Before dawn on April 4, 2025, the hum of concrete trucks filled the quiet of North Richmond. By high noon, 99 cubic yards of concrete had been poured into the ground, forming the foundation for what will soon be the Community Resiliency Center at the North Richmond Farm. This wasn’t just a construction milestone, it is a lifeline for a community that has long fought against pollution and decades of disinvestment.
The urgency behind the pour was palpable. In the face of an impending permit deadline, Urban Tilth and its partners found a way to keep the project moving forward. With funding for the project still uncertain, we secured interim support from a private foundation to install the foundation, ensuring the permit wouldn’t expire before the work could begin. The foundation now stands strong, a symbol of our determination to complete this project.
But just as the concrete settled, a new setback emerged, one that shook the very core of the initiative.
In March 2025, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) signaled to elected officials that they would pull funding for over 400 environmental justice grants across the country, including North Richmond’s Community Change Grant. The EPA’s sudden suspension of this transformative $19 million grant awarded to Contra Costa County left the North Richmond Community Resilience Initiative (NRCRI) in jeopardy. The North Richmond Community Resilience Initiative included 7 key climate and housing resiliency projects, 2 led by Contra Costa County and another 5 led by local organizations, including Urban Tilth. These projects, carefully planned to address decades of environmental harm and build climate resilience, now hang in the balance.
For years, North Richmond has been home to residents who live in the shadow of industrial pollution, who breathe air polluted from the nearby Chevron refinery, and who have watched as their community was left behind in the face of climate change and economic hardship. They’ve fought for cleaner air, greener spaces, and a future of opportunity for their children. The NRCRI was their vision of a better tomorrow.
With the suspension of the EPA funding, the setback was painful, but not the end. “This foundation is more than concrete, it is a promise,” said Doria Robinson, Executive Director of Urban Tilth. “We’ve put everything into making this a reality. Now, we need the support to finish what we started.”
The foundation is secure, the project design is approved, and the community remains united, but the next step hinges on renewed support. Contra Costa County and local partners are not backing down, exploring all avenues to restore the grant. They know the stakes are high. This project is not just about concrete and steel, it’s about making sure the next generation of North Richmond residents has a safe, healthy environment to thrive in.
On Earth Day, April 22, the North Richmond Resilience Project released a short film to highlight the project’s journey so far, capturing the spirit of resilience that has always defined the community.
What you can do?
Contact your representatives and ask them to restore funding for community resilience projects
- Help spread the word about the fight for climate justice in North Richmond
- Support the North Richmond Resiliency Center and ensure it becomes a reality for the community
The foundation is laid. Now, we just need the resources to build the future.