The Sierra Economic Development Corporation (SEDCorp) celebrated its 40th anniversary last week as a non-profit organization devoted to supporting the economic development of the rural communities north and east of Sacramento.    Celebrated at The Ridge in Auburn, SEDCorp hosted a two-hour celebration featuring Dianne Church, Economic Development Representative, U.S. Department of Commerce E.D.A., Chuck Clendenin, Business & Cooperative Program Director, U.S.D.A. Rural Development and Jim O’Neal, District Director, U.S. Small Business Administration.   Success stories were shared by SEDCorp loan clients, who also provided door prizes for those in attendance.  SEDCorp CEO, Brent Smith, provided insight to the organization’s past and where we are headed in the future.  SEDCorp supports local jurisdictions in their economic development efforts to secure grant funds from a variety of sources for high priority projects.   SEDCorp also supports the region's businesses with a variety of training events ranging from single-subject sessions to intensive three-day business "boot camps" to teach the fundamentals of sound business planning from inception to retirement.   SEDCorp is also a small business lender.  SEDCorp provides a number of loan products sourced from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Department of Agriculture to a service area that extends across all the counties touching the border with Nevada from Sacramento to Oregon.   SEDCorp’s Board of Directors includes eight elected officials and six private sector representatives.  SEDCorp Board of Directors meetings are held the first Wednesday of the month and are open to the public. SEDCorp has made an indelible contribution to the economy of northern California region throughout its 40-year history.  For additional information about SEDCorp, please visit www.sedcorp.biz.