PG&E Awards $250,000 In Grants To Support Local Economic Vitality And Job Creation

Continuing its long-standing commitment to support the economic vitality of the communities it serves and increase the opportunity for local job creation, Pacific Gas and Electric Co. has announced that it would provide $25,000 grants to support the work of 10 organizations throughout Northern and Central California.

PG&E is piloting an Economic Vitality Grant Program to invest $250,000 in programs designed to enhance local economic vitality—ranging from small business creation and growth to workforce development.

"As a local provider of electricity and natural gas, PG&E has long partnered with local organizations to help boost economic vitality in the communities we serve," said Ezra Garrett, vice president of community relations and chief sustainability officer for PG&E. "These grants will help support organizations in their efforts to stimulate economic growth, generate jobs and enhance workforce development."

With nearly 200 applications received, the funding determinations for this grant program were competitive. All applications were evaluated by a third party who based recommendations on a combination of factors including the strength of the plans presented, demonstrable links to job creation and community need.

Eligible grantees for this PG&E Corporation shareholder-funded program included local government organizations, educational institutions and 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations within the company's 70,000 square mile service area.

The 2013 PG&E Economic Vitality Grant Winners are listed below. For more information on the PG&E Economic Vitality Program and this year's grant winners, please visit www.pge.com/community/vitality/grantprogram.

ORGANIZATION	CITY	PROGRAM
Bakersfield ARC	Bakersfield	TRAINING: Grant funding supports direct job creation, employment and training for persons with disabilities through the expansion of their Industrial Training Facility.
Redwood Region Economic Development Commission	Eureka	JOB CREATION: Grant funding supports the launch of Phase II of the Manufacturing Network, which fuels job creation by linking existing local manufacturers with the demand of local exporting businesses.
Fresno Community Development Financial Institution	Fresno	TRAINING: Grant funding supports training, technical assistance and financing for low- to moderate-income entrepreneurs in the Central Valley.
JobTrain, Inc.	Menlo Park	TRAINING: Grant funding provides workforce training and job placement services for low-income adults and youth.
Upstate California Economic Development Council (EDC)	Red Bluff	BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT: Grant funding supports the first ever Upstate California Food Expo in March 2014.
Sacramento Regional Technology Alliance (SARTA)	Sacramento	BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT/TRAINING: Grant funding will establish a new business mentoring methodology.
SFMade	San Francisco	BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT/TRAINING: Grant funding supports the growth of SFMADE's Manufacturer's Accelerator program.
Opportunity Fund	San Jose	BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT: Grant funding supports the organization's ability to make loans to small business owners for business expansion
Downtown Stockton Alliance	Stockton	BUSINESS INCUBATION: Grant funding helps to establish a technology incubator in Downtown Stockton.
El Pajaro Community Development Corporation	Watsonville	BUSINESS INCUBATION: Grant funding supports the operation of the Commercial Kitchen Incubator Program.