San Mateo County Strengthens Commitment to Advancing Economic Mobility

REDWOOD CITY - The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors today unanimously adopted a resolution affirming the County of San Mateo's commitment to advancing economic mobility for all residents.

One in 10 county residents cannot afford basic needs such as food and housing, despite the county being one of the wealthiest in the nation. The County strives to take action to address these challenges and help all residents thrive, with good career opportunities, strong neighborhoods and the opportunity to build a bright future for current and future generations.

Under the resolution, the County committed to using a shared, data-driven approach to advance economic mobility. Developed by the multisector Shared Prosperity Coordinating Council, local leaders and community partners, the Economic Mobility Framework and Economic Mobility Action Plan, or EMAP, provide a framework for understanding and measuring mobility and identify 10 strategies for advancing economic mobility across the county.

"It's not easy to survive in San Mateo County if you're a low-wage worker. Our housing costs follow the high-wage industries, and our low-income families get squeezed," said Board of Supervisors President Noelia Corzo, who co-sponsored the resolution with Supervisor Lisa Gauthier. "With the new EMAP, key leaders across organizations and communities have created a clear path towards economic mobility and we are eager to take the lead. Everyone in San Mateo County deserves opportunities to thrive."

As part of today's action, the Board directed County staff to develop an organizational action plan identifying steps the County can take to advance key EMAP recommendations, such as strengthening local hiring and purchasing, creating entry points to higher-wage careers, supporting local entrepreneurship, promoting housing stability, and helping connect residents to available safety net services.

"We're part of this community, and we care deeply about the people and families who call it home. As one of the county's largest employers, we have both an opportunity and a responsibility to help create a community where people can thrive, not just make ends meet. That means helping open doors to good jobs, greater economic opportunity and the possibility of building a brighter future for themselves and their children, right here in the county," Supervisor Gauthier said.

The County is encouraging other cities, agencies and organizations to make similar commitments and develop their own action plans, recognizing that the barriers to economic opportunity are too significant for any single jurisdiction to tackle alone and require collective action.

Learn more about San Mateo County's Economic Mobility Framework and Economic Mobility Action Plan: https://www.smcgov.org/ceo/shared-prosperity-economic-mobility-san-mateo-county

About San Mateo County
Established in 1856, the County of San Mateo stretches from the Pacific Ocean to San Francisco Bay and includes 20 cities and rural communities. Home to more than 750,000 residents, it is one of California's most diverse counties with an economy driven by innovation, life sciences, agriculture and international trade and travel. In addition to serving unincorporated communities, the County provides countywide services that support the health, safety and quality of life of residents. Learn more at smcgov.org.

Shireen Malekafzali Taidi
Chief Equity Officer & Director of Economic Opportunity and Labor Standards
[email protected]
650-207-6731