Title
a. Receive a report on the findings of the equity assessment;
b. Approve the proposed development and implementation of a Monterey County equity program;
c. Direct the Cannabis Program Manager to develop an equity program structure including applicant criteria and return to the Board of Supervisors to gain policy direction;
d. Approve the Cannabis Program Manager to make an application for the State of California Go-Biz Tier II grant; and
e. Provide direction to staff as appropriate.
Report
RECOMMENDATIONS:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Receive a report on the findings of the equity assessment;
b. Approve the proposed development and implementation of a Monterey County equity program;
c. Direct the Cannabis Program Manager to develop an equity program structure including applicant criteria and return to the Board of Supervisors to gain policy direction;
d. Approve the Cannabis Program Manager to make an application for the State of California Go-Biz Tier II grant; and
e. Provide direction to staff as appropriate.
SUMMARY
In January 2020, the Cannabis Program ("Program") was informed of a grant opportunity offered through the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development ("GO-Biz"). With guidance from the Legislative Program, Program staff submitted an application to GO-BIZ in March 2020 for Type 1 funding to conduct an equity assessment to identify marginalized segments within Monterey County, and groups of individuals most impacted by economic disparities and cannabis arrest rates which will inform the creation of a local equity program.
In April 2020, the Program was informed the County received the $150,000 grant award. In May 2020, the Board of Supervisors authorized the Cannabis Program Manager to execute a grant agreement with GO-Biz to receive grant funding. In July 2020, the Board of Supervisors authorized the Cannabis Program Manager to execute an agreement with University Corporation, at Monterey Bay to ...
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