Project at a Glance
| Client | San Diego Port Tenants Association (SDPTA) |
| Partners | Port of San Diego · California Clean Transportation Industries |
| GCG’s Role | Strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, outreach, and inclusion recommendations |
| Designation | First-of-its-Kind National Initiative |
| Focus | Equity, workforce development, community engagement |
Project Overview
The Port of San Diego Sustainable Freight Demonstration Project set out to do something the freight industry had never done at this scale: build community equity directly into the rollout of clean transportation. The initiative was designed as a model for how disadvantaged communities, tribal nations, rural residents, and underserved populations — too often left out of clean transportation transitions — could participate meaningfully in the benefits, careers, and small-business opportunities of a decarbonizing freight system.
This wasn’t a one-off pilot. It was framed as a first-of-its-kind national initiative to establish a replicable framework for inclusive freight sustainability — one that California, and ultimately the country, could build on.
The Challenge
Historically, disadvantaged communities, small businesses, veterans, and underrepresented populations have often been excluded from clean transportation and infrastructure initiatives. The result: investments meant to benefit broad communities concentrated their economic returns narrowly, and the workforce pipelines that emerged didn’t reflect the populations the projects were meant to serve.
The Port of San Diego project sought to create a framework that would:
- Increase community participation in clean transportation projects
- Expand economic opportunities for underserved populations
- Create training and certification pathways into the freight and clean transportation industries
- Support workforce development and industry training
- Establish best practices that could be replicated throughout California
GCG’s Role
GCG provided strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, outreach, and inclusion recommendations focused on maximizing participation from underserved communities. Specific contributions spanned four core areas:
Community & Stakeholder Engagement
- Conducted outreach to disadvantaged and underrepresented communities
- Facilitated engagement between project stakeholders and community organizations
- Developed strategies to improve participation in sustainability initiatives
Workforce Development
- Identified pathways for workforce training and career development
- Connected local residents to emerging clean transportation industries
- Promoted participation in future energy, transportation, and infrastructure careers
Small Business & Supplier Inclusion
- Developed recommendations to increase participation by veteran-owned, disabled veteran-owned, minority-owned, tribal, and small businesses
- Supported supplier diversity and inclusion objectives
- Created frameworks for long-term economic participation
Policy & Strategic Recommendations
- Provided recommendations supporting implementation of the Port of San Diego Climate Action Plan
- Assisted in developing approaches to ensure measurable community benefits
- Supported stakeholder engagement efforts related to California Energy Commission (CEC) and California Air Resources Board (CARB) funded initiatives
Project Impact
| Impact area | Outcome |
|---|---|
| Established a National Model | Helped demonstrate how clean transportation projects can be intentionally designed to create economic and workforce opportunities for underserved communities |
| Expanded Community Participation | Created pathways for historically underrepresented populations to engage in clean energy and transportation initiatives |
| Advanced Environmental Justice Goals | Advanced workforce development and clean transportation career pathways |
| Strengthened Workforce Development | Connected community engagement efforts with future workforce training opportunities supporting California’s clean energy future |
| Supported Public Agency Goals | Provided strategic recommendations that aligned with regional sustainability, climate action, and economic development objectives |
Results
- A first-of-its-kind freight sustainability outreach and inclusion initiative
- Supported disadvantaged community engagement and participation
- Advanced workforce development and clean transportation career pathways
- Expanded opportunities for small, veteran, tribal, and diverse businesses
- Helped establish best practices for future clean transportation and infrastructure projects
- Contributed to California’s broader environmental justice and sustainability goals
About GCG
GCG is a Native American, woman, and veteran-owned licensed general contractor specializing in renewable energy development and clean energy program implementation. With 17+ years of experience and over $300 million in awarded contracts and grants, GCG combines technical expertise with mission-driven community engagement.
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Call to Action
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