|
From The Executive Director
Jason Schwenkler
| | |
Welcome to our Spring edition of The Collective Voice, where we take a look at what’s happening and what’s on the horizon here at the North State Planning and Development Collective at Chico State.
It’s May, which means campus is buzzing with the excitement of commencement. We’re wishing this year’s graduates well as they take their college experience, knowledge and innovative ideas into their communities, actively shaping the future of our economy and workforce. I believe we’re in good hands.
It’s been a productive season here at the Collective, starting with the announcement of 23 North State projects that were awarded $9 million through CA Jobs First Catalyst funding. As Co-convener of this initiative for the North State, it’s rewarding to see this significant boost to regional economic development that supports some of our most under-resourced, underserved communities. We’ll be sharing more on these projects in the coming months.
Current economic data for the region has never been more accessible, thanks to our team’s creation of an interactive dashboard for the University’s 12-county service region. Users now have access to critical economic indicators that can be used for planning, research and access to funding opportunities. You’ll find a link to the dashboard and more information later in this edition. We are looking forward to the launch of GIS training for our tribal communities. Keep reading to learn about the projects, meetings and initiatives we’re collaborating on that aim to provide access to critical broadband and GIS capabilities that support healthy community development.
Last, I couldn’t be more proud of our economic development and GIS teams, as they share their important restoration, workforce development and GIS initiatives and impacts at conferences and events across the country. You’ll get a glimpse into their outreach below. The next edition of our newsletter comes out in August. Until then, take care, and feel free to reach out anytime. I’d love to talk more about how the Collective can help your University department or North State community.
Jason Schwenkler jschwenkler@csuchico.edu
Executive Director, North State Planning and Development Collective California State University, Chico
www.nspdc.csuchico.edu
| | | |
Collective Releases New Interactive
Dashboard of Economic Data for University’s 12-County Service Region
Current economic data for Chico State's 12-county service region is now conveniently available in an interactive online format, thanks to the Collective. The online Tableau dashboard allows users to visualize critical economic indicators for each county within the University’s primary service region of Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Plumas, Shasta, Siskiyou, Sutter, Tehama, Trinity and Yuba Counties.
“The dashboard allows University leadership and faculty--and the region at large-- to make data-driven decisions based on the most current research available,” said Jason Schwenkler, Executive Director for the Collective. Read more about the dashboard project on Chico State Today.
| | |
Recipients of $9 million in CA Jobs First Pre-Development Catalyst Funding Announced for the North State Region
The Collective, along with the Sierra Institute for Community and Environment, co-conveners for the CA Jobs First North State Region, have announced the recipients of $9 million in pre-development funding for rural economic development projects as part of the CA Jobs First Catalyst Fund award process. The North State Region is comprised of Butte, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Tehama and Trinity counties.
“Collaborative, regional economic development is key to a thriving North State,” said Jason Schwenkler, executive director for the North State Planning and Development Collective. “This pre-development Catalyst project funding will allow our rural communities to move forward with initiatives designed to support our most vulnerable populations and ensure the health and well-being of the rural North State for years to come,” he said.
A total of 23 projects in the North State region were awarded funding. A description of the projects can be found here. For more information about CA Jobs First in the North State region, click here.
| | |
Team Members from the Collective Share Expertise at Statewide GIS, Salmon Restoration Conferences
Staff from the Collective are often sought out as speakers and panelists to share their expertise in the GIS, restoration and economic development fields. Erik Fintel (right), Project Manager for the Collective, presented at the CalGIS conference April 14-16, 2025 in Sonoma, California, participating on a panel titled "Modernizing Hydrography Channel Extraction" along with experts from California Department of Water Resources, U.S. Geological Survey and CSU Northridge. Fintel has been with the Collective for more than two decades, and is helping to lead the work done on the 3D Hydrography Program (3DHP) and other Elevation Derived Hydrography (EDH) projects. His work has primarily focused on using geographic information systems (GIS) for environmental resources.
| | |
Greyson Doolittle, Fisheries Lab Manager (left), shared his experience and expertise at the 42nd Annual Juvenile Salmonid Side Channel Restoration April 29-May 2, 2025 in Santa Cruz, California. His presentation, "Juvenile Salmonid Side Channel Restoration Monitoring in the Sacramento River," was included as part of the day's session on Innovative Approaches to Monitoring of Rare Salmonids. The Collective, along with project partners, has been implementing salmonid habitat restoration projects along the Sacramento since 2016. Rebekah Casey, Project Manager for the Collective (far left), Melissa Lindamann, Project Manager (third from left), and Chad Praetorius, Biologist (far right) also attended the event.
| | |
Businesses Benefit From Grant-funded Technical Assistance Programs Led By The Collective
Eligible businesses can take advantage of a variety of technical assistance programs offered through the Collective. Services include website development and optimization, customer demographic reports, customer spending reports, funding and market research, social media campaigns and more. Technical Assistance is provided through a variety of partnering agencies. Email Heather McCafferty at hmccafferty@csuchico.edu to learn more.
| | |
Technical Assistance Spotlight: Farmelot Farms
Farmelot Farms in Vina, California, is a unique vintage specialty crop farm cultivating a diverse array of vegetables, fruits and nuts, with a focus on heirloom and old-world varieties. Founded in 2004 by Dr. Bruce Balgooyen and Farmer James Brock (along with his wife and daughter), the farm serves as a living demonstration of the benefits of regenerative agriculture in land stewardship.
Beyond its diverse harvests, which range from heirloom tomatoes to winter squash and walnuts, Farmelot Farms is committed to education. They offer hands-on learning experiences through internships and independent study opportunities for aspiring farmers and students. With a vision to strengthen the connection between communities and their local food systems, Farmelot Farms' produce is available at the Chico and Sacramento Farmers Markets, as well as select local restaurants and grocery stores in Northern California.
Spearheading the farm's growth, Farmer James' daughter, Laura Brock, is currently developing a value-added business expansion. This exciting initiative will introduce on-site regenerative agriculture classes, immersive farm-to-table events, and agritourism "farmstay" experiences. To assist in this new business expansion, the Collective has provided Farmelot Farms with Technical Assistance in market research for value-added products, the development of an updated website and social media templates. Driven by a mission to showcase the social, economic, and cultural advantages of small-scale sustainable farming, Farmelot Farms is eager to expand its educational and hands-on offerings in regenerative agriculture to the wider community. To discover how the Collective can support your business or organization, please contact Heather McCafferty at hmccafferty@csuchico.edu
| | |
Additional Business Assistance Offered Through USDA's Southwest Regional Food Business Center (SWRFBC)
The North State Planning and Development Collective is offering Technical Assistance (TA) to farms and food businesses located in the Collective's 10 county service region through the USDA's Southwest Regional Food Business Center (SWRFBC). TA will be tailored to the needs of each business, including marketing strategies, website development and social media, as well as business development services such as planning and feasibility studies, budget and financial modeling, and securing financing. The Collective has partnered with service providers, 3CORE and Morrison and referral partners, North Valley Hispanic Chamber, Glenn Courtny RCD, and Lost Sierra Food Project. For more information about the program contact Heather McCafferty at hmccafferty@csuchico.edu
| |
|
Butte County Tribes Gain Access to GIS Education Through the Collective's New
Training Program
The Collective is offering no-cost, in-person GIS training and on-call technical assistance to Native American Tribes within Butte County and its “fireshed.” Registration is currently open for the series, which takes place June 4, 11, 18 and 25 at the Office of Tribal Relations on the Chico State campus. The program’s goal is to support tribal goals in using GIS data as a land management tool and a means of coordination with landscape-level efforts.
Session 1: June 4; Intro to ArcGIS Pro, basic mapping and
data analysis
Session 2: June 11; Advanced mapping and data analysis
Session 3: June 18; Geoprocessing and analysis tools
Session 4: June 25; GPS Data and LiDAR
Pre-registration is required. To register, click here.
The project is funded in part by a CALFIRE award to the Butte County Fire Safe Council and a Sierra Nevada Conservancy award to the Butte County Resource Conservation District.
| |
New StoryMap Highlights Impacts of Camp Fire in Concow and Yankee Hill
In conjunction with the Butte County Fire Safe Council and partners, we're pleased to announce the release of a Storymap of the Concow/Yankee Hill region following the 2018 Camp Fire. The StoryMap aims to raise awareness about wildfire risks, share critical lessons from past events and empoer communities with the kinwoledge to prepare for and recover from wildfires. Check out the StoryMap here!
| | |
Rural, Tribal Broadband Access To Be Addressed at June Gathering in Trinity County
The Collective, in partnership with the Nor Rel Muk Wintu Nation, is hosting an event focused on broadband access in rural and tribal lands. Representatives from tribes, local and state government, ISPs, and other stakeholders will convene for a critical discussion related to broadband access.
Date: June 17, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Location: Trinity River Natives’ Cultural Center
304 Corral Bottom Rd., Big Bar, CA, in Trinity County
This event aims to facilitate a conversation about the challenges and opportunities surrounding broadband deployment in tribal areas. Topics of discussion will include:
• Barriers to deployment
• Upcoming broadband projects near Tribal lands
• Affordability and digital equity
• Cultural monitoring
• Tribal access to Middle Mile
For additional information, contact Hayley Stone, Project Manager, at hmstone@csuchico.edu
7TH Annual VIRTUAL Broadband Summit-Save the Date!
Learn more about broadband initiatives in the North State region from leaders in the industry!
Thursday, August 28, 2025
9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Virtual Event.
Registration and additional information will be available soon. For questions, please contact Sabrina Oregel at saoregel@csuchico.edu.
| | | | |
