Liquor store ribbon cutting, grants available for bay trail

BUSINESS BRIEFS

Under relatively new ownership, a ribbon-cutting was held on Dec. 2 at Fortuna Liquors, the former Fortuna Beverage Plus store. Cameron and Lisa Renner have owned the store since June and say they appreciate the abundant community support they have received since acquiring the store. MARY BULLWINKEL — FOR THE TIMES-STANDARD

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Humboldt Bay Trail grants available

The Humboldt Bay Trail Fund Committee announced this week the latest grant opportunity available to public agencies and nonprofit organizations interested in participating in the development, maintenance and improvement of the Humboldt Bay Trail. Proposed projects must demonstrate direct benefits to the Humboldt Bay Trail and should be consistent with funding priorities and do one or more of the following:

• Leverage investment, matching funds or contribute to fund development;

• Enhance community visibility and engagement;

• Broaden community involvement; and

• Enhance public safety and comfort on the trail.

Potential projects include support for volunteer maintenance, stewardship work, events, and the encouragement of participation in trail maintenance by under-represented groups, or other activities consistent with the Humboldt Bay Trail Fund priorities.

Applications are due by 5 p.m. on Feb. 7, 2025

Grant awards generally range from $500 to $10,000 but larger requests may be considered. Application information is available at http://www.hcaog.net/announcements or upon phone or email request.

Premier announces matching donation challenge

Premier Financial Group, a locally and independently owned fiduciary wealth management firm, announced the launch of a matching donation initiative through it charitable arm, Premier Philanthropic, to benefit the Eureka branch of Nation’s Finest. Inspired by a recent $34,000 donation from Providence Hospital to Nation’s Finest, Premier Philanthropic has pledged to match additional community donations dollar-for-dollar, up to $34,000.

“We are incredibly grateful to Premier Financial Group for their generous matching donation of $34,000 to support much-needed facility repairs for our programs serving Veterans experiencing homelessness in Eureka. This support is critical for continuing to give our heroes a safe and stable place to rebuild their lives.” Kendra Barter of Premier said in a prepared statement.

Nation’s Finest, a nonprofit organization, provides vital services and support to American veterans, including housing, mental health services, employment assistance, and other critical resources.

“Our mission with Premier Philanthropic has always been to strengthen our community, and Nation’s Finest exemplifies the kind of organization we are honored to support,” said Wayne Caldwell in the release. “As someone who grew up in a military household and served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam conflict, I deeply understand the challenges our veterans face. This matching donation is a way for us to give back to those who have given so much to protect our country.”

Donations can be made directly to Nation’s Finest by contacting Nation’s Finest, Eureka site. Every dollar donated will be matched by Premier Philanthropic until the $34,000 goal is reached, or until 5 p.m. on April 15, 2025.

For more information and gifting, contact Saul Lopez at 707-442-4322 or slopez@nationsfinest.org.Let them know you are giving as part of the Premier Philanthropic Matching Donation Initiative.

Wells Fargo grant helps 13 counties including Humboldt

Wells Fargo has awarded a $300,000 grant to the California Finance Consortium to enhance small business technical assistance and lending services across 13 Northern California counties.

The targeted counties include Butte, Del Norte, Glenn, Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, Modoc, Shasta, Siskiyou, Sutter, Tehama, Trinity and Yuba.

CFC will deploy these services through its regional partners, it stated in a news release. The partners include 3CORE, North Edge, formerly Arcata Economic Development Corporation, Superior California Economic Development, Inc. and Yuba-Sutter Economic Development Corporation.

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