Submitted by: Kelley Poindexter, Alliance for Workforce Development

Modoc Employment Center

EDD Employment Program Representative Laura Yeier and AFWD Community Coordinator Kelley Poindexter blanket area businesses with information.  Specialized Business Packets were designed to assist in the efforts to educate business partners about the great services offered at Modoc Employment Center.  EDD has a broad selection of brochures and flyers pertaining to CalJOBS, Tax Credit Info, Labor Market Info and more.  The MEC staff has also designed a colorful business specific flyer listing services, and a great  of helpful business related websites with lots of pertinent information.  The packets also include brochures from Sierra College Small Business Center, Superior California Economic Development District, and the California Chamber of Commerce.  The outreach staff feel that putting a "face with the service approach " extremely effective in our small communities. Outreach  to out lying areas is currently in progress, targeting the smaller communities of Davis Creek, Lookout, Adin, Likely, Canby, New Pine Creek, and Newell.

On September 16 a grant was submitted on behalf of Modoc County requesting funding to implement a "Micro Enterprise Program".  This program would provide business training for qualified individuals who want to start their own home-based business.  Participants will produce a complete business plan, learn marketing methods, time management practices, and other essential components for operating a successful small business.   Hopeful entrepreneurs who complete the 15 week course will be eligible for a $5,000. business start up loan from Superior California Economic Development District.  The addition of this program will fill an identified need of the community as well as provide prospective future clients for Sierra College Small Business Center.  If awarded the grant, the program would provide training to the Alturas area as well as outreach to the Surprise Valley area, Big Valley area, and possibly the Newell area. 

Loree Byzick (SCEDD) spent a lot of time in Modoc.  She attended meetings here in Alturas as well as in Surprise Valley. She talked with local residents and got a real feel for the unique situation of our county.  She worked really hard at this project and we want to say "Thank You" for your efforts.

We are extremely excited about this opportunity.  The positive effects of a successful cottage industry sector would have a beneficial effect of our lagging local economy. This is not the answer to our economic woes, but it would sure help.  Keep your fingers crossed.

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Modoc County was the venue for a very controversial topic.  A Biodiversity Tour visited the small town of Likely.  Home to our own Modoc County Supervisor and Senatorial District 1 Woman of the Year Patrica Cantrall.  Approximately 70 people attended the tour representing agencies, ranchers, government entities, and citizens from all over California who wanted to know more about "Juniper Encroachment". The tour was very well planned which included actual walks through numerous juniper stands and test plots where harvesting had taken place by various methods.  Juniper currently occupies about 2.5  million acres of northeastern California rangelands.  The juniper canopy is threatening the health of both plants and animals.  The average juniper drinks approximately 20 gallons of water per day. Where it has been removed, springs have been restored or have increased water flows.  The juniper also adds to soil erosion and deterioration of plant under story.  However, there are juniper stands that provide positive elements for the environment. 

The harvesting of juniper has provided a great source of biomass for energy production.  Representatives of this industry were on hand to discuss the methods of harvest, the desirable qualities of juniper for this use,  and emence quantity of this renewable resource.  The use of juniper for energy will provide both a healthy rangeland and productive jobs.  There are currently 5 crews harvesting juniper off of private lands.  The cost of transporting the biomass to the existing power plant in Wendel (approximately 90 miles away) is  a growing concern.

Juniper management methods are being explored for future use.  A comprehensive strategy for juniper reduction is now being developed. The tour was extremely informative and well done.

For more information, please see the following website. 

http://www.ca.blm.gov/alturas/index.html

After the tour a fantastic barbeque was provided for all the "tourists" at Likely Links Golf course. 

The Modoc Economic Vitality Workgroup is still going strong.  We meet once a month and share information regarding the economic and workforce challenges of our community.  Our recent projects have included support for the Micro Enterprise Project,  USFS Modoc Economic Development Corporation grant, and the Shasta College Distance Education grant.  The group has a great attitude and wonderful momentum going.  Issues recognized by the workgroup include job training and education, tourism, downtown revitalization, business retention, retail leakage to name a few. Anyone is welcome to attend the open meetings.

EDD's Linda Beattie (Workforce Investment Division) visited Modoc County on August 15.  AFWD staff were a little concerned with the Map-quest travel times Linda started out with.  We were glad to see her and had a great time showing off  a couple of our youth participants and their portfolios.  Linda also got a glimpse of s the day to day doings in our one-stop.  We visited a few of the local businesses and hope she always remembers her "made in Modoc" candy!  It's a real treat and so was she.

Members of our monthly Roundtable meeting are gearing up for the end of the 60 month timeline for CalWorks participants.  Working together we can use our resources in a more efficient manner.  The sharing of information  is a very effective approach to assisting both jobseeker and business partner.  We meet once a month at Modoc Employment Center.  Our Roundtable includes EDD, AFWD, Social Services, CalWorks, and Department of Rehabilitation.

Lassen started of this semester of Computer Classes with a new face.  Judy Mason has taken the roll of instructor for the credited college course.  The class meets each Monday and Wednesday evening at Modoc Employment Center.  Judy is a very outgoing individual and an asset to curriculum.  Lassen College is filling a very large need in the community with this class offering and MEC staff is glad to see our lab bustling with activity.

Need for business advice on the rise in Modoc!

 SBDC’s business counselor Pat Landon is in demand here at Modoc Employment Center.  This no fee service is increasing in demand.  Pat told MEC staff that his clients have doubled in the last year and he expects his caseload to maybe even triple.  Good news for Modoc and the local economy.  Several new and existing businesses are keeping Pat busy.  Thanks Pat!

See you at KONOCTI!