CalFire funds workforce, business development projects
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Wood Products and Bioenergy Team awarded $14 million in new grant agreements this week. These projects will increase California’s capacity to establish healthy, resilient forests through workforce and business development.
The 10 new awards will go to non-profits, family businesses, wood products manufacturing facilities, and county and local governments.
These partners are building the infrastructure and capacity to sustainably manage California’s forests as outlined in California’s Wildfire and Forest Resilience Action Plan, Since January, $54 million has been awarded through this new grant program. Projects are aligned with the state’s climate mitigation and economic development goals.
“As climate chance puts a greater strain on our forestry and fire personnel. CalFire’s investment in our Program has helped us to increase wildfire personnel who were formerly incarcerated or from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds,” said Cari Pang Chen, Bay Area Director of the Forestry and Fire Recruitment Program, a nonprofit that was awarded a workforce development grant earlier this year. “Our 2022 grant supports expansion to the Bay Area and deepens our work across the state in providing the necessary training and preparation for helping our participants transition successfully to forestry and fire careers with familv sustaining wares.
CalFire’s Business and Workforce Development grant awards are funded with State of California General Funds. The solicitation remains open to new grant applications. Visit CalFire’s Wood Products and Bioenergy webpage for details.
