|
|
A Mixed Bag for Broadband Projects In Humboldt County
February brought both good and bad news about Humboldt County's efforts to increase telecommunications reliability and access to area business and residents.
The Good News
One project to bring a second fiber optic line to Humboldt County continues to move forward. This project, which is funded by a combin ation of funds from the California Public Utilities Commission and private customers, will be constructed along the PG&E right-of-way adjacent to Highway 36.
Recently, a representative of IP Networks, the company installing the line, visited Humboldt County to provide area business and broadband leaders with an update on their project. Construction on the project is planned to start in August 2010 with completion expected by Summer 2011.
For more information on this project and our community's efforts to improve broadband reliability and access, go to www.rredc.com/broadband.
The Bad News
Last summer, the Federal Government announced funding for broadband infrastructure projects through the American Recovery and  Reinvestment Act (ARRA). There were a number of project applications submitted to ARRA that would have benefited Humboldt County. These projects included two that would have provided fiber optic telecommunication infrastructure to benefit the communities along Highway 299 in Humboldt and Trinity Counties. Another project sought to provide similar access to areas in Humboldt and Del Norte Counties.
On March 1, the U.S. Departments of Commerce and Agriculture released
their list of projects to be funded under Round 1 of the federal
stimulus program for broadband development. Unfortunately, none of the
projects submitted that would have benefited the north coast were
funded.
However, Round 2 of the program is underway, with applications
due near the end of March. A number of public and private
organizations have indicated that they will be submitting applications
that would benefit the north coast in Round 2.
For more information go to www.broadbandusa.gov and www.rredc.com/broadband.
|
SBDC Releases 2009 Economic Impact Results
The North Coast Small Business Center (SBDC) recently released its economic impact report for 2009. The center, a  non-profit organization with offices in Eureka and Crescent City, provides education, counseling, and specialized technical assistance to small businesses in Humboldt and Del Norte County. Founded in 1985, the SBDC is funded via the Small Business Administration, the California Community Development Block Grant Program, the Humboldt County Workforce Investment Board and other local and private funders. Information on the economic impact of the SBDC is reported to the Center through surveys of its clients. Key results were: 724 clients received services
284 hours of classroom trainings were offered
Center clients created 139 new jobs 424 jobs were retained by businesses receiving services 41 clients started new businesses in 2009 Clients reported an aggregate increase in sales of $13,137,291 39 new loans were received by businesses using the Center
$5,264,788 in loan funds were provided to center clients.
Total Capital Infusion (Loans + Equity): $13,730,184
For more information on the SBDC, go to www.northcoastsbdc.org or www.facebook.com/NorthCoastSBDC.
|
RREDC Business Spotlight:
Eel River Brewing Company
Eel River Brewing Company's (ERB) organic beer may be made behind the Redwood
Curtain but it certainly doesn't stay there. The interest and demand for
quality, handcrafted, organic micro brews sends ERB throughout California and to over 30 states in the USA.
Co-owners Ted Vivatson and Margaret Frigon started ERB in
December 1995, at the site of an old mill in Fortuna, CA.
The output for the first year was about 380 barrels. Ten years later ERB produced
more than ten times that amount and had amassed multiple awards from major
competitions.
In 1999 ERB had the distinction of bei ng the first fully certified organic brewery in the United States with Organic Amber Ale. Six other organic beers
followed and form the flagship beers of ERB.
ERB is 100% organic - both the brewery
and the beer conform to strict third party standards. Some major beer makers
have put a toe in the organic market but true craft brew aficionados appreciate
the difference that quality ingredients and caring brewers make in the beer drinking
experience.
RREDC and ERB came together in 2007 when Ted and Margaret
wanted to expand their operation to the site of an old redwood mill (Mill A) in
Scotia. A RREDC loan made it possible for Ted
and Margaret to move the brewing and bottling to a facility large enough to
meet the demand for  their products now, and in the future. Since the move to Scotia, the brewery has experienced a significant growth in sales and are better able to meet customer demand with their improved and expanded facilities.
The move to Scotia also meant that ERB is the nation's first biomass powered brewery. All the power and steam
used to brew the beer in Scotia comes from
mill leftovers, wood chips, bark, scrap lumber and clippings.
The Fortuna site now houses the Eel River Brewing Company Tap Room and Grill, featuring local
organic beef, local produce and cheeses and the best beer garden on the north
coast.
For more information, go to www. eelriverbrewing.com.
|
Humboldt Air Service Gets Setback
The recent announcement by Delta Airlines that they will not be providing service to Humboldt County in 2010 is a setback for businesses and residents in Humboldt County. Despite significant  public support and usage, Delta Airlines changed its earlier decision to provide summer service.
While Delta's announcement was a disappointment, RREDC and the County's Aviation Division continue to work with Delta and other airlines to encourage expanded flight service. More information on these continuing efforts can be found at www.rredc.com.
Information on Delta's announcement can be found here: http://www.times-standard.com/ci_14364208?IADID
|
|
Economic Fuel "Elevator Pitch!" Event Scheduled for March 25th
|
"From The Fire In The Belly" Entrepreneurs Story Telling Series To Hold First Event
The first event of FROM THE FIRE IN THE BELLY: Stories of Redwood Coast Entrepreneurs Series will feature business stories of passion, persistence, and pure dumb luck told by:
- Mark Ritz of Kinetic Koffee Company
- Jessica McGuinty of Jessicurl
- Tom Tellez of Wallace and Hinz
- Gayle and Andrea Shackleton of Hot Knots
- Julie Fulkerson, Founder of Plaza Design
WHERE & WHEN: Thursday, March 25th, 7-9:00PM, in the HSU Kate Buchanan Room immediately following the Economic Fuel Business Plan Competiton Elevator Pitch presentations. Free of charge.
Hear the unvarnished truth about how they did it, often despite themselves, and why. You'll laugh, you'll cry, and by all means you will be uplifted and inspired. There will also be opportunities for business owners in the audience to jump in. Tell your story. For more information, margaret.gainer@gmail.com.
|
Small Business Development Center Offers Free Classes For Businesses
The SBDC's Business Basics workshops provide good information for start-up businesses as well as good refresher course material for those in business.
Please let anyone you think would benefit know about them. The schedule for March and April is:
Startup Basics:
Wednesday, April 14, 6-8:00 PM
Marketing Basics:
Tuesday March 23, 6-8:00 PM
Tuesday April 27, 6-8:00 PM
Books and Records Basics:
Wednesday March 31, 6-8:00 PM
Wednesday, April 28, 6-8 PM
Financial Basics:
Tuesday, April 6, 6-8:00 PM
Business Plan Basics:
Thursday, March 25, 6-8:00 PM
Thursday April 22, 6-8:00 PM
Classes are free and held at the Prosperity Center, 520 E Street, Eureka. In addition, classes are held in Crescent City. For more information, go to www.northcoastsbdc.org
|
RREDC Loan Program Overview
 For over 30 years, RREDC has been making loans to small businesses in Humboldt County.
Over 180 businesses from Garberville to Willow Creek to Orick and
everywhere in between have received over $18 million in loans from
RREDC. Many well-known local businesses got their start or expanded
with our help.
RREDC is an "Economic Development Lender". Therefore, the loans we make should have an economic development purpose, such as:
Building our economic base by increasing the amount of goods and services sold outside Humboldt County Creating or retaining good-paying jobs Improving blighted areas Bringing business to underserved areas
We are also a "gap" lender. This means that we are not allowed to
compete with banks and other private lending institutions. Our
customers must have a financing "gap" that cannot be filled by a
private lender. This can be a denial of a loan request or the need for
additional financing not provided by the private institution.
For more information, go to www.rredc.com/loan-program.
Our loan fund was created in 1978 with a grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration (EDA).
| |
|
|
RREDC Board of Directors
City of Arcata - 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 Mark Lovelace*
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 Dendra Dengler
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
RREDC 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
Angela Machado - Alternate Member from Umpqua Bank
Dean Charlton - Alternate Member from Coast Central Credit Union
|
|
Gregg Foster-Executive Director
Virginia Fisher-Lender
Bonnie Smoller-Administrative Assistant
Suzanne Dockal, CPA - Accounting
| |
|
|
|
