GREATER SACRAMENTO
Jeff Bellisario
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR , BAY AREA COUNCIL ECONOMIC INSTITUTE
While the concept of the megaregion isn ’ t new , this effort was significantly revived this year . How has the formal partnership resulted in a prosperity strategy and how does this partnership support the megaregion ’ s goals ?
We are trying to make a concentrated effort to come together and be one voice for the region . Released this year was a prosperity strategy that looks at businesses , people and places , and focuses on equitable outcomes . We want people to have better jobs through broader transportation . If you look at the economy in parts of Sacramento and the Central Valley it isn ’ t as diverse as it is in the Bay Area . The megaregion dream is that you can choose to live and work in one region , or live one place and work in another and do so with ease . Today , less than five percent of people working in the ninecounty Bay Area commute in from outside of it , creating a challenge for our rail systems . If more people moved in both directions this would help balance traffic patterns and benefit multiple economies .
We also believe that the megaregion will help strengthen our tradable sector industries and keep our businesses in California . With greater collaboration and communication between the regions , and a focus on improving our transportation systems , it provides both businesses and households with more options . From rethinking our physical footprint , to where and how we do business , the megaregion will play an important role in our economic recovery .
As a member of the megaregion ’ s working group , what are the coalition ’ s top priority goals ? How does the megaregion help keep tradable sector jobs in Northern California ?
We are focused on a number of regional issues — homelessness , rising housing costs , traffic and super-commuting . These issues have become increasingly untenable and a big part of our strategy revolves around working with the governor and state legislature to implement programs that are tailored around the regions versus a one-size-fits-all approach . As part of our economic recovery , we anticipate there will be a lot of activity around affordable housing and transportation .
The megaregion working group is developing a joint advocacy program to have a voice at the table and to support these future planning efforts . We are setting the stage for next year , and have all worked together to form a united front behind our state transportation grant programs . For Sacramento to support a project in San Jose , and for the Bay Area to support a program in Placer County , that ’ s a big deal and we are proud of that . We have set a number of ambitious goals , but they are needed .
James Corless
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR , SACRAMENTO AREA COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS
98 comstocksmag . com | December 2020