California Jobs First:
Orange County Regional
Investment Initiative Forum

Recap

September 24, 2024 | Santa Ana, CA

California Jobs First Forum Recap:
A Success in Collaboration

Thank you to everyone who attended the California Jobs First: Orange County Regional Investment Initiative Forum on September 24, 2024 at Santa Ana College. The event was a great success, drawing nearly 200 attendees and fostering meaningful connections among community members and leaders.

The program opened by emphasizing California Jobs First as an initiative to build a community-led economy that balances energy needs with environmental protection. The Regional Investment Initiative allows Orange County to develop tailored economic plans focused on equity, inclusion, and sustainability. Over a year and a half of work has gone into this process, and the forum was an opportunity to reflect on this progress.

The next steps for the Regional Investment Initiative are the deployment of Implementation and Catalyst Funding, emphasizing continued collaboration to achieve the initiative’s goals. Implementation and Catalyst Funding are two key funding sources that will support Orange County’s projects moving forward:

  • Implementation Funding: A total of $150 million will be distributed over three years, with $50 million available each year for completing projects. This funding is competitive across California, and projects will need approval from the regional collaborative to be considered by the state.
  • Catalyst Funding: This funding supports projects that aren’t quite ready for full implementation. $1.5 million has been allocated to Sector Investment Coordinators, who will guide projects and align them with additional funding sources. An additional $9 million will fund exploratory projects in the early stages of development and last-mile projects that need final steps like site selection or permitting before they’re ready to go. The collaborative has until September 2026 to decide how to allocate these funds.

In the coming months, further guidance will be provided on which activities and projects will receive Implementation and Catalyst Funding, with an informal request for project submissions expected soon. To learn more about California Jobs First, visit here. For questions or more information, contact [email protected].

Detailed Event Agenda

AGENDA

4:00 p.m.

Registration and Dinner

5:00 p.m.

Doors Open and Musical Performance

5:30 p.m.

Welcome and Recognition of Collaborative Members

Maria Linares, Business Initiatives Manager, OCBC

Natalie Nguyen, Senior Contracts Specialist, Charitable Ventures

5:45 p.m.

California Jobs First Overview and Process

Jesse Ben-Ron, Vice President of Business Initiatives, OCBC

5:50 p.m.

Regional Plan Part I Highlights

Dr. Wallace Walrod, Chief Economic Advisor, OCBC

6:00 p.m.

Community Outreach and Engagement

Sarah Middleton, President and Chief Executive Officer, Mission Up

Dr. CJ Bishop, Senior Research Analyst, Coast Community College District

6:15 p.m.

Priority Industries and Strategies

Maria Linares, Business Initiatives Manager, OCBC


Regional Plan Part II Strategies

Katharyn Muniz, Orange County Conservation Corps

Joyce Perry, Payomkawichum Kaamalam

Johnice Williams, Community Leader

Iosefa Alofaituli, Cielo

6:35 p.m.

Regional Investment Initiative and Catalyst Next Steps

Maria Linares, Business Initiatives Manager, OCBC

6:55 p.m.

Closing Remarks

Maria Linares, Business Initiatives Manager, OCBC

7:00 p.m.

Adjourn

The success of the California Jobs First Initiative is made possible by the unwavering support of our exceptional Collaborative Members. We extend our deepest gratitude for their dedication and collaboration.

American Indian Chamber of Commerce of California
Apolonio Cortes
Boilermakers Local 92
California State University, Fullerton
CEO Leadership Alliance Orange County
Chapman University
Charitable Ventures
Chrysalis
Cielo
Citizens Climate Lobby
City of Garden Grove
City of Santa Ana
Climate Action Campaign
Coastal Corridor Alliance
Community Action Partnership of Orange County
Concordia University Irvine
Cooperacion Santa Ana
Cox Business
CSUF Center for Entrepreneurship
Desiree Martinez (Gabrielino Tongva Community)
Donia Kayali
Family Assistance Ministries
First 5 Orange County
Goodwill of Orange County
Greater Irvine Chamber of Commerce
Hope Builders
Hospitality Training Academy
International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District 947
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 441
Iron Workers Local 416
Iron Workers Local 433
Irvine Valley College
Johnice Williams
Karen Sarabia
Kevin Phung

LA/OC Building and Construction Trades
Latino Health Access
League of California Cities, Orange County Division
Maria Aguilar
North Orange County Community College District
OCAPICA
OCCORD
Octane
Orange County Black Chamber of Commerce
Orange County Business Council (OCBC)
Orange County Coastkeeper
Orange County Conservation Corps
Orange County Community Foundation
Orange County Department of Education
Orange County Grantmakers
Orange County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Orange County Labor Federation
Orange County United Way
Orange Workforce Alliance
Payomkawichum Kaamalam (Acjachemen)
Plumbers & Steamfitters, Local 582
Sarah Riggs
Southern California Association of Governments
Sheet Metal Workers Local 105
SoCal Gas
Sokollin Tes
Sunrise Movement Orange County
Sustain SoCal
The Cambodian Family Community Center
The Kennedy Commission
THRIVE Santa Ana
United Association Local 250
UMass Global
UNITE HERE Local 11
University of California, Irvine
Vital Link

AGENDA

4:00 p.m.

Registro y Cena

5:00 p.m.

Apertura de Puertas y Actuación Musical

5:30 p.m.

Bienvenida y Reconocimiento de los Miembros Colaboradores

Maria Linares, Mánager de Iniciativas Empresariales, OCBC

Natalie Nguyen, Especialista en Contratos Senior, Charitable Ventures

5:45 p.m.

Resumen y Proceso de California Jobs First

Jesse Ben-Ron, Vicepresidente de Iniciativas Empresariales, OCBC

5:50 p.m.

Aspectos Destacados del Plan Regional Parte I

Dr. Wallace Walrod, Consejero Económico Principal, OCBC

6:00 p.m.

Extensión y Participación de la Comunidad

Sarah Middleton, Presidente y Director General, Mission Up

Dr. CJ Bishop, Analista Senior de Investigación, Coast Community College District

6:15 p.m.

Industrias y Estrategias Prioritarias

Maria Linares, Mánager de Iniciativas Empresariales, OCBC


Estrategias de Plan Regional Parte II

Katharyn Muniz, Orange County Conservation Corps

Joyce Perry, Payomkawichum Kaamalam

Johnice Williams, Líder de la Comunidad

Iosefa Alofaituli, Cielo

6:35 p.m.

Iniciativa de Inversión Regional y Próximos Pasos Catalizadores

Maria Linares, Mánager de Iniciativas Empresariales, OCBC

6:55 p.m.

Comentarios Finales

Maria Linares, Mánager de Iniciativas Empresariales, OCBC

7:00 p.m.

Aplazar

El éxito de la Iniciativa de California Jobs First es posible gracias al apoyo constante de nuestros Miembros Colaborativos excepcionales. Extendemos nuestra más profunda gratitud por su dedicación y colaboración.

American Indian Chamber of Commerce of California
Apolonio Cortes
Boilermakers Local 92
California State University, Fullerton
CEO Leadership Alliance Orange County
Chapman University
Charitable Ventures
Chrysalis
Cielo
Citizens Climate Lobby
City of Garden Grove
City of Santa Ana
Climate Action Campaign
Coastal Corridor Alliance
Community Action Partnership of Orange County
Concordia University Irvine
Cooperacion Santa Ana
Cox Business
CSUF Center for Entrepreneurship
Desiree Martinez (Gabrielino Tongva Community)
Donia Kayali
Family Assistance Ministries
First 5 Orange County
Goodwill of Orange County
Greater Irvine Chamber of Commerce
Hope Builders
Hospitality Training Academy
International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District 947
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 441
Iron Workers Local 416
Iron Workers Local 433
Irvine Valley College
Johnice Williams
Karen Sarabia
Kevin Phung

LA/OC Building and Construction Trades
Latino Health Access
League of California Cities, Orange County Division
Maria Aguilar
North Orange County Community College District
OCAPICA
OCCORD
Octane
Orange County Black Chamber of Commerce
Orange County Business Council (OCBC)
Orange County Coastkeeper
Orange County Conservation Corps
Orange County Community Foundation
Orange County Department of Education
Orange County Grantmakers
Orange County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Orange County Labor Federation
Orange County United Way
Orange Workforce Alliance
Payomkawichum Kaamalam (Acjachemen)
Plumbers & Steamfitters, Local 582
Sarah Riggs
Southern California Association of Governments
Sheet Metal Workers Local 105
SoCal Gas
Sokollin Tes
Sunrise Movement Orange County
Sustain SoCal
The Cambodian Family Community Center
The Kennedy Commission
THRIVE Santa Ana
United Association Local 250
UMass Global
UNITE HERE Local 11
University of California, Irvine
Vital Link

Nội dung chương trình

4:00 p.m.

Đăng ký và dùng bữa tối

5:00 p.m.

Hoạt động tự do và biểu diễn âm nhạc

5:30 p.m.

Chào mừng và vinh danh các đơn vị cộng tác

Maria Linares, Giám đốc Sáng kiến Kinh doanh của OCBC

Natalie Nguyen, Chuyên viên Hợp đồng Cao cấp, Charitable Ventures

5:45 p.m.

Tổng quan và quy trình của California Jobs First

Jesse Ben-Ron, Phó chủ tịch Sáng kiến Kinh doanh của OCBC

5:50 p.m.

Kế hoạch khu vực phần I - Những điểm nổi bật

Tiến sĩ Wallace Walrod, Cố vấn kinh tế trưởng của OCBC

6:00 p.m.

Tiếp cận và gắn kết cộng đồng

Sarah Middleton, Chủ tịch và Giám đốc điều hành của Mission Up

Tiến sĩ CJ Bishop, Nhà nghiên cứu phân tích cao cấp của Coast Community College District

6:15 p.m.

Các ngành công nghiệp và chiến lược ưu tiên

Maria Linares, Giám đốc Sáng kiến Kinh doanh của OCBC


Kế hoạch khu vực phần II - Chiến lược

Katharyn Muniz, Orange County Conservation Corps

Joyce Perry, Payomkawichum Kaamalam

Johnice Williams, Lãnh đạo cộng đồng

Iosefa Alofaituli, Cielo

6:35 p.m.

Sáng kiến đầu tư khu vực và những nhân tố tác động trong tương lai

Maria Linares, Giám đốc Sáng kiến Kinh doanh của OCBC

6:55 p.m.

Phát biểu bế mạc

Maria Linares, Giám đốc Sáng kiến Kinh doanh của OCBC

7:00 p.m.

Kết thúc

Sáng kiến California Jobs First sở dĩ có thể thành công là nhờ vào sự hỗ trợ bền chặt của các Đơn vị cộng tác.Chúng tôi xin gửi lời tri ân sâu sắc đối với sự cống hiến và hợp tác của các Quý đơn vị.

American Indian Chamber of Commerce of California
Apolonio Cortes
Boilermakers Local 92
California State University, Fullerton
CEO Leadership Alliance Orange County
Chapman University
Charitable Ventures
Chrysalis
Cielo
Citizens Climate Lobby
City of Garden Grove
City of Santa Ana
Climate Action Campaign
Coastal Corridor Alliance
Community Action Partnership of Orange County
Concordia University Irvine
Cooperacion Santa Ana
Cox Business
CSUF Center for Entrepreneurship
Desiree Martinez (Gabrielino Tongva Community)
Donia Kayali
Family Assistance Ministries
First 5 Orange County
Goodwill of Orange County
Greater Irvine Chamber of Commerce
Hope Builders
Hospitality Training Academy
International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District 947
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 441
Iron Workers Local 416
Iron Workers Local 433
Irvine Valley College
Johnice Williams
Karen Sarabia
Kevin Phung

LA/OC Building and Construction Trades
Latino Health Access
League of California Cities, Orange County Division
Maria Aguilar
North Orange County Community College District
OCAPICA
OCCORD
Octane
Orange County Black Chamber of Commerce
Orange County Business Council (OCBC)
Orange County Coastkeeper
Orange County Conservation Corps
Orange County Community Foundation
Orange County Department of Education
Orange County Grantmakers
Orange County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Orange County Labor Federation
Orange County United Way
Orange Workforce Alliance
Payomkawichum Kaamalam (Acjachemen)
Plumbers & Steamfitters, Local 582
Sarah Riggs
Southern California Association of Governments
Sheet Metal Workers Local 105
SoCal Gas
Sokollin Tes
Sunrise Movement Orange County
Sustain SoCal
The Cambodian Family Community Center
The Kennedy Commission
THRIVE Santa Ana
United Association Local 250
UMass Global
UNITE HERE Local 11
University of California, Irvine
Vital Link

For California Jobs First Initiative questions

Please contact OCBC’s Business Initiatives team at [email protected]