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 Wednesday's Presentation - Gurbax Sahota and Daniel Carrigg, California Association for Local Economic Development - State Budget and Policy Update.
We're fortunate to have Gurbax Sahota, CEO of CALED, and Daniel Carrigg, Senior Policy Advisor for the California Public Policy Group, join us to provide an update on state policy and budget issues facing the economic development community. This is a great chance to get the "inside scoop" on policy changes and challenges and get your questions answered from experts who are on the front lines. Don't miss this chance.
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Last Wednesday - CERC Collaborators Update!
A great meeting of updates, networking, news, and questions/answers was enjoyed by the CERC collaboration.
One of the topics discussed during the meeting was the status of the update of the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy for the County of Humboldt. Deputy CAO Karen Clower gave an update on the status and we discovered that the recording of our May meeting on the topic had not been shared in the newsletter.
Click the button below to learn more about the CEDS update with former Humboldt County Economic Development Director, Scott Adair, and the consultant team from TPMA, which is assisting the County in this endeavor.
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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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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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State Commits to Purchasing OSW Generated Electricity | |
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On August 22, 2024, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) issued a Decision determining need for centralized procurement of long lead-time (LLT) resources implementing Assembly Bill (AB) 1373 (Stats. 2023, Ch 367). This Decision aims to make it easier to secure diverse clean energy resources through a central entity, such as the Department of Water Resources (DWR).
By increasing clean energy supplies in California, this tool helps the state reduce greenhouse gases (GHG) and provide reliable power through diversified energy resources. The Decision seeks to contain costs by establishing broad resource categories, where possible, to encourage competition; maximizing opportunities to reduce project expenses over the long term, including a series of solicitations to leverage declining costs over time; and establishing the identified resource need as maximums. Additionally, the decision highlights the need for funding sources other than electricity bills to support these efforts.
This Decision provides critical support to proposed offshore wind projects, which need to develop markets for electricity to support their financial viability and attract investment capital for these capital-intensive projects. Specifically, the Decision calls out the purchase of 7.6 gigawatts of electricity, expected to come on line by 2035 - 2037.
More information on the CPUC Decision is found here.
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Eureka Chamber Schedules Economic Forecast Event for October 9 | |
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The Greater Eureka Chamber is hosting the 2024 Economic Forecast to inform the Humboldt business community about our current reality and expected future trends.
Speakers will address emerging and expanding industries including offshore wind, port development, fish farming, and more. Attendees will also hear from Dr. Robert Eyler, a highly respected professor of economics from Sonoma State University.
Learn more and register here.
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NORCAL APEX ACCELERATOR LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE | |
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The final steps for rebranding the Norcal PTAC to Norcal APEX Accelerator have been completed.
Note that their website URL and email addresses have changed!
The new website can be found at www.apexnorcal.org.
The Norcal APEX website contains a plethora of resources for small businesses interested in government contracting, including:
In addition, the Norcal APEX team email addresses have switched from norcalptac.org to apexnorcal.org, for example, taylor@apexnorcal.org; info@apexnorcal.org.
Questions or comments? Feel free to reach out the the APEX team.
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North Coast Resource Partnership To Hold Quarterly Meeting | |
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October 18, 2024
9 am - 3 pm
Del Norte County
MEETING TOPICS:
- Tribal Welcome/County Welcome/Co-Chair Welcome
- Local Project Presentation
- Cannabis Ad Hoc Committee Presentation
- Wildfire Resilience: Listening Session
- NCRP CAL FIRE Forest Health Pilot Project proposal suite review and approval
- NCRP Handbook updates
- NCRP Shared Priorities/Common Ground
- NCRP Capacity Assessment and Regional Capacity Enhancement Strategy
PARTNER RESOURCE TABLING:
Please let NCRP know if you would like to share information about your programs, projects, or initiatives during the NCRP Quarterly meeting. There will be tables available, and time for conversation and sharing resources with attendees during morning registration and lunch. If you are in interested, please contact Rose Roberts rroberts@northcoastresourcepartnership.org
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CALED Discusses "Budget, Bonds, and Ballots" Update at Rural Exchange
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At the recent CALED Rural Exchange meeting, attendees were able to hear more about the impact of the state budget on economic development programming and get an update on bond initiatives planned for the November election.
Formed in 2018, the Rural Economic Development Exchange supports CALED's efforts to help rural economic developers connect, share resources, and engage in policy conversations and initiatives. Specifically, CALED is committed to:
- Convene rural economic development stakeholders at least one time per year (outside of CALED’s Annual Conference)
- Include a Rural Exchange opportunity at the conference for resource providers to share updates on how they can support rural economic development as well as showcase best practices
- Work with USDA Rural Development in California to identify ways CALED can support their priorities and promote their work/grants.
- Share what we learn with partners that may be in a position to assist in addressing priorities, challenges, solutions, and resources to grow rural economies
Learn more about the Rural Exchange here
Download the Budget, Bonds, and Ballot Update
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Over $71 Million Awarded for North State Last Mile Broadband Projects | |
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From the California Public Utilities Commission
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) announced the sixth round of recommended awardees, including three Tribes, for last mile broadband projects as part of the $2 billion Last Mile Federal Funding Account Grant Program. This program aims to expand internet access for underserved and unserved communities across California. This announcement continues a rolling process of award recommendations, highlighting the state’s commitment to bridging the digital divide through Broadband For All.
This sixth round of funding recommendations includes two Draft Resolutions for proposed awards up to $174.4 million for 15 Last Mile Federal Funding Account broadband infrastructure grant projects in Del Norte, El Dorado, Humboldt, Santa Clara, and Siskiyou counties. The recommendations include grants to three Tribal entities in Del Norte and Humboldt counties—the Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation, Karuk Tribe, and Yurok Telecommunications Corporation.
Read the full anouncement here.
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HCAOG Launches Housing
Education Campaign
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Offshore Wind Information
Website Launched
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Press release from the Environmental Protection Information Center:
Have a question about offshore wind? A new website can help answer your questions with links to primary sources. The website, created with contributions from the Environmental Protection Information Center, Humboldt Waterkeeper, and the Redwood Region Climate and Community Resilience Hub, answers many frequently asked questions about offshore wind and provides an opportunity for you to submit your own questions to be answered.
Researchers at Brown University’s Climate and Development Lab have tracked how the fossil fuel industry and dark money groups have funded the development of organizations hostile to offshore wind and the dissemination of disinformation about offshore wind. Because of this, members of our community may be unknowingly consuming and sharing disinformation designed to harm the offshore wind industry and benefit the fossil fuel industry.
“Offshore wind is an important topic for our community. In working to decide whether this is right for Humboldt County, it is important that we are equipped to have a fact-based conversation,” said Matt Simmons, Climate Attorney at the Environmental Protection Information Center (EPIC).
The purpose of the website is to provide a centralized place to learn more about the details of the proposed offshore wind projects, along with potential benefits, costs, and risks associated with the projects. The website is available at northcoastoffshorewind.org and will be updated regularly as we learn more information about the proposed projects.
Click here to visit the website.
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Redwood Coast Region Economic Summit
October 10-11, 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.
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California Economic Summit Coming | |
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California Forward (CA FWD) has announced that this year's California Economic Summit will be now be held October 8-10 in Sacramento.
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.
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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