Merced is well-positioned to play a leading role in the coming economic resurgence in California’s Great Central Valley. Merced already boasts affordable land, abundant labor, and an attractive lifestyle. With the University of California, Merced campus slated to open in 2004, the missing ingredients – research and technology – will be in place to support today’s knowledge-based industries.

"The University is pleased to be building University of California, Merced in such a receptive and progressive community. The City staff and civic leaders have demonstrated a vision for the future that builds on the unique strengths of this community, and have been hard-working partners in our efforts to build the nation’s first major research university of the 21st century."

Carol Tomlinson-Keasey
Chancellor, University of California, Merced