November 2009
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Airport Terminal Expansion Celebrated    

Humboldt County celebrated the completion of the expanded Arcata-Eureka Airport terminal on Saturday, Oct 17th. Business leaders and elected officials, including Congressman Mike Thompson, gathered to "cut the ribbon" on the nearly $8 million effort.
 
The project addTerminaled 10,000 square feet to the existing 37,000 square foot terminal. This addition, combined with a major remodel of the existing terminal, improved passenger waiting areas, enlarged the baggage return area, added business work stations, and brought the terminal up to current building codes. 

"This was the first major terminal remodeling and expansion project in 25 years," said Jaquelyn Hulsey, Humboldt County's Airport Manager.  "The airport has had significant growth in passenger numbers in twenty-five years and the County needed to act to ensure that the Terminal adequately serves existing passenger levels with an eye on future passenger needs."
Grants Available for Diesel Engine Upgrades
 
Gossard Boat
The Carl Moyer Memorial Air Quality Standards Attainment Program is a grant program that gives funding to diesel equipment owners who are willing to replace their older gross polluting engine and machinery for new cleaner-than-required engines and equipment. 

One recipient of this grant was a local fisherman who was able to install a new cleaner running engine for his fishing vessel just in time for crabbing season.  RREDC provided a short-term working capital loan to this fisherman, which allows him to proceed with the project prior to receiving grant funds.  The newer, cleaner running engine will not only help the environment but might reduce fuel costs as well.
Public Utilities Commission To Consider Recommendation for Broadband Funding

On November 20, the California Public Utilities Commission will consider a staff recommendation to provide approximately $4 million to fund a second fiber optic line to Humboldt County. 

SuccessfulFiber completion of this project would address a serious concern of Humboldt County, which is the reliance on a single fiber optic line for telecommunications.  Numerous outages have shown the communities vulnerability to telecommunications blackouts, hurting local businesses, governments, organizations and individuals. 

More information on this topic and the CPUC's action can be found by clicking here.  Background on our region's efforts to secure a second fiber line can be found by clicking here.
ARRA Decision On Broadband Funding Delayed.

As reported in our last newsletter, The American Recovery  and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) appropriated $7.2 billion and directed the Department of Agriculture's Rural Utilities Service (RUS) and The Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications Information Administration (NTIA) to expand broadband access to unserved and underserved communities across the U.S. 
 
As a result, the RUS Broadband Initiatives Program (BIP) and the NTIA Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) were created.  BIP will make loans and grants for broadband infrastructure projects in rural areas. BTOP will provide grants to fund broadband infrastructure, public computer centers and sustainable broadband adoption projects.
 
In August, a number of private and public organizations submitted grant and loan requests for broadband projects to benefit the north coast region.    Decisions on these grant requests have been delayed and are not currently expected before December 2009.  A good article on the delay is found here.
 
For a list of projects for the area, go to Broadband Projects.  More information on the ARRA broadband program can be found at ARRA Broadband Funding.
Economic Fuel Competition is Underway
 
Economic FuelEconomic Fuel: The Humboldt County Student Business Challenge is a business plan competition for students from College of the Redwoods, Humboldt State University, and recent college graduates who reside in Humboldt County. 
 
Those interested in competing in this year's competition still have time to register.  Deadline for registration is January 29th, 2010. 
 
The last informational forum is coming up Tuesday, November 10th in the HSU Kate Buchanan room from 6pm - 8pm.  The forum is an opportunity for prospective competitors to meet a variety of business owners in our community.  They'll have a chance to ask questions and learn what it takes to run a successful business locally.
 
  
For details on the competion and events visit Economic Fuel .   
RREDC Participates in "Toys for Kids" Fundraiser
 
RREDC is participating in this year's Humboldt Association of Realtors "Toys for Kids" fundraiser.  We'll have a collection bin in our office for those interested in donating a toy or book to a child in need. 
 
Our collection bin will be available for toy drop-off until December 11th. We hope you'll join us this year in helping put a smile on a local child's face. 
RREDC Loan Program Overview
 
RREDC's commitment to the health and diversity of our local economy is strong.  We are continuing to provide loans to small start-up businesses as well as help existing businesses grow.  Since our inception, we have directly lent or underwritten over
$19.5 million to local businesses and organizations.
 
RREDC provides several different loan options for our clients.  We work closely with financial institutions and business assistance organizations, like the Small Business Development Center (SBDC).  We often participate with local lenders, providing critical gap funding for customers who may not have sufficient capital to meet private lender's requirements.  RREDC does not charge application or monthly service fees and offers competitive fixed-rate financing with flexible terms to ensure sufficient business cash flow.
 
We are also a contract lender for the County of Humboldt's Headwaters Fund and can assist you with loans from the Cities of Arcata, Eureka and Rio Dell.
 
For more information on the RREDC Small Business Loan Program call us at 707-445-9651. 
RREDC Board of Directors                                          
 
City of Arcata -   Vice Mayor Alex Stillman     
City of Blue Lake - Councilmember Sherman Shapiro*
City of Eureka - Councilmember Linda Atkins
City of Ferndale - Councilmember Ken Mierzwa
City of Fortuna - Councilmember Ken Zazni
City of Rio Dell - Mayor Pro Tem Melissa Marks
City of Trinidad - Councilmember Julie Fulkerson
County of Humboldt - Supervisor Jill Duffy*
Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation & Conservation District -  
                               Commissioner Mike Wilson
Humboldt Bay Municipal Water District - Director Bruce Rupp*
Humboldt Community Service District - Director Frank Scolari*
Manila Community Services District - Director Charles McDaniels
McKinleyville Community Services District - Director Helen Edwards*
Orick Community Services District- Director Kristina Combs
Redway Community Services District - Director John Rogers
Redwoods Community Colleges District - Trustee Tom Ross
Willow Creek Community Services District - Director Tyler Holmes*
 *Members of the Executive Committee 
 
Loan Committee:
Chair:Scott Pesch-Coldwell Banker Commercial Pacific Partners Real Estate
Vice Chair:Liana Simpson-Sequoia Personnel
Helen Edwards-McKinleyville Community Service District-Director
Frank Scolari-Coldwell Banker Cutten Realty
Sherman Schapiro-RREDC Board of DIrector
Jennifer Budwig-Redwood Capital Bank
Phil Sullivan-Umpqua Bank
Dan Sweet-Coast Central Credit Union
Staff:
Gregg Foster-Executive Director
Virginia Fisher-Lender
Bonnie Smoller-Administrative Assistant
Jessica Bigger- Marketing Coordinator