April Economic Development News
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From Our Executive Director
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Humboldt County is good at a lot of things. We are creative, supportive and innovative in strengthening our economy and addressing local needs. That is especially evident in this month’s newsletter.
The Eureka Chamber is supporting AEDC’s brand new Workforce Weekend concept and HCOE is launching a trades academy as another way to help address our workforce shortage.
We continue to support our young entrepreneurs with our upcoming Humboldt Lemonade Day and the North Coast SBDC’s Young Entrepreneur’s Academy will do the same. The diligent efforts of Fly Humboldt have resulted in a new non-stop flight to LA.
AEDC is also creative, supportive and innovative in helping our clients. Considering a small business loan to strengthen or build your business? Come in and talk to us today.
~Ross
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Eureka Chamber Supports Workforce Weekend
AEDC is pleased to announce that the Eureka Chamber of Commerce is an enthusiastic supporter and sponsor of AEDC’s Workforce Weekend.
“The Greater Eureka Chamber of Commerce is pleased to sponsor Workforce Weekend. We recognize that businesses need to use several recruitment methods to expand their pool of applicants,” said Donne Wright, Executive Director of the Chamber. “Workforce Weekend uses ‘out of the box’ thinking to create a better match between a potential employee and the culture of a company. The program also provides networking opportunities for local applicants and incentives for out of area applicants to travel to Humboldt for interviews.”
* * *
Workforce Weekend is “
an
experiment to create a more compatible workforce for employers and young professionals.”
AEDC launched the initiative in response to a local workforce climate where local employers are not getting the response they want for available jobs and young professionals do not know what kinds of job opportunities are available. The project focuses primarily on finding the right “fit” between a company and potential employee, rather than focusing only on specific job opportunities. Learn more at our
web site
, or contact Susan Seaman at 798-6132 ext. 212.
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The Humboldt County Story
In 2011, Lemonade Day was launched in Humboldt County and since then, hundreds of local youth have participated in this much anticipated annual community event earning approximately $50,000 in gross sales over that time, and donating about $12,500 back to the community.
Young People learn the steps and planning necessary to start a business. Just as importantly, participants learn valuable life skills such as leadership, collaboration, responsibility and teamwork. They learn to
- Set a Goal
- Make a Plan
- Work their plan to achieve their dreams.
In the process they experience a new level of confidence and some, for the first time, see new possibilities for their future.
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Lemonade Day Registration
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Humboldt Lemonade Day helps…
Local sponsors help to ensure each registered participant receives a backpack with an Entrepreneur Workbook that teaches them the lessons of Lemonade Day, including
- Creating budgets
- Setting profit-making goals
- Serving customers
- Repaying investors
- Giving back to the community
Lemonade Day participants keep the money they make and are encouraged to spend some, save some and share some with local causes that are important to them.
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Humboldt Regional Trades Academy
The Humboldt Regional Trades Academy was recently launched to encourage local high school students to explore career opportunities in the construction trades in Humboldt County.
“Even though construction occupations are among the highest paying in Humboldt County and beyond, companies are seeing a shortage of skilled workers. These jobs offer physical, hands-on work while being mentally challenging, and are rewarding to the employee,” said Jack Sheppard, Humboldt Regional Trades Education Liaison
Local high school students will gain an understanding of the many construction career opportunities through guest presenters/instructors from industry, hands-on training, field trips to local job sites, and a mobile trades lab. The mobile lab will provide a transportable classroom that will provide the students the opportunity to experience hands-on trades related introductory projects, construction career discussions, and trade certifications.
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For more information,
please contact
Jack Sheppard at 707-445-7020
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Young Entrepreneurs Summer Incubator
May – August 2018
Do you know a young entrepreneur in Humboldt County working to turn a business idea into reality?
This exciting opportunity is open to students from
Humboldt State University
, College of the Redwoods, and
Humboldt County Office of Education.
Timeline
- May 24 - Applications due (by or before)*
- June 6 - Incubator Session 1
- June 13 - Business Basics 1 - Plan for Success
- June 20 - Business Basics 2 - Get Your Books in Order
- July 18 - Business Basics 3 - Think Like a Marketer
- July 25 - Business Basics 4 - Get Your Finances In Order
*Applications accepted on rolling basis through May 24.
For more information, application materials, and more, visit
Offered in partnership with The Venture Collaborative.
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Fly Direct to Los Angeles
Starting June 7, 2018
United Airlines will begin nonstop service from Humboldt County (ACV) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) starting June 7, 2018.
United will provide the service with a 50-seat CRJ regional jet and will start with one flight per day as follows:
- Depart LAX – 7:52 a.m.
- Arrive ACV – 9:54 a.m.
- Depart ACV – 10:40 a.m.
- Arrive LAX – 12:27 p.m.
According to former
Humboldt County Aviation Program Coordinator Emily Jacobs, a
direct flight to Southern California has been a top priority for air service recruitment efforts. "Market research has shown that demand for this service from our community is strong. Our previous service to LAX was very popular with tourists and businesspeople,” she said.
The recruitment effort was spearheaded by Fly Humboldt. In 2011 Redwood Region Economic Development Commission joined community members, businesses, and organizations to create “Fly Humboldt,” a collaborative effort to increase air service and support our local airport. “Passenger air service is a dynamic and challenging business. There are literally hundreds of airports competing for the business of less than 10 airlines,” said Gregg Foster, Executive Director of RREDC. “Many small airports have lost air service altogether. We’re fortunate to have the support of our community and United Airlines.”
“The LAX connection is one that we’ve been working to get for many years," added supervisor Virginia Bass. "I know that that direct service to LAX will create new opportunities to increase business and tourist travel.”
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SBA 504 Current Rate:
5.02%
- 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
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