US State/Regional Industry Competitors

In the Northeastern corner of New York state, campers, hikers, and nature lovers of all sorts flock to Adirondack Park. The park is the largest publicly protected area in the lower 48, bigger than Yellowstone, Glacier, Everglades, and Grand Canyon National Parks combined....

The California Air Resources Board (ARB) focuses on reducing the state's air pollution. Part of the California Environmental Protection Agency, ARB strives to protect residents from toxic air contaminants through conducting research, evaluating environmental standards, and enforcing air pollution regulations and rules....

The California Architects Board (CAB) helps ensure that buildings are designed by honest and competent professionals. Part of the Department of Consumer Affairs, the agency regulates the licensing of the profession of architecture in the state....

California's Business, Transportation, and Housing Agency (BTH) is dedicated to addressing issues in areas such as affordable housing, public safety, financial services, managed health care plans, and real estate. The agency oversees 13 departments, including the California Highway Patrol, Office of the Patient Advocate, Department of Housing and Community Development, and the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control....

The California Coastal Commission focuses on protecting the state’s coast and ocean. The agency helps coastal cities and counties regulate the use of land and water along the coast, as well as provides necessary permits for activities such as building construction, land division, use of land, and access to the coast....

The California Coastal Conservancy strives to protect the state's resources along the 1,100 mile coastline and San Francisco Bay....

The California Conservation Corps (CCC) helps fight fires, save the environment, and respond to emergencies across the state. Made up of men and women (between the ages of 18 and 25) hired on for a year of service, the Corps works on a wide variety of projects sponsored by state, city, county, and federal agencies, as well as not-for-profit organizations, schools, and private industry....

The California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) protects residents from home-repair scam artists. The agency licenses and regulates some 310,000 contractors in the construction industry and offers registration for home-improvement salespersons. CSLB also investigates complaints, as well as works to reduce the number of unlicensed contractors through its Statewide Investigative Fraud Team (SWIFT)....

The California Department of Aging helps take care of the elderly in their golden years. Part of the California Health and Human Services Agency, the California Department of Aging oversees a variety of programs under the Older Americans Act....

The California Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs (ADP) wants to help its residents get (or stay) drug free. The agency focuses on developing drug prevention services, educating the public, certifying alcohol and drug programs, and provides funding to counties which offer alcohol, drug treatment, and prevention services....

If you sell alcohol to a minor in Merced, a teen in Torrance, or a youth in Eureka, expect a visit from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC). The agency regulates the manufacture, importation, and sale of alcoholic beverages throughout the Golden State....

California's Department of Boating and Waterways (DBW) helps make the waters safe for boaters. The agency's program areas include boating law enforcement officer training, boating education, abandoned vessel removal, beach erosion control, and aquatic pest control....

California's Department of Conservation (DOC) is charged with fostering the wise use and conservation of the state's energy, land, and mineral resources. The DOC serves the state's inhabitants through its five divisions. The California Geological Survey division strives to reduce the impact of earthquakes and other emergencies; its Land Resource Protection segment is dedicated to conserving agricultural and other natural resources....

The California Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) educates and protects consumers and businesses throughout the state. The department, which consists of about 40 bureaus, boards, committees, and other entities, issues licenses in some 300 business and professional areas....

The California Department of Corporations strives to protect the public from financial and investment fraud. Founded in 1913, the agency enforces financial services laws for the state, as well as offers education for the community. The department regulates broker-dealers, investment advisors, consumer and commercial finance lenders, independent escrow agents, and other entities....

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) disciplines criminals and also helps prepare them for life after prison. The agency manages the institutional custody of roughly 170,000 juvenile and adult offenders, and provides supervision of more than 150,000 parolees across the state....

The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) is dedicated to helping more than 177,000 children and adults with developmental disabilities. The agency also provides programs for some 21,000 infants with a developmental delay or a risk of becoming disabled....

California's Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) protects state residents from discrimination in the areas of employment, housing, and public accommodations. The agency also enforces hate violence laws. Part of the State and Consumer Services Agency, the department provides investigation for complaints throughout the state....

The California Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) helps ensure the integrity of the state’s financial services system. The agency enforces laws that regulate banks, credit unions, savings associations, trust companies, and other financial organizations....

The California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) is dedicated to conserving the state's diverse habitat and wildlife. Among the agency's focus areas are enforcement of laws and regulations, public education, resource assessment, habitat restoration, and environmental spills prevention and response....