Community Building and Economic Development

Arcata is a special place full of artists, entrepreneurs, business owners, and innovators. We are home to so many special events from the Oyster Festival to our famed Saturday Farmer’s Market. People are always out in the community, connecting, collaborating and helping grow our flourishing business community. As a council member I have developed great relationships with our local Chamber of Commerce and local business owners to better understand how to serve our local businesses and keep our focus local. During my time on Council I participated in the COVID Economic Recovery Collaborative and I have seen the resilience of our business community post pandemic and the innovation and opportunity that has come out of it.

Arcata needs to continue to create opportunities for small business to thrive and grow. Great examples of this would be to further support and update the Food-Works building allowing more small food businesses and trucks to began building up. Arcata needs to complete an economic strategic plan that can serve as a roadmap for the steady growth of Arcata’s population and business community.