The City works with community groups, the military and private organizations to make Monterey an even better place to live, work and visit. These partnerships enhance the quality of life for all of us.

Access Monterey Peninsula (AMP)
AMP is a community nonprofit that was formed to help manage Public, Education and Government (PEG) access to the local cable system(s). As part of its contract with the City, AMP provides training opportunities and makes production equipment available so that organizations and individuals can get their info on air.

Civic-Military Partnerships
By establishing partnerships with our military neighbors at the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Institute at the Presidio of Monterey, we are able to save tax dollars and reduce operating costs for the military. Monterey also works closely with the Naval Postgraduate School.

Economic Partnerships
The City of Monterey has been a member of the Monterey Bay Economic Partnership. The Monterey Bay Economic Partnership was founded in 2015 to create a thriving region with quality jobs, excellent education and health care, and a high quality of life for all residents while preserving the natural beauty and healthy lifestyle we all share. MBEP’s strategy is to create and implement initiatives aligned with this vision. Current initiatives include:  Transportation, Housing, Workforce, Technology and Events.

Education Partnerships
The City works collaboratively with the Middlebury Institute of International Studies (MIIS), Monterey Peninsula College (MPC), Cal State Monterey Bay (CSUMB), and the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District (MPUSD).

Healthy Eating Active Living (HEAL) Cities Campaign
Cities and their residents face increased health care costs and diminished quality of life due to the epidemic of obesity and overweight. City leaders across California are addressing the crisis by implementing land use and employee policies which encourage physical activity and nutritious eating.  Learn more at www.healcitiescampaign.org

Language Capital of the World
Monterey's designation as the "Language Capital of the World" reflects the diversity and language skills of our residents and the focus on language skills at the Defense Language Institute and the Monterey Institute of International Studies. In 2015 began an annual "Language Capital of the World Cultural Festival" each May. Find more information at http://lcowfest.com.

Monterey Bay Community Power
Monterey Bay Community Power is a regional project among local government agencies that aims to provide electricity to residents and businesses throughout Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz Counties through the new Community Choice Energy (CCE) model. CCE enables communities to choose clean-source power at a cost equivalent to PG&E, while retaining PG&E’s role in maintaining power lines and providing customer service. The CCE model helps ensure local economic vitality because money from rates paid by local customers stays local. Surplus revenues that would normally flow to PG&E will stay in the community to help fund renewable energy projects, create jobs and stimulate the economy.

Sister Cities Program
Monterey has been partnering with international Sister Cities since 1965. The concept of the program is that geographically and/or politically distant towns are paired for the purpose of developing mutually beneficial relationships that encourage cultural and global understanding and cooperation, inspire international partnerships, and strengthen economic development. These collaborations foster international links that promote solid bonds between people that otherwise would never happen. Sister city programs also encourage student exchange programs between the participating municipalities.

Festival Significance

Many Monterey County organizations play an important role in providing translation (written word) and interpretation (spoken) services around the globe such as Language Line Services and MediaLocate among others. Organizations such as the Defense Language Institute at the Presidio of Monterey, Middlebury Institute of International Studies, Monterey Peninsula College, CSUMB and other local entities provide instruction in many languages.  The Naval Postgraduate School has hosted students from more than 100 nations and provides professional, service-oriented educational programs for the U.S. armed forces and international militaries. Monterey County is also a very popular destination from visitors throughout the world, and Monterey’s languages and cultural diversity is reflected in its Native American, Chinese, Filipino, Italian, Japanese, Mexican, Portuguese, Spanish and Vietnamese roots.

lcowfest.com