Central Sierra EDD

03/27/2026

Yesterday we co-hosted the Central Sierra Biomass Business Competition with Mother Lode Job Training that brought together 7 innovative entrepreneurs and businesses from across the region to pitch their ideas that transform forest biomass into viable products that serve to protect our communities by reducing wildfire risk.

We’re excited to congratulate RJ Skaar of Arnold Green Waste & Forest Products (Calaveras County) as this year’s winner! 🎉

RJ’s concept focuses on converting low-value wood waste, like slash and forest debris, into wood briquettes, creating a practical, market-ready solution that supports fuels reduction, local jobs, and a more circular economy.

The competition showcased a diverse group of participants from early-stage concepts to growing businesses that represented multiple counties across the Central Sierra region, as well as interest from outside the region looking to invest and build here.

In the first photo (from left to right):
- Mike Jones of Jones Land Management
- RJ Skaar of Arnold Green Waste and Forest Products
- Corbin Clough
- Sophia Kaufman, Project Coordinator for MLJT and CSEDD
- Greg Stangl of Phoenix Energy
- John Azevedo of Forager Fuels
- Kevin Starks

The final contestant, Doug Ware of Ware Inc., attended via Zoom and is not pictured. Our judges included:
- Tom Crosby, President of the Tuolumne County Business Council
- Mat Galvan, former President of the Tuolumne County Chamber of Commerce, Owner of Sierra Focused Media and Sierra Sourced, and Valley Sierra SBDC Advisor
- Dave Thoeny, Executive Director of Mother Lode Job Training and Central Sierra Economic Development District

This event is part of our ongoing work to advance the regional bioeconomy, support entrepreneurship, and build pathways for new industries rooted in the Sierra’s natural resources.

Thank you to all of the participants, judges, and partners who made this event a success. We’re excited to continue supporting these businesses and bringing new investment into the region 👏

03/11/2026

You could win $2500 to support your biomass business! 💰

Do you have a business idea that uses forest or agricultural biomass? The Central Sierra Biomass Business Competition is your chance to pitch your concept, gain industry feedback, and access no-cost business support services to help grow your venture.

🌲 Only 8 competitors will be selected.
⏳ Applications close March 18

If you’re an entrepreneur or business working in Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, Tuolumne, or Mariposa County, we want to hear your idea!

👉 Apply now:

With the State of California naming the bioeconomy as a priority sector for the Sierra Region, Central Sierra Economic Development District and Mother Lode Job Training are advancing regional goals to grow a strong, sustainable biomass-based economy. The Biomass Business Competition is one way we’...

02/25/2026

We’re looking forward to connecting with our local business community at the Tuolumne County Chamber of Commerce Business Expo tomorrow! 😊 CSEDD will be tabling from 5:00pm – 7:00pm and we’d love to see you there.

This is a great opportunity to meet local businesses, learn about regional resources, and network with the people helping drive economic growth in Tuolumne County. Plus, there will be appetizers and a raffle prize! 🎁

📍Black Oak Casino Resort Conference Center
🎟 Free admission & open to the public

Come say hello, grab a bite, enter to win, and connect with your local business community. A strong local economy starts with supporting the businesses that power it and this is a great opportunity to meet and connect with the businesses in your community!

Business Expo is back!

Join us Thursday, February 26 from 5 to 7pm at Black Oak Casino Resort for an evening of local business, networking, and community. Free and open to the public.

Want to show off your business?

Display tables are $30 for Chamber members and $50 for nonmembers. Deadline to reserve a table is February 12.
Free refreshments. No host bar. Real conversations. Real connections.

Call 209 336 0160 for details or to reserve a table.

02/09/2026

Help shape the future of EV charging in the Sierras! 🚗⚡

Our partners at Keep Sierra Green are running a regional EV Readiness Survey to better understand where charging is needed most, what barriers businesses face, and what support would make installation easier.

Your feedback will help guide future planning and funding efforts for EV infrastructure across the Sierra region.

📍 Employers in Amador, Alpine, Calaveras, Mariposa & Tuolumne Counties - we want to hear from you because your voice matters!

👉 Take the short survey here: www.surveymonkey.com/r/LGXGMDL

01/28/2026

UPDATE: Our webinar that was scheduled for tomorrow, January 29 has been cancelled. We have no further webinars schedule at this time, but we are still accepting intake forms from interested business and property owners!

Learn more about the program, check eligibility, and fill out your intake form today at csedd.org/sierrachargingnetwork

01/28/2026

The Sierra Charging Network is moving forward and even without scheduled webinars, you can still get involved!

We’re continuing to collect intake forms from Sierra region business and property owners interested in hosting EV charging at their location. Expanding this infrastructure strengthens our rural economy, supports tourism, and prepares the Sierras for a clean-energy future.

🌄 Want to be part of the network?
Fill out your intake form: https://forms.gle/jDRkzgZFvxf4GU389
Learn more about the Sierra Charging Network: csedd.org/sierrachargingnetwork

01/21/2026

Happening TOMORROW: Learn how your business can benefit from no-cost EV charging infrastructure through the Sierra Charging Network

Hosting EV chargers can attract new customers, boost visibility, and support your community. There are big benefits to expending EV infrastructure in the Sierra region and this program covers installation costs for eligible sites

🗓️ Thursday, Jan 22 | 2–3 PM
👉 RSVP required: https://forms.gle/jDRkzgZFvxf4GU389

Don’t miss this opportunity to strengthen your business and support clean transportation in the Sierra region.

01/08/2026

✨ New year, new opportunity for Sierra businesses and property owners!

Thanks to a California Energy Commission grant, CSEDD is partnering with Momentum to help connect businesses and property owners across the Sierra region to no-cost EV charging infrastructure through the Sierra Charging Network.

We’re offering another round of informational webinars for interested sites and NOW is the time to get engagede with this great opportunity.

📍 Eligible counties: Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, Tuolumne, Mariposa, Mono, Inyo, and Nevada

🗓️ Upcoming Webinars:
• Jan 15 | 9:00–10:00 AM
• Jan 22 | 2:00–3:00 PM
• Jan 29 | 5:00–6:00 PM

👉 RSVP required: https://forms.gle/jDRkzgZFvxf4GU389

If you’ve been thinking about EV charging at your site, this is a great time to learn more and get connected.

12/15/2025

Reminder: There are only two REV 2.0 EV Charging webinars left this month and they're happening THIS WEEK!

If you’re a Sierra-region business or property owner interested in hosting EV charging at no cost to you, join one of our final info sessions to learn about funding, eligibility, and next steps. This is an open call to business and/or property owners in Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, Tuolumne, Mariposa, Mono, Inyo, and Nevada Counties.

📅 Today (Mon, Dec 15) | 5–6 PM
📅 Thursday (Dec 18) | 9–10 AM

👉 RSVP here: https://forms.gle/ahTqo9ZvKE65A52Z7

12/11/2025

Community input opportunity in Sonora happening THIS WEEKEND! 📣

City of Sonora, is hosting an Economic Development Strategy Community Input Workshop. This is incredible opportunity for Tuolumne County residents to provide their opinions and feedback about the future of Downtown Sonora.

If you live, work, own a business, or simply care about the future of Sonora, this is a great chance to get involved. Stop by to learn more about the City’s strategy, react to community concepts, and share the priorities you want to see move forward.

📍 Revive Coffee in Downtown Sonora
🗓 Saturday, December 13th
⏰ 5:00–7:00 PM

Your voice matters and it helps strengthen the entire region ☺️

Join us this Second Saturday! The City of Sonora is hosting a Community Input Workshop for the City's Economic Development Strategy on Saturday, December 13th from 5–7 PM in front of Revive Coffee in downtown Sonora.

Drop by anytime to:
✔️ Learn about the City’s Economic Development Strategy
✔️ Share your ideas and priorities
✔️ React to community concepts
✔️ Vote on the ideas you want to see move forward

All voices are welcome! Residents, business owners, workers, families, and visitors are encouraged to participate. Your feedback will help shape Sonora’s economic future.

We hope to see you there!

12/10/2025

❗️New Blog Post: Charging Up the Sierra❗️

Curious how EV charging stations could boost local business, tourism, and clean-energy access in the Sierra region? Check out our latest post to learn more about why now is the time the best time to get your business or property EV ready.

👉 Read the blog: https://www.csedd.org/post/charging-up-the-sierra-how-ev-infrastructure-can-power-our-regional-economy

And don’t forget: Our next free webinar is TOMORROW to walk through how your business can host chargers at no cost.

💻RSVP here: https://forms.gle/ahTqo9ZvKE65A52Z7❗️

REMINDER: Businesses and property owners that express interest in the program by December 31st will be prioritized for implementation!

12/10/2025

Thank you, VOLT Institute, for an inspiring and eye-opening tour!

Our team representing the Central Sierra Economic Development District (CSEDD) and Mother Lode Job Training (MLJT) spent the afternoon learning how VOLT is transforming workforce training in the Central Valley. We left energized and inspired by the innovation happening there!

VOLT’s programs are built to meet real industry needs, offering hands-on training in:
• Industrial Maintenance Mechanics
• Electro-Mechanical & Automation / Mechatronics
• Certified Production Technician (CPT) pathways
• Leadership, safety, and professional-readiness training
• Plus mobile “VOLT-on-the-Go” units that bring training directly to communities that need it most.

These programs give students the skills to maintain, troubleshoot, and repair the advanced systems that keep modern manufacturing running while creating meaningful career pathways to family-sustaining jobs.

We were also joined by Andrew Gardner, Executive Director of Amador College Connect, who came to explore how VOLT’s training model can support his Industrial Arts Training Program initiative through Sierra Jobs First. Collaboration like this is how we grow opportunity and build a stronger regional workforce.

Grateful for the tour, the insights, and the shared commitment to developing talent across the Central Sierra and beyond.