Economic Development News
|
|
From Ross Welch, Executive Director
|
The hallways have become a gathering place at AEDC now. For the past couple years through the pandemic, we've had quite a lot of transition at the office and while we stayed busy with work, it was quiet. It's not anymore. With our new hires and so many activities that require working through problems together, there's an energy that spills into the hallway bringing life back to the office. ZOOM meetings have been great technology, especially for reaching out to our regional partners, but there's nothing like being in a room full of engaged people to really get going.
Besides all of our exciting programs, like CERF and the Child Care Sustainability Fund, we are back out making site visits to our clients and building up our lending pipeline from microloans to those larger commercial property purchases.
It's times like this that I am so grateful for the growing team we have at AEDC. Each new employee, whether they are in the office or not, have brought talents, experience and enthusiasm and have quickly embraced being part of the AEDC Team. I'm brimming with so much excitement for all of this energy, it makes me want to break out into the AEDC Theme Song . . . . but you have to work here to actually hear that.
-- Ross
|
|
Get To Know Jade Hoff, Our New Admin For The Child Care Resilience Fund
|
|
Meet Jade Hoff, AEDC’s new Admin for the Child Care Resilience Fund! Jade is a program director and administrator with 3 years of experience in economic analysis and nonprofit administration. She loves working collaboratively and specializes in community economic development. Jade’s known for her sharp prioritization skills and is a champion when it comes to streamlining processes. We are so grateful to have her authentic enthusiasm added to our team.
What led you to apply for this job?
I couldn’t be more excited about this position; it is a perfect blend of my experience with economic development and small business support, as well as my personal life as a new parent. The economic impact of supporting the childcare industry is exciting to consider since access to childcare is essential for every other sector. The fact that the role is part-time is icing on the cake! I was looking for a way to find a better work-life balance, so that’s a significant reason this role stood out to me.
What are you most excited about in joining the AEDC team?
AEDC has a reputation as an influential member of the economic development community in Humboldt and beyond, so I am excited to join the team. Access to funding is a significant barrier to entry for small businesses, and small businesses are necessary for a sustainable rural economic environment.
What do you love about living in Humboldt?
I’m in the process of moving back to Humboldt after almost three years away. The main driving factor for the move is the area’s quality of life for families. The access to nature is unparalleled, and I’ve always had a fondness for small city living. More than anything, though, I have missed the North Coast community.
How will your previous experience shape how you approach this job?
My previous experience is quite varied; I’ve done many things, from community event coordination and management to helping small businesses access grant funds and managing various projects. The key, in my experience, is clear communication and organization!
|
|
Community Economic Resilience Fund
|
|
The Community Economic Resilience Fund, was created to build an equitable and sustainable economy across California’s diverse regions and foster long-term economic resilience in the overall transition to a carbon-neutral economy.
CERF will use a high-road approach to economic development to support the creation of quality jobs and equal access to those jobs. "High-Road" means that we will actively include the views of a wide variety of stakeholders an perspectives to the planning process to ensure a sustainable economy, environment and workforce.
AEDC will serve as the applicant and fiscal agent for the process in the Redwood Coast Region, which includes Del Norte, Humboldt, Mendocino and Lake Counties. The California Center for Rural Policy at Cal Poly Humboldt will serve as the convener. North Coast Opportunities, in Mendocino, will lead the engagement and outreach portion of the project.
During the process of putting together a proposal for the CERF grant, 47 letters of support were submitted from organizations throughout our region who collaborated to help put the proposal together. One of the individuals who helped during this process, Kathleen Moxon said, “This is an opportunity to define our rural region and lift its voice up at the state level. ”
If we receive this grant, the funding will help our region:
- Build economic development capacity to maximize economic growth and effective implementation of planned projects as we work across industries, agencies and including disinvested communities.
- Create an inclusive and equitable regional economic plan aligned with existing County plans, and informed by data, community participation and community priorities.
- Increase diversity of the regional workforce employed in high road occupations by ensuring training and pathways to living-wage careers for people historically under-represented in growing and emerging industry sectors.
- Identify funding opportunities driven by stakeholder participation in decision-making for priority projects.
Public Investing and Innovation Initiative Director, Ursula Bischoff is excited about what the future holds, “we can learn so much from our colleagues across the region to help develop solutions and accelerate progress on shared concerns.” In October we’ll find out if we can move forward, and begin our next phase of planning. During this next phase, we will work together to develop a regional plan based on data and community knowledge.
Given the scope of work needed to even apply, it took a lot of volunteer time by participants. We would like to send out a special thank you to our applicant partners at CCRP, Dawn Arledge and Amanda Hickey; and NCO, Tammy Moss-Chandler as well as Mary Anne Petrillo, from the West Development Center, Kathy Moxon, of Redwood Coast Rural Action, Michelle Carrillo, of Wild Rivers Foundation, as well as dozens of others who put so much of their time and energy into helping us create this proposal.
Find more information, including webinars and information about how to get involved here.
|
|
A Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy for Building Future Prosperity
|
|
Join us for a community conversation on how to help Humboldt County build prosperity for everyone who calls Humboldt “home.”
Humboldt County is in the planning process of developing our Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). This document, developed every five years is a framework to grow a diverse and thriving economy, outline a plan for regional resilience, and improve the quality of life for everyone in Humboldt. If you feel passionate about your community, we want to hear from you! Visit our website now at HumboldtRising.com and share your thoughts about Humboldt, and how supporting economic development in your community could impact you.
Later this month, we’ll be coming to YOUR town to facilitate a community discussion and hear your insights on the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats facing our County. We will use this community feedback to inform our strategy moving forward.
Below are the dates and locations for the upcoming CEDS Public Engagement meetings. Have your voice be heard and come share your story.
8/24 | Southern Humboldt | 5:30 -7 PM
Redwood Playhouse - 286 Sprowl Creek Rd., Garberville
8/29 | Eel River Valley | 5:30 -7 PM
River Lodge Conference Center - 1800 Riverwalk Drive, Fortuna
8/30 | North East County | 5:30 -7 PM
Azalea Hall - 1620 Pickett Rd, McKinleyville
9/07 | Greater Eureka | 5:30 -7 PM
Eureka Sequoia Conference Center - 901 Myrtle Avenue, Eureka
9/08 | North County | 5:30 -7 PM
Trinidad Town Hall - 409 Trinity Street, Trinidad
9/09 | Willow Creek | 5:30 -7 PM
Willow Creek Vets Hall - 20 Kimtu, Willow Creek
|
|
LRC Applications Are OPEN
|
|
Exciting news, applications are now open for the first year of Leadership Redwood Coast, a program of the Arcata Economic Development Corporation (AEDC)!
Leadership Redwood Coast (LRC) is a nine-month regional leadership program centered on empowering diverse individuals throughout Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino and adjacent Tribal lands with the tools, connections, and insight they need to effect equitable and innovative change in their communities and across the region. If you are interested in growing your leadership, fostering connections in the region, and helping shape the future of the Redwood Coast Region, we welcome you to apply here! Visit the website, LeadershipRC.org for more information.
This program is being facilitated by Nancy Olson, the new CEO of the Eureka Chamber of Commerce, and Allie Jones, owner of Illuminated Marketing. Because you were a part of our Emerging Leaders cohort at last year’s Redwood Coast Region Economic Development Summit, we wanted to personally reach out and invite you to apply.
Below are the upcoming dates for the Leadership Redwood Coast Program. We ask participants to arrive Thursday evening and stay until Saturday afternoon.
Session 1: Orientation and Leadership Focus (in Humboldt)
October 20-22, 2022
Session 2: Online Session
December 2, 2022 2 hours (Time TBD)
Session 3: Mendocino County
January 12-14, 2023
Session 4: Lake County
February 23-25, 2023
Session 5: Del Norte County
April 13-15, 2023
Session 6: Humboldt County
June 8-10, 2023
Apply to be a part of our inaugural Leadership Redwood Coast cohort, fill out an application here, and our team will reach out to you soon! Applications must be submitted by September 1, 2022.
|
|
Arcata Economic Development Corporation
Fax: (707) 798-6130
Tel: (707) 798-6132
707 K Street, Eureka, CA 95501
Newsletter produced by
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|