Memorandum
Date: November 30, 2021
To: The Honorable Lake County Board of Supervisors
From: Carol J. Huchingson, County Administrative Officer
Subject: Consideration of Cannabis Equity Grant Application
Executive Summary:
On April 21, 2020, the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) awarded $150,000 to the County through a Type I Funding grant to support the development of a cannabis equity program. The California Center for Rural Policy at Humboldt State University (CCRP) was selected by the County as the consultant to assist in this process. An independent Cannabis Equity Assessment (CEA) and Local Equity Plan (LEP) were then drafted and later approved by your Board.
In January, the County applied for a Type II Funding grant and received $888,173 in June. The County has now been approved for an extension of its Type I funding since the Local Equity Program direct grants have not yet been fully developed. The State has accelerated its next application timeframe to secure additional Type II funding, with a deadline of December 13, 2021. Since the County only received its initial funding in June, it remains eligible to apply for this additional funding.
Staff recommends that the County submits a substantially similar Type II application, requesting further funds under the same “Grants and Loans” allocation. This would allow for potentially more direct grants with increased awards. The application request would include support for:
• Rent/Lease costs
• Local and State applications, licensing, and regulatory fees
• Regulatory compliance
• Fixtures and equipment
• Capital improvement
Staff seeks direction from your Board as to how proceed with the upcoming Cannabis Equity Grant application opportunity.
If not budgeted, fill in the blanks below only:
Estimated Cost: ________ Amount Budgeted: ________ Additional Requested: ________ Future Annual Cost: ________
Consistency with Vision 2028 (check all that apply): ☐ Not applicable
☐ Well-being of Residents ☐ Public Safety ☐ Disaster Prevention, Preparedness, Recovery
☒ Economic Development ☐ Infrastructure ☐ County Workforce
☒ Community Collaboration ☒ Business Process Efficiency ☐ Clear Lake
Recommended Action: Provide staff direction.