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 English Spanish Vietnamese 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 StepsMaria 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 CaliforniaApolonio CortesBoilermakers Local 92California State University, FullertonCEO Leadership Alliance Orange CountyChapman UniversityCharitable VenturesChrysalisCieloCitizens Climate LobbyCity of Garden GroveCity of Santa AnaClimate Action CampaignCoastal Corridor AllianceCommunity Action Partnership of Orange CountyConcordia University IrvineCooperacion Santa AnaCox BusinessCSUF Center for EntrepreneurshipDesiree Martinez (Gabrielino Tongva Community)Donia KayaliFamily Assistance MinistriesFirst 5 Orange CountyGoodwill of Orange CountyGreater Irvine Chamber of CommerceHope BuildersHospitality Training AcademyInternational Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District 947International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 441Iron Workers Local 416Iron Workers Local 433Irvine Valley CollegeJohnice WilliamsKaren SarabiaKevin Phung LA/OC Building and Construction TradesLatino Health AccessLeague of California Cities, Orange County DivisionMaria AguilarNorth Orange County Community College DistrictOCAPICAOCCORDOctaneOrange County Black Chamber of CommerceOrange County Business Council (OCBC)Orange County CoastkeeperOrange County Conservation CorpsOrange County Community FoundationOrange County Department of EducationOrange County GrantmakersOrange County Hispanic Chamber of CommerceOrange County Labor FederationOrange County United WayOrange Workforce AlliancePayomkawichum Kaamalam (Acjachemen)Plumbers & Steamfitters, Local 582Sarah RiggsSouthern California Association of GovernmentsSheet Metal Workers Local 105SoCal GasSokollin TesSunrise Movement Orange CountySustain SoCalThe Cambodian Family Community CenterThe Kennedy CommissionTHRIVE Santa AnaUnited Association Local 250UMass GlobalUNITE HERE Local 11University of California, IrvineVital Link Learn more at ocbc.org/initiatives/cjf 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 CatalizadoresMaria Linares, Mánager de Iniciativas Empresariales, OCBC 6:55 p.m. Comentarios FinalesMaria 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 CaliforniaApolonio CortesBoilermakers Local 92California State University, FullertonCEO Leadership Alliance Orange CountyChapman UniversityCharitable VenturesChrysalisCieloCitizens Climate LobbyCity of Garden GroveCity of Santa AnaClimate Action CampaignCoastal Corridor AllianceCommunity Action Partnership of Orange CountyConcordia University IrvineCooperacion Santa AnaCox BusinessCSUF Center for EntrepreneurshipDesiree Martinez (Gabrielino Tongva Community)Donia KayaliFamily Assistance MinistriesFirst 5 Orange CountyGoodwill of Orange CountyGreater Irvine Chamber of CommerceHope BuildersHospitality Training AcademyInternational Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District 947International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 441Iron Workers Local 416Iron Workers Local 433Irvine Valley CollegeJohnice WilliamsKaren SarabiaKevin Phung LA/OC Building and…