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Economic Development
Census 2020
You can make a difference for Arcata by simply completing a nine question survey!
Participating in the Census survey helps determine dollars that fund important programs for the next 10 years.
- Online: https://my2020census.gov
- Phone: 844-330-2020
- Mail: Return your paper Census form you received in the mail
Business Loan Programs
- Business Resiliency Emergency Loan Program
- Business Assistance Loan Program
- Microenterprise Loan and Grant Program
Business Resiliency Emergency Loan Program
In response to business impacts related to COVID-19, the City of Arcata is committed to providing technical and financial support to Arcata’s businesses to help them weather the resulting economic downturn. Information about the new Business Resiliency Emergency Loan Program as well as our existing loan programs can be found below.
On March 26, 2020, the Arcata City Council adopted Resolution No. 190-63, which creates an emergency business loan fund for a rapid response to COVID-19 impacts on local businesses.
- Loans of up to $10,000 are available to Arcata businesses that have a demonstrated reduction in income due to COVID-19 and are unable to secure a traditional bank loan.
- The loans require 2.5% simple interest.
- The loan has deferred payment for 6 months and then can convert to a traditional bank loan or the City will carry it with a 5 year loan repayment.
- Counseling with an SBDC business advisor is required to review the best use of funds to shore up their business
- This program is available to cannabis businesses.
Business Resiliency Emergency Loan Application
Complete the Business Resiliency Emergency Loan Application and email it to dloya@cityofarcata.org and sdiehlmccarthy@cityofarcata.org.
Questions?
If you have questions about the Business Resiliency Emergency Loan Program or are ready to submit an application, please contact:
David Loya | Susan Diehl McCarthy **Email for a quicker response.** |
Supporting Local Businesses
Visit Arcata!
During this unprecedented time, it is now more important than ever to support local businesses. When you shop local, you help support Arcata’s families, neighborhoods and community.
For information on Arcata businesses that are open for take-out, taking online orders, providing delivery services, offering virtual classes, and selling gift certificates, go to Visit Arcata!
Guidance for Reopening Businesses
View the Here’s What to Do for Reopening Your Humboldt County Business video created by the Eureka Chamber of Commerce to discover what steps employers and employees should take to reopen, resume operations, and move forward safely.
COVID-19 Outdoor Dining & Retail Guidance for Arcata Businesses
The City of Arcata has released outdoor dining and retail guidance for local businesses located in the Arcata Plaza, Downtown and Northtown neighborhoods.
On Wednesday, June 3, 2020, the Arcata City Council unanimously voted to allow restaurants and businesses to offer outdoor seating for dining and retail operations amid the COVID-19 pandemic. This guidance will remain in place until stay at home orders are lifted to allow unrestricted dining and retail operations, or until the City revokes these interim provisions.
Reopening certification from the Humboldt County Office of Emergency Services is required for all Arcata businesses who wish to apply for an outdoor dining or retail permit, also known as an Encroachment Permit.
- Arcata businesses who have not yet applied for County reopening certification are advised to click here for more information.
The City’s outdoor dining and retail guidance are included below:
To apply for an outdoor dining or retail permit, complete an Encroachment Permit Application and submit it to the Building & Engineering Department at engineering@cityofarcata.org. All permit fees will be waived for Encroachment Permits related to outdoor dining and retail operations that are obtained before Thursday, December 31, 2020.
For additional information, please contact the Community Development Department by email at comdev@cityofarcata.org or call 707-822-5955.
Business of the Year Award
The City of Arcata has established an annual award program to recognize businesses that exemplify core values of innovation, resourcefulness, business collaboration, and business practices that support our community and protect the environment.
Community members and businesses in Arcata were invited to submit nominations for the Business of the Year to the Economic Development Committee throughout the month of December 2019, and the top nominees were forwarded to the City Council to select the recipient for the 2020 City of Arcata Business of the Year Award.
Congratulations to Cafe Brio on winning this esteemed award for 2020!
Foodworks Culinary Center
Arcata’s food manufacturing businesses are world renowned, and the Foodworks Culinary Center provides rental space for many types of small and start-up food manufacturers.