|
|
Broadband News Roundup
PUC Recinds Funding For Fiber Project for Highway 299 Corridor; Reserves Funds for Future Proposals.
On July 8th, the California PUC voted to rescind its grant award for a fiber optic project slated to be build along Highway 299 from Humboldt to Shasta Counties. This grant was awarded in February 2009, by
the California Advances Services Fund (CASF) and was to provide 40% of the capital cost for the deployment
of a fiber optic line and other facilities that would provide service along the
Highway 299 corridor from Humboldt to Shasta Counties.
This project was
contingent on two major factors. The
first was approval from Cal Trans for new "microtrenching" technology for fiber
installation. The second factor was the
securing of the additional 60% of the project cost by the applicant.
As of June 2010, neither
of these items has been met. As a
result, CASF staff recommended rescinding the award. However, because this area was identified as
a priority, the funds allocated to the project will be reserved for other
applications to provide service to this area.
The RREDC board of directors went on record as supporting the PUC action.
RREDC Supports SB1040 to Extend and Expand The California
Advanced Services Fund (CASF)
At their June meeting the RREDC board of directors voted to support the passage of SB1040 (Padilla) to extend and expand the California Advanced Services Fund.
The CASF was created in 2007 to provide funding for the
deployment of broadband infrastructure in unserved and underserved areas of California. The program is funded by an end-user surcharge
on intrastate telecommunications services.
The CASF provided
the support necessary for the Highway 36 fiber optic project, which will bring
telecommunications infrastructure redundancy to Humboldt County. In addition, the CASF is considering setting
aside $7.8 million for a project along Highway 299. This was originally awarded to a project for
Highway 299 that has not come to fruition.
For more information on SB1040, click here.
IP Networks Completes Survey to Move Highway 36 Fiber Optic Project Forward
IP Networks announced that its engineering contractor recently completed aerial "LIDAR" surveys of the Highway 36 fiber optic route. LIDAR is Light Detection and Ranging, a remote sensing system used to collect
topographic data. On July 21, low flying planes were used to survey the route segments.
The fiber optic project is schedule for completion by the summer of 2011.
|
RREDC Business Spotlight:
J.R. Stephens Company, Inc.
When
J.R. Stephens Co. expanded its operations in 2004, Jim Stephens had a
background in cabinet making and 14 employees. Located in an industrial area of
Arcata, J. R. Stephens Co. may not be a recognized landmark, but in six years
it has m ade a mark for itself as one of the most automated cabinet
manufacturing facilities in California.
Fully computerized, state of the art
automation allows J. R. Stephens Co. to accommodate large orders from schools,
medical centers and businesses outside of Humboldt County
while maintaining a minimum inventory. While most of the c ompany's product is
sold outside of Humboldt County, local businesses like Redwood Capital Bank
and the Arkley Center for the Performing Arts have
custom cabinetry from J.R. Stephens.
Since
1979 Jim Stephens has been making and installing cabinets and millwork for commercial
institutions; primarily public schools and government offices. He contracted
with local and outside manufacturers for the basic cabinets which was fine
until his demand exceeded the speed with which they could be supplied. Jim
decided that his business needed to be able to fill the order in house, from
beginning to installation. That's when
he came to RREDC.
RREDC
joined forces with the County
of Humboldt Headwaters Fund
to provide a loan that allowed Jim to buy equipment, increase
facility space and add an in house mill to produce trim and millwork.
J.R.
Stephens Company Inc. is one example of a local business using innovative
methods to increase sales, bringing out of county dollars into Humboldt County
and creating jobs in Humboldt
County.
|
RREDC Small Business Loan Program
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 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). |
NorCAL SBDC Lead Center Receives National Accreditation
The Northern California Small Business Development Center, based at Humboldt State University recently received its national accreditation.
The Lead Center was established at Humboldt State University and this accreditation assures ongoing funding from the federal government.
For more information on the program and the accreditation, click here.
|
|
HSU Masters Of Business Program Moves to Evening Classes
The Humboldt State
University School of Business Master of Business Education (MBA) program will
begin offering its courses this Fall semester in late afternoon and
evenings. Previously, the MBA program
was only offered during the day.
The program can still be completed in one year, and
still offers three courses per semester and in the Summer. Starting this Fall, MBA 600 - International
Economics will meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., MBA 610 -
Data Acquisition, Analysis and Presentation will meet on Mondays and Wednesdays
from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., and MBA 620 - Managerial Accounting will meet on
Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
To register, or full information on application
requirements, call the School of Business office at (707) 826-3224
|
News From Our Members
City of Arcata
After several years without Park Rangers, the City of Arcata
now has two full time rangers patrolling the Arcata Community Forest, Redwood
Park and the Arcata Marsh and Sanctuary, seven days a week.
With the support of Arcata's citizens in passing the Measure
G ballot measurement, the Arcata Police Department was able to hire necessary
officers to fill its previous short fall. Arcata now has a full compliment of
police officers and our Park Rangers are keeping our environmental amenities
safe, clean and enjoyable.
|
|
|
|
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-Enrolled Agent
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
|
|
|
|
|
