November 6, 2008: The Green Valley Initiative (GVI) says it has received grants and pledges totaling nearly $200,000 to help fund future efforts to bring clean and green technologies to the Inland Empire. GVI is a regional economic development plan launched in 2007 to promote renewable energy sources, alternative fuels, biotech, nanotech and other sustainable industries in Riverside and San Bernardino counties, a Southern California region referred to as the Inland Empire. To date, the boards of supervisors of both counties, the Western Riverside Council of Governments and more than 25 cities and public agencies have adopted resolutions in support of the initiative.
The economic development agencies of both Riverside and San Bernardino counties have committed $25,000 each to the process of identifying and promoting clean and green technology opportunities and projects for the region — efforts that will bring jobs and grow business in the Inland Empire. The Morgan Family Foundation, a non-profit benefiting youth, education, environment, and stewardship, has pledged a $50,000 matching grant to help fund a detailed action plan developed by Silicon Valley mastermind and economist Doug Henton of Collaborative Economics Inc. The study will pinpoint strategies and approaches to take when GVI is formally launched as an independent entity in January.
These funding sources come on the heels of a $100,000 grant awarded to GVI last month by Southern California Edison.
“Riverside County’s Economic Development Agency has been a key partner in the Green Valley Initiative since its inception,” said Sarah Mundy, assistant director. “These next steps are vital to identifying future projects for the region and seeing them through.”
“Thanks to the generosity of the county EDAs and the Morgan Family Foundation, the Green Valley Initiative will continue to gain the momentum required to accomplish our goals,” said Ali Sahabi, president of SE Corp., a land-planning and entitlement company specializing in sustainable communities. He helped launch GVI in 2007 through his nonprofit, GIVE.