Rural business innovation center

412 & 404 West Miner Street | Yreka

The Siskiyou County Economic Development Council is proud to announce the completion of the reuse strategy for Yreka’s Carnegie building. The SEDC secured a diverse capital stack to transform the shuttered Carnegie landmark into a rural business innovation center. The center opened in January 2026.

Features include:

• Community Room (45 person meeting space)

• Board Room (20 person meeting space)

• Market Lab (pop up retail space)

• Courtyard/Plaza (for outdoor gatherings/market)

• Solar Array Exhibit (solar array + educational exhibit)

Community Room, Market Lab & courtyard/plaza

The SEDC purchased an adjacent property to the historic Carnegie Building in 2024, to expand its vision for a thriving business innovation campus. The 404 West Miner Street building features a community room, a market lab, and a courtyard plaza. This transformation is part of the effort redevelop the 400 Block of Miner Street and spur investment in West Miner Street.

Downtown Yreka Solar Array

Callahan Solar designed and installed the new solar array and back up battery system powering the innovation campus. The array was funded by Pacific Power’s Blue Sky program. In operation for over 25 years, the program allows customers to voluntarily support renewable energy and helps fund community-scale projects across the West. Notable project examples include the Butte Valley Community Center, the Siskiyou County YMCA, and now the Siskiyou Business Innovation Campus solar array, all made possible through Blue Sky funding.

The center will be the headquarters for several Siskiyou County based programs, including:

• Shasta-Cascade Small Business Development Center

• California Inclusive Innovation Hub

• Siskiyou Farm Co

• Discover Siskiyou

• Siskiyou Climate Collaborative

Foundation and
Corporate Contributions

The project received broad support including a USDA RISE award, selection for a California Jobs First Pilot Award, and a New Market Tax Credit allocation. Additionally foundation and corporate donors provided legacy investments in the project.

USDA RISE Award- USDA RISE and 1st District award supporting innovation, in memory of Congressman Doug LaMalfa.

California Jobs First Pilot Award - Regional Investment Initiative to establish the California Rural Business Innovation Center in Siskiyou County.

US Bank New Market Tax Credit Allocation- California Statewide Communities Development Corporation provided $9,250,000 of New Markets Tax Credit to the SEDC. U.S. Bancorp Community Development Corporation served as equity investor. Community Vision Capital & Consulting provided source debt for the project.

City of Yreka- City investment supporting the reimagined use of Yreka’s Carnegie building, and the economic revitalization of West Miner Street.

McConnell Foundation- Impact investment supporting SEDC’s preservation of Yreka’s Carnegie Building and the revitalization of Miner Street.

Ford Family Foundation- Thriving Communities investment supporting the reuse of Yreka’s Carnegie Library as a vibrant space for connection and innovation.

Community Foundation of the North State- The McConnell fund supported the purchase of furniture and technology for the Community Room.

Humboldt Area Foundation- The Community Impact Grant, awarded by the Klamath River Fund, supported the construction of the Community Room.

Pacific Power Blue Sky Award & Wattsmart- Blue Sky Block funds supported the installation of a 24.5-kilowatt solar array at the Carnegie. This initiative exemplifies how Blue Sky participants are helping to enhance public spaces with sustainable energy solutions.

Mechanics Bank- Strategic investment in Siskiyou County’s communities and SEDC programs for business and economic sustainability.

Suburban Propane- Suburban Propane provides a generous corporate sponsorship for SEDC’s operation of Yreka’s former Carnegie Library, reimagined for small business, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

Cal Ore Communications- Cal-Ore provides a generous corporate sponsorship for the SEDC’s operation of the Carnegie building, reimagined for small business, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

Tri Counties Bank-

AgWest Farm Credit-

Community Donations

The project would have not been possible without local support from organizations and individuals who donated to the project.

• Siskiyou Women in Business

• Montague Rotary

• Dorian Aiello

• Marcia Allen

• Sherry Anderson

• Arlene Berwick

• Audra Beylik

• Amanda Brown

• Jennifer Bryan

• Elizabeth Casson

• Tessa Clure

• Margaret Dean

• Aman Dhillon

• Richard Dinges

• Tonya Dowse

• Dom & Joan Favero

• Amy Friend

• Michael Grifantini

• Cindy Hammar

• Eric Harms

• Kory Hayden

• Bob & Ann Kaster

• Heidi Martin

• Darlene Mathis

• Jessica Matthews

• Brian & Connie Meek

• Dave Meurer

• Bethany Mueller

• Alexis Robertson

• Dianne Torpin

• Edward Valenzuela

• Cathleen Young

• Jason Young

History:

The Yreka Carnegie Library has marked the community's physical and cultural infrastructure for over 100 years. Designed by W. H. Weeks and completed in 1915, the building exhibits Classical Revival architecture. Today, it stands as a testament to the community spirit and efforts that brought a Carnegie library to Yreka. The landmark was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1992.

About the SEDC:

Since 1985, the Siskiyou County Economic Development Council (SEDC) has served as the region’s official economic development organization. The SEDC unites rural cities and the County under a shared strategy and today leads programs such as the Shasta-Cascade Small Business Development Center, Discover Siskiyou, Siskiyou Farm Co, and the Siskiyou Climate Collaborative. Today, it also serves as one of the state’s Inclusive Innovation Hubs, supporting growth and innovation for agriculture and outdoor recreation businesses across Siskiyou, Shasta, and Trinity counties. 

Construction Manager at Risk

Ausland Group

Architecture

ORW Architecture

Press:

“From Soil to Startup: Cultivating Rural Entrepreneurs in the Shasta-Cascade”
Author: California Office of the Small Business Advocate. URL Link to the article

“California Jobs First Regional Investment Initiative Success Story”
Author: California Jobs First. Date Published: May 1, 2025 URL Link to the article

“Downtown Yreka Solar Array is Installed and Connected.“
Author: Siskiyou Economic Development. Date Published: October 15, 2025 URL Link to the article

“The 400 Block Project: New Life for a Mid-Century Landmark.”
Author: Siskiyou Economic Development. Date Published: July 23, 2025 URL Link to the article

“Mechanics Bank Commits $250,000 to the Yreka Carnegie Rehabilitation Project.”
Author: Siskiyou Economic Development. Date Published: April 3, 2025 URL: Link to the article

"What Is Happening to the 109-Year-Old Yreka Carnegie Library Building?”
Author: Skip Descent: Publication: Siskiyou Daily News. Date published : April 9, 2024 URL: Link to the article

"Groundbreaking Sets Stage for Rural Innovation Hub and Historic Preservation Efforts."
Author: Amanda Brown: Siskiyou County Economic Development. Date published: April 8, 2024 URL: Link to the article

"Big Plans in Store for Yreka's Carnegie Building: What is to be?"
Author: Bill Choy Publication: Siskiyou Daily News. Date published: July 16, 2021 URL: Link to the article

"Project on Miner Street in Yreka Enters Fundraising Phase"
Author: Skip Descant Publication: Siskiyou Daily News. Date published: October 25, 2022 URL: Link to the article

"California Jobs First Awards $2.1 Million to Build Industries of the Future"
Publication: California Office of Planning and Research (OPR). Date published: May 24, 2023 URL: Link to the article

"SEDC Project Secures $2.1 Million for Rural Business Innovation"
Author:: Siskiyou Economic Development. Date published: May 26, 2023 URL: Link to the article