Business Incubator and Innovative Resource Center

Siskiyou County's Incubator and Innovative Resource Center is dedicated to encouraging accelerated growth for startup and expanding businesses. Currently, there is room available for rent at the EDC facility for developing or expanding businesses for three to five years. The benefits of the incubator are available in several communities through the Incubator Without Walls concept.

Incubator businesses are eligible for educational programs designed to accelerate business growth by streamlining the hiring process. This feature of the program improves the county's economic foundation by creating a market for good employees and shortening the startup period for new businesses.  All incubator businesses have access to a fax and copy machine, as well as other necessary office equipment at the EDC and in some other communities. Consultants, classes, seminars, and workshops, offered at low or no cost, are also available for incubator businesses.

Pacific West FoodWorks is a shared-use commercial kitchen that offers all the necessities of a state-of-the-art facility, including food processors and other high quality equipment. Entrepreneurs using the kitchen also have the opportunity to learn everything it takes to safely and effectively produce, process, and market commercial food products. Several Pacific West FoodWorks producers also co-pack. To get started using the commercial kitchen, to learn where products can be purchased, or for other information, call director Debbie Wilmot-Avery at (530)842-4600.

Recycling Market Development Zone:

The California Integrated Waste Management's Recycling Market Development Zone program includes the entire county. California RMDZ's are designated by the Integrated Waste Management Board and offers low interest loans up to $1 million, technical assistance on financing strategies and assistance marketing nationally and internationally.

The State of California RecycleStore showcases innovative recycled-content products and makes it possible to directly contact their manufacturers. Wholesale buyers and individual consumers alike can use the e-catalog to see a variety of quality recycled-content products. Some manufacturers can also personalize or custom-make products for individual customer preferences.

Local RMDZ Network: Siskiyou County has established an excellent network of organizations, programs, and projects that provide incentives to both existing and new recycling-based businesses. The SCEDC is responsible for coordinating the incentive package, and those incentives include rapid permit processing, feedstock acquisition assistance, planning fee refunds, a business incubator, employee training programs, connection fee waivers, land incentives, enterprise zone incentives, hiring credits, and funding assistance.

Historically Underutilized Business Zone

All of Siskiyou County has been designated as a historically underutilized business Zone, or HUB Zone, which is a Federal designation through the Small Business Reauthorization Act (PL 105-135, Title VI) of 1997. The HUB Zone encourages development in historically underutilized business zones through the award of federal contracts to small businesses located in such areas, but businesses must be pre-qualified to participate. The restrictions are minimal and most businesses within Siskiyou County that are currently doing business or anticipate doing business with the federal government qualify. Businesses must be located within a HUB Zone, be owned by a US citizen, employ at least 35% of their staff from the HUB Zone, and locate the principal company office in the HUB Zone. Small businesses located in a HUB Zone will be allowed a 10% price evaluation preference over non-HUB zone competition.