Jake’s Takes

President & CEO Update

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Grant Programs Help Businesses Survive

September 9, 2020
11:00 am

I just sat down at my keyboard following an hour and a half serving on the latest grant committee, which successfully distributed $750,000 to 125 businesses in the City of Redding. That felt good. The businesses that will be receiving checks from the program, authorized by the Redding City Council, focuses on businesses hardest hit by the multiple shutdown orders from Governor Gavin Newsom.

Redding restaurants, coffee shops, hair salons, and small service and retail outlets represent the majority of those awarded grants ranging from $2,500 to $10,000. Funding for the quick and nimble financial assistance comes from a majority of Redding’s federal CARES Act distribution. We applaud the recommendation from City Manager Barry Tippin and the unanimous concurrence by the City Council to utilize these funds to help businesses survive. We are grateful that the Redding Chamber of Commerce was invited to participate in this process.

Additionally, as a reminder from last week, I will be presenting to the Shasta County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, September 15th, advocating for an increase in the allocation for the CARES Act business grant program that will apply to eligible businesses throughout Shasta County. We will keep you posted as soon as this grant application goes LIVE. Based upon the survey we did recently, businesses from Fall River Mills to French Gulch self-reported an immense financial need. We will be going to bat for each of them.

Overall, more than $2 million has been dedicated to business grants from the cities of Anderson, Redding and Shasta Lake, as well as the County of Shasta.

Introducing Our Newest Chamber Team Member

We are excited to announce that we have recently hired Haley Soule Kennedy as our new Operations Assistant. Haley graduated from Simpson University with a degree in Organizational Leadership. She comes to Redding by way of Lufkin, TX. Her husband of two years, Philip, works for local startup success story, The Adventure Challenge. Haley’s all-time favorite North State activity is kayaking on the Sacramento River from the Sundial Bridge to Anderson River Park. She is very welcoming and looks forward to getting to know our members and guests. Stop by the Chamber office, say hi to Haley, and help us welcome her to Redding’s business community!