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Economic Development
Business Support
Check out the new "Prospector" page, published by GoHumCo, the County's Economic Development website. This is a great resource for businesses, as is the entire GoHumCo section for Business.
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If you have any suggestions about additions or corrections to any of the information in this Business Support section, please let us know - email sdiehlmccarthy@cityofarcata.org.
Use the tabs below to focus on areas you are interested in.
- Arcata Loan and Grant Programs
- COVID Business Help & Info
- Other Financing
- Business Resources
- Cannabis
PROGRAM | General Information | How to Apply |
|---|---|---|
| Job Retention Loan Program | Assists for-profit businesses affected by COVID to retain jobs for low-to-moderate income employees.
This is a CDBG loan program. The maximum loan amount is $35,000 per each full time employee who meets low- to moderate-income limits. Find the CDBG area median income limits. | Use the link below for an application. Application assistance is available through the North Coast Small Business Development Center (SBDC). Deliver the application and documentation to City Hall, attention Susan Diehl McCarthy (736 F Street). Applications may also be uploaded to a secure dropbox here. Job Retention Program Application |
| Business Assistance Loan Program | Designed to help small for-profit businesses with start-up, expansion, and purchases. Construction funding also available.
This is a CDBG loan program. The maximum loan amount is $35,000 per each full time employee who meets low- to moderate-income limits (not more than 80% of the area median income). Find the CDBG area median income limits. | Find the application and other information here. Contact Susan at sdiehlmccarthy@cityofarcata.org to discuss making an application. |
| Microenterprise Loan Program | Designed to help small for-profit businesses with expansion or restructure.
This is a CDBG loan program. Business owner(s) must meet low- to moderate-income limits (not more than 80% of the area median income). Find the CDBG area median income limits. | Determine whether your business qualifies for a Microenterprise Loan by completing this Pre-Qualification Checklist. If you qualify based on the checklist, complete this Pre-Application Form, and contact Susan for at appointment at sdiehlmccarthy@cityofarcata.org. |
| Microenterprise Grant Program | Designed to help small for-profit businesses build capacity to grow.
This is a CDBG loan program. Business owner(s) must meet low- to moderate-income limits (not more than 80% of the area median income). Find the CDBG area median income limits. Microenterprise Grant Information | Determine whether your business qualifies for a Microenterprise Grant by completing this Pre-Qualification Checklist. If you qualify based on the checklist, complete this Pre-Application Form, and contact Susan for at appointment at sdiehlmccarthy@cityofarcata.org. |
PROGRAM | Information and Links |
| North Coast Small Business Development Center (SBDC) | The SBDC offers one-on-one advising from industry experts, provides trainings and workshops, and can help guide a business owner to appropriate financing as well as assisting with application packages.
Find more information about the invaluable resources provided by the SBDC here. |
| GoHumCo Grants Update | The County of Humboldt publishes a list of available grants and other related information. There are currently many that are related to COVID recovery. The information is updated regularly. You can find more information here. |
COVID-Safe Outdoor Seating and Dining in Arcata | Restaurants and businesses may offer outdoor seating for dining and retail operations during the pandemic, by special Council authorization.
Encroachment permits are required. See the "Business Resources" tab for an application and submission information. |
| Wear a Mask - Keep Humboldt Healthy Campaign | Help #KeepHumboldtHealthy by social distancing and wearing a mask. Be involved in the Wear a Mask campaign. Customized posters, buttons, and window clings are available, and we are looking for community members to record audio and video PSAs. Find more information at @wearamaskhumboldt on Facebook, and and the RREDC website. Contact Susan at sdiehlmccarthy@cityofarcata.org for more information. |
| Disaster Preparedness for Small Business - Risk Reduction for Business Resilience | The National Council for Safety, Protection and Wellness provides a guide to help businesses with disaster contingency planning - whether COVID or an earthquake, this guide provides resources and information to help plan ahead. Link to Disaster Preparedness for Small Business |
| COVID-Related Loans & Grants | Loans and grants to help businesses affected by COVID are available, but the information changes quickly and some of these links may be outdated. We try to update as often as possible.
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| Information About COVID in Humboldt | Humboldt County maintains a dashboard with a wealth of up-to-date information about the how COVID-19 affects our community. You can find the information below, and much more:
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| Land Use in Arcata - Can I do that here? Contact a Planner | For land use, zoning, planning, and development standards, contact Joe Mateer (jmateer@cityofarcata.org) or Delo Freitas (dfreitas@cityofarcata.org). To make an appointment, contact Keala Roberts at 707-822-5955. |
WHO | WHAT | Contact Info |
| RREDC - Redwood Region Economic Development Commission | RREDC makes loans to businesses unable to obtain financing from banks and credit unions.
| RREDC Website Email Virginia Salvi at virginialoan@rredc.com or Gregg Foster at gregg@rredc.com.. Applicants are strongly encouraged to speak with RREDC before applying. |
| AEDC Small Business Lending Center | AEDC makes loans for a variety of purposes and from a variety of loan programs. Speak to a representative for information about which program may assist you.
| AEDC Website Call 707-798-6132 to speak with a specialist and find out how to apply. |
| Small Business Administration (SBA) | The SBA guarantees loans for a variety of purposes, working with local banks and businesses to provide guaranteed loans.
COVID - The SBA also provides business disaster loans, both directly and through banks. See the COVID Business Help tab for more information. Currently, the SBA is guaranteeing Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans through banks, and funding Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL). | SBA Website |
| County of Humboldt Grant Resources | The County of Humboldt publishes a list of available grants and other related information. The information is updated regularly. You can find more information here. | |
| County of Humboldt GOHUMCO | You can find information about all County economic development programs and opportunities at their GOHUMCO website. | COVID Resources GOHUMCO Economic Development Email gohumco@co.humboldt.ca.us or call 707-445-7745 |
| CA State Treasurer Business Resources | The State Treasurer has a number of programs that may assist businesses on a local level. Check out their website for all the Treasurer has to offer. Here are some of the programs available through the Treasurer's office: iBank Disaster Relief Loan Guarantee Program for business resilience and continuance. Go to the iBank site here. Questions? Email COVID19loan@ibank.ca.gov.. CalCAP supports lenders with up to 100% coverage on loan losses. Go to the CalCAP site here. Questions? Email CalCAP@treasurer.ca.gov.. GoGreen Financing provides financing for energy efficiency improvements for businesses - including cannabis businesses. Go to the GoGreen site here. Questions? Email cheef@treasurer.ca.gov.. Sales and Use Tax Exclusion Program for Manufacturers is a competitive program for larger startups and expansions. Go to the website here. CalSavers Retirement Program for Small Business provides retirement program options. Find out more information here. | CA Treasurer Website |
ISSUE | INFORMATION | Links and Contacts |
| City of Arcata Business License | A business license is required to do business in Arcata, even if your business headquarters is not located in Arcata. Applications and payment can be made online. | Apply for a business license here. Questions? Call the Finance Department at 707-822-5915 or send an email to finance@cityofarcata.org. |
| Disaster Preparedness for Small Business - Risk Reduction for Business Resilience | The National Council for Safety, Protection and Wellness provides a guide to help businesses with disaster contingency planning - whether COVID or an earthquake, this guide provides resources and information to help plan ahead. | Link to Disaster Preparedness for Small Business |
| City of Arcata Property Information | Find information about properties in Arcata - zoning, FEMA flood zones, historic districts, property size, and much more. All you need is an address or parcel number. There is a wealth of information. | Link to the Parcel Finder Get Parcel Finder Help |
| Prospector - By GoHumCo | Full of great information about County businesses, community profiles, data about graduates, demographics, mapping, and comparison between local and nationwide communities. | Link to Prospector Link to GoHumCo, Humboldt County's Economic Development page. |
| City of Arcata - Real Time Dashboard | You can find all kinds of pertinent information about Arcata and issues affecting the world. Locally, you can find weather, tide, power outages, wildfires, emergency services webcams, and more. Note that you will scroll all the way to the bottom of the page to move between topics. | Link to the Arcata Community Real-Time Dashboard |
| City of Arcata Encroachment Permits | Encroachment permits are required when rights-of-way are blocked, including sidewalks. Businesses with temporary outdoor dining and retail operations require an encroachment permit. | Encroachment Permit Application Email applications to engineering@cityofarcata.org |
| Emergency Preparedness | Find out how your family and your community can be prepared for emergencies. Listos California is a great resource for everything from making a plan to signing up for alerts and printing materials for people in your community. | Go to ListosCalifornia |
| Arcata Fire District | ind information and news about Arcata's Fire District, get permits applications, find board meeting information, and find press releases. | Go to Arcata Fire Department |
| County of Humboldt | The County website is rich with resources from COVID information to contact information for all County services. Sign up for alerts and take care of some transactions online. | Go to Humboldt County |
| Geo-Tracker (State Water Resources Control Board) | Use Geo-Tracker to find information about properties that impact (or may impact) water quality in California. There are records for sites that need remediation or are in the process of remediation. You can also locate facilities that are permitted and unpermitted for various activities. | Go to Geo-Tracker |
Go to the Commercial Cannabis Activity Permit page.
More information coming . . .
Supporting Local Businesses
Arcata Business of the Year Award
The City of Arcata established an annual Business of the Year Award program to recognize local businesses and nonprofits that exemplify the core values of innovation; resourcefulness or resiliency; diversity, inclusion, and equity; and business practices that support the community and protect the environment.
Visit Arcata!
As we have learned during the pandemic, it is 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!
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.
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.
EPA Brownfields Program
The City of Arcata was awarded a grant to cover certain costs of assessing brownfield sites through the Environmental Protection Agency. Find more information here.