Seafood Business Investments Become a Reality, Jan. 25

NeighborWorks Umpqua in partnership with SouthWestern Oregon Food System Collaborative (SWOFSC) and Rural Development Initiatives (RDI) is pleased to announce the investment of $45,000 in businesses located on the south coast of Oregon. As a result of those proposals submitted, SWOFSC is proud to announce the following investment awards: Mach-1 Industries ($21,500): To support the purchase of air tanks and air circulation equipment for Dulse production; Mach-1 is a commercial diving company based out of Port Orford, currently expanding business into the production and sale of Dulse, a type of seaweed that is rich in nutrients. SeaCoast Compost ($13,500): to support the purchase of a trammel screen needed to scale up production of a biodynamic compost product SeaCoast Compost, located in Charleston is a new business that transforms highly nutritive waste products including fish waste into a biodynamic compost product. Watson’s Live Seafood ($10,000): to set up a tank system for live fish onsite Watson’s Live Seafood is a live seafood market located in the Old Town Bandon that provides fresh, locally caught seafood to the local market. “This investment is the result of more than two years of collaboration and conversations”, says Michelle Martin, Community and Economic Development Director for NeighborWorks Umpqua. In 2014, NeighborWorks Umpqua was awarded a grant from RDI to pilot the first WealthWorks Northwest project on the west coast. “Since the goal of WealthWorks is to bring together and connect community assets to meet market demand in ways that build livelihoods that last, it made sense for NeighborWorks to focus on supporting families and people whose livelihoods depend on the commercial fishing industry on the south coast of Oregon,” SWOFSC, a diverse group of local partners involved in fisheries across the region, evaluate over a two year period the overall value chain surrounding the commercial fishing industry to identify opportunities for economic uplift. Several opportunities for growth were highlighted in the evaluation, such as the need for cold Storage, addressing fish waste issues within each port, and increasing access to niche market development. In January 2016, the team requested small grant proposals from businesses that would meet a few key eligibility requirements: increased economic value of local and traceable seafood, have general community support and impact the community positively. “We are proud of the work that the community and our partners have done in defying the odds and showing that community and economic development can happen at the grassroots level”, says Michelle Martin. The immediate impact of these investments will result in increased sales for all three businesses, 5-6 new employee positions in the short term and potentially 5-6 more in the longer term, and increased income for 12 small boat owners and their crew. The investments will also contribute to non-financial benefits including reduction of fish waste, increased availability of local seafood to local markets, and establishment of a new product type (dulse) in collaboration with Oregon State University. Those interested in more information about the business investments or work that NeighborWorks Umpqua’s SWOFSC team has been doing can contact Michelle Martin at 541-414-6368 or at mmartin@nwumpqua. Details on SouthWestern Oregon Food System Collaborative work can also be found on the NeighborWorks Umpqua website (http://www.nwumpqua.org/), Facebook (www.facebook.com/SWOFSC). NeighborWorks Umpqua is a rural-focused housing and community development non-profit committed to equity through economic, social and environmental sustainability, and promoting opportunity for all. Started in 1991, NeighborWorks Umpqua provides nearly 600 units of housing, economic development opportunities through food systems support and Heartwood ReSources, home rehabilitation projects and direct services focused home ownership and personal finances. For more information, visit www.nwumpqua.org or call 541-673-4909. Rural Development Initiatives (RDI) is a private, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization serving rural people and communities across the Pacific Northwest. RDI’s work is based upon our genuine commitment to help rural people and communities build local capacity and strengthen rural economic vitality by moving that capacity to action. For more information, visit www.rdiinc.org or call 541-684-9077.