Title
Adopt a resolution authorizing the County Administrative Officer or his designee to execute the grant agreement with the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development to receive grant funding in the amount of $550,000 to assist local equity applicants and licensees through its local equity program for commercial cannabis activity.
Report
RECOMMENDATIONS:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
Adopt a resolution authorizing the County Administrative Officer or his designee to execute the grant agreement with the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development to receive grant funding in the amount of $550,000 to assist local equity applicants and licensees through its local equity program for commercial cannabis activity.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
In August 2021, the Cannabis Program (Program) presented the findings of its equity assessment, which was funded through the Cannabis Equity Grants Program for Local Jurisdictions (CEG) offered by the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz). Staff was directed to develop an equity program structure and applicant criteria and return to the Board of Supervisors (Board) to gain policy direction.
Staff returned to the Board in October 2021, at which time, the Board approved the framework of the Growing Equity Together Program. Staff was also directed to proceed with an application for Type 2 CEG funding. The Program submitted a grant application to GO-Biz in November 2021 for $550,000. In February 2022, GO-Biz issued a press release announcing $35 million in grant funding, including a $550,000 Type 2 award to the County of Monterey.
Due to an issue with email correspondence from GO-Biz, staff was recently informed that an authorizing resolution was due by March 15, 2022 to receive grant funding. To meet this deadline, staff has prepared a brief report and accompanying resolution for Board consideration and adoption.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The report and Grant Agreem...
Click here for full text