March Economic Development News
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From Our Executive Director
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Will Rogers said that even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there (he was a funny guy). As June approaches, our young entrepreneurs are not just sitting on the track, they are hard at work planning and building their stands in preparation for Lemonade Day on June 2
nd.
The recent economic development forum held at Fortuna’s River Lodge provided both education and inspiration for those working hard to build our local economy. Representatives from agencies across the county shared their plans and projects, their successes and challenges, offering insights regarding their experiences and new and innovative ideas that others could explore and emulate.
We also look forward to the contributions of our new Board member, Fawn Sheer, an energetic and talented addition looking to support and expand AEDC’s positive impact in the community.
Spring is here and it’s the time of plans and projects. Please remember to consider AEDC when you (or someone you know) are thinking of financing a business opportunity.
~Ross
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Meet New AEDC Board Member Fawn Sheer
Four years ago Greenway operations manager and partner Fawn Sheer started working with AEDC as a member of the program committee-- she now plans to use her new position on the board of directors to support AEDC’s continued growth and impact in our communities.
“Through my work with Greenway, I have gained tremendous insight about the pressures of funding projects in a rural community,” she said. “With first-hand knowledge of operating and growing a small startup in this region, I also understand the many challenges of business development.”
Sheer was a member of the City of Arcata's Economic Development Committee from 2012-2017, and has been actively involved in the efforts to develop an arts district in the Creamery District in Arcata, which she believes is an interesting model for grassroots economic development.
“I think AEDC can increase its role in supporting and developing community investment mechanisms such as revolving loan funds, pooled real estate investments, or other models enabled by its status as a CDFI,” she continued. “And think the diversity of projects and programs AEDC supports is hugely valuable.”
Sheer grew up in the northern Arizona and “bounced around a bit” before moving up to Humboldt with her long-term partner over ten years ago.
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Lemonade Day registration opens on April 2. To register online visit humboldt.lemonadeday.org.
Lemonade Day is a young entrepreneurship program that exists to infuse today’s youth with the spirit of enterprise, teaching the basic business skills one-lemonade stand at a time. Participants will learn to start, own and operate their very own business using a lemonade stand. We encourage the kids to “save a little, spend a little and share a little.”
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Lemonade Day Registration
Events
APR
4
– Eureka
Wednesday, April 4 at 3 PM - 5 PM
612 G St, Ste 102, Eureka
APR
15 – McKinleyville
Sunday, April 15 at 2 PM - 4 P
1705 Gwin Rd., McKinleyville
APR
16
– Arcata
Monday, April 16 at 5 PM - 7 PM
321 Community Park Way, Arcata
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Economic Development Forum a Great Success !
About 90 people attended the Prosperity Economic Development Forum on March 22 at the River Lodge. The event included 10 minute mini-presentations from representatives of communities across Humboldt County giving an overview of economic challenges, opportunities and projects.
The event opened with an introduction by Sue Long, Mayor of Fortuna followed by an overview of the workforce landscape presented by Randall Weaver, Labor Consultant from the Employment Development Department. Community updates were provided from Rio Dell, Southern Humboldt, Ferndale, Blue Lake and McKinleyville, Bear River Band of Rohnerville Rancheria, Blue Lake Rancheria, Hoopa Valley Tribe, the Yurok Tribe, Arcata, Eureka and Fortuna. There was also an update about Humboldt County's Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy, as well as updates from infrastructure organizations including the Humboldt Bay Harbor District, CalTrans, Airports and Redwood Coast Energy Authority.
The event closed with a check in with the participants in the room who talked about projects from the decommissioning of the PG&E nuclear power plant, to finding ways for homeless to earn money, to the Slingshot grant which is allowing a group of medical industry leaders to create pathways for local students to go into the medical field.
Some highlights included:
- The Blue Lake Rancheria has reduced Green House Gas Emmisions by ~40% from a 2014 baseline , and wants to be net zero carbon by 2030.
- The Bear River Band of Rohnerville Rancheria is building a recreation center with a swimming pool that will be suitable for swimming competitions.
- Hoopa Valley is progressing on a new community grocery store
- The Board of Supervisors voted to move forward with the creation of a separate Aviation Department and to create a new airport director position.
- The City of Ferndale is focusing on creating ways to allow their community to easily make their homes fit into their historic look as a way to enhance tourism and business.
- The City of Eureka is changing their zoning code as a way to help make Eureka a more vibrant and business friendly community.
- The City of Arcata, a long time leader in manufacturing, is seeing their market share in that area spreading more evenly through the County, but they continue to remain strong and are constantly looking for ways to be proactive about opportunities in the future.
- While Southern Humboldt struggles with the economic impact of being an unincorporated community combined with a drop in income because of regulation on cannabis farmers, they're working hard, and looking forward to new opportunities in tourism.
"The Economic Development Forum was a remarkable gathering of new voices, sharing new ways of thinking and information I hadn’t heard before," said Erin Dunn, Executive Director of the Fortuna Chamber of Commerce."
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The event was presented by
the Prosperity Network and sponsored by AEDC, Redwood Region Economic Development Commission and the County of Humboldt Workforce Development Board.
Planning Committee Members:
Susan Seaman, AEDC; Delo Freitas, City of Eureka Development Services Department; Rachel Callahan, College of the Redwoods; Allison Tans, County of Humboldt Economic Development Department; Leila Roberts, North Coast Small Business Development Center; and Randall Weaver, Employment Development Department;
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Business Spotlight
Kidney Care Services of Humboldt provides care to all patients with kidney disease regardless of income or insurance.
The center was founded by Angela Smith, ANP-BC, CNN, a Certified Nurse Practitioner and Certified Nephrology Nurse with more than 16 years of experience caring for patients and family members with kidney disease. She works to promote individualized care that is centered around the person and not just a disease.
Angela Smith
Smith recently received a loan from AEDC to help cover overhead costs. “This loan supports my commitment to improve access to medical care for people with kidney disease,“ Smith said. “The loan experience was stress free and AEDC easily accommodated my hours and needs.”
Smith works with JOSE A. MORFIN, MD, Supervising MD, and a patient care team that includes
- Nephrologists
- Cardiologists
- Dietitian
- Nurse practitioners
- Lab services
- Ultrasounds
- Echocardiograms
Dialysis
Kidney Care Services of Humboldt works with two separate dialysis companies offering different types of treatment, including home based and in-center therapies.
Telemedicine
Kidney Care Services of Humboldt contracts with telemedicine cardiologists (heart) and nephrologists (kidney) doctors from UC Davis to bring high quality, comprehensive focus to each patient. The nurse practitioner provides all direct care and assures patients receive any necessary services.
Telemedicine uses an advanced internet connection to allow patients and providers from different geographic areas to see and communicate with each other. Patients are spared the hassle of long commutes to see a specialist while also allowing multiple providers to meet with each other and the patient concurrently. Telemedicine promotes better communication and higher patient satisfaction.
For more information, visit
http://kidneycareservices.org/
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SBA 504 Current Rate:
4.92%
- Low down payment for borrowers
- Competitive fixed interest rate
- Long Term loan
- From $50,000 to $5 million for commercial real estate, construction and equipment acquisition.
Many commercial loans available on the market require a sizeable percentage down before the loan will be granted, and this can be an obstacle for many business owners looking to improve their facilities. The SBA 504 Loan offers a solution for that -- you can borrow up to 90% of your financing needs at a fixed rate, so only a minimum of 10% down is required.
The remainder is split between the SBA loan (40%) and a bank loan (50%), and the Arcata Economic Development Corporation will work with your bank to submit your loan application. Loan amounts range from $50,000 to $5 million, and some restrictions apply.
For more information, call Kelli Sterling, Loan Manager: 707-798-6132 ext. 212 or email kellis@aedc1.org.
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Arcata Economic Development Corporation
Fax: (707) 798-6130
Tel: (707) 798-6132
707 K Street, Eureka, CA 95501
Newsletter produced by
Lynette Mullen, Projects Delivered
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