Agriculture is a core economic driver of the region, supporting employment, tax revenue, and a wide range of related industries. The Chamber supports policies that ensure the long-term viability, sustainability, and global competitiveness of local agriculture. We advocate for …

• balanced water solutions that support both environmental and agricultural needs, including investment in water storage, conveyance, groundwater recharge, and water reuse

• implementation of groundwater policies, including the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), in a manner that protects farm viability

• reliable and legal agricultural labor solutions, including improvements to the H-2A program, development of workforce housing, and policies that address rising labor costs while maintaining competitiveness

• predictable land use policies and growth management strategies that protect agricultural land, minimize land use conflicts, and ensure local control over land use decisions

• efficient, transparent, and outcome-based regulatory processes, including cost-benefit evaluation of new requirements and elimination of duplicative or conflicting regulations

• adoption of agricultural technology and innovation, along with policies that support competitiveness in domestic and global markets

• investment in transportation, energy, and processing infrastructure, including reliable and affordable energy supply for agricultural operations

• practical, science-based environmental policies, including incentives that encourage innovation and voluntary compliance

The Chamber supports comprehensive, broad-based efforts to address poor air quality and ever shrinking water availability, while ensuring that regulations and protections are not misused, duplicative, or burdensome.  We advocate for …

• reasonable implementation and streamlining of environmental regulations, particularly those that incentivize voluntary compliance

• ensuring that regulations are effective and do not unnecessarily restrict job creation or economic growth

• comprehensive, statewide solutions to ensure adequate water supplies through a combined strategy of conservation, reuse, groundwater recharge, and new or expanded surface storage

• expansion of existing efforts to monitor groundwater and maintain high-quality groundwater resources, with an emphasis on local control and jurisdiction and a focus on preventing contamination rather than relying on reactive clean-up programs

• proactive efforts to responsibly reduce air pollution in the Valley

The Chamber supports thoughtful, well-planned growth that strengthens the local economy, enhances quality of life, and ensures the long-term viability of the community. We advocate for…

• an adopted long-term General Plan for the city and county, with appropriate and ongoing updates

• an adequate supply of sites for new employers that are served by the infrastructure and support facilities necessary for success and are consistent with the General Plan, Industrial Park Master Plan, and the community’s economic development strategy; phasing of these properties for development should be guided by land use and growth management policies, consistent with past practices

• the evolution of the Mooney corridor and other major commercial zones, where appropriate, to include mixed-use projects featuring increased housing and a broader range of permitted goods and services

• creation of a “College District” centered around College of the Sequoias that supports the continued functioning of the College and ensures the Visalia Campus remains its primary campus and home to district leadership

• removal of infrastructure constraints to facilitate development in the downtown and core areas, including limitations related to water supply, fire flow, electrical capacity, and the presence of underutilized or derelict properties

• ensuring that planning, zoning, and land use decisions remain under local control, with minimal interference from regional, state, or federal entities

• streamlined, efficient, and predictable processes for business establishment and expansion to prevent unnecessary barriers to economic activity

• requirements that all new regulations and/or fees be evaluated to ensure that costs are justified by measurable benefits

• policies that enable retailers to expand, modernize, and remain competitive in a changing market

• targeted incentives that support reinvestment, tenant improvements, and redevelopment to modernize aging commercial spaces

• policies that encourage experiential retail, dining, and entertainment uses

• support for small business growth and local entrepreneurship

The Chamber supports collaborative, solution-oriented efforts to deal with crime, violence, and property damage, and believes that business leaders need to take more of a leadership role in these efforts.  We advocate for …

• collaborative, community-wide efforts to address gang-related violence, with increased participation by business leaders

• graffiti suppression and prevention programs in the industrial park, downtown, and other commercial districts

• establishment of Improvement Districts in the Industrial Park and Mooney Boulevard areas

• vigilant monitoring of the impacts of the state’s prison realignment program and securing adequate resources to mitigate those impacts

• coordinated, community-wide efforts to address homelessness, with particular emphasis on impacts to businesses (e.g., vandalism, property maintenance, and cleanliness)

• support for safe, well-maintained public spaces and parks, recognizing their role in deterring crime, enhancing community well-being, and creating a positive environment for businesses and residents

• continued investment in public safety services and infrastructure that support commercial districts

The Chamber recognizes tourism as a vital component of the local economy and believes that arts, cultural, recreational, and natural assets play a key role in attracting visitors and supporting business growth. We advocate for …

• coordinated efforts by local and regional tourism, visitor, and arts organizations to enhance cultural and recreational assets and actively promote visitation to the community and surrounding region

• recognition and promotion of outdoor recreation and natural amenities—including trails, parks, river corridors, and conservation lands—as economic drivers that support business attraction, tourism, and overall quality of life

The Chamber endorses an economic development strategy that emphasizes increasing the number of wealth-producing jobs in the community and the expansion of the number of businesses and residents paying taxes and fees into the system.  We advocate for …

• the recruitment of new businesses, the creation of new businesses, and the expansion of existing businesses

• incentives that promote the use of local labor and materials

• a strategy to strategically promote the Visalia Industrial Park and the Municipal Airport as sites for job-creating business locations

• adoption of the Marketplace Fairness Act, which would allow states to collect sales taxes from all retailers, thereby creating a level playing field

• stronger alignment between education providers and workforce needs

The Chamber endorses strategies that develop local talent and retain that talent within the community. We advocate for …

• efforts to develop a wide range of educational and training options for the business community, including classes, workshops, incubators, and e-centers; partnership with the College of the Sequoias Training Resource Center offering professional development and instruction models designed to meet employer needs for rigor, specificity, and timeliness, should be encouraged and supported

• opportunities to complete four-year college degrees within the community

• investment in the improvement and modernization of educational infrastructure, including school facilities, technology systems, and workforce training spaces, to enhance learning environments and support evolving industry needs

• ensuring that new educational initiatives and programs are supported by adequate and sustainable funding sources

• efforts to strengthen the educator workforce pipeline through investment in preparation programs, sustainable funding, and ongoing professional development

The Chamber believes that job creation and workforce preparation should be the core focus of all community leaders. We support inclusive workforce development, including expanding opportunities for employers and individuals with disabilities. We believe in balancing the rights of employees to “fair play” with employers’ ability to operate their businesses successfully. We advocate for …

• revisions to restrictive wage and hour laws and regulations that limit mutually agreed-upon flexible workweeks and alternative scheduling options

• efforts to reduce workers’ compensation costs

• protections for businesses from new or expanded costs in the form of mandated wages, employee benefits, or expanded “protected class” designations

• comprehensive immigration reform based on principles including strong and effective border security, protection of legitimate cross-border commerce and travel, temporary worker programs that meet the needs of businesses for both high- and low-skilled workers, strict enforcement of employment verification, and an earned pathway to legal status for existing undocumented workers

The Chamber believes that government agencies should perform their roles with minimal impact on businesses while maintaining efficiency and accountability. We advocate for …

• streamlining oversight agencies and protocols to reduce duplication and avoid inconsistent regulations

• requirements for cost-benefit analysis to ensure economic impacts are fully considered before imposing new cost mandates on employers

• public pension reform that reduces government costs, eliminates unfunded liabilities, and brings public pensions more in line with those offered in the private sector

• regular review of government-imposed impact fees to ensure they reflect current and accurate costs, necessary projects, and realistic growth projections, with the goal of ensuring new development pays its fair share without becoming a barrier to economic growth

• increased emphasis on the maintenance and upkeep of community assets such as roads and public facilities; long-term maintenance costs should be incorporated into the planning of new projects to ensure sustainable funding

• regular, thorough review of public sector expenses to identify opportunities to reduce or eliminate costs where possible; options such as outsourcing, consolidation across agencies, and operational restructuring should be evaluated to improve efficiency and return on investment

• processes that actively seek input from impacted stakeholders prior to making decisions regarding fees or regulations

• ensuring that taxes and fees are broad-based and not disproportionately targeted at specific industries or businesses

The Chamber believes a healthy community is a productive and economically strong community, and that efforts to improve health outcomes should respect the ability of businesses to operate successfully. We advocate for …

• legislation that promotes meaningful reforms in tort and malpractice law

• opportunities for small businesses to obtain group coverage and cost advantages through association health plans and similar tools available to larger employers

• attracting new general and specialty providers to the community to reduce the outflow of medical service expenditures

• business and community support for initiatives that increase the quality and availability of health care providers, expand local medical education and training programs, and reduce the significant outflow of health care dollars from the community

• reducing administrative burdens by opposing unnecessary reporting requirements and bureaucratic hurdles for employers and providers

• modernization of Medicare and Medi-Cal programs, including investment in provider reimbursement and policies that allow Medicare Advantage plans to operate efficiently

• support for safety net providers serving rural and underserved populations to ensure stability and access to care

• opposition to unfunded state and federal mandates that increase operational costs without corresponding financial support

• support for value-based, quality-focused, and coordinated care models

• policies that support the training, recruitment, and retention of physicians and other health care professionals, including nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and nurses

The Chamber believes that an appropriate role for government is to ensure that infrastructure investments meet the needs of commuters and commerce.  We advocate for …

• targeted investments (Measure R, local resources, grants, etc.) in road and rail systems to expand and improve commute and commerce corridors

• impact fees based on real-world costs and adopted growth projections

• effective use of Measure R funds to upgrade and maintain key transportation corridors

• planned, incremental investments in infrastructure that allocate attendant costs fairly and gradually, ensuring these elements do not become barriers to businesses operating successfully

• support for reliable, accessible public transportation and innovative mobility solutions that improve connectivity, reduce congestion, and enhance access to jobs and commercial centers

The Chamber recognizes manufacturing as a cornerstone of Visalia’s economy and supports policies that enable manufacturers to expand, modernize, and remain competitive. We advocate for …

• business attraction and retention strategies that strengthen the manufacturing sector and support long-term economic growth

• partnerships between manufacturers, education providers, and workforce agencies to develop skilled trades, technical, and production talent aligned with modern manufacturing needs

• adoption of advanced manufacturing technologies, including automation, robotics, and data-driven production, while ensuring access to a skilled workforce

• policies that support reliable, cost-effective, and sustainable energy supply for manufacturing operations