ADVANCED MATERIALS
LEADING MATERIAL ADVANCEMENTS
ADVANCED MATERIALS
Explore Solano County’s thriving advanced materials sector, supported by a high location quotient and strong engineering and manufacturing programs at local schools.
BY THE NUMBERS
Solano County is home to a dynamic advanced materials industry, with over 200 businesses and nearly 7,000 skilled employees driving a $2.23 billion Gross Regional Product. From petroleum to aerospace, construction to home products, the diversity of offerings is unmatched. With a high location quotient and robust engineering and manufacturing programs at local schools, Solano is a powerhouse for innovation, supported by cutting-edge R&D and a workforce ready to meet tomorrow’s challenges.
Overview of Advanced Materials in Solano County
* Location quotient (LQ) is a way of quantifying how concentrated a particular industry, cluster, occupation, or demographic group is in a region as compared to the nation. An LQ higher than 1.0 means the region has higher-than-average concentrations of those industry assets.
Source: Quarterly Census of Employment & Wages, Economic: Forensics & Analytics, Bureau of Economic Analysis
ADVANCED MATERIALS REPRESENTATIVE BUSINESSES
ADVANCED MATERIALS ASSETS, RESOURCES AND INDUSTRY GROUPS
These assets are most directly related to Advanced Manufacturing. The broader directory highlights resources that benefit a broader spectrum of businesses, including manufacturers.
California Competes
5-year tax credit that businesses apply for in advance through a competitive application process.
Bay Area Center For International Trade Development
Bay Area CITD assists businesses in expanding globally and manages one of the largest state-based export promotion efforts in the United States.
California International Business Association
International business directory for international trade opportunities with California.
California Manufacturers & Technology Association
Industry advocacy and information, including research and job boards; membership-based.
Solano Industry Groups
Contact Solano EDC about events and activities related to advanced manufacturing:
EDUCATION AND RESEARCH
UC Berkeley Centers and Institutes
UC Berkeley’s engineering program ranks among the top 3 in the world. Over 30 centers and institutes are associated with Berkeley Engineering, including:
- BID: Berkeley Institute of Design
- Jacobs Institute for Design Innovation
- Berkeley Nanosciences and Nanoengineering Institute
- Berkeley Sensor & Actuator Center
- CITRIS Invention Lab
- Marvell Nanofabrication Laboratory
UC Davis College Of Engineering
Intelligent Manufacturing Systems (IMS) laboratory conducts research in conventional and nonconventional machining.
Other research areas include materials research, robotics, and the Center for Nano-Micromanufacturing.
Solano Community College
Solano College’s School of Applied Technology and Business prepares students for manufacturing through programs such as welding, aeronautics, and alternative fuel technology.
Associate degrees and certificates are available in most subjects.
TAX CREDITS, FINANCING & INCENTIVES
Recycling Market Development Zone
If your company manufactures with materials diverted from the waste stream, you may be eligible for low-interest loans, special grants and free marketing.
Manufacturing & R&D Equipment Exemption
Manufacturers and qualifying research and development firms may qualify for partial exemption of sales and use tax on purchases and leases of manufacturing and R&D equipment.
CAEATFA
Manufacturers that promote alternative energy and advanced transportation may be eligible to receive a sales tax exclusion on equipment purchases and qualifying activities.
Research & Development Tax Credit
Business activities undertaken to discover technological information, and relying on “hard sciences” such as physics, chemistry, and biology may be eligible for significant tax credits.