CERC Update - 5/12/25

Hello Gregg,

Over five years ago, we were forced to change the way we do business. Responding to the COVID pandemic, economic and community development organizations, local governments, and other groups forged an unprecedented multi-county collaboration to support our communities and each other.

We are still committed to our mission of "providing updates, sharing resources and ensuring consistent communication to our community's businesses and public at large."

But the CERC only works with your participation. It's not a top-down or centralized entity. Think of it like a potluck, we set the table and bring a dish. But the meal is only good if we all contribute. And as anyone who has attended a potluck knows, a "varied" selection of dishes make the meal even better. We look forward to your continued partnership as we move forward on the pressing issues of the region.

May 14th - Organizational Check-Ins and Updates

It's time for us to check up on each other. What's new with your organization? Are there challenges you need help with? News that you think we should all know? Issues that need to be addressed?

Now's your time to share updates and coordinate resources.

May 7th - Ken Hamik and Lisa Sundberg - Indegenous Habitat Institute

The Indigenous Habitat Institute (IHI) was formed in 2021 with the mission to improve the health and well-being of indigenous people, veterans and other under-served communities through incorporating cultural and holistic values in how we build homes and communities. We are doing this in part by identifying existing bio-based building materials that have established professional rules and executing them through professional certified workforce training. Their goal is to eventually develop regional research playgrounds to maximize ecosystems that address challenges facing respective communities and build with these materials.

IHI's initiatives include transferring knowledge from the established French hempcrete industry to North America, developing professional certified workforce training, and creating demonstration builds. In 2024, IHI initiated its first permitted prefabricated hempcrete house in Eureka, California. This 700-square-foot Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) meets both county and state codes and is constructed using certified prefabricated hempcrete panels produced at the Hoopa Tribe’s modular facility.

Learn More About the Indigenous Habitat Institute

Note that this and all CERC recordings are off the record.

Please contact individual speakers directly for permission to quote or share any statements.

April 30th Meeting - Alec Dompka and Aaron Wilcher, Community Economic Development Advisors, University of California Cooperative Extension

University of California Cooperative Extension Community Economic Development Advisors  Alec Dompka and Aaron Wilcher discussed the California Jobs First Economic Development Blueprint's implications for the Redwood Coast and rural California. The presentation explored potential avenues for rural CA to plug into the Blueprint and how we can ensure rural CA benefits from its proposed developments.

Read more about the Blueprint here.

Note that this and all CERC recordings are off the record.

Please contact individual speakers directly for permission to quote or share any statements.

April 23rd Meeting - Danna Stroud, Associate Deputy Director, Regional Economic Development Initiative, Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development

Joining us will be Danna Stroud, who will be providing information on the California Jobs First Economic Blueprint. Built from the foundations of the 13 regional plans, this Blueprint identifies the strategic sectors and strategies that best position the State of California to help create, attract, and increase access to good-paying jobs.

Read more about the Blueprint here.

Note that this and all CERC recordings are off the record.

Please contact individual speakers directly for permission to quote or share any statements.

Do you have something you'd like to share in the CERC Update? We have an email list of over 300 key individuals in the region, at state agencies, and in supporting organizations.

Email Stacy or Gregg with your news items.

Join us at 10:00 a.m. Zoom link is: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88902973868.

CERC general meetings are Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m.

Let us know if you are interested in presenting or have a program suggestion.

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Housing Group meetings First Monday of Each Month at 11:00 a.m.

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Did you miss one of the excellent Wednesday CERC presentations?

Don't fret. We save them for you. Click to watch and enjoy at your convenience.

Note that this and all CERC recordings are off the record.

Please contact individual speakers directly for permission to quote or share any statements.

The California Housing Partnership recently released its Affordable Housing Needs Report for Humboldt County. Among other findings, the report stated that:

• 6,015 low-income renter households in Humboldt County do not have access to an affordable home.
• State and federal funding for housing production and preservation in Humboldt County is $64 million, a 182% increase from the year prior.
• 85% of extremely low-income (ELI) households in Humboldt County are paying more than half of their income on housing costs compared to 2% of moderate-income households.
• In 2024 in Humboldt County, there were only 719 beds available in the interim housing supply for persons experiencing homelessness.
• Renters in Humboldt County need to earn $24.46 per hour - 1.5 times the state minimum wage - to afford the average monthly asking rent of $1,272.

Learn more about the California Housing Partnership here.

From GO-Biz

Tariffs on imported goods impact both importers and exporters, creating challenges in a shifting trade landscape. Businesses that plan ahead and adapt their supply chains gain a competitive edge.

O-Biz encourages California businesses to stay informed and proactively plan for tariff-related challenges. Below, you’ll find a collection of resources to help your business navigate tariffs, optimize operations, and remain competitive in the global marketplace.

Announcements

Subscribe to California Jobs First Newsletter

GO-Biz has launched a California Jobs First newsletter where you can stay up to date on announcements, deadlines, and awards. Sign up here to receive the newsletter directly in your inbox.

Watch an Overview of the State Economic Blueprint

On April 23^rd, the Redwood Coast Community Economic Resilience Consortium (CERC) hosted a presentation by Danna Stroud, Associate Deputy Director, Regional Economic Development Initiative, Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development, who gave an overview of the State Economic Blueprint. Click here to watch.

Upcoming Regional Events

Navigating Tariff Impacts, Virtual Workshop for Manufacturers – Tuesday, May 13th

The City of Chico, in cooperation with Butte County, Grow Manufacturing, NoRTEC, PG&E, and GO-Biz, will facilitate a manufacturing business forum hosted by Grow Manufacturing, focusing on navigating the impacts of tariffs. During this virtual event, participants will hear about resources available to assist manufacturing businesses during these uncertain times. Grow Manufacturing will facilitate a discussion with participants regarding how local manufacturers are facing this challenge, hearing from some of our local businesses directly, then engaging participants in a larger conversation regarding challenges and opportunities. Flyer is attached. No registration is required. Just add it to your calendar and join via the Zoom link below on May 13^th at 10 a.m.

DATE:              Tuesday, May 13, 2025

TIME:              10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

LOCATION:      Virtual – https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81569355801#success

Shasta Capital Summit – Tuesday, May 13th

This event provides an opportunity for business owners to explore business funding options and meet with lenders. The Shasta Capital Summit will take place on Tuesday, May 13^th, from 4 to 7 p.m. in Downtown Redding. Flyer is attached.

Our Northern California Network of Small Business Development Centers continue to offer excellent training workshops both in-person and online. These high-quality trainings are also free of charge.

Check out their training calendar here.

Outsmart Disaster is a statewide campaign led by the California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA) to raise awareness about the importance of preparing for disasters and emergencies. Outsmart Disaster equips California businesses and nonprofits with the training and resources they need to prepare for and recover from all types of business interruptions.

The program is dedicated to empowering small businesses to become resilient—ready to absorb stress, restore essential functions, and thrive, even in challenging circumstances. You can start building resilience today.

Outsmart Disaster is an initiative of CalOSBA supported by Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act Recovery Assistance funds provided by the U.S. Economic Development Agency.

The Outsmart Disaster concept was originally conceived in 2018 as a state-led tool to help businesses and communities prepare for the next big earthquake. With the support of funders such as JP Morgan Chase Foundation and Edison International, and under the leadership of California’s Business Consumer Services and Housing Agency, the program evolved to help Californians prepare for all types of disasters. Now, with the support of approximately $782,000 in Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding provided by U.S. Economic Development Agency and under the leadership of CalOSBA, Outsmart Disaster will further its work to help prepare Californians for the unexpected... like earthquakes!

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