Business Watch | February 2026

Humboldt's coastal identity may be quietly entering a new era.

From the lumber and maritime boons to the cannabis "Green Rush" swell and recession, the economic landscape around Humboldt has changed many times. Now one of the Big Tech firms—Amazon—is staking a redwood claim, albeit with a modest foot in the door.

The business community is making some interesting money moves this quarter. Here's what's going on around HumCo in February 2026:

• Amazon is building a distribution center in Mckinleyville near the airport, which is slated to provide 230-340 operations and delivery jobs and shorten delivery times from 5 days to 1-3 days. (For context on size of the pie, the education sector Cal Poly Humboldt, CR, and HCOE provides roughly 5,000 jobs)

• Applebees briefly shut down for renovation, replacing the cozy red exterior with a modern white finish

• Bella Italia restaurant is coming soon to Eureka off the 101, complimenting it's popular Fortuna location

• Breeze Airways will begin operations at ACV airport starting in March, replacing some of the seasonal routes from Avelo Airlines

• Casa Garcia restaurant is coming soon to Eureka off Harris near Henderson Center in the former Jerk Kitchen location

• H and 10th block in downtown Arcata is still, sadly, a pile of rubble following a fast-moving fire that leveled multiple businesses and apartments in January

• McDonald's off the 101 near the mall is now open 24 hours on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, joining Taco Bell, Jack in the Box, and Tony's late-night eats

• Shotz Coffee expanded out of Fortuna and is now open in Eureka off the 101 in the former Gold Rush Coffee location near Chevron