The Central Valley Community Foundation’s Valley CERF initiative has been named a recipient of $14 million as part of the California Jobs First Council and Operation Plan announced by Gov. Gavin Newsom last week.

Valley CERF, launched in 2021 through the Regional Investment Initiative, is one of 13 Jobs First Collaboratives in California to receive funding

Valley CERF aims to foster an economy built on inclusivity, resilience and stability throughout the Central San Joaquin Valley.

The announcements by Newsom were part of a $182 million grant initiative.

“Governor Newsom and his administration have been proven partners with the Central San Joaquin Valley,” said CVCF CEO Ashley Swearengin. “This new Council and the Operation Plan proves his commitment to our communities is not letting up.”

By accessing local, state, federal and private funding, these projects aim to contribute to continued job creation and economic growth.

“California has created more opportunities, more jobs, and more businesses than any other state, but we need to ensure that we’re all moving forward together,” Newsom said last week. “Through this new council and these investments, we’re aligning all of our economic resources to create more jobs, faster for Californians in every community.”

First launched in 2021, the Regional Investment Initiative, formerly known as the Community Economic Resilience Fund, aims to create high-quality jobs and build resilience against impacts of climate change and other global factors affecting California’s regional economies.