If your a small business owner and need support, we encourage you to reach out to the The North Coast Small Business Development Center (SBDC). It is a nonprofit organization that provides expert no-cost advising and low cost workshops and small business trainings to guide small businesses to success and accomplishment. The North Coast SBDC serves all of Humboldt and Del Norte Counties, is currently hosted by Humboldt State University Sponsored Programs Foundation, and is part of the Northern California SBDC network.  We work hands-on with entrepreneurs and business owners to address challenges, seize opportunities and grow our client’s bottom line. 

When starting a new business, or updating your current business plan, don't forget to consider ADA accessibility. Access for everyone should be something all of our County's businesses strive for, check out this article for some useful tips to make you business more welcoming.

5 Simple Ways To Make Your Business More Welcoming To Disabled Customers (forbes.com)

Humboldt County is to cannabis what France is to wine. Many of the medicinal cannabis strains popular throughout the world were developed here. Science and technology have merged with the spirit of the counterculture movement. Growth techniques that look to preserve the precious land and water resources of the natural environment represent the ideals of the cannabis culture. Residents, farmers, business owners and nonprofit groups are looking within themselves to restore and improve the local environment and wildlife habitat. With legalization, cannabis is undergoing the next phase of cultural integration into the American mainstream. Humboldt is proud and supportive of its rich green heritage and there are plenty of local organizations that want to help cannabis farmers succeed.

Humboldt County Cannabis Chamber of Commerce

The Humboldt Cannabis Chamber builds connections and educational resources for the business owners, entrepreneurs and community members who work within the cannabis sector, along with the companies interested in providing services to this emerging industry. Membership is open to all entities conducting business within Humboldt County, California.

Humboldt County Growers Alliance (HCGA)

Built on a foundation of fifty years of innovation, HCGA members are statewide leaders for environmentally and ethically produced cannabis. Our industry supports thousands of local jobs and millions in tax revenue—driving the majority of economic activity in Humboldt County. We work together to preserve, protect and enhance Humboldt County’s world-renowned cannabis industry through advocacy, public relations and education.

International Cannabis Farmers Association

The ICFA is a broad group of Cannabis farmers, scientists, and stakeholders working together to promote the unique quality and ecological benefits of traditionally farmed Cannabis and Cannabis-derived products while preserving the heritage of traditional farming communities.

Project Trellis

The County of Humboldt Cannabis Micro-grant, Marketing, and Local Equity Program, commonly referred to as ‘Project Trellis,’ is a trailblazing support initiative for the county’s cannabis industry. The three-tier program was developed on the heels of California’s legalization of recreational cannabis to provide business resources to cannabis businesses who otherwise wouldn’t have access due to federal restrictions.

There are plenty of ways that can help your brand gain recognition within Humboldt County and beyond, but a great place to start is with these local organizations that have been utilized by successful businesses throughout our communities.

ELEVATE, Eureka Chamber of Commerce

In 2021 The Eureka Chamber of Commerce released ELEVATE, a free digital marketing training program for local businesses. This training will allow businesses the one-on-one opportunity to work with an Elevate Instructor over an extended period of time to thoroughly gain a deeper understanding of how to create, enhance, and effectively market themselves online. 

Southern Humboldt Business and Visitors Bureau

The primary goal of the Southern Humboldt Business and Visitors Bureau is to accelerate sustainable economic growth through tourism marketing and destination development. To provide business leadership and effective coordination. The Bureau is primarily a community organization with the goal of developing,  promoting and maintaining a healthy business and visitor industry in the Southern Humboldt area.  The SHBVB will embrace all changes of the Southern Humboldt Business evolution without separation of business kind. Striving to work in a cohesive manner with like-minded community organizations.

Humboldt Made

Humboldt Made was initiated by the County of Humboldt in 2010 to spur the growth of a diverse array of makers and producers. The idea was to bring entrepreneurs together, identify their common strengths and weaknesses and through networking and collaboration overcome obstacles and achieve great things together. Creating brand awareness and increased sales beyond Humboldt’s borders was key, the end result being a sustainable, local economy.

Visit Eureka

The Eureka Visitor Center is located at the Clarke Museum at 240 E Street in Eureka. The Visitor Center features a concierge service and a gift shop full of locally made products.

Depending on where you live, there are organizations of local businesses all working together to help themselves and the community succeed. Between different city chambers of commerce to organizations dedicated to specific streets, there may be such an organization available to you.

Arcata Chamber of Commerce

It’s passionate entrepreneurs like you that make Arcata the best small business community. Arcata business people are known for supporting each other, for working together, and for sharing best practices. The Arcata Chamber serves as the primary hub for connectivity and collaboration.

Arcata Main Street

Arcata Main Street is a unique business membership organization operating in an area covering just a handful of blocks in downtown Arcata. Our intricate business community is our number one priority, and working with community partners to create downtown vitality is our goal. By fostering business vitality, providing opportunities for community events, and organizing projects and initiatives that respond to community needs we work to create a vibrant  Arcata.

Blue Lake Chamber of Commerce

The Blue Lake Chamber offers mixers hosted by various businesses, business support services and community events. These opportunities are a great way to network with other businesses and learn how others are getting their name out and solving their challenges. The Blue Lake Chamber is also a member of the Arcata Chamber of Commerce. This allows you to have access to the events and programs offered by them.

Eureka Main Street

The Eureka Main Street program began in 1992 as a public-private partnership between the Redevelopment Agency and the Downtown and Old Town merchants. The area served includes the forty-nine blocks between A and I Streets. The Eureka Main Street program is governed by a Board of Directors representing merchants, professionals, the City of Eureka, and various community organizations. A full-time, professional staff manages the day-to-day operations of the programs. Eureka Main Street promotes the unique character of Eureka’s Core Business District. The District is a magnet. Specialty shopping and distinguished restaurants draw locals and visitors from throughout the region.

Greater Eureka Chamber of Commerce

The members of the Eureka Chamber Board of Directors are leaders from all areas of the local business spectrum. Directors are elected by the membership to serve three-year terms of office. This dynamic group provides policy guidance, evaluates Chamber programs and activities and directly represents the interests of the North Coast business community.

Ferndale Chamber of Commerce

As the core organization of Ferndale’s business community, the Ferndale Chamber strives to promote tourism and nurture the economic development of local businesses as well as to maintain and enhance our unique quality of life through preservation and promotion of our historic community in beautiful Humboldt County and the Eel River Valley. Membership benefits include our chamber website, print, radio & TV advertising, social media campaigns, and billboards, among others.

Fortuna Chamber of Commerce

The Fortuna Chamber of Commerce is the one-stop shop for members and visitors who have questions about who, what, when, and where in Fortuna. They help connect our membership with the resources they need to get business done

Rio Dell & Scotia Chamber of Commerce

The City of Rio Dell, “The Warm Hearted City,” is located on the west bank of the Eel River, just below the ancient Scotia Bluffs and nestled comfortably in the surrounding redwood forests. Rio Dell is a small community with a population of around 3,300 residents.

Trinidad Chamber of Commerce

Being a member of the Trinidad Chamber of Commerce helps you stay connected to your community, gives you access to support and promotion for your business, and strengthens the whole community.

Willow Creek Chamber of Commerce

The Willow Creek Chamber of Commerce is a great place to learn more about the area, while members benefit from networking, promotion, and other forms of business support.

Southern Humboldt Chamber of Commerce

The goal of the Southern Humboldt Chamber of Commerce is to connect businesses with businesses, and businesses with customers. As a member of the Chamber you will be connected with other business owners in the area. We are all about serving the local community and we are all about serving you, the local business owner.

There are many grants, loans, and tax incentives available to developers in Humboldt County outside the traditional methods. Check out these resources and find additional ways to help fund your dream. And remember to reach out to a local Economic Development Organization in your area, for other grant and funding opportunities that may apply to you.

Small Business Advocate Grant

The Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development's new grant is "guided by a principle of equity, [that aims to provide] a crucial financial recovery resource to traditionally underserved small businesses and nonprofits. According to Tara Lynn Gray, Director of the Office of the Small Business Advocate, "With three new rounds to aid equitable economic recovery, California is keeping its promise to small businesses, families and individuals to push back on the pandemic-induced financial hardships and create the environment for small businesses to come back better than before".

USDA Rural Development

USDA Rural Develop was created to help improve the economy and quality of life in rural America. Through its programs it offers loans, grants and loan guarantees to help create jobs and support economic development. Depending on your business and where it will be located USDA Rural Development may be able help you find additional funding, such as Rural Business Development Grants. 

Grant Portal

The GoHumCo team has also compiled a list of grants and programs available to Humboldt Resident and Business owners. This list is updated regularly and is always a good place to learn more about grant and funding opportunities in Humboldt County.

Opportunity Zones

The Opportunity Zones Program is a federal tax incentive program created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. It allows those who invest in one of the 8,700 low-income areas designated as Qualified Opportunity Zones (QOZs) to defer their capital gains taxes until December 31st, 2026 as well as other possible benefits. To see a map of Opportunity Zones in Humboldt County, and a list of their available properties, you can use our Zoom Prospector Mapping Tool.

HUB Zones

HUB Zones (Historically Underutilized Business Zones) may not grant you additional funding, but they do help reduce competition to your business if you qualify. Follow the link for more information, and please use our Zoom Prospector Mapping Tool, to help you find property in a HUB Zone.

Project Trellis

If you own a cannabis business and are looking for micro-grants, equity, or marketing support, check out our Project Trellis page or contact our GoHumCo Team

Headwaters Fund

If your a non-profit organization with projects that you would like to get funding for, then check out the Head Waters Fund page and find out if you qualify and how to apply for a grants or loans, or contact our GoHumCo Team

California Office of the Controller

The Controller’s Office has compiled the following resources from various agencies to help you navigate available COVID-related aid. For additional program information, please visit the agency’s website or contact your local government. The Controller’s Office will update these resources as more program information becomes available.  Visit the California Coronavirus (COVID-19) Response website for information about the state’s response to the pandemic.

Arcata Economic Development Corporation (AEDC)

AEDC is a 501c3 non-profit organization and a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). AEDC’s mission is to provide loans and support to entrepreneurial, innovative business and community endeavors. AEDC provides financing for business opportunities in Del Norte, Humboldt, Mendocino, Lake, Siskiyou and Trinity Counties, and sometimes Shasta County, in Northern California.

California Center for Rural Policy 

Humboldt State University’s California Center for Rural Policy is dedicated to improving the lives of rural people in California. Using methods tailored to the study of rural populations, environments, and their interactions, the CCRP researches a wide range of issues to inform policies and planning.

Fortuna Business Improvement District (FBID)

The Fortuna Business Improvement District (FBID) is a California non-profit organization. We operate under a contract with the City of Fortuna, California, to improve the already excellent business climate of our city. The business improvement district acts as the economic development department in our town. FBID is here to help provide information to your business related to commercial locations, business services, resources, and classes. The Fortuna Business Improvement District is here to help you; smoothly relocate your existing business, help you established a new business in Fortuna, California, and lastly, to assist enterprises that were needed to help you succeed for many years in the business Friendly City of Fortuna, California.

Redwood Coast Rural Action

As an open architecture network, RCRA connects regional leaders helping overcome the isolation of the large geography of the region linking similar projects happening in different part of the region with the goal of creating synergy, doing collaborative resource development, shortening the learning curve, and identifying challenges that can best be overcome by working collectively across the region.

Redwood Region Economic Development Commission

The Redwood Region Economic Development Commission (RREDC) is a collaboration of Humboldt County communities dedicated to expanding economic opportunity in Humboldt County. We create opportunity and support the growth of local businesses.  We lead projects of regional significance, make loans, and offer business consulting through our partner, the North Coast Small Business Development Center.

CalCompetes Program

The California Competes Grant is available to businesses that want to locate or stay and grow in California. A total of $120,000,000 in California Competes Grant funds are available for allocation in the 2021-2022 fiscal year. The maximum grant award is $36 million. Grant Guidelines will be posted on the GO-Biz website in November.  One page flyer HERE.

 Application Period January 3, 2022, to January 24, 2022 - $120 million available 

 The CalCompetes Grant is available to businesses of any size that meet at least one of the following criteria:  

• Will create at least 500 new full-time jobs in California 
• Will make capital investments of at least $10 million  
•  The Project will take place in an area of High Unemployment and/or Poverty as defined in the California Competes Tax Credit regulations 

 The primary goal of the CCGP is to incentivize businesses to choose California and to stimulate the creation of quality, full-time jobs in the state.  A significant objective for this grant program is to make resources available to businesses for whom a non-refundable tax credit would not provide a significant financial benefit.  The CCGP was specifically created for three types of businesses: (1) businesses that continuously reinvest profits, generating either significant research and development tax credits and/or net operating losses resulting in little to no tax liability; (2) smaller businesses with relatively low income tax liabilities; and (3) startups with little to no tax liability. 

 If you have any questions regarding the CalCompetes Grant / Tax Credit programs or application process, please contact our office at (916) 322-4051 or send an email to CalCompetes@gobiz.ca.gov.