MONTEREY COUNTY — Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC) Board Chair and Monterey County Supervisor Chris Lopez hosted the May 2024 RCRC Board of Directors meeting in Monterey County.
The two-day event featured the RCRC Board of Directors meeting at the Monterey County Government Building in Salinas, as well as a tour showcasing local agriculture businesses and pioneering nonprofits in the county.
“It has been a privilege welcoming fellow rural county leaders from across California to our community. Our time together fostered crucial discussions on pressing issues facing rural communities and provided an opportunity to highlight innovative industry within our county,” Lopez said. “I also extend my gratitude to the representatives from our robust agricultural and nonprofit sectors who shared their dedicated efforts to developing quality produce and investing in the future of our youth.”
The RCRC Board of Directors meeting featured a dedicated workshop where supervisors provided input to help support the development of RCRC’s 2025-27 Strategic Plan. This collaborative effort ensures the organization remains strategically positioned to address the evolving needs of its member counties.
The Board also reviewed key state and federal legislation, gaining a deeper understanding of current policy landscapes and their potential impacts on rural communities.
In a separate session, supervisors convened with representatives from affiliated entities, the Golden State Finance Authority (GSFA) and the Golden State Connect Authority (GSCA). GSFA provided an overview of their housing assistance programs, while GSCA provided an update on their efforts to establish open-access municipal broadband networks in rural California.
During their visit, rural leaders also embarked on a tour highlighting the agricultural industry in Monterey County. With informative visits to Tanimura & Antle in Salinas, the USDA Agricultural Research Service’s Agricultural Research Technology Center in Salinas and Constellation Brands in Gonzales, participants gained valuable insights into the integral role of agriculture in the region’s economy.
The itinerary also featured a visit to Rancho Cielo Youth Campus, a pioneering Monterey County nonprofit in Salinas, that offers career development and personal growth opportunities to youth throughout the community.
As is an organizational tradition, the RCRC Chair hosts a Board of Directors meeting in their county during their tenure. The May RCRC Board of Directors meeting brought more than 40 elected supervisors and rural county leaders to Monterey County.
Rural County Representatives of California is a 40-member county strong service organization that champions policies on behalf of California’s rural counties.
“RCRC is dedicated to representing the collective unique interests of its membership, providing legislative and regulatory representation at the State and Federal levels, and providing responsible services for its members to enhance and protect the quality of life in rural California counties,” the organization stated.
To learn more about RCRC, visit rcrcnet.org.
