In 2021, after seeing the multi-sector, collaborative work from Fresno DRIVE, Governor Newsom wanted to see a similar effort duplicated at a regional level. Across the State, 13 regions were identified and tasked to create climate-friendly economic strategies that prioritize industry sectors and family-sustaining jobs.
In the Central San Joaquin region, comprised of Madera, Fresno, Kings, and Tulare counties, the Sierra San Joaquin Jobs (S2J2) initiative was launched in March 2023.
To ensure an equitable voice in the regional planning phase, four groups, known as “local tables” were created. The local tables include Madera County, Kings-Tulare Counties, DRIVE (urban Fresno), and Fresno County, each focused on their specific geographical footprint in the region. Each local table is comprised of cross-sector partners that collectively informed the S2J2 Regional Framework (see image below). This past May we launched a “Spring Sprint.” With the support of more than 300 partners, 12 investment plans were written in just eight weeks! These plans, bundled together, became the 502-page document known as the S2J2 Regional Investment Plan Draft. The document was submitted to the State on August 30, 2024.
In 2025, the initiative's implementation phase will launch. S2J2 Program Manager Angela Castallenos explained, “We hope to resource each workgroup and empower them to turn their strategies into concrete actions and projects.” You can learn more about the S2J2 Initiative by visiting their website at s2j2initiative.org/.