Announcements regarding hearings, grants, and public comment notices of importance to California's rural counties.
Upcoming Public Hearings on AT&T’s Request to Discontinue Landline Service
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) will hold in-person and virtual public forums to receive customer input regarding AT&T’s pending Application to discontinue copper landline phone service (more information here). Public comments may also be submitted here. If approved by the CPUC, over 580,000 affected AT&T customers would be left with fewer options in terms of choice, quality, and affordability. Alternative services, such as Voice Over IP (VoIP_ and wireless, have no obligation to serve a customer or to provide equivalent services to AT&T landline customers, including reliable access to 9-1-1 or LifeLine program discounts. RCRC opposes AT&T’s Application and is a formal party to the proceeding.
Remaining Public Hearings
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WHEN |
FORMAT |
LOCATION |
|
February 22, 2024, 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. |
In-person only |
Mendocino County Board of Supervisors |
|
March 14, 2024, 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. |
In-person only |
Indio City Hall Council Chambers |
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March 19, 2024, 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. |
Virtual only |
Remote access via webcast or phone. |
CALED Annual Training Conference - ELEVATE! April 2024
The California Association for Local Economic Development (CALED) Annual Conference, “Elevate” will be April 10-12, 2024, at the Hyatt Regency Sonoma Wine Country in Santa Rosa, California. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn about new economic development opportunities, connect with your peers, and get inspired to elevate your economy, businesses, and community! Early Bird registration ends February 16th. For details and registration see here.
Applications for Federal Bridge Investment Program Due March 19, 2024
Applications are open for the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration’s competitive Bridge Investment Program, created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Nearly $10 billion in multi-year funding (FY 2023-FY2026) is available for local government planning grants and bridge project grants. Bridge Project grants may be used for bridge replacement, rehabilitation, preservation, and protection. Applications must be received by March 19, 2024. For more information including eligibility and how to apply, see here.
Student Debt Relief Benefit Available to County Employees
NACo’s Public Promise Insurance announces a new employee retention benefit that will help your public employees significantly reduce or even eliminate their student loan payments!
Did you know that 4 million Americans currently qualify for student debt relief or that 100% of full-time county employees qualify for the Public Student Loan Forgiveness program? Even though they may qualify, it is extremely cumbersome for an employee to apply and receive the full value of their loan forgiveness. Through NACo's partnership with student loan forgiveness tool, Savi, your employees now have access to an easy-to-use tool that can scan 150+ available student debt relief programs and identify the amount of relief they can expect to receive. Learn more about the Public Promise Insurance benefit here.
Employment Opportunities
Colusa County
Colusa County is seeking an Assistant County Administrative Officer. Salary: $132,300.00 - $216,780.00. This recruitment is open until filled, first application review February 26, 2024. To learn more or to apply, see here.
Colusa County offers an excellent benefit package.
Humboldt County
- Humboldt County is seeking an Economic Development Specialist. Salary range: $63,502.40 - $81,494.40 Annually. Applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 PM Pacific, on March 1, 2024. For more information, or to apply, see here.
Mendocino County
- County Counsel. Salary range: $200,000 Annually. This position is open until filled. For more information or to apply, see here.
- Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer of Weights and Measures. Salary range: $125,112.00 - $152,068.80 annually. This position is open until filled. For more information, or to apply, see here.
- Assistant Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer of Weights and Measures. Salary range: $88,899.20 - $108,076.80 annually. This position is open until filled. For more information, or to apply, see here.
Monterey County
- Monterey County is seeking applicants for the position of County Counsel. Salary range: $219,471 - $299,753. Excellent benefits package. If you are interested in this outstanding opportunity, please visit www.bobmurrayassoc.com to apply online. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to call Gary Phillips at (916) 784-9080. Filing Deadline: February 25, 2024. For more information, or to apply, see here.
Yolo County
- Yolo County Assessor/Clerk-Recorder/Elections (ACE) is currently seeking one (1) highly skilled and dedicated individual to join the team as a regular, full-time Deputy Assessor.
Hiring Incentive: ACE is excited to roll out its Pilot Hiring Incentive Program for first-time external Deputy Assessors hires during Fiscal Year 2023-2024. Don’t miss the opportunity to be eligible for $10,000 in financial incentive payments after completion of the applicable probationary period!
To Apply: Interested applicants are encouraged to submit an online County of Yolo Employment Application, resume, verification of education, and responses to the supplemental questions at the time of filing. For important details and application instructions, see the job announcement here. Closing Date: February 23, 2024, 11:59 p.m. Pacific
Common Threads North 2024 Dinner and Awards to Honor Six Women in Agriculture from RCRC Member Counites - Tickets on Sale Now
Join Common Threads North on Wednesday, April 3rd as they celebrate and honor women in agriculture. The six 2024 Common Threads North Honorees are all members of RCRC counties: Colleen Cecil (Glenn County); Terry Dereniuk (Lake County); Carol Dobbas (Sierra County); Kelli Evans (Sutter County); Robin Flournoy (Placer County); and Sue Knox (Tehama County).
Sponsorships for the 2024 Common Threads North Dinner & Awards are now being accepted. For additional information about the dinner and awards, or to learn about sponsorship opportunities, visit the Common Threads North website here or contact the Butte Ag Foundation at (530) 533-1473.
1.5 Billion Available through the 2024 RAISE Grant Program
The U.S. Department of Transportation has published a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for $1.5 billion in grant funding through the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) discretionary grant program for 2024. The program helps communities around the country carry out projects with significant local or regional impact. RAISE discretionary grants help project sponsors at the state and local levels, including municipalities, Tribal governments, counties, and others complete critical freight and passenger transportation infrastructure projects. The eligibility requirements of RAISE allow project sponsors to obtain funding for projects that may be harder to support through other U.S. DOT grant programs. For recent examples of funded projects, see the list of 2023 awarded projects here.
RAISE projects are reviewed and evaluated on statutory criteria of safety, environmental sustainability, quality of life, mobility and community connectivity, economic competitiveness and opportunity including tourism, state of good repair, partnership and collaboration, and innovation. Projects designated “RCN Program Extra” during the new FY 2023 Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods (RCN) Program competition and submitted for consideration under the FY 2024 RAISE NOFO will have a greater opportunity to be advanced during the FY 2024 RAISE evaluation process, as described in the NOFO.
Half of the funding will go to projects in rural areas, and half of the funding will go to projects in urban areas. At least $15 million in funding is guaranteed to go towards projects located in Areas of Persistent Poverty or Historically Disadvantaged Communities, and projects located in these areas will be eligible for up to 100 percent federal cost share, as directed by Congress in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
As in previous years, the Department is encouraging applicants to consider how their projects can address climate change, ensure racial equity, and remove barriers to opportunity. The Department also intends to use the RAISE program to support lowering costs for household budgets, wealth creation and the creation of good-paying jobs with the free and fair choice to join a union, the incorporation of strong labor standards, and training and placement programs, especially registered apprenticeships.
The NOFO is available here. The deadline for applications is 11:59 PM EST on February 28, 2024, and selections will be announced no later than June 27, 2024.
Access the State Grants Portal for a Multitude of Funding Opportunities
Billions of dollars are up for grabs to public agencies and other entities, including tribes and businesses. Grant seekers can access a centralized portal of grant and loan opportunities here, or sign up to receive new grant opportunities delivered straight to your inbox