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California Strategic Growth Council
Newsletter
Greetings!

Mark you calendar: SGC's next public Council meeting is next week! Plus, learn about new planning grants for wildfire recovery and resilience, and read a commentary that highlights how the Transformative Climate Communities Program (TCC) has helped bolster regional efforts in Fresno... and more!

Enjoy!
-           The SGC Team
Highlights
February 25 SGC Council Meeting Materials Now Available
SGC will host its next public Council Meeting on February 25 starting at 1 p.m. in Sacramento. At this meeting, the Council will consider Round 6 Program Guidelines for the Sustainable Agricultural Land Conservation Program, as well as a Proposed 2020 Workplan for SGC.  

Council meetings are an opportunity to hear updates on SGC’s progress and plans, as well as to give feedback to the work our programs have been doing. Please join us in-person, or tune into the livestream.

Find all the information and the  meeting agenda  for full details here .
News
Governor’s Senior Advisors Highlight TCC Model in Commentary on Regional Economic Development 
In a recent  CalMatters  commentary, Governor Newsom’s Senior Advisory on Climate,  Kate Gordon  (who chairs SGC), and Chief Economic Business Advisor,  Lenny Mendonca  highlight strategies proposed in the Governor’s 2020-21 State Budget to build regional capacity across California communities. 

One way the State is driving that mission forward is by investing in Inland California communities, which have historically seen underfunding and disinvestment. The piece highlights SGC’s  Transformative Climate Communities Program (TCC ) in Fresno as helping to catalyze collaborations that  bolster new initiatives throughout that region. Read the  full article  here.
Funding Opportunities
Proposition 84 Wildfire Resilience and Recovery Planning Grant Applications Now Open
The California Strategic Growth Council (SGC), the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR), and the California Department of Conservation (DOC) are pleased to open the application period for Proposition 84 Wildfire Resiliency and Recovery Planning Grants. A total of approximately $720,000 is available for up to 3-5 grants between $150,000 and $250,000. 

SGC, OPR, and DOC seek to invest in innovative planning approaches that can serve as models to help jurisdictions throughout California become more resilient in the face of wildfire.

  • Support local and regional land use planning activities that advance climate adaptation and resilience efforts to reduce the risk of wildfires. 
  • Advance local and regional understanding and consideration of vulnerable communities through an adaptation lens. 
  • Support local and regional capacity building to incorporate climate adaption and resilience into wildfire planning and recovery. 

Eligible applicants for the Wildfire Resiliency and Recovery Planning Grants include local and regional governments (cities, counties, tribes, and metropolitan planning organizations) representing California areas affected by wildfires between 2017-2019. 

View the detailed  application guidelines   and access the   application form .

The application deadline is  5 p.m. Thursday, March 18, 2020,  and Staff will host an  informational webinar  on February 24.
Elemental Excelerator  funds companies across the sectors of energy, water, agriculture, mobility, and circular economy that provide innovative solutions to adapting to and mitigating the effects of a fast-changing climate.

In 2017, Elemental Excelerator launched the  Equity and Access Track  to help match clean technologies to social equity opportunities in California communities that are disproportionately under-resourced, polluted, and vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. It uses a place-based model of innovation, working closely with communities, local businesses, industry partners and policymakers to help companies successfully scale their businesses and deploy projects that lead with access to technology, workforce development, economic benefits, and community partnership where they’re needed most. 

The organization is actively looking for its ninth cohort of “earthshot” companies.  Applications  are due  March 26.
CalSEED  is an initiative of the California Energy Commission (CEC) to advance energy innovation by investing in the public sector and bringing the benefits of those innovations to the most under-served communities. It will begin accepting  applications  for its next round of funding on February 28, 2020 and will close the application window on March 16.   

CEC is hosting two CalSEED workshops this week:


Engage
SGC Seeking Tribal Comments on Draft Solicitation: Tribal Government Challenge Planning Grant Program
The new Tribal Government Challenge Planning Grant Program  will help Tribes conduct planning to identify solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve clean energy access, and advance climate adaption and resiliency on Tribal lands and in Tribal communities.

SGC and the California Energy Commission (CEC) have released a draft solicitation for Tribal comment on the  CEC’s website , which is open through March 3, 2020.
Deadline Extended for Thriving Earth Exchange Project Applications
The California Strategic Growth Council (SGC) is excited to collaborate with Thriving Earth Exchange   on a new initiative to   launch a cohort of community science projects across California.   Thriving Earth Exchange helps scientists and communities around the world form collaborative, high-impact, community-driven partnerships.

SGC will help Thriving Earth Exchange focus on supporting vulnerable, low-income, and/or historically under-served communities from diverse regions.

Thriving Earth Exchange projects inform and tackle priorities relating to natural resources, natural hazards, climate change, sustainability and health. California communities are eligible to apply to partner with Thriving Earth Exchange to design and launch a project that unites community and science with the goal of advancing community priorities.  Local or regional governments, tribal governments, community-based organizations, or other advocacy, tribal, or non-profit organizations are eligible to represent communities as lead applicants.

Please see the  website  for additional information on selection criteria for communities. 

The first step is to apply online: share your community’s priority with Thriving Earth Exchange, and they will help you develop a project by matching your community with a Community Science Fellow. If you are not selected in this first round, Thriving Earth Exchange will work with you in future rounds. There is no cost to communities to participate other than your time.  SGC and Thriving Earth have extended the deadline:  please submit this  application form  by  February 21, 2020 .
Employment
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is hiring an Equal Employment Opportunity Officer (EEO) to serve in CARB’s Executive Office. This role is critical to maintaining CARB’s and EPA’s Office of the Secreatary’s compliance with state and federal civil rights statutes, and to maintaining a positive, inclusive working environment. Apply on  CalCareers .
The State Lands Commission is hiring an Environmental Justice Liaison (Staff Services Manager I) to serve as the internal and external liaison for the Commission’s EJ Policy implementation. Primary duties include environmental justice and social equity program development, community outreach and engagement, as well as public communications, meeting accessibility, and training regarding the EJ Policy implementation plan. Apply on  CalCareers.
Contract Opportunities
HCD Soliciting Proposals for Technical Assistance
The Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) recently released a $4.5 million Request for Proposals (RFP) for a contractor to provide technical assistance to cities, counties, and regional governments seeking to accelerate housing production.  

The proposal will build upon the  SB2 Planning Grant Technical Assistance Program  and implement the Governor’s 2019-2020 Budget Act and beyond. Examples of activities include:  

  • Carrying out an education strategy around a variety of housing topics that speak to a range of audiences, including local elected officials and the public. 
  • Developing approaches that help local and regional governments accelerate housing production through land-use and planning strategies.  
  • Providing direct assistance to applicants to access LEAP and REAP funding and apply for a Prohousing designation.  
  • Developing a creative strategy that facilitates regional and local collaboration around housing-related topics.  

Interested contractors can visit  this website  for details.

HCD also welcomes ideas to help maximize the impact of this program. For more information or feedback, please email:  EarlyActionPlanning@hcd.ca.gov
The California Strategic Growth Council (SGC) coordinates and works collaboratively with public agencies, communities, and stakeholders to achieve sustainability, equity, economic prosperity, and quality of life for all Californians.
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Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 322-2318

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