Tehama County and Its Cities Continue to Advance Towards the Future

Tehama County is one of the most active and progressive rural communities in Northern California. Thanks to multiple grants and community efforts, Tehama County and its cities continues to upgrade and advance towards the future. 

Los Molinos

In 2018/2019, Los Molinos High School was awarded a $50,000.00 planning grant to “develop relationships with industry partners and programs to build a new greenhouse and utilize the Horticulture Pathway,” according to California's USDA blog. Since then, Los Molinos High has continued to enrich their tradition of providing students a rich agricultural education and foundation. Watch the detailed video to see how Los Molinos High put the grants funds to work.

Corning

The City of Corning is a two-time grant recipient of the Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program (SPP). This program, as stated on SPP's website, “creates new parks and new recreation opportunities in underserved communities across California.”

In 2009/2010, thanks to proposition 84, Corning was granted $4.2M to create Corning Community Park, referred by residents as, “the skate park.” Construction completed on time and within budget, leaving the residents of Corning, residents of Tehama County, neighboring residents, and visitors with a beautiful place to skate, bicycle, walk, and enjoy the outdoors with family and friends. Along with the skate park as the main attraction, the 19 acres is also filled with:

• Playgrounds
• Performing arts amphitheater
• Gazebo
• Basketball court
• Restrooms
• Picnic areas
• Parking lot

In 2021/2022, thanks to proposition 68, Corning was granted $8.5M to create a plaza park, tentatively named, “Downtown Recreation Center and City Plaza.” The plan is to fill 1.79 acres with a new:

• Splash pad
• Music play area
• Mural
• Landscaping and lighting
• Amphitheater with shade structure
• Parking lot 

In May 2022, the City of Corning executed an agreement to purchase 1113 Solano Street as part of the grant implementation process. 

Red Bluff

In August 2022, the City of Red Bluff was awarded $3M by the Rural Recreation and Tourism Program to improve River Park. The improvements will include:

• Lighted pickleball courts
• Splash Park
• Amphitheater with bandshell
• Three fitness stations
• Upgraded parking lot
• Group picnic pavilion with shade structure
• Renovations to existing playground, pathways, and landscaping

Tehama County 

What started in 2021, has now come to fruition. After receiving government funds from the American Rescue Plan, the Tehama County Chamber of Commerce created the Tehama County Stabilization Grant Program. 

This $2M program is split in half to assist small businesses ($1M) and nonprofit organizations ($1M) within the county that have less than 20 employees each. According to Tehama County Chamber of Commerce’s CEO, Dave Gowan, “There’s just been a battle left and right for local small businesses and we are a champion for small businesses, and for our community …” 

Small businesses can receive up to $10k and nonprofits can receive up to $49,999. When applying, each entity must detail their hardship that started March 2020, or after. Entities in dire need prior to March 2020, are not eligible.

The deadline to apply is November 15, 2022, for small businesses and nonprofits.

August 2022, the US Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration awarded 27 rural California counties $2.7M in grant funding from the Economic Adjustment Assistance program as part of the American Rescue Plan. The purpose is to develop broadband strategic plans to make high-speed internet available where it is not. Golden State Finance Authority (GSFA) is the grant administrator. 

Golden State Connect Authority (GSCA), an affiliate of the GSFA, “is a joint powers authority comprised of 39 rural California counties designed for the purpose of … access to quality internet for rural California.” Tehama County is a member of GSCA and one of the 27 counties receiving a portion of the $2.7M to create and strengthen broadband access.