Save the date and join us in person for the State of the Redwood Coast Region, our 3rd annual regional economic development summit. While this event has been virtual for the past two years, we’re thrilled to announce that this year’s summit will be IN PERSON in Ukiah, CA on September 21-22, 2023! Get your Early Bird tickets NOW for $135! Click here to register. 

The State of the Redwood Coast Region: Our Elemental Economy is a two-day economic summit designed to foster innovative thinking throughout our region of Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, and Mendocino Counties, as well as adjacent tribal lands. Our goal is to identify shared economic opportunities and strengthen collaboration amongst our businesses, economic development professionals, and leaders. 

Event Schedule

• Thursday, September 21st will center on the foundational components unique to our Redwood Coast Region. From solidarity economics to investment and community development, keynote speakers will share ideas about how we can build a more resilient and equitable economy. Focused breakout sessions provide ample opportunity to collaborate and connect. 

• Friday, September 22nd will touch on the economic development opportunities and challenges faced by our region, and how they’re connected to and impacted by the four elements: earth, wind, water, and fire. Engage in interactive discussions, breakout sessions, and industry-focused presentations from inspiring, Redwood Coast leaders. 

This summit offers a unique opportunity to gather, network, and connect under one roof to help co-create a thriving, financial future for our region. Join us at the Ukiah Valley Conference Center (200 S School Street) in Ukiah this September to connect with fellow community leaders making an impact in the Redwood Coast Region. Visit our website to learn more!

AEDC would like to warmly welcome Michael Machado, our new Loan Support Specialist! 

We’re beyond excited to have Michael join our team at AEDC. As our new Loan Support Specialist, Michael is looking forward to working with the community and is excited to “provide financial literacy and the freedom a sound financial landscape can provide.” We got together with Mr. Machado to learn more about him and here’s what he had to say! 

Tell us about your new role at AEDC.

As a Loan Support Specialist, I am the boots on the ground, building relationships with our regional business community and assisting business owners throughout Northern California.  I execute timely financial reports, manage accounts for loan compliance and ensure timely business visits. If and when clients have any questions, comments, or concerns I am here to answer them with the highest level of service.

What was your past work experience prior to your new role at AEDC and how will that impact how you approach your work as a Loan Support Specialist?

My career and experience within the financial services industry began at the Wells Fargo headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa. I was a mortgage foreclosure prevention specialist throughout the COVID economic crisis. Within that role, I learned a great deal about mortgages and was able to connect with borrowers all across the United States with various financial circumstances. From there I moved to Coast Central Credit Union where I was eager to expand my role into credit union policies and a more relationship-based role. This ultimately drew me to AEDC, as I am very interested in being face-to-face, one-on-one with business owners and fully assisting them with any of their loan concerns.

What aspects of being in financial services do you love the most? 

I love the concept of the American Dream. As a child of two Portuguese immigrant parents, I have seen the American Dream alive and well and come to fruition. I believe in supporting and empowering anyone on their financial journey. I want to be able to provide financial literacy and the freedom a sound financial landscape can provide. Most of all, I want to help people. I love being able to interact with our clients and assist them fully.

What are you most excited about in joining the AEDC team?

I am eager to level up my career as a young professional in the finance sector. I am honored to be on such an incredibly hard-working and dedicated team to support and empower small business owners. AEDC has so much potential to provide services for underserved communities and I love being a part of this movement. I have never been on a team where everyone is so engaged, focused, and willing to put their best foot forward at all times to succeed and get the most out of each and every day. Our environment is such a strong driving force of change and I am most excited to learn, grow and become the best version of myself by being around such incredible people.

What do you like to do in your free time?

I love being outdoors and enjoying the beautiful weather here on the north coast. Whether I am running, walking, hiking through forests, exploring the beaches, camping, playing disc golf, or playing softball with my buddies–if it’s outdoors—I am all for it. I also have a 16-month-old baby boy, who is my wife's and my travel companion. He is all energy and non-stop, ready to live life as soon as he wakes up, so playing with him and trying to be the best father to him keeps me busy.

How long have you lived in Humboldt County? What do you love about living here?

In 2012, I moved to Arcata to pursue my Bachelor's degree at Humboldt State University. I spent about five years in Arcata before meeting the love of my life. She and her family are from Iowa, so we moved east to get a feel for the Midwest and be closer to them. It was in the midst of negative-degree winters we realized how much we missed this paradise. In September of 2022, I drove a U-Haul through five states and made the trip back and I’m so thankful to be back in Humboldt County. I will never take living amongst the redwoods and being so close to the ocean for granted again.

We are thrilled to have Michael join our team, and we’re looking forward to the impact he will have across our region.

We want to hear from you! Just 2 weeks left to complete our survey and be entered into a drawing for your chance to receive a $100 Visa Giftcard! Your feedback will help us tailor our marketing and our services to serve our region better.

Take just a couple of minutes to complete the AEDC Research Survey and tell us what you know about AEDC and the services we provide.

Take The Survey Here: https://forms.gle/2nnFF3PN47qR9ftu9

Once submitted, participants will be entered into a drawing to receive a $100 Visa gift card! The winner will be announced on Friday, May 12th. 

***Please Note: Participants must be 18 years or older and residing in Del Norte, Humboldt, Mendocino, Trinity, Lake, or Siskiyou counties. Only one submission per person will be accepted.

College of the Redwoods Career & Leadership Mentorship Program

Program Director, Susan Seaman, visited the College of the Redwoods Career & Leadership Mentorship program in March as a representative of the College of the Redwoods President's Advisory Committee. 

The program supports nine students who are exploring career options and building leadership and job readiness skills in a small group setting. The program includes workshops, field trips, and community mentorship opportunities driven by student curiosity and interest. The students who are participating were nominated by one of their professors and/or CR Multicultural & Equity Center staff. The program is supported by the Arcata Chamber of Commerce, the College of the Redwoods President's Advisory Council, the Rotary Club of Arcata Sunrise, and the CR Career Center. College of the Redwoods professor Ruthe Rhodes is the faculty advisor. For more information, please contact Jim Ritter at James-Ritter@redwoods.edu

Cal Poly Humboldt Visit: Economic Development Resources in Northwest California 

Business Development and Loan Officer Hannah Joy was asked to present in Michael Proulx's Principles of Finance class at Cal Poly Humboldt in April. 

The class is the introductory Finance course in the School of Business. It emphasizes basic finance concepts like the time value of money, capital budgeting calculations, and lots of theory that relates to stock market investing. The class meets once weekly for two hours. The rest of the week, students are assigned independent work and submit completed assignments digitally. This schedule allows for more interactive experiences, such as students visiting the Career Expo on campus or researching local economic development agencies. Students were so enthusiastic about the economic development agencies that Proulx arranged for a more in-depth, in-person presentation. Hannah's presentation, "Economic Development Resources in Northwest California" was well received. One student wrote, "Overall the presentation by Hannah was amazing and very informative. I learned so much and it opened my mindset to endless opportunities around me."