Headwaters Application Period Opens November 15

This is a press release from the Humboldt County Headwaters Fund:

Headwaters Grant Fund Accepting Applications for Economic Development Projects

If you have a great idea that could promote business growth or job creation in Humboldt County, consider applying for a grant award through the Humboldt County Headwaters Grant Fund. Applications for the 2019-20 grant round will be accepted from Nov. 15, 2019 through Jan. 15, 2020, with awards anticipated to be announced in April 2020. Application forms and instructions can be found at humboldtgov.org/headwaters.

The Headwaters Grant Fund supports projects that benefit Humboldt County’s industry clusters or contribute to the region’s competitive advantage. Preference is given to projects that maintain and increase the number of sustainable jobs paying near or above the median income, enhance the quality of life, and promote healthy communities while protecting the natural environment.

Funding Focus

The primary funding focus of the Headwaters Grant Fund is to support projects that are consistent with Humboldt County’s overarching economic development strategy, Prosperity! 2018. This strategy identified industry clusters and major industries in the county as priorities for economic development going forward.

Target industry clusters based on Prosperity! 2018 are: Diversified Healthcare
Specialty Food, Flowers & Beverages
Building and Systems Construction

Investment Support Services Management and Innovation Services Niche Manufacturing

Major industries based on Prosperity! 2018 are: Forest Products
Tourism
Arts & Culture

Alternative Agriculture (Cannabis)

Eligibility and Amount Available

Nonprofits, as well as government agencies located within Humboldt County are eligible to receive grant funding. Private businesses cannot receive grants directly, however they can partner with a nonprofit or government agency. If you are a business with an idea for a project, please contact staff for connections to potential collaborators from the public or nonprofit sectors.

The total award available through this funding cycle is $130,000 which will be divided among selected projects with a maximum single grant amount of $65,000. Last fiscal year there were four grant awards: $65,000 to the Redwoods Rural Health Center to support the expansion of dental services in Redway; $30,000 to the Humboldt Senior Resource Center to expand operations to Fortuna; $44,944 to the Humboldt County Fair Association for critical infrastructure improvements which will enhance their ability to serve as a disaster relief center, and; $29,040 to the North Coast Small Business Resource Center to develop and implement educational trainings and programs to support the manufacturing and alternative agriculture industries.

The Headwaters Fund Board anticipates making additional funding available in this next fiscal year. Awards from the Headwaters Grant Fund are typically in the $20,000 to $30,000 range. The Headwaters Fund Board also provides $20,000 annually for its Mini-Grant Program. The typical award is $1,000 to $1,500 with a maximum award of $5,000.

For more information on both grant programs, please visit humboldtgov.org/headwaters or contact Kenneth Spain at (707) 476-4809 or [email protected].