With continuous conversations regarding what the Kern Community had planned on implementing toward a better economy in the community,  KCCD brought together several groups in the community that were acknowledged as the Kern Coalition. Organizations such as the Kern Community College District, B3K, Community Action Partnership of Kern (CAPK), the Central Labor Council, Inyo & Mono Counties, and many others were represented at the meeting held in downtown Bakersfield Monday, June 27. The meeting discussed the Community Economic Resilience fund, or more specifically known as CERF.

The main plan that the Kern Coalition aims to provide is to create stronger job opportunities for the community. John Paul Lake, executive director of the B3K stated that their main aim is to grow job opportunities to more than 100,000. Following the announcement of providing new job opportunities, they brought up more information about their goals. The job opportunities that are planned to be into motion, would be impactful for the people in the community, along with the economy as a whole

Regional chair and dean of economic and workforce development at KCCD, Jessica Grimes, added that these opportunities for the community will also be more focused on helping the disinvested communities within the county. She stated that with the understanding of the poverty that is located in some of the regions within the town of Bakersfield, KCCD aims to shift a better focus on helping them improve and strengthen their communities for multiple generations.

The meeting ended on the note of several plans being discussed on setting up future meetings that would focus on receiving input and engagement from the community on how any upcoming grants could be implemented for the upcoming projects.