Welcome to your August updates from Sierra Jobs First.
In this newsletter, we’re excited to share the topline details of the first 34 Sierra region projects to have completed contracting for Catalyst funding and look forward to sharing details on the remaining projects soon. This marks a wonderful milestone for Sierra Jobs First, as we can start sharing the great work these projects are doing to create a community-led, climate-forward economy in the Sierra region.
Also, there are several events happening in September that you may want to mark on your calendar– the Shindig event, organized by our Industry Sector Coordinators to amplify cross-industry collaboration between projects, the eastside Sierra Healthcare Industry Partnership event, and the September Governing Council meeting, happening in-person in Mammoth Lakes.
Read below for all the details, and thank you, as always, for your continued trust and collaboration.
Thank you,
The Sierra Jobs First Team
Details Released on First Group of Catalyst Projects to Complete Contracting
We are pleased to share preliminary details on our first 34 Catalyst projects to complete the contracting process for the Catalyst funding they were awarded in March by the Sierra Jobs First Governing Council.
View the list and details on the Sierra Jobs First website.
As we move towards completion of the final handful of contracts, we’ll be building out more detailed project pages at the link above, and will release more comprehensive information about funding amounts, partner organizations, counties and industries of impact, and more, so keep an eye out for those details in this newsletter or at SierraJobsFirst.org/projects.
Sierra Jobs First: Planning for the Future
For nearly five years, Sierra Jobs First has united partners across the Sierra region to advance climate-forward, community-led economic resilience. With state funding ending in 2026, Sierra Business Council (SBC), as fiscal agent and regional convener, has engaged Agnew::Beck, a Sierra-based consulting firm that was deeply involved in the Strategic Planning process and has hand-on knowledge of this initiative, to collaborate alongside the SBC team, Governing Council, and community on a 10-month transition planning process to determine what’s next. Together, and with your input, we’ll explore whether to continue the Collaborative in its current form, evolve it, integrate it into existing entities, or design something new.
Your input—through surveys, interviews, and conversations—will guide the outcome.
Click here for a detailed overview of the transition planning process.
Sierra Jobs First Shindig: September 10, Mammoth Lakes
The Sierra Jobs First Industry Sector Coordinators are hosting the Shindig Sept. 10 in Mammoth Lakes.
Wednesday, September 10th | 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Cerro Coso Community College – Bishop Campus
Whether you’re a stakeholder, partner, or just curious about what’s brewing in the region — you’re invited. This is also an opportunity for projects to come together in person, forge new connections and opportunities for collaboration, and share the great work they are doing to support all our region’s communities and industries.
Coffee, free breakfast burritos, and cross-industry collaboration. Discussions will be centered around our economy’s past, present, and future.
CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS AND TO RSVP
Sierra Health Industry Partnership (SHIP) Meeting September 11 in Mammoth Lakes
Be part of a high-impact regional gathering focused on aligning healthcare, education, and workforce priorities across the Sierra. This no-cost, public event includes a complimentary networking breakfast at 8am and has limited space available. The event is hosted by Dr. Jennifer Burrows and Mother Lode Job Training in partnership with Sierra Jobs First and Columbia College.
Thursday, September 11th | 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
The Westin Monache Resort | 50 Hillside Dr, Mammoth Lakes
RSVPs are required by Monday, September 1st.
Sierra Jobs First Governing Council Meeting: September 12, Mammoth Lakes
The Sierra Jobs First Governing Council will be meeting September 12, 9:30 – 11:30 am in-person, in Mammoth Lakes.
Mono County Civic Center – Mono Room, First Floor
1290 Tavern Rd, Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC – SPACE IS LIMITED – Please RSVP for in-person attendance.
To listen in on the opening portion of the meeting, RSVP for the Zoom here.
Project News
Sierra Compost Announces Working Group, Releases 3 RFPs to Support Project Execution
The California Alliance for Community Composting (CACC) was awarded Catalyst funding for their project, Sierra Compost, and, over the next 12 months, will be coordinating and stimulating community conversations around composting and organic material management via monthly regional Sierra Compost Collaborative meetings. The aim of these meetings is to listen to the unique needs and goals of each community, identify existing assets, provide technical support, locate funding opportunities, and co-create equitable & sustainable plans for regional compost success.
The first Sierra Compost Collaborative meeting is slated for September 2025.
The project will use the information and networks gained in the monthly meetings to support the development of compost related programs and businesses for project partners, The Bishop Paiute and Chicken Ranch Rancheria Me-Wuk, and will be seeking to support other Tribal entities or groups in the region with their compost related pursuits.
If you would like to get involved in the Compost Collaborative meetings, reach out to project lead, Timothy England.
Additionally, in support of the execution of the project, CACC is seeking three contractors in the following roles. Click to see the RFP for details and submission instructions. The deadline to submit a proposal is August 31.
Community Communications Coordinator
Sustainable Business Operations Consultant
Digital and Web Development Consultant
Contractor Opportunity with the Motherlode Bicycle Coalition
The Motherlode Bicycle Coalition (MLBC), a project of the California Mobility Fund, seeks an independent contractor to complete specific, time-limited projects in support of regional bicycle infrastructure, economic development, and tourism. This contract position is supported by a grant from the Sierra Jobs First program.
Responsibilities include: Grant writing, project development, economic development planning, and event coordination.
Click here for more information. Review of submissions begins August 25, 2025, and will continue until the position is filled.
Beyond Limits Education First Responder Training Scholarship
Beyond Limits Education is committed to making high-quality emergency medicine training accessible to all. Thanks to partnerships and grant funding (including a Catalyst award from Sierra Jobs First), Beyond Limits Education offers a range of scholarships designed to reduce financial barriers for students from rural communities, underrepresented groups, and aspiring first responders.
Click here for information about the recently-announced First Responder Training scholarship.
Alpine County Issues RFP to Conduct Tri-County Economic Impact Analysis of Recreation
Alpine County has issued an RFP seeking consulting services to conduct a comprehensive Economic Impact Study to guide sustainable recreation management and development in Inyo, Mono, and Alpine Counties. Deadline is Sept. 22.
More details on the RFP and how to apply are available here.
Sierra Sourced Farm to Fork Dinner October 24
Following a successful inaugural Farm to Fork dinner in July, Catalyst recipient Sierra Sourced has announced its next Farm to Fork dinner, October 24 at the City Hotel & Restaurant in Historic Columbia.
The menu will feature ingredients from Dambacher Family Farms, Indigeny Reserve, Mountain Microgreens, Engler Beef, Sweet Water Farm & Ranch, Blue Oak Farm, Cover’s Apple Ranch, and Jamestown Olive Oil. And just like before, every dollar goes straight back to the farmers and the chefs who make it happen.
In addition to a delicious menu, the events serve to bring together community members, chefs, and farmers to tackle the real challenge of local sourcing: It’s not the growing, not the cooking, but rebuilding the relationships that make it possible.
Keep Sierra Green: No-Cost, Hands-on EVSE Training Courses Launching this Fall
The California Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce (CalAsian Chamber), in partnership with the Calaveras County Chamber of Commerce, was awarded funding through the Sierra Jobs First initiative to launch the Keep Sierra Green project.
Keep Sierra Green is a regional workforce and business development initiative focused on building a clean energy economy by creating quality jobs and sustainable investments in Electric Vehicle (EV) infrastructure.
Keep Sierra Green will be offering no-cost, hands-on EVSE training courses, with sessions in October and November 2025, as well as spring 2026.
To learn more and enroll, click here.