As the Economic Development Coordinator, I'm the Executive Director for the Headwaters Fund, assist the County with business attraction, retention, expansion, and support for entrepreneurship. In addition, I'm the lead on Project SOAR, a partner in the CalForestWRX initiative, & staff and vice-chair of Prosperity!
As staff to the Headwaters Fund, we manage, attract & leverage additional capital and grants in the local economy to keep the funds working in the community in perpetuity. We use the values, principles, and strategies of the County's Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS), currently known as Prosperity! We manage the funds by tracking and publicizing economic, social, and environmental gains. Our objective is to maximize the amount of money working within the community providing desired benefits while preserving the Headwaters Fund principal.
Project SOAR (Sourcing Opportunities for new Airport Revenues) to enhance and improve economic autonomy and sustainability for the California Redwood Coast - Humboldt County Airport (ACV) and other county-operated airports. We know that travel in and out of the County is an integral part of economic Prosperity for residents, companies, and tourism organizations. Therefore, my role is to support the Humboldt County Department of Aviation by providing internal marketing, branding, promotional support, and commercial leasing.
Through CalForestWRX, my role is to work with partners to increase and diversify value-added forest products manufacturing in our communities, cultivate investment in emerging high-growth forest product markets utilizing biomass & small-diameter wood. In addition, this project will allow the California forest wildland restoration for social, economic, and environmental sustainability. Our partnership includes Six Rivers National Forest.
The Prosperity Network is the County's comprehensive economic development strategy partners. Prosperity acts as a venue for collaboration with regional economic development practitioners. Our purpose is to foster community and economic development to improve the quality of life for Humboldt County and is designed to create networking and education opportunities.
Prior to my new role, I worked in economic development as the Executive Director at the Fortuna Business Improvement District for twelve years. My role was to oversee and support the cities three merchants associations through; area promotion, community events, business support, citywide business recruitment, retention, business expansion, marketing, & tourism.