Economic Development

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.

2022 Business of the Year Nomination Form Available Now!

Residents, businesses, and non-profits in Arcata are invited to submit nominations for the Business of the Year by completing this online form that will be submitted to the City of Arcata’s Economic Development Committee. Alternatively, a fillable Nomination Form can be completed and emailed to jdart@cityofarcata.org or dropped off in-person or by mail to: City of Arcata, Community Development Department, 736 F Street, Arcata, CA 95521.

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 businesses.

If you have any suggestions about additions or corrections to any of the information, please let us know - email sdiehlmccarthy@cityofarcata.org.

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  1. Arcata Loan and Grant Programs
  2. COVID Business Help & Info
  3. Other Financing
  4. Business Resources
  5. 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.
  • Loans from $25,000 to $140,000.
  • Must be used for purposes clearly related to business survival during COVID restrictions.
  • If jobs are retained for 6 months the loan is forgiven.
  • If jobs are not retained loan is termed out for 5 to 7 years (depending on loan size) at 3%.

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.

Job Retention Program Flyer

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 Keala Roberts (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.
  • Minimum loan is $20,000.  There is no maximum but the loan amount is limited by the number of low-to-moderate income jobs.
  • Loan term depends on what funds will be used for - from 5 to 30 years.
  • Rate begins at 3%.  Final rate depends on jobs created or retained, business strength, equity and management strength.

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.

Business Assistance Loan Guidelines

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.
  • Up to $50,000.
  • Rates from 3.9% to 6.9%.
  • Terms from 3 to 8 years, depending on purpose and collateral.
  • Enrollment with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is required.

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 Loan Information

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.
  • Up to $10,000
  • Limited to funds used to build capacity
  • Enrollment with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is required.

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.

 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.

2021 Business of the Year Nomination Form

Citizens and businesses in Arcata are invited to submit nominations for the Business of the Year by sending this form to the City of Arcata’s Economic Development Committee. Submissions can be emailed to jdart@cityofarcata.org or dropped off in-person or by mail to: City of Arcata, Community Development Department, 736 F Street, Arcata, CA 95521.

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.