Unified Valley puts region in line for stimulus money
Community leaders throughout the San Joaquin Valley in March launched a large-scale effort to capitalize on the $787 billion federal stimulus package. Regional leaders want to make sure the Valley is at the top of the list for the estimated $44 billion in state projects ready to start construction.
As directed by the California Business, Transportation & Housing Agency (BTH), the California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley (Partnership) brought together regional key stakeholders to collaborate on a cohesive San Joaquin Valley Regional Economic Recovery Work Plan (Draft Plan). This group of leaders represents economic development, air quality, workforce development, transportation, clean energy, housing, water resources, among others, to set the framework for a regional list of projects that can be funded through the economic stimulus bill.
Cities, counties and economic development agencies historically have inventoried these types of projects individually; however, a regional strategic plan is desired. Participation in submitting projects through the Draft Plan is voluntary, and the BTH guidelines detail a variety of benefits by using this vehicle, including “bonus points” for certain Prop 1C housing bonds and receiving state assistance with targeted outreach on new tax incentives.
On April 30, Partnership staff met with BTH Secretary Dale Bonner and his staff as well as staff from other state agencies including Department of Food and Agriculture, Infrastructure Bank, General Services, Labor & Workforce, Housing & Community Development, and California Environmental Protection Agency. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the Valley’s Draft Plan.
During the meeting, Partnership staff learned that the Valley region was one of only three regions to submit the Draft Plan on time and that it was more comprehensive than BTH had expected. We received 2,412 project submittals totaling over $9 billion in funding requests.
The Partnership also will be sending funding notifications to all those who participated in this effort.
The Partnership has been tasked with submitting a Final Regional Economic Recovery Work Plan (Final Plan). Even though Secretary Bonner gave high praise for the participation and collaboration the Valley showed in its Draft Plan, the number of projects made it difficult for him and his staff to identify specific projects that can be used to advocate for future stimulus funding. Therefore, in addition to the project list in the Draft Plan, he has asked that projects be highlighted in the Final Plan which meet the following criteria:
- Projects that have support from multiple organizations and agencies.
- Projects that are regional or multijurisdictional (affect more than one city and/or county).
- Projects that cross over several categories, such as: water, energy, transportation, infrastructure.
- Public/Private Projects – projects that leverage additional dollars other than public. BTH is looking to attract investor interest.
Secretary Bonner also has asked that a discussion be included on projects that could take advantage of the $8 billion appropriated for high-speed rail—related construction, and suggestions for streamlining the environmental permitting process.
Facilitating the first regional development plan for the Valley has been an exciting challenge, and numerous benefits have resulted through this process:
- Needs Assessment. The Valley now has a needs assessment. It is not possible, of course, for every project to be funded. However, the Valley now has advocates for future funding.
- Communications. The Partnership will be broadcasting funding opportunities through emails to everyone who submitted projects as well as notices of training or funding events as it becomes aware.
- Connectivity. While the Draft Plan was prepared on behalf of BTH, the Final Plan will be shared with other state and federal agencies.
- Collaboration. To get the Valley’s fair share of funding, it is imperative to speak with one voice. This process showed that Valley cities, counties and agencies collaborate and are working together through the Partnership. Other regional work plans did not have this collaboration. The Valley’s Draft Plan left a positive mark with the state due in large part to the collaboration and participation of Valley agencies involved.
It is important to emphasize that projects included in the Draft Plan submitted to BTH are not considered “grant applications.” Requested by BTH, it is merely a wish list of projects for which the Valley already is or may be seeking stimulus bill funding. Submitting the Draft Plan does not mean a guarantee of funding. The stimulus bill application process will be much more involved and transparent than the process just completed the Partnership.
Because the Draft Plan is not the only avenue to available funding, all Valley participants are encouraged to apply for funding that matches or meets specific needs. Following are some Web sites to refer to for grant opportunities:
The Partnership with the help of Valley agencies is now putting together the Final Plan for submittal by June 1 to California’s Business, Transportation and Housing Agency.
For the final Draft Plan, go to News & Updates: San Joaquin Valley Regional Economic Recovery Plan Final Draft Plan.
Partnership, California Forward co-host forum:
‘Fiscal Reform for the Future We Want’
The recent prolonged decision by state legislators to agree on a budget demonstrated once again the structural challenges California faces in sound fiscal planning and wise management of taxpayer resources. The San Joaquin Valley has the opportunity to weigh in on ideas for its future and how to move past chronic fiscal problems to attain that future. California Forward, a statewide nonpartisan organization dedicated to transforming state government through citizen-driven solutions, has been asked to testify to the Commission on the 21st Century Economy.
On May 19, at the Veteran’s Memorial Building in Clovis, the Partnership and California Forward will co-host the community forum “Fiscal Reform for the Future We Want.” This forum will be the opportunity for anyone who lives in the Valley to discuss what a responsible revenue system and budgeting process for California should look like.
On Jan. 28, 2009, the Partnership and California Forward invited regional civic leaders to discuss: California Forward’s bipartisan reform agenda; the latest trends in the state’s current revenue system and reform options under consideration; and how regional collaboration strategies can contribute to the overall reform effort for more effective governance and improved public outcomes.
The January forum was the public launch of “Paying Forward: Responsible Revenue Reform,” a project dedicated to increasing civic literacy and expanding the range of Californians engaged in structural revenue reform. A key focal point of the Fresno discuss was how local governments could have more local control over the revenues they collect—as well as more options for collecting revenue.
For more information about the May 19 forum, visit www.caforward.org. For registration information, please contact Dennis Quirin, dquirin@caforward.org. For press inquiries, please contact Ryan Rauzon at 916.599.2911.
CEC seeking public feedback on stimulus programs
On Wednesday, May 6, stakeholders from throughout the San Joaquin Valley gathered at the UCSF Fresno Center for Medical Education and Research, or via webinar, for a California Energy Commission (CEC) workshop on two economic stimulus programs in which the state has been allocated $275.6 million to expend: the State Energy Program and the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program.
Currently, CEC is seeking public feedback on program concepts and will soon be seeking additional feedback on guidelines developed. This workshop was only one of three held throughout the state. You can access meeting materials at:
www.energy.ca.gov/recovery/meetings.
For additional information about the programs, visit www.energy.ca.gov/recovery.
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