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Local Government

Subcommittee

Eastern Sierra CERF Region

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Blank slide to copy

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Introductions

CERF Overview/Where We Are�
Priority Sector Discussion

Catalyst Overview and Investment Discussions

Agenda

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CERF Program Objectives & Design

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13

Promote equitable and sustainable economic development
Align and leverage federal and state funding to maximize economic resilience
Support inclusive economic planning that prioritizes equity, job quality, and sustainability
“Inclusive region planning for a climate resilient economy” - Mary Collins, Governor’s Office of Planning and Research�

CERF Regions

All 13 regions will receive planning and implementation dollars through competitive processes.

Phase 1: Planning

$5M

Each region will receive up to $5M to foster partnerships, create HRT Collabs, and develop regional economic plans.

Phase 2: Implementation

$500M

$500M will be rewarded across all 13 regions to implement projects that meet CERF program metrics.

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The Eastern

Sierra Region:

186,266 people

19,252 mi²

7 Counties:

Alpine
Amador
Calaveras
Inyo
Tuolumne
Mariposa
Mono

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CERF Purpose:

Build an equitable and sustainable economy across California’s diverse regions and foster long-term economic resilience in the overall transition to a carbon-neutral economy.

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High Road Transition Collaborative

Goals & Objectives:

Govern the Eastern Sierra CERF region and process collaboratively with support from five subcommittees – resulting in a robust regional economic recovery and transition plan. Make adjustments to governance structures as needed to better serve the region and remain streamline with CERF program objectives.

The report due to the state is a Regional Summary, which will include a broad range of data including stakeholder and asset mapping, identification of opportunities for alignment with existing regional economic planning processes and documents, a regional labor market and economic cluster analysis, and identification of regional climate and public health trends (In progress - due 12/31/23).
Identify priorities for Catalyst Application - consensus on top priority sectors and how funding buckets should be allocated (Fall 2023).

The second deliverable (plan) will be one regional plan with two inter-related subcomponents addressing region-wide strategies and a specific set of east side and west side strategies and implementation opportunities (Due 6/2024).

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CERF Timeline

February

November

December

January

March

May

April

June

July

Catalyst App Due

Regional Summary

Report Due

Catalyst Funding Awarded

Implementation SFP

Regional Strategies Report Start

Regional Strategies Report Due

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Priority Sectors

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Healthcare

Clean

Energy

Sustainable

Recreation & Tourism

Agriculture

Forest

Economy

Access to care

Workforce training �

Specialty services

Behavioral health

Medical facilities

Wildfire mitigation and adaptation

Upper watershed restoration

Tribal stewardship

Biomass

Entrepreneurism

Small Business

Higher wage jobs

Agency job pipeline�

Trails

Climate change resilience

Beyond large scale solar, wind�

Energy efficiency and decarb

Energy resilience and reliability

EV readiness

Sustainable food systems

Locally grown food security

Ag tourism

Meat processing

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The Catalyst Fund - Key Facts

$14M

Bridge the gap between Planning and Implementation
Build capacity and provide capital for pre-development stage projects
Projects must be voted on by the HRTC to receive pre-development funds

Max Award

All 13 regions are eligible for up to $14M

Due Date

Nov 30

Only current CERF Fiscal Agents can apply for this closed solicitation.

Award Date

May 2024

Period of Performance is May 2024 through September 2026

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The Catalyst Fund - Funding Pots

$1.5M

Maximum funding pot amounts are not guaranteed
Any funding not awarded from the Catalyst will be added to the open solicitation Implementation Phase

Sector Investment Coordinators

Up to 5 new positions at SBC or external organizations

Pre-development Project Activities

$9M

Invest in regional projects that are still in development stages

HRTC Continuance and Administration

$3.5M

Continue the HRTC, keep research report updated, outreach to disinvested, fiscal oversight

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Catalyst - Sector Investment Coordinators

$1.5M

Up to 5 new positions

OR external organizations

Work with the HRTC to prioritize sectors.

Support the HRTC in cataloging projects that align with CERF.

Liaise with regional partners around projects.

Provide/procure technical assistance on CERF Implementation grants.

Identify eligible state, federal, and local funding sources for identified projects.

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Catalyst - Sector Investment Coordinators

$1.5M

Considerations for External organizations

RFP for Sector Specific Experts to work with HRTC

Proposed Sectors:

Healthcare

Clean Energy

Sustainable Recreation�& Tourism

Agriculture

Forest Economy

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Catalyst - Project Pre-development Activities

$9M

Invest in regional projects in “exploratory” or “last mile”

Feasibility studies, market analysis, and environmental assessments such as CEQA.

Site acquisition, permitting, and site and development plans.

Revolving loan funds, JPAs, and financial planning.

Infrastructure pre-development, construction, and operation/maintenance plans.

New positions, staff development, tool acquisition, and capacity building.

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Catalyst - Project Pre-development Activities

$9M

To advance catalyst goals

Possible Allocations

$2.5M

$2M

$3.5M

$.5M

Based on our initial research, HRTC and sub committee feedback, the first cut on allocation of the $9 million that will advance pre-development activities is as follows - Potential allocation:

$2.5 - revolving loan fund for public sector working capital & businesses. These funds could be used to relieve the cash flow issues associated with reimbursement contracts or grants.

$2.0 - Workforce Development & Capacity building (ISWI, biomass, healthcare, Community Colleges)

$3.5 - Project Feasibility Studies, Project planning & CEQA (infrastructure planning, clean energy projects, forest health, recreation, etc)

$0.5 - Food Security - food systems infrastructure design, leverage off other regions, they have food hubs that are aggregating local foods to redistribute local,

$0.5 - Health System Solutions – access to health care solutions study, for hard to reach communities, mobile clinic, strike team, healthcare “UBER”, subsidizing house calls

Discussion – Do these categories and amounts sound correct

Are you aware of specific projects or programs that could benefit from the Catalyst Pre-Development funding

Of the categories allowed, where do you see the biggest need? Ok to be “selfish” here, what do you and your communities need within this proposed framework, or would you propose something entirely different

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Catalyst - HRTC and Administration

$3.5M

Continue CERF Programming and Administration ($1.5M reserved for fiscal oversight)

Continue expansion of outreach and engagement activities to disinvested communities.

Maintain and update the research deliverables and strategies so they remain current.

Facilitation of the HRTC, including HRTC participation compensation.

Coordinate CERF Implementation Funds applications from the region.

Track regional projects and awards from CERF or external funding sources.

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Next Steps

Populate the Project Identification Tracker �
October 27 HRTC Meeting in Mammoth/Virtual - Please Join!�
November 8 Office Hours - Catalyst Application Review

Catalyst Application Due November 30�
Subcommittee Meeting December 8�
HRTC Meeting December 15

Regional Summary Report Due December 31