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By Francisco Ramirez | February 12, 2025

At the Kings County Board of Supervisors meeting on March 11, 2025, local officials voted to join a regional effort aimed at driving economic development across the Central Valley. The initiative, known as the Sierra San Joaquin Jobs Initiative (S2J2), brings together Kings, Fresno, Madera, and Tulare counties in a coordinated push to secure state and federal funding for infrastructure, agriculture, and workforce development.

Led by the Central Valley Community Foundation (CVCF), the S2J2 initiative is part of the broader California Jobs First economic blueprint, which outlines a plan for $58 billion in public and private investment by 2045. The program aims to create over 138,000 new jobs and generate $99 billion in economic impact across the region.

“This is a major opportunity for Kings County to collaborate with neighboring counties and ensure we have a seat at the table when it comes to attracting investment,” a county official stated during the meeting.

The initiative prioritizes critical economic areas such as broadband expansion, sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, and infrastructure improvements. By joining the effort, Kings County will participate in a newly formed Four-County Coordinating Committee, which will include representatives from each county’s Board of Supervisors, county administrative offices, and economic development teams. The committee’s role will be to align efforts, pursue funding opportunities, and work directly with state agencies.

A key focus of the initiative is enhancing regional coordination on conservation efforts, groundwater recharge, and land use planning. The committee will work closely with state departments such as the California Natural Resources Agency, the Department of Water Resources, and the California Energy Commission to ensure that economic growth aligns with environmental sustainability.

Despite broad support, the initiative was met with some skepticism from board members, who recalled past tensions with Fresno County on economic development issues. However, officials emphasized that Kings County would maintain its autonomy while leveraging regional collaboration for greater economic opportunities.

With the Board’s approval, Kings County will now move forward in working with its Central Valley neighbors to push for economic policies and funding that benefit the region’s industries and workforce. Local leaders hope that by presenting a united front, the four counties will be better positioned to attract investment and strengthen economic resilience across the valley.

What do you think about Kings County’s participation in the four-county initiative? Will this collaboration bring meaningful economic growth to the region? Share your thoughts below!