North Bay Leadership Council

Economic Competitiveness

NBLC advocates for more economic competitiveness in the North Bay in recognition of the increased competitiveness regionally, statewide, nationally and globally.  The need to retain and attract business in a global marketplace drives the need for change and adaption to the 21st century economy.  In addition, without a strong North Bay economy, our local governmental agencies will not have the revenues to sustain their critical public safety, education, infrastructure, and other safety-net services and programs that underpin our quality of life. 

The North Bay has a great need for new jobs to be generated.  Unemployment is especially high in Sonoma County.  Working to market the North Bay a jobs magnet is a goal for NBLC.  We want to see businesses grow that are located here, attract new businesses, and prepare the workforce to fill the jobs that are being created.  We seek to partner with North Bay educational institutions to produce graduates ready and able to "go to work."

NBLC's President / CEO, Cynthia Murray, served as Co-Chair of the Sonoma County Innovation Council which produced an Economic Development Master Plan to help guide new job growth and economic vitality in the county.  Murray also sits on the Executive Committee of the Bay Area Council's Economic Institute, which provides research and advocacy for innovation and new jobs in the Bay Area. 

One successful project was driving the effort to bring the America's Cup to the Bay Area.  NBLC is active in many economic competitiveness efforts throughout the North Bay, especially because of its understanding that the North Bay economy is regional as is NBLC.