About Sierra Business Council (SBC)
Sierra Business Council is a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation established in 1994 and has dedicated 30 years to enhancing the Sierra Nevada region through community empowerment, environmental stewardship, and economic development.
Headquartered in Truckee, California with satellite offices in Bishop and staff located throughout the region, the organization promotes sustainable regional growth by supporting businesses, solving rural issues, and addressing climate change. SBC’s initiatives include economic empowerment through direct technical assistance and development strategies, climate action programs that enhance energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions, and regional advocacy to elevate the Sierra’s interests in policy discussions.
Notable achievements include collaboration on establishing the Sierra Nevada Conservancy, launching the Sierra Small Business Development Center, and promoting energy resilience and climate planning via the Sierra Nevada Energy Watch. By integrating social, environmental, and economic impacts, SBC works towards a thriving, resilient Sierra Nevada with diverse economies and restored ecosystems.
Mission
Sierra Business Council advances and demonstrates innovative approaches and solutions to increase community vitality, environmental quality, economic prosperity, and social equity in the Sierra Nevada.
Vision
In the Sierra Nevada, change and challenge create opportunities. Through innovation, integrity, and respect, SBC is a trusted partner and innovator. We implement projects that model proactive and positive change on the ground, enabling the region to adapt to the needs of its diverse population, a shifting environment, and a sustainable economy. These projects empower the Sierra Nevada to be the best place to raise a family, seek adventure, learn, engage in community, grow a business, and find meaningful work – a place of hope and accomplishment.
We act as steward leaders of the region, taking responsibility for the care and responsible management of our place. Our work is focused on finding common ground among the diverse voices of our region to advance positive impact in this place we call home.
Foundational Values
We lead with honesty, accountability, and commitment to our mission. We adhere to high ethical standards while striving for excellence.
We carefully and responsibly partner to lead the region and manage its resources to advance healthy, equitable, and sustainable natural and human communities.
We help create new ways to proactively address complex issues where the collective solution exceeds the sum of the parts.
We strive to build a flourishing Sierra Nevada where the people and the environment can mutually benefit from our efforts and investments.
We engage in positive thinking and positive behaviors, like kindness and generosity, striving for the best outcome for all involved. We believe that optimism is a force multiplier.
Our most aspirational value is to develop strategies and model new systems that are qualitatively more efficient, just, and equitable.
Our Region
The region we serve is large, ecologically diverse, and predominantly rural. In the 21st century, the Sierra faces both challenges and opportunities, proving its resilience in the face of both environmental and economic challenges.
How we Drive Change in the Sierra
We Are Place-Based
We are of, for, and about the Sierra Nevada. Our love for the region translates to a deep knowledge of its lands, people, and communities. The connections and relationships we have in the Sierra are the foundation that grounds our work in this region. We are committed to deep collaboration to solve problems and create opportunities.
We are Data-Driven
We use the best available information, data, and science to create a strong knowledge base, sharpen insights, and focus attention. We value the lived experience in the region’s communities and we make fact-based decisions. We believe that by measuring and understanding the data about our region, we can best address changing conditions.
We are Triple-Bottom-Line Focused
We believe that the Sierra is best served when the community, the environment, and our economy are considered as an interdependent system. By equally valuing these three forms of capital—social, natural, and economic—we create social well-being, environmental health, and a just economy.
We Believe in Diversity
We value all the people of this region and respect them as current and future partners who are integral to our success. We value, respect, and learn from tribal and native communities as the region’s original residents while welcoming and supporting newcomers and new ideas. We have a responsibility to understand and correct injustices of the past. We are committed to valuing and working with everyone to improve our region.
We Look to the Future
We work to increase social capital by creating new partnerships to amplify impact, financial capital by attracting new financial investment to solve problems, and environmental capital by restoring the resilience of our natural environment. We work across these three forms of capital to gain maximum advantage to improve our region.
We are an Intermediary
We navigate the complex networks, partnerships, and community dynamics of the Sierra to share knowledge, convene, connect, facilitate, increase resources for, add capacity, and advance work that addresses the region’s most difficult problems. We leave behind new capacities and partnerships to carry on the work.