Visalia serves as the region's economic center. Visalia's economy is based on agriculture, especially grapes, olives, cotton, citrus and nursery products. The area is regarded as one of the most productive agricultural regions in the nation. Livestock is also a significant element of the economy.
Visalia's economy is also powered by distribution and manufacturing facilities. Electronics and paper products are a couple of significant manufacturing sectors. In addition, Visalia is home to the region's largest convention center and meeting places.
Visalia and the other cities in Tulare County offer California's Targeted Tax Area. The program's goal is to stimulate business development and job growth. Companies operating in the zone are provided with special state tax credits and streamlined local fees and approval procedures.
The primary areas of employment in Visalia are education, healthcare, government, agriculture, social assistance, manufacturing and accommodation and food services. Management, professional and related occupations provide 32% of the jobs in Visalia. About 20% of the workforce is employed by the government.
Some of the occupations more prevalent in the Visalia area when compared to most other cities are food cooking machine operators and tenders; farm workers and laborers, crop, nursery and greenhouse; agricultural equipment operators; graders and sorters of agricultural products; first-line supervisors/managers of farming, fishing and forestry workers; agricultural inspectors and food batch makers.
Notable data about Visalia: In 2009 the average salary in Visalia was approximately $35,000. The cost of living index in 2008 was at 90.9 which is below the nation's average of 100. Approximately 19% of the population over the age of 25 hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
A list of the major employers in Visalia is shown below:
- College of the Sequoias
- Josten's Commercial Printing
- Kaweah Delta Health Care Dist
- Tulare County Child Care Program
- Tulare County Parks & Rec Dept
- Tulare County Resource Management
- Tulare County Sheriff
- US Cotton Classing Office
Visalia companies may obtain assistance from business organizations such as:
- Visalia Chamber of Commerce
- EATC - Executives' Association of Tulare County
- The Tulare County Business Resource Center
The Visaliatimesdelta.com offers up-to-date information regarding the business activities in Visalia.