Business briefs | Blood bank seeks donations; BLM seeks advisory group members

BLM seeks volunteers for advisory group

The Bureau of Land Management is seeking nominations for positions on its advisory councils. The councils work with BLM offices in Arcata, Susanville, Alturas, Cedarville, and Redding.

The councils consist of citizens with diverse interests in public land management, including conservationists,  ranchers, outdoor recreationists, state and local government officials, and energy industry representatives. The councils provide advice to the BLM on public land issues.

“Resource advisory councils assist the BLM with recommendations for a dynamic portfolio of programs from conservation to renewable energy,” said BLM California director Karen Mouritsen. “I appreciate our  council members for their dedication and willingness to come together and provide advice on the BLM’s  management decisions.”

Completed and signed applications, letters of reference, and any other information that addresses the nominee’s qualifications must be submitted by Aug. 18. More information and the nomination application is at https://www.blm.gov/sites/blm.gov/files/1120-019_0.pdf.

Blood bank seeks donations of A, O types

The Northern California Community Blood Bank is urgently asking for blood donations from the community. The blood bank is currently experiencing a critical shortage of both A and O blood types. This shortage is putting local lives at risk, and the blood bank is asking for the community’s help to address this problem.

The Northern California Community Blood Bank provides blood to hospitals and medical facilities throughout the region. Without a sufficient supply of blood, patients who require transfusions might not receive the care they need.

The blood bank asks donors to make appointments and encourages friends and family to do the same.

Coast Central announces new loan officer

Coast Central Credit Union announced Christian Hernandez joined the organization as a mortgage loan services officer at its McKinleyville location.

In the role, Hernandez assists with all mortgage loan needs for home purchases, refinances, and home equity loans and lines of credit, including guidance with the entire process from application to closing, with expertise in required forms, disclosures, and reporting. Hernandez can also assist first-time homebuyers.

Hernandez brings over six years’ related experience at US Bank. He earned his bachelor’s degree in political science, with a minor in economics, from then-named Humboldt State University and is bilingual.

“We are very pleased to offer our McKinleyville-area members the knowledge and commitment to service excellence Christian brings,” Mortgage Loan Originations Manager Lisa Hall said.

Hernandez can be reached at 707-445-8801 ext. 1222 or via email at [email protected] or by stopping by the McKinleyville location at 1968 Central Avenue.

Zoo foundation seeks new executive director

The Sequoia Park Zoo Foundation is seeking a leader to join its team.

The executive director serves as the chief executive of a successful 501(c)3 nonprofit providing philanthropic support for the Sequoia Park Zoo. The executive director is responsible for overall prioritization of staff work and ongoing campaigns to achieve all organizational goals and implements the strategic plan of the organization, developed in conjunction with the board of directors, and provides oversight of all the Ffoundation’s operations.

To see a full job description, go to https://tinyurl.com/2pcxvfmn.

Cal Poly Humboldt among ‘best colleges’

Cal Poly Humboldt ranks among the best colleges in the nation, according to Money magazine.

The “Best Colleges of 2023” report includes hundreds of private and public universities throughout the U.S. To determine which made the list, Money analyzed data from all of the nation’s 2,400 public and private four-year colleges — 736 institutions made the cut, according to the publication.

Universities that made the list were ranked from 2.5 to five stars.

To determine the quality of education, Money researchers analyzed factors such as student-to-faculty ratios, graduation rates, and the number of low-income students that received Pell grants. The researchers then calculated affordability by assessing measures like the net cost of a degree, and how much debt students took on and their ability to repay it. Lastly, Money weighed post-graduation employment and earnings to measure outcomes before assigning each college a star rating.

Cal Poly Humboldt received four stars.

Life Plan Humboldt purchases land in McKinleyville

Life Plan Humboldt president, Dr. Ann Lindsay, and Anne Pierson signed a Land Purchase Option Agreement for the 14.58 acre property south of Hiller Road in McKinleyville. Life Plan Humboldt’s site of choice is meant to develop a community for “aging in place.”

The contract assures that Life Plan Humboldt can finalize ownership once construction plans are approved, licensing is secured, deposits are collected from future residents, and financing is obtained.

The development of Life Plan Humboldt, a nonprofit, resident-led, life plan senior community, will now move into the design and implementation stage. Life Plan Humboldt will offer older adults independent residences, shared dining and activities, health care management, assisted living services, and memory care all on one campus. The McKinleyville campus will include up to 204 cottages and apartments, with up to 60 of those homes set aside to be developed separately as affordable senior housing.