There is a lot happening right now in the North Bay, and many of the issues showing up in the news are the same ones we hear about from employers every day. Hiring remains uneven across the region, housing and affordability continue to affect the workforce, and new state policies are raising important questions for businesses and communities.

In this issue, we take a closer look at recent employment numbers and what they tell us about the North Bay economy. We also share an update on California’s new AI workforce dashboard and what it could mean as technology continues to change the way people work.

We also look ahead to the November ballot, which is expected to include several measures that could affect employers, workers, housing, health care, taxes, and California’s overall business climate. Finally, we are happy to welcome Bank of Marin back to NBLC and invite you to save the date for our State of the North Bay Economic Conference this October. As always, NBLC will keep following these issues and working with our members to support a strong North Bay economy.

With the Fourth of July coming up, and our country preparing to mark its 250th anniversary, I hope everyone has a safe, happy, and meaningful Independence Day.

As we head into the summer months, the policy conversations shaping the North Bay continue to move quickly from transportation resilience and energy reliability to workforce transformation and the growing impact of artificial intelligence on our economy. In this edition of Policy Watch, we highlight several issues where North Bay Leadership Council is actively engaging to support a more resilient, competitive, and economically vibrant region.

We also encourage everyone to stay engaged in the democratic process as the June election approaches and to continue participating in the important conversations shaping the future of our communities and businesses.

Thank you for your continued partnership and leadership.

In this issue, we highlight the policies and initiatives shaping the future of our region, and the work underway to ensure the North Bay remains a place where businesses can grow, communities can thrive, and our economy can remain resilient. From efforts to modernize CEQA and support for a local child care solution in Marin, to renewing SMART’s funding through Measure B and weighing in on key state races, these are the decisions that will shape our region’s economic future.

And if you missed it, be sure to check out our Leaders of the North Bay videos to see the impact of leadership in action across our region.

Thank you for staying engaged in the work of building a more resilient, prosperous and equitable North Bay.

At the North Bay Leadership Council, fostering and elevating this kind of leadership is central to our mission. We see it every day across our membership, leaders working across sectors to address complex challenges and strengthen the long-term resiliency of our region, particularly as industries navigate workforce constraints and shifting economic conditions.

That commitment is reflected in our upcoming Leaders of the North Bay luncheon, where we will recognize individuals shaping the future of our communities, as well as our breakfast briefing on leading through crisis, a timely conversation focused on navigating disruption and uncertainty. Together, these convenings underscore NBLC’s role in connecting and equipping leaders to lead with clarity, resilience, and purpose in an increasingly complex world.

Thank you for staying engaged in the work of building a more resilient, prosperous and equitable North Bay.