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- Written by: DOLLAR GENERAL
Exemplifying its commitment to helping address food insecurity across the country, the company’s 2024 total donations of over 28 million pounds of food from DG stores and distribution centers surpassed an exciting milestone of providing more than 50 million meals since the partnership launched.
"At Dollar General, we understand the challenges our neighbors may face in accessing affordable, nutritious food to provide themselves and their families,” said Denine Torr, Dollar General's vice president of corporate social responsibility and philanthropy. "With more than 47 million people in the U.S. currently facing hunger, we are committed to being a part of the solution through our partnership with the Feeding America network of partner food banks. Dollar General is also thrilled to celebrate this milestone of providing more than 50 million meals in our hometown communities, and we look forwarding to furthering our impact.”
Dollar General partnered with the following California food banks and their affiliated partners through the company’s in-kind food donation program in 2024:
• Redwood Empire Food Bank, which serves areas including Lake County.
• Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano.
• Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County.
• Feeding America Riverside San Bernardino Counties.
• FIND Food Bank Inc.
• Feeding the Foothills.
• Second Harvest of the Greater Valley.
• Central California Food Bank.
• St. Mary's Food Bank.
“As the largest hunger-relief organization in the United States, Feeding America is committed to providing solutions to end hunger,” said Erika Thiem, Feeding America’s chief supply chain officer. “We are delighted to partner with Dollar General, whose commitment through generous product donations and financial support fuels our mission to ensure everyone has access to the food and resources they need to thrive.”
Since piloting the program in 2019 and formally announcing it in 2021, Dollar General has donated more than $4 million and more than 50 million meals through in-kind food donations to Feeding America partner food banks, equivalent to over 66 million pounds of food. Through its partnership with Feeding America, the company serves more than one-third of the nation’s counties, supporting more than 5,200 food banks in more than 1,100 counties.
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- Written by: AAA
The average price of gasoline in California is currently $4.82, an increase of five cents from last week. Despite this, gas prices remain lower than the $5.32 average Californians paid a year ago. Meanwhile, the national average is nearly 49 cents less than it was this time last year.
“The biggest difference for gas prices this year has been the cost of crude oil,” said Doug Johnson, spokesperson, AAA Mountain West Group. “OPEC+ (the group of oil-producing countries) announced Saturday that it will increase output again in June, widening the supply surplus, which could cause crude prices to continue to fall.”
Fuel prices around the state:
Lake County: $4.81
San Francisco: $5.13
Oakland: $5.00
San Jose: $5.01
Sacramento: $4.93
Fresno: $4.84
Stockton: $4.84
According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gasoline demand decreased from 9.09 million b/d last week to 8.71. Total domestic gasoline supply slightly increased from 225.5 million barrels to 225.7. Gasoline production decreased last week, averaging 9.7 million barrels per day.
Oil market dynamics
At the close of Wednesday’s formal trading session, WTI fell $1.02 to settle at $58.07 a barrel. The EIA reports that crude oil inventories decreased by 2 million barrels from the previous week. At 438.4 million barrels, U.S. crude oil inventories are about 7% below the five-year average for this time of year.
EV charging
The national average per kilowatt hour of electricity at a public EV charging station increased two cents over last week to 36 cents.
State stats
Gas
The nation’s top 10 most expensive gasoline markets are California ($4.82), Hawaii ($4.49), Washington ($4.26), Oregon ($3.90), Nevada ($3.89), Alaska ($3.60), Illinois ($3.43), Pennsylvania ($3.30), Idaho ($3.30), and Utah ($3.30).
The nation’s top 10 least expensive gasoline markets are Mississippi ($2.64), Louisiana ($2.70), Oklahoma ($2.73), Arkansas ($2.74), Alabama ($2.75), Tennessee ($2.75), Texas ($2.76), South Carolina ($2.77), Missouri ($2.82), and Kansas ($2.83).
Electric
The nation’s top 10 most expensive states for public charging per kilowatt hour are Hawaii (54 cents), Alaska (47 cents), West Virginia (47 cents), Montana (44 cents), Louisiana (43 cents), Kentucky (42 cents), Tennessee (42 cents), Idaho (42 cents), South Carolina (41 cents), and New Hampshire (40 cents).
The nation’s top 10 least expensive states for public charging per kilowatt hour are Kansas (22 cents), Missouri (25 cents), Delaware (26 cents), Iowa (27 cents), Nebraska (29 cents), Utah (29 cents), Texas (30 cents), Maryland (30 cents), Vermont (30 cents), and North Carolina (31 cents).
Find current fuel prices at https://gasprices.aaa.com/.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
This acceptance marks the first time in California’s history that all 482 cities, 58 counties and every community have a federally recognized strategy, creating new opportunities to attract and leverage investments in the implementation of these plans.
The announcement includes the North State Regional Strategic Plan developed by the North State region of Butte, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Tehama and Trinity counties.
In a letter to the North State Planning and Development Collective (the Collective) at Chico State from Jeffrey A. Hays, Economic Development Representative for Arizona/California (Seattle Regional Office), Hays wrote, “We commend your collaboration for its good efforts, and we look forward to working with you as you continue to address the economic development planning and implementation needs of the North State Region.”
The Sierra Institute for Community and Environment and the Collective were awarded $5 million in 2022 to serve as Co-Conveners for the CA Jobs First North State region, guiding input and collaborative sessions across the North State to develop roadmaps for the region, resulting in the North State Regional Strategic Plan.
The plan will complement and work in tandem with the existing CEDS developed by 3CORE, Inc. (Butte, Glenn, Tehama counties), Superior California Economic Development Corporation (Modoc, Shasta, Siskiyou and Trinity counties) and the Sierra Economic Development District (Plumas, El Dorado, Nevada, Placer, and Sierra counties) to support the region and leverage additional funding opportunities.
“Collaboration is key to successful, regional economic development,” said Jason Schwenkler, executive director for Collective. “The EDA’s acceptance of the North State Regional plan reinforces the hard work our region has put into unifying for the good of the region. We look forward to working alongside our regional Economic Development District Partners and agencies to support existing strategies as we move forward as a region to further economic prosperity in the North State,” he said.
The U.S. EDA, along with many other federal agencies, requires an approved CEDS for communities to be eligible for funding from a wide variety of programs that promote economic, infrastructure, and workforce development.
The approval of these plans also positions California’s regions to further advocate for financial resources from many funders, including philanthropy, private investors, Community Development Financial Institutions, and Community Reinvestment Act bankers.
For additional information about the CA Jobs First in the North State Region, visit www.nspdc.csuchico.edu.
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- Written by: Lake County Economic Development Corp.
Featuring expert guidance from financial professionals, this event will equip attendees with the tools they need to navigate the commercial loan process effectively.
The workshops will feature Scott Rogalski, deputy director of NorCal SBDC, as the keynote speaker.
With extensive expertise in small business financing, Rogalski will provide actionable advice on business borrowing, helping attendees understand the best strategies to secure funding and grow their enterprises.
In addition to the keynote presentation, a panel of industry experts — including representatives from banks, credit unions, and small business advisory groups — will discuss strategies for positioning businesses for financial success.
Attendees will gain knowledge on financing options, learn how to prepare strong loan applications, and better understand what lenders look for when evaluating potential borrowers.
“This workshop series is designed to support our local entrepreneurs by providing them with critical financial tools to secure funding and expand their businesses,” said Nicole Flora, executive director of Lake EDC. “By bringing together experienced industry professionals, we aim to offer a comprehensive and practical approach to business financing.”
Whether attendees are planning to launch a new venture, expand operations, or strengthen their financial foundation, this event promises valuable networking opportunities and expert guidance tailored to the needs of small businesses.
The workshops will take place as follows:
• Monday, June 2, 5:30 to 7 p.m., in the upstairs conference room at Umpqua Bank, 805 11th St., Lakeport.
• Monday, June 23, 5:30 to 7 p.m., BMO Bank, 15050 Olympic Drive, Clearlake.
The workshop is open to all entrepreneurs and business owners in Lake County and participants can attend one or both events. Those interested in attending are encouraged to register in advance.
For more information or to secure a spot, please contact