Del Norte County and Crescent City are a welcome source of recent economic activity. 



Recently Crescent City Harbor District was awarded $22.5 million to rebuild their harbor after it was damaged by the tsunami in 2006.  Suzanne Dockal, as the independent grant-writer for the project, enlisted the help of Barbara Burke and Janna Clemons of the SBDC's Del Norte office to gather and verify employment information from businesses within the Harbor area.  This information was central to the effectiveness of the grant application.  In fact, it's fair to say the project would not have been funded without the excellent work of these three women.  Thanks to Barbara, Janna and Suzanne!

The City of Crescent City has agreed to provide California Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds for a micro-loan program aimed at small businesses.  Several North Coast SBDC clients plan to apply and will receive technical assistance from the North Coast SBDC to complete their applications.

Although not an SBDC accomplishment, there is more great news from Del Norte from the California Endowment.  The Endownment has approved a 10-year commitment of substantial funding for their Building Healthy Communities initiative.  Del Norte County and adjacent tribal lands are among 14 communities in California--chosen from hundreds of applicants--who will be part of the initiative.  The initiative's goal is to improve socioeconomic and environmental conditions in order to ultimately build communities where children and youth are healthy, safe and ready to learn.  The funding allows for a program officer to oversee the expansion of health services and programs, such as expanding youth nutrition, increasing physical activities, and improving healthy behaviors.  The particular amount of funding will be determined year-by -year.  This was made possible through expansive and coordinated efforts between governmental and non-governmental organizations, as well as valauable data and leadership in our region.  Both Laura Olson, who has been appointed the Program Officer, and Barb O'Neill, a consultant to HAF were instrumental in providing the leadership necessary to include Del Norte in the initiative.