Funds will also support business commercialization and diversification efforts and worker re-training opportunities
Sacramento, Calif. – The Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) and the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR) announced today that California received a $2.9 million grant from the United States Department of Defense-Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA) to expand the capacity of California businesses and workers to leverage the multi-billion dollar cybersecurity supply chain in the state. GO-Biz and OPR, along with academic, government, and non-profit partners, will develop and implement 15 business and workforce development projects designed to help communities respond to changes in federal defense spending and augment regional defense diversification plans.
Through the grant, GO-Biz, in partnership with a coalition of state agencies, community and educational institutions, will coordinate a variety of cybersecurity resilience activities. The project, called the California Advanced Supply Chain Analysis and Diversification Effort (CASCADE), will be a two year effort and activities will include: supply chain mapping, labor market and skills gap analysis, cybersecurity provider surveys, cyber physical security workshops and assessments, and other activities. CASCADE also provides funding for a variety of business and workforce development projects, including “innovation vouchers” for small businesses, as well as, assessments and entrepreneurial skills development efforts. Collectively, these 15 projects will expand access to cybersecurity resources and assistance for small and mid-size businesses and workers.
“The CASCADE program enables California companies and workers to tap into one of the fastest growing and diverse industry sectors in our state – cybersecurity,” said Panorea Avdis, GO-Biz Director. “We will provide resources that will help them develop greater insight about procurement, entrepreneurship and labor opportunities in the sector. In addition, CASCADE will empower our defense industry business and people employed in the industry to enhance and diversify their skill sets and opportunities within cybersecurity.”
The CASCADE effort will include more than a dozen government, academic, and community partners, including GO-Biz, OPR, Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, California Community Colleges Centers of Excellence for Labor Market Research, California Community Colleges Small Business Sector Navigator, California Manufacturing Technology Consulting, California State University San Bernardino Institute of Applied Research, California State University Inland Empire Center for Entrepreneurship, San Jose State University, San Diego East County Economic Development Council, Nehemiah Community Foundation, Santa Clara University, City College of San Francisco- San Francisco Bay Center of Excellence and Employment Training Panel.
About GO-Biz
The Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) serves as the State of California’s leader for job growth and economic development efforts. GO-Biz offers a range of services to business owners including: attraction, retention and expansion services, site selection, permit streamlining, clearing of regulatory hurdles, small business assistance, international trade development, assistance with state government, and much more. For more information visit, www.business.ca.gov.
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