Jordan Blough

Grant & Funding Development Director

Mr. Jordan Blough has worked as a professional consultant for the past five years, with a focus on economic development for the past three. Mr. Blough’s role focuses on connecting LACO’s clients with relevant and accessible funding opportunities to help bring their projects from concept to reality. This includes assessing funding opportunities for fit and likelihood of success, supporting clients as they scope out projects which meet the community’s needs and are compliant with funding source requirements, and developing comprehensive and compelling funding applications. Mr. Blough joined LACO in 2014 with Bachelor’s Degrees in both English and Sociology from the University of California, Davis, and previously worked at a specialty grant writing firm in Paradise, California, which focused primarily on securing federal and private foundation funding for nonprofits and community health centers. Mr. Blough has led or supported successful grant applications funded through agencies such as the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the California State Water Resources Control Board, California Department of Water Resources, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, amongst others. Mr. Blough’s social science background, along with his communication skills and experience as a professional consultant, allow him to help clients assess their community to identify projects which meet the area’s unique needs, are feasible to develop and implement, and justified with clear and compelling narratives and supporting materials. Mr. Blough was born and raised in Willits, California, and takes immense pride in supporting local communities throughout the North Coast.

Team Member Spotlight

Hometown? Years in profession?
“Willits, CA… 6 years.”
What has been your favorite type of project to work on?
“As a grant writer, I naturally take immense pride in identifying, pursuing, and securing funding for our clients. Securing funding for a project which, without a grant, may have never been feasible otherwise, and then seeing the impacts of that project on the ground in our communities really makes my work feel impactful.”
What have you gained from working at LACO?
“It’s obviously impossible to distill down everything I’ve gained here at LACO, but one thing that has become more and more significant over time is the importance of participating in and understanding the communities where we live and work. Our industry plays such a huge role in the way our communities evolve over time, from helping to plan intentional development approaches to maintaining and restoring natural resources to helping businesses expand and grow. I think understanding the community, understanding where we live and what our friends and neighbors value about these places can and should inform our work in a big way. “
What is your proudest moment thus far in your career at LACO?
“Supporting local governments following wildfires. I think it’s safe to say that just about all of us in California have been impacted by wildfires in recent years, but the 2017 Redwood Complex Fire hit especially close to home for me. A family member came within a mile of losing their home in that fire and obviously they ended up with a much better outcome than so many others during that tragic event. Through my work with LACO, I was able to contribute to grant writing and recovery planning with multiple local jurisdictions following that event, and, while challenging, it was also very uniquely rewarding to help support the recovery process in my hometown and the communities where I grew up.”
What is the first concert you ever attended?
“John Mayer on the Battle Studies tour in 2009.”
The best gift you got for yourself?
“I bought myself a DSLR camera for Christmas a few years back and it’s been a really great addition on vacations and camping trips.”
Biggest pet peeve?
“I actually have two: 1) when a fortune cookie contains a statement, rather than a fortune, and 2) squeezing the toothpaste tube from the middle, rather than the end.”
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