To: Board of Supervisors
From: County Administrative Office
Agenda Section: Departmental
Vote Requirement: Majority
SUBJECT:
title
Humboldt County Offshore Wind Community Engagement Mapping, Workforce and Supply Chain Assessments and Strategic Recommendations
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Receive a presentation on the Humboldt County Offshore Wind Community Engagement Mapping, Workforce and Supply Chain Assessments and Strategic Recommendations (Attachments 1 through 4);
2. Accept the attached assessments (Attachments 1-3); and
3. Adopt the strategic recommendations (Attachment 4) as Humboldt County’s Offshore Wind Workforce and Supply Chain Roadmap.
Body
STRATEGIC PLAN:
This action supports the following areas of your Board’s Strategic Plan.
Area of Focus: A Diverse, Equitable & Robust Economy
Strategic Plan Category: 2001 - Promote strong economic resiliency and growth
DISCUSSION:
In December 2021, two companies, RWE and Vineyard Wind, were awarded leases with the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management to develop offshore wind energy off the coast of Humboldt County.
Recognizing the importance in planning for an incoming industry of this magnitude, the County of Humboldt Board of Supervisors, on May 24, 2022, directed staff to explore opportunities related to the development of local supply chains and workforce preparedness for offshore wind.
In response, the Humboldt County Workforce Development Board, interested in understanding the potential supply chain and workforce impacts, sought out and was awarded an Additional Assistance grant by the State of California Employment Development Department in the amount of $1.5 million. A portion of the funding was used to procure Xodus Group for the development of the attached four analyses: 1) Humboldt Offshore Wind Community Engagement and Mapping; 2) Redwood Coast Region Offshore Wind Workforce Assessment; 3) Redwood Coast Region Offshore Wind Supply Chain Assessment; and 4) Redwood Coast Region Offshore Wind Supply Chain and Workforce Assessment: Strategic Recommendations.
These studies are intended to act as preparatory documents to ensure Humboldt County, and the North Coast Region, are prepared to fully take advantage of the projected supply chain and workforce development opportunities associated with the offshore wind industry. Today your board will receive a presentation from Xodus Group detailing the work, findings and recommendations of the assessments.
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Economic Development- Workforce Development 1120287
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
|
Expenditures (1120, 287150) |
FY24-25 |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
$450,000 |
|
Additional Appropriation Requested |
|
|
Total Expenditures |
$450,000 |
*Projected amounts are estimates and are subject to change.
|
Funding Sources (1120, 287150) |
FY24-25 |
|
General Fund |
|
|
State/Federal Funds |
$450,000 |
|
Total Funding Sources |
$450,000 |
*Projected amounts are estimates and are subject to change.
Narrative Explanation of Financial Impact:
The four attached analyses were fully funded by state and federal funds in the amount of $450,000 of the $1.5 million in Additional Assistance funding from the State of California Employment Development Department. These funds were expended and received in FY 2024-25 in Fund 1120, Budget Unit 287150 - Workforce Development, Offshore Wind.
Adopting the strategic recommendations does not immediately have financial impacts to the county. However, it does provide direction to staff to pursue certain activities, which would require additional funding that the county would need to pursue.
STAFFING IMPACT:
Approving the recommendations within the analyses will provide a roadmap for the county to carry out activities related to developing and strengthening the local supply chain and workforce related to offshore wind.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
State of California Employment Development Department
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board could choose not to accept the recommendations contained in the studies, or direct staff to pursue actions that are different from those presented in the recommendations. However, that is not recommended as these documents were developed with many community partners and industry experts and stand to provide guidance for industry development.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Humboldt Offshore Wind Community Engagement and Mapping
2. Redwood Coast Region Offshore Wind Workforce Assessment
3. Redwood Coast Region Offshore Wind Supply Chain Assessment
4. Redwood Coast Region Offshore Wind Supply Chain and Workforce Assessment: Strategic Recommendations
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Meeting of: Aug. 22, 2023; Nov. 29, 2022; March 14, 2023; April 22, 2024
File No.: 21-393; 22-615; 22-1584; 23-236; 24-120