AEDC receives $5 million grant for sustainable industries
On Friday. The Arcata Economic Development Corporation announced a $5 million grant from the California Community Economic Resilience Fund. AEDC administers the fund on behalf of the Redwood Coast Region, including Humboldt, Del Norte, Mendocino and Lake Counties, and collaborates with the California Center for Rural Policy at Cal Poly Humboldt.
“AEDC has worked for decades to provide financial support to small businesses in these four counties,” AEDC Executive Director Ross Welch said in a prepared statement. “These funds allow us to collaborate and think bigger, solving infrastructure and community development projects and programs that support the entire region. We are very happy to be a part of this.”
The Redwood Region’s RISE (Resilient, Inclusive, Sustainable Economy) planning effort runs from November to September 2024 and will develop a plan recommending project investments that support industries and goals to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030.
“(California Center for Rural Policy) is excited to leverage its long history of participatory research and engagement in the region in service of CERF’s goals. Our mission is one where people of all backgrounds, workers, business leaders, practitioners and policymakers can collaborate on a vision of a prosperous, carbon neutral and just future. It’s setting the table,” CCRP Executive Director Dawn Arledge said in a news release.
Coast Central announced 100 thousand dollars in aid
Coast Central Credit Union President and CEO James T. Sessa announced the board of directors has approved $100,000 in grants to 12 local organizations in the spring round of the Community Investment Program, bringing the total awarded to nearly $2 million since 2008. A total of 48 non-profit organizations requested $600,000.
In the year Recipients in the fall of 2022 include:
Humboldt County
- $20,000 for bunk beds and mattresses to the Eureka Rescue Mission
- $20,000 to Fortuna Senior Center for a new building bathroom
- $10,000 to the Telegraph Ridge Fire Department for fire station maintenance and improvements
- $9,800 to Hoopa American Legion Post 415 for a new roof on the community center
- $6,600 for the HCAR Bay Center Store for the Work Program
- $6,500 for a backup generator to the Mattole Valley Resource Center
- $4,500 to the Humboldt Bay Rowing Association for repairs on the boat trailer
- $3,900 for new office computers Mad River Adult Day Health Care
- $3,500 to the Whitethorn Volunteer Fire District for new digital radios
Humboldt/Trinity Counties
- $3,500 to Willow Creek Fire Safety for chipper maintenance brush reduction
Del Norte County
- $9,200 to Lighthouse Repertory Theater for new equipment
Trinity County
- $2,500 to the Coffee Creek Volunteer Fire Department for new radio supplies
“The program began 14 years ago as part of the credit union’s long-standing mission of providing $100,000 annually to local nonprofit organizations,” Sessa said. “Five years ago, we were very fortunate to be able to grow that to $200,000 a year. We are extremely grateful for the loyalty of our members and our volunteer Board of Directors for their continued support of this level of donations.
The Spring 2023 round will open on February 1, 2023 at coastccu.org/community/community-giving.
