Economic Development

Business Support

We want this page to be a one-stop shop for information business owners need, and a place for new business information and current events. If you have any suggestions about additions or corrections please let us know - email sdiehlmccarthy@cityofarcata.org.

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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. 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.


WHO	WHAT	Contact Info
RREDC - Redwood Region Economic Development Commission	RREDC makes loans to businesses unable to obtain financing from banks and credit unions. COVID Bridge Loan Program is available. Financing for working capital, inventory, machinery, equipment, furniture, fixtures, and commercial real estate. Funds available for starting and buying a business. Enrollment with the SBDC is required.	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. Business purchase or expansion, heavy equipment, commercial construction, inventory, equipment, leasehold improvements. Loans may be structured with up to 90% financing. Financing may be provided in coordination with bank financing. Terms can vary	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. 7(a) loans guarantee part of the entire loan amount, cap interest rates, and limit fees that can be charged. 504 loan provide long term, fixed rate financing for major assets such as real estate, equipment, and machinery. Microloans (up to $50,000) are for business startup and expansion. Speak with your local bank or credit union about the SBA loans they offer. 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

Supporting Local Businesses

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!

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, business collaboration, and business practices that support our community and protect the environment. Congratulations to the recipient of the 2021 Business of the Year Award!

Esteban's Restaurant

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.

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. Expert advice - marketing, growth strategies, start-ups, business plans, HR, international sales, and more. Archived webinars about everything from starting a business to selling one. Help with financing - referrals, assistance with application packages, and up-front planning. 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. Guidance for businesses located on the Plaza and Downtown can be found here. Guidance for businesses in Northtown can be found here. 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.
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. PPP - Paycheck Protection Program. This program ended on May 31, 2021. Existing PPP recipients can apply for PPP forgiveness. EIDL - COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loans. This is an SBA program that can cover working capital and operating expenses. Applications are being accepted in certain sectors. Find more information here. The SBDC can provide assistance with applications. California Small Business Relief Grant. This program is expected to reopen in the near future. You can find more information here. Humboldt Area Foundation COVID-19 Regional Response Fund. This fund is for non-profits. Find information here.
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: The Humboldt Community Risk Level - which drives which tier we are in Testing, cases, recoveries, hospitalizations, and deaths (daily and cumulatively) Hospital ICU bed availability Detailed Public Health Lab Information
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.

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.
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.	ink to the Parcel Finder Get Parcel Finder Help
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

Economic Development

Business Support

PROGRAM

General Information

How to Apply

PROGRAM

Information and Links

WHO

WHAT

Contact Info

ISSUE

INFORMATION

Links and Contacts