Image by alohamalakhov from Pixabay 

December 8, 2023 - WASHINGTON - Congressman Jim Costa (CA-21) has released the following statement celebrating the first anniversary of the Farm Food Future (F3) Initiative, a critical program funded by a $65 million federal grant from the EDA designed to drive economic growth and equity in the Central Valley.

“One year ago, we secured the largest federal investment in the Central Valley to invest in our communities and fuel agricultural technology and workforce innovation. Now, those federal investments are developing new technologies, improved farm productivity, and good-paying jobs in underserved communities. I’m proud to see these federal dollars developing a vibrant, more inclusive economy for the people of the Central Valley.” said Congressman Costa.

The F3 Initiative was submitted to the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) Build Back Better Regional Challenge (BBBRC) in October 2021. The EDA received 529 applications from regions in all 50 states and five territories.

On September 2, 2022, President Biden announced its BBBRC awardees and named the F3 Initiative as the recipient of $65.1 Million in federal funding, the largest federal grant ever awarded to the Central Valley and the only project awarded funding in California. Costa was the only member of the Valley delegation who voted to pass the American Rescue Plan, which funded the BBBRC, and he supported this project from the beginning by working with local, state, and federal partners to advocate for the Valley getting this much-needed and deserved investment.

The F3 Initiative is focused on implementing agricultural technology, climate-smart initiatives, and workforce development in the Valley through the following:

• Industry-university research partnerships to develop sustainable food production solutions.

• Agri-food technology commercialization 

• Workforce development in agri-food technology

• Inclusive innovation and economic development for Central Valley small businesses

To amplify the project’s success, U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development, Alejandra Y. Castillo visited the Central Valley to provide resources and assistance for interested partners. For more information and resources, CLICK HERE.  
Source: Congressman Jim Costa