This story was originally published on Humboldt Now:
Cal Poly Humboldt faculty and students are partnering with local organizations to conduct a comprehensive Economic Development Study designed to help guide McKinleyville’s future growth and community well-being.
The interdisciplinary project brings together students and faculty from Business, Recreation Administration, Economics, Psychology, Environmental Resources Engineering, and Geography. Together, the team is examining economic conditions, infrastructure, community amenities, and quality-of-life factors to better understand opportunities and challenges facing McKinleyville, one of the fastest-growing communities on the North Coast.
A central component of the study is a community-wide survey and focus group sessions, and McKinleyville residents are encouraged to participate.
“This project represents a unique opportunity for McKinleyville residents to directly shape the future of their community,” said Josh Zender, the project lead and professor in the School of Business at Cal Poly Humboldt. “By working across disciplines and in close partnership with local organizations, we’re able to bring together community voices and applied research in a way that can meaningfully inform economic development efforts.”
The study’s goal is to provide data-driven insights that can support informed decision-making and long-term planning, while centering the voices and priorities of local residents. Researchers will combine community survey responses and focus group data with economic, social, and spatial analysis to develop findings and recommendations that reflect McKinleyville’s unique character and needs.
The project is being conducted in collaboration with the McKinleyville Municipal Advisory Committee, the McKinleyville Community Services District, and the McKinleyville Chamber of Commerce. These partnerships help ensure the research is grounded in local concerns and that results can be used to support future community initiatives.
Results from the community-wide survey and study findings will be shared with community partners in the form of a five-year economic strategic plan. All recommendations arising from the study will be reviewed and formally approved by the McKinleyville Municipal Advisory Committee once the project is complete in the Fall 2026 term. Cal Poly Humboldt researchers emphasize that broad participation will help ensure the study reflects the diverse experiences, needs, and aspirations of McKinleyville residents.
The survey is available online at: https://tinyurl.com/McK-survey