CERC Update - 11/2/26

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.

November 4th - Wil Franklin, Northcoast SBDC - StartUp Humboldt Competition

The North Coast SBDC and its partners are launching the second round of the StartUp Humboldt Competition, an initiative designed to help promising North Coast entrepreneurs build stronger, scalable businesses. The new competition will offer $200,000 in milestone-based awards, along with advanced business education, one-on-one advising, expert mentorship, and opportunities to connect with other entrepreneurs and investors.

Round Two kicks off Tuesday, November 3, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at StartUp Humboldt, 876 7th Street in Arcata. The free community event will feature several winners from the inaugural competition, who will discuss their progress since last spring’s Final Pitch Event at the Eureka Theater, as well as an overview of what entrepreneurs can expect from the upcoming competition.

The first StartUp Humboldt Competition attracted 108 applicants and ultimately awarded $210,000 to five ventures following months of training, mentoring, and business development. Organizers say the second round will place greater emphasis on building networks and connections that help entrepreneurs succeed. Applications for the 2027 competition will open in early 2027, with finalists advancing to a public pitch competition and awards ceremony in the spring.

Learn more here.

Recent Meetings

October 21st - Organization Updates and Sharing

A good discussion was held with updates from numerous participants. Highlights include:

• Arcata House Partnership reported progress on grant applications for a community resilience center and emergency shelter operations, while also seeking volunteers and donations for its winter weather shelter and community Thanksgiving dinner.
• Participants also discussed regional preparedness for potential El Niño impacts, including flood and high-tide risks.
• NCIDC announced its 50th anniversary celebration on November 13
• California Economic Summit included recognition of Lorna McLeod for receiving a California Stewardship Award.
• Wil Franklin announced upcoming AI workshops for businesses and nonprofits, sponsored by Redwood Capital Bank, as well as the relaunch of the Startup Humboldt competition.
• Taylor Bowes announced that she is the new Chair of the Headwaters Fund Board. They will be seeking new members, with applications due in January. She also shared updates on the Headwaters Fund’s revised grantmaking process, board recruitment, and new NorCal APEX Accelerator trainings focused on government contracting.
• The group also discussed workforce development, CTE teacher training, and an upcoming Cal OSBA listening session focused on rural business capacity gaps.
• RREDC reported serving 65 clients with a total outstanding loan balance of approximately $14.8 million at the end of September.
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October 14th - Matthew Simmons, EPIC - Update on Offshore Wind and Electrical Transmission Upgrade

Founded in 1977, the Environmental Protection Information Center (EPIC) is a nonprofit based in Arcata that works to protect and restore Northwest California’s forests, watersheds, wildlife, and climate. EPIC combines education, policy advocacy, regulatory participation, and strategic litigation on environmental issues.

In recent years, EPIC has become an active voice in planning for offshore wind development off Humboldt County. The organization supports responsible offshore wind as a tool to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions while pressing agencies and developers to avoid and mitigate impacts on marine ecosystems, Tribal interests, local communities, and Humboldt Bay. EPIC also focuses on the transmission infrastructure needed to bring offshore wind power ashore and better connect the North Coast to California’s electrical grid. It has advocated for new transmission capacity that can reduce fossil-fuel dependence, improve reliability and resilience, and deliver renewable energy statewide.

Matthew “Matt” Simmons is EPIC’s Climate Attorney, focusing on energy and climate policy. A 2020 UCLA School of Law graduate, he specialized in Environmental Law and Public Interest Law and interned with the Natural Resources Defense Council. Simmons has been active in offshore wind and transmission planning and will discuss how these projects can advance decarbonization while protecting North Coast communities and ecosystems.

Learn more about EPIC

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.

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

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.

Round Two Starts Now!

2026-2027 StartUp Humboldt Competition

Join In This Fall

All events take place on Tuesdays from 5:30-7:00PM at StartUp Humboldt, 876 7th Street in Arcata.

November 3 | Round Two Kickoff Party

Celebrate entrepreneurial progress, hear from several of our inaugural Competition winners, and get the first look at what’s ahead!

Register for November 3rd

November 17 | Fail Forward: Lessons in Resilience

Local business leaders get candid about the realities of entrepreneurship, unexpected challenges, and how they’ve evolved along the way.

Register for November 17th

December 1 | The Power of Networking: Expanding Your Circle

Build meaningful connections across industries and learn more about applying for the 2027 StartUp Humboldt Competition.

Register for December 1st

A strong El Niño winter is forecast, and on the North Coast that will mean higher seas, bigger king tides, and heavy storms arriving back-to-back.



Our community is asking what this winter will mean for them, and the answer depends on what we put in place now and the resources the COAD network will pre-position ahead of the water and storms.

On October 19th, the community received a briefing on what to expect and how to prepare. There will be more community meetings held throughout Humboldt County over the next few weeks.

• COAD Flood Resources Page
• Donate to the Cause



Community-Based Organizations and Tribal Wildfire and Landscape Resilience Capacity and Needs Assessment 

Harbor District Releases Offshore Wind Terminal Project Description

The Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation and Conservation District has released an updated project description and Notice of Preparation (NOP) for the proposed Humboldt Bay Offshore Wind Heavy Lift Multipurpose Marine Terminal Project.

The project would redevelop approximately 180 acres on the Samoa Peninsula into a heavy-lift marine terminal designed primarily to assemble, stage, and launch floating offshore wind turbines. Proposed improvements also include dredging and new wharves, a 30-acre solar array, a 1.2-mile bike path, habitat restoration, and improvements on Woodley Island supporting fishing and recreation.

The NOP begins the next phase of environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The District seeks public and agency comments on the environmental issues and potential impacts that should be studied in the Draft Environmental Impact Report. Public scoping meetings are scheduled for November 4, including a 5:30 p.m. public meeting at the Eureka Veterans Memorial Hall. December 7, 2026, is the deadline for comments.

Learn more about this project and how to comment:

• Download the Notice of Preparation
• https://www.northcoastoffshorewind.org/
• https://www.northcoastoffshorewind.org/post/what-is-a-nop

California Permit Streamlining Academy Cohort Training Applications Now Open

The California Permit Streamlining Academy (CaPSA) is now accepting applications for a select, four-day training program that equips jurisdictions across California with tools and resources to improve permitting processes.

The California Permit Streamlining Academy is a competitive opportunity for jurisdictional executives and staff to participate in a training and professional consultation process. The program is designed to help participating jurisdictions achieve practical, measurable improvements in their permitting processes and includes a $25,000 stipend for jurisdictions that complete the process and meet the program requirements in their entirety. The training will be held at the Craig School of Business at Fresno State University.

Training Agenda: Cohort 1 | California Permit Streamlining Academy

CaPSA is a state-backed initiative managed by the California Association for Local Economic Development (CALED) and funded by a grant from the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz). Its purpose is to help California cities and counties modernize local permitting, increase transparency, improve customer service, and accelerate housing and economic development.

Here’s a link to the October CALBIS newsletter. In this edition, they celebrate Manufacturing Month, share the latest information on the California Permit Streamlining Academy, and showcase the Made in California labelling and marketing program.

GO-Biz CALBIS BUZZ October 2026 Newsletter

Here are some additional announcements.

4^th Annual California-Germany Agrivoltaics Conference at UC Davis - November 12

Join the conference for a full day of practical insights and cross-sector exchange. The goal is to speed up the adoption of agrivoltaics in California by sharing proven business models, building transatlantic collaboration, and advancing sustainable agriculture and clean energy together. Farmers can attend for FREE. Participants will:

• Hear firsthand from U.S. and German farmers, developers, and industry leaders already running agrivoltaic systems.
• Get up to speed on policy, regulation, and funding frameworks on both sides of the Atlantic.
• Review real-world data, costs, business models, and project outcomes.
• Discover the latest research, technologies, and startup solutions.
• Join interactive roundtables and build partnerships across industry, government, and academia.
• Explore how agrivoltaics can lower costs, conserve water, make better use of land, and create new revenue streams.

 Learn More Here!

Visit the CalOSBA Employee Ownership Hub

The California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA) is partnering with Project Equity to provide information about employee ownership options and to support small businesses in achieving successful transitions to employee ownership.

Employee Ownership Hub | California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA)

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