CEO Guide to Site Selection

California

CALIFORNIA COMPETES

While news may focus on the high costs of taxes and regulation in California, the state also has a
reputation for offsetting some of it with generous incentives. The Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development announced in July 2024 that over the past 10 years it has made more than 1,200 awards through its CalCompetes program, resulting in more than $50 billion in private investment and 159,000 job commitments. Over the past five years,
companies like Bosch, GoodRx, Pacific Steel and Relativity Space have leveraged CalCompetes awards to locate or expand in California.

“California’s economy is the fifth-largest in the world, and we’re supporting workers and businesses as they reach success. This funding will help businesses create good-paying jobs—from steel manufacturing in Kern County to sustainable lithium production in Imperial Valley—and support the state’s economic dominance for years to come.”
Gavin Newsom
Governor

TAXES

0 %

top corporate income tax

# 0

on the Tax Foundation’s State Tax Competitiveness Index

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 2020 and 2023

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

Gov. Gavin Newsom announced in March 2024 the creation of the California Jobs First Council and an operational plan to streamline the state’s economic and
workforce development programs to create more jobs, faster. The Council will coordinate the development of a statewide industrial strategy that identifies priority sectors, creates statewide projects portfolios and strategies for business expansion, attraction and retention.

BIG DEALS

  • The U.S. Department of Energy and the Alliance for Renewable Clean Hydrogen Energy Systems announced in July 2024 a $12.6 billion agreement to build a renewable hydrogen hub in the state.
  • Controlled Thermal Resources announced in April 2024 a $14 billion facility and 450 new jobs in Imperial County.
  • Pacific Steel announced in March 2024 it will construct the first steel mill in California in more than 50 years. The $540 million project will create nearly 450 jobs.
  • Moxion Power and Paired Power announced two projects in April 2024 worth a combined $130 million that will create 540 jobs.
  • Tau Motors announced in April 2024 a $60 million expansion and more than 150 new jobs in Redwood City.

BIG COMPANIES

57 Fortune 500 companies headquartered in state,
including:

  • Alphabet
  • Apple
  • Chevron
  • Cisco Systems
  • Intel
  • Meta
  • Nvidia
  • TD Synnex
  • Walt Disney
  • Wells Fargo
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.