The Tofu Shop in Arcata has been honored by the California Integrated Waste Management Board with a statewide 2009 Waste Reduction Awards Program -- or WRAP -- award. ”Tofu Shop Specialty Foods Inc., makes fine organic soy products for Humboldt County and beyond,” said a press release. “The 29-year-old company has 20 employees and diverts 99.1 percent of its waste, only putting one garbage can on the curb each week. Paper, glass, plastic, cans, and batteries are recycled, and items like wood pallets, packing materials, and buckets are reused or donated to farmers or local nonprofits.” For more infomration on The Tofu Shop, go to their website at www.tofushop.com.
Thanks to RREDC we were able to acquire the additional necessary money we needed to help capitalize our new business venture after all efforts through commercial lenders were exhausted. RREDC was also very helpful in assisting us with our business plan. All of their personnel are wonderful to work with.

We were in the midst of a difficult $1,000,000 renovation project after our building got red-tagged for earthquake safety. Banks were leery of loaning to us because our non-profit income stream did not look dependable to them. RREDC had a wider vision and came through for us at a critical moment.

I literally wouldn't be a business owner without the help of RREDC. I was in an unique situation where I didn't qualify for a bank loan and RREDC took a chance on me. I have now owned my audiology practice for nearly 5 years!

In 1999, my business partners and I applied for a working capital loan at RREDC. They made it easy and possible for us to start our venture as the new owners of Dalianes Travel.
![]()
The Redwood Region Economic Development Commission has been very responsive to individuals and businesses that we have referred to them. The staff is both knowledgable and caring. We have no reservations recommending RREDC to our clients who can benefit from their services.

Ten years ago my husband and I hoped to open a dinner restaurant. No one would lend us for such a "risky" project. We had a great local reputation and 45 combined years of experience in 4 star restaurants. RREDC made it happen for us! Now we are the premier restaurant in our area, creating jobs and training for young people, paying living wages, providing health care benefits and giving back generously to our community. Thank you RREDC for recognizing our potential!
RREDC's support has been instrumental in our successes developing additional air service destinations and in providing the necessary airport infrastructure needed for those services.

In 2000 when I began planning to purchase a lot and build a custom tofu-manufacturing plant in Arcata's Aldergrove Industrial Park, RREDC provided invaluable professional advice and moral support during the business plan phase, and ultimately, supplemental financing to make the plan a reality. Their continued support since has helped Tofu Shop Specialty Foods survive and thrive.
Without RREDC the loan for our business would not be possible. Thanks to them we are in operation today. Thank you for your help.