Brookings Publishes an In-Depth Case Study on the F3 Initiative

On May 14th, the Brookings Institution published a new in-depth case study spotlighting the F3 Initiative as a national example of how federal investment can drive inclusive, tech-forward regional economic transformation. Authored by Owen Washburn, the article explores how Fresno’s civic, nonprofit, and philanthropic leaders came together to secure and deploy funding from the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s Build Back Better Regional Challenge (BBBRC)—a $1 billion federal program designed to spur regional innovation and resilience.

Titled "How Fresno, California’s civic and philanthropic leaders catalyzed inclusive, tech-driven economic growth," the report outlines the early challenges and key strategies that shaped F3. These include organizing around a clear vision, investing in relationship-building across sectors, and developing a shared understanding of local challenges and opportunities. It credits the Central Valley Community Foundation and key partners for building trust and forging a broad coalition of education institutions, growers, small food businesses, and workforce advocates—all committed to building an equitable food economy in the Central Valley.

The Brookings article features F3 as one of the most ambitious examples among BBBRC’s 60 grantees nationwide, highlighting its multi-pronged approach: from training farmworkers in high-tech ag careers to funding small farm innovation and supporting applied research at local universities. It emphasizes that F3’s success lies not just in its programs, but in the strong alignment between community needs and long-term regional goals, supported by a cross-sector backbone infrastructure.

“Having laid this foundation, the region is prepared to translate public investment into economic growth and resilience,” CVCF’s Director of Impact Christy Patch explained, “benefiting local residents and businesses, and the country as a whole with a more sustainable food supply and climate-positive outcomes.” 

This national spotlight affirms the importance of the work F3 partners are doing every day across the region. The full article, including key takeaways and insights for other regions hoping to replicate F3’s approach, is available here on the Brookings website.