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News and Events

Featured Event

27th Annual Economic Forecast Conference

Join us Thursday, January 14, 2027, for a special spotlight on Rural Health, featuring an economic forecast from economist Dr. Robert Eyler, along with engaging speakers, panelists, and more. Attend in person on the Chico State campus or join us online.

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Changing Lives Through Regional Economic Development

Lack of infrastructure. Poor internet. Business communities barely getting by. These are just some of the issues facing the rural North State. But thanks to the collaborative work of the North State Planning and Development Collective at California State University, Chico (affectionately called the Collective), the North State’s economic outlook is far from dim.

Last year, the Collective’s regional economic impact across the North State rang in at an estimated $91.6 million, with 408 jobs created. The total includes $3.1 million in local and state taxes, business income of $67 million and another $21 million in wages primarily throughout the University’s 12-County service region.

Collaboration is Key

Schwenkler’s team of researchers, surveyors, project managers, GIS experts and biologists have reached 100, working on projects across the state to solve some of California’s largest economic development issues. To learn more about how the Collective might help your University department or community, contact Schwenkler at jschwenkler@csuchico.edu.

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We’re bridging the gap in our communities by working on projects that fill critical workforce gaps and aim to overall enhance the economic vitality of the region.

Jason Schwenkler, Executive Director of the Collective