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The North State Planning and Development Collective ("the Collective") is comprised of the Center for Economic Development and Geographical Information Center at California State University, Chico, and serves as manager of
the Northeastern and Upstate California Connect Broadband Consortia
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From The Executive Director
Jason Schwenkler
Greetings,
Welcome to the Summer edition of the The Collective Voice, your quarterly update from the North State Planning and Development Collective at Chico State. The Fall semester here is underway, and we’re excited to continue providing opportunities for student success as we partner across the region on collaborative projects that enhance the economic vitality of the North State.
As we move into the coming months, we will continue to support our students, colleagues and friends affected by the Park Fire, including the Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve (BCCER). The BCCER has been a critical part of the education and research landscape at Chico State for the last 25 years. Sadly, a majority of the reserve’s 7,835 acres were burned in the fire, causing varying degrees of damage to the land, headquarters and more. A crowdfunding campaign has been started to assist BCCER with costs associated with rapidly restoring basic infrastructure in order to carry out its time sensitive wildlife, watershed, and land stewardship functions. To help this important effort, please click here to make your donation.
On September 4, 2024, we will be co-hosting the next High Road Transition Collaborative (HRTC) meeting of the CA Jobs First Initiative in the North State Region along with our co-conveners, Sierra Institute for Community and Environment. The event takes place in person at the Gaia Hotel in Anderson, California and online. We invite the region to join us for a working session to provide input on the Regional Strategic Plan. You’ll find more information, including a link to register, later in this edition.
In last week’s Fall Convocation, University President Steve Perez shared a message of unity. We look forward to carrying that message throughout the region, and continuing to work with each of you to ensure a thriving North State. Read on for just some of the ways we’re engaged, including tribal relations, digital literacy education, disaster recovery, GIS solutions and more.
Take Care,
Jason
Jason Schwenkler Executive Director North State Planning and Development Collective, Chico State Enterprises jschwenkler@csuchico.edu
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ONLINE RESILIENCY PLAYBOOK FOR SMALL, RURAL BUSINESSES NOW AVAILABLE!
The Collective team has completed development of an online business resiliency playbook under USDA’s Rural Business Development Grant program. The Playbook provides small, rural businesses with a strategy to pivot their business practices to successfully navigate natural disasters. The digital toolkit includes website and ecommerce guides, social media engagement tools, and online marketing resources. To access the toolkit online, click here. For additional information, contact Project Manager Melissa Kovacs at mkkovacs@csuchico.edu.
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CA JOBS FIRST TO HOLD NEXT NORTH STATE PUBLIC HRTC MEETING
SEPTEMBER 4, 2024
The North State California Jobs First Convening team is pleased to announce the next High Road Transition Collaborative (HRTC) meeting. Join us Wednesday, September 4, 2024 at the Gaia Hotel in Anderson, California and online from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. This meeting is open to the North State public, along with members of the North State Jobs First Collaborative. Please keep in mind this is a working meeting that will focus on development of the North State Regional Strategic Plan and will include small group sessions surrounding strategic initiatives to inform the plan. To register, please click here.
To learn more, please email Courtney Farrell (cafarrell@csuchico.edu) or Zoe Watson (zwatson@sierrainstitute.us) for additional information. To learn more about the North State Region, including data reports for North State counties, click here.
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TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR BUSINESS AVAILABLE THROUGH THE COLLECTIVE'S GRANT-FUNDED PROGRAMS
Eligible businesses can take advantage of a variety of technical assistance programs offered through the Center for Economic Development. Services include website development and optimization, customer demographic reports, customer spending reports, funding and market research, social media campaigns and more.
Technical Assistance is provided through a variety of partnering agencies, including the Economic Development Administration and USDA Rural Business Development Grant. Email Heather McCafferty or call (530) 898-3864 to learn more about how we can assist. Check out the example below to learn about how we're helping regional organizations.
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MECHOOPDA'S EQUESTRIAN PARK WEBSITE UPDATED THROUGH THE COLLECTIVE'S TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
The Mechoopda Tribe's Equestrian Park, Camelot, has a new online presence, thanks in part to technical assistance through the Collective. Camelot's manager, John Vigil, is pictured (left) with the Collective's Research Assistants Sara Camody and Janae Bartolome (far right). The three worked in conjunction with the Collective's Tribal Engagement Specialist Cole Morales to get Camelot's website updated with a fresh, new look. Check out the new site by clicking here.
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ECONOMIC FORECAST CONFERENCE CELEBRATES 25 YEAR ANNIVERSARY ON JANUARY 9, 2025! JOIN US!
Save the date for the Collective's 25th Annual Economic Forecast Conference, planned for Thursday, January 9, 2025 on the Chico State campus and online. Tickets will be available beginning mid-September. Sponsorships available now! Contact Alice Patterson at ampatterson@csuchico.edu to request a sponsor packet or additional information.
Event Presented by Tri Counties Bank.
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CELEBRATE MANUFACTURERS DURING NATIONAL MANUFACTURING MONTH THIS OCTOBER!
To further expand on National Manufacturing Day, our partners at CMTC have created Manufacturing Month CA to encompass the wide range of manufacturing activities throughout the month of October. The month includes National Manufacturing Day, an annual event that occurs on the first Friday of every October--an occasion during which manufacturers open their doors, showcase the potential of modern manufacturing, and foster interest in manufacturing careers. Manufacturing Day 2024 will officially be observed on Friday, October 4th. Watch for more information on North State manufacturing events happening in conjunction with MFG Month, coming your way soon.
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AG AND FOOD PRODUCERS OFFERED ASSISTANCE THROUGH THE SW REGIONAL FOOD BUSINESS CENTER
North State partners including The Collective, 3CORE, Inc., North State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Morrison, Lost Sierra Food Project and the Glenn County RCD represent the North State Subregion of the SW Regional Food Business Center, and are ready to help small and mid-sized food and farm businesses.
The Center supports small and mid-sized food and farm businesses including producers, processors, distributors, and other related businesses within the food supply chain. The support includes business technical assistance such as website development, grant writing, business plan development, loan and finance advising, and more. If you are a small to medium-sized farm or food producer, click here to get connected with regional and statewide resources.
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New Broadband Call Center and Digital Literacy Classes Launched in the North State
The Collective has partnered with Human-I-T to create a call center to field broadband questions and assist in households signing up for affordable broadband plans. Representatives walk callers through the process of signing up for an internet plan. Call or text: 888-391-7249 (this is a North State-specific line and will let you speak to a live representative).
Access Points: Digital Literacy Classes
Are you looking for digital literacy classes for your community or organization? The Collective is partnering with NoRTEC to deliver customizable digital literacy classes to rural communities in Northern California. Priority will be given to underserved communities, including English language learners and justice-involved individuals. If you are a provider interested in offering a digital literacy class to your clients, click here to complete the interest form.
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