Regional Economic Development Initiatives (REDI) Team
Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz)
State of California
RE: Support for Opportunity Zones 2.0 Nomination – Census Tract 06023011100 (City of Rio Dell & Scotia Humboldt County)
Dear Members of the Review Committee:
On behalf of Friends of the Eel River, we are pleased to support the City of Rio Dell’s application to designate Census Tract 06023011100 as a federal Opportunity Zone 2.0.
Friends of the Eel River is dedicated to protecting and restoring the Eel River watershed while promoting healthy, resilient communities throughout the region. We believe economic development and environmental stewardship can work hand-in-hand to create lasting benefits for both people and natural resources.
Designation of Census Tract 06023011100 as an Opportunity Zone would provide an important opportunity to attract private investment to Rio Dell and the surrounding communities. When thoughtfully planned, these investments can encourage redevelopment of existing urban areas, support sustainable housing and commercial development, improve public infrastructure, expand clean energy and climate resilience projects, and create family-supporting jobs while reducing development pressures on environmentally sensitive lands.
The Eel River Valley has tremendous potential for revitalization through investments that respect the area’s natural resources and build upon existing infrastructure. Opportunity Zone 2.0 can serve as an important catalyst for projects that strengthen the local economy, improve community resilience, and promote environmentally responsible growth.
Friends of the Eel River is passionate about expanding legal public access to the Wild and Scenic Eel River. The City of Rio Dell has invested in establishing safe public access to the river in an area where that is unfortunately limited. This is an asset to the entire region and creates opportunities for intergenerational outdoor recreation, as well as a number of other uses of the river protected under the Public Trust. We support the City of Rio Dell expanding on this thoughtful effort.
Friends of the Eel River appreciates the collaborative effort undertaken by the City of Rio Dell and its regional partners to pursue this designation. The broad support demonstrated by local governments, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and community stakeholders reflects a shared vision for a prosperous and sustainable future for the Eel River Valley.
We respectfully encourage favorable consideration of Rio Dell’s application for Opportunity Zone 2.0 designation.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Alicia Hamann
Executive Director
Friends of the Eel River