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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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What is the Regional Jobs Initiative?
How is the RJI organized?
What are the RJI's Community Values?
Who is paying for RJI?
What is a targeted industry cluster?
What are the RJI target industry clusters? How were they selected
What is the geographic focus of RJI?
How do I get involved?
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Q. What is the Regional Jobs Initiative?
Regional Jobs Initiative (RJI) was officially launched in January 2004 as an at-will public-private partnership aimed at establishing a “built to last” economy in the Fresno Region––one that could better withstand natural economic downturns and take advantage of seasons of economic expansion.
A large coalition was formed to develop and implement a five-year plan for transition of this region’s economy and related ability to create or retain jobs. Since inception, 12 targeted industry clusters have been formed with significant backing from industry leaders, supporting public agencies, and other partners. The Office of Community and Economic Development at California State University, Fresno, and key staff loaned from participating organizations coordinated leadership for the RJI coalition.
RJI hopes to be a catalyst for economic development throughout the San Joaquin Valley. Outreach efforts have already been initiated to help other Valley communities launch efforts similar to RJI, and RJI is lending its voice in Sacramento and Washington D.C. to help advance initiatives that will improve the economic development of the entire San Joaquin Valley.
Q. How is the RJI organized?
RJI is an at-will collaborative of a number of institutions, non-profits, private citizens and elected leaders in Fresno County. It is not a legal entity and has no formal jurisdiction or authority. However, two bodies have been formed to provide the leadership, support and accountability needed for successful implementation: the RJI Leadership Council and the RJI Implementation Task Force. The Leadership Council, which comprises elected leaders and heads of partner institutions, provides oversight and guidance. The Implementation Task Force, which comprises of the industry cluster leaders, community task force leaders, and representatives from partner agencies, is responsible for ongoing support and monitoring of the initiative.
Q. What are the RJI's Community Values?
1. Stewardship
2. Boundary Crossing and Collaboration
3. Commitment to Outcomes
4. "Art of the Possible" Thinking
5. Fact-Based Decision Making
6. Truth Telling
7. Power Parity
8. Commitment to Resolving Conflict
9. Asset-Based Approach
10. Conflict of Interest
Q. Who is paying for RJI?
The 2003 RJI Implementation Plan calls for the launch of a number of new programs and projects, such as centers of excellence for targeted industry clusters, a medical school in the San Joaquin Valley, a metropolitan area network and an industrial development capital fund to name a few. Funding was considered separately for each new project or program. No single source of funding paid to implement all the recommendations outlined in the 2003 RJI implementation plan. Funding came from the private sector, cost savings from improved government efficiencies, and new streams of funding from state and federal government or private foundations.
To date, the Fresno County Workforce Investment Board, California State University, Fresno, the Fresno Business Council and the City of Fresno have invested funds into the day-to-day coordination of the RJI. Those organizations and many more have made further investments in the form of loaned staff which has made the RJI successful.
Q. What is a targeted industry cluster?
Cluster Concept: Companies within distinct industries “cluster” together in response to market conditions and create concentrations of the same types of companies in one economic region.
The phrase "targeted industry cluster" refers to the grouping of related industries that naturally develop in a given geographic region. The "cluster" includes the businesses that export goods and services from or across the region and all the businesses that support those primary exporting businesses. It also includes industry sectors that need to be in close physical proximity to the markets being served, such as the tourism and logistics and distribution industries.
"Cluster-based" economic development involves targeting the industries that naturally exist in a local economy and focusing available resources on developing the things most needed to grow those industries, such as customized training programs, physical infrastructure requirements, and specialized research programs at local universities.
Q. What are the RJI target industry clusters? How were they selected
In addition to serving individual businesses with products and services that help them stay and grow in Fresno County, RJI aims to continue to support a set of targeted industries as its clients.
In the first phase of RJI, targeted industry clusters were identified by considering which industries:
- already had a higher-than-average concentration of employment in the Fresno-Madera metropolitan statistical area;
- offered a range of employment opportunities from entry level to senior jobs; and/or
- had a group of volunteer industry leaders who were willing to convene and lead an industry cluster organization.
This led to the following targeted industries, some of which were added after the initial clusters were selected:
- Advanced Manufacturing
- Arts & Culture
- Clean Energy
- Construction
- Food Processing
- Health Care
- Information Processing: Call Centers
- Logistics & Distribution
- Public Sector
- Software Development
- Tourism
- Water Technology
Q. What is the geographic focus of RJI?
RJI is focused on supporting a group of industry clusters. By their nature, industry clusters are not based on geographic or political jurisdictions but on industry concentration.
In some cases, the industry cluster is present primarily in the Fresno-Clovis Metropolitan Area. In other cases, the industry cluster is Valleywide and beyond. For purposes of expediency, the public bodies initially convened to support RJI were the City of Fresno, City of Clovis and County of Fresno.
However, the intent from the outset was that once the basic organizational process had been accomplished the sphere of the RJI would expand as appropriate. Indeed, since its launch, the RJI has begun to collaborate with a number of other cities in Fresno County and is partnering with other counties in the San Joaquin Valley to address issues and realize opportunities important to the region as a whole.
Q. How do I get involved?
Attend an Industry Cluster Meeting.
If you are a business owner or business manager in one of the RJI's target industries (advanced logistics, construction, food processing, health care, information processing, innovative energy, manufacturing, tourism, or water technology), the best way to get involved is to attend the next industry cluster meeting. Meeting dates and information are available on the RJI calendar, and invitations are open to any industry member.
Attend RJI Annual Meetings.
Every year, community meetings are held to update the public on progress and challenges to date. There is no charge to attend the annual meeting. If you would like to receive notice of annual meetings or other information regarding RJI, please send your name, physical mailing address and e-mail address to inforji@fresnorji.org.
Get Engaged in Civic Life.
It is time for our region to take charge of its own destiny. To that end, our region is undergoing a fundamental transformation as an increasing number of organizations and individuals find ways to work together to tackle historically insolvable problems. There are many opportunities to help with the Regional Jobs Initiative.There are also numerous nonprofits and schools seeking assistance. To review opportunities for engagement check out www.volunteerfresno.org.
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