Governor Launches California Green Corps

“We will utilize federal economic stimulus funds and public-private partnerships to help stimulate our economy while initiating actions to improve our environment,” Governor Arnold Schwarzengger said of the new program in a press release.

“Green jobs are exactly what our economy and environment need right now – and the California Green Corps targets that need while helping at-risk young adults realize a brighter future.” 

The Republican governor’s proposal is to invest at least $10 million in federal economic stimulus funds — California is expected to receive $31 billion over three years — and raise an additional $10 million from public-private partnerships.

The program will start as 20-month pilot program aimed at finding jobs in green industries for at least 1,000 at-risk Californians between ages 16 and 24.  

The program will consist of 10 or more regional Green Corps throughout the state – with at least one regional Green Corps located in each of California’s nine economic regions. All programs will be public-private partnerships that include green job training, a stipend, an educational requirement and community service.

Here’s a webcast of the governor’s announcement and a more detailed albeit self-congratulatory fact sheet on the idea.

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