October 2019
Welcome

Dear Recycling Market Development Zone (RMDZ) Workshop Attendee:

We are pleased to invite you to CalRecycle's Zone Works Training Workshop on October 23-24, 2019, at the Holiday Inn in Sacramento. Zone Works offers the unique opportunity for Zone Administrators, CalRecycle Zone Liaisons and Loan staff, and valued program partners to regularly convene and discuss current issues and to coordinate business assistance. Through the educational and networking sessions, attendees will have the opportunity to learn about new and expanding funding opportunities and other business incentives to support recycling manufacturers and reuse/recovery networks.

Pre-Workshop Opportunities

  • The morning of October 23th, Zone Administrators are encouraged to attend the California Association of Recycling Market Development Zones (CARMDZ) meeting. This is a meeting where Zone Administrators can talk among themselves about issues important to them. For more information, contact Manuel Medrano, CARMDZ President, at mmedrano@chulavistaca.gov or (619) 585-5766.
     
  • For new Zone Administrators or those who want a refresher or to ask questions, CalRecycle and CARMDZ will host a RMDZ 101 training to review roles and share resources. During the last 30 minutes of RMDZ 101, we will show on the big screen how to apply for Zone Incentive Funds (ZIFs) and teach everybody what travel expenses are covered and the max amounts that can be claimed for Zone Works.

Workshop Summary (draft and subject to change)

Following the CARMDZ meeting, RMDZ 101, and lunch on Day One, October 23rd, in the first session of the training workshop we will learn about common barriers that slow down siting and expansion of facilities in California and how to navigate through them to protect our natural and human environments while expanding recycling infrastructure in California.

Session 2 will be a fun session designed to teach you what project types are eligible and what are not for RMDZ loans. The goal is to increase program knowledge and awareness in an engaging and entertaining way.

Toni and Manuel will lead us in Session 3, Peer Share. They will share the results from the World Café session from our last workshop, and all ZAs who have an update to share or questions to ask will have the opportunity to do so.

We will conclude the first day with our networking reception on the 16th Floor of the Holiday Inn, where we will enjoy expansive views of the city, tasty finger food and drink, and vibrant conversation with our colleagues and workshop speakers.

On Day Two, CalRecycle and the California Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) will talk about how our collaboration works to benefit manufacturers in your zones. We will share specific examples of businesses that have benefited from GO-Biz referrals, e.g. tax incentives, loans, grants, etc. We will also discuss Opportunity Zones and what they mean for your RMDZ.

We always love it when businesses talk about their operations at Zone Works. That’s how we’ll wrap up this training workshop. This session will focus on companies that divert foodwaste.

As you can see, the workshop agenda represents a diverse array of excellent topics. We hope you will join us in Sacramento on October 23-24, 2019 to learn and to share your specific experiences with others.

Please submit your ZIF requests prior to the workshop. If you need help with this, please contact your Zone Liaison.

In the meantime, if you have any questions about Zone Works, please contact me.

Sincerely,

Frank Severson, Zone Works Coordinator
Local Assistance and Market Development
Frank.Severson@CalRecycle.ca.gov or (916) 341-6259