- a weekly column published in the Pioneer Press

Recently, Siskiyou County applied to the California Department of Housing and Community Development for a $500,000 grant under the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG.)

If awarded, more the $300,000 of the grant will be available in a revolving loan program to local businesses for start-up costs, construction, on-site improvements, equipment purchase, working capital, and site acquisition. A required outcome of the loan is that one low-income job is created for every $35,000 borrowed. http://www.hcd.ca.gov/ca/cdbg/

Great Northern Corporation has long been a partner with Siskiyou County in implementing the revolving loan program. (Great Northern can be found online at http://users.snowcrest.net/stryker/gnc.htm )

Another portion of the grant is to be spent on “microenterprise business technical assistance.” JEDI (Jefferson Economic Development Institute) has traditionally provided such services in the county. From pre-concept planning to marketing and expansion, JEDI has a good track record of success in folks receiving its microenterprise services:  63 people have started a business; 28 businesses have expanded; and 33 full-time equivalent jobs were created by existing businesses.

JEDI clients who have been in business for at least 6 months are now also eligible to sign up under the online MicroMentor program. This demonstration project will link local businesses with support from successful mentors in the same industry.

Thursday evenings at the College of the Siskiyous (COS,) September 18 to November 13, JEDDI will be presenting its program - “Making Your Money Work for You!” This program covers:

·         The habit of saving money;

·         Getting, handling and repairing credit;

·         Investment and making financial plans;

·         Examining beliefs about money and goals; and

·         Dealing with banks and financial people.

In addition, under the “Building Assets Program”  or BAP, (low) income-eligible graduates of the course may be able to receive a savings “match” of up to $1000 to spend on a post-secondary education; home ownership or on starting or expanding a business.

From my perspective, JEDI does have some programs with a very “liberal” emphasis, particularly as relates to eco-tourism.  However, most of its programs are straight forward business. Some of their fall programs include:

·         September 20 – “Portfolio Presentation” – marketing your artwork to galleries, retailers and boutiques

·         October 6-31, Online Mondays – Customer Service – Keys to attracting and retaining loyal customers

·         November 3-December 5, Online Mondays – Team Building

·         November 5-19, Wednesdays – Effective Communications

Although JEDI is located in the Mt. Shasta area, it does work with clients throughout the county.  Not all of its courses are restricted to the COS campus and some are online. District 5 has its definite challenges as far as geographic distances and small population centers. JEDI is looking for groups who are interested in receiving training in their area. To find out more, call (530) 926-6670 or visit their site at http://www.e-jedi.org/