CERC Update - 10/5/26

Greetings!

Since we started as a COVID response group in 2020, the CERC has been sharing updates, coordinating resources, and ensuring consistent communication to our community's businesses and the general public.

In that time, we've accumulated over 170 presentations (linked below) and have published weekly updates. We continue to believe that authentic collaboration is the best way to tackle our region's issues and create a stronger, more resilient economy.

If you want to share something with the group, email us here. Our meetings are open to all. Working together, we all do better.

October 7th - Jada Brotman, Executive Director - Humboldt Builders' Exchange

Since 1959, the Humboldt Builders’ Exchange (HBE) has been an important resource for contractors, suppliers, tradespeople, and construction-related businesses throughout Humboldt County. The organization works to strengthen the local construction industry by connecting professionals with project opportunities, training, industry information, and one another. HBE serves a network of more than 300 contractors and provides services including contractor referrals, networking opportunities, a digital plan room, educational programs, and a weekly bulletin highlighting projects, industry news, events, and regulatory updates.

Workforce development is also a major focus. HBE supports students entering construction and related fields through scholarships and partnerships designed to strengthen the next generation of local trades professionals. In 2026, the organization awarded four scholarships to local students. HBE also continues to expand professional development opportunities, including workshops focused on emerging tools and technologies for contractors.

Executive Director Jada Brotman leads the Exchange’s efforts to strengthen connections among contractors, businesses, educators, and community partners. Under her leadership, HBE is emphasizing workforce development, modernization, and a strong, unified construction industry that can meet Humboldt County’s future needs.

Learn more about the Humboldt Builders' Exchange.

Recent Meetings

September 23rd - Cyndi Ankiewicz, California Care Force and Susan Vogel, County of Humboldt - Dental and Health Care Clinics and Public Health

California CareForce and the Humboldt County Department of Health & Human Services Public Health Branch will share how they are working to improve access to health care and strengthen community well-being. California CareForce organizes volunteer-supported, no-cost clinics offering dental, vision, and medical services to people regardless of income or insurance status. They will hold a Humboldt County clinic on November 6–8 in Eureka.

Humboldt County Public Health provides a wide range of local services, including immunizations, public health nursing, maternal and child health programs, nutrition assistance, disease prevention, and health education. Together, the presentations will highlight resources available to Humboldt County residents.



Learn more about California Care Force

Learn more about Humboldt County Public Health

September 16th - Shruti Narain

Northern California Resiliency Training Coordinator, CALOSBA

CalOSBA’s Outsmart Disaster program helps California businesses and nonprofits prepare for, withstand, and recover from disasters and other business interruptions. The no-cost program offers training, webinars, recovery resources, and a customizable Resiliency Roadmap covering risk assessment, communications, operations, hazard mitigation, insurance, finances, and emergency response planning. Originally launched in 2018, the initiative now uses an all-hazards approach to strengthen business continuity statewide.

Shruti Narain is CalOSBA’s Northern California Resiliency Training Coordinator and an entrepreneur with experience providing marketing support to nonprofits and small businesses. She works with communities across Northern California to help businesses strengthen disaster preparedness and long-term resilience. Narain also conducts and coordinates Outsmart Disaster training, helping local businesses and organizations develop practical plans for maintaining operations and recovering from disruptions.



Learn more about Outsmart Disaster

September 9th - Nick Bown-Crawford, Executive Director, Humboldt COAD

Humboldt Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD) is a nonprofit coalition that helps Humboldt County prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters. Its network includes nonprofits, tribal governments, faith-based organizations, businesses, volunteers, and public agencies working together to improve communication, coordinate resources, and address unmet community needs.

COAD’s role expanded significantly following the December 2022 Rio Dell earthquake, when it helped coordinate nongovernmental response and long-term recovery efforts. The organization has also supported residents affected by more recent emergencies, including flooding and wildfires, by connecting households with recovery resources, temporary housing, advocacy, and other assistance.

Executive Director Nick Bown-Crawford has played a key role in developing COAD’s regional presence. A Humboldt County native who has also served as Executive Director of Humboldt Made, Bown-Crawford emphasizes community-led recovery, strong cross-sector partnerships, and long-term resilience. Under his leadership, COAD has become an important bridge between residents, local organizations, government agencies, and disaster-response resources.

Learn more about COAD.

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 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.

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.

Never Forget A CERC Meeting.

Click below to download a calendar invite.

Ticket sales close tonight at 6pm for the From the Fields dinner on

Sunday, Oct. 11 at Luna Farm!

The North Coast Growers Association love to see you at the table, so reserve your seat today for an evening celebrating the season, with a menu highlighting the best of our local fall harvest.

The Evening

3:30 PM | Cocktail Hour - Enjoy a drink, mingle, and soak up an autumn afternoon on the farm.

4:00–5:00 PM | Farm Tour + Pumpkin Patch - Tour the farm, explore the fields, and pick out two pumpkins from Luna Farm's pumpkin patch to take home and carve.

5:00 PM | Farm to Table Dinner - Gather around the table for a seasonal, family-style dinner made with ingredients from Luna Farm and other Humboldt County farmers.

Cocktails, mocktails, and wine will be available throughout the evening and are included with your ticket. Dinner will be served family-style, with salad, cornbread, and the main course presented on shared platters for the table.

More than a dinner, From the Fields is a celebration of the farmers, food, and community at the heart of our local food system. Proceeds from the evening benefit the North Coast Growers’ Association and their work to expand access to local food and build a stronger, more resilient local food system.

Humboldt County Business and Economy Survey 2026

A collaborative of business and nonprofit-serving organizations across Humboldt County is conducting this comprehensive survey to inform our work in the coming years, as well as to track impacts related to policy and program changes at the federal level.

Special thanks to the Greater Eureka Chamber of Commerce and Eureka Main Street for coordinating the survey.

Spooktacular 2026

Oct 23, 2026 / 6:00 PM PDT

Blue Lake Casino and Hotel

Join We Are Up for Spooktacular, an unforgettable evening of dining, dancing, and community celebration! Enjoy delicious appetizers, a full bar, and a gourmet dinner featuring your choice of prime rib, salmon, or a flavorful vegetarian entrée.

Dance the night away to live music from Dr. Squid and browse dozens of exciting silent and live auction packages. Whether you're coming for the entertainment, the auction, or simply a great night out, Spooktacular promises an evening of fun, excitement, and lasting memories. Don't miss this Spooktacular event!

Made in California: Look for the Label

The State of California recently launched “Made in California”, a new statewide labeling and marketing program to empower California manufacturers to capitalize on the state’s global reputation for quality.

Whether the company makes surfboards or salsa, beer or biotech products, as long as it is substantially made in the Golden State, manufacturers big and small have the opportunity to add the valuable “Made in California” label to their products.

Learn more.

PG&E Capacity Planning Questionnaire - Long Term Development Plans 2026 Survey

Electric demand is growing quickly due to electrification and new business development. By sharing early information about future projects, you can help PG&E consider those needs in long-term capacity planning before a formal service application is submitted. This questionnaire is for potential projects that have not yet been formally submitted to PG&E. Information provided will be kept confidential and used only for internal planning. Submitting information through the questionnaire does not start a formal service request or trigger project action.

Fill out the Capacity Planning Questionnaire

Before starting, you may want to gather information about:

• Planned business, industrial, or critical infrastructure projects
• Projects that may require additional electric load or depend on state or federal funding
• Sustainability, fleet electrification, charging, or zero-emission vehicle plans
• Environmental or community considerations related to future development

Food Production Investment Program (FPIP) Grant – Opening Soon

This program has an estimated $5M to fund the implementation and demonstration of advanced energy and decarbonization technologies in food processing and supporting facilities by targeting commercially available and proven technologies that maximize greenhouse gas emissions reductions, lower energy consumption, and enhance electrical grid reliability. Visit the program page here for more information.

Trinity County Recruitment Video Series

Trinity County officially launched a comprehensive recruitment video campaign designed to showcase the unique rewards of living and working in the region. Staff debuted a featured two-minute video for the Board, offering a striking visual journey through Trinity County’s changing seasons, vibrant community, and diverse public service careers. Enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FIw6TeRsZQ&list=PLE7k46GfnQlA

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