Economic Development

UC Merced Injects Over $1 Billion in Economic Vitality into San Joaquin Valley, State

January 20, 2026

UC Merced, a beacon of academic achievement in the San Joaquin Valley, is also a powerful driver of economic growth and prosperity in the region it was created to serve. UC Merced generates $1.12 billion in economic production per year in the Valley, according to an...

New Engineering Research Center to Focus on Agriculture Technology

By 2050, the U.S. population is estimated to grow to 400 million, and the world population to 9.1 billion, requiring a 70 percent increase in global food production. UC Merced is one of four...

Zatz Aiming for R1 Status as Interim Head of Research, Economic Development

Graduate Dean Marjorie Zatz has a new title, at least for now. Starting this summer, she is serving as interim vice chancellor for Research and Economic Development, filling the slot left open when...

Whirlwind Tour Introduces Filipino Students to Functional Entrepreneurship

What started as one talk turned into 20 days of traveling through the Philippines for UC Merced management Professor Russ McBride. In December, McBride headed to southeast Asia to connect with...

Q&A with Economist Greg Wright: COVID-19’s Impact on the Economy

Since the onset of many governors’ stay-at-home orders, there are fewer cars on the road as fewer people are driving to work. While some people can work from home, sadly, some are not working...

Chancellor, DRIVE partners discuss economic initiative with governor

Interim Chancellor Nathan Brostrom joined colleagues and partners from the Central Valley to present Governor Gavin Newsom with a draft of the Fresno DRIVE plan. UC Merced has been a partner in...

Distinguished guests joined the chancellor for a campus tour

UC Merced, Bay Area Council Eye Potential 'Megaregion'

UC Merced Chancellor Dorothy Leland and Merced Mayor Mike Murphy welcomed the Bay Area Council to Merced on Thursday for a robust discussion on potential future connections between Merced and ...

A smiling male student walks along Scholars Lane while carrying an arm full of papers.

Entrepreneurs to Share Secrets of Success

Make the connections that will help you make your ideas and dreams become a reality. Spend a couple days at UC Merced meeting successful entrepreneurs and hearing how they have brought their ideas...

Aerial view of UC Merced and its new construction

Campus’s Economic Impact on State Nears $3 Billion

UC Merced has infused nearly $3 billion into California’s economy since its inception — including more than $1.6 billion in the San Joaquin Valley — in salaries, goods and...

Venture Lab Aids Local Startups With Free Legal Services

Early-stage startups often find themselves in a difficult bind. They need legal counsel to help them form business entities, understand tax liabilities, license inventions and draft terms of service...