Governor Gavin Newsom visited a sustainable, low-emissions cement plant in Lebec yesterday as part of his push to expand job opportunities in California’s environmentally friendly industries. His visit to the National Cement Company comes on the heels of last week’s launch of a new economic framework aimed at accelerating job creation across the state.
At the National Cement Company plant, Newsom toured facilities that are pioneering low-emissions cement production. Cement, a challenging industry to decarbonize due to its high-heat processes, is poised to transform through innovations at this plant. National Cement is on track to become one of the country’s first fully decarbonized cement producers.
“Last week, I visited Fresno, and now I’m here in Kern County because California’s economy only thrives when all our regions thrive. With the California Jobs First regional plans, we’re hearing directly from communities about their economic priorities and visions for the future,” Newsom said. “We’re building a clean economy that will help power California for generations to come.”
The governor also met with union workers, local leaders, and members of the Kern County Jobs First Collaborative, known as the Kern Coalition, to discuss regional priorities and the county’s plans for fostering high-paying, climate-forward jobs.
Norma Rojas-Mora, Associate Vice Chancellor of Public Affairs and Development at Kern Community College District (KCCD), underscored the importance of community involvement in shaping Kern’s economic future. “Over the last two years, the Kern Coalition has made sure all areas of Kern have a voice in developing the regional economic plan,” she stated. “We held over 52 community meetings in all five sub-regions of Kern. These meetings were well-attended thanks to partnerships with community organizations that conducted outreach to ensure the community’s voice was included.”
Rojas-Mora emphasized Kern’s vital role in supporting the nation’s economy, noting the county’s commitment to expanding renewable energy initiatives, advancing manufacturing, promoting entrepreneurship, and fostering aerospace development.
Assemblymember Rudy Salas praised the California Jobs First program, which he spearheaded through Assembly Bill 106, describing its goal to “transform our climate, transform regions, and transform lives,” particularly in high-unemployment areas like Kern County. He highlighted the collaboration among local workers, unions, and state leaders, calling it essential for creating job opportunities in challenged communities. “This is about making a true difference for people,” Salas said, explaining that the partnerships and resources will generate jobs that drive local economic growth.
Salas also commended Governor Newsom’s commitment to the Central Valley, calling him “a true champion for our area” who supports sustainable job creation across diverse sectors, from agriculture to biotech to manufacturing.
Newsom expressed his support for the Kern County Jobs First Initiative, praising it as a cornerstone for building an inclusive, sustainable economy. He emphasized that this effort is part of California’s most comprehensive economic and workforce planning initiative, covering 13 regions and involving extensive community engagement with 52 local meetings and input from over 840 participants.
“A state’s commitment is only realized at the local level,” Newsom stated. “This is an organic, bottom-up process…focused on family-supporting jobs and ensuring no one is left behind. We’re not just planning for the future—we’re investing in it, region by region, community by community.”
Reflecting on Kern County’s historical economic contributions, Newsom stressed the need to “respect the proud past” while creating new economic opportunities. Kern has already received $14 million for immediate projects, and the governor announced an additional $120 million in competitive grants to boost regional growth.
Newsom praised local leaders and legislators, including Salas, for their dedication to Kern’s economic transformation. He reaffirmed the state’s commitment to collaborating closely with local communities.
Highlighting the unprecedented scale of California’s economic development initiatives, Newsom described the approach as “granular, comprehensive,” and “unprecedented in the state’s history.” He emphasized that ten key industries, including biotech, advanced manufacturing, and renewable energy, will be critical to the state’s economic transformation. This approach, he noted, was developed collaboratively with local communities and industry stakeholders. “This is a worker-centered plan where workers were at the table helping design it,” Newsom said.
Acknowledging the anxieties surrounding the transition from traditional industries to clean energy, especially in areas like Kern where oil and gas jobs have driven the local economy, Newsom assured residents that workers will not be left behind. “This is not about abandoning these communities or the workers in them,” he stated. “We’re making sure they lead this transition, equipped with the skills to thrive in the new economy.” He highlighted the state’s commitment to allocating hundreds of millions to support worker training and skill development in green energy and technology-driven sectors.
