Online Jobs and Economic Support Resource Grant Program.

Existing law, the Economic Revitalization Act, establishes the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development, also known as "GO-Biz," in state government within the Governor's office under the control of a director. The act requires GO-Biz to serve as the Governor's lead entity for economic strategy and the marketing of California on issues relating to business development, private sector investment, and economic growth. This bill would establish the Online Jobs and Economic Support Resource Grant Program within GO-Biz for the purpose of supporting inclusive, cross-jurisdictional, and innovative online platforms that support job and earning opportunities and economic recovery with a strong focus on underserved and economically challenged communities. This bill would require an eligible applicant, which shall be a nonprofit, a cooperative, public benefit corporation, or a local government, to meet specified requirements, including, among other things, maintenance of an online platform that connects users with economic opportunities, training programs, and services. The bill would require GO-Biz, upon appropriation of funds by the Legislature, to issue grants to qualified online platforms based on a process for the awarding of competitive grants to eligible applicants that requires submission of a proposal narrative, a proposed budget, evidence of demonstrated experience in working with the proposed target populations, and a proposed impact assessment and timeline that includes progress reports and final deliverables. The bill would require grant recipients to submit an annual report to GO-Biz on how it used the grant funding that it was issued.