In This Issue
Key Highlights from the State of the North Bay Economic Conference
NBLC November General Election Candidate and Ballot Measure Endorsements
Sonoma County Immigration Impact Report
SMART Does More than just Move People: Read the Quality-of-Life Report
Upcoming Events
2026 North Bay All-Hands Regional Housing Convening, November 9th, 1:00-3:30pm, Jonas Center, Novato
Members in the News
This month’s Policy Watch examines the forces shaping the North Bay’s economic future from signs of recovery and persistent workforce and affordability challenges to the vital contributions of immigrant workers and regional transportation. We also share NBLC’s November election endorsements and invite you to participate in an upcoming regional housing convening. Together, these updates underscore the importance of thoughtful policy, sustained investment, and regional collaboration in building a more resilient, competitive, and inclusive North Bay.
If you have not already done so, please take the time to vote and make your voice heard in the November election.
Have a happy and safe Halloween.
Best regards,
Joanne
The North Bay Economy: Signs of Recovery, Challenges Ahead
The North Bay Leadership Council (NBLC) hosted its annual State of the North Bay Economic Conference on October 14th, bringing together more than 100 business and community leaders virtually. This annual event helps decisionmakers better understand the trends shaping our regional economy and identify strategies for future growth. Jeff Bellisario, Executive Director of the Bay Area Council Economic Institute, delivered the keynote address and presented the findings of the 2026 State of the North Bay Economic Report.
At the North Bay conference, Jeff presented a timely assessment of the region’s economic outlook. His findings point to a North Bay economy that is beginning to stabilize but continues to face significant challenges affecting employers, workers, and long-term competitiveness.
Employment is recovering, but the region remains behind. The North Bay added approximately 3,000 jobs over the past year, yet overall payroll employment remains below pre-pandemic levels. Healthcare and education have been important sources of growth, while manufacturing, retail, and financial services have experienced longer-term declines. Meanwhile, the regional labor force is nearly 18,000 people smaller than it was in 2019, raising concerns about the availability of workers as businesses look to grow.
Housing and affordability remain economic competitiveness issues. The Bay Area continues to lag other regions in housing production, making it difficult for workers to live near their jobs and for employers to attract and retain talent. The presentation also highlighted a changing demographic landscape: the North Bay’s population remains below its 2017 peak, seniors now substantially outnumber children, and slower population growth is creating additional workforce pressures.
The region needs to cultivate new sources of middle-wage jobs. Bellisario identified promising opportunities in food and agricultural technology, advanced air mobility, climate solutions, and health and wellness innovation. Building these industries and strengthening established employers will require coordinated investments in housing, transportation, childcare, education, and workforce development.
For North Bay employers, the message is clear: economic recovery alone will not guarantee long-term prosperity. Our region’s ability to attract investment, support business growth, and retain a skilled workforce will depend on addressing these interconnected challenges. Regional collaboration and policies that strengthen economic opportunity will be essential to building a more resilient and competitive North Bay.
What North Bay employers should pay particular attention to:
Workforce availability is a regional economic risk. A shrinking labor force, an aging population, and limited childcare access make it harder for employers to recruit, retain, and develop talent.
Housing and transportation are business infrastructures. Housing production and reliable regional transit affect the size of the available labor pool, commute times, and employers’ ability to attract workers.
Economic diversification and middle-wage jobs deserve greater attention. The region needs to support existing industries, including manufacturing, while developing emerging sectors like health and wellness startups, climate solutions and advanced aviation mobility building on the recent success of the Sonoma County airport. These are sectors that provide sustainable career pathways and strengthen the local tax base.
View Slide Deck Here
NBLC November General Election Candidate and Ballot Measure Endorsements:
As we look ahead to Election Day, NBLC is proud to share our endorsements for local candidates and ballot measures that reflect our commitment to a strong, competitive, and thriving North Bay. Our recommendations are guided by the issues that matter to employers, workers, and our communities. You can view our priority policy areas on our website here. We encourage our members, supporters and partners to review our endorsements, learn more about the candidates and measures, and make their voices heard at the ballot box. Together, we can help shape a stronger future for the North Bay.
You can read our full analysis of ballot measures on our website. Click Link Here
Sonoma County Immigration Impact Report
Immigrant workers are essential to Sonoma County’s workforce and economy, supporting an estimated $6.4 billion in annual economic activity and contributing nearly $980 million in taxes each year. NBLC was in attendance during the release of the Bay Area Council Economic Institute’s new report at last month’s Los Cien State of the Latino Community address. The report also outlines the potential consequences of increased immigration enforcement, including workforce disruptions, reduced consumer spending, and lost public revenue. For the North Bay, these findings reinforce that workforce stability is vital to business competitiveness, economic vitality, and community well-being.
Key Findings from the BAC Economic Institute website below:
Immigrant workers have historically contributed, and will continue to contribute, to Sonoma County’s economy, supporting an estimated $6.4 billion in annual economic activity, including $2.3 billion tied to undocumented workers. Sonoma County’s immigrant residents also contribute an estimated $980 million annually in federal, state, and local taxes. Among Sonoma County’s immigrant residents, 26.3% are undocumented, the highest share of any Bay Area county. Removing these workers from the Bay Area’s labor force could reduce public revenue that supports essential services including education, infrastructure, public safety, and health systems.
Sonoma County’s undocumented population is deeply rooted. Nearly three-quarters have lived in the U.S. for more than a decade, and half have been here for more than 20 years. These roots are particularly deep among undocumented residents from Mexico and Central America: over 85% have lived in the U.S. for more than a decade, compared with 17% of those from Asia.
Key Sonoma industries are highly exposed. Undocumented workers comprise nearly 30% of agricultural jobs, 19% of administrative support and waste management jobs, and 13% of accommodation and food service jobs. Some workers have held the same jobs for decades, accumulating knowledge that cannot be quickly replicated. One stakeholder described a grower who lost a long-tenured worker to enforcement fear: “It took two people to replace the work of the one person who left.”
Mixed-status families face severe economic consequences. More than 6,000 Sonoma County households could see median income fall by roughly 73%, from $96,000 to $26,300, if a primary undocumented wage earner is removed. Stakeholders described children and teenagers taking on rent and household responsibilities when adults lose work. As one community advocate recalled, “A 10-year-old asked for help finding his father a job.”
Sonoma County faces preparedness challenges. The county has the Bay Area’s lowest immigration-court representation rate, with only 46% of more than 5,000 pending cases having legal representation. Employers and service providers report growing needs for legal assistance and employer preparation.
SMART Releases its Quality-of-Life Study:
SMART’s newly released Quality of Life Study reinforces the important role Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit plays in strengthening the North Bay’s economy. Beyond providing a reliable transportation option, SMART connects workers to jobs, supports local businesses, helps reduce congestion on Highway 101, and expands access to education, healthcare, and recreation. The study estimates that SMART generates more than $116 million in annual local economic impact, underscoring the value of regional transportation infrastructure in supporting employers, connecting communities, and enhancing our region’s economic competitiveness. As the North Bay continues to address workforce access, affordability, and transportation challenges, SMART remains an important regional asset.
Upcoming Events:
2026 North Bay Regional Housing Convening
When: Monday, November 9th
Time: 1:00pm-3:30pm
Location: Jonas Center, College of Marin, Indian Valley Campus, Novato
The All-Hands Regional Convenings are part of an early phase in the regional stakeholder engagement process to develop a shared housing policy framework. We are bringing together organizations from across the Bay Area to help inform the policies that will underpin a future regional housing revenue measure.
Program Agenda: Overview & Revenue: Presentations on the regional process, housing goals, engagement plans, and potential funding uses or revenue mechanisms.
Community Discussions: Facilitated small group sessions to collect local insights and feedback.
Priority Setting: Identifying key regional housing and funding priorities.
Members in the News
BioMarin Presents New Data Advancing Understanding of Achondroplasia and Hypochondroplasia Treatment at the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research Annual Meeting
BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. (Nasdaq: BMRN) today announced it will present new data from 13 studies at the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research 2026 Annual Meeting (ASBMR) in Boston, including results from studies of VOXZOGO® (vosoritide) in children with achondroplasia and hypochondroplasia.
Keysight Technologies and KTL Advance NR-NTN Validation for Satellite Connectivity
Keysight Technologies, Inc. announced that Korea Testing Laboratory (KTL), a leading testing and certification organization, has selected Keysight’s New Radio Non-Terrestrial Network (NR-NTN) radio frequency (RF) and Radio Resource Management (RRM) test solutions to expand its acceptance test capabilities for next-generation satellite communications technologies.
Basin Street Properties Broker of The Quarter Q3 26 –James Schultz of Meridian Commercial
Basin Street Properties is pleased to announce that Meridian Commercial Senior Director, James Schultz, has been named our Broker of the Quarter for Q3 2026.
Vote YES on Measure P | Patty Garbarino, CEO of Marin Sanitary Service | Community Action Marin
Watch this compelling video featuring NBLC Board Member Patty Garbarino, CEO, Marin Sanitary Service. Watch video here.
Redwood Credit Union Ranks Among Top 25 Bay Area Companies for Corporate Philanthropy
Redwood Credit Union (RCU) ranked 22nd among the 88 companies and organizations recognized in the San Francisco Business Times Corporate Philanthropy Awards, following a year in which RCU provided $5.18 million in total community giving and supported 312 community partners across San Francisco and the North Bay.
Who We Are
North Bay Leadership Council is the strong voice of employers who advocate for sound public policy affecting the North Bay, demonstrate and grow leadership within the region, and collectively work for a more resilient, prosperous and equitable future. For more information: Call 707.283.0028 / E-mail info@northbayleadership.org
www.northbayleadership.org