COMMUNITY ECONOMIC RESILIENCE CONSORTIUM | |
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Four years ago, we were forced to change the way we do business. Responding to the COVID pandemic, economic and community development organizations, local governments, and other groups forged an unprecedented multi-county collaboration to support our communities and each other.
We are still committed to our mission of "providing updates, sharing resources and ensuring consistent communication to our community's businesses and public at large."
But the CERC only works with your participation. It's not a top-down or centralized entity. Think of it like a potluck, we set the table and bring a dish. But the meal is only good if we all contribute. And as anyone who has attended a potluck knows, a "varied" selection of dishes make the meal even better. We look forward to your continued partnership as we move forward on the pressing issues of the region.
Plus, we have fun too...
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This Week's Presentation: Humboldt Builders Exchange
The Humboldt Builders Exchange is a non-profit member association of approximately 300 member businesses in the construction industry and related services such as architecture, engineering, building supplies, hardware, insurance, and more. The association was established to promote unity among licensed contractors and affiliates. Our goal is to provide education, support services, and annual college scholarships.
Learn more.
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Last Week's Presentation: Gregg Foster, Executive Director - Redwood Region Economic Development Commission
Many of us have heard of the Redwood Region Economic Development Commission, but what is it really? Last week, Gregg Foster gave a history of the organization, talked about its small business loan program, and other current projects.
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Did you miss one of the excellent Wednesday CERC presentations?
Don't fret. We save them for you. Click to watch and enjoy at your convenience.
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Do you have something you'd like to share in the CERC Update? We have an email list of over 250 key individuals in the region, at state agencies, and in supporting organizations.
Email Stacy or Gregg with your news items.
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Power CA Conference Registration Open | |
Access Humboldt Seeks Executive Director | |
Save the Redwoods League
Seeking Redwood Rising Partnership Manager
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In partnership with the National Park Service and the California Department of Parks and Recreation,
Save the Redwoods League is seeking a qualified professional to help manage the implementation of a
large-scale ecosystem restoration program known as Redwoods Rising and support its overall
partnership structure and functions. To learn more about Redwoods Rising, visit www.RedwoodsRising.org.
Redwoods Rising is an ambitious, collaborative initiative dedicated to restoring degraded redwood forest ecosystems within Redwood National and State Parks that includes forest thinning, legacy haul and skid road reoccupation and removal, tree planting, and in-stream habitat restoration. It also involves coordinating the work of this three-party partnership as they execute and manage complex agreements, budgets, and restoration field operations.
As a Save the Redwoods League employee based in Humboldt or Del Norte County, the Redwoods Rising Partnership Manager will act as the connective tissue of the Redwoods Rising partnership. This position is ideal for someone who thrives in a highly collaborative, partnership-based project environment. You will work in close coordination with National Park Service, California Department of Parks and Recreation, and Save the Redwoods League staff members to coordinate progress towards project goals; administer partnership governance; support communications and outreach needs related to the project; and facilitate the vital connections and processes that make this work possible.
This is a full-time, year-round position; however, specific tasks will vary based on restoration operating seasons and budget and contracting timelines. The work will be primarily done in an office environment with occasional visits to project sites and agency offices for meetings.
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County of Humboldt Seeks Headwaters Fund Board Member | |
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If you are interested in improving economic prosperity in Humboldt County, consider applying to serve on Humboldt County’s Headwaters Fund Board.
The Headwaters Fund invests in projects through grants and loans to help Humboldt County residents achieve increased economic opportunity and success. Community members selected to serve as volunteer members of this board share a common vision to improve the economic prosperity and quality of life in Humboldt County through diverse backgrounds and professional experiences.
Headwaters Fund board members review and recommend grant awards to eligible nonprofits and government organizations, provide oversight to lending activities facilitated by partner agencies including the Arcata Economic Development Corporation and the Redwood Region Economic Development Commission, solicit community input on program initiatives to meet the needs of the community and protect the fund corpus to ensure long-term viability.
There is currently one open vacancy on the Headwaters Fund Board. The vacancy is an at-large appointment, which means members are appointed by the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors to serve all county districts, as opposed to one single district. At-large applicants may reside in any county district to be considered.
Application Process
Applications will be accepted until Monday, June 3 and are available online at the Headwaters Fund Board webpage. Following the application period, applicants will be invited to participate in a preliminary interview with the Headwaters Fund Board Selection Subcommittee. Based on these interviews, the Headwaters Fund Board will present their recommendations to the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors who will appoint the new member of this committee for a preliminary term of two years.
Humboldt County residents with business or nonprofit experience, strong community engagement skills and experience or interest in industries including, but not limited to, diversified health care, arts and culture, cannabis, travel and tourism, specialty food, flowers and beverages, niche manufacturing, management and innovation services, childcare, housing, broadband, education, sustainable and renewable energy, construction and building are encouraged to apply.
For more information on how to apply for a seat on this committee, please email Economic Development Coordinator Ryan Heitz at rheitz@co.humboldt.ca.us or call 707- 476-4804.
To learn more about the history of the Headwaters Fund Board, please visit the Headwaters Fund webpage.
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The UC Cooperative Extension's Community Economic Development Lab:
Linking the Redwood Coast to Statewide Expertise
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UC Cooperative Extension(UCCE) has formed a new team to address the triple bottom line (people, profit, planet) goals of UCCE: the Community Economic Development Lab (CEDLab). With this new team we hope to expand UCCE’s work in economic development, and broaden the scope of community and economic development to more fully encompass what makes a healthy thriving community. This team will support the work of local advisors in food systems, biomass utilization, business development, community economic development and more.
What is UCCE? UCCE is a cooperative effort of counties and the University of California to bring university research and resources to local communities. We conduct university level research directed by local needs and extend our findings to practitioners. UCCE has offices in every county in California so advisors can live in the communities they serve.
How will this new team affect community and economic development in the Redwood Coast? Our CEDLab brings together advisors from across rural California who are on the front lines of economic development in their communities and statewide campus based experts working on state and national level projects and policy. As we build out our resources, expect training, technical assistance, webinars, fact sheets and case studies aimed at rural California. As a team in the Redwood Coast we have worked on outdoor recreation tourism, economic impact analysis methods and Offshore Wind. While this is what we have worked on we are here to serve your needs and welcome you to reach out if you have topics you would like to work with us on.
Visit the local CED website or reach out to Alec Dompka for more information and to start collaborating. Alec Dompka (addompka@ucanr.edu)
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Redwood Coast Region Economic Summit Scheduled - Will Be Held in Eureka
October 11-12, 2024
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The Redwood Coast Region Economic Summit is a 2-day summit designed to foster a future-ready economy that appeals to and supports the dreams of young employees and entrepreneurs. 'Together Towards Tomorrow' reflects our shared vision for a rural region that is not just a place to live, but a place where the next generation can thrive, innovate, and shape the future.
This year's summit offers a unique opportunity to gather, network, and connect under one roof to help co-create a thriving economic future for our region. Join us at the Sequoia Conference Center in Eureka this October for a rare opportunity to connect and network with your fellow community leaders making an impact in our Redwood Coast Region.
REGISTRATION OPENS ON APRIL 15TH
Early-Bird Tickets (Available 4/15-8/10): $125
General Admission (Starting 8/11): $150
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Nonprofit Housing Northern California Releases Annual Impact Report | |
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Since 1979, the Non-Profit Housing Association of Northern California (NPH) has been the collective voice of affordable housing for the Bay Area.
NPH works to realize their mission by advancing meaningful, critical policy solutions, and strengthening the affordable housing community who implement the programs and policies in Bay Area communities.
Their policy work advances bold solutions for a more affordable, stable, thriving region and state, focusing on housing solutions for low-income people and communities of color who suffer disproportionately from the housing crisis.
While they are based in the Bay Area, NPH has championed legislation that affects housing policy throughout the state, including the rural redwood region.
Learn more and read their report here.
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Here's the latest from our friends at the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development:
At CALED, the California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA) shared a link to a report on The State of Diverse Small Businesses in California. Here’s the link to view the report:
https://calosba.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/The-State-of-Diverse-Small-Businesses-in-California_Executive-Summary.pdf
CalBIS Specialist, Dustin McDonald, has been helping an Orange County-based company called NileBuilt Homes with state incentive navigation and engaging with state and local departments and agencies. The company has spent the past 30 years in the building materials space to develop concrete-based, net-zero homes, and has completed a few demonstration projects around the country. NileBuilt has a project underway in Orange County and is seeking to expand to support communities in fire hazard safety zones or adjacent to them. If your community is interested in learning more about this company and would like to engage with them, please contact me or Dustin McDonald at dustin.mcdonald@gobiz.ca.gov.
April 2024 Program Updates
There are quite a few new programs to highlight this month. These are outlined in this handy reference guide.
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California Economic Summit Dates Announced | |
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California Forward (CA FWD) has announced that this year's California Economic Summit will be held October 8-10 in Stockton.
This year's Summit marks the 13th year that CA FWD, along with the California Stewardship Network, is hosting this gathering of leaders from across the state's diverse regions.
The 2024 Summit will take place in the northern San Joaquin Valley region, home of manufacturing, agriculture, transportation and logistics, clean energy, higher education, and more!
CA FWD is excited to convene with partners from industry, community, and the private, public, and nonprofit sectors—all of whom are committed to building an inclusive and sustainable economy where all Californians can prosper.
An important feature of the Summit is that a different region within California hosts the event each year, providing the host region with the opportunity to inform and immerse attendees in the realities of its geography.
Read more about the summit.
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Note that the CERC Housing Group meets every Monday at 11:00 a.m.
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