Category: News

San Diego’s Good News of the Week – May 29, 2026

By Enya Castañeda,

Every week, ‘Good News of the Week’ features a curation of positive headlines from San Diego, delivered straight to your inbox. A blend of aggregated stories from San Diego’s most trusted news sources and original EDC-created content, GNOTW provides a comprehensive recap of the region’s best stories from the past week. GNOTW is sponsored by Manpower.

Get Good News of the Week in your inbox every Friday. → Sign up

For the week of May 29, 2026, here’s what we’re reading:

…and here are some events and opportunities:

From our partners:

Nominate a company, celebrate your impact

Nominations for the 2026 San Diego Business Impact Awards are open and we want to celebrate you! If you are a middle market company with a proven track record of creating meaningful economic impact in the San Diego region, take just 15 minutes to complete the nomination by June 15. Early bird registration for our July 23 celebration now open.

Nominate a Company by June 15

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Enya Castañeda
Enya Castañeda

Coordinator, Investor Relations & Marketing Communications

Intesa partner reflects on EDC Leadership Trip to Chicago

By Maddy Kilkenny,

Maddy Kilkenny, Partner at Intesa Communications Group, was part of the 40-person delegation for EDC’s Leadership Trip to Chicago—an annual effort to draw inspiration from peer metros and reflect on San Diego’s progress toward our 2030 Inclusive Growth goals. Intesa Communications Group is a women-owned and award-winning public relations and government relations firm trusted by many San Diego leaders, and a long time EDC investor, partner, and friend.

See below for Maddy’s reflections from our 2026 Inclusive Growth Leadership Trip to Chicago.

Anthony Bourdain once described Chicago as a city that “doesn’t ever have to measure itself against any other city.”

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to join San Diego Regional Economic Development Corp. (EDC) on the 2026 Chicago Leadership Trip in the Windy City.

Each year, EDC brings together a delegation of about 40 public and private sector leaders to step outside our region, reflect on San Diego’s progress toward a more inclusive economy, and strengthen employer commitment to the 2030 Inclusive Growth goals.

From the moment we loaded the bus to our hotel, Chicago just hit different. Maybe it was the Midwest spirit. Maybe it was the confidence of a big city that knows exactly who it is. Or maybe it was the civic pride embedded in a place that grows its talent and its businesses from within—and expects a return on that investment in the form of shared responsibility to make Chicago better… For everyone.

Our delegation had the privilege to learn from the truth tellers of Chicago—leaders who spoke candidly about the city’s strengths, challenges and obligations to its residents. We heard from former U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker; Derek Douglas and leaders from the Civic Committee; Beth Swanson of A Better Chicago; Jarquetta Egeston of Xchange Chicago; and so many other bright, talented Chicagoans working to strengthen the economy, improve education, confront systemic racism, and build a more equitable future for their region. What stood out most was the Chicago-first mantra they all shared—the mark of a city that loves its people and is loved in return.

I left Chicago with a personal challenge—and one I hope my fellow delegates carry home, too: How can we help make San Diego better? What role can we play in building an economy that works for all San Diegans? How can we collaborate more intentionally? How can we see through the divisiveness and stay focused on a greater San Diego for all?

None of the hope and inspiration that I brought home would have been possible without the incredible team at EDC. Lauree Sahba and Enya Castañeda planned every detail to perfection. Eduardo Velasquez delivered the data and context we needed. Dr. Nikia Clarke always asked the right questions. Sang Nguyen quietly herded us cats constantly from stop to stop. Bree Burris kept us on track. And of course Mark Cafferty needs no explanation—one of the best humans I know AND the one who got us into the Obama Presidential Center ahead of its public opening next month!

A special hat tip to Amy Liu from the Brookings Institute, who was the backbone of so much of the trip and an honorary San Diegan if there ever was one. And to my fellow delegates: you are some of the best and brightest we have in San Diego, and I was honored to share this experience with you.

The trip reminded me that regional pride has to be more than a feeling. It has to show up in how we work together, how we challenge each other, and how boldly we plan for the future. This is also how we do our work at Intesa. We show up for each other, our clients and for San Diego.

Now that I’m back, I’m ready to cheerlead for our region, for our home. Let’s roll up our sleeves and make some big plans for San Diego. Who’s with me?

Learn more about Intesa Communications Group and read the original blog publication here.

San Diego’s Good News of the Week – May 22, 2026

By Enya Castañeda,

Every week, ‘Good News of the Week’ features a curation of positive headlines from San Diego, delivered straight to your inbox. A blend of aggregated stories from San Diego’s most trusted news sources and original EDC-created content, GNOTW provides a comprehensive recap of the region’s best stories from the past week. GNOTW is sponsored by Manpower.

Get Good News of the Week in your inbox every Friday. → Sign up

For the week of May 22, 2026, here’s what we’re reading:

We share this week’s ‘Good News’ with thoughts of healing, peace, and remembrance. Though the news around us is so devastating, challenging, and heartbreaking, we are weekly committed to doing our small part to ensure that the darkness does not diminish the light that continues to shine on and through our community every day.

…and here are some events and opportunities:

From our partners:

A note from Mark: Meet Our Life. Changing. honorees

Join us June 4 at Petco Park for EDC’s Annual Dinner: A celebration with our community of investors, partners, and leaders who make our work possible. Every year, we give out honors to an organization and individual whose commitment to the region’s innovation and economy shape the foundation that makes San Diego truly Life. Changing.

Meet the Honorees and Register Today

 

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Enya Castañeda
Enya Castañeda

Coordinator, Investor Relations & Marketing Communications

A note from Mark: Annual Dinner Honorees 2026

By Mark Cafferty,

meet Our Life. Changing. Honorees

Dear EDC investors and partners,

As summer begins to draw near, our team at San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation (EDC) is eager to kick off many of our signature programs and events just around the corner. None bigger than our Annual Dinner, underwritten by Point Loma Nazarene University.

Held again at Petco Park as a celebration to the community of investors, partners, and leaders who make our work possible, EDC’s Annual Dinner has become a yearly moment of reflection for me—not just to take stock of the work behind us or ahead us, but to think of how much our mission continues to evolve and adapt to the economy and community we serve.

We give out two honors, dubbed our “Life. Changing.” Awards: Two words that capture the essence of San Diego in so many ways, and two words that have become a bit of a mantra for our work and the way we see and promote the region.

But before they took on their current title, the Awards were named in memory of two San Diegans who embodied the leadership that defined a rapidly growing region and economy. One, Duane Roth the indomitable promoter of San Diego innovation, science, technology, and entrepreneurship. The other, Herb Klein revered for bringing people together for the greater good and going above and beyond professional roles and responsibilities to move San Diego forward.

I have always been proud of the individuals we choose to recognize at our Annual Dinner, as with each passing year, the awards have become a more powerful reflection of the organization we strive to be, and the people and institutions that inspire us the most.

This year, we recognize the continued investment, growth, and innovation of ASML—an international technology giant with great history in San Diego, and one of the most important global players in the semiconductor industry fulfilling chipmakers’ needs from manufacturing to software.

We also honor Robert Gleason—local executive, community leader, civic treasure, and President and CEO of Evans Hotels, one of our region’s most important tourism companies, and an individual who has truly changed the San Diego economy and community through his advocacy, service, engagement, and activism.

Continuing to celebrate all that makes San Diego creative and innovative—while also celebrating what makes it welcoming, inclusive, and good—has become a highlight of our work and a gift to the community that surrounds us. It is at the core of what makes our work so special. It is the very foundation of what makes our region so Life. Changing.

I hope you’ll join us on June 4 at Petco Park for our 2026 Annual Dinner—another fun, meaningful, and beautiful night of camaraderie, friendship, and recognizing and appreciating the very best of who San Diego is.

Join us june 4

With gratitude and respect,

Mark Cafferty
Mark Cafferty

President & CEO

More from EDC

  • See our impact in our Monthly Report
  • Apply by June 15—EDC and JPMorganChase are back for the second annual San Diego Business Impact Awards! Nominate your company and celebrate your local impact
    • Save the date to celebrate with us on July 23; registration details to come
  • Learn about Cross Border Xpress’ regional impact and 2030 expansion plan in our latest Investor Spotlight

 

San Diego’s Good News of the Week – May 15, 2026

By Enya Castañeda,

Every week, ‘Good News of the Week’ features a curation of positive headlines from San Diego, delivered straight to your inbox. A blend of aggregated stories from San Diego’s most trusted news sources and original EDC-created content, GNOTW provides a comprehensive recap of the region’s best stories from the past week. GNOTW is sponsored by Manpower.

Get Good News of the Week in your inbox every Friday. → Sign up

For the week of May 15, 2026, here’s what we’re reading:

…and here are some events and opportunities:

From our partners:

Business Impact Awards 2026: Nominate a fast-growing company

EDC and JPMorganChase are back and ready to celebrate middle market companies driving the San Diego region’s success! Nominate a company by June 15 for the San Diego Business Impact Awards. Whether in tech, life sciences, or consumer products, honorees will be recognized for exceptional year‑over‑year growth and their impact in San Diego.

Learn More and Nominate a Company

 

Business information and resources page

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Enya Castañeda
Enya Castañeda

Coordinator, Investor Relations & Marketing Communications

San Diego’s Good News of the Week – May 8, 2026

By Mira Paranjape,

Every week, ‘Good News of the Week’ features a curation of positive headlines from San Diego, delivered straight to your inbox. A blend of aggregated stories from San Diego’s most trusted news sources and original EDC-created content, GNOTW provides a comprehensive recap of the region’s best stories from the past week. GNOTW is sponsored by Manpower.

Get Good News of the Week in your inbox every Friday. → Sign up

For the week of May 8, 2026, here’s what we’re reading:

…and here are some events and opportunities:

From our partners:

Hire summer interns through Advancing San Diego

Looking to hire a summer intern and support local talent? Recruit straight from Advancing San Diego’s vetted, local intern pool! A donation to our 501(c)(3) gives you access to the region’s best and brightest students, and helps us maximize the number of #AdvancingSD interns we can connect to impactful work and learning experiences across San Diego.

Get in touch and learn more

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Enya Castañeda
Enya Castañeda

Coordinator, Investor Relations & Marketing Communications

San Diego’s Good News of the Week – May 1, 2026

By Enya Castañeda,

Every week, ‘Good News of the Week’ features a curation of positive headlines from San Diego, delivered straight to your inbox. A blend of aggregated stories from San Diego’s most trusted news sources and original EDC-created content, GNOTW provides a comprehensive recap of the region’s best stories from the past week. GNOTW is sponsored by Manpower.

Get Good News of the Week in your inbox every Friday. → Sign up

For the week of May 1, 2026, here’s what we’re reading:

…and here are some events and opportunities:

From our partners:

Join us: Invest in San Diego Breakfast

Kick off BIO 2026 on June 22 with breakfast and conversation hosted by World Trade Center San Diego and partners, spotlighting San Diego’s world‑class life sciences ecosystem. Hear directly from industry and public leaders on why global life sciences innovators choose San Diego—and what gives the region a competitive edge.

Join us June 22

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Enya Castañeda
Enya Castañeda

Coordinator, Investor Relations & Marketing Communications

San Diego’s Good News of the Week – April 24, 2026

By Enya Castañeda,

Every week, ‘Good News of the Week’ features a curation of positive headlines from San Diego, delivered straight to your inbox. A blend of aggregated stories from San Diego’s most trusted news sources and original EDC-created content, GNOTW provides a comprehensive recap of the region’s best stories from the past week. GNOTW is sponsored by Manpower.

Get Good News of the Week in your inbox every Friday. → Sign up

For the week of April 24, 2026, here’s what we’re reading:

…and here are some events and opportunities:

From our partners:

Investor Spotlight: Cross Border Xpress

An expanded arrivals area, on-site hotel, enhanced food and beverage offerings, and much more is coming to Cross Border Xpress (CBX). After a decade of impact supporting more than 30 million passengers in the Cali Baja region, CBX’s long-term vision is something all San Diegans can look forward to.

Learn More

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Enya Castañeda
Enya Castañeda

Coordinator, Investor Relations & Marketing Communications

San Diego’s Good News of the Week – April 17, 2026

By Enya Castañeda,

Every week, ‘Good News of the Week’ features a curation of positive headlines from San Diego, delivered straight to your inbox. A blend of aggregated stories from San Diego’s most trusted news sources and original EDC-created content, GNOTW provides a comprehensive recap of the region’s best stories from the past week. GNOTW is sponsored by Manpower.

Get Good News of the Week in your inbox every Friday. → Sign up

For the week of April 17, 2026, here’s what we’re reading:

…and here are some events and opportunities:

From our partners:

Meet our Life Changing  Award honoree

Building a career defined by both visionary leadership in tourism and economic development, as well as transformative advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights, we are proud to recognize Robert Gleason, president and CEO of Evans Hotels, with our 2026 Life Changing Award. Join us to celebrate at EDC’s Annual Dinner on June 4 at Petco Park!

Early Bird Ends Today!

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Enya Castañeda
Enya Castañeda

Coordinator, Investor Relations & Marketing Communications

San Diego’s Good News of the Week – April 10, 2026

By Enya Castañeda,

Every week, ‘Good News of the Week’ features a curation of positive headlines from San Diego, delivered straight to your inbox. A blend of aggregated stories from San Diego’s most trusted news sources and original EDC-created content, GNOTW provides a comprehensive recap of the region’s best stories from the past week. GNOTW is sponsored by Manpower.

Get Good News of the Week in your inbox every Friday. → Sign up

For the week of April 10, 2026, here’s what we’re reading:

…and here are some events and opportunities:

From our partners:

A note from Mark: San Diego’s progress to Inclusive Growth

Following the release of EDC’s 2030 Inclusive Growth Goals: 2025 Progress Update, we know that the region is reaching a challenging inflection point. EDC’s CEO Mark Cafferty reflects, “Simply put, our progress is not outpacing our problems. And that isn’t something to run from or ignore—but rather something to face and resolve.”

Read More from Mark

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Enya Castañeda
Enya Castañeda

Coordinator, Investor Relations & Marketing Communications