|
|
Broadband Update
California Public Utilities Commission Continues Rulemaking Process for California Advanced Services Fund
As noted last month, the CPUC is undertaking a rulemaking to determine how new funds for broadband deployment in unserved  and underserved regions of the state will be used. These new funds will expand the California Advanced Services Fund (CASF). The CASF was instrumental in providing funding for the second fiber line to Humboldt County, currently under construction.
The first step was to solicit general comments from interested parties. These comments were submitted to the PUC on Friday, January 21. Locally, comments were submitted by the California Center for Rural Policy, who worked with RREDC staff and others to create their position paper.
Comments submitted to the CPUC can be found here.
|
|
Airports Update
Humboldt County Airport Advisory Committee Restructured, Given Expanded Mission
As noted in last month's newsletter, the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors approved a new "charter" for the Airport Advisory Committee. The Committee is now called the "Aviation Advisory Committee" and its revised mission is to:
To provide input to the Board of Supervisors and the Department of Public Works - Division of Aviation on the strategic focus of the Humboldt County aviation system, to regularly monitor and report on progress on that strategic focus, and to provide a forum for input on operational issues, opportunities, and concerns.
Final action to codify this new mission and function was taken on January 18th.
RREDC, Aviation Director to Meet With Airlines Regarding Improved Service
The RREDC Executive Director and the Humboldt County Director of Aviation will be meeting with representatives of incumbent and potential new airlines in early March. These meetings will focus on operational issues, improvements to schedules, and additional service.
The meetings will be held at the Network 2011 conference, which is one of two opportunities each year where major and regional carriers convene in one location to meet with the nation's airports. Assisting the local team is airline consultant Mead & Hunt.
|
|
RREDC Business Spotlight:
In October 2007 in Heidi Myers and Janna Lyon opened Coco & Cuvee in a historic building in Eureka's Old Town. Coco & Cuvee offers fashionable, upbeat clothing and accessories for women who enjoy "Fashion for the Fabulous".
Their dream was to give women of all ages the opportunity to find the latest fashions like Juicy Couture, Miss Me Jeans, LA Made and Betsy Johnson, without having to leave Humboldt County.
Heidi and Janna worked with the North Coast Small Business Development Center before coming to RREDC for a start up loan. They extensively researched their target market - working women who were not finding the clothing they wanted, in their sizes, and who were buying online or out of the area.
RREDC's loan funded start up costs for the business. Coco & Cuvee serves a market that had few or no local options, and keeps money in Humboldt County.
Heidi and Janna make a point of contributing to the community they grew up in by participating in fashion shows benefitting local nonprofits. Coco & Cuvee is part of the Old Town business community and participates in Arts Alive on the first Saturday of each month.
In January 2010 Coco & Cuvee launched its website and online store www.cococuvee.com. Coco & Cuvee is located in Eureka at 531 Third Street, between F and G Sts.
|
|
RREDC Update
Get Regular Updates Via Facebook and RREDC.com
At their January 24th meeting, the RREDC board of directors voted to support a grant application from the Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation, and Conservation District that will result in permits for increased aquaculture production in Humboldt Bay. RREDC staff has been working with District staff and local aquaculture businesses to develop the application.
In addition, the board approved a contract with airline consultant Mead & Hunt to assist RREDC and Aviation Division staff with recruitment meetings with airlines scheduled for early March.
Regularly updated information on RREDC activities and economic development in general can be found via the RREDC website
and on our Facebook page.
To sign up for regular updates via Facebook, simply click the image below.
|
|
Small Businesses Succeed With RREDC Loans
 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.
We can make loans for:
- Working Capital
- Inventory
- Machinery and equipment
- Real estate acquisition
- Buying a business
- Financing receivables
We are also a "gap" lender. This means that we are willing to take more risk than traditional lending institutions. We offer fixed rate financing for terms up to 25 years.
Click here if you would like more information on RREDC's loan program.
Our loan fund was created in 1978 with a grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration (EDA).
|
|
Women's Entrepreneurs Institute To Hold Annual Educational Summit
River Lodge Conference Center,
1800 Riverwalk Dr., Fortuna
Saturday, March 12th, 2011
Conference/Expo: 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Networking, jazz, wine & hors d'voures:
5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
This years theme is "Showcasing Women Entrepreneurs on the North Coast."
For more information, go the the WEI website.
Event is sponsored, in part, by RREDC.
|
|
Economic Fuel Entry Deadline Is Here!
Friday, January 28th Registration Deadline CR Eureka Downtown Instructional Site 605 K Street, Eureka Completed registration packets with required supporting documents must be turned in before 5:00 p.m. Avoid the last minute rush by turning in your registration packet early!
|
|
3rd Annual Humboldt County Youth Entrepreneurs Business Challenge Begins
This contest is open to all Humboldt High School students. Up to three $5,000 awards will be available to help students start their own businesses.
The application deadline for the competition is March 31, 2011. Business plans will be due on May 9, 2011.
For more details, go the the Youth Entrepreneur Business Challenge website.
|
|
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.
The schedule for February is:
Financial Basics:
Tuesday, February 1, 6-8:00 PM
Start-Up Basics:
Wednesday, February 9, 6-8:00 PM
Marketing Basics:
Tuesday, February 15, 6-8 PM
Books and Records
Wednesday, February 23, 6-8:00 PM
Business Plan Basics:
Thursday, January 24th 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 or call Jeanette at 445-9720. |
|
RREDC Board of Directors
City of Arcata - Councilmember Alex Stillman City of Blue Lake - Councilmember Sherman Shapiro City of Eureka - Councilmember Mike Newman City of Ferndale - Councilmember Ken Mierzwa City of Fortuna - Councilmember Mike Losey City of Rio Dell - Councilmember Richard "Bud" Leonard 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 Bill Wennerholm 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 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 Greg Bowen - 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
|
|
|
|
|
