Breadcrumb
RRRISE Projects
Investment in Regional Economic Development: California Jobs First and RRRISE-Funded Projects
Economic development only works well when it reaches the people and places that need it most. Since 2023, Redwood Region RISE has been translating vision into action — channeling investments into projects that build resilience, expand opportunity, and reflect the priorities of communities across the region. From Tribal-led energy initiatives to homegrown health workforce programs, from cultural placemaking to sustainable forestry, these investments are laying the foundation for a regenerative economy that is inclusive by design — and built to last.
Since 2023, the following investments have been made into implementing our Regional Roadmap:
Pilot Project
To test whether regionally-rooted, high-road economic development projects could succeed, the state launched the Community Economic Resilience Fund (CERF) Pilot (2022–2023), awarding $39 million across eight projects statewide. The Redwood Region was among those early recipients, securing $3.2 million for the Noyo Harbor Revitalization Project.
Catalyst Pre-Development Funds
Getting projects to the point where they can attract investment and move forward takes time and early resources — something rural regions often have less access to. In recognition of this, California Jobs First provided each region in the state with $9 million dollars to prepare projects that are aligned with Regional Roadmaps to proceed to implementation. The RRRISE Catalyst Project portfolio provides early-stage investment into every county, every sector, and directs 20% ($1.8 million) to Tribal-led initiatives. The portfolio channels over 70% of funding to projects led by priority and disinvested communities.
Private Philanthropic Funding
In December 2025, RRRISE awarded an additional $2.5 million in private philanthropic funding to six new projects focused on Just Transition and economic mobility. Led by communities facing barriers to workforce participation, these initiatives deepen the region's investment across housing, workforce development, and working lands and blue economy sectors — and signal growing external confidence in the region's ability to deliver results.
California Jobs First Tribal and Implementation Funding
California Jobs First administered a Tribal Investment RFP — $15 million in competitive grants to support economic development, job creation, and climate resilience in Tribal communities, open to California Native American Tribes, Tribal consortia, and Tribal-led nonprofits. Individual awards were capped at $1M ($2M for coalitions). Both rounds have since been awarded, with the State — not Redwood Region RISE — overseeing the selection process.
Alongside this, California Jobs First directly administers $135 million in Implementation Funding for ready-to-go projects aligned with regional Jobs First Strategies. Round 1 closed with $80 million awarded to support eleven projects across California, and Round 2 opened October 2025 with the remaining $55 million anticipated to be awarded by Summer 2026.
Meet our RRRISE Projects
The following initiatives demonstrate Redwood Region RISE's commitment to building a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable economy throughout our region. These transformative projects span five key themes: Culture and Placemaking; Food, Fiber, and Farm; "Grow Your Own" Health Workforce; Sustainable Forestry; and Tribal Energy Sovereignty.
Culture and Placemaking
Strengthening regional identity and creating vibrant gathering spaces through culture-centered development. Our Culture and Placemaking projects celebrate traditional knowledge, establish a multi-purpose performing arts center that celebrates diverse heritage, and provide community-rooted legal and economic support for immigrant, Indigenous, and agricultural communities – fostering social connection and economic opportunity.
Food, Fiber, and Farm
These initiatives seek to transform the Redwood Region's food, fiber, and farm systems by building critical processing infrastructure, expanding market access, and strengthening local value chains. These collaborative projects aim to close processing gaps, capture value addition, create community food hubs and innovative products, integrate Indigenous food sovereignty practices, and advance land-based workforce training for justice-impacted individuals — building regional self-sufficiency and economic resilience.
"Grow Your Own" Health Workforce
Addressing Lake County's healthcare workforce shortage, the HEART Hub trains thousands of students and adults through career pipelines from elementary education to professional certifications like CNA, Medical Assistant, and EMT. Through the SPARK Program, up to 6,000 students annually gain hands-on exposure to healthcare careers, while community outreach builds health literacy across the region. This cradle-to-career approach develops local talent and strengthens wellness equity throughout Lake County.
Sustainable Forestry
Sustainable forestry initiatives will develop value-added products using local natural resources to support housing, construction, and more. These efforts will train hundreds in forest management and heavy equipment careers, support the removal of legacy logging roads to restore ecosystem health, establish new manufacturing infrastructure, advance low-carbon construction using emerging materials like hempcrete, and create climate-friendly products while building community resilience.
Tribal Energy Sovereignty
Advancing Tribal energy independence, initiatives in this theme will train Tribal members in renewable energy trades while establishing community-controlled clean energy infrastructure — including a Tribally owned enterprise replicating proven microgrid systems across Tribal and rural communities. These projects will reduce energy costs, create thriving-wage technical jobs, and strengthen sovereignty through approaches that combine workforce development with cultural preservation and environmental sustainability.
Find a Specific RRRISE Project
Browse projects by theme and click any title to learn more.
Projects Map
Explore economic development initiatives across the Redwood Region — from renewable energy installations to cultural tourism ventures. Our [Projects Map] showcases both active projects and those seeking investment. Use the layer toggles to focus on specific sectors, or combine them to discover cross-sector opportunities.
Whether your project is just an idea or ready for implementation, adding it to the map helps strengthen our region's interconnectedness, collective impact, and competitiveness — connecting you with potential funders and partners, aligning your work with complementary regional initiatives, increasing your visibility, and strengthening our region's funding applications.
