooked in getting funding needed to advance in STEM areas , so our goal is to establish it as a very strong school for STEM education ,” Wood says . “ Finding funding in the CSU system is a difficult and slow process , but we ’ ve committed to it because it ’ s so important to the university and its students , our economy and our community . We are big believers in Sacramento State , and as Sacramento ’ s university , it needs to be a larger priority of the business community as a whole .”

Capital SouthEast Connector Joint Powers Authority

KEEPING SACRAMENTO COUNTY MOVING

Mobility is critical to the Sacramento region ’ s economy and quality of life . The Capital SouthEast Connector Joint Powers Authority ( JPA ) was created to build a connector expressway in southeastern Sacramento County that will link Highways 50 , 16 , 99 and Interstate 5 and the cities of Folsom , Rancho Cordova and Elk Grove .

JPA Executive Director and Region Business board member Derek Minnema says , “ Region Business prioritizes transportation infrastructure and helps secure funding for transportation projects . They recognize this project ’ s benefits , including mobility , connectivity , congestion relief and safety improvements , as Elk Grove , Rancho Cordova and Folsom continue to grow as economic centers .”

With its broad stakeholder group , Region Business has helped amplify the project ’ s importance throughout the business community . Minnema concludes , “ Region Business has helped us to secure funding through their exposure , support and advocacy . With their help , this long-term investment will benefit all of us for decades to come .”

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Capital SouthEast Connector Joint Powers Authority