News

LATEST AND GREATEST

The feedback be happenin’ y’all!

NEWS RELEASE: California High-Speed Rail Sparks Billions in Economic Benefit January 18, 2024 SACRAMENTO, Calif. – New data released today by the California High-Speed Rail Authority shows investments in this first-in-the-nation project are continuing to provide billions in economic benefit to the state. The Authority’s 2023 Economic Impact Analysis Report shows the California high-speed rail project continues to be a proven job creator that bolsters the local economy, particularly disadvantaged communities. “High-speed rail is leading the way toward the Golden State’s sustainable transportation future,” said Authority CFO Brian Annis. “With our continued partnership with the federal government and our local partners, investment in high- speed rail creates good-paying union jobs and generates income to some of California’s most vulnerable people and their communities.” Ninety-nine percent of the project’s 2022-23 fiscal year expenditures has gone to California businesses and workers, with two of every three of those dollars going to disadvantaged communities, driving economic activity in these areas. To close out 2023, the Authority marked a historic milestone, announcing the creation of more than 12,000 construction jobs since the start of project construction. Most of these jobs have gone to Central Valley residents.

NEWS RELEASE: Putting Jobs First: California High-Speed Rail Crosses 13,000 Construction Jobs Milestone January 18, 2024 FRESNO, Calif. –The California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority) today celebrated the creation of more than 13,000 construction jobs helping build the nation’s first high-speed rail system, with more than 70 percent of those jobs going to residents of California’s Central Valley. On average, nearly 1,400 individuals are dispatched each day to a high-speed rail construction site. In the Central Valley* 4,222 jobs in Fresno County 2,538 in Kern County 1,282 in Tulare County 580 in Madera County 462 in Kings County 189 in Merced County Remaining California Counties: 3,387 Out-of-State: 369 For more than a decade, the Authority has been strong partners with the California State Building Trades. In 2023, the Authority marked 10 years since the establishment of our Community Benefits Agreement, which has helped create thousands of good-paying union jobs – including more than 10,000 in the past five years – with most of the jobs going directly to individuals from disadvantaged communities. The Authority has begun work to extend the 119 miles currently under construction to 171 miles of future electrified high-speed rail from Merced to Bakersfield. There are currently more than 25 active construction sites in the Central Valley, with the Authority having fully environmentally cleared 422 miles of the high-speed rail program from the Bay Area to Los Angeles County. For the latest on high-speed rail construction, visit www.buildhsr.comExternal Link.