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To uplift our residents as we uplift our regional economy, growing from within to create transformative opportunities for more than 2 million people across an area larger than 10 states over more than 300 miles from Santa Cruz to Ventura.
The three primary economic development organizations that compose Uplift – Economic Development Collaborative, Monterey Bay Economic Partnership and REACH – have a history of collaboration on the Central Coast. The three groups initially worked together on grant applications for the federal Build Back Better program, which fell through. Next, they turned their energy to the State of California’s program, known as CERF. As Uplift, the group was awarded the grant with 129 letters of support.
California’s Community Economic Resilience Fund — CERF for short — is a $600 million program created to catalyze planning and action to realize an equitable and sustainable economy across the state’s diverse regions and develop industries that create high-quality, broadly accessible jobs for all Californians.
Our six-county region was identified as one of 13 regions eligible for a $5 million planning grant, with potential to compete for a larger implementation investment. The planning grants are intended to create an inclusive economic development process with a focus on equity, sustainability, job quality, economic competitiveness and resilience.
Read CA FWD’s Guide to Regional Inclusive Economic Development.
July 25, 2022 | Deadline for Uplift to submit planning grant application
Leading up to the due date, Uplift worked to mobilize a diverse Central Coast ecosystem of stakeholders, developed a vision and goals, and crafted an inclusive outreach and engagement plan and process. On October 20th, 2022, the Uplift Coalition was awarded our regional CERF grant.
2023-24 | Phase 1: Planning
Uplift is now in a 18-24 month planning phase. This involves: building out the Central Coast ecosystem to include additional voices and perspectives; implementing an inclusive outreach and engagement plan; and developing a regional plan with collaborative partnerships. Our regional plan is due to the state in June 2024.
Beyond | Phase 2: Programs & Projects
Going forward, Uplift will work to advance and implement projects and programs resulting from the inclusive regional planning efforts. The state has set aside $500 million, though the planning phase is also intended as a catalyst to compete for a range of other federal, philanthropic and state funding.
The Uplift partnership assembled a collaborative regional coalition that reflects the diversity of the Central Coast to work together to build a more inclusive economy. Our coalition includes:
REACH is serving as the regional convener, facilitating meetings and organizing an inclusive group of stakeholders. EDC is serving as the fiscal agent, responsible for grant management. MBEP is serving as the sub-regional convener for the Northern tri-county region.
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