Southern Border Coalition: Catalyst Pre-development Fund Grant

The Southern Border Coalition's Catalyst Pre-development Fund aims to drive economic resilience and equitable growth in San Diego and Imperial Counties. Through the California Jobs First Initiative, the Coalition seeks innovative proposals that translate strategic plans into actionable projects. This funding opportunity prioritizes disinvested communities, workforce development, and sustainability, aligning with California's goal of creating high-quality jobs while addressing climate change. With $19 million allocated per region, this initiative fosters collaboration among diverse stakeholders.

California Jobs First
California Jobs First is a state investment to support inclusive regional planning and the development of high-priority economic development projects that benefit disinvested communities, create high road jobs, and transition the region to a net zero emission economy.
The Southern Border Coalition is part of California's California Jobs First Initative (formerly CERF Community Economic Resilience Fund). At the state level, California Jobs First is allocating $19 million to each region to create plans that diversify and equalize the local economy with climate change in mind and to invest in projects that support the priority industries identified by the Coalition. The Coalition aims to foster long-term economic resilience across San Diego and Imperial Counties and coordinates competitive applications for additional funding from the state government.
The Coalition is comprised of community of environmental justice organizations, regional economic development entities, labor unions, community-based organizations (CBOs), local governments, educational institutions, and Indigenous Tribes working together to create and enact an equitable economic development plan for the region.
Catalyst Predevelopment Fund - Request for Proposals
Following the comprehensive Planning Phase, where the Southern Border Coalition conducted an in-depth regional analysis and developed targeted strategies for economic advancement in Imperial and San Diego Counties, the Coalition is now launching the Implementation Phase of the CA Jobs First Initiative. Through this Request for Proposal, the Coalition is seeking innovative project proposals that will translate the strategic plan into tangible action. The Coalition is looking for projects that promote economic resilience, equitable growth, and workforce development across high-growth industries identified by the Coalition in the Planning Phase. These projects must align with the California Jobs First core goals of creating quality jobs, advancing sustainability, and prioritizing disinvested communities throughout the Southern Border Region.