The Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG) released its latest Blueprint in January 2025, setting a direction for the region’s growth by focusing on aligning transportation, housing, and land use with job creation and community investments. This approach aims to ensure that both urban and rural areas are connected and have access to opportunities.
Valley Vision has collaborated with SACOG for over twenty years, beginning with the first Blueprint in 2004. The organizations have worked together to advance economic, environmental, and equity goals not only through planning but also by implementing these plans at the local level. In 2016, this partnership expanded into the Prosperity Partnership—a collaboration between SACOG, Valley Vision, the Greater Sacramento Economic Council, the Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, and the Sacramento Asian Chamber of Commerce. The goal was to coordinate transportation and housing investments with economic development and workforce needs.
This coordinated effort led to significant state investment through CA Jobs First, resulting in We Prosper Together—an economic roadmap for the region. Both We Prosper Together and the Blueprint are designed so that economic growth occurs where people can access new opportunities.
On January 29, 2026, CapRadio Insight host Vicki Gonzalez discussed these initiatives with Valley Vision CEO Evan Schmidt and SACOG Executive Director James Corless. They highlighted how the Blueprint is guiding regional planning for the next quarter-century while supporting initiatives like We Prosper Together to ensure good-paying jobs are available.
The Capital Region is focusing on growing industries such as advanced manufacturing—especially semiconductors—and biotechnology. Semiconductor activity in the area is significantly higher than national averages due to companies like Bosch in Roseville and Solidigm in Rancho Cordova. Biotechnology is another key sector anchored by institutions such as University of California, Davis; UC Davis Health; and Aggie Square.
Educational institutions—including community colleges—are working with municipalities and workforce partners to create pathways into these industries for residents who have historically been excluded from such careers.
Recent results show progress: In 2024 alone, 12,500 housing units were completed—the highest annual total in nearly two decades—and this figure exceeds projections outlined in SACOG’s 2025 Blueprint plan. Adjusted for population size, SACOG’s region has led California in housing production for eight consecutive years according to their Regional Progress Report.
We Prosper Together has awarded $9 million across 22 projects while leveraging an additional $6.7 million from other sources. Outcomes include twelve new workforce training programs; connections for 826 underserved residents into workforce pipelines; increased capacity among 170 organizations; and strengthened economic centers focused on manufacturing, biotech, healthcare, food systems, and clean energy.
Evan Schmidt commented at SACOG’s Blueprint adoption event on January 27: “Our region’s future success depends on aligning transportation, housing, and land use with the growth of good jobs and community investments.”
Looking ahead toward 2050 goals include multiple vibrant job centers linked by safe roads and transit options; revitalized commercial districts; a diversified economy rooted in biotechnology, advanced manufacturing, healthcare,and sustainable food systems; economically strong rural communities; climate resilience;and broader participation in innovation-driven sectors.Valley Vision intends to continue collaborating with partners so that strategic plans lead directly to tangible outcomes.
For more information about these developments:
– Coverage from Capital Public Radio discusses building strategies for Sacramento’s future: https://www.capradio.org/news/insight/2026/01/29/building-the-sacramento-region/
– CBS13 reports on adoption of long-term blueprints addressing housing,jobs,and transportation: https://www.cbsnews.com/sacramento/news/sacramento-region-adopts-long-term-blueprint-to-plan-housing-jobs-and-transportation/
– Onsite Observer covers details about SACOG’s new plan through mid-century: https://onsiteobserver.com/sacog-adopts-2025-blueprint-outlining-growth-through-2050/
– KVIE News Minute provides an overview of SACOG’s long-range planning efforts: https://www.kvie.org/blogs/newsminute/sacog-begins-25-year-growth-plan/
Evan Schmidt serves as Chief Executive Officer at Valley Vision.
