California’s Community Economic Resilience Fund — CERF for short — is a $600 million program created to catalyze planning and action to realize an equitable and sustainable economy across the state’s diverse regions and develop industries that create high-quality, broadly accessible jobs for all Californians.Our six-county region has been identified as one of 13 regions eligible for a $5 million planning grant, with potential to compete for a larger implementation investment. The planning grants are intended to create an inclusive economic development process with a focus on equity, sustainability, job quality, economic competitiveness and resilience. Learn more about CERF

Led by REACH, MBEP and EDC, the Uplift partnership is assembling a collaborative regional coalition that reflects the diversity of the Central Coast to work together to build a more inclusive economy.Our organizations are working eagerly to broaden the tent to maximize this opportunity for our region.Our table of tables includes:

• Community-based Organizations
  Represent triple bottom line interests
  Advance equity, environmental and social justice
• Education & Workforce Development
  Full continuum of preschool through higher education
  Workforce Development Boards as key funders and enablers of career pathways and training ecosystems
• Employees/Labor
  Represent broad spectrum of workers and demographics
  Advocate for labor rights and inclusive opportunity
• Government
  Sets policy and provides funding
  Delivers services
  Protects residents
• Investors/Funders
  Provide capital, investment
  Participate in risk/reward transfer for new ideas
• Private Sector/Employers
  Hire/retain and grow talent
  Operationalize innovation and employment
  Provide goods and services

REACH is serving as the regional convener, facilitating meetings and organizing an inclusive group of stakeholders. EDC is serving as the fiscal agent, responsible for grant management.

(Note: this represents a framework of the Central Coast ecosystem — dubbed a High Road Transition Collaborative by the state — and is not meant to be exhaustive of the entire current or future ecosystem.)

July 25, 2022 | Deadline for Uplift to submit planning grant application
Leading up to the due date, Uplift will be working to mobilize a diverse Central Coast ecosystem of stakeholders, develop a vision and goals, and craft an inclusive outreach and engagement plan and process.

October-2024 | Phase 1: Planning
If awarded a grant, Uplift would enter the 18-24 month planning phase. This involves: building out Central Coast ecosystem to include additional voices and perspectives; implementing an inclusive outreach and engagement plan; and developing a regional plan with collaborative partnerships.

Beyond | Phase 2: Programs and Projects
Going forward, Uplift will work to advance and implement projects and programs resulting from the inclusive regional planning efforts. The state has set aside $500 million, though the planning phase is also intended as a catalyst to compete for a range of other federal, philanthropic and state funding.

Many regions have what’s called a CEDS: a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy. REACH is in the process of developing a CEDS for San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties, with REACH 2030 designated as the region’s temporary CEDS. In short: Similar names, different programs. Here’s a chart to help keep them straight. Learn more about the CEDS project