One of the changes is the current effort to establish a comprehensive Modoc County website. This has been a real challenge and probably has hindered many possible growth opportunities for our county. The Alturas Chamber and Modoc Economic Development Corporation have combined efforts and selected a professional marketing organization to build the initial 20 to 25 page site. The Alturas Chamber and MEDC have insisted the site be countywide, including all the surrounding communities and chambers. This is our first big step in working together in a “regional” approach opposed to each individual community working on its own. The website will provide both tourism marketing as well as very thorough economic/demographic information. The site is projected to be up and running by the end of January. This is very exciting for us and we invite you to check out the new Modoc County website when it debuts. The funding for this project is provided by the U.S. Forest Service.

We are pleased to announce that Governing WIB board member and Modoc County Supervisor Patricia Cantrall will retain her supervisor position for 4 more years. Mrs. Cantrall is running un-opposed for her supervisor seat and has been named Supervisor Chairman for the next term. Mrs. Cantrall is a strong and very supportive advocate for AFWD.

Beautiful Mt. Shasta Resort

MEC Staff enjoyed the Nortec gathering in October. The agenda topics were very well delivered by engaging, knowledgeable speakers.

Favorite view from Mt. Shasta Resort!

The “Business First” focus material was extremely relevant to our center and how we deliver our employer services. The staff here at MEC look forward to expanding our existing services even more to addressing the everyday needs of our employers, After all, healthy businesses create jobs!

What Modoc County Businesses are saying?

MEC has been conducting an informal business survey regarding services needed by local employers.

Consistently, these challenges were named:

• Worker’s Compensation Costs
• Health Insurance Premiums
• Tightening state regulations (water quality & availability, environmental restrictions, grazing regulations, etc.)
• Limited labor pool
• Employment and educational opportunities to keep youth here.

The high cost of Worker’s Comp has really taken its toll on our construction industry. Many jobs have been lost, small employers just cannot afford to pay the current rates and stay competitive against larger or out of state outfits. (Many bids come from Lakeview or Klamath Falls, Oregon.) For example, one of our larger businesses is considering relocating to Oregon where the Workers Comp cost is one third of the California rate.

Small businesses in the outlying areas were complaining about the availability of employees. It is becoming difficult to recruit from the immediate community, and very challenging to find employees that are willing to commute. The recent cost of gas in Modoc County has not helped that situation.

Workshops and training opportunities are welcomed, and MEC plans to develop this area more aggressively.

Overall, the majority of Modoc businesses stated they were optimistic about Modoc County’s future.

AFWD’s business services team will prove extremely helpful in providing for the needs of our county. They have been working hard to streamline the business service approach with a uniform three county plan. Exciting times -for all of us.

Welcome Baby!!

MEC Computer Lab Coordinator Wendy Luna delivered a sweet baby girl on October 21st. Her name is Heidi Kathleen, and she is gorgeous. MEC staff is thrilled for Wendy, yet miss her at the center. Hurry Back, Wendy!

BLM? Your input desired:

The Alturas and Surprise Valley BLM Field Offices held two Social & Economic Values workshops inviting the public to attend. The meetings were designed to gather input from local folks to assist the BLM staff with future planning. The BLM was interested in the effects of their presence on local communities. In the small community of Cedarville, the Surprise Valley Field office is vital to the local economy. The Alturas office is just as crucial to Modoc economy. The BLM office provides a healthy number of local jobs and seasonal fire crews.

Each of the 3 hours meetings were well attended. The BLM will use this information for planning future management policies in northeastern California and northwestern Nevada. The Surprise Valley Field Office planning area encompasses over 2 million acres of land. The Alturas Field Offices deals with over one half million acres. It was really a unique opportunity to share in the planning for use and management of BLM lands and resources.

New Prison?

Yes, the small community of Lakeview, Oregon, will be the site of a new state prison facility. Lakeview is about 50 miles from Alturas. New jobs from cook to gardener, as well as the guards, will be available. Modoc Employment Center is keeping up on the progress and process of these employment opportunities. January 15 is the scheduled Open House & Job Fair at the Lakeview Community Senior Center. The hiring process and job opportunities will be discussed by DOC staff from Salem, Oregon. MEC has already received scores of prison inquiries over the last 6 months. The current positions will be for the construction of the facility. This is very exciting for our community and will provide many opportunities for some of our job seekers. Lakeview is comparable to Alturas in population and will need to recruit from surrounding areas to fill the projected job openings of the new prison.
We will keep you posted of the progress.

MODOC MIKE rides again!

Many years ago, a lovable character was created by Modoc Record publisher Bob Sloss. His name is “Modoc Mike”. He has been lovingly revived by the Alturas Chamber of Commerce. Currently he is available on a shirt, and hopes to expand to other items. I had to share “Modoc Mike” with you.

Modoc Economic Vitality moves forward!

Change is slow here in Modoc, but it is happening. As I have mentioned before, Modoc County does not have a formal economic development entity. The vitality group helps address some of the issues related to job creation, training, economic development & vitality, resources and a clearing house for information. Here are a few updates for projects and ideas we have been working together on:

• The city of Alturas is taking a real interest in the lack of economic development efforts locally. They are looking at several different options that may provide some much needed support in this area. Lack of funding remains the number one problem.

• The much awaited Modoc website has been a pet project for the group for some time now. With the support from many, especially the chamber and MEDC it is becoming a reality.

• Bids are being sought for marketing material for countywide promotion. Funds from different grants will be used to help attain this goal.

• The Micro enterprise program should be hitting the ground running in January. The goal is 6 to 8 new business start ups in the next 2 years. The project will provide two full time and one half time position. Superior California Economic Development District has been instrumental in Modoc County’s success for this funding. SCEDD is a regular attendee at the vitality meetings and provides needed support and information.

• Modoc Economic Development Corporation has been active, trying to market their revolving loan fund. The loan criteria are simple; the loan funds must generate new jobs by business expansion projects or be used for business start-ups. The MEDC board has been working hard, promoting economic development and their resources.

• Continuing to build our “regional” collaboration process. Communities working together, pooling resources and promoting our county in a positive manner.

• Encouraging prospective new businesses to Modoc County.

• Supporting Lassen College efforts to provide business specific courses needed to attain a business degree. (Opportunity currently not available for students.)

The Modoc Economic Vitality group has been a great forum to share information and gather support. It is made up from Modoc folks who want to see a healthy local economy.
Our next meeting is January 20, 2004. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Thank you for visiting, and come to Modoc sometime, where the west still lives!