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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
As the grant’s fiscal agent, AEDC will manage the funds on behalf of the Redwood Coast Region representing Del Norte, Humboldt, Mendocino and Lake counties, and partner with the California Center for Rural Policy at CalPoly Humboldt who will serve as a regional convener to facilitate a diverse leadership collaborative, community engagement and research to inform development of the regional plan.
“AEDC has worked to provide financing for small businesses within these four counties for decades. These funds will allow us to collaborate and think even bigger, addressing infrastructure and community development projects and programs that support the entire region. We are thrilled to be part of it,” said AEDC Executive Director Ross Welch.
The Redwood Region RISE — Resilient, Inclusive, Sustainable Economy — planning effort will run from November through September 2024 and produce a plan recommending project investments across the region that will grow industries creating high quality jobs and support goals to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030.
“CCRP is excited to leverage its long history of participatory research and engagement in the region in the service of CERF goals. Our mission is to set a table where people of all backgrounds, workers, business leaders, professionals and policymakers can collaborate towards a vision of a thriving, carbon neutral, and equitable future” said Dawn Arledge, CCRP executive director.
CCRP is a research and evaluation center committed to informing policy, building community, and promoting the health and well-being of people living in rural California.
CCRP will work closely with North Coast Opportunities Inc., or NCO, who will take a lead on community outreach activities.
Established as a nonprofit in 1968, NCO’s mission is to strengthen communities through responsive advocacy, engagement, and services. It is the community action agency for Lake and Mendocino counties
Thirteen regions across the state were invited to apply for funding to produce regional roadmaps prioritizing equitable economic recovery and transition to carbon neutrality.
AEDC, CCRP and NCO with staff support from the Humboldt Area Foundation, facilitated discussions this past June and July with a group of approximately 75 stakeholder organizations to obtain input on existing plans and priorities which contributed to the successful proposal, with 47 organizations across the region submitting letters of support and committing to play an initial leadership role in the project.
The West Center, an early organizer and supporter of the application process, has posted the application, initial leadership collaborative and other information about Redwood Region RISE on its website.
For updates about Redwood Region RISE and to get on a mailing list, contact CCRP:
For more information about the Community Economic Resilience Fund, visit the state website.
Arcata Economic Development Corp. serves Humboldt, Del Norte, Mendocino and Lake, as well as Trinity and Siskiyou counties. AEDC works with partners across the Region to administer approximately $27 million in loan funds from a variety of private and government sources and provides training and technical assistance to build individual, small business and community wealth. AEDC has enjoyed a reputation as a trusted financial partner in the region for over 40 years.
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- Written by: Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce
CLEARLAKE, Calif. — The Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce recently held a ribbon cutting for the Meadowood Nursing Center under the new owner, Aaron Edmonds.
Edmonds owns one other nursing center in Vacaville. He loves the small-town atmosphere of Lake County and the caring staff here at Meadowood.
The new administrator is Jean Parriott who has been employed for over 19 years and started her career through the Certified Nurse Assistant Program at Meadowood.
Her dedication to her patients and staff earned a department head position which led to her current position as administrator.
Meadowood has been home to the CNA Program for years. This partnership through the Lake County Office of Education and the Ukiah Nursing School, has educated many future nurses.
The Student Volunteer Program, before the Covid outbreak, provided opportunities for local high schools to receive a valuable education in the nursing field.
One such student is Nicole Giordanego who earned many volunteer hours and is now their new admission coordinator.
Meadowood is a 99-bed facility, located in the city of Clearlake at 3805 Dexter Lane. They opened their doors on Valentine Day in 1992.
This center offers a family friendly atmosphere, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy, as well as providing transportation to their patients when needed. You can reach their Admission Coordinator Nicole at 707-994-7738, Extension 123.
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- Written by: Governor’s Office
The bills signed Thursday will:
• Codify a 25% small business goal for state procurement and enhance the ability of state agencies to include small and underserved businesses in state contracting.
• Provide support for transition of a business to employee ownership.
• Allow nonprofit theaters and radio stations to sell alcoholic beverages during live events.
• Let craft distillers ship directly to consumers.
• Establish a grant program to support the performing arts through payroll reimbursements.
• Strengthen franchisee protections to level the playing field and combat discrimination.
“California has invested billions of dollars to help small businesses and entrepreneurs achieve their California Dream,” said Gov. Newsom. “These new laws build on our efforts to create a more inclusive economy with renewed opportunity for innovation and growth for the country’s largest small business community. I’m thankful for the Legislature’s leadership and support to help the backbone of our economy thrive.”
A full list of the bills in the package follows:
AB 631 by Assemblymember Richard Bloom (D-Santa Monica) – Alcoholic beverage control: licenses: nonprofit cultural film exhibition companies.
AB 676 by Assemblymember Chris Holden (D-Pasadena) – Franchises.
AB 920 by Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters) – Craft distillers: direct shipping.
AB 2019 by Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris (D-Laguna Beach) – Small business enterprises.
SB 1116 by Senator Anthony Portantino (D-La Cañada Flintridge) – Arts Council: The Performing Arts Equitable Payroll Fund. A signing message can be found here.
SB 1370 by Senator Richard Pan (D-Sacramento) – Alcoholic beverages: licensees.
SB 1407 by Senator Josh Becker (D-Menlo Park) – California Employee Ownership Act.
For full text of the bills, visit: http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
Launching in January of 2023, LRC will be a master class on personal leadership development, the unique issues and assets we face as a region, and a transformational opportunity to engage with leaders from throughout our region.
This program is being implemented through Arcata Economic Development Corp.
“A regional leadership program complements a lot of economic development efforts happening in our region,” said Susan Seaman, program director at AEDC. “As an annual program, it will continue to strengthen our collaborative efforts in the counties we serve.”
While LRC is launching this year, it has been in the works for a while.
“When I moved to Humboldt County a few years ago, I hoped to help build a regional leadership program," said Nancy Olson, LRC director of program and development. “Before moving here, I ran the Southern California Leadership Network in Los Angeles. We facilitated various local, regional and statewide leadership programs and graduated over 700 leaders during my time there. I saw, firsthand, the ways these programs shaped not only their own personal journey but also the impact these leaders went on to have in effecting change and engaging in their communities."
LRC will start Jan. 12 to 14, 2023, in Humboldt County, with a cohort of 30 individuals from across the region. In the first session, participants will explore their personal leadership styles, build an understanding of adaptive leadership framework, and hear from regional leaders about the future of equitable economic development across the Redwood Coast.
In subsequent sessions, the cohort will travel to each of the different counties to get a first-hand look at how various community leaders and sectors are responding to housing issues, climate resiliency, workforce development, infrastructure, and many other factors that impact our shared quality of life.
The cohort will meet in Mendocino County March 2 to 4, Lake County April 13 to 15, Del Norte County June 8 to 10, and will conclude with an exploration of Humboldt County and cohort graduation on July 13 to 15.
Tuition for this program is $3,750 and includes full participation in seminars, leadership materials, hotel accommodations, and meals for all five sessions. Tuition assistance may be available for qualified candidates with demonstrated financial need.
Those who apply by Oct. 15 will receive a $250 discount. The cutoff for all applications will be Nov. 15.
Join an upcoming virtual info session via Zoom to learn more, happening on Oct. 4 from 5 to 6 p.m. and Oct. 11 from noon to 1 p.m.
Visit https://www.leadershiprc.org/apply to register for an info session and to learn more.
Submit your application today at https://www.leadershiprc.org/apply. Should you have any questions, please contact Allie Jones, communications and outreach coordinator, at