Stanislaus County leaders approve $1.3 million for initiative to create higher-paying jobs
County supervisors approved $1.3 million Tuesday for the next stage of the Stanislaus 2030 economic development initiative.
County officials will negotiate a three-year agreement with the Stanislaus Community Foundation to guide and support the 2030 initiative, a collaboration of business, government and civic leaders to spur economic growth.
The county’s investments in the Stanislaus 2030 initiative come from federal American Rescue Plant Act funds provided to help with recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
In Stanislaus County, more than half the population is barely making ends meet and has limited opportunities for higher-paying jobs. One aspiration of Stanislaus 2030 is the creation of 40,000 “good” jobs that support the needs of families.
The 2030 blueprint is focused on bioindustrial manufacturing for job expansion and also includes talent development, job-skills training, entrepreneurship and small business growth.
With the funding approved Tuesday, up to $200,000 will be allocated for expansion of childcare to remove a barrier for adults needing to upgrade their job skills.
A Brookings Institute analysis found that 60% of unemployed adults in the county (ages 25 to 54) who have a high school diploma are raising children.
Community Foundation staff said the COVID-19 pandemic closed many childcare services. Daytime care for 36,000 children is needed for parents to participate in workforce training and education.
To rapidly increase childcare slots, there are promising models such as worker-owned childcare cooperatives and expansion of in-home childcare. There also is a need for expedited licensing of childcare services.
The initiative also is working to align its talent development strategy with colleges and educational services, as local students are graduating with degrees that don’t lead to good-paying jobs and careers.
About $250,000 will be spent on developing a strategy for small business growth through financial mentoring, streamlined permitting, incubator services, a working group and technical support.
Supervisor wants regular updates
County Supervisor Terry Withrow said the board approved $10 million in ARPA funds on the strategy for bioindustrial manufacturing and added $1.3 million for the next stage of the 2030 initiative.
He said the board should receive regular updates on progress and results.
“I want us to have results from this,” Withrow said. “As investors of taxpayer money, we need quarterly results. We can’t approve these funds and then hear back in 18 months on how it’s going.”
Stanislaus 2030 emerged as a major initiative after county leaders designated $30 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds for economic development to recover from the community impacts of COVID-19.
