2 C A L I F O R N I A I N V E S T M E NT G U I DE siteselection.com/cc/california 2019 CALIFORNIA INVESTMENT GUIDE 8 | TESTIMONIALS Corporate executives share why they are choosing to build their companies in California. 10 | BUSINESS CLIMATE OVERVIEW Firms have discovered that when it comes to picking a location that enables their operations to grow and prosper, no place stacks up better than California. 14 | GO-BIZ INTERVIEW Did you know that GO-Biz offers confidential, no-fee, tailored site selection services to employers who are considering California for expansion? 20 | COVER STORY How does a high-tech drone maker grow from 60 to over 2,000 people in the High Desert in such a short time? General Atomics’ VP explains how. 24 | STATISTICAL PROFILE An in-depth look at California by the numbers. 28 | INVESTMENT PROFILE: SOLANO COUNTY 30 | CITY PROFILES What do Fresno, Ontario and Redding have in common? All are home to bustling growth economies in Inland California. 36 | RECOVERY EFFORTS California is lending a helping hand to rebuild the communities that were devastated by the wildfires of recent years. 38 | RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT The success of Coastal California is well known, but did you know that rural California is also home to some surprising success stories? 40 | INCENTIVES Since its inception, California Competes has allocated $899 million to 1,009 companies that are projected to create 99,591 jobs and make $19 billion in investments. Ph ot o c ou rt es y o f V is it C al ifo rn ia 4 C A L I F O R N I A I N V E S T M E NT G U I DE 42 | WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT In a state of 40 million people, the greatest asset for any employer is the robust, talented and highly diverse workforce of California. 46 | INNOVATION & ENTREPRENEURSHIP Why do Bloomberg and Kauffman rank California No. 1 in innovation and entrepreneurship? A history of world- changing ideas is a good start. 48 | UNIVERSITY PROFILES The University of California system ranks first in the nation in a number of key metrics, but it’s also one of the most accessible in the country. 51 | COMMUNITY COLLEGES More students graduate with a degree from a community college in California than from any other place in America. 55 | FDI & INTERNATIONAL TRADE You don’t become the fifth largest economy in the world by erecting barriers to FDI and trade. In the Golden State, openness is the rule. 58 | AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY Phantom Auto is not a mirage in California; it’s cutting-edge tech that’s revolutionizing the world of automotive R&D. 60 | AG-TECH Access to troves of venture capital seeking bright ideas is one reason why the burgeoning ag-tech sector in California is making great strides. 62 | RENEWABLE ENERGY California has set aggressive goals to achieve a sustainable energy future. Corporate investment is making it happen sooner rather than later. 64 | AEROSPACE INDUSTRY From Vandenberg and Edwards Air Force Bases to the earth-leading companies in Long Beach, aerospace is a game-changer in California — in more ways than one. 66 | CYBERSECURITY Want to know why California leads the world in cybersecurity startup capital? It has a lot to do with the talent that is constantly being replenished in the Golden State. 68 | ADVANCED MANUFACTURING From 3D printing companies to Tesla and everything in between, no state in America produces more advanced manufacturers than California. 70 | BIOTECH Silicon Valley leads the world in creating life-changing startups in biotech, but the rest of the state plays a major role in improving human health too. 72 | LOGISTICS The Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach are critical cogs in the flow of goods feeding the global economy. New logistics developments add to this leadership position. 74 | FILM & TV INDUSTRY From “Veep” and “Akira” to “Penny Dreadful” and “The Handmaid’s Tale,” California is entering a new golden era of Hollywood. 76 | TOURISM The travel industry employed 1.1 million people in the state in 2017 and generated $132.4 billion in travel-related spending. 78 | QUALITY OF LIFE California gives new meaning to the phrase, “Enjoy the great outdoors.” Sometimes, that means seeing what’s on the inside too. 80 | INDEX TO ADVERTISERS6 C A L I F O R N I A I N V E S T M E NT G U I DE O N LI N E E D I T I O N The publishers believe that the information contained in this publication is accurate. However, the in formation is not war ranted, and neither Conway, nor CALED, GO-Biz or TeamCalifornia, assumes any liability or responsibility for actual, consequential or incidental damages re sulting from inaccurate or erroneous information. PHONE: (770) 446-6996 • FAX: (770) 263-8825 • TOLL FREE: (800) 554-5686 email: editor@conway.com web: siteselection.com/cc/california California Investment Guide is published annually by Conway, 6625 The Corners Parkway, Suite 200, Peachtree Corners, GA 30092 USA. PRINTED IN USA. ©2019 Conway TAKE THIS GUIDE WITH YOU ENJOY Read the digital edition on your tablet and phone. Click on links for even more information. SHARE Share the magazine on social media with your friends and community. LINK Feature the magazine on your blog, website or newsletters with a link or one of our easy-to-use tools. siteselection.com/cc/california SHARE LINK President & Publisher ADAM JONES-KELLEY Executive Vice President RONALD J. STARNER VP of Publications & Editor in Chief MARK AREND Managing Editor of Custom Content SAVANNAH KING Managing Editor ADAM BRUNS Senior Editor GARY DAUGHTERS Art Director SCOTT LARSEN Production Manager BOB GRAVLEE Lead Designers SEAN SCANTLAND RICHARD NENOFF NEGIN MOMTAZ Graphic Designer WHITNEY ONI Vice President of Sales CHARLES FITZGIBBON Vice President of Corporate Development PAUL TARRANTS Regional Director Custom Content KRISTIN PICKETT Regional Director Custom Content PAUL NEWMAN Lead Photographer CARMYN SUZOR Customer Support Manager BRIAN WATSON Circulation Manager JULIE CLARKE DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY TE AM Webmaster BEN YAWN Director of Programming & Analytics DANIEL BOYER IT Coordinator MARK BERTRAM Cover design by Negin MomtazNext >