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A Year-End Note from The Executive Director
Some years feel like turning a page; this one has felt like writing a whole new chapter together!! As an avid reader, I love a good book analogy. What a year 2025 has been! The McKinleyville Chamber truly embodies one of my favorite quotes this past year: “Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.” -Helen Keller
In 2025, the McKinleyville Chamber welcomed over 30 new members, and we now have just under 300 members, representing more than 4,000 employees. We hired a new office coordinator who has hit the ground running and is an amazing addition to our team, and has elevated what we can deliver for our members. We held 10 networking mixers hosted by members where you gathered and enjoyed socializing and fun, while building local connections and making referrals. Our Music in the Park summer concert series was the biggest ever, and many say it has become the weekly summer must-attend event in McKinleyville! Our annual Pony Express Days festivities brought beautiful weather along with huge crowds and family fun to our entire community. And in the quieter hours, we lost count of how many community, county, and committee meetings we attended to ensure issues are heard, and information is shared with our members.
As we begin the next chapter in 2026, our goals are clear: Growth, Advocacy, and Connections. We will grow our capacity to serve our members and community. We will increase our advocacy to ensure the voices of our members and community are being heard, and we will continue to be a hub of trusted information for businesses, community members, and visitors to Humboldt.
Thank YOU for trusting us with your story this year. It is not lost on me how lucky we are to serve this community and this region. Here’s to carrying this momentum into the new year; one phone call, one partnership, one practical step, and one “yes” at a time!
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Jesse Miles
McKinleyville Chamber of Commerce
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January 7th
12-1 pm
Let's Get Social: Simple Facebook, Instagram, & Canva for any business
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A fun, beginner-friendly workshop for anyone who wants to feel more confident on Facebook and Instagram. We’ll walk through the basics step by step, show you how to make simple graphics in Canva, and share easy ways to build engagement without spending all day online.
Seating is limited — don’t wait to register!
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January 29th
12-1 pm
State of McKinleyville: A forum to foster informed and engaged community dialogues.
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The McKinleyville Chamber of Commerce has hosted this annual community forum since 2016, bringing together local leaders, businesses, and residents to share updates and talk about key issues facing our unincorporated town. Now in its 10th year, the forum remains a Chamber-led community conversation about McKinleyville’s past, present, and future.
The speaking program will run from 6:00 to 7:30 pm, with tabling and networking time before and after.
| | Take a moment to answer what you would like us to focus our workshops in the new year on (click all that apply): | |
| As we plan our 2026 workshop schedule we need your input. What topic would you like to see? | | | | |
Don't see the topic you would like us to explore?
Hit reply on this email and let us know!
| | It's Time to Update Your Workplace Posters | | StartUp Humboldt Competition | | |
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Applications are now open for the StartUp Humboldt Competition!
Do you have a million-dollar business idea? Are you an owner with a business ready to grow?
The StartUp Humboldt Competition will award up to $200,000 in milestone-based funding to help local founders launch or advance their ventures.
Accepted participants gain access to personalized mentorship provided by the North Coast SBDC and university-level instruction, all designed to sharpen strategy, accelerate progress, and fuel high-quality job creation across the region.
Applications are due Sunday, January 25, 2026.
| | | | The National Civics Bee is an annual nonpartisan civics competition for middle schoolers that increases civics knowledge, skills, and disposition among young Americans, their families, and communities. The competition is organized by The Civic Trust of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation in partnership with local and state chambers of commerce across the country. | |
Important Dates:
Tuesday, February 3rd- Deadline for 6-8th graders to submit their essays
Saturday, May 2nd- Regional Bee
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Don't forget to check our Member Event Calendar! Stay connected to your community and support fellow Chamber Members.
Members-Have an event you want to add? Check out this pdf with detailed how to steps to add your event. You will need to login as a member via our website.
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Civic engagement doesn’t have to be complicated: it starts with paying attention and showing up. In 2026, let’s keep showing up at these public meetings so the voices of McKinleyville’s residents and businesses are heard loud and clear. -Jesse
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What is the Northern Humboldt Union High School District?
VISION
Developing caring, engaged, and adaptable individuals who embrace opportunities and are empowered to meet challenges in their future.
MISSION
To provide the highest quality, comprehensive education in a safe, supportive environment, by:
- Promoting a culture of academic excellence, innovation, and creativity
- Ensuring an outstanding, passionate staff committed to student achievement
- Encouraging acceptance of and appreciation for diversity
- Offering a wide range of curricular and extracurricular activities for all students.
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
Understand how the implementation of the LCAP effectively impacts students’ learning and their experience in our District.
In collaboration with faculty, staff, and the greater community, review and consider revising/developing the District Mission, Vision, and Equity Statements in order to better serve our community.
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Benbow Historic Inn is offering their Black Friday Deal again
TODAY only (Monday, December 22nd)!
Call Today to to advantage of 25% off all gift certificates: 707-923-2124
| | Thank you to our Premier Investors! | | Premier Trillium Investor | | Thank you to our Investors | | | McKinleyville Chamber of Commerce | P.O. Box 2144 | McKinleyville, CA 95519 US | |
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