Founded in 1994 to elevate the communities, economy, and environment of the Sierra Nevada simultaneously, Sierra Business Council is a 501(c)3 organization based in Truckee and registered in both California and Nevada.

The region we serve encompasses the entire Sierra Nevada, encompassing the foothills to the mountains, historic downtowns, national parks and forests, recreation gateway communities, awe-inspiring peaks, and endless opportunities for innovation, regeneration, and resilience. 

Our work has always encompassed elevating the triple bottom line. In 1994, our focus was largely centered on creating regional unity among the business community, conservation initiatives, and ensuring the economic and environmental health of the region. In 2004, we helped found the Sierra Nevada Conservancy and shortly thereafter began our work in climate planning and energy efficiency. We also prioritized issues of land use in the early 2000s through our work with Rivers and Ranches and sustainable recreation and tourism in the Sierra, laying the groundwork for what would one day become the Sierra Nevada Geotourism project.

In 2015, SBC took on the Sierra Small Business Development Center, kicking off five years of increased economic empowerment across the region to help local entrepreneurs’ businesses start, grow, and thrive. Our Economic Empowerment portfolio grew as we incorporated the Gold Country Broadband Consortium and began managing revolving loan funds, small business grants, and other service and resource opportunities that have helped foster a stronger entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Sierra.

The triple bottom line is where we started and it remains at the heart of all of our efforts. Looking ahead to the future of the region, we envision a Sierra with diverse and regenerative economies, restorative ecosystems, and resilient communities. At Sierra Business Council, we work to make this vision a reality