Mt. Shasta Nordic Center Upgrade
The Nordic Center Facilities Upgrade & Connected Community Trails Project is part of the Mt. Shasta Nordic Center Master Development Plan, a $1.4M plan that will upgrade the current infrastructure to match climate changes in Siskiyou County. The objective of the project is to integrate the ski trail network and new lodge with varied elevations and the Gateway Trail System, to create a year-round recreation destination in years with varied snow pack.
The Nordic Center Facilities Upgrade & Connected Community Trails Project is part of the Mt. Shasta Nordic Center Master Development Plan, a $1.4M plan that will upgrade the current infrastructure to match climate changes in Siskiyou County. The objective of the project is to integrate the ski trail network and new lodge with varied elevations and the Gateway Trail System, to create a year-round recreation destination in years with varied snow pack.
The project includes construction of a new modular guest services lodge, a double vault toilet, interpretive signs, a maintenance area with two trailers, new ski rental equipment, a new snowcat groomer, a backhoe snow plow, and a new 5.6-mile section of Gateway Trail located on the Shasta-Trinity US Forest Service property. The trail will connect the Nordic Center to downtown Mt. Shasta via the Gateway Trail System.
PROJECT OBJECTIVE
The Mt. Shasta Nordic Center Master Development Plan was adopted in 2021 as part of a 30 Year Special-Use Ski Area Permit with the Shasta-Trinity USFS. The objective of the project is to integrate the ski trail network and new lodge with varied elevations and the Gateway Trail System, to create a year-round recreation destination. Additionally, the new lodge will create a more cohesive user experience for the recreating public to better serve seniors, people with disabilities, and large school groups.
IMPROVEMENTS ARE UNDERWAY
In 2022, Siskiyou Outdoor Recreation Alliance was awarded a $1.1M California State Parks and Recreation/Regional Park Program grant for the Nordic Center Facilities Upgrade & Connected Community Trails Project. The funding provides for the new guest services lodge, double vault toilet, interpretive signs, maintenance area with two trailers, and the new 5.6-mile section of Gateway trail.
As of July 2025, these elements of the Facilities Upgrade are either completed or underway:
Double Vault toilet installed at Nordic Center Trailhead - completed in November 2023
Purchase of new Pisten Bully Snowcat Groomer - purchase made in December 2023
One third of Nordic Center Rental Equipment upgraded - purchased in December 2023
One third of Nordic Center Rental Equipment upgraded- December 2024 thanks to a grant from the McConnell Fund of the Community Foundation of the North State
Trail construction:
BMZ 14 segment construction completed in Spring 2024; opening anticipated in late fall 2024 after Forest Service inspection. This segment has been connected to the new Pioneer Trailhead on Mt. Shasta Boulevard as part of the Gateway II expansion
BMZ 13 (to connect BMZ 14 to the railroad tracks near Old McCloud Road) - on hold until timber sale is complete (construction could start in 2025 or 2026)
BMZ 8 and 9 (which connect the Huckleberry Loop at the Nordic Center to the Bear Springs Trail) - some brush clearing done in September 2024 and some parts of these trails are roughed in by trail construction company
Nordic Center maintenance trailers: One new trailer purchased in December 2023
Interpretive signage: Some initial planning and location scouting was done in summer 2024; installation to come in 2026New Guest Services Lodge: Construction is nearly complete and lodge will be installed in fall 2025—and will be open to the public for the 2025/2026 ski season!
Jobs first Regional Investment
In 2022, the Siskiyou Economic Development Council (SEDC) was awarded $2.1 million from the California Jobs First Program to reimagine Yreka’s shuttered Carnegie building as a high-performance, energy-efficient anchor for industry and job creation in Siskiyou County. The project will open in Fall 2025 as a pilot for healthy, climate-resilient buildings in the region’s commercial corridors.
As the SEDC leads a growing pipeline of projects to revitalize underutilized and abandoned buildings, it is addressing environmental remediation, improving energy efficiency, and advancing adaptive reuse strategies. These efforts are designed to eliminate barriers to sustainable placemaking, support business incubation, and restore vitality to rural main streets across Siskiyou County.
In 2022, the Siskiyou Economic Development Council (SEDC) was awarded $2.1 million from the California Jobs First Program to reimagine Yreka’s shuttered Carnegie building as a high-performance, energy-efficient anchor for industry and job creation in Siskiyou County. The historic 1915 structure, located on the 400 block of Miner Street, will reopen in Fall 2025 as a catalytic pilot for healthy, climate-resilient buildings in the region’s commercial corridors.
The SEDC’s work began in 2019 and has been supported by a diverse capital stack—including a California Jobs First Regional Initiative award, USDA RISE award, philanthropic contributions, and a New Market Tax Credit allocation. As the SEDC leads a growing pipeline of projects to revitalize underutilized and abandoned buildings, it is addressing environmental remediation, improving energy efficiency, and advancing adaptive reuse strategies. These efforts are designed to eliminate key barriers to sustainable placemaking, support business incubation, and restore vitality to rural main streets across Siskiyou County.
Climate Careers in Ag
Siskiyou Farm Co is a growing network of agricultural producer brands, in Siskiyou County, working together to build a strong regional food identity rooted in place, quality, and sustainability. These producers are shortening transportation lines—bringing food closer to consumers while reducing emissions and transportation costs.
As a California Jobs First Catalyst Award recipient ($140,000), the collective effort behind Siskiyou Farm Co supports future-facing climate jobs in agriculture. From regenerative practices to on-site value-added processing and local distribution hubs, these producers are building the infrastructure for a climate-smart agricultural economies. This work strengthens farm and ranch viability in Siskiyou County and connects local food to the California marketplace.
Siskiyou Farm Co is a growing network of agricultural producer brands, in Siskiyou County, working together to build a strong regional food identity rooted in place, quality, and sustainability. These producers are shortening transportation lines—bringing food closer to consumers while reducing emissions and transportation costs.
As a California Jobs First Catalyst Award recipient ($140,000), the collective effort behind Siskiyou Farm Co supports future-facing climate jobs in agriculture. From regenerative practices to on-site value-added processing and local distribution hubs, these producers are building the infrastructure for a climate-smart agricultural economies. This work strengthens farm and ranch viability in Siskiyou County and connects local food to the California marketplace.
Climate Fellowship (CCI)
Climate Collaborative member Kory Hayden participated in the Center for Community Investment (CCI) Climate Fellowship program. Over the 15-month scope of work, Kory learned strategies and practices to direct investment toward climate and resiliency projects in Siskiyou County. She proposes a multi-project capital absorption strategy focused on energy efficiency, adaptive transportation, and main street reuse, that is unique to the needs of historic buildings in Siskiyou County’s commercial corridors. This work will culminate in the release of a Climate Resiliency Plan and successful applications for funding.
Climate Collaborative member Kory Hayden participated in the Center for Community Investment (CCI) Climate Fellowship program. Over the 15-month scope of work, Kory learned strategies and practices to direct investment toward climate and resiliency projects in Siskiyou County. She proposes a multi-project capital absorption strategy focused on energy efficiency, adaptive transportation, and main street reuse, that is unique to the needs of historic buildings in Siskiyou County’s commercial corridors. This work will culminate in the release of a Climate Resiliency Plan and successful applications for funding.
Innovation hub opens
The Siskiyou Economic Development Council (SEDC) was awarded an Innovation Hub designation by the California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA), which includes $1,500,000 in funding, to support innovation and climate resiliency in agriculture, outdoor tourism and clean energy sectors in California’s North.
The Siskiyou Economic Development Council (SEDC) was awarded an Innovation Hub designation by the California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA), which includes $1,500,000 in funding, to support innovation and climate resiliency in agriculture, outdoor recreation entrepreneurship, and clean energy sectors in California’s North.
Jefferson Bike Co Innovation Award
The SEDC directed a $10,000 Innovation grant to Jefferson Bike Company, in Yreka, to support their business plan to engage community, youth and riders in biking in Siskiyou County.
The award will help position the Jefferson Bike Company as a central hub for local bike events and trainings, and help the region appeal to travelers along the Interstate-5 corridor between San Francisco and Portland.
The SEDC directed a $10,000 Richard King Mellon Foundation Innovation grant to Jefferson Bike Company, in Yreka, to support their business plan to engage community, youth and riders in biking in Siskiyou County.
The award will help position the Jefferson Bike Company as a central hub for local bike events and trainings, and help the region appeal to travelers along the Interstate-5 corridor between San Francisco and Portland.
Industrial Clean Up Of the Landing
For two decades, the Siskiyou County Economic Development Council (SEDC) has partnered with the City of Mt. Shasta to direct EPA Brownfield funding to assess and clean-up a 127-acre former mill site to prepare it for its next possible use. The Landing is now officially clean, marking a major milestone for the City of Mt. Shasta and the SEDC who are near the close of a current EPA Brownfields grant ($707,740). We are excited about future resiliency opportunities and proud of the years of work invested in preparing the site.
For two decades, the Siskiyou County Economic Development Council (SEDC) has partnered with the City of Mt. Shasta to direct EPA Brownfield funding to assess and clean-up a 127-acre former mill site to prepare it for its next possible use. The Landing is now officially clean, marking a major milestone for the City of Mt. Shasta and the SEDC who are near the close of a current EPA Brownfields grant ($707,740). We are excited about future resiliency opportunities and proud of the years of work invested in preparing the site.
Downtown Yreka Solar Array
The Siskiyou Economic Development Council (SEDC) applied for a Blue Sky solar award with Pacific Power, to bring a solar array to downtown Yreka. The array and back up battery system is a central feature of a new business innovation campus, opening in October 2025. The project includes Energy Star appliances, upgraded lighting, and environmental remediation transforming the rehabilitated Carnegie building into a model of climate resilience and sustainability. The project is also expected to qualify for Pacific Power’s Wattsmart incentive.
The Siskiyou Economic Development Council (SEDC) applied for a Blue Sky solar award with Pacific Power, to bring a solar array to downtown Yreka. The array and back up battery system is a central feature of a new business innovation campus, opening in October 2025.
The project includes Energy Star appliances, upgraded lighting, and environmental remediation, transforming the rehabilitated Carnegie building into a model of climate resilience and sustainability. The project is also expected to qualify for Pacific Power’s Wattsmart incentive.
Healthy Soil Awards
In 2023, the Siskiyou Economic Development Council (SEDC) was awarded $5 million from the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) to administer their Healthy Soils Block Grant Pilot Program (HSP). This program helped several Siskiyou County agriculture producers to implement healthy soils practices on their operations.
In 2023, the Siskiyou Economic Development Council (SEDC) was awarded $5 million from the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) to administer their Healthy Soils Block Grant Pilot Program (HSP).
This program helped several Siskiyou County agriculture producers to implement healthy soils practices on their operations. Healthy, resilient, and sustainable soil practices are the foundation of successful land stewardship, and we excited to work with production farms and ranches in this important endeavor.