COBB, Calif. – The Cobb Area Council announced that it has been awarded a $200,000 grant by the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco.

The grant was awarded in response to the devastation caused by the recent natural disasters throughout the bank’s district.

Community First Credit Union, a Federal Home Loan Bank member, facilitated the grant application.

“We are delighted to have been chosen as one of only five recipients in the tri-state area. This grant will allow the Cobb area to move forward aggressively with our economic development plans and to reinvigorate the area to ensure that Cobb reemerges stronger than ever,” commented Jessica Pyska, chair of the Cobb Area Council’s Economic Development Committee.

“In the wake of the destructive Valley fire in September 2015, the Lake County Board of Supervisors established the Cobb Area Council to advise the County on planning, emergency preparedness, response, public safety, and local infrastructure,” the Federal Home Loan Bank said in a statement.

“At the time, the Valley fire was the third-worst wildfire in California history, destroying almost 2,000 structures. This project will help the Cobb Area Council draft and implement an economic development strategy to revitalize the Cobb Mountain community,” the bank’s statement continued. “The Cobb Area Council will use the funds to conduct an assessment of community assets and resources; analyze local businesses, housing, and employment sectors; create a business revolving loan fund, and establish a Cobb Area Merchants Association.”

A final report will be submitted as a supplement to the Lake County Economic Development plan.

The timetable for the project will run through March 2021, with regular updates being provided at the Cobb Area Council monthly meetings.

The next meeting will be held on Thursday, Oct. 17, starting at 6:30 p.m. at the Little Red Schoolhouse, 15780 Bottle Rock Road, Cobb.