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Nov 2, 2026
Governor Newsom celebrates "Coolest Thing Made in California" awardees
What you need to know: Showcasing California's leadership in manufacturing and innovation, Governor Newsom today celebrated Stratolaunch's Talon-A and Phenix Technology's First Due Fire Helmet as the "Coolest Thing Made in California."
SACRAMENTO — Governor Newsom today highlighted California's unmatched innovation and manufacturing strength through the winners of the California Manufacturing & Technology Association's "Coolest Thing Made in California" contest. The winner in the large manufacturers bracket was Stratolaunch's Talon-A, the nation's only reusable, autonomous hypersonic flight-test vehicle. The winner of the Small & Medium-Sized Manufacturers bracket was Phenix Technology's First Due Fire Helmet, one of the lightest helmets that protects our brave firefighters.
California doesn't just lead the nation in manufacturing; we make the things that define the future. Our advantage is cutting-edge innovation, unmatched manufacturing strength, and products built to the highest standard made right here in the Golden State.
Governor Gavin Newsom
Over 124,000 people voted over six weeks to determine this year's "Coolest Thing Made in California." The top four small and medium-sized manufacturers include Kokatat in Arcata, which makes the Icon Dry Suit; Northstar Photonics in San Jose, which produces the Fiber Optic Gyroscope; and Wing Inflatables in Arcata, which produces the DBATS 5.2.
The top four large manufacturers include Astranis in San Francisco, maker of the MicroGEO Communications Satellite; Intuitive Surgical in Sunnyvale, maker of the da Vinci Surgical System; and Muon Space in San Jose, maker of the Condor-M Satellite Platform.
Held during Manufacturing Month in October, the contest celebrates California's world-class manufacturing sector and its vital role in driving innovation and economic growth across the state.
Stratolaunch's Talon-A
Building a foundation for sustainable growth
Last year, Governor Newsom's California Jobs First program approved over $222,000 for Stratounch's aerospace electrical training facility in Mojave.
Through the Governor's first-in-the-nation Jobs First program, the Governor worked with local communities to build their economies, create jobs, and support their local economic goals and regional sectors.
To support this process, Governor Newsom championed the investement $5 million in each of the 13 California Jobs First regions to develop regional roadmaps.
These roadmaps identified the industry sectors that will shape each region's future economy, along with strategies for success and investment opportunities, all driven by extensive community input. Together, the 13 regional plans ultimately laid the foundation for the Economic Blueprint, a statewide economic vision informed by the regional plans and anchored by the strategic sectors vital for driving California's future growth and innovation.
More on The Californer
The plans also reached a significant milestone in California's economic development effort when the United States Economic Development Administration (EDA) formally designated all 13 as Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies (CEDS) in April 2025. This accomplishment marked the first time in California's history that all 483 cities, 58 counties, and every community have a federally recognized strategy, creating new opportunities to attract and leverage investments in the implementation of these plans.
Governor Newom's Jobs First funding has supported 333 early-stage projects. In 2025, statewide Jobs First investments totaled nearly $1.6 billion across all 13 regions, supporting more than 61,000 jobs and training for more than 142,000 workers, including projected jobs and planned training.
Governor Newsom's Jobs First has supported projects including:
The Newsom administration recently invested $48.5 million through the California Jobs First Regional Investment Initiative to support 18 projects across eight economic regions (https://www.gov.ca.gov/2026/08/26/governor-newsom-awards-48-5-million-to-drive-economic-growth-and-advance-innovation-across-the-state-supporting-the-creation-of-20000-new-jobs/). The investments are expected to create 20,000 jobs while advancing regional economic priorities in key sectors across the state.
Phenix Technology's First Due Fire Helmet
Join the Made in California movement
Phenix Technology's First Due Fire Helmet is one of the "Coolest Things Made in California," and it's also part of the new Made in California labeling campaign (https://madeincalifornia.ca.gov/). Launched by Governor Newsom, the statewide program gives manufacturers of all sizes a new way to showcase products made in the Golden State and tap into California's global reputation for quality, innovation, and craftsmanship
The program is now accepting applications. Manufacturers producing in the Golden State who want to learn about eligibility requirements, apply, or learn more should visit madeincalifornia.ca.gov.
There is a LIMITED TIME OFFER for eligible applicants to have ALL FEES WAIVED to join the Made in California program.
California's economy is dominating
More on The Californer
Since Governor Newsom took office, California's economy has grown by more than $1.58 trillion (https://www.gov.ca.gov/2026/10/14/californias-economic-dominance-under-governor-newsom/). The Golden State represents only 11.5% of the U.S. population but accounts for nearly 14% of U.S. GDP — 47% larger than Texas. According to a Bloomberg analysis, California continues to lead the nation economically, outpacing all states and every developed nation.
💵 Under Governor Newsom, the Golden State leads the nation in 17 of 20 major economic sectors, including manufacturing, agriculture, construction, and health care. California's manufacturing sector alone generated $391 billion in economic output in 2025 — 18% more than Texas.
⬆️ According to federal data (https://us.list-manage.com/10FNkI2Z2bZ?e=ad974c4bf8&c2id=d413becc102531d8f67a44f85f1cd163), California outpaced the next three largest state economies in 2025, growing 3.5% after inflation, compared with 2.8% in Texas and Florida and 2.5% in New York.
🏢 California is home to more than 4.3 million small businesses, representing 99.8% of all businesses in the state and employing 7.6 million people.
💪 California is creating more jobs. More than one in four American jobs added over the past year were in California. The state added 129,300 of the nation's 496,000 net payroll jobs from September 2025 through September 2026—about 26%. California accounted for 14.6% of America's net payroll job growth through September, adding 89,100 jobs during the first nine months of 2026.
🧑💻 California's payroll job growth rate was more than twice the national rate over the past year and more than twice the state's share of new U.S. jobs relative to its population from September 2025 to September 2026.
💼 Unemployment fell by 106,500 Californians over ten consecutive months through September. The unemployment rate held steady at 5.1%, matching its lowest level since February 2024.
Economy (https://www.gov.ca.gov/category/content-types/economy/), Press releases (https://www.gov.ca.gov/category/press-releases/), Recent news (https://www.gov.ca.gov/category/recent-news/), Top story (https://www.gov.ca.gov/category/top-story/)
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Nov 2, 2026
Governor Newsom celebrates "Coolest Thing Made in California" awardees
What you need to know: Showcasing California's leadership in manufacturing and innovation, Governor Newsom today celebrated Stratolaunch's Talon-A and Phenix Technology's First Due Fire Helmet as the "Coolest Thing Made in California."
SACRAMENTO — Governor Newsom today highlighted California's unmatched innovation and manufacturing strength through the winners of the California Manufacturing & Technology Association's "Coolest Thing Made in California" contest. The winner in the large manufacturers bracket was Stratolaunch's Talon-A, the nation's only reusable, autonomous hypersonic flight-test vehicle. The winner of the Small & Medium-Sized Manufacturers bracket was Phenix Technology's First Due Fire Helmet, one of the lightest helmets that protects our brave firefighters.
California doesn't just lead the nation in manufacturing; we make the things that define the future. Our advantage is cutting-edge innovation, unmatched manufacturing strength, and products built to the highest standard made right here in the Golden State.
Governor Gavin Newsom
Over 124,000 people voted over six weeks to determine this year's "Coolest Thing Made in California." The top four small and medium-sized manufacturers include Kokatat in Arcata, which makes the Icon Dry Suit; Northstar Photonics in San Jose, which produces the Fiber Optic Gyroscope; and Wing Inflatables in Arcata, which produces the DBATS 5.2.
The top four large manufacturers include Astranis in San Francisco, maker of the MicroGEO Communications Satellite; Intuitive Surgical in Sunnyvale, maker of the da Vinci Surgical System; and Muon Space in San Jose, maker of the Condor-M Satellite Platform.
Held during Manufacturing Month in October, the contest celebrates California's world-class manufacturing sector and its vital role in driving innovation and economic growth across the state.
Stratolaunch's Talon-A
Building a foundation for sustainable growth
Last year, Governor Newsom's California Jobs First program approved over $222,000 for Stratounch's aerospace electrical training facility in Mojave.
Through the Governor's first-in-the-nation Jobs First program, the Governor worked with local communities to build their economies, create jobs, and support their local economic goals and regional sectors.
To support this process, Governor Newsom championed the investement $5 million in each of the 13 California Jobs First regions to develop regional roadmaps.
These roadmaps identified the industry sectors that will shape each region's future economy, along with strategies for success and investment opportunities, all driven by extensive community input. Together, the 13 regional plans ultimately laid the foundation for the Economic Blueprint, a statewide economic vision informed by the regional plans and anchored by the strategic sectors vital for driving California's future growth and innovation.
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The plans also reached a significant milestone in California's economic development effort when the United States Economic Development Administration (EDA) formally designated all 13 as Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies (CEDS) in April 2025. This accomplishment marked the first time in California's history that all 483 cities, 58 counties, and every community have a federally recognized strategy, creating new opportunities to attract and leverage investments in the implementation of these plans.
Governor Newom's Jobs First funding has supported 333 early-stage projects. In 2025, statewide Jobs First investments totaled nearly $1.6 billion across all 13 regions, supporting more than 61,000 jobs and training for more than 142,000 workers, including projected jobs and planned training.
Governor Newsom's Jobs First has supported projects including:
- Kern County's Jobs First Collaborative is receiving $6.85 million for the Mojave Air and Space Port and a new Aerospace Valley innovation hub.
- Yreka Carnegie, a rural business innovation and entrepreneurship hub serving the North State, is opening. The project received $3.65 million in state funding to support agriculture, outdoor recreation tourism, wood-products businesses, workforce pathways, and climate-resilient economic development.
The Newsom administration recently invested $48.5 million through the California Jobs First Regional Investment Initiative to support 18 projects across eight economic regions (https://www.gov.ca.gov/2026/08/26/governor-newsom-awards-48-5-million-to-drive-economic-growth-and-advance-innovation-across-the-state-supporting-the-creation-of-20000-new-jobs/). The investments are expected to create 20,000 jobs while advancing regional economic priorities in key sectors across the state.
Phenix Technology's First Due Fire Helmet
Join the Made in California movement
Phenix Technology's First Due Fire Helmet is one of the "Coolest Things Made in California," and it's also part of the new Made in California labeling campaign (https://madeincalifornia.ca.gov/). Launched by Governor Newsom, the statewide program gives manufacturers of all sizes a new way to showcase products made in the Golden State and tap into California's global reputation for quality, innovation, and craftsmanship
The program is now accepting applications. Manufacturers producing in the Golden State who want to learn about eligibility requirements, apply, or learn more should visit madeincalifornia.ca.gov.
There is a LIMITED TIME OFFER for eligible applicants to have ALL FEES WAIVED to join the Made in California program.
California's economy is dominating
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Since Governor Newsom took office, California's economy has grown by more than $1.58 trillion (https://www.gov.ca.gov/2026/10/14/californias-economic-dominance-under-governor-newsom/). The Golden State represents only 11.5% of the U.S. population but accounts for nearly 14% of U.S. GDP — 47% larger than Texas. According to a Bloomberg analysis, California continues to lead the nation economically, outpacing all states and every developed nation.
💵 Under Governor Newsom, the Golden State leads the nation in 17 of 20 major economic sectors, including manufacturing, agriculture, construction, and health care. California's manufacturing sector alone generated $391 billion in economic output in 2025 — 18% more than Texas.
⬆️ According to federal data (https://us.list-manage.com/10FNkI2Z2bZ?e=ad974c4bf8&c2id=d413becc102531d8f67a44f85f1cd163), California outpaced the next three largest state economies in 2025, growing 3.5% after inflation, compared with 2.8% in Texas and Florida and 2.5% in New York.
🏢 California is home to more than 4.3 million small businesses, representing 99.8% of all businesses in the state and employing 7.6 million people.
💪 California is creating more jobs. More than one in four American jobs added over the past year were in California. The state added 129,300 of the nation's 496,000 net payroll jobs from September 2025 through September 2026—about 26%. California accounted for 14.6% of America's net payroll job growth through September, adding 89,100 jobs during the first nine months of 2026.
🧑💻 California's payroll job growth rate was more than twice the national rate over the past year and more than twice the state's share of new U.S. jobs relative to its population from September 2025 to September 2026.
💼 Unemployment fell by 106,500 Californians over ten consecutive months through September. The unemployment rate held steady at 5.1%, matching its lowest level since February 2024.
Economy (https://www.gov.ca.gov/category/content-types/economy/), Press releases (https://www.gov.ca.gov/category/press-releases/), Recent news (https://www.gov.ca.gov/category/recent-news/), Top story (https://www.gov.ca.gov/category/top-story/)
Recent news
Governor Newsom proposes historic $1 billion California film and television tax credit – building on the nation's most generous capped credit (https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/facebook?linkurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.ca.gov%2F2026%2F11%2F02%2Fgovernor-newsom-celebrates-coolest-thing-made-in-california-awardees%2F&linkname=Governor%20Newsom%20celebrates%20%E2%80%9CCoolest%20Thing%20Made%20in%20California%E2%80%9D%20awardees%20%7C%20Governor%20of%20California)
Nov 2, 2026
News More independent films. More jobs. More projects right here in the Golden State with the nation's largest capped film and TV tax credit. What you need to know: After its successful and historic expansion last year, Governor Gavin Newsom is calling for another...
Governor Newsom sends letter to top federal judges in California warning of potential election interference by Trump administration (https://www.gov.ca.gov/2026/10/31/governor-newsom-sends-letter-to-top-federal-judges-in-california-warning-of-potential-election-interference-by-trump-administration/)
Oct 31, 2026
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Oct 31, 2026
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