Kern River Valley Revitalization, Inc.

KRVR 2006 Highlights

Strategic Relationships

• Co-hosted with Sierra Business Council a Sierra Nevada Conservancy Workshop in KRV
  
• Achieved KRV listing in SBC’s State of Sierra Agriculture: An Assessment of Working Landscapes in the Sierra Nevada publication
  
• Hosted Mojave Desert-Mountain RC&D Quarterly meeting in KRV
  
• Opposed Federal funding cut to the RC&D programs
  
• Hosted luncheon for the Sierra Nevada Conservancy Executive Officer, Jim Branham
  
• Continued to support Southern Sierra Adventures: An Association of Gateway Communities
  
• Worked with Kern Community Foundation to get KRV non-profits included in their data base
  

Leadership Enhancement

• Ten people from the KRV attended the 2006 SBC Conference, two sponsored by KRVR
  
• Eight from the KRV attended the “Opportunities Go Where Relationships Flow” workshop
  
• Promoted KCNC’s 2007 Leadership Development Training Program with at least one person applying
  

Quality of Life

• Facilitated community review committee to evaluate and comment on KRV Specific Plan drafts
  
• Presentations about the Kern Valley Hospital and its future, including Measure M - Construction Bond
  
• Presentation by Kern Council of Governments about transportation needs and Measure I - Sales Tax
  
• Supported City of Bakersfield ordinance for controls on hillside development
  
• Presentations by the Fire Safe Council and Smart Growth Coalition of Kern County
  
• Presentation by Kern Community Foundation about their grant programs
  
• Supported Sequoia Forest Keeper’s grant application to fund the Kern Valley Cares Program

Economic Sustainability

• Supported Mohave Desert –Mountain RC&D’s successful application, in collaboration with Kern River Preserve, for a $1 million grant to assist in the acquisition of conservation easements along the South Fork, helping to retain working landscapes
  
• Submitted proposal to have Sierra Nevada Conservancy’s southern regional office located in the KRV
  
• Saw fruition of KRVR’s suggestion that SCE’s $2.5 M Fishery Resource Enhancement Trust fund be placed with Kern Community Foundation
  
• Successfully sought changes in the FS Use Permit Prospectus to enhance local operator’s ability to compete
  
• Facilitated a KRV Small Business Financial Expo sponsored by MD-MRC&D and SCE
  
• Worked with Kern EDC to offer a “Cherry Tomatoes on Steroids” program in KRV for businesses with 10 or fewer employees
  
• Obtained a BOT grant on behalf of the Tourism Promotion Committee for a interactive tourism website
• Supported KRV’s 4 annual nature Festivals organized by Audubon-California’s Kern River Preserve: Bioregions, Reptile, Hummingbird & Turkey Vulture Festivals.
  
• Supported MD-MRC&D’s grant application to fund a Home Town Competitiveness Workshop
  
• Supported two local outfitters’ proposals for Kern River Guide permits
  
• Sponsored Hwy 178 Corridor Celebration
  
• Presentation about the USDA Rural Development Program
  

Document date: 12/15/06