Due to geographic barriers and smaller populations, rural counties often lack the resources of larger more urban jurisdictions when it comes to advancement of economic development for their communities. From infrastructure investment to workforce development and beyond, RCRC’s economic development team diligently works to identify opportunities and pursue funding for rural counties in California.
Jail Medical Care Feasibility Study
RCRC’s affiliate Golden State Finance Authority (GSFA), has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to conduct a feasibility study on long-term alternatives for jail medical care across one or more of five identified regions within California.
GRANT INITIATIVES
Many rural communities need funding support to implement basic community infrastructure projects, such as roads, water, bridges, sewer, etc. It is the intention of RCRC to ensure that our member counties are informed of and have access to federal and state funding resources. To this end, RCRC provides direct technical and grant writing assistance to our member counties through the Rural Grant Assistance Program (RGAP) and additional support to our smallest member counties through the Small County Initiative.
Tribal Collaboration
RCRC is actively engaging with tribal nations to explore opportunities for partnership in an overall effort to strengthen coordination and advance projects of mutual benefit.
Workforce Development
RCRC aims to assist our rural member counties in increasing workforce development and educational access. Current efforts are focused on exploring partnership and grant opportunities regarding specific workforce development and workforce training initiatives with education providers, particularly in rural counties currently lacking a community college.
Resources
- University of California, San Francisco Study: “The Healthcare Workforce Landscape in County Medical Services Program (CMSP) & Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC) Counties”
- Rural College Access Program: PowerPoint Presentation
- High Road -Training Partnership’s Resilient Workforce Program (RWP): RCRC recently applied to this program on behalf of five member counties without community college districts.
Zero-Emission Vehicle Infrastructure
With the rapid technological advancement of zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) and subsequent state directives towards ZEV transition, rural communities are in need of sufficient infrastructure (i.e. charging stations) to support the expected demand. RCRC is assisting rural member counties with identifying funding and/or partners for development of ZEV Readiness Plans and ZEV infrastructure deployment.
Resources
- California Rural ZEV Charging Infrastructure Assessment and Strategy: PowerPoint Presentation
- Dashboard of Charger Development in California Electric Vehicle Chargers in California
- Dashboard of New ZEV Sales in California New ZEV Sales in California
- ZEV Market Information
- Coming soon in 2025: CaleVIP incentive program for ZEV Charger Development
- CalTrans Sustainable Planning Grant Program