California Competes
California Competes is a state-wide coalition of technology, business and education leaders promoting a new innovation agenda for the Golden State. California Competes wants to insure that our state government has a focal point and leadership for these issues in both the executive and legislative branches. Additionally, the coalition is promoting increased investment in research, particularly in projects that will foster collaboration between universities, industry, and national labs.
Cell Phone Coverage
A year ago leaders from the public and private secotrs identified cell phone coverage as one of the critical issues in Silicon Valley. As cell phones become less expensive and more useful we depend on them more for work, for keeping track of our kids, for safety, and even for entertainment. Cell phone service from one service provider or another has gaps, often in residential neighborhoods and along some heavily trafficed highways. Joint Venture has a strategy for filling in the coverage gaps.
Climate Protection
Joint Venture is convening representatives from many of the public agencies in Silicon Valley as a Climate Protection Task Force to develop strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from city, county, and other agencies' operations. The program will begin with conducting inventories of emissions from publicly owned buildings, vehicles, waste treatment plants and other facilities. Then goals for reducing emissions can be set and targets of opportunity developed. The Task Force will then form a purchasing pool to get the best prices on capital equipment, such as hybrid vehicles and solar panels, to help achieve emissions reduction goals.
Disaster Preparedness
The goal of Joint Venture's Disaster Planning Initiative is to make Silicon Valley the world's best example of regional planning and preparation. Why? So our residents feel safe and secure—because we know The Big One is coming—and so our economy can recover as quickly as possible.
Grand Boulevard
Making El Camino Real a grand boulevard, one that meets our needs and reflects our regions dynamic profile.
New California Network
The New California Network develops nonpartisan and broadly supported reforms that will rebuild the fiscal foundation and improve the performance and accountability of state government for the purpose of making California prosperous, safe and healthy for all of its residents. While we seek meaningful reform as quickly as possible, fundamental change will require a sustained effort over seven to 10 years.
Silicon Valley Econonomic Development Alliance
Silicon Valley cities work together to create a healthy economic environment, share best practices with each other and build relationships with Silicon Valley's economic engine. They get the word out there: our region is the world's best place to build a company.
Smart Health
Smart Health's mission is to create new models of healthcare delivery through the well-coordinated use of information systems. In doing this we expect to empower providers and consumers to dramatically improve the outcomes of care.
Smart Valley
Silicon Valley is the world center for information technology, but we are not using it effectively for our own community, and our communications infrastructure is lagging behind that of many other major urban centers. Smart Valley's mission is to encourage the development and deployment of network-based applications that will significantly enhance the lives of Silicon Valley residents. Projects will be encouraged in healthcare, community, education, and government. Smart Valley will also work to accelerate the deployment of next generation communications technologies to homes, schools, businesses and public agencies in the region.
Wireless Silicon Valley
Smart Valley has partnered with city and county IT managers, and economic development staff to form the Wireless Silicon Valley Task Force. The Task Force is issuing a Request for Proposal to build a high-speed, wireless, data network that will cover all 1,500 square miles of the region. The network will be multi-purpose, serving local governments, businesses, and consumers.
