CEPCO Committees & Task Forces:
For the 2011-12 Action Plan, CEPCO has formed the following Committees and Task Forces to achieve the outcomes desired for the coming year.
Tech Group:
Founded in 2007, the CEPCO Tech Group is a coalition of locally based technology companies, individuals, and local education institutions. The mission of this group is to grow the local talent base to meet the needs of today’s technology employers, and provide local organizations a direct link to students graduating from local higher education (Chico State, Butte College) or bring qualified alumni back to Chico to live and work. Started to help Chico companies meet the shortage of technology related talent in the community, the Tech Group has worked tirelessly to build a strong bond between Chico tech companies and is reaching out more and more to educational institutions to develop industry-friendly curriculum and training programs, from the University level down to K-12. This is a dynamic group dedicated to improving the quality of life in Chico and growing the local economy by capitalizing on the talent we have in town (or in our alumni) while also making Chico a hub for innovative entrepreneurship and technological development.
Some Tech Group collaborators: California State University, Butte College, Chico Unified School District, the Chico State Career Center, Build.com, Landacorp, NoRTEC, Travidia, and Auctiva. For a complete listing of Tech Group Companies, download this listing here.
Download minutes from recent Tech Group meetings: January 7, 2011, January 27, 2011, February 11, 2011, March 11, 2011, April 8, 2011
Chico Innovation Council:
The Chico Innovation Council (formerly Job Creation Committee) is comprised of CEPCO members and a number of our collaborating organizations including Chico State, Butte College, Chico Unified School District, California Faculty Association, Academic Professional of California, Valley Contractors Exchange, and the Chico Chamber of Commerce. A prime task of the Council is to expand its ongoing efforts in the community relative to Talent Mobilization Strategy, and serves as a consultation group for the iHub and Innovation Lab..
In the words of technology consultant and CSU Chico faculty member Rick Hubbard, the Council works to bridge the gap between demand for workers with particular skill sets and the graduates coming out of our local educational institutions. Vital to this effort is collaborating with other entities to evaluate Chico’s readiness to support and develop innovation. The findings of GROW-California’s Innovation Scorecard will be vetted by this committee.
The Chico Innovation Council will seek to implement policies and recommend action steps to instill this value for learning, adaptability, and critical thinking into our community. Currently, the Innovation Council is hearing a cycle of presentations by local innovative entrepreneurs on their latest activities, goals, and challenges in Chico.
The Chico Innovation Council, chaired by Courtney Nelson of Bidwell Insurance, meets twice a month on Thursdays and is currently spearheading the effort to replace Aero Union Corp at the Chico Municipal Airport. See “CEPCO Meetings and Events” on the sidebar to the right for upcoming meeting information.
Download minutes from recent Chico Innovation Council meetings: January 6, 2011, February 10, 2011, February 17, 2011, March 10, 2011, April 28, 2011, September 22, 2011, October 20, 2011, November 17, 2011
