Follow our work for rural people in California - find CCRP's latest news below.
Redwood Region RISE's Economic Roadmap Receives Federal Recognition
April 22, 2025
The Redwood Region RISE Regional Roadmap, a comprehensive 10-year economic development plan for Tribal Lands and Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, and Mendocino Counties, has been formally recognized as a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) by the U.S. Economic Development Administration.
Federal Designation Opens New Opportunities
This milestone is part of a broader achievement for California, as all 13 California Jobs First regional plans have now received this critical federal designation. The approval means every community across the state has a federally recognized economic strategy, unlocking new funding opportunities and resources.
A Comprehensive Approach to Regional Growth
Led by Regional Convener, the California Center for Rural Policy, the Regional Roadmap provides both a baseline assessment of the current economic landscape and detailed strategies for equitable growth in four key sectors: Arts, Culture, and Tourism; Health and Caregiving; Renewable and Resilient Energy; and Working Lands and Blue Economy.
Building Essential Foundations
The roadmap also addresses six critical enablers for regional success: Broadband, Entrepreneurship, Food Security and Access, Housing, Infrastructure and Transportation, and Workforce Development.
This recognition comes at a pivotal time, as RRRISE is about to announce $9 million in Catalyst Awards to 10 high-impact projects across the region.
For more information about the Regional Roadmap and Redwood Region RISE's ongoing work, visit the RRRISE homepage.
Barbara Browning Retires After 12+ Years of Transformative Leadership at CCRP
April 8, 2025
After more than a decade of dedicated service, the California Center for Rural Policy (CCRP) bids a fond farewell to Associate Director Barbara Browning, whose impactful leadership has helped shape the organization since 2013. Known for her innovative community initiatives, mentorship philosophy, and strategic approach to resource management, Barbara leaves behind a powerful legacy of relationship-building and organizational excellence.
Under Barbara's guidance, CCRP developed numerous successful programs, particularly in Del Norte County where she made over 350 visits to strengthen community partnerships. As Barbara embarks on retirement to pursue her passions for healing arts, gardening, and travel, colleagues celebrate her unique ability to nurture both projects and people, calling her contributions "irreplaceable."
CCRP is organizing a Farewell Celebration honoring Barbara's 12+ years of dedicated service on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, from 9:00-11:00 a.m. at Little Apartments on the Library Circle (Room 202). This casual drop-in event will include coffee, pastries, and an opportunity to share memories and wish Barbara well on her retirement adventures. For RSVP contact ccrp@humboldt.edu.
Read the full article to learn more about Barbara's remarkable career and lasting impact
Redwood Region RISE Launches Catalyst Pre-development Fund: Request for Proposal (RFP)
November 18, 2024
The California Center for Rural Policy is excited to announce that Redwood Region RISE’s Catalyst Pre-development Funds Request for Proposal period is now officially open!
The Catalyst Fund will invest $9 million in pre-development activities to prepare projects in the Redwood Region that are aligned with RRRISE’s values and development strategies. The application deadline is Wednesday, January 15, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. Applicants are encouraged to review the full application guidelines, eligibility criteria, and Scoring Rubric as they prepare their submissions.
Interested parties can contact the California Center for Rural Policy at 707-826-3400 or ccrp@humboldt.edu for additional information.
Release of Redwood Region RISE's Roadmap: Regional Strategies
October 2, 2024
Redwood Region RISE's Regional Convener, the California Center for Rural Policy at Cal Poly Humboldt, is thrilled to launch our collectively crafted 10-year “Regional Roadmap” for sustainable, equitable economic growth of Tribal Lands, Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, and Mendocino Counties.
Redwood Region RISE's 10-year Regional Roadmap consists of two parts that focus on research behind and strategies regarding 10 interconnected investment areas:
A baseline snapshot of the current economic state
Strategies for equitable and sustainable growth
Redwood Region RISE is excited to move towards implementing strategies and projects, and pursuing further investments that will help make our region a healing place where everyone belongs, with stable jobs, accessible healthcare, and a flourishing environment.
Watch this video to get a sense of our Regional Roadmap priorities
Redwood Region RISE Awarded $14 Million in Catalyst Pre-Development Funding Through California Jobs First
March 19, 2024
Redwood Region RISE (Resilient Inclusive Sustainable Economy), the community-led, regional collaborative working to create quality jobs, has officially been awarded $14 million in Catalyst pre-development funding. As one of the 13 “California Jobs First” regions–and especially as a rural region comprising Tribal Lands and Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, and Mendocino Counties–the Catalyst funding will help us bridge the gap between planning and implementing our regional economic development strategies and investments. These funds will enable the Redwood Region to develop ready-to-go projects that can compete for funding opportunities from federal, state, and private sources.
“For rural and under-capitalized regions like ours, getting projects ready for implementation is often held up by the expense and workload of the pre-development phase. After a year of figuring out our planning and governance structure for Redwood Region RISE, this next phase will be where the rubber hits the road and we start to move some funding to those projects that will have the best chance to receive implementation funds from the state, or that will be attractive to other funding agencies.”
— Susan Seaman, Program Director, AEDC (RRRISE’s Fiscal Agent)
Newly Launched: Redwood Region's Regional Summary Part 1
January 24, 2024
The Redwood Region RISE convening team submitted their Regional Summary: Part 1 to the State Interagency team at the end of 2023. This report lays the groundwork for examining economic development strategies that California Jobs First will potentially fund in our region.
Please note: the convening team considers these reports "raw materials." Over the next couple of months, they will be collaborating to create a set of short & sweet topical “policy briefs” with accompanying slide decks, videos, and social media content to allow our community to easily digest the reports’ key findings. In the meantime, feel free to look at the full deliverable to the State.
If you have any questions about these reports, please reach us at ccrp@humboldt.edu.
California's Rural North: Evidence-Based Strategies and County-Level Best Practices to Improve Health Equity
December 18, 2023
CCRP's report California's Rural North: Evidence-Based Strategies and County-Level Best Practices to Improve Health Equity has been released. This report identifies strategies for building trust and engaging Rural North communities in equity work.
To read/download the full report, visit the report's webpage linked below.
Evidence-Based Strategies and County-Level Best Practices to Improve Health Equity
CCRP's Chief Policy Advisor Connie Stewart Receives Cal Poly's Distinguished Service Award
July 14, 2023
Connie Stewart, our Chief Policy Advisor and Executive Director of Initiatives for Cal Poly Humboldt received the University President’s Distinguished Service Award on July 14, 2023. The award recognizes Connie, alongside fellow receipients College of the Redwoods President Keith Flamer, and Board Chair of the Cal Poly Humboldt Foundation, Robin Smith, for her "long and distinguished commitment to the campus and local community", writes Cal Poly Humboldt.
CERF: Redwood Region RISE Calls for Nominations
June 12, 2023
Regional Convener for the CERF (Community Economic Resilience Fund) Redwood Coast Region (Redwood Region RISE (Resilient Inclusive Sustainable Economy))—together with Community Outreach and Engagement partner North Coast Opportunities—is calling for nominations for the Region's Equity Council. The Council will include up to twenty community members representing its priority population groups in Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino Counties, and Tribal Lands. Collectively, the Equity Council will provide guidance and oversight to Redwood Region RISE's community engagement process, and help ensure balance and representation in decision making. Partnership Agreement Letters are required, and stipends will be available.
Opportunity Youth and Postsecondary Pathways Reports
June 9, 2023
As part of CCRP's efforts to amplify the voices of Opportunity Youth in Del Norte and Tribal Lands (DNATL), Humboldt, and the North Coast Region, we present two essential reports. The first report focuses on data enhancement, addressing the rate of disconnection from school and work in DNATL for young people ages 16-24. The second report emphasizes postsecondary pathways available for Native American youth in our community.
To read/download the full reports go to the webpages linked below:
Regional Planning Begins for Community Economic Resilience Fund (CERF)
January 31, 2023
$5 Million in COVID-19 Relief funding was awarded to the Arcata Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) on January 31, 2023. This funding is administered by the California Economic Development Department (EDD) through the Community Economic Resilience Fund (CERF) established by AB 2342 (Cervantes). Thirteen regions across the state were funded, including the Redwood Coast Region (Redwood Region RISE), to support equity-centered carbon neutral economic development. As Regional Convener, the California Center for Rural Policy—together with Community Outreach and Engagement partner, North Coast Opportunities—will lead the stablishment of a High Road Transition Collaborative (HRTC) for Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, and Mendocino Counties.