CJF - Orange County Business Council (OCBC)

Orange County

Regional Investment Initiative

California Jobs First (CJF) is a state initiative aimed at building equitable and sustainable economies across California’s diverse regions while fostering long-term economic resilience in the transition to a carbon-neutral economy. Formerly known as CERF, CJF focuses on creating good-paying jobs and awarding millions in grants to jumpstart the Governor’s Regional Investment Initiative (RII). This initiative accelerates economic and workforce projects throughout the state by taking a new approach to economic development.

The Regional Investment Initiative (RII) centers disadvantaged communities in California’s transition to a clean energy, carbon-neutral economy, ensuring the creation of good-paying jobs and prosperous communities for all. The RII operates in two distinct phases: Catalyst and Implementation, each designed to drive progress toward inclusive and sustainable economic growth.

Catalyst Funding

The Catalyst Program, California Jobs First inaugural funding source to support the development of projects in the region, reserves $14 million for Orange County to bridge the gap between planning regional economic development strategies and implementing projects designed to achieve outcomes that align with those strategies. $9 million of catalyst funds will support each region’s Collaborative to invest in pre-development activities, enabling regions to develop projects and maximize investment opportunities. A list of possible pre-development activities can be found here.

Regional Investment Initiative Catalyst Pre-Development Funding Applications Closed

The Catalyst Pre-Development Project application period for Round 1 has officially closed. We appreciate the strong response from applicants dedicated to advancing economic resilience and equity in Orange County.

Next Steps

Application Review: Submitted proposals are under review to ensure alignment with regional economic strategies.
Award Notifications: Selected projects are expected to be notified by approximately April 11, 2025.
Project Implementation: Funded activities must be fully completed by September 30, 2026.

Future Funding Opportunities

This is just Round 1! Additional funding rounds will be available in the future. Stay connected for updates on upcoming application periods and implementation-focused initiatives.

To be added to the Jobs First newsletter, please email [email protected] with the subject line: “Request to be added to Jobs First newsletter.”

Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)

Next round coming soon.

The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Regional Investment Initiative Catalyst Pre-Development Projects provides $3 million in funding available in this first round to focus on advancing projects to become implementation ready that can increase good paying jobs, support environmental sustainability, and improve economic equity in Orange County. Funding can be used for feasibility studies, market analysis, site planning, pilot programs, and capacity building, among other pre-development activities. Eligible entities include legally recognized organizations, and all activities must align with the strategies outlined in the Jobs First Regional Plan Part 2. Applications are due by March 14, 2025. All activities must be fully expensed by September 30, 2026.

Catalyst Application Materials

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Regional Investment Initiative
Catalyst Funding Awardees

Weatherization and Healthy Home Technician Training Center

The Community Action Partnership of Orange County (CAP OC) will expand its Weatherization and Healthy Homes Technician Apprenticeship programs by securing a dedicated training facility, scaling operations, and achieving official state-recognized apprenticeship status. This expansion will address labor shortages in the weatherization sector, create economic opportunities for low-income individuals, and contribute to environmental sustainability by training more people in green jobs. Apprentices will earn a stipend of $60,000 annually, and once they fully enter the workforce the average starting salary is approximately $78,748 per year.

Construction Pre-Apprenticeships

College and Career Advantage will develop a regional pre-apprenticeship construction program for high school and adult students in South Orange County, CA. The program will provide students with foundational construction skills, industry-recognized certifications, workplace readiness, and career exploration, preparing them for apprenticeships and entry-level positions in the construction industry with wages averaging $50,000 to $80,000. The program is expected to train approximately 200 individuals annually.

Childcare Business Incubator

CIELO's Childcare Business Incubator will support low-income Orange County residents, particularly women, immigrants, and BIPOC, in launching their own in-home childcare businesses. By providing training, support, and a network model, CIELO's initiative not only creates entrepreneurial opportunities for these populations, but also expands access to childcare services in underserved communities. This work will be done in partnership with First 5 Orange County.

Little Saigon Business Community Benefit District

The cities of Garden Grove, Fountain Valley, and Santa Ana are collaborating on a regional initiative to promote cultural tourism through the Little Saigon Business Community Benefit District and Specific Plan Project (LS-BCSP). This project will transform designated areas within the tri-cities into vibrant cultural hubs, incorporating streetscapes and urban design elements reminiscent of Vietnam, enhancing public spaces and connectivity to generate jobs in various sectors, increase foot traffic to local businesses, and attract entrepreneurial ventures.

Workforce Reentry Center

The County of Orange will construct a Workforce Reentry Center (WRC) comprised of three buildings in Orange, CA. The project's main goals are to provide hands-on job training program(s) and allow for onsite commercial businesses in the food services and retail sectors for formerly incarcerated individuals.

Autonomous Systems Technician Training Hub

The Fullerton College Autonomous Systems Technician Training Hub will provide comprehensive workforce training in autonomous systems maintenance, operations, and integration, ensuring that graduates are prepared for careers in aerospace, defense, advanced manufacturing, and other high-tech sectors. The curriculum will focus on core technical training, industry certifications, work-based learning, and green technology and sustainability. Once implementation ready, the program aims to directly train approximately 100 students annually, that leads to good-paying jobs with an average starting salary of $60,000 - $80,000 per year.

Orange County Advanced Manufacturing Collaborative (OC-AMC)

Faculty at California State University, Fullerton, will explore the development of the Orange County Advanced Manufacturing Collaborative (OC-AMC). OC-AMC aims to strengthen workforce development, accelerate technology adoption, and enhance industry collaboration in Orange County's manufacturing sector. The initiative will bring together educational institutions, industry leaders, and workforce agencies to provide training, support digital transformation, and foster a sustainable pipeline of high-tech manufacturing workforce, ultimately driving innovation and economic growth in the region.

Climate Resilient Vertical Farm Feasibility Study

Boules Consulting will conduct a feasibility study to explore the viability of piloting an indoor, renewable-powered vertical farm in a disinvested community within Orange County. The project aims to address food insecurity and lack of access to affordable, nutritious food by creating a climate-resilient model for urban agriculture. The study will involve research, community engagement, site selection analysis, and preliminary cost estimation to assess the project's viability.

Garza Ave. Low –Income Housing Expansion

Community Action Partnership of Orange County (CAP OC) will reconstruct and expand an existing low-income housing facility in Anaheim. The project will increase the facility from two to eight units of single-family housing, providing rental housing for an estimated 32 low-income residents. Residents will also benefit from support services and skills training programs offered at CAP OC's Anaheim Independencia Family Resource Center.

Health Access and Community Health Worker Trainings

Community Health Initiative of Orange County (CHIOC) will add Medicare enrollment, renewal, and navigation services to their insurance brokerage, the CHIOC Helping Families Insurance Agency. The goal is to improve access to health coverage for low-income older adults and people with disabilities in Orange County, particularly the 100,000 residents eligible for both Medi-Cal and Medicare. The project will also provide staff with career development opportunities through training, licensing, and certification as Medicare insurance brokers. This work creates career pathways in priority for low-income individuals without a college degree, including those who face language barriers.

OC Water and Community Resilience

CEO Leadership Alliance Orange County’s (CLAOC) project will enhance water infrastructure and workforce sustainability in Orange County. The project will equip water professionals with AI-driven skills to optimize water management, improve efficiency, and ensure access to clean water. This initiative involves a market review of AI solutions for the water sector, workforce training in AI applications, and a survey of water professionals to gauge AI adoption. The project is a collaboration between CLAOC, Moulton Niguel Water District, California Data Collaborative (CaDC), and the University of California, Irvine (UCI) Division of Continuing Education.

Mercado Cooperación

Cooperación Santa Ana’s project involves conducting a feasibility assessment and market study analysis to explore developing a worker-owned cooperative incubator with a kitchen and marketplace in Santa Ana. This project aims to create a sustainable and equitable approach to economic development by prioritizing worker well-being, fair wages, and community investment. The initiative seeks to address historical disinvestment in Santa Ana by empowering local entrepreneurs, creating quality jobs, and providing access to affordable, culturally diverse food options.

La Milpa Café

La Milpa Café LLC will launch its first physical location at "La Colmena," an urban farm site in Santa Ana. The café, a women-, minority-, and worker-owned cooperative, will offer artisanal coffee and desserts inspired by the cultural heritage of its workers and the local community. The funds will be used to develop an operations plan and worker training program, invest in marketing and promotion, and purchase small equipment and supplies for the café.

Together for Advancement, Vitality, And Networking" (TAVAN)

The Orange County Iranian American Chamber of Commerce (OCIACC) will develop a Small Business Growth and Resilience Hub called "Together for Advancement, Vitality, And Networking" (TAVAN) to drive economic revitalization in targeted Orange County disinvested census tracts. TAVAN will provide financial literacy training, business advisory services, and technical assistance on home-based green economy jobs, such as childcare workforce development and sustainable business practices. This funding will support curriculum development, stakeholder engagement, focus groups, site feasibility studies, and the design of a business support strategy.

Disinvested
Communities

Investments that benefit disinvested communities will be a priority for proposed projects. California Jobs First defines ‘disinvested communities’ as any of the following:

To see which Orange County census tracts that are defined as disinvested, utilize the map to access a full data portal with our ArcGIS Hub.

Application and Funding Timeline

As the regional convener, in partnership with the fiscal agent, we reserve the right to amend, modify, or update this information, including deadlines, requirements, or conditions, as necessary to ensure the successful implementation and administration of this initiative.

Proposer’s Webinar

Potential applicants can attend one of two optional proposers’ webinars regarding the Catalyst funding opportunity. One for projects classified as Job Creating and one for projects classified as Community Enhancing. Both will be held via Zoom.

The webinars will review the application and field questions. Attendance is not required. Please review the application materials before attending.

Join us for an informational webinar on the Regional Investment Initiative, where we will explore the work that laid the foundation for the Catalyst pre-development Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). This session will provide historical context on California Jobs First and the Regional Investment Initiative, highlighting the community outreach and collaboration efforts that shaped this process.

Please note: This webinar will not cover the NOFO itself but will focus on the key milestones and development journey leading up to this point. There are webinars scheduled for the two different project categories in the NOFO. The Job Creating Project category will be on February 19th from 11:30 am to 1 pm, and the Community Enhancing Project category will be on February 21st from 9 am to 10:30 am.

Question & Answer

Our team is diligently addressing inquiries throughout the Catalyst NOFO process. If you have questions about this NOFO, please email them to [email protected]. Answers to submitted questions will be updated weekly on this page while the application window remains open.

The Q&A document was last updated on March 7, 2025, and can be accessed here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Our team has prepared a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document to address core questions related to the NOFO process. Most of this information is already included in the application packet. We encourage you to use the FAQ as a valuable resource for answering common questions.

1. What’s the purpose of this funding?

The purpose of the funding is to support activities that advance projects to become implementation ready. We will not fund projects that are asking for implementation funding. Projects must be physically located in or significantly involve Orange County residents, significantly benefit disinvested communities, and align with industries and/or strategies outlined in Jobs First Regional Plan Part 2. Project will be separated into two categories: Job Creating and Community Enhancement, with more explanation on each category below.

2. What’s the timeline for the overall application and review process?

Include an estimate of the contracting period because many people think they get money the day after you announce the award.

3. Who is eligible to apply for Catalyst Pre-Development funding?

All entities are eligible for funding, with the exception of applying as an individual. The individual can be involved in an application, but the applicant must be a legally recognized entity.

4. What types of activities qualify for funding?

This grant funds pre-development activities, or activities that are needed before a project is ready for implementation. These are activities such as feasibility studies, market analysis, environmental assessments, site planning, and capacity building. A more robust explanation and list of eligible activities are available in the NOFO.

5. What activities are not eligible for funding?

Activities that are fully implementation-ready, activity costs that go beyond September 30, 2026, or those expanding fossil fuel production are ineligible.

6. What are the two different funding categories within Catalyst and how are applications in both categories being evaluated?

Applicants will be able to submit proposals as a Job Creating project or Community Enhancement Project.

Job Creating Projects will increase good paying jobs and/or business development and growth in the industries of tourism and outdoor recreation, medtech, high-tech hardware, semiconductors & microelectronics, advanced manufacturing, precision manufacturing, healthcare, childcare, education, and construction.

Community Enhancement Projects needs to address any topic(s) in the Regional Plan Part 2 and/or industries not mentioned in the Job Creating Projects section. Although far from exhaustive, these would be topics such as housing, healthcare access, green technologies, childcare and climate adaptation.

All projects must demonstrate that disinvested communities will benefit. Projects that demonstrate a positive impact on the environment are preferred.

Both project categories have the same criteria.

Project Impact (30 points)

Economic Equity/Equity (30 points)

Work Plan (20 points)

Organizational Qualifications (10 points)

Proposed Budget and Budget Narrative (10 points

7. What’s the relationship between a project and pre-development activities?

Pre-development activities are tasks that need to be done before a project can be implemented and have its intended impact. Therefore, an application will need to communicate what the project is and how it relates to this funding opportunity but also understand which pre-development activities will be needed to advance the project and how much they are estimated to cost.

8. What documentation is necessary to apply?

A complete application will have:

A Job Creating Project Application or Community Enhancement Project Application
Budget Narrative
Budget Template

9. Are matching funds required?

Matching funds are not required but are strongly encouraged, especially for Last Mile projects, to demonstrate long-term sustainability

10. What support is available for me to be able to submit the best application I can.

Between the release of the NOFO and the application deadline of April 14th, the following support is provided to you:

Mentors are available to provide up to five hours of guidance on proposal preparation. These mentors will not do the grant writing for you or advise on project design but support the development of a well written and compelling application. Email [email protected] to request mentorship.

A webinar that provides background on the Regional Investment Initiative to better understand what proceeded the release of this NOFO

One webinar will be held for applicants interested in the Job Creating Project category and one webinar will be held for applicants interested in the Community Enhancement project category. The webinars will provide an overview of the application process, address common questions, and help applicants determine whether their project aligns with funding priorities. Attendance is optional for these webinars, but highly recommended for those seeking clarification on eligibility and requirements.

Email questions to [email protected] with the subject line “NOFO Questions.”
Responses will be posted weekly on the CJF website.

“As the regional convener, in partnership with the fiscal agent, we reserve the right to amend, modify, or update this information, including deadlines, requirements, or conditions, as necessary to ensure the successful implementation and administration of this initiative.”

Activation Plan

An Activation Plan is a project management tool designed to effectively execute strategies. It prioritizes tactics from Regional Plan Part II, converting them into specific tasks with timelines, assigned responsibilities, and identified budgets. These plans ensure partner accountability and support distributed implementation by extending beyond project lists to include organizational capacity, daily activities, and program focus. The plans also guide state support by targeting assistance, fostering inter-regional connections around common sectors, and informing policy and budget decisions. For Orange County, the first regional plan will be focused on Tourism and Outdoor Recreation. Remaining plans are due by June 30, 2025. Details on tourism and outdoor recreation will be shared soon.

California Jobs First Economic Blueprint

The California Jobs First Economic Blueprint serves as a strategic guide for the state’s investments in critical industry sectors to foster sustainable economic growth, drive innovation, and expand access to good-paying jobs over the next decade. The comprehensive Economic Blueprint will be unveiled in the coming weeks, accompanied by a grant solicitation for a portion of the remaining $120 million in competitive funding over three years. These funds aim to support “ready-to-go” projects aligned with the state’s strategic sectors, ensuring that all regions of California contribute to the sustainable growth of the world’s fifth-largest economy.

Comprised of ten key industry sectors, this framework is designed to streamline the state’s economic, business, and workforce development programs to accelerate job creation. Across California’s thirteen economic regions, these sectors have been identified as key to driving the future of local economies.

To visit the statewide California Jobs First website, click here.

Glossary of Key Terms

The Glossary of Key Terms is a resource designed to provide clear and concise explanations of essential concepts related to the California Jobs First initiative. It serves as a guide to help interested individuals understand the terminology used in economic development strategies and initiatives

Collaborative Meetings:

The Collaborative will convene regularly to meet the objectives of the Regional Investment Initiative.

All meetings are open to the public.

Meetings have a translated closed caption function to support non-English speakers. Click Here to view the instructions on how to turn on this feature.

To provide public comments for the collaborative please email [email protected] or call 949.794.7245, and the comment will be shared with the collaborative as part of their agenda packet for the next scheduled meeting.

All public comments must be received by 12:00 p.m. Thursday, prior to the meeting.

Next Collaborative Meeting:
Date: May 30, 2025
Time: 9:00 a.m.

Click Here to Join Virtual Meeting

Orange County Jobs First Collaborative

To execute the Regional Investment Initiative, an inclusive regional planning group that consists of balanced and meaningful representation from regional stakeholders was formed.

Orange County’s Jobs First Collaborative consists of the following organizations:

CEO Leadership Alliance OC

Cox Business

Orange County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Orange County Business Council

OC Black Chamber of Commerce

Small Business Diversity Network

Southern California Gas Company

American Indian Chamber of Commerce of CA

Apolonio Cortes

Johnice Williams

Karen Sarabia

Kevin Phung

Maria Aguilar

Sarah Riggs

City of Garden Grove Economic Development Department

City of Santa Ana Economic Development Department

Cooperacion Santa Ana

Cielo

CSUF Center for Entrepreneurship

Octane

Sustain SoCal

California State University, Fullerton

Chapman University

Concordia University Irvine

Irvine Valley College

North Orange County Community College District

Orange County Department of Education

UMASS Global

University of California, Irvine

Citizens’ Climate Lobby

Climate Action Campaign

Coastal Corridor Alliance

Orange County Coastkeeper

Sunrise Movement Orange County

Community Action Partnership of Orange County

Family Assistance Ministries

Jamboree Housing

Latino Health Access

Orange County Asian and Pacific Islander Community Alliance (OCAPICA)

Orange County United Way

THRIVE Santa Ana

The Kennedy Commission

The Cambodian Family

First 5 Orange County

League of CA Cities: OC Division

Orange Workforce Association

Southern California Association of Governments

Boilermakers Local 92

International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District 947

International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 441

Iron Workers Local 416

Iron Workers Local 433

LA/OC Building and Construction Trades

OC Labor Federation

Plumbers & Steamfitters, Local 582

Sheet Metal Worker Local 105

UA Local Union 250

UNITE HERE Local 11

Charitable Ventures

Orange County Community Foundation

Orange County Grantmakers

Chrysalis

Goodwill Orange County

Hope Builders

Hospitality Training Academy

Orange County Conservation Corps

Vital Link

CEO Leadership Alliance OC

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Implementation Funding

Implementation funding for this initiative totals $150 million over three years, with approximately $50 million available annually for projects. This is a competitive process, with Orange County competing with 12 other regions across the state. The first round of funding applications is scheduled to open in early 2025. Projects must receive approval from the Orange County regional collaborative before the state can consider them for funding. The regional collaborative ensures projects align with local needs, strategies, and targeted industry clusters identified in Regional Plan Part II. The Orange County Business Council (OCBC) will prioritize projects that focus on these clusters and attract new investment dollars to specific initiatives. After the state releases its solicitation for projects, the Orange County collaborative may provide additional regional guidance and widely share information to encourage project submissions. While the state ultimately awards the funds, the regional collaborative plays a vital role in ensuring projects address regional and local priorities, aligning with Regional Plan Part II.

Request for Proposal (RFP) to be released soon

Regional Plan
Part 1

The first part of the regional plan presents the region’s stakeholders, assesses the factors affecting the region’s economic, environmental, and health conditions, and conducts detailed economic and workforce analyses. The intention is to ensure that the plans take a full account of the factors shaping economic development in the region before developing strategies for recovery and transition.

The Regional Plan Part 1 can be found here.

For the Spanish version of the draft Regional Plan for Part 1, click here.

View executive summary

In English

In Spanish

In Vietnamese

View research highlights

In English

In Spanish

In Vietnamese

Regional Plan
Part 2

The second part of the regional plan presents strategies for the region to grow a more equitable, resilient, and environmentally sustainable economy based on the findings in the Regional Plan Part I and input from the community. The report includes strategies to grow priority sectors, strategies for greater economic mobility, and regional and community development strategies beyond economic development but are still critical to building resilient communities.

The Regional Plan Part 2 can be found here.

The Spanish version of the Regional Plan Part 2 can be found here.

For a Recap of Regional Plan Part 1 and Regional Plan Part 2, please view the September 2024 California Jobs First: Orange County Regional Investment Initiative Forum presentation deck here.

This comprehensive resource provides an overview of our 18-month effort, including key research findings, strategic priorities, and community-driven approaches to foster equitable, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth in Orange County. It also highlights the collaboration among stakeholders and outlines actionable pathways for implementation.

Outreach and
Engagement

From July through September 2023, Outreach & Engagement (O&E) grantees sought input and feedback from residents, businesses, and other stakeholders, with a focus on disinvested community members in Orange County. This feedback — on assets and barriers in the region, as well as how the California Jobs First process can best impact the region — has been provided to the Orange County Jobs First Collaborative as a primary source of information to develop strategies and projects that meet the communities’ needs.

To view a presentation of the survey findings, click on this video recording here.