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“If we are to meet our greenhouse gas reduction goals and improve the health of California’s soil, we must do everything we can to help our farmers and ranchers apply to our programs,” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross. “Leveraging our partnerships with the academic community, nonprofits and RCDs is key in getting more individuals to apply.”
Applicants may apply for funding up to $5,000 and must meet several requirements, including: one-on-one application assistance, technical assistance and Internet access for application submission.
Detailed information on funding, eligibility and program requirements can be found at www.cdfa.ca.gov/oefi/healthysoils/IncentivesProgram.html.
Applications must be submitted by email no later than March 9, 5 p.m. PST. Grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
The HSP is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide program that puts billions of Cap and Trade dollars to work reducing GHG emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment – particularly in disadvantaged communities.
The Cap-and-Trade program also creates a financial incentive for industries to invest in clean technologies and develop innovative ways to reduce pollution.
California Climate Investments projects include affordable housing, renewable energy, public transportation, zero-emission vehicles, environmental restoration, more sustainable agriculture, recycling and much more.
At least 35 percent of these investments are located within and benefiting residents of disadvantaged communities, low-income communities, and low-income households across California.
For more information, visit the California Climate Investments website at: www.caclimateinvestments.ca.gov.
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Jason Schwenkler, who has served as the director of the GIC since 2009, will serve as director of both agencies.
The CED’s core functions of applied research, grant support, and technical assistance are continuing into 2018, strengthened by the resources made available through this new partnership.
“The North State can rest assured that the Center for Economic Development will continue to provide many of the core services they’ve come to rely on. With the expertise of both the CED and GIC teams, I look forward to an exciting year ahead and connecting with current and future CED partners. We’re excited about the possibilities this partnership will bring to the region,” said Schwenkler.
The Center for Economic Development and the Geographical Information Center have long shared many overlapping project goals and a unifying mission of economic advancement in the North State.
Under Schwenkler’s guidance, the CED is uniquely positioned to better assist our rural communities and businesses with their data and economic analysis needs.
The GIC brings a strong internal support system and large regional network of public and private partners for whom geospatial intelligence has long been critical to understanding how to achieve economic development goals.
For more information, contact the Center for Economic Development at 530-898-4598.
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“The name CalSavers truly reflects what this program is all about – providing an opportunity for millions of Californians to easily save for retirement in a way that is safe, simple and portable,” said Chiang. “The program is a win-win-win for employees, employers and taxpayers in the Golden State. It will ensure that millions of working Californians can have a dignified retirement and won’t have to rely on meager social support services that leave them facing the all-too-real scenario of having to choose between buying medication and paying rent.”
Signed in to law in 2016, CalSavers has been hailed as the most significant expansion in retirement security since the passage of the Social Security Act in 1935.
CalSavers enables employees to save automatically for their retirement through payroll contributions with the ability to opt-out any time. The program will be professionally managed by a private-sector financial firm, yet to be named, with oversight from a transparent public board. Participants will be able to contribute to the plan throughout their careers regardless of job changes.
CalSavers will be self-sustaining through participant fees and there will be no cost or liability for the employer or taxpayers.
Development of the CalSavers program, including the search for a private sector financial firm to manage the participants’ accounts, is currently underway. The program is expected to be open for business statewide in early 2019.
“While the White House and Congressional Republicans bury their heads in the sand in the face of a growing retirement insecurity crisis, states have become laboratories of democracy coming up with high-impact, low-cost solutions aimed at preventing the growing national crisis from metastasizing into a full-bore humanitarian catastrophe,” Chiang said. “We look forward to rolling out CalSavers in the near future and will be working with employer groups and the business community to spread the word about how the program can aid millions of Californians with their retirement, while also helping businesses currently unable to offer plans compete with those that do.”
The governing board of CalSavers will continue to be known by the formal statutory name California Secure Choice Retirement Savings Investment Board.
For more news, please follow the Treasurer on Twitter at @CalTreasurer, and on Facebook at California State Treasurer's Office.
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"These AAA Diamond properties and their communities were ground zero for one of the worst natural disasters in California's history," said John Moreno, manager of public affairs for AAA Northern California. “As these communities rebuild, AAA is reminding people that a great way to help that recovery is to support their local economy, and tourism is an essential component of their economic engine."
The region is home to two Five Diamond restaurants: the French Laundry (Yountville) and The Restaurant at Meadowood (St. Helena).
Only 68 restaurants across the nation qualified for the exclusive Five Diamond rating, which requires establishments to consistently provide leading-edge cuisine of the finest ingredients, uniquely prepared by an acclaimed chef and served by expert service staff in extraordinary surroundings.
Sonoma County is home to several Four Diamond restaurants, including Santé (Sonoma) and Dry Creek Kitchen (Healdsburg). In Santa Rosa, visitors can stay in the Vintners Inn, which has kept its Four Diamond rating since 1988.
“Spring is the perfect time to visit Sonoma County. The hills are green, there is mustard in the vineyards and the beaches are beautiful. We invite those who know and love Sonoma County to come rediscover their favorite places and find new spots to enjoy,” said Tim Zahner, COO of Sonoma County Tourism.
Napa County is also home to many Four Diamond hotels and restaurants, including Solage (Calistoga), known for its stunning architecture, which first received the rating in 2013. Napa County tourism leaders said there was a misconception that the region had been decimated by the fires, which caused an estimated $3 billion in damage. As that perception fades, tourists are beginning to return.
“We greatly appreciate the support we have received from those who have visited the Napa Valley since the October 2017 wildfires," said Clay Gregory, president and CEO for Visit Napa Valley. "Thanks to visitor support, occupancy was 6.8 percent higher in December 2017 from the previous year, and total hotel revenue was up by 9.2 percent. We look forward to welcoming more visitors to experience the Napa Valley spirit in person and see for themselves that our valley is just as beautiful as ever."
For a full list of Five Diamond and Four Diamond rated hotels and restaurants, visit www.AAA.com/diamonds/diamond-awards.