To: Board of Supervisors
From: John Kopchik, Director, Conservation and Development
Report Title: Contract with UC Berkeley Labor Center to Support the Green Empowerment Zone of Contra Costa County
?Recommendation of the County Administrator ? Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Conservation and Development Director, or designee, to execute an interagency contract with the Regents of the University of California, on behalf of its UC Berkeley Institute of Research on Labor and Employment, in an amount not to exceed $2,000,000, to provide research, stakeholder engagement, technical assistance and policy recommendations to the Green Empowerment Zone to support high road clean energy manufacturing growth and jobs, for the period from August 6, 2024 through August 5, 2027, as recommended by the Green Empowerment Zone Board of Directors (100% Green Empowerment Zone funds).
FISCAL IMPACT:
This contract will be funded by State revenues received by the County to fund the activities of the Green Empowerment Zone. There will be no impact to the County General Fund.
BACKGROUND:
On September 12, 2023, the Board of Supervisors authorized an agreement with the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) for the County to receive revenue in an amount not to exceed $5,000,000 to provide administrative and other support services for the Green Empowerment Zone for the Northern Waterfront Area of Contra Costa County (GEZ) consistent with the State legislation AB 179, the Budget Act of 2022. The GEZ Board of Directors had its first meeting on December 7, 2023. The County Department of Conservation and Development provides staff support to the GEZ.
At its meeting on December 7, 2023, the GEZ Board of Directors received a presentation from the UC Berkeley Institute of Research on Labor and Employment, also referred to as the UC Berkeley Labor Center, on its proposal of research to inform planning for the GEZ. Pursua...
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