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SCED Board & Stakeholder Update

June 17, 2024

Hello CHERYL,


My newsletter's goal is to keep our board members and stakeholders up-to-date on SCED activities. We will feature project updates, share success stories, provide key SCED facts, and delve into noteworthy economic development topics. Let me know if you'd like to hear about something specific.

SCED Board Meeting Recap - May 16, 2024


Board Membership

At our May 16 board meeting, we welcomed Joey Forseth-Deshais and Ana Wright to the board, leaving us with an open At-Large position. Please let me know if you have nomination recommendations. We seek candidates representing workforce development, labor groups, higher education institutions, business owners, or large private employers. Our current board composition includes:


  • 4 members from Modoc County
  • 6 members from Shasta County
  • 3 members from Siskiyou County
  • 3 members from Trinity County


Corporate Officers

A heartfelt thank you to Kelly Crosby for her years of dedicated service on our board, executive board/loan committee, and as vice president. Kelly played a pivotal role in navigating SCED through the pandemic, conducting the Modoc meat processing plant feasibility study, and managing the executive director transition after Bob's retirement. Modoc County Supervisor Shane Starr is SCED's new vice president and also serves on our executive/loan and personnel committees.


Budget, Audit, and Independent Loan Review

The board has approved our 2024-2025 annual budget. We anticipate revenue to be similar to this year and hope to continue receiving CRA support from banks. However, with the tightening economy and changing regulations, bank CRA support may decrease. We submitted two grant applications in February and expect to hear back by early July.


We have also approved West, Davis & Company, LLP as our auditor again this year. SCED is subject to a single audit, a detailed examination to ensure proper use of federal funds. According to SBA requirements, Certified Development Companies must conduct an Independent Loan Review of their SBA 504 loan program every other year. The board has approved using Advisors for this review, as they also conducted our 2022 review. This comprehensive review covers our underwriting, packaging, closing, and servicing processes.


Strategic Planning Session

Trinity County Supervisor and SCED board member Ric Leutwyler led our first strategic planning session in nearly a decade. Before the meeting, Ric sent a survey to our board and stakeholders, and we discussed the results during the session. I appreciate everyone's participation and look forward to seeing the outcomes of these planning sessions.


Contact Me

If you have any questions about SCED or need assistance with a project, please contact me. I enjoy discussing economic development and am eager to help. Additionally, if there is a meeting or board where my participation would be beneficial, please let me know. It's crucial for SCED to remain relevant by actively participating and securing a seat at the table.

California Jobs First Initiative - formerly CERF


On Friday, the North State Planning & Development Collective sent a supplemental questions package to organizations who submitted projects to the application portal. Updated submissions are due by Friday, June 28, 2024 at 5 pm PST. The supplemental questions package included the project scoring rubric. If you need assistance with your application package or how it fits into the regional Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS), please let me know.

Wells Fargo Grant - Outdoor Recreation Industry Sector Partnership


SCED has received a $100,000 grant from Wells Fargo to support an Outdoor Recreation Industry Sector Partnership project. This initiative aims to unlock the economic potential of Modoc, Shasta, Siskiyou, and Trinity Counties by leveraging their natural assets, aligning with a key goal of the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS).


The project will focus on fostering economic resilience, spurring innovation, and enhancing community well-being by addressing challenges faced by small businesses in the outdoor recreation sector.


Half of the funds, $50,000, will be allocated to microloans. These microloans will help participating businesses seize growth opportunities by covering expenses such as marketing, service expansion, or equipment improvements.


I want to give special thanks to Kory Hayden of the Siskiyou Economic Development Council for brainstorming ideas. Tonya and her team at the Siskiyou EDC continue to be valuable regional partners.

National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) - Research Foundation


I was appointed to represent the Western Region on the NADO Research Foundation (RF) Advisory Committee. NADO is our economic development district trade association. The NADO RF provides technical assistance, education, research, and training to support and strengthen the national network of Regional Development Organizations (RDOs). It also provides thought leadership, conducts research, and produces publications focused on promising practices and innovative approaches that promote regional community development. Click here for more information on the NADO RF. Thank you to SCED Board President Brandon Criss for the letter of support.

Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) - Advisory Committee


Each year, we are required to update the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) and submit the report to the Economic Development Administration (EDA). Our consultant, Points Consulting, will meet with the advisory committee to discuss changes from the previous year and identify key priorities for the upcoming year. The advisory committee members are (SCED board members are in bold):


  • Rebecca Baer - Shasta EDC
  • Laurie Baker - Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association
  • Ryan Cinelly - The Lakeview Terrace
  • Tonya Dowse - Siskiyou EDC
  • Nick Goulette - The Watershed Research & Training Center
  • Jeremy Hayward - Redding Rancheria EDC
  • Todd Jones - Greater Redding Chamber of Commerce
  • Ric Leutwyler - Trinity County Supervisor
  • Carol Madison - TEACH Inc.
  • Jesse Pike - Trinity Community Development Corporation
  • Chester Robertson - Modoc County Administrative Officer
  • Shane Starr - Modoc County Supervisor
  • Wendy Zanotellu - SMART Workforce Center


Our role involves developing the CEDS, monitoring its progress, and assisting organizations in implementing projects that align with CEDS goals and objectives. Hope Seth, a consultant working with SCED, has been instrumental in identifying organizations and individuals whose projects impact the CEDS.

Executive Director Review


Preparation

The Small Business Administration (SBA) mandates an annual review of the Executive Director's performance and compensation by the board. I have provided the SCED officers with a review packet, which includes:


  • A copy of the CDC's Executive Compensation policy
  • NADCO compensation and benefits survey
  • Executive Director Performance Review sheet
  • My responses to the review questions


Officer & Executive Director Meeting

On July 1, I will meet with the officers to address any questions and provide additional documentation.


Special Board Meeting

After the officers complete their review, a special board meeting will be held exclusively for board members. During this meeting:


  • Officers will present their review
  • Board members will have the opportunity to comment and discuss the review



Executive Director Review Completion

The officers will compile the information from the special board meeting and discuss the review with me. The review process will be acknowledged at the August board meeting.

SCED Loan Corner

The Small Business Administration (SBA) 504 loan program is a financing option to help small businesses acquire owner-occupied commercial real estate.


Looking for New Projects

If you know anyone looking to purchase commercial real estate for their business, please contact Sierra.


Why Choose SCED for Your SBA 504 Loan?

While all SBA 504 loan recipients receive the same rate from the SBA, SCED stands out in several ways:


  • Local Expertise: SCED is the only Certified Development Company (CDC) based in our four-county district. This means we keep local money within the community, supporting our regional economy.
  • Supporting Economic Development: Fees generated from our SBA 504 loans fund other SCED economic development initiatives.
  • Personalized Service: As a boutique CDC, we pride ourselves on providing exceptional service to our lending partners and borrowers. We value face-to-face meetings and assist our lending partners by gathering underwriting documentation. Being the SBA experts allows our referral partners to focus on their strengths.
  • Attention to Detail: Our referral partners and borrowers are significant to us. Unlike other CDCs, where you might feel lost in the approval process, at SCED, your deal is extremely important. We ensure personalized attention and care throughout the process.


Stay Updated

Sierra sends a monthly SBA 504 rate newsletter to our lending partners. To stay informed, please click here to get added to her newsletter.

SCED Board Meeting Schedule - Reserve the Dates


  • August 15, 2024 - Noon - Redding City Hall
  • December 5, 2024 - Noon - Redding City Hall
  • February 2025 - TBD
  • May 2025 - TBD

News and Notes


  • I had the privilege to speak at Amy Morin's Rotary Club on regional economic development and what SCED does as an organization.
  • I attended the June 6 CERF Zoom call, during which they discussed how projects will be assessed.
  • I attended the Weaverville Chamber mixer and enjoyed talking to the business owners and learning about the community.
  • I attended the NADO's Virtual EDD Chapter Meet Up, where we discussed community outreach strategies.
  • I sat in on the CDFA FedFund Briefing on EPA Community Change Grants. There are two program tracks, and I thought Track II was more relevant to our district. Track II projects aim to facilitate the engagement of disadvantaged communities in the governmental process to advance environmental and climate justice. Awards under Track II are expected to be $1-3 million each and cannot exceed $3 million.
  • Sierra and I met with Victoria Rodriquez, the Program Director of the Women's Business Center. We discussed Victoria's programs and decided to develop a resource contact list of regional economic developers — a veritable who's who in local economic development.


SCED Website & Social Media Updates

Ryan's Ramblings


After our May board meeting, I took two weeks off to go on a road trip with my daughter, Molly. The trip was highlighted by stops at Park City, Dinosaur National Monument, Mt. Rushmore, Badlands National Park, Devil's Tower National Monument, and the Museum of the Rockies.


Over seven days, we drove a little over 3,100 miles through nine states. Molly just received her driver's permit and got some behind-the-wheel driving time.


When we saw the bison at Badlands Nation Park, Molly was "treated" to my Kevin Costner Tatanka scene impersonation from Dances with Wolves - she didn't get it. Then I talked about mashed potatoes while we were at Devil's Tower - she didn't get that reference either. Molly reminded me that those movies came out WAY before she was born. Nothing like kids to keep you humble.


Have a great day!


Ryan


P.S. - Schedule a meeting with Ryan here.

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