(a) The Strategic Growth Council shall award competitive grants to eligible entities through an application process. An eligible entity, including, but not limited to, a nonprofit organization, a community-based organization, a faith-based organization, a coalition or association of nonprofit organizations, a community development finance institution, a community development corporation, a local agency, a joint powers authority, or a tribal government, shall demonstrate multistakeholder partnerships with local agencies, community-based organizations, labor groups, workforce investment boards, and other stakeholders, as appropriate. The Strategic Growth Council shall award grants for projects that demonstrate community engagement in all phases.

(b) (1) In awarding grants, the Strategic Growth Council shall make grant selections for plan development contingent on the implementation of one or more projects identified by the plan.

(2) In awarding grants, the Strategic Growth Council may give priority to plans and projects that cover areas that have a high proportion of census tracts identified as disadvantaged communities and that focus on communities that are most disadvantaged.

(3) The Strategic Growth Council may award a grant over multiple years.

(4) The Strategic Growth Council shall consider applicants for projects undertaken in disadvantaged communities located in unincorporated areas of a county.

(c) To be eligible for funding under the program, a plan, and a project that implements a plan, shall demonstrate that it will achieve a reduction in emissions of greenhouse gases.

(d) The California Environmental Protection Agency shall provide assistance in performing outreach to disadvantaged communities and assessing the environmental justice benefits of project awards.

(e) Projects shall maximize climate, public health, environmental, workforce, and economic benefits.

(Amended by Stats. 2020, Ch. 370, Sec. 244. (SB 1371) Effective January 1, 2021.)