Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

What’s Behind California’s Frozen Housing Market?

8 hours ago

Oil Prices Rise on Trade War Relief, US Pressure on Russia

10 hours ago

Marjorie Taylor Greene Is First Republican Lawmaker to Call Gaza Crisis a ‘Genocide’

11 hours ago

UK Will Recognize Palestinian Statehood in September, Barring Israel-Hamas Ceasefire

12 hours ago

Trump’s EPA to Repeal Core of Greenhouse Gas Rules in Major Deregulatory Move

12 hours ago

US Approval of Israel’s Gaza Offensive Drops to 32%, Poll Shows

13 hours ago

Shooter in New York Skyscraper Left Note Blaming NFL for Brain Injury, Mayor Says

14 hours ago

Trump Eyes Aug 1 Trade Deals as EU, China Talks Continue, US Commerce Chief Says

14 hours ago

Trump Says Many Are Starving in Gaza, Vows to Set up Food Centers

1 day ago
California Economic Summit in Fresno Is Biggest Ever
David Taub Website photo 2024
By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 6 years ago on
November 5, 2019

Share

For the eighth year — and the first time in Fresno — California Forward is holding an economic summit focused on how to improve the Golden State across many different sectors.
And, according to California Forward’s co-chairman Pete Weber, the two-day event — dubbed “Regions Rise Together” — will be the biggest in history.


Listen to this article:
 


Weber told a Fresno Rotary crowd on Monday that 900 people have signed up, and hundreds more are on a waiting list.
Weber said a group of about 150 CEOs — several from the Valley, but at least from one as far away as Atlanta — also will convene beforehand for a Wednesday luncheon.
The California Economic Summit itself starts Thursday at the DoubleTree Hotel in downtown Fresno.
Pete Weber talks about the local economy at Fresno Rotary luncheon on Monday, Nov. 4, 2019 (GV Wire/David Taub)

Weber on Fresno Economy

“We are not waiting for Superman or Superwoman to come to save us. We are doing amazing work in our community. We are making progress in building our human capital like never before.”California Forward’s Pete Weber
Weber, a retired Fresno Fortune 500 CEO who has lent his economic expertise to the past three Fresno mayors and many organizations, talked about the causes of Fresno’s economic challenges and strategies to overcome them.
“We’ve made some progress, but we need to massively accelerate,” Weber said about Fresno’s economic growth compared to the state and national averages.
One of the obstacles to improving the local economy and quality of life is the erosion of the family structure, which negatively affects youth. Weber noted that single mothers experience the highest level of poverty.
Fresno’s topography — the Valley’s natural shape of trapping air pollution from other regions — has cost private businesses $40 billion over the last 30 years to clean up. That has caused some businesses to leave and take high-paying jobs with them.
In addition, the city’s education gap and poor land-use planning have stopped some sectors from enjoying economic growth, Weber said.
“There are thousands of jobs available today,” Weber said, for area residents with at least an associate’s degree.

Watch: Making the California Deam a Reality for All

Measuring Improvement

Public policies that improve the economy, the environment, and social equity play a role in upward mobility. Weber said the state no doubt is good on the economy, questionable on the environment, and shameful on social equity.
There also is a disparity between where the jobs are growing (coastal regions) versus where the population is growing (the Valley), according to Weber.
But Weber is optimistic about Fresno County’s growing manufacturing industry. He also pitched a plan for more cargo to be shipped from ports in the south to the north end of the state via rail instead of relying on trucks traveling through the Central Valley.

Governor Cares

Gov. Gavin Newsom will deliver the summit’s keynote address on Friday at 10:30 a.m.
“He’s given every indication that he really cares what happens in the Valley, and every other region left behind,” Weber said.
But, Weber added, “We are not waiting for Superman or Superwoman to come to save us. We are doing amazing work in our community. We are making progress in building our human capital like never before.”

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

California Under Tsunami Advisory After Magnitude 8.7 Earthquake

DON'T MISS

Fresno Man Dies in DUI Crash, Driver Arrested

DON'T MISS

Madera County Wildfire Burns Near Fairmead, Containment at 0%

DON'T MISS

Watch Twin Meteor Showers Reach Their Simultaneous Peak in Summer Skies

DON'T MISS

New York Gunman Was Flagged by Security Camera System Before Attack, Sources Say

DON'T MISS

As Trump Cuts Education, Candidates Line Up for California’s Top Schools Job

DON'T MISS

US House Panel Rejects Immunity Request by Epstein Associate Maxwell

DON'T MISS

Fresno’s Vacant Property Ordinance Punishes the Wrong People: Rassamni

DON'T MISS

Trump Approval Rating Sinks to 40%, the Lowest of His Term, Reuters/Ipsos Poll Finds

DON'T MISS

What’s Behind California’s Frozen Housing Market?

UP NEXT

As Trump Cuts Education, Candidates Line Up for California’s Top Schools Job

UP NEXT

What’s Behind California’s Frozen Housing Market?

UP NEXT

Oil Prices Rise on Trade War Relief, US Pressure on Russia

UP NEXT

Marjorie Taylor Greene Is First Republican Lawmaker to Call Gaza Crisis a ‘Genocide’

UP NEXT

New Gallup Poll Reveals Most Immoral Behaviors In America

UP NEXT

US Consumer Confidence Rises Modestly in July

UP NEXT

Trump Eyes Aug 1 Trade Deals as EU, China Talks Continue, US Commerce Chief Says

UP NEXT

What Does Trump Crackdown on Homelessness Mean for California?

UP NEXT

California Governor Candidate Stirs Outrage With Auschwitz ‘Unemployment Plan’ Post

UP NEXT

California May Soon Ban Selling New Glocks Like Kamala Harris Owns

David Taub,
Senior Reporter
Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email

Watch Twin Meteor Showers Reach Their Simultaneous Peak in Summer Skies

5 hours ago

New York Gunman Was Flagged by Security Camera System Before Attack, Sources Say

6 hours ago

As Trump Cuts Education, Candidates Line Up for California’s Top Schools Job

7 hours ago

US House Panel Rejects Immunity Request by Epstein Associate Maxwell

7 hours ago

Fresno’s Vacant Property Ordinance Punishes the Wrong People: Rassamni

7 hours ago

Trump Approval Rating Sinks to 40%, the Lowest of His Term, Reuters/Ipsos Poll Finds

8 hours ago

What’s Behind California’s Frozen Housing Market?

8 hours ago

Tulare County Authorities Find Body in Sequoia National Park

9 hours ago

Oil Prices Rise on Trade War Relief, US Pressure on Russia

10 hours ago

Scottie Scheffler vs. Everybody: Open Champion Makes His Case Among the Greats

10 hours ago

California Under Tsunami Advisory After Magnitude 8.7 Earthquake

Update at 7:35 p.m. on July 29 The U.S. National Weather Service has issued a tsunami advisory for the California coast, with projected arri...

4 hours ago

4 hours ago

California Under Tsunami Advisory After Magnitude 8.7 Earthquake

Juan Carlos Mendoza Jr., 23, was arrested on suspicion of DUI and vehicular manslaughter after a crash in Fresno County killed a 24-year-old passenger. (Fresno County SO)
4 hours ago

Fresno Man Dies in DUI Crash, Driver Arrested

A wildfire in Madera County, dubbed the 19 Fire, has burned 16 acres with 0% containment as of Tuesday, July 29, 2025, afternoon, according to CalFire. (CalFire)
5 hours ago

Madera County Wildfire Burns Near Fairmead, Containment at 0%

5 hours ago

Watch Twin Meteor Showers Reach Their Simultaneous Peak in Summer Skies

A man holding a rifle walks into an office building at 345 Park Avenue shortly before a shooting that killed several people, in the Midtown Manhattan district of New York City, U.S. July 28, 2025, in a still image taken from surveillance video. Surveillance Camera/Handout via REUTERS
6 hours ago

New York Gunman Was Flagged by Security Camera System Before Attack, Sources Say

Teacher Uses Globe While Instructing Her Students
7 hours ago

As Trump Cuts Education, Candidates Line Up for California’s Top Schools Job

Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell stands at the podium to address Judge Alison Nathan during her sentencing in a courtroom sketch in New York City, U.S. June 28, 2022. (Reuters File)
7 hours ago

US House Panel Rejects Immunity Request by Epstein Associate Maxwell

7 hours ago

Fresno’s Vacant Property Ordinance Punishes the Wrong People: Rassamni

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend