GOAL : Integrate more BIPOC members of the community and those historically marginalized in decision-making processes through the development of capacity-building programs emphasizing leadership development, training in organizing, advocacy, and education.

While recent studies report increases to the tri-county region’s GDP per capita and labor productivity over the last decade, there is a lack of sustainable job opportunities that truly benefit workers in the Monterey Bay region. Its economy remains heavily reliant on low-wage industries such as agriculture, hospitality, retail, and tourism. This dependence fails to provide consistent, year-round employment, leaving many workers vulnerable and without benefits such as healthcare coverage.

To address these challenges, it is crucial that the region redirect its economy toward a more equitable and inclusive model. This involves lifting up wages, improving living conditions, and integrating social determinants of health into its economic strategies. By prioritizing sustainable jobs that offer benefits and opportunities for growth, the Monterey Bay region can create a more resilient economy that serves all members of our community. The current unemployment rates in the Monterey Bay region, which are moderately higher than state and national averages, underscore the urgency of this initiative. The region has a unique opportunity to reshape its economic landscape for the better as noted in more detail within the Uplift Central Coast/California Jobs First Regional Plan Part II.  

Unlocking the economic potential of the Monterey Bay region requires investments in the expansion of economic opportunity that deliberately address the economic disparities created by low-wage employment in sectors like agriculture, hospitality, retail, and tourism that limits how families in the Monterey Bay region meet their basic needs of safe and dignified housing, reliable child care, nutritious food, dependable transportation, quality healthcare, and ubiquitous broadband, among others. In its report entitled How Much It Costs to Struggle: The Real Cost Measure in California 2023, the United Ways of California estimates the amount of income required to meet basic needs. Data available for the tri-county region reveals that 33-38% of households in the region do not have enough income to meet costs for basic needs, with approximately 54-58% of Latino households in the region, for example, falling below the threshold.