Siskiyou EDC Launches 'Accelerate California' Innovation Program
The Siskiyou County iHub2 Center will provide agriculture, outdoor tourism and renewable energy businesses with new and expanded access to programs, expertise, research, and innovation.
The California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA) recently announced the Siskiyou EDC as one of ten grant recipients for the Accelerate California inclusive Innovation Hub program. The Siskiyou EDC will receive funding to implement a 3-year strategy to stimulate partnerships, economic development, and job creation in Siskiyou County.
The Siskiyou Center will provide agriculture, outdoor tourism and renewable energy businesses with new and expanded access to programs, expertise, research, and innovation. This funding will help farmers, ranchers, outdoor professionals, and timber businesses access research, cohort-based coaching and expertise to develop regenerative practices, access advanced technology, and explore green processing strategies. Innovation and growth within these specific industries is key to long-term prosperity in Siskiyou County.
The Siskiyou EDC was selected for their ability to advance regional innovation by bringing together startup businesses, research institutions, economic development organizations, business groups and venture capitalists. The performance of each center will be measured in terms of its ability to support new innovation businesses headed by diverse founders.
CalOSBA Innovation Hub designations will go to the to the following selected awardees:
The Inclusive Innovation Hub (iHub2) program is a one-time, $2.5M investment that will help accelerate regionally focused strategies to spur innovation and diversification across industry sectors and geographies while attracting entrepreneurs from underserved business communities.
“The Inclusive Innovation Hub program is building on the strengths of the clustered regional model with a new focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion. We believe it will accelerate technology and science-based firms in key industry areas with strong outreach to diverse founders and underserved geographies. California leads the nation in business starts and working to support small businesses in these sectors continues to be critical to our full economic recovery,” said CalOSBA Director, Tara Lynn Gray.