1) Acute workforce shortages: San Diego’s innovation economy requires large numbers of employees with all levels of education in science, technology, engineering and math, as well as nursing and allied health professions. With projected shortfalls in the region’s supply of these professionals by 2020, EDC will catalyze a strategy to recruit, retain and train the needed workforce.

2) Entry-level and mid-career development: Career development is critical to local business leaders who have identified workplace readiness as an issue for entry-level and mid-career employees. To increase local productivity EDC will catalyze a training model that serves San Diego’s small businesses where employee development programs may be scarce and help K-14 education reform.


EDC's infrastructure development efforts are divided into six priority areas. 

EDC will develop and implement strategies to ensure regional capacity in six business mission-critical infrastructure categories: water, housing, energy, transportation, economic competitiveness and environmental stewardship. 

1) Housing: The region must construct 300,000 housing units by 2030; 450,000 units by 2050 to ensure any level of housing affordability and economic competitiveness.

2) Transportation: The road network envisioned by the voter approved TransNet initiative must be implemented, while additional consensus is reached on:
o Regional transit system design and operation
o Smart Growth land use planning
o How to fund the Regional Transportation Plan
o Addressing long term air transportation needs

3) Water: Funding and legislative initiatives will be required at the Federal, State and regional level to implement 7 strategies:
o Full implementation of the Imperial Irrigation District water contract
o Completion of the State Water Project
o Environmental restoration of the Bay Delta
o “Smart growth” and water efficiency standards
o Evaluate role of recycled water use within the region
o Expand desalination projects and regulatory reform for project approvals
o Support expanded capacity for “water markets.”

4) Economic Competitiveness: San Diego’s vibrant economy reflects past investment decisions that yield important dividends today. EDC will serve as a catalyst for continued investment, including:
o Regional university capacity of over 100,000 students by 2020
o Airport capacity to serve our tourism industry as well as global business and personal travel needs
o Qualcomm sports facility replacement
o San Diego Unified Port expansion
o Civic Center Redevelopment
o New Central Library
o San Diego Convention Center expansion
o Creative Community

5) Energy: Ensuring energy supply is a fundamental requirement to retain and attract private capital investment. EDC will support five regional projects already identified as central to regional energy supply; and support regional conservation & energy efficiency strategy through market based incentives & standards.

6) Environmental Stewardship: San Diego’s environment is rich in bio-diversity – and serves as a foundation for our quality of life. Protecting this resource requires:
o Championing a market-based strategy to implement greenhouse gas emission requirements
o Implementing regional storm water requirements in a cost-effective manner