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January Updates

GoHumCo Director Update - COVID-19 Business Plan Reopening

In November of 2020 the CAO’s office of Economic Development (GoHumCo) assumed responsibility of the COVID-19 Business Plan Reopening process from the Humboldt County Joint Information Center (JIC). This change was made (in part) to allow the JIC to focus on its primary goal during the pandemic, which is to manage and administer communication(s) related to COVID-19 and public health. This change puts businesses in direct contact with the County’s Economic Development team, who can then direct those businesses to other support, assistance and relief programs. Businesses looking to submit their reopening plan (and who wish to obtain reopening certification from the County) may submit their plans online at Business Compliance | Humboldt County, CA - Official Website (humboldtgov.org). Businesses may also email the County’s Economic Development team at gohumco@co.humboldt.ca.us or call the COVID Business Information Line at 707-268-2527 for more information.

Workforce Development and Library Collaborate

The Workforce Development Board and the Public Library are collaborating on the Workforce Partnership Initiative (WPI), a pilot grant which will provide resources, training, and support for adults in the areas of employment, unemployment benefit applications, job skilling, resumes, interviewing and career change. This project will enable Workforce staff and partners (College of the Redwoods, Department of Rehabilitation, Employment Development Department, North Coast Indian Development Council, and Smart Business Resource Center) to travel alongside the Humboldt County Bookmobile to create workforce pop-ups in more rural areas, which may include: Bridgeville, Garberville, Honeydew, Orick, Orleans, Petrolia and Redway. The Workforce partners have wanted to do more outreach in the rural areas, and this provides the perfect opportunity. Planning for the program began in December and will continue through January. Delivery of workforce and library services will run from February through August, with the hope of being sustainable long beyond that. The WPI will host a Job Fair next May. This initiative will allow library staff to better serve the needs of people in the Humboldt community who are unemployed, underemployed or are seeking a career change.

Project Trellis Cannabis Grant Programs Update

The second round of Project Trellis Cannabis Business Micro-grants closed on December 18^th, with 58 applicants. Applications received came from cannabis support businesses, cultivators, distributors, micro-businesses, cooperatives, road maintenance associations and non-profits.

The first round of Project Trellis Local Equity Program Grants, with funds from the Bureau of Cannabis Control, are expected to become available to the public in mid-January.

Headwaters Fund Board Competitive Grant Round Application Deadline January 15th

Headwaters opened the competitive grant round on November 30^th with $150,000 available. Typical awards are in the $20,000 to $30,000 area, with a $5,000 minimum. The deadline to apply is on January 15^th. For more information visit GoHumCo.com.

Prosperity Network

January Prosperity Network Meeting

January 20 | 2:00pm - 3:00pm (3rd Wed. of every other month)
New Location: REMO (instead of Zoom) Video Conferencing

Kick off the New Year with the Prosperity Network. Join us for the first meeting of the year! Prosperity Network Group participants were sent a recurring Zoom invite (starting with the first meeting on Jan. 20th). However, we are exploring REMO virtual conferencing and we would like to try having the Jan. 20th Prosperity Network Group meeting via REMO (instead of Zoom). So stay tuned for a REMO email invite (with REMO event link and REMO Guest Guide with instructions) for the Jan. 20h meeting at 2 PM. Have fun!

The Prosperity Network involves local-regional economic development practitioners and interested parties. The purpose of the network is to foster community and economic development to improve the quality of life for Humboldt County residents, businesses, and communities. The network acts as a platform for collaboration, networking, and educational presentations from experts in fields, such as community and economic development, marketing, planning, and workforce development. To get more information on the Prosperity Network, go to the website at http://gohumco.com/219/Overview

Zoom Information

Covid-19 Resources & Announcements

Small Business Restart and Recovery (SBRR) Grants

Application deadline for the Small Business Restart and Recovery grants was Dec. 4th (More than 40 applications came in on this deadline day). This brings the total number of applications seeking a portion of the allocated $3.8 million of Cares Act funding to 688. Of that number, 502 applicants sought funding from the Recovery grant, which has a ceiling of $12,000 to cover COVID-related expenses incurred by businesses. Staff members continue sorting through receipts and flagging missing documents with a goal of closing out awards by the end of the year or early in 2021.

Redwood Coast Prosperity & GoHumco