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Blue Lake Rancheria: Economic Development Strategies

Explore the economic development strategies of Blue Lake Rancheria, a federally recognized tribal government, and learn about their efforts to create economic resilience in the face of climate change and other local impacts.

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Blue Lake Rancheria: Economic Development Strategies

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  1. Blue Lake Rancheria Economic Development Strategies Prepared for: Humboldt Economic Development Forum March 22, 2018

  2. Blue Lake Rancheria, California • Federally Recognized (1908) Tribal Government • ~100 Acres of Trust Land Spanning the Mad River • Economic Enterprises | 400+ Employees • 15 Departments | Utility | OES | Wildland Fire | Police • Local, Regional, State, and National Work • U.S. DOE ICEIWG | U.S. BOEM CA Task Force • CA Integrated Climate Adaptation and Resilience Program TAC • CA Community Air Protection Program (AB 617) Consult. Group • Regional Flood & Dam Break Planning Committee • HBMWD Long-Term Water Resource Planning Advisory Committee • Recognition • 2018 “Project of the Year, Distributed Energy Resources” PowerGrid Int’l • 2018 Safeguarding California BLR Feature • 2017 “Whole Community Preparedness Award” FEMA • 2015-16 “Climate Action Champion” White House and DOE

  3. Need for Economic Resilience Climate change and other local impacts createthreats to life, safety, ecosystems, infrastructure – and economics. Landslides Wildfires Drought Extreme Storms Floods Sea Level Rise Earthquake Tsunami Oct. 2017 Wildfire ¼ mile from BLR Credit: CalFire

  4. BLR Economic Development Context Tribal Government Economic Enterprises Blue Lake Casino, Alice’s Steak and Sushi Restaurant (2002) Sapphire Palace Event Center (2004) | The Play Station 777 (2006) Blue Lake Hotel (2009) Resilience Training and Innovation Center (phased dev. 2016-2020) Retirement Community (~2020) Sustainable Economic Development Tribal government revenues support social services platform No per capita payment programs Zero net carbon emissions by 2030 BLR has reduced GHGs by ~40% from a 2014 baseline Each decision is reviewed for GHG reduction potential The great plastic straw removal controversy New development Supports low-carbon design, technology, service, and deployments Joins regional, national, international climate innovation marketplace Image credit: California Science Center

  5. BLR Economic Development: Microgrid Example • Low-carbon, Community-scale Microgrid • $16M in Regional Economic Benefit McKeever Energy

  6. Microgrid Economic Benefits • Save ~30% in annual energy costs • ~$200,000Year 1 • ~$300,000 Year 2 (estimated) • Fiscally responsible energy • Levelize/predict costs through ~2040 • Healthy, clean energy jobs • Increased BLR employment by 10% • Supports rural/regional solar+storage companies and related workforce • More economic control • Add components to improve economics • Supports economic enterprises • Improves continuity of operations • De-risks outages Credit: BLR Credit: BLR

  7. Economy-Enabling Investments • Lifeline Sectors and Critical Infrastructure • Energy, Water, Food, Communication/IT, Transportation • Resilience • Reinvestments (CAPEX, O&M, remodels, expansions) • Planning (economic, emergency preparation) • Training (e.g., continuity of operations) • New Enterprise Support • Business plans • Feasibility studies (e.g., HSU student involvement) • Projects (direct and match funding, internal resources, partnerships) • Facilities and training • Example: BLR Resilience Training and Innovation Center

  8. Development Opportunities • Pair “mitigation” with “adaptation” • Consider GHG reductions in economic decision-making • Spur a climate innovation marketplace. • Old:

  9. Development Opportunities • New:

  10. Thank you. Jana Ganion Sustainability and Government Affairs Director Blue Lake Rancheria jganion@bluelakerancheria-nsn.gov Aerial photo of BLR solar array and main campus in the Mad River Valley. Credit: BLR

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