CCABC Broadband Infrastructure Webinar (November 2024)
Valley Vision, as manager of the Connected Capital Area Broadband Consortium (CCABC), hosted a broadband infrastructure deployment webinar on November 14th, 2024. With historic new levels of broadband infrastructure investment flowing into the region, the webinar provided news and updates on state and federal broadband grant funding programs, shared new tools to accelerate broadband infrastructure deployment, and offered the opportunity to interact and ask questions among presenters and participants. The webinar featured speakers from the California Public Utilities Commission, Southern California Association of Governments, City of Sacramento, AT&T, unWired, and Zayo.
Drive Change Public Workshop (October 23rd, 2024)
At the public workshop on Wednesday, October 23rd, 2024 at the Oak Park Community Center, Valley Vision partnered with the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to provide Sacramento County residents the opportunity to help develop regulations to reduce air pollution from gasoline cars and light trucks, and enhance the process of purchasing and driving a zero-emission vehicle. Residents also had the opportunity to learn more about local efforts to improve access to clean mobility and air quality.
Thank you to the California Air Resources Board for making this event possible, and thank you to the organizations and agencies who provided resources to community members. Last but not least, thank you to the community members who provided valuable input to help inform changes to clean mobility regulations!
The following are resources that were shared at the workshop including the presentation slides:
- The California Air Resources Board protects public health from the harmful effects of air pollution through development and implementation of clean mobility programs and regulations such as Advanced Clean Cars II. Stay informed.
- Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District’s Clean Cars 4 All Program is available to income-qualified Sacramento residents to apply for up to $12,000 towards the purchase of a zero or near-zero emission vehicle or electric bike.
- The City of Sacramento is expanding access to and awareness of electric vehicles primarily in under-resourced communities through the EV Blueprint project.
- Sacramento Clean Cities Coalition works to move fleets to zero-emission levels and implement mobility hubs for traditionally underserved communities. Engage with the Coalition.
- The California Energy Commission provides funding to support the deployment of clean transportation infrastructure and technologies. Learn more about the Clean Transportation Program.
Cleaner Air Partnership Quarterly Luncheon (August 2024)
At the Cleaner Air Partnership’s August 2024 Quarterly Luncheon, attendees learned about the benefits of urban forests and tree canopies in addressing regional air quality and climate issues, and discussed the challenges of expanding tree canopy in the region.
CAP events are an opportunity to learn about important air quality topics affecting the Sacramento region. Thank you to the generous contributors to the Cleaner Air Partnership: Sac Metro Air District, Teichert, CEMEX, SMUD, Sutter Health, Sacramento Association of REALTORS®, Placer County Air Pollution Control District, Yolo-Solano Air Quality Management District, El Dorado County Air Quality Management District, and PG&E.
Many thanks to the Sacramento Tree Foundation!
Resources shared at the event are below:
- More about the Leaf Area Index and why it is important
- Study from a New York Times article about NO2 emissions and trees
USDA Southwest Regional Food Business Center Quarterly Webinar (July 2024)
Leading with Equity: Tribal Food Sovereignty & Inclusive Engagement
The USDA Southwest Regional Food Business Center’s first quarterly webinar, “Leading with Equity: Tribal Food Sovereignty & Inclusive Engagement,” featured speakers from Local First Arizona and California Department of Food and Agriculture.
Speakers discussed best practices for incorporating Indigenous knowledge and highlighted the unintended consequences of policies and funding that do not consider Tribal interests or approaches. They suggested pathways to build communication, develop partnerships, and establish trust. Additionally, the speakers addressed the critical infrastructure needed for Tribal communities, such as new wells, aggregating and distributing facilities, food-to-market distribution, and technical assistance, including business and market development skills.
Air Quality and Public Health Event in South Sacramento (June 22, 2024)
Valley Vision, United Latinos and ClimatePlan co-hosted an educational community event on Saturday June 22nd, 2024 at Valley Hi-North Laguna Library, where more than 50 community members learned about vehicle emissions impacts to public health, and what they can do to improve air quality in South Sacramento.
Thank you to Teatro Nagual, Breathe California – Sacramento Region and Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District who contributed to the success of the event!
Interested in learning more about air quality in South Sacramento? If so, attend other air quality and public health events by signing up for updates at linktr.ee/southsacvep.
The following are resources that were shared at the event:
- Learn more about the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District’s Clean Cars 4 All Program, where income-qualified Sacramento residents can trade in their old vehicles and receive rebates for purchasing zero or near-zero emissions vehicles or electric bikes. *The program will re-open to new applications in August 2024*.
- Need help with your energy bill? Community Resource Project can help you through their Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP).
These educational community events are a part of the Sacramento County Vehicle Emissions Project (VEP) funded by Sacramento County Department of Public Health and the State of California Department of Justice.
CAP Wildfire and Biomass Bus Tour (April 2024)
On April 8th, 2024, Valley Vision and Placer County Water Agency (PCWA) co-hosted a full day bus tour in Placer County where participants experienced firsthand wildfire impacts and explored strategies for improving regional resilience.
Video Recap (produced by Austin Twietmeyer, Placer County Water Agency):
Cleaner Air Partnership (CAP) events are an opportunity to learn about important air quality topics affecting the Sacramento region. Thank you to the generous contributors to the Cleaner Air Partnership: Sacramento Metropolitan Air District, Teichert, CEMEX, SMUD, Sutter Health, Sacramento Association of REALTORS®, Placer County Air Pollution Control District, Yolo-Solano Air Quality Management District, El Dorado County Air Quality Management District, PG&E, and Nikola Motors.
Many thanks to Placer County Water Agency, the Placer County Air Pollution Control District, and the Placer Resource Conservation District for sponsoring and co-organizing this event!
Resources shared by speakers during the bus tour are provided below:
- PCWA Presentation: Reducing Wildfire Threats
- Arbor Energy Presentation: Pilot Project in Auburn
- Map: Auburn Shaded Fuel Break
- Placer RCD Annual Report
- Coordinated Rural Opportunities Plan (CROP) Profile: Placer County
- Coordinated Rural Opportunities Plan (CROP) Profile: Sacramento Region
CAP Luncheon: Capital Region Climate Priorities Plan (March 2024)
At the Cleaner Air Partnership’s March 2024 Quarterly Luncheon, attendees learned about the Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG) program and opportunities to address regional air quality issues.
CAP events are an opportunity to learn about important air quality topics affecting the Sacramento region. Thank you to the generous contributors to the Cleaner Air Partnership: Sac Metro Air District, Teichert, CEMEX, SMUD, Sutter Health, Sacramento Association of REALTORS®, Placer County Air Pollution Control District, Yolo-Solano Air Quality Management District, El Dorado County Air Quality Management District, PG&E, and Nikola Motors.
A huge thank you to the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District!
CAP Technical Advisory: Portable Equipment Regulation in the Capital Region (February 2024)
At the February 14th, 2024 CAPTAC meeting, participants learned about the Portable Equipment Registration Program (PERP) at the state and local level.
Thank you to the generous contributors to the Cleaner Air Partnership: Sac Metro Air District, Teichert, SMUD, Sutter Health, Sacramento Association of REALTORS®, Placer County Air Pollution Control District, Yolo-Solano Air Quality Management District, PG&E, El Dorado County Air Quality Management District, CEMEX and Nikola.
Subject Matter Experts:
- Kelly Weatherford – California Air Resources Board
- Karla Sanders – Feather River Air Quality Management District
- Angela Thompson – Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District
- Emmanuel Orozco – Placer County Air Pollution Control District
- Paul Hensleigh – Yolo-Solano Air Quality Management District
Presentation Slides:
Housing Stanislaus Summit
On November 4th, Valley Vision, in partnership with the County of Stanislaus, hosted the Housing Stanislaus Summit aimed at unveiling crucial data and findings pertaining to housing trends, the challenges faced in housing development, and proposed solutions aimed at increasing the housing supply throughout Stanislaus County. The full report (along with a Spanish version), along with the PowerPoint and recording of the event can be found below.
California Jobs First (CERF) Collaborative Meeting: Research Presentation – November 13, 2023
On November 13 2023 from 3:30pm – 5:30pm Valley Vision’s research partner Cities GPS presented their updated research findings to the Capital Region’s Collaborative for the CA Jobs First project formerly known as CERF. In addition to viewing the recording below, you may also download the VV slides and meeting minutes.
Livability Summit 2023 Panelists & Speakers
The Livability Poll: A Wellness Check of the Sacramento Region
by Evan Schmidt, CEO of Valley Vision
Valley Vision fields a quality of life poll, the Livability Poll, that tracks residents’ experiences with issues such as affordability of necessities, access to services, job and career satisfaction, safety and belonging, as well as residents’ perspectives of the Sacramento Region. The Livability Poll’s findings were revealed at the Livability Summit and served as the basis for presentations, speakers, and discussions that followed throughout the day. Evan presents some of the more notable findings from The Livability Poll fielded in the summer of 2023.
You can read the full poll report here.
View the PowerPoint here.
Evan Schmidt is the CEO of Valley Vision, a nonprofit organization that leads regional and statewide initiatives to advance livability by supporting social equity, economic prosperity, and environmental sustainability. She oversees the organization’s six impact areas of Workforce Development, Clean Economy, Food and Agriculture, Broadband and Digital Equity, Healthy Communities and Leadership and Civic Engagement. She is committed to building communities that are vibrant and sustainable and where every person has the opportunity to meet their potential. Under her leadership, Valley Vision creates the foundation for collaboration, research, and vision that enables us to meet those goals.
Keynote: Transformative Economic Development
Judith Taylor, Partner at Hr&A Advisors
View the PowerPoint here.
Judith Taylor is a Partner at HR&A Advisors, in her role, she focuses on creating vibrant, equitable, and resilient communities with over two decades of experience in real estate and inclusive economic development. Her expertise combines technical economic knowledge with a profound understanding of community values to drive transformative yet practical change for public and private clients.
Transforming Corridors
Spotlight on the Built Environment
Presented by Kacey Lizon and Aaron Laurel
The Sacramento region is full of corridors and industrial areas that are skeletons of the functions they once served. Many of them are right in the heart of our communities, ready for something new. Many of our region’s commercial corridors struggle today with vacant or underutilized lots and lack the density or mix of residential and commercial uses that support a sense of place that can attract more people. Learn about what it takes to transform these corridors and bring back the energy and vibrancy that once filled these spaces.
View the PowerPoint here.
Kacey Lizon, Deputy Executive Director of Planning and Programs, Sacramento Area Council of Governments
In her role as Deputy Executive Director for Planning & Programs, Kacey serves the 22 cities and six counties of the Sacramento region. During her 20-year tenure at SACOG, Kacey has played an instrumental role in innovations in regional planning and smart growth planning processes. She has led initiatives in land use, housing, transportation, transit-oriented development, environmental and rural planning. She has played a critical role in SACOG’s sustainable communities strategy work since the enactment of SB 375. Kacey is a board member of the California Chapter of the American Planning Association and member of the California Planning Roundtable.
Aaron Laurel, City Manager, City of West Sacramento
Aaron was appointed by the City Council to serve as West Sacramento’s City Manager and the Port of West Sacramento’s Chief Executive Officer in July 2018. He has nearly 20 years of experience in local government, including over 16 with the City of West Sacramento. Before becoming City Manager, he served as the City’s Economic Development and Housing Director, overseeing investments in infrastructure and real estate, business attraction, affordable housing, and management of the Port of West Sacramento.
Community Economic Resiliency
An Action Plan for Inclusive Economic Growth
Presented by Renee John and Ebony Joy Benzing
A thriving regional economy and equitable communities depend on inclusive economic opportunities. Valley Vision is proud to lead the Community Economic Resilience Fund (CERF) program, fostering collaboration to create a vision for an inclusive and prosperous regional economy. In this segment, we’ll explore Valley Vision’s work on CERF, introduce communication resources, and encourage conversations about shifting our culture towards more collaborative, equity-centered efforts.
View the Powerpoint here.
Renee John oversees Valley Vision’s 21st Century Workforce, Health Communities, and Clean Economy impact areas. She came to Valley Vision with ten years of experience initiating and leading projects for community-based nonprofit organizations. Renee has also worked in the region supporting local businesses and entrepreneurs. She is a proud graduate of California State University Sacramento (Go Hornets!) and California’s community college system (Sierra College). Her driving force is working to ensure all community members have access to opportunity to live a healthy, fruitful life.
Ebony Joy Benzing is the interim Director for the North Far North Center of Excellence (NFN COE) for Labor Market Research, hosted by Los Rios Community College District. Ebony is committed to using data to connect students and adult learners to good jobs. Ebony joined the NFN COE in 2019 as the research manager. Prior to these roles, she taught mathematics to middle and high school students in Sacramento. Ebony graduated from UC Davis with dual bachelor’s degrees in Biological Sciences and Psychology and holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of Southern California.
Neighborhood Transformation
A Spotlight on Del Paso Boulevard
Moderated by Daniel Kaufman
Daniel Kaufman (Moderator), Co-Founder and Principal at Third Plateau Social Impact Strategies.
Daniel helps design and lead the strategic direction of Third Plateau, a Sacramento-based agency driving social change. He enthusiastically works to ensure the firm is ever-evolving, learning, and growing to best meet the needs of changemaking leaders and organizations. An entrepreneur-at-heart, Daniel serves as a mentor, advisor, and strategist for an array of nonprofit executives, philanthropists, and civic leaders.
Gina Warren, Co-Founder and CEO of Sacramento’s Neighborhood Wellness Foundation
With a mission to navigate and disrupt intergenerational trauma and poverty in Del Paso Heights (DPH) and surrounding neighborhoods, Dr. Warren leads an interdisciplinary, multigenerational team that includes fourteen Peer Support Specialists generationally rooted in DPH. Dr. Warren offers both clinical and grassroots perspectives while operating with a strategic vision, innovative leadership, and an unwavering commitment to raise ACEs awareness to mitigate human suffering and help build a healthy community.
Janet Rice, President of DAD partners
Janet Rice is President of DAD Partners, Inc a premier consulting company located in Del Paso Heights dedicated to the mission of providing extraordinary service and value to a variety of clients in the public, private and nonprofit sectors. She has served on numerous boards and committees and is a visionary leader and executive professional with a proven track record of spearheading major real estate development projects that revitalized communities to help ensure sustained economic growth.
Erica Taylor, Vice President, Communications & Community Relations at Golden 1 Credit Union
Erica’s background includes work in radio and television promotions and marketing, as well as a broadcast journalist. She joined Golden 1 in 2015, overseeing the organization’s external communications, government relations, community partnerships, corporate giving, and financial education. Erica has led numerous initiatives for Golden 1 aimed at addressing local needs, volunteering, charitable partnerships, and social programs. In addition to currently serving as Valley Vision’s board chair, she also holds board positions with the Downtown Sacramento Partnership and Sacramento Covered. In 2015, Erica was named the “Young Professional of the Year” by the Sacramento Metro Chamber. She was also named one of the “Top 40 Under 40” by the Sacramento Business Journal in 2012. She also won the “Best Posture” award at St. Joseph’s Elementary School in the third grade.