The Arcadia City Council approved a memorandum of understanding and a $5,000 contribution to support Humboldt Made’s Choose Humboldt shop‑local campaign scheduled for fall 2025 through spring 2027.

Program and presenters: Rosa Dixon, executive director of Humboldt Made, and Charlene Cook, marketing director and project lead, presented the program. They said the countywide initiative builds on a COVID‑era Shop Local effort and will use a refreshed brand, curated storytelling, a county‑wide digital passport on the VibeMap platform and in‑store activations to encourage residents and visitors to patronize local businesses.

How it will work: the organizers described three campaign phases over 18 months: (1) Shop Humboldt (holiday shopping push using the passport), (2) a January restaurant‑month and “stay and dine” promotion, and (3) summer event and experience promotions (Friday Night Market, festivals and attractions). The digital passport will reward participants who check in at participating businesses, earn badges and receive swag or raffle entries; passport check‑ins and engagement will generate anonymous analytics the organizers can use to measure impact.

Budget and participation: Dixon said the total 18‑month campaign budget is larger (including wider marketing, an airport vending trial and other activities), with an estimated $35,000–$40,000 budget for the passport and phase‑one activities. Arcadia will be asked to contribute $5,000 for its portion of the passport launch and initial marketing; the chamber leadership and Humboldt Made said businesses will not be charged to participate and the campaign seeks to reduce administrative burdens on small firms.

Council action: Council approved the MOU and the $5,000 contribution unanimously. Council members and chamber representatives said they expect the passport to include a wide cross‑section of downtown and neighborhood businesses and noted the program could drive customers to Valley West, downtown and other commercial areas.

Ending: staff will finalize the MOU and work with Humboldt Made and local chambers on rollout and business outreach; the city’s funding contribution will be used for marketing and app setup as described in the presentation.