California Governor Gavin Newsom launched a statewide labeling initiative on Aug. 28 designed to help manufacturers boost their visibility. The program, dubbed “Made in California,” allows companies to apply for a state‑backed label that identifies products as substantially made within the state. The project is managed by the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development and the California Office of the Small Business Advocate. The state website is now accepting applications, and officials say fees are waived for eligible applicants for a limited time.
A Marketing Tool for Producers
The label targets a wide range of industries, from salsa makers and brewers to biotech firms. For food and beverage producers, the program offers a manufacturing‑focused alternative to the existing agricultural marketing efforts. The goal is to help processors compete for shelf space and reach new customers, including those looking for export markets.
Small and mid‑sized manufacturers are expected to benefit most from this initiative. While these firms make up roughly 89 percent of California’s manufacturing sector, they often lack the marketing infrastructure of larger corporations. Dee Dee Myers, the senior advisor to the governor and director of GO‑Biz, emphasized the utility of the new seal. “This program gives manufacturers an easily recognizable way to show where products are made, who makes them and why California production continues to set the standard across the nation,” she said.
Newsom highlighted the diversity of production across the state. He noted that the label serves aerospace in Southern California, food processing in the Central Valley, and semiconductors in the Bay Area. “‘Made in California’ isn’t just a label. It’s a statement about innovation, opportunity and the people building the future right here in our state,” the governor stated.
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Scale of the Industry
California’s manufacturing sector remains a massive economic driver. According to the governor’s office, the industry produced $385 billion in economic output in 2025. That figure represents about 9 percent of the state’s total GDP. The sector also drives significant trade, with $159 billion in goods exported in 2024.
The workforce involved is substantial, totaling 1.24 million workers. These employees earn more than $25,000 above the average non‑farm wage. Since 2021, the state has invested over $215 million in training contracts to support these workers. With first‑quarter 2026 output reaching an annualized $4.4 trillion, the state maintains its position as the world’s fourth‑largest economy.
The “Made in California” seal complements the longstanding CA Grown agricultural program by extending a recognizable branding mechanism to processed goods.
Because the program is administered through the Office of the Small Business Advocate, there is a dedicated focus on ensuring that the label remains accessible to firms that might otherwise be excluded from large‑scale marketing initiatives. The fee waiver for eligible applicants shows this commitment.
