February Economic Development News

From Our Executive Director  Let’s build on what works. The Redwood Region is good at creative problem solving and that makes sense in an area that's pretty unique. But we are at our best when we learn from each other. This month’s newsletter offers great examples. Humboldt Lemonade Day is modeled after the National Lemonade Day founded by Michael Hothouse in 2007, but truly has it's own flavor in Humboldt. The California Stewardship Network will provide AEDC’s program director, Susan Seaman, with education and training to develop regional strengths and learn how that fits in a very diverse state. Within the region, we will learn from each other at the upcoming Humboldt Economic Development Summit, and in other venues like the economic development summits in Mendocino and Del Norte County, both held earlier this month and in February. In the Redwood Region, we have a way of adapting best practices from other areas into what works in our rural area. AEDC is proud to be a regional partner for economic development. ~Ross

2 nd Annual Economic Development Summit When Friday, April 19, 9 a.m. -4 p.m. Where College of the Redwoods Please plan to attend the second annual AEDC-sponsored Humboldt Economic Development Summit on Friday, April 19 hosted by College of the Redwoods.

The event will include: Highlights of economic development activities from throughout Humboldt, including The County Economic Development Division Several incorporated & non-incorporated communities Local tribes, including Yurok, Bear River Band; Blue Lake Rancheria and Hoopa. This summit will also feature afternoon break out industry sessions focused on ·        Cannabis ·        Harbor Development ·        Health Care Also new this year, a companion publication about the State of the Economy with an update from each community.

AEDC is proud to announce that program director Susan Seaman has been accepted as a participant in the The California Stewardship Network (CSN) Steward Leadership Program.  The program is designed for experienced leaders that desire to develop civic entrepreneurship skills and become engaged practitioners of stewardship values and a triple bottom line approach to regional and statewide issues.   Seaman attended the two-day orientation of a five-quarter program in February and will graduate in March 2020. The program uses the experiential learning model, with opportunities for Fellows to apply the skills and knowledge gained from the program within the CSN Exchanges; interaction with CSN Members and Partners; Civic engagement within their regions; and their careers.   OVERALL LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Stewardship: Values and Ethics in relation to others and how we think and act Triple Bottom Line: 3 E’s-Economy, Environment, Equity: Integrating the conversations, balance and tradeoffs Moving through today’s world: leading consciously, equity and power of diversity Coalition Building: Champions, community organizing, creating a movement, gathering steward leaders together Getting Beyond Stuck: De-escalation, different people/different conversations, meeting design for a purpose  Leading From the Middle: Power: types/philosophy, mapping, sharing, utilizing for good  Guiding Change: individuals, groups, community About The California Stewardship Network CSN is an alliance of regional leaders from across the state, committed to the economic, environmental and social well-being of our regions and our state. Their ongoing commitment is to grow the circle of steward leaders across California by  Documenting and sharing Promising Practices  Confronting statewide challenges related to the economy, equity and the environment,  By supporting the development of new regional steward leaders and teams. Learn More: http://castewardship.org/

Mendocino County Economic Summit looks at local challenges AEDC director Ross Welch recently attended the Mendocino Economic Development Summit, which was coordinated by the Economic Development and Financing Corporation with the help of various agencies, in order to facilitate discussions about economic development in Mendocino County and solutions to challenges. The event offered keynote speeches and small group discussions on: Entrepreneurship and “Access to Capital” Education Workforce Development and Employment Infrastructure and Broadband Poverty Alleviation Tourism & Arts Agriculture Natural Resources & Cannabis Workforce Housing Fire Recovery Issues of concern included a labor shortage, lack of broadband in rural areas, overall geographic challenges, a need for more help from local government and more. Not surprisingly, Mendocino shares Humboldt’s concerns over workforce development and housing – with discussions on Workforce focused on improved education, training, transportation, access to childcare, increasing awareness of employment opportunities and technology. Housing discussions focused on housing ordinances, growth and funding. According to organizers, this summit will be followed by a next phase that moves discussion and ideas to concrete action that helps economic development in the county. “This is not a one-day thing,” said event organizer Heather Gurewitz of the Economic Development and Financing Corporation. “Hopefully this will be a connecting event that helps build our initiatives as we move forward. ”

Lemonade Day Sponsors So Appreciated !

Humboldt's youngest Entrepreneurs look forward to Lemonade Day every year and local businesses help ensure its success! We offer a heard-felt thank you to all our local sponsors ! * * * Lemonade Day Registration Starts in April For more information. please email Mary Elise Conzelmann maryeliseconzelmann@gmail.com

Lemonade Day exists to infuse today’s youth with the spirit of enterprise, teaching the basic business and entrepreneurial skills one-lemonade stand at a time. Participants will learn to start, own and operate their very own business using a lemonade stand. We encourage the kids to “save a little, spend a little and share a little.” * * * Read more at https://lemonadeday.org/who-we-are

Presenting Sponsors

Premier Sponsor

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Community Partners

SBA 504 Current  Rate:  4.74% Low down payment for borrowers Competitive fixed interest rate Long Term loan From $50,000 to $5 million for commercial real estate, construction and equipment acquisition. Many commercial loans available on the market require a sizeable percentage down before the loan will be granted, and this can be an obstacle for many business owners looking to improve their facilities. The SBA 504 Loan offers a solution for that -- you can borrow up to 90% of your financing needs at a fixed rate, so only a minimum of 10% down is required.   The remainder is split between the SBA loan (40%) and a bank loan (50%), and the Arcata Economic Development Corporation will work with your bank to submit your loan application. Loan amounts range from $50,000 to $5 million, and some restrictions apply.  For more information, call Kelli Sterling, Loan Manager: 707-798-6132 ext. 212 or email kellis@aedc1.org.

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Arcata Economic Development Corporation Fax: (707) 798-6130 Tel: (707) 798-6132 707 K Street, Eureka, CA 95501 Newsletter produced by Lynette Mullen, Projects Delivered ‌ ‌ ‌