Despite national fears of an economic recession, Fresno County’s economy looks to be improving across multiple facets. Labor market conditions continue to tighten, showing lower unemployment rates and positive wage and establishment growth. Specifically, Fresno County saw an increase of approximately 5,600 employed individuals and an unemployment rate decrease from 6.7 percent to 6.6 percent year-over-year. Fresno County saw the greatest increases in employment within the following industry sectors: utilities by 6 percent, health care and social assistance by 5 percent and transportations and warehousing by 4 percent, which continue to drive economic growth for the region.
Fresno County has been the hub of high-speed rail construction thus far. The largest economic impact from the state’s investment in high-speed rail has been felt in the Central Valley, stimulating an estimated $2 billion in total economic activity. California’s Employment Development Department estimated that 9,400 jobs were added in Fresno County between July 2016 and June 2017. Over this same period, high-speed rail investment in Fresno County supported 3,100 full-time jobs; the equivalent of more than 30 percent of all jobs added in the county. ›
The Fresno County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) works diligently assisting prospective and existing companies as well as job seekers to ensure economic growth and prosperity in the County. Last year, the Fresno County EDC Expansion and Retention Team served over 800 clients. Local, state and international interest in the county has grown, as evidenced by the 80 clients assisted by the EDC Attraction Department. The EDC has also developed key relationships with government officials and trade partners in targeted metro areas of major Chinese provinces for the purpose of increasing foreign direct investment and exporting opportunities.
Lastly, to help address unemployment, the EDC placed over 350 people in jobs through its NEO placement and pre-apprenticeship training programs.
The EDC is on the forefront in spotlighting Fresno County as a wonderful place to work, live and grow. Fresno County offers an incredible opportunity to leverage its talent and infrastructure and continues to be the cultural and economic center of California’s San Joaquin Valley.
For more information, contact Fresno County Economic Development Corporation at (559) 476-2500 or Lee Ann Eager at leager@fresnoedc.com.