Special Alert for Employers, Employees, Self-Employed
As of April 16th 608 Humboldt businesses reported 1,874 layoffs
For Employees
New! Virtual Biweekly Employee Layoff Help Events
Please share this message with your Humboldt employees:
Have you been laid off or know you will be laid off? Get online for a briefing about the help available for you if you're facing layoffs or have been laid off. You will get information all in one place about unemployment and other financial assistance, food and medical insurance help, job search and re-training support, and more.
For Employers & Self-Employed
North Coast Small Business Development Center
Help Preventing or Managing Lay-offs
North Coast SBDC and The Job Market (America's Job Center of California) partners help Humboldtbusiness owners avoid layoffs and closure if possible, or manage down-sizing if necessary.

  • Prevent. Consult with an expert business advisor to see if layoffs or closure can be avoided. Apply at northcoastsbdc.org/apply
  • Manage. Contact us to learn more about organizing a no-cost, confidential, customized Rapid Response lay-off event for your company and affected employees.

Call (707) 445 9720 or email  LayoffHelp@northcoastsbdc.org
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) for Self-Employed, Independent Contractors
The PUA program will help unemployed Californians who are business owners, self-employed, independent contractors, have limited work history, and others not usually eligible for regular state UI benefits who are out of business or services are significantly reduced as a direct result of the pandemic. 
CA State Compensation Insurance Fund Increases Funding--including grants for essential and non-essential businesses
State Fund is adding another $165 million to established funds and programs to support policyholders and workers affected by the COVID-19 crisis, for a total commitment of $215 million.
Take Other Action:
North Coast SBDC Center Service Continuity
When will I get introduced to my business advisor?
As you can imagine, the Center experienced a surge of new and returning clients once the pandemic emergency really set in. We're welcoming 50 new clients a week since March 16th--not counting returning clients. Your SBDC team is determined to get everyone currently on the waiting list through the process and paired up. Our goal is to reduce pending requests for emergency COVID help to a 1-3 day turnaround by the end of the week. Non-emergency consulting requests will be assigned as soon as possible.
Stay Updated COVID-19 Resources and Guidance for Small Business is updated daily or more: northcoastsbdc.org/covid19

Get Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About COVID-19 for your business  here and download the California SBDC's COVID-19 Survival Guide for Small Business here .

Sign up for the Small Business Emergency Response mailing list: surveymonkey.com/r/NorthCoastBizCOVID19

Get confidential layoff or closure help ... manage and support your employees during forced closures or layoffs emailing layoffhelp@northcoastsbdc.org or calling (707) 445-9720

Get confidential management or finance help ... figure out how to maximize income, reduce expenses, apply for disaster funding and more by signing up to speak with a business advisor at northcoastsbdc.org/apply
Is the Center headquarters open?
The office is closed BUT your North Coast SBDC team is working from home during our Shelter in Place order. Please call 707-445-9720 or email admin@northcoastsbdc.org instead. Visit the  North Coast SBDC Service Continuity Update page   to understand how we are handling your needs and questions.

Also, please be aware that staff are working at top intensity to respond to increased demand during the crisis so please start by accessing the resources above to see if we've already answered your question.

Is my workshop still running?
Probably. Most of our workshops through May are still on and are being offered virtually via Zoom. Register for the workshops you want to attend northcoastsbdc.org/calendar and we will send you login instructions. You'll need a computer, decent Internet speed, and ideally a separate phone. The workshops that require a high level of interaction and/or computer labs will be postponed.

Can I still meet with my business advisor?
Yes. Our advisors are independent contractors so we leave it up to you two to decide where and how to meet. Many of our advisors are prepared to meet with you by phone and/or videoconference to make sure you continue to get the help you need.

How do I use Zoom to access services virtually?
Zoom is the videoconferencing services we're using to deliver our workshops live. Most of our business advisors are also using to be in communication with you. It's flexible--can be used as a phone service, a videoconference service, to share views of what's on your computer so you can look at financial statements together, etc.

Please make sure that you have downloaded and installed the  Zoom program  on your computer in advance. It’s fairly fast and easy, but does take a few minutes.

And if this is your first time here is a short video tutorial on YouTube from Geeks on Tour: How do I join a Zoom meeting?
North Coast Small Business Development Center
Humboldt: (707) 445-9720 | Del Norte: (707) 464-2168
North Coast SBDC Learning Programs also generously funded by: