Breadcrumb
Redwood Region RISE Sustainability Update
A Note from the Convening Team
As California Jobs First funding approaches its original sunset date in September 2026, the Redwood Region RISE (RRRISE) Convening Team — the California Center for Rural Policy (CCRP) at Cal Poly Humboldt and North Edge — wants to share what partners can expect in the months ahead. We remain deeply committed to the relationships and regional infrastructure the RRRISE Collaborative has built over the past three years, and the work outlined below reflects that commitment:
Support project implementation:
Continuing to support the RRRISE portfolio projects as they carry out their work plans, removing barriers for workers and creating pathways into good-paying careers in key regional sectors.
Staying connected:
Quarterly Collaborative Zoom meetings and regular communications via newsletters, the RRRISE website, and Projects Map — plus an In-Person Convening in August 2026 to celebrate, connect, and look ahead.
Telling our regional story:
Policy briefs; impact stories; and other materials to help regional collaborators, funders, elected officials, and resource partners understand the region's assets, early impacts, and investment readiness; and ensuring all materials and resources are accessible for years to come.
Support the evolution of Redwood Region RISE:
A durable, hub-and-spoke regional body rooted in equitable Tribal and county representation, with local and regional partners leading sector strategy, coordination, and implementation from the ground up. The RRRISE Sustainability Working Group has been deep in this process, conducting interviews, listening sessions, and a regional survey. You can read their report here.
One example of this is already taking shape: North Edge Financing and Regional Government Services are launching a Regional Project Finance Council (RPFC) — a capital readiness advisory council that will provide project sponsors across the region with expert guidance on financing structure and capital readiness, built to outlast any single grant cycle. The RPFC builds directly on the groundwork laid by the Economic Development Finance Working Group (EDF WG), carrying forward its framework and momentum into a lasting regional structure.
Finally, we will be advancing adoption of our 10-year Regional Roadmap and preparing the region to respond to future funding opportunities as a unified voice.
Redwood Region RISE Partners are encouraged to reflect on where their organization adds the most value, and how they want to show up in the next chapter.