Policy & Innovation Center

Update: Policy & Innovation Center is moving to Bluesky! Keep up with our latest research, events and announcements on LinkedIn and at our new account at ThinkPIC.bsky.social. To get updates straight to your inbox, sign up at ThinkPIC.org/Subscribe.

Policymakers, business leaders, workforce organizers and others won't want to miss this roundtable. More information will be available soon.

🗓️  Save the Date! On Feb. 5, San Diego County’s leaders are exploring how federal and state policies shape the local workforce, affordability and long-term competitiveness. PIC, @USD_Business and the @SDWorkforce are cohosting 42nd Annual San Diego County Economic Roundtable.

Proud to partner with the @PolicyInnovate on a new interactive data tool revealing where opportunity gaps and community resources exist. Explore workforce insights, uncover regional needs and see how data can drive change: bit.ly/sdwpassetmap

30 days and counting. How does the federal shutdown - and its growing days - affect San Diego? PIC’s latest Monthly Economic Report breaks down the real impact on local employment and the military. Get the full analysis at lnkd.in/ghhGQATf.

Video from this past Saturday @uofsandiego 🚰 @VoiceOfSanDiego #Politifest2025 | How do we make water more affordable in San Diego? Featuring: Nick Serrano Chair, San Diego County Water Authority @TheNickSerrano Dr. @DanielEnemark Chief Economist, Policy & Innovation Center @PolicyInnovate Scott Lewis MODERATOR - CEO/Editor in Chief, Voice of San Diego @vosdscott The video portion starts at 28:34 into the 114.14 presentation. San Diego residents pay the highest water rates in the country but enjoy access to more water than we currently need. This has led to calls to dissolve the @SDCWA, which itself has created backlash. What can local leaders do to contain costs and offer people struggling with the cost of living some hope?

Learn about ELEVATE at ThinkPIC.org/ELEVATE.

Led by the PIC, in partnership with @SocialFinanceUS and Trailhead Strategies Inc., ELEVATE will invest in education, training and financial support to expand career pathways for behavioral health workers over the next five years. ELEVATE is funded by @SanDiegoCounty.

.@SupLawsonRemer joined behavioral health leaders and partners today to announce the ELEVATE Behavioral Health Workforce Fund – it's a historic $75 million investment to address San Diego's critical shortage of mental health care providers.

💧 Limited staffing, volunteer governance boards and insufficient expertise to access funding opportunities all impact our water affordability. Learn PIC’s proposed solutions – rate adjustments, state and federal low-interest loans, and more – at ThinkPIC.org/water

Hispanic, Asian American & multiracial populations drove 93% of the nation’s growth in 2023-24. These communities are changing the trajectory for the youth population. Read @BrookingsInst’s analysis on the post-pandemic demographic and economic growth. bit.ly/47oS7h1

💧 Where you live in San Diego impacts your water bill. In 2023, the monthly bill for one person consuming the average amount of water varied across water agencies from $27 to $89. PIC’s report explains why: ThinkPIC.org/research/water….

40% of South County adults are interested in enrolling in a bachelor’s degree program, yet Chula Vista still lacks a 4-year university. Next fall, five new programs are coming to @SWC_college. To see how PIC helped identify the programs, visit ThinkPIC.org/work/economy-w…

What opportunities will benefit SD’s nonprofits and small businesses? They're in the Monthly News: What nonprofits can learn about AI at San Diego Foundation’s upcoming fundraising conference & a highlight on Daniel Fitzgerald from @SDSBDCNetwork. Read at bit.ly/pic-monthly-ne….

President Trump's executive order on homelessness is sparking debate in San Diego. In @VoiceOfSanDiego’s latest ‘DC Explained,’ PIC’s Senior Vice President Alan Berube breaks down what the order could mean for the region. Full story: voiceofsandiego.org/2025/08/22/dc-…

.@inewsource’s story also features local San Diegans’ dreams to help future generations. PIC's research for San Diego Foundation shares recommendations to equitably help AANHPI communities across the County. Read the report at ThinkPIC.org/AANHPI.

Fewer than half of Filipinos in San Diego County have bachelor's degrees; median wages lag $15K+ behind white residents. @inewsource highlights PIC’s report on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders in San Diego. Full story: bit.ly/inewsource-aan…

San Diego ranks highest in nationwide inflation, and our local unemployment rate increased again. What does it all mean? PIC’s Chief Economist @DanielEnemark explains on @KPBS’s Midday edition: kpbs.org/podcasts/kpbs-…

PIC has welcomed Senior Officer Kristin Garrett Montgomery! She is joining Director Stephanie Gioia-Beckman to support a portfolio of PIC’s work for its $75 million health initiative grants. Meet Kristin at ThinkPIC.org/team/kristin-g…

PIC’s Community Investment Navigator offers clear data on local community demographics. Policymakers and others can use this tool to understand each neighborhood and identify which areas need focused investments most. Explore: ThinkPIC.org/research/commu…