QUARTERLY UPDATE SISKI YOU
ECON OM I C
D E V E L O P M E N T
QUARTER 2
C O UN C IL
JUNE 2017
SISKIYOU ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CONVENES MEETING WITH AGRICULTURAL PRODUCERS AND REGIONAL LEADERS In May, the Siskiyou Economic Development Council convened a meeting with prominent agricultural producers and educational leaders to discuss recent trends and activities in the agricultural marketplace in Siskiyou County. “We believe it is our role as economic developers to bring producers and leaders together to discuss activities and trends in the marketplace so that both are informed and can have the opportunity to establish working relationships,” said Tonya Dowse, Executive Director, Siskiyou Economic Development Council. Speakers included Eric Levesque of Plant Sciences, LLC and Jim Rickert of Prather Ranch. Dr. John Unruh, Dean of the College of Agriculture at California State University, Chico also joined as a guest speaker. A special thank you to Belcampo, Deputy Sector Navigators—Agriculture, Water, and Technologies, The College of the Siskiyous, and CSU-College of Agriculture for their support.
OUR STRATEGY
“Our mission is to facilitate business growth, retention, and attraction to promote community prosperity. Working with our partners, we have developed a three-part strategy to fulfill our mission.”
COS WELCOMES NEW PRESIDENT WITH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT EXPERIENCE
College of the Siskiyous Superintendent, Dr. Stephen Schoonmaker
The Siskiyou Economic Development Council wishes a warm welcome to Dr. Schoonmaker. In May, the College of the Siskiyous welcomed Dr. Stephen Schoonmaker as new Superintendent/President of the College of the Siskiyou’s. In a recent press release, Trustee President Greg Hanna stated that, “he understands the importance of education and the value California’s community college system provides our students and our community.”
With Dr. Schoonmakers experience in economic development we look forward to working with him and College of the Siskiyous to advance economic development in Siskiyou County. Dr. Schoonmaker assumed his role on July 1, 2017. For more information about the new President, see the latest article here.
CALIFORNIA HERITAGE FARMS PASTURE RAISED HERITAGE PORK FROM SCOTT VALLEY Rich Harris grew up with his three brothers in beautiful Fort Jones, California, where his summer jobs Were building fence and changing wheel lines for neighbors. After college, traveling, and pursuing other interests, Rich decided to return to the Scott Valley to pursue his own farm. Since 2012, Rich and his wife, Niki, have produced pasture raised, heritage pork. They hit the road delivering whole and half shares of pork from Portland to the Bay Area and quickly realized that people were craving to connect with their food. Today, California Heritage Farms sells GMO-free, antibiotic free, and hormone free pigs direct to consumers from Portland to Los Angeles. “Being located in the Scott Valley allows us access to major consumer marketplaces like San Francisco and Portland but with the quality of life that can be
Owners of California Heritage Farms, Rich and Niki Harris.
found only in the Scott Valley. We are able to raise our family and do what we love everyday,” said Niki Harris. To learn more about how
you can take advantage of the opportunities in Siskiyou County call the Siskiyou Economic Development Council at (530) 842-1638.
DISCOVER SISKIYOU LAUNCHES NEXT PHASE WEBSITE The Siskiyou Tourism Improvement District continues to make strides in marketing Siskiyou communities as tourist and travel destinations. In June, they launched the full website which includes features such as places to visit,
where to dine, and how to plan your visit to Siskiyou! Check out the latest at www.discoversiskiyou.com. At the last meeting, Augustine Ideas presented the marketing plan which is currently being rolled out in target consumer markets.
If you would like to learn more about the Siskiyou Tourism Improvement District check www. SiskiyouTID.com to sign up and receive updates about upcoming meetings or call us at (530) 8421638.
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SISKIYOU COUNTY EXPERIENCES LOWEST UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IN OVER 10 YEARS The California Employment Development Department just released a report for May 2017, with preliminary data stating unemployment in Siskiyou County has dropped to 6 percent, the lowest the unemployment rate has been in over ten years. “This is the lowest unemployment rate that Siskiyou
County has experienced since September 2006,” stated Randy Weaver, a Labor Market Consultant for the Employment Development Department, State of California. “However, it is important to remember that this is a preliminary rate that is subject to later adjustment as late reporting is added to the computation of the
1512 S. Oregon Street Yreka, CA 96097
final rate, which will be available in next month’s press data release.” For more information, visit http://www.labormarketinfo. edd.ca.gov/ or call the Siskiyou Economic Development Council at (530) 842-1638.
Phone 530.842.1638 www.siskiyoucounty.org
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