UPLIFT CENTRAL COAST
About Uplift
Central Coast
Launched in 2020 and co-led by Monterey Bay Economic Partnership (MBEP), REACH, and the Economic Development Collaborative (EDC), Uplift Central Coast is a collaborative effort to build a more inclusive, resilient, and prosperous economy across six counties: Santa Cruz, San Benito, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura.
What does Uplift Central Coast do?
Uplift helps determine how best to invest California Jobs First funding to create the greatest impact for Central Coast residents. Through collaborative planning and inclusive engagement, we’re building a long-term roadmap to allocate resources where they matter most.
How do we do it?
By working hand-in-hand with local stakeholders — especially those traditionally left out of economic decision-making — and drawing on deep expertise in workforce development, job training, housing, enterprise, financial services, and beyond, Uplift ensures the process is locally led, equitable, and strategic.
Why do we do it?
The Central Coast is rich in talent, creativity, and opportunity. By investing in the people who live here and unlocking their potential, we can help the region not just survive economic uncertainty — but thrive, building generational wealth and long-term prosperity.Uplift is grounded in the belief that the people closest to a community’s challenges are also the ones closest to its solutions.
Get Involved
If you would like to stay engaged, track progress, or participate with this coalition, join us!
Read and download a one-page backgrounder about the Community Economic Resilience Fund (CERF).
Share your comments, ideas, and suggestions with us by filling out this brief form.
Catalyst Predevelopment Phase
What is the Catalyst
Predevelopment Phase?
The Catalyst Predevelopment Phase is a part of the California Jobs First program aimed at seeding investment into regional strategies and projects that drive innovation, growth, and community impact. Uplift has awarded $9 million for sector-specific predevelopment activities to 36 entities that support strategic projects and initiatives in the Central Coast region, in alignment with strategies set forth in the Regional Plan Part II.
After developing a detailed analysis of the six-county Central Coast region and specific strategies to uplift our region’s residents. Uplift is now embarking on the next phase of work – the Catalyst Predevelopment Phase – to move these strategies into action and impact. We invite you to join this collective movement for economic prosperity. We are eager for your collaboration, project ideas, and partnership as we seek solutions at the intersection of innovation, growth, and community impact.
Catalyst Predevelopment Collaboration
Thank you to everyone who submitted a Letter of Intent (LOI) to apply for funding from the Catalyst Predevelopment Grant. Check out this spreadsheet with a list of everyone who submitted an LOI—a great resource for exploring potential partnerships and collaboration. Thank you once again for your participation and commitment to advancing our shared vision of an equitable, sustainable economy for the Central Coast.
What’s Next?
The Catalyst Predevelopment Phase is a crucial step in transforming Uplift’s regional strategies into actionable projects. Uplift’s goal is to see all funds successfully invested by the summer of 2026. We look forward to working alongside grantees every step of the way, fostering collaboration, supporting implementation, and celebrating milestones as the vision for a brighter future becomes reality.
Funding Recipients
- Action Council of Monterey County, Inc. – Community-Driven Planning for a Healthy Equity Community Resilience Hub Project
- Allan Hancock College – High Tech Hubs: Diversifying Careers Through Education
- Blue Sky Sustainable Living Center – Resilient Cuyama
- Cabrillo Community College District – New Child Care Center for Student Parents
- Cal Poly Partners – Paso Robles Spaceport Training and Research Center
- Central Coast Alliance United for a Sustainable Economy (CAUSE) – Project MILPA
- First 5 San Luis Obispo County – Uplift Regionwide Child Care Coalition
- Community Memorial Healthcare – Enhancing Healthcare Workforce Opportunities in Ventura County
- County of San Benito – Workforce Upskill-ing
- County of Ventura – Advanced Air Mobility Innovation Hub
- Esperanza Community Farms – Rebuilding an equitable food chain on the Central Coast
- Esselen Tribe of Monterey County – ETMC Tribal Capacity Building and Organizational Development
- Gateway Educational Services – Education and Training for Black/African American Youth in Lompoc for higher education and high quality jobs
- Hartnell Community College District – Roots of Resilience: Empowering Communities Through AgTech Innovation
- Monterey Bay DART – Advancing Central Coast AAM Ecosystem: Jobs and Infrastructure
- Mujeres en Acción – Building a Workforce Development Intermediary with Strategic Partners and the Workers of the Pajaro and Salinas Valleys to Ensure Access to High-Road Jobs in Precision Manufacturing, Advanced Business Services and Healthcare
- Oxnard Performing Arts Center – Downtown Center for the Arts: Making Oxnard the Center for Equitable Creative Development
- Rancho Cielo – Vocational Training and Certification Expansion for Economic Mobility
- San Benito County Arts Council – Building the Pipeline of Visual and Performing Arts Teachers in the Tri-County Region
- San Luis Coastal Education Foundation – K12 Regional Skills Lab
- Cuesta College – Advancing Manufacturing Technician Training on the Central Coast: Acceleration Project to Develop a Collaborative Site for Aviation Maintenance and Aerospace Training in San Luis Obispo County
- Santa Barbara County Food Action Network – Building An Inclusive and Prosperous Central Coast Regional Food System
- Santa Barbara Foundation – Central Coast Childcare Workforce Expansion Project (CCWEP)
- Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce – Precision Manufacturing Career Pathways for All
- Santa Cruz Mountains Trail Stewardship – Stewardship Corps: a low-income youth economic and career development pilot
- Students for Eco-Education & Agriculture – STEM Career Pathways in Agriculture Initiative
- Studio Channel Islands Art Center – Land + Sky Incubator
- The Foundation for Santa Barbara City College – The Ocean Collective: A Consortium to Develop a Diverse and Climate-Resilient Blue Economy for the Central Coast
- The Regents of the University of California – Open Access Advanced Semiconductor Prototype Facility
- The Regents of the University of California, Santa Barbara – Future Makers Central Coast
- United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry Local 403 – Expanded Apprenticeship Facilities and Opportunities
- University of California, Santa Cruz – Drones Uplifting the Central Coast
- Ventures – Futuro
- Vision y Compromiso – The Promotores Institute: Inspiring Individual and Community Transformation
- VTC Enterprises – Full Employment
- Women’s Economic Ventures – EmpowerPath: Economic Mobility for Single Parents
