Davenport Institute Announces Work with Valley CERF

The Davenport Institute (DI) for Public Engagement and Civic Leadership in the School of Public Policy at Pepperdine University is happy to announce their work as a subcontractor to Kit Cole Consulting (KCC). KCC, in partnership with the DI, was awarded a contract by the Central Valley Community Foundation (CVCF) as the Director of Facilitators for the Valley Community Economic Resilience Fund (Valley CERF).??

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The Director of Facilitators role includes providing training, support and facilitation resources to Valley CERF’s local and regional partners in order to produce roadmaps for economic recovery and transition that prioritize the creation of accessible, high-quality jobs in sustainable industries. This is an 18 month contract which began in April 2023. DI Executive Director, Maureen Tobin, commented “We are delighted to have this opportunity to partner with Kit Cole Consulting to serve the Central Valley on this critical project that has the opportunity to make a true difference in the economic sustainability in this important region of our state and country.”

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Funded by the State of California, Valley CERF is a 4-County coalition (Fresno, Madera, Tulare, Kings), with over 130 partner organizations, working together to create a Regional Economic Recovery and Transition Plan. The plan will include strategies for the growth of targeted industries, diversifying the economy, responding to economic shocks, increasing economic equity, and increasing health and environmental equity.? Once the Regional Economic Recovery and Transition Plan is finalized, local communities are eligible for state funds to help implement priority projects included in the plan.

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KCC, a longtime partner of the Davenport Institute, is a boutique firm that offers clients expertise in managing complex and challenging projects and teams. They have proven experience in the utility and waste industries, as well as the public sector, including state and local governments. “I very much respect and believe in the work of the Davenport Institute. I have had the pleasure to work with the DI both formally and informally over the past 10 years. The Davenport Team feels like an extension of my own team and it is great to be partnered together to ensure that the facilitation of the Valley CERF project is outstanding and effective in every way”, stated Kit Cole, KCC Founder and CEO.

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The Valley CERF project is a significant body of work for the DI and represents an expansion of the DI’s role of Thought Leader/Trusted Advisor, one of three key roles (Trainer, Convener, Thought Leader/Trusted Advisor) that focus the DI’s work.

For more information about the DI visit: https://publicpolicy.pepperdine.edu/davenport-institute/

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