Shane Farthing & Associates Selected to Lead Regional Economic Development Strategy for Central Sierra Bicycle Tourism
New initiative under the Sierra Jobs First Grant aims to leverage outdoor recreation for job creation and community resilience.
Shane Farthing & Associates (SF&A) is proud to announce its selection by the California Mobility Fund to lead a pivotal economic development initiative across the Central Sierra region. Funded through the Sierra Jobs First Grant, this project focuses on transforming the Motherlode region into a premier destination for bicycle tourism while fostering sustainable local economic growth.
The Central Sierra region is poised to capitalize on the growing global demand for bicycle-centric travel. SF&A will spearhead a multi-phase strategy to bridge the gap between trail infrastructure and tangible economic outcomes for local residents and businesses.
"Our goal is to ensure that trail investments serve as a true economic engine for the community," said Shane Farthing, Principal at SF&A. "By focusing on bicycle tourism as a core economic development strategy, we are creating a blueprint that balances high-quality recreation with long-term job creation for the Motherlode region."
Project Scope & Objectives
Under the terms of the agreement, Shane Farthing & Associates will deliver a comprehensive suite of services designed to move regional development from vision to reality:
Targeted Grant Research & Writing: Identifying and securing the long-term funding necessary to build and maintain world-class infrastructure.
"Signature Project" Development: Moving high-priority projects toward "shovel-ready" status to ensure they are competitive for state and federal implementation funds.
Regional Economic Development Plan: Creating a data-backed roadmap specifically for bicycle recreation that prioritizes local economic resilience and sustainable tourism.
This partnership underscores SF&A’s commitment to building "thriving communities" through actionable, sector-specific planning. Work on the Sierra Jobs First project is already underway.
About Shane Farthing & Associates
Shane Farthing & Associates is a specialized consultancy focused on the intersection of transportation, economic development, and community design. With a focus on data-driven strategies and stakeholder alignment, SF&A helps communities build infrastructure that serves both people and the planet.