BOOST is a new pilot program created by the Institute for Local Government (ILG) with funding and support from the California Strategic Growth Council (SGC). The pilot will help under-resourced communities create a framework for sustainable community planning that is customized and tailored to communities’ specific needs.

The California Legislature appropriated $1 million for this pilot program from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, administered through California Climate Investments, a statewide initiative that puts billions of cap-and-trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health outcomes, particularly in disadvantaged communities.

The 2019-20 BOOST program was a pilot outreach effort focused on 10 cities and two regions in California. The jurisdictions in this initial cohort varied in size, geography and demographics. They were selected based on being under-resourced, disadvantaged or low-income, with staff capacity challenges, and a demonstrated desire to work on climate-related issues. The BOOST communities include: the cities of Arcata, Arvin, Bakersfield, East Palo Alto, El Centro, Mammoth Lakes, Paramount, Salinas, San Diego and Ventura, and regions in the San Joaquin Valley and the Coachella Valley. The BOOST Pilot Program ran through December 2020.

Learn more about these communities on their BOOST Program profile pages, find out more about the successes of the Pilot Program in the April 2021 Best Practices Report.