County EDC updates Weed: small-business counseling, 'Discover Syscue' magazine and 'Recharge Weed' workshops

Corey Hayden of the Syscue County Economic Development Council updated the council on economic-development outreach and upcoming events that include two programs hosted in or affecting Weed.

Hayden said the county's Small Business Development Center provided 12 unique clients in Weed across 21 counseling sessions and about 30 hours of assistance in the past year, and he described two business events: the Cisco Capital Summit (April 22 at the Weed Community Center) to help businesses assess capital-readiness, and a NorCal procurement fair on May 2 at Wind River Casino to prepare businesses for state procurement opportunities. He asked the council to refer businesses to the Small Business Development Center and to publicize the events.

Hayden also introduced Discover Syscue, a county visitor magazine to be distributed at lodging properties and tourism centers twice a year; Weed will be included in feature listings such as the living memorial sculpture garden and the steampunk festival. Finally, he described the local 'Recharge Weed' workshop series (two sessions completed, two remaining on April 23 and May 14), which is focused on business readiness and growing an economic ecosystem.

"Our services are confidential," Hayden said, describing counseling offered to entrepreneurs. He emphasized that the EDC offers technical assistance and referral resources intended to reduce the burden on the city and help local businesses scale.

Council thanked Hayden for the update and accepted printed materials and flyers for distribution.