The Exchange Contractors have worked closely with local cities and organizations for generations to support critical infrastructure, water resiliency and other important projects that strengthen our communities. These partnerships benefit all of us and form the backbone of much of the infrastructure we rely on today.
Last year, it launched a new initiative designed to reinforce that local commitment: the Community Infrastructure Fund. The concept was simple — take a portion of the annual Net Transfer Revenue and return it to the communities served in the form of targeted grants for shovel-ready projects. The results have exceeded expectations.
In its first year, the Community Infrastructure Fund awarded more than $500,000 to five impactful projects in Firebaugh, Newman, Los Banos and Gustine. From rehabilitating trails and installing solar lighting to improving water quality and creating new conservation education areas, each of these efforts is a testament to what can be achieved when we work in partnership.
Now, we’re proud to announce the second year of the fund and invite a new round of proposals in 2025. Funding is available to support projects focused on water resource development, renewable energy infrastructure, recreational facility enhancements tied to water systems, and sewage or public health-related improvements.
We’ll again prioritize proposals from within the service areas of our four member entities — Central California Irrigation District, San Luis Canal Company, Firebaugh Canal Water District and Columbia Canal Company — but we’re open to impactful ideas that extend beyond those boundaries and still benefit our communities directly.
Last year’s projects included:
- $180,000 helping rehabilitate more than 7,000 linear feet of pedestrian and bike trail along the San Joaquin River and Poso Canal in Firebaugh.
- $150,000 bringing new life to the Newman Nature Park with an educational plaza, pollinator garden, and fitness course in Newman.
- In Los Banos, $125,000 is going toward solar lighting along the HG Fawcett Canalside Trail, improving both safety and access.
- In Gustine, $30,000 is being used to aerate the pond in Schmidt Park to improve water quality, while an additional $95,000 is supporting the transformation of the Borrelli Basin into a functioning groundwater recharge facility, key for drought resilience and aquifer sustainability.
Applications for the 2025–26 Community Infrastructure Fund are due by August 20, and more information — including eligibility and submission guidelines — is available at www.sjrecwa.net/community.
We look forward to seeing what the next round of community-led ideas will bring, and we remain committed to doing our part to ensure they succeed.
—Chris White is with the San Joaquin River Exchange Contractors Water Authority.
