In 2021, Governor Newsom launched a Regional Investment Initiative to build an economy that benefits more residents, increases quality jobs, and improves the environment. Within the Regional Investment Initiative, $9 million is available to fund pre-development activities that advance projects closer to actual implementation. These projects must be either in early/exploratory or near-completion/last mile stages. State, federal, and private funds typically target projects that are ready for implementation rather than the early investments needed to prepare projects. However, under-resourced communities and organizations lack the funds necessary to move projects through the development phase (e.g., conducting feasibility or environmental studies, identifying and controlling sites for development, and negotiating Community Benefits Agreements), disqualifying them from many funding opportunities. These new available funds will allow them to move forward and come closer to implementation ready.  

Other examples of pre-development activities include conducting a comprehensive needs assessment to identify gaps in the local workforce, creating a recruitment strategy with partners to effectively reach individuals in disinvested communities, or hiring an individual/firm to write a business plan and develop a prototype. A more comprehensive list can be found here.  

These funds will preferably, but may not exclusively, support projects that prioritize economic equity, state climate goals, and the creation of and access to quality jobs. This funding is available for Orange County-specific projects only. 

This survey is not the official Notice of Funding Opportunity and is not serving as an application to submit funding. However, it will help the OC Jobs First Collaborative get a better understanding of quality projects and set goals and criteria to have maximum impact in Orange County. There is no limit to the number of projects you can submit, but please submit one application per project.

Deadline:

Please complete this survey by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, November 15th. Your participation is greatly appreciated!