Reflections from 2025’s California Economic Summit in Stockton.
Last month I had the privilege to attend the California Economic Summit 2025, a gathering I’ve participated in for many years. This summit has always been more than just an event for me as it’s a space where community, industry, and policy intersect – and California’s economic story is written in real time.
This year’s summit was held in Stockton and its theme, “Building a New California Economy,” emphasized resilience, sustainability, and inclusivity. From the breakout sessions on “From Abundance to Shared Prosperity” to “Building California’s Energy and Industrial Workforce,” the throughline was clear: California’s future depends on how well it aligns innovation with good jobs, equitable access, and environmental stewardship.
The summit began with a tour of the Port of Stockton, California’s fourth busiest port and a critical economic engine supporting more than 10,000 jobs. Founded in 1933, the port handles a diverse array of commodities, including steel products, renewable diesel, bulk cement, and liquid feedstock, and is part of the Green Marine program. It’s also home to Nautilus Data Technologies’ Stockton 1 data center and the Edible Schoolyard Stockton community farm, demonstrating how legacy infrastructure can be reimagined for the future economy.
What struck me most was seeing its zero-emissions equipment in operation – a tangible example of how clean energy investments are transforming traditional logistics. Walking through the port, I saw a clear vision for how California can scale clean manufacturing and logistics while maintaining its industrial strength.
Our next stop was the Green Economy Lab, a training center and incubator for green economy jobs and emerging technologies. The energy inside was contagious. This is where ideas become tangible workforce opportunities. This kind of investment in skills development is exactly what it takes to build a resilient, inclusive economy; one where working people aren’t left behind but are equipped to power the next generation of industries.
I also had the opportunity to spend time with Restore the Delta, learning about the fragile and essential ecosystem of the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. It’s the largest estuary on the Pacific Coast, supporting fisheries, wildlife, agriculture, and over four million residents. Their work underscores a vital truth: Economic growth and environmental stewardship aren’t opposing goals, and must advance together if we’re serious about sustainable development.
The highlight of the summit for me was the breakout session on advanced manufacturing industries a conversation led by my friends Matt Bogoshian and David Van Siclen of the American Manufacturing Communities Collaborative.
The session centered on identifying strategic opportunities for advanced manufacturing in California, from clean energy to new technologies to workforce readiness. Discussions focused on how California can lead nationally – not just as an innovator, but as a model for sustainable manufacturing that strengthens supply chains, builds good jobs, and lowers emissions
Some key themes the session tackled:
. Workforce development as a foundation: Building a strong manufacturing pipeline that connects schools, training centers, and employers;
. Coordinated state and regional collaboration: Making sure local ecosystems can innovate without being isolated; and
. Policy and infrastructure alignment: Creating conditions where advanced manufacturing can thrive sustainably.
These themes are core to the mission of the Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM): We too support policies that strengthen U.S. manufacturing, create good-paying jobs, and ensure a competitive, resilient domestic industrial base.
At AAM, we believe that building a strong, sustainable, and inclusive manufacturing economy isn’t optional, it’s essential. What I saw in Stockton is proof that California is ready to lead, with communities, industry, and advocates pushing in the same direction.
From the port to the Delta, from green workforce labs to manufacturing strategy rooms, this summit was a reminder of why I do this work. It’s about creating opportunities – for workers, communities, and future generations – to thrive in a modern, clean, and competitive economy.
… That’s a wrap! See you next year in Long Beach!