AEDC News

Economic Development News

From Our Executive Director

While life may look different right now, this summer holds just as much opportunity as the last. With the recent challenges we’ve been facing, it is our top priority to continue to bring our community together.

I’m encouraged by all of the creative ways our community is finding normalcy. Whether you’re attending webinars, supporting local businesses through the virtual Friday Night Market, or attending virtual picnics, the ways we can bring our community members together seem endless.

While many of our AEDC clients are finding their way through the massive changes this year brought on, AEDC continues to strive to be adaptive while providing the stability and support much needed at this time. We are proud to have helped 59 businesses to disperse $4.3M in PPP funds in Humboldt, Del Norte, Mendocino and Lake Counties since this crisis started, as well as nearly $236,000 in bridge loans with our partners in Arcata and Del Norte County. This next transition might get challenging, it’s important we continue to show up for each other and be the greatest community allies we can be.

—Ross

Client Highlight: Transitional Residential Treatment Facility

The Transitional Residential Treatment Facility (TRTF) is a nonprofit organization based in Eureka that provides rehabilitation and skill development for individuals suffering from chronic mental illness. Since 1979, they have been serving our community and partnering with the Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services to help individuals transition to independent, healthy living.

Starting out in TRTF’s adult care facility called Windsong, residents spend three hours a day learning independent living skills such as cooking, cleaning, monitoring medications, budgeting, and decision making.

Once they have graduated from the program at Windsong, residents then move into satellite housing. With several homes and apartments throughout Humboldt County, TRTF helps individuals get ongoing support as needed, with increased independence.

TRTF currently has 61 beds available for residents, between Windsong and the satellite housing. They have a successful and collaborative relationship with the Department of Health and Human Services and opportunity to continue expanding. However, like many nonprofits, TRTF had been struggling for years to find the necessary funding for its operations and expenses.

Executive Director and Administrator Cecil Wilson was able to get their budget back on track when he took over leading the organization back in 2018, but he knew he needed additional support to be able to help the organization grow.

With the financial support received from AEDC, TRTF is able to consolidate their loans and provide employees with higher wages and more benefits. AEDC’s loan officer James Schaeffer assisted Cecil in coming up with a beneficial loan package that will alleviate financial stress.

We couldn’t be more excited to watch TRTF grow and continue to offer residents a safe and clean environment to help them thrive.

Partnering with Black Humboldt

Black Humboldt strives to enlighten, empower, and entertain our Black communities and all people of color in Humboldt County by holding exclusive events for BIPOC (Black/Indigenous/People of Color) and community members. Their goal is to promote existing black businesses, professionals, and organizations in order to help unify people of color (POC). With community events, workshops, and forums, Black Humboldt works to provide spaces within our community for the acceptance of BIPOC while building positive relationships with non-POC communities.

AEDC has been proud partners with Black Humboldt for the past year. It’s been an honor to watch the connections they continue to make within our community and we're excited to see what lies ahead in the coming year.

Black Humboldt’s Overall Goals

Cultivate safe, supportive, and inclusive spaces for all people of color in Humboldt County.
Create, maintain, and sustain economic empowerment for all people of color in Humboldt County.
Educate, empower, and liberate all people of color in Humboldt County.
Educate non-POC groups within Humboldt County on race relations, inclusion, and allyship.

Become an ally and show your support! Here are some simple ways you can get involved.

Get Educated

Watch this video interview PBS North Coast Perspectives with an interview of co-founders Dionna Fletcher and Mo Desir to learn more about this organization.

Support Black-Owned Businesses

Actively support businesses owned by Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color. Here’s a list of BIPOC Owned & Operated Businesses in Humboldt County. Or click here to donate to Black Humboldt.

Spread the Word

If you are/know a BIPOC business owner, encourage them to fill out this form , so they can be added to Black Humboldt’s Directory.

Community Leaders Meet Virtually to Drive Real Recovery in California’s Redwood Coast Region

Three times a week, you’ll find a group of 30-35 community leaders from Humboldt County and the surrounding region meeting on Zoom. The group, COVID Economic Resilience Consortium (CERC), is dedicated to helping the region’s business community survive the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

CERC is the brainchild of Gregg Foster, executive director of the Redwood Region Economic Development Commission. As the economic and public health threat of COVID-19 became apparent, a core team of economic and business development partners started a daily check-in to assess the situation, strengthen lines of communication and work toward helping the Humboldt County business community.

“We realized that we were going to need a way to check in every day as this crisis unfolds,” Foster noted. The calls started March 16 before Governor Gavin Newsom issued the statewide shelter-in-place orders, which gave this group a head start. “Things were starting to happen, and we were already hearing some economic issues and people staying home and the rumor that the state was going to be issuing a shelter in place ordinance.”

Click here to read more...

Friday Night Market Goes Virtual

Since the very first Friday Night Market in 2018, Humboldt Made had a very simple goal:

“Bringing local makers and the community together one Friday at a time.”

And since then, it’s been a success! While the third annual Friday Night Market was supposed to kick off this month—filling the streets of Old Town flooding with live music, delicious local food, artisans, and community—plans have changed. The Friday Night Market is now being offered virtually.

Customers can now shop for all their favorite local products from the comfort of their homes. You can also live stream music and coming soon they’ll have an artist’s gallery with beautiful artwork for sale.

Supporting local has never been more important. So here’s some simple ways you can show some love for local makers!

Step 1. Shop online to find all of your favorite Humboldt Made products, food, and artwork.

Step 2. Place your order before Wednesday. Then, wait until Friday for your goodies.

Step 3. You can swing by the Eureka Visitor Center on Friday from 3 pm - 8 pm to pick up your package!

This Market is constantly changing and growing, so the organizers are encouraging people to subscribe to their newsletter and check back weekly for the newest updates!