We Prosper Together Awarded $14 Million To Invest In Emerging Projects That Strengthen The Capital Region’s Economy
SACRAMENTO, CA — March 15, 2024 — We Prosper Together announced that it has been awarded $14 million by the Regional Investment Initiative, part of the California Jobs First program (formerly known as the Community Economic Resilience Fund). The $14 million Catalyst Program award will help sustain We Prosper Together’s planning and collaboration efforts and go towards building a pipeline of viable projects that are aligned with the region’s shared strategy.
The award marks continued investment into We Prosper Together’s efforts of building a lasting economy that represents and meets the needs of the eight-county region and enables families to thrive for generations. Building on the initial $5 million planning grant awarded by the State in 2022, a large portion of the award will go towards accelerating projects benefiting disinvested communities that create quality jobs, remove barriers to opportunities for families, and improve the quality of life in the region.
The application for the Catalyst Program was submitted by Valley Vision on behalf of the region. Valley Vision is a community development nonprofit based in Sacramento’s Oak Park Neighborhood. In 2022, Valley Vision was awarded as the regional convener and fiscal agent for the California Jobs First Capital Region, providing backbone support to We Prosper Together’s collaborative efforts.
“This is a vital moment for us in the Capital Region to build a stronger economy that meets the needs of our communities and provides opportunities for everyone in our region to prosper. The Catalyst Program is a significant investment into our region that will help us move innovative ideas into action, bringing to life projects that our communities want and need to create long-term sustainable impact.“
Evan Schmidt, CEO of Valley Vision
As part of the Planning Phase, We Prosper Together is currently undergoing the creation of a shared regional plan that is informed by input from the community, stakeholder interviews, surveys, community meetings, and regional economic research led by Brookings Institute-affiliated Cities GPS. The resulting strategies and priorities of the plan will inform investments moving forward. To learn more about We Prosper Together’s work, visit weprospertogether.org.
The California Jobs First Regional Investment Initiative has distributed a total of $182 million through the Catalyst Program among 13 Jobs First Collaboratives across the state of California, including We Prosper Together. For more information about the Regional Investment Initiative and the Catalyst Program, read Governor Gavin Newsom’s recent announcement.
About We Prosper Together
Representing eight counties in the Capital Region, over 150 organizations, and hundreds of community leaders and residents, We Prosper Together is driving a community-led approach to building a stronger regional economy. We Prosper Together is working to elevate diverse voices, encourage investments, amplify local solutions, and create living-wage jobs for families in Colusa, El Dorado, Nevada, Placer, Sacramento, Sutter, Yolo, and Yuba counties. Visit weprospertogether.org to learn more and get involved.
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