Welcome to your September updates from Sierra Jobs First.
In this edition, we’re sharing highlights from September’s Governing Council meeting, All-Industries Shindig (pictured above, courtesy of MLTPA), and Sierra Healthcare Industry Partnership (SHIP) events in Mammoth Lakes, which were valuable opportunities for in-person connection among the Sierra Jobs First community to further the work of the Collaborative and begin planting the seeds for a strong path forward post-September 2026.
We’re also excited to share our new Catalyst Projects landing page, where you can now explore deeper project information and details, and also have updates from the team leading the work being done to craft a strategic vision for the transition of the work done by the Sierra Jobs First team over the past three years into the hands of the Collaborative in September, 2026.
Read on for all the updates, and thank you for your continued partnership in this important work.
Thank you,
The Sierra Jobs First Team
September Event Recaps
Sierra Jobs First September Governing Council Meeting Notes and Resources
Capping off a busy, productive, and inspirational week of in-person collaboration for Sierra Jobs First on the Eastside, the Sierra Jobs First Governing Council met for its quarterly meeting September 12 in Mammoth Lakes. The Council heard updates from the Industry Sector Coordinators about the great work being done to get Catalyst projects up and running and put industry-specific strategies into action. The Council also met with representatives from Agnew::Beck, long-time strategic consultants to Sierra Jobs First, who shared insights on the planning process to carry forward the great work of the Sierra Business Council Jobs First convening team, partners, and Collaborative beyond September 2026, when the current structure sunsets. Read more about that below.
Thank You for Making the All-Industry Shindig a Success!
A huge thank you to everyone who joined the All-Industry Shindig on September 10th! Over 60 people from across the region gathered in Bishop for this in-person event and site visits. From breakfast burritos to big-picture conversations, the day brought together recreation and tourism innovators, sustainable agriculture and working lands advocates, healthcare champions, climate and conservation leaders, Tribal partners, and more.
VIEW A SHORT RECAP VIDEO (thanks to Matt Galvan, of Sierra Focus Media)
The energy in the room was inspiring, showcasing the power of cross-industry collaboration to shape the future of the Sierra economy. We’re excited to keep the momentum going — if you’d like to stay involved, sign up to join a Working Group and help carry forward the ideas sparked at the Shindig.
Sierra Healthcare Industry Partnership (SHIP) Meeting Tackles Rural Mental/Behavioral Health Gaps
Also meeting in Mammoth Lakes the week of the September Sierra Jobs First Governing Council meeting, Community Healthcare Industry Sector Coordinators Jen Burrows and Mother Lode Job Training held a conference for SHIP, following on the heels of a similar, successful West-slope conference held earlier this summer.
Together, the group tackled the important issue of mental and behavioral healthcare access in our rural and disinvested communities.
Sierra Jobs First News
Sierra Jobs First: What Comes Next?
Shaping the Future, Together.
Since 2023, the Sierra Jobs First Collaborative—funded by California Jobs First and supported by Sierra Business Council as regional convener and fiscal agent—has united diverse leaders to design and advance community-led, climate-forward, and economically resilient initiatives supporting our region’s core industries and most vital concerns.
With state funding for Sierra Jobs First set to sunset in September 2026, it’s time to plan for what comes next.
To guide this transition, Sierra Business Council, in partnership with Agnew::Beck Consulting, is leading the 10-month Transition & Future Planning process. Centered on input from partners and leaders across the seven-county region, this effort will explore the Collaborative’s future—whether continuing as is, evolving into a new structure, or reimagining something entirely different.
To support the transparency of process and disseminate information from the Transition Advisory Committee, we created a dedicated Transition page on SierraJobsFirst.org. There, you can find an overview of the process, the proposed timeline, learn about upcoming events, and view past meeting materials.
New Catalyst Project Information Available on the Website
Curious to learn more about the projects awarded Catalyst funding? We’re pleased to share that deeper details on projects are now being rolled out on the revamped Projects page of SierraJobsFirst.org. In the coming weeks, we’ll be adding additional project pages as they are approved.
If you are involved in a project and do not see your project page linked, please check in with your Sierra Jobs First team contact so that we can collect the needed assets and approvals to share the great work of your project with the rest of the community.
Join a Working Group
Industry Sector working groups are ongoing under the guidance of our Industry Sector Coordinators– If you are passionate about an industry, and would like to have a voice in shaping a community-led, climate-forward, and inclusive economic future for your industry or in your county, here is information on how to get involved:
State & Regional News
ICYMI Project Financing Replay & Upcoming State Financing Options Webinars
Earlier this month, the state California Jobs First team hosted its latest in the Project Financing Webinar Series. Larry Kosmont and Joseph Dieguez of Kosmont Companies, shared insights from their work helping communities evaluate and implement Tax Increment Financing tools. If you missed the webinar or want to revisit it, the recording is available here.
The next session in the Project Financing Webinar Series will explore state financing programs and how they can support high-impact economic development projects.
Date: Thursday, October 9 | 11-12 PM
The session will highlight state funding resources and guest speakers Lina Moeller and Fariba Khoie from the California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank (IBank) will provide an overview of available programs. A live Q&A will follow the presentation.
Eastern Sierra Communities Wildfire Defense Grant – $4.65 million
Hazardous brush and vegetation are no longer just a wildfire risk—they’re being turned into opportunity, in the form of jobs, compost, and community resilience.
The Eastern Sierra Council of Governments (ESCOG) has secured a $4.65 million U.S. Forest Service Community Wildfire Defense Grant—one of only 58 awarded nationwide—to launch the first large-scale, coordinated hazardous fuel reduction program in the region.
Over the next five years, this initiative will support Fire Safe Councils, Tribal crews, and local fire departments; expand chipping, hauling, and composting infrastructure; and create a workforce pipeline through hands-on training for Cerro Coso Community College students.
Together, these efforts transform wildfire threats into long-term opportunities for safety, sustainability, and local jobs.
For more information: Contact Kristen Pfeiler, Wildfire Coordinator
Kristen.pfeiler@inyocounty.us | Eastern Sierra Council of Governments, Inyo County