North State Planning and Development Collective

Now Available: California’s Opportunity Zones 2.0 Local Authority Recommendation Form

California cities, counties, special districts, regional joint powers authorities, councils of governments, and tribal governments can help shape Opportunity Zones 2.0 by recommending eligible census tracts through the Local Authority Recommendation Form.

At this time, only census tracts listed on the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Qualified Opportunity Zones Eligible Tract list are eligible for recommendation. Interactive mapping tools from Novogradac and the Economic Innovation Group are also available to help identify and explore eligible areas. For complete information, including a link to the Recommendation Form and upcoming webinar, visit:
https://mailchi.mp/gobiz/newsletter-14057798?e=589ea575c8

California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz)

Now available: Local Authority Recommendation Form California cities, counties, special districts, regional joint powers authorities, councils of governments, and tribal governments can help shape Opportunity Zones 2.0 by recommending eligible census tracts through the Local Authority Recommendation Form.At this time, only census tracts listed on th...

Broadband Workforce Findings for North State Released in New Report

From availability of existing training opportunities to broadband workforce demands and more, the recently released North State Connected report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the North State broadband workforce. Funded by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and developed by the Northeastern and Upstate California Connect Consortia, the report offers actionable solutions to address skills gaps and create a stronger workforce.

Read the full report here:https://nspdcwebsrv.csuchico.edu/websites/files/neccc_uccc_files/documents/02_BROADBAND%20WORKFORCE%20DEVELOPMENT/North%20State%20Connected%20Building%20a%20Local%20Broadband%20Workforce%20in%20California%E2%80%99s%20North%20State%20-%20Spring%202026.pdf

Join us online for an update of the California Jobs First (North State Region) Initiative. The meeting takes place Wednesday, May 27, 2026 from 1:00 TO 2:30 p.m. online. Free to attend, registration is required in advance. To register, visit

Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: California Jobs First-North State Region Update. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting. Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: California Jobs First-North State Region Update. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting.

Roots of Change invites the community to attend an in-person meeting at the University Farm in Chico, CA, to discuss how to build a stronger, more adaptable food system that supports small and mid-size producers.

Your input is essential:
- Producers
- Food system processors, aggregators, or distributors
- Agricultural or community-based organizations or collaboratives
- Tribal entities
- Food businesses
- Technical assistance providers supporting producers or the food supply chain
- Food financing or agricultural financing agencies
- Entities developing food system infrastructure, a food system map, or a vision plan

This meeting offers an opportunity for participants to network, learn, and contribute to the resilience of the local food system!

Translation services are available upon request.

For more information and to register, visit: https://bit.ly/3NMoA9K

California State University, Chico CSU, Chico Center for Regenerative Agriculture

The North State Planning and Development Collective at California State University, Chico and Sierra Institute For Community and Environment invite you to attend a virtual update on the California Jobs First Initiative for the North State region.

Wednesday, May 27, 2026
1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. PST
Virtual (Zoom) Meeting
Registration required, attendance is free.
Follow the link to register today:
https://csuchico.zoom.us/meeting/register/emeovTnMQGij1n6YhRheLg

Agenda to include:
Updates on Catalyst Projects and Community Workshops;
Discussions on building upon catalyst projects to spur regional growth;
Challenges in the region i.e. "Pain Points";
How activities are helping to refine the Regional Economic Plan;
Opportunities for your feedback

The meeting serves as a precursor to an in-person meeting to be held this September. We look forward to seeing you on May 27th!

Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: California Jobs First-North State Region Update. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting. Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: California Jobs First-North State Region Update. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting.

Our work across the California State University, Chico service region and beyond wouldn't be possible without our valued partners. Simply put, we are "Stronger Together." Learn more about our impacts in our 2024-2025 Annual Report:https://www.csuchico.edu/_assets/documents/office/nspd/Accessible_SinglePagesNSPDC-AR-202425.pdf

Join our partners at Chabin Concepts for the next "Ask the Economist" session with Dr. Robert Eyler. Learn how national and state trends might impact your local community. Bring your questions. It's FREE and only 30 minutes.

"Ask the Economist"
Monday, April 20, 2026 from 8:30 to 9:00 a.m.
Click below to register!

Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Ask an Economist with Chabin Concepts. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar. Please join us as Dr. Eyler provides an economic update and take questions! With midterms, geopolitical and regional uncertainty lots to discuss!

Thank you to KRCR News Channel 7 and to the Collective's Assistant Director Rebekah Casey for helping share more about our collaborative work along the Sacramento River to restore critical salmon habitat.

$1.85M grant to restore Battle Creek habitat, boost juvenile Chinook survival The juvenile salmon population in Battle Creek, a tributary of the Sacramento River flowing through Shasta and Tehama counties, will soon have a new area ...

Happening now on the Chico State campus! California State University, Chico's North State Student Ambassadors are holding their 2nd Annual Rural Student Voice Conference today, titled "Amplifying Rural Student Voices in Regional Communities." The event has drawn approximately 100 students from across rural North State counties for a full day of collaborative discussion, activities and a campus tour. The Student Ambassadors serve as a voice for rural communities and Chico State, working to share what their communities have to offer, and to learn more about how to enhance connections and support between rural communities and Chico State.

On March 4, 2026, the Sierra Nevada Conservancy(SNC) hosted a field tour in Butte County ahead of our March 5 Governing Board meeting in Chico. Along the tour, board members, staff and community partners heard from our team about the origin and purpose of the Tribal Caucus — a tribal collaborative facilitated by the Collective, currently funded by California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) and the Butte County Fire Safe Council. The presentation also highlighted the Tribal GIS Training & Technical Assistance Program, funded by SNC and the Butte County Resource Conservation District through the SNC RFFCP program. Together these efforts strengthen tribal capacity, supporting wildfire resilience for the region while advancing tribal land stewardship. Pictured (l-r) are team members Rebekah Casey, Assistant Director and Thomas Mitchum, Tribal Liaison and Engagement Specialist and the group.