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1. The Right Place to Develop My Business

If your looking to come develop in Humboldt County, then chances are your already looking at the right place to develop. That said, our Zoom Prospector Tool is a great resource for researching the right place for you. Look through extensive listings of available properties throughout the County, and couple this with spatial data on demographics, consumer habits, labor pool, competitors, and various features that will help you find the perfect location for no cost at all. 

2. Support Developing my Small Business

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. 

3. Support Developing My Cannabis Business

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.

4. Help Marketing My Business in Humboldt County

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 the Magic & 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.

5. A Local Business Organization to Join

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.

6. Funding

There are many banks and credit unions throughout Humboldt County that can help you find the funds to start your own business, but there also many grants and tax incentives available to developers in Humboldt County. Check out the USDA Rural Development Summary of Major Programs such as Rural Business Development Grants, or develop in opportunity zones or HUB Zones for tax incentives. You can use our Zoom Prospector Mapping Tool to filter for properties that fit these requirements, or lay within these zones. Local and up-to-date grants can also be found via Grant Portal, if you'd like to see if any apply to you and your business. 

7. COVID Relief

If your a local business owner there is funding to help offset any incurred due to the pandemic. The latest of such funding can be found via the Shuttered Venues Operators Grant, and stay up-to-date on other grant opportunities via our Grant Portal.