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The Fresno Regional Jobs Initiative (RJI) is a giant step for our region. The mission of the RJI is to develop a short- and long-term comprehensive strategy aimed at creating 25,000 to 30,000 net new jobs within five years at an average salary of $29,500. The additional jobs would create an annual economic impact of over $885 million to our region.
The challenges facing our community are regional in nature and require collaboration between various government entities and private sector organizations to solve. Led by Fresno County Supervisor Susan Anderson, former Clovis Mayor Lynne Ashbeck and Fresno Mayor Alan Autry, along with business, education, civic and labor leaders, the ultimate objective of the RJI is to generate long-term, sustainable economic development in the Fresno region by diversifying the industrial and economic base of the area to combat chronic, double-digit unemployment.
The RJI is based on the idea that regional economies are made up of a series of related industries, or clusters, that benefit one another. The RJI task forces are charged with identifying the existing and emerging industry clusters in which our region has a competitive advantage. Once the clusters are identified, each of the task forces will develop plans to expand those industries to achieve the job creation goal.
If eight clusters produced 1,250 jobs each within the next five years, and, in turn, those jobs created 2,500 'multiplier' - or supporting - jobs, then the goal of 30,000 additional jobs would be achieved.
The preliminary RJI strategy was presented and discussed during the Jobs Summit on September 12, 2003, at the Fresno Convention Center. All members of the community were invited to participate. Input from the Jobs Summit was then incorporated in the final strategic plan which was completed in October 2003.
A common code of ethics will enable lasting, positive change.
Creating jobs is the first step in making systemic change in the Fresno region. However, the efforts of the RJI will only produce short-term gains unless every component of our community continually strives to innovate and collaborate. The RJI was founded upon a list of 10 community values known as the 'Guiding Principles of the Fresno Region', which were developed collaboratively by more than one hundred business, education, civic and grass roots leaders. These values are guiding the implementation of the five-year RJI plan.
Improving the Fresno region may seem like an overwhelming task. But it's not. Communities from around the nation have done it. However, making the change requires community participation. Each individual needs to make a choice to be part of the problem or the solution. The Fresno region will continue to decline without change. Without individual participation the goal cannot be achieved. What is your choice?
Contact the RJI
Ashley Swearengin, Chief Operations Officer, RJI
c/o Office of Community and Economic Development
California State University, Fresno
5010 N. Woodrow Ave., M/S WC 142
Fresno, CA 93740
559-294-6021 main
Fax: 559-294-6024
Email: inforji@fresnorji.org |
