Public-Partnership Secures $750,000 CDBG Grant to Assist Yreka Businesses
YREKA, CA – [Sept. 19,2023]– The City of Yreka has secured a $750,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) to provide vital assistance to businesses adversely affected by the Main Street renovation project. This grant, administered by the Siskiyou County Economic Development Council and the Shasta-Cascade Small Business Development Center (SBDC), is a crucial step toward supporting local businesses during this transformative infrastructure endeavor.
The multi-year Main Street renovation project, led by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), is a $78 million initiative aimed at rejuvenating the streetscape along Highway 3, including new paving, sidewalks, crosswalks, planters, lighting, and more. While this project promises a brighter future for Yreka's downtown district, it is also anticipated to bring about substantial disruptions for local businesses.
In response to these challenges, the City of Yreka, the Siskiyou County Economic Development Council, and the Shasta-Cascade Small Business Development Center have collaborated to seek solutions to alleviate the impact on Main Street businesses. Their joint effort has culminated in the successful acquisition of a $750,000 CDBG, which will serve as the foundation for a forgivable loan program administered by the SBDC.
Quintin Gaddy, Program Director for the Small Business Development Center, emphasizes the significance of early preparation and the grant program's impact: "The essence of our approach is foresight. We want businesses to anticipate and prepare, to be ahead of the curve. This grant program serves as a lifeline for our local enterprises, offering financial relief to cushion the hardships caused by the construction project."
The program is currently under development, and applications will be available online at Siskiyou Economic Development in the coming months. Eligible businesses directly impacted by the Main Street construction project are encouraged to prepare the following documents and information for submission:
2022 Tax Returns
Payroll Register
Year to Date Income Statements
2022 Income Statements
Valid SAM.gov registration
Business License from the City of Yreka
Brief summary of how the business has been directly impacted
"Businesses should not feel like they are all alone. The SBDC is here to help them become familiar with applications and programs designed to help them get through these downturns,” said Gaddy. To streamline the application process, businesses are strongly advised to sign up as SBDC clients at www.sbdcsc.org, if they are not already, to access free advisement services.
For more information about the grant program and assistance available to Main Street businesses, please contact the Shasta-Cascade Small Business Development Center at 530-842-1638.
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About the Siskiyou Economic Development Council
Since its inception in 1985, the SEDC has developed strategies that result in the constructive, balanced economic growth of the region. Current programs include the Shasta-Cascade Small Business Development Center (SBA), the Shasta-Cascade Innovation Hub (CalOSBA), Discover Siskiyou, Siskiyou Farm Co., the Siskiyou Climate Collaborative (SGC).