Search
Close this search box.
Search
Close this search box.

CEO Guide to Site Selection

California

GOLDEN STATE GROWTH

Surveyed CEOs continue to rank California as the worst state to do business in Chief Executive’s Best and Worst States to do Business. While executives complain about the state’s taxes and regulations, it still doesn’t stop many from locating here. The Golden State has the fourth-largest economy in the world, 53 Fortune 500 companies make their headquarters here, and it is arguably home to one of the top talent pools in the nation. While the electric vehicle market continues to blossom, the semiconductor industry is also experiencing strong growth. Solidgn, Bosch and Applied Materials have brought more than $5 billion in semiconductor manufacturing projects here in the past couple of years.
“While critics often say California’s best days are behind us, reality proves otherwise—our economic growth and job gains continue to fuel the nation’s economy…. California’s values and entrepreneurial spirit have powered this ascent to becoming the fourth-biggest economy in the world, and we’ll continue doubling down on industries of the future, like renewables and clean energy. I feel tremendous pride in California’s resilience, leadership and our formula for success.”
Gavin Newsom
Governor

TAXES

0 %

top corporate income tax

# 0

on the Tax Foundation’s State Business Tax Climate Index ranking

EDUCATION

0 %

of adults 25 years of age and older graduated high school

0 %

of adults age 25 and older have a bachelor’s degree or higher

UNEMPLOYMENT RATE

0 %

RIGHT TO WORK STATE

No

QUALITY OF LIFE

# 0

POPULATION GROWTH

0 %

decrease between 2010 and 2020

KEY INCENTIVES

California Competes Tax Credit: Offers a flexible income tax credit for businesses that come, stay and grow in the state. Applications are accepted three times per year, and tax credit agreements are reviewed and negotiated by GO-Biz and the California Competes Tax Credit Committee.

California Research Credit: Offers a tax credit of up to 15% to taxpayers engaged in qualified research activities to discover new technology, develop a new businesscomponent or pursue a “process of experimentation.”

Sales and Use Tax Exemption for Manufacturing: Offers a partial exemption of sales and use tax on certain manufacturing and R&D equipment purchases and leases.

Advanced Transportation and Manufacturing Sales and Use Tax Exemption: California Alternative Energy and Advanced Transportation Financing Authority offers a full sales and use tax exclusion for manufacturers that promote alternative energy and advanced transportation.

EDCs

California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development
business.ca.gov

Greater Sacramento Economic Council
selectsacramento.com

Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation
laedc.org

San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation
sandiegobusiness.org

San Francisco Office of Economic & Workforce Development
oewd.org

HIGHLIGHTED PROGRAM OR INITIATIVE

The new Expanding Venture Capital Access program is designed to create a more inclusive VC ecosystem by sup-porting underrepresented venture capital managers and investing in underserved entrepreneur sand business owners. It also promotes climate equity and climate justice. It is funded through the State Small Business Credit Initiative, which was created through the federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and will invest $200 million venture capital funds and businesses.

BIG DEALS

  • Semiconductor company Solidigm announced in October 2022 a $100 million research and development facility in Rancho Cordova that will create up to 1,900 jobs over the next five years.
  • Semiconductor manufacturer Bosch announced in April 2023 a $1.5 billion expansion in Roseville to convert its TSI manufacturing facilities to state-of-the-art processes.
  • Trader Joe’s announced in July 2023 a $150 million food assembly and distribution facility in Palmdale that will create up to 800 jobs.
  • Applied Materials announced in May 2023 a $4 billion manufacturing facility in Sunnyvale.
  • Verdagy announced in September 2023 it will open a new manufacturing facility in Newark, Calif.
  • In October 2023, the state was awarded $1.2 billion from the U.S. Department of Energy to build and expand projects focused on clean energy.

BIG COMPANIES

53 Fortune 500 companies headquartered in state, including

  • Apple
  • Alphabet
  • Chevron
  • Meta Platforms
  • Wells Fargo
  • Intel
  • Walt Disney
  • HP
  • Cisco Systems
  • Qualcomm
Roundtable

Strategic Planning Workshop

1:00 - 5:00 pm

Over 70% of Executives Surveyed Agree: Many Strategic Planning Efforts Lack Systematic Approach Tips for Enhancing Your Strategic Planning Process

Executives expressed frustration with their current strategic planning process. Issues include:

  1. Lack of systematic approach (70%)
  2. Laundry lists without prioritization (68%)
  3. Decisions based on personalities rather than facts and information (65%)

 

Steve Rutan and Denise Harrison have put together an afternoon workshop that will provide the tools you need to address these concerns.  They have worked with hundreds of executives to develop a systematic approach that will enable your team to make better decisions during strategic planning.  Steve and Denise will walk you through exercises for prioritizing your lists and steps that will reset and reinvigorate your process.  This will be a hands-on workshop that will enable you to think about your business as you use the tools that are being presented.  If you are ready for a Strategic Planning tune-up, select this workshop in your registration form.  The additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.

To sign up, select this option in your registration form. Additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.

New York, NY: ​​​Chief Executive's Corporate Citizenship Awards 2017

Women in Leadership Seminar and Peer Discussion

2:00 - 5:00 pm

Female leaders face the same issues all leaders do, but they often face additional challenges too. In this peer session, we will facilitate a discussion of best practices and how to overcome common barriers to help women leaders be more effective within and outside their organizations. 

Limited space available.

To sign up, select this option in your registration form. Additional fee of $495 will be added to your total.

Golf Outing

10:30 - 5:00 pm
General’s Retreat at Hermitage Golf Course
Sponsored by UBS

General’s Retreat, built in 1986 with architect Gary Roger Baird, has been voted the “Best Golf Course in Nashville” and is a “must play” when visiting the Nashville, Tennessee area. With the beautiful setting along the Cumberland River, golfers of all capabilities will thoroughly enjoy the golf, scenery and hospitality.

The golf outing fee includes transportation to and from the hotel, greens/cart fees, use of practice facilities, and boxed lunch. The bus will leave the hotel at 10:30 am for a noon shotgun start and return to the hotel after the cocktail reception following the completion of the round.

To sign up, select this option in your registration form. Additional fee of $295 will be added to your total.