Santa Cruz City and County are part of a pilot program intended to help property owners finance renewable energy, water and energy-efficiency projects over time. Gine Johnson, CEO of Ecology Action, will describe how The CaliforniaFirst Program is expected to work at the Chamber Breakfast Briefing April 14.

The CaliforniaFirst Program allows residents to finance projects with private-issued bonds that are repaid through property taxes on the improved property over a 10- to 20-year period. Unlike most private loans, which are due when a property sells, the CaliforniaFirst program transfers the obligation along with the property upon sale. This means the cost of the project transfers with a home, rather than with the homeowner.

The program, sponsored by the California Statewide Development Authority, a joint powers of authority sponsored by California Association of Counties and League of California Cities, will be tested in Santa Cruz and other counties and cities throughout California this summer. A statewide program will be launched this summer.

Attend this event to learn:
•How this funding mechanism works
•The economic benefits to property owners
•Who qualifies and what kinds project projects can be funded with this program
•How contractors can use this program to support projects

$15 for members, $25 for non-members including a light breakfast
7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. April 14 at the Chamber Meeting Center, 611 Ocean Street

About Gine Johnson:

Virginia serves as Executive Director/CEO of Ecology Action, Inc., a role she has held since joining the non-profit in 1995.  As Executive Director/CEO, Virginia has effectively leveraged three decades of experience in strategic business development and marketing to exponentially increase Ecology Action’s mission-driven service offerings and revenues.

Virginia also brings to Ecology Action deep knowledge of non-profit management through her service on governing boards and advisory groups for many community based organizations, some of which include: RotaCare Free Medical Clinic of Santa Cruz, the FEMA Board of Santa Cruz County, Homeless Shelter Project of the Community Action Board, the HIV Consortium of Santa Cruz County, Above The Line (services for homeless teenagers), Westside Community Health Center, and New Life Community Services Family Shelter.

Under Virginia’s leadership, Ecology Action has evolved into a leading environmental consultancy that includes four divisions: Climate and Community, Energy, Pollution Prevention/Zero Waste, and Transportation.  These four divisions are responsible for operating dozens of local and regional programs, partnering with numerous public, private and non-profit organizations.

Virginia serves as the 5th District appointee to the Santa Cruz County Commission on the Environment and is a board member of the Santa Cruz Area Transportation Management Association.

Virginia graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, and is a 25-year resident of Santa Cruz County, where she and her husband raised her three children.