Solano County - Business Resource Guide

BUSINESS RESOURCE GUIDE

CHRIS RICO President & CEO

Solano Economic

Development Corporation

Solano Business Leader,

If you aren’t familiar with the Solano County Economic Development Corporation, allow me to introduce our great organization to you. For over 40 years, we have been entrusted by all seven cities, the county, and the leading employers of Solano County with a goal to bring more prosperity to the people and businesses of our fine region. We sit at the nexus of public and private and our organization also includes workforce development, education, and non-profits. All of these systems work together in service of this prosperity goal. With funding by the Economic Development Administration, we have recently concluded Moving Solano Forward 3, a landscape analysis of our economy to identify key assets, quantify challenges and opportunities, and to provide direction to both the EDC, and all of our economic development partners. This report identified a need for greater connection to our businesses to support them, and ensure that they are aware of, and taking advantage of, any and all local, state, and federal programs that might affect their bottom line.

We are delighted to introduce Nicole Mooc, our new, dynamic, Business Retention and Expansion Manager, who has a passion for supporting our business ecosystem. You can count on her to be available to guide and support you. She will keep you up to date on any new programs that you might not be aware of or currently taking advantage of. If you look at the last page of this resource packet, you’ll see the quality and quantity of leading organizations who support our work. We’re hopeful that you will see the value that we provide and consider supporting us as well.

Here’s to your success.

Cheers.

Dear Solano County Business Owner, Dear Solano County Business Owner,

Welcome to Solano County a vibrant community with a thriving

Welcome to Solano County—a vibrant community with a thriving business landscape! As part of our ongoing commitment to support business landscape! As part of our ongoing commitment to support and enhance local enterprises like yours, we are thrilled to share a and enhance local enterprises like yours, we are thrilled to share a valuable tool designed specifically to assist you on your business valuable tool designed specifically to assist you on your business jjourney. ourney.

Enclosed with this letter, you will find the Solano County Business Enclosed with this letter, you will find the Solano County Business Resource Guide. This guide is a comprehensive resource, Resource Guide. This guide is a comprehensive resource, meticulously compiled to address the unique needs and challenges meticulously compiled to address the unique needs and challenges faced by businesses in our area. Whether you are just starting out or faced by businesses in our area. Whether you are just starting out or looking to expand, the guide offers essential information, from looking to expand, the guide offers essential information, from navigating local regulations to accessing financial assistance navigating local regulations to accessing financial assistance programs. programs.

We understand that the success of individual businesses like yours

We understand that the success of individual businesses like yours contributes to the overall prosperity of our community. Therefore, contributes to the overall prosperity of our community. Therefore, we encourage you to utilize this guide as both a resource and a we encourage you to utilize this guide as both a resource and a companion in your business endeavors. It covers a variety of topics companion in your business endeavors. It covers a variety of topics that are crucial for sustaining and growing your business in our that are crucial for sustaining and growing your business in our ccounty. ounty.

As you explore the possibilities and opportunities in Solano County, As you explore the possibilities and opportunities in Solano County, we hope you will find this guide to be a valuable asset. Should you we hope you will find this guide to be a valuable asset. Should you have any questions or need further assistance, please do not have any questions or need further assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out. Our door is always open to support you in hesitate to reach out. Our door is always open to support you in achieving your business goals. achieving your business goals.

Thank you for choosing Solano County as your business home. We Thank you for choosing Solano County as your business home. We are glad to have you here and look forward to witnessing your are glad to have you here and look forward to witnessing your continued success. continued success.

Benicia Benicia Benicia Benicia

NAACP NAACP

NAACP NAACP

Tri-City Branch

Tri-City Branch

Tri-City Branch

Tri-City Branch

Solano Solano

Solano Solano

Community College Community College

Community Community College

Established in 1945, SCC offers a wide range of academic programs, vocational

Established in 1945, SCC offers a wide range of academic programs, vocational training, and community education courses. Accredited by ACCJC/WASC, SCC training, and community education courses. Accredited by ACCJC/WASC, SCC provides associate degrees, certificates, and transfer pathways to universities. Its provides associate degrees, certificates, and transfer pathways to universities. Its curriculum covers diverse fields such as liberal arts, sciences, business, health curriculum covers diverse fields such as liberal arts, sciences, business, health sciences, technology, and vocational trades, catering to the diverse needs and sciences, technology, and vocational trades, catering to the diverse needs and interests of its student body. With modern facilities and online options, SCC interests of its student body. With modern facilities and online options, SCC supports student success. Its vibrant campus life includes clubs, events, and supports student success. Its vibrant campus life includes clubs, events, and athletics, fostering a strong sense of community. SCC aims to provide accessible, athletics, fostering a strong sense of community. SCC aims to provide accessible, affordable, and quality education for students to achieve their goals. affordable, and quality education for students to achieve their goals.

contact

SOLANO COUNTY OFFERS EXCEPTIONAL VALUE

21 business and industrial parks

21 business and industrial parks

Affordable diverse lifestyles – housing cost

Affordable diverse lifestyles – housing cost

average 50% less than Bay Area average 50% less than Bay Area

High employee productivity ranking, 4 out of 5

High employee productivity ranking, 4 out of 5

1.3 million workers within a 40 mile labor shed

1.3 million workers within a 40 mile labor shed

15-20% lower operating costs than SF or Silicon 15-20% lower operating costs than SF or Silicon

Valley; industrial space 40% less Valley; industrial space 40% less

2.0 million sq. ft. of available industrial, flex and 2.0 million sq. ft. of available industrial, flex and warehouse space warehouse space

One of the strongest manufacturing bases of One of the strongest manufacturing bases of advanced materials, biotech and food & advanced materials, biotech and food & beverage beverage

MOVING SOLANO FORWARD III

Recognizing the need for a more strategic approach to economic

Recognizing the need for a more strategic approach to economic development, the development, the Solano EDC competed for an EDA grant to assist Solano EDC competed for an EDA grant to assist in an in-depth analysis and planning process designed to provide in an in-depth analysis and planning process designed to provide insights and recommendations on building a more resilient local insights and recommendations on building a more resilient local county economy and better define the role EDC should play in that county economy and better define the role EDC should play in that effort. This process brought together public and private leaders to effort. This process brought together public and private leaders to build on existing planning initiatives, Moving Solano Forward II, build on existing planning initiatives, Moving Solano Forward II, Solano Transportation Agency efforts, as well as, county and Solano Transportation Agency efforts, as well as, county and individual city initiatives and plans. individual city initiatives and plans.

Several key themes emerged from quantitative data analysis and

Several key themes emerged from quantitative data analysis and qualitative stakeholder engagement. These themes informed the qualitative stakeholder engagement. These themes informed the review of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT review of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT analysis) and the five goals that comprise the Strategic Action analysis) and the five goals that comprise the Strategic Action Framework. Framework.

To rebuild Solano’s economy and move forward to a sustainable

To rebuild Solano’s economy and move forward to a sustainable future, MSF-III looked at critical components of the economy – how future, MSF-III looked at critical components of the economy – how economic sectors survived, how they shifted, challenges that might economic sectors survived, how they shifted, challenges that might still be faced, indirect impacts, opportunities and longterm actions still be faced, indirect impacts, opportunities and longterm actions needed as a community to recover and rebuild stronger. needed as a community to recover and rebuild stronger.

Solano Biz-Grow

Offers small business loans for Covid-19-affected Solano County businesses. Loan amount: $25,000-$125,000 at a 6% fixed rate for 5 years. Minimum credit score: 630; no prepayment penalty. Contact Wendi Reed at (707)-864-1855 x21 or wendi@solanoedc.org for eligibility.

SBDC provides small business owners and entrepreneurs in both Solano and Napa Counties with the highest quality, confidential business counseling, training, and business research at no cost. Over 20 expert Business Advisors for tailored guidance. Services include expert advising, educational opportunities, and funding support. Contact (707) 646-1071 or visit SolanoNapaSBDC.org for assistance.

Partners with businesses for customized solutions to meet your talent needs. Tailored services for talent recruitment, employee retention, and more. Most services offered at no cost to Solano County businesses. Financial supports and Employer Seminars are also available. Contact Candice Ward at cward@solanowdb.org or visit career centers for information.

The Employment Training Panel (ETP) is a state agency that reimburses costs for employer customized job skills training ETP funds a broad range of employer customized job skills training. ETP can also provide funding for job readiness and ancillary skills training for underserved workforce populations and economically disadvantages communities. Common training topics are: business skills, computer skills, manufacturing skills, continuous improvement, and more. Live orientations available; contact ETPEDUnit@etp.ca.gov or (916) 327-4391.

Find grants relevant to your business at www.grants.ca.gov/ Grants.ca.gov is managed and hosted by the California State Library. State grantmaking agencies input and update their information to make all state grant opportunities searchable on grants.ca.gov.

For grant writing information contact Nicole Mooc at (707) 864-1855 x18 or nicole@solanoedc.org

PG&E is dedicated to enhancing the economic vitality of the communities we serve. There are a variety of energyand money-saving programs available small and medium business customers Programs to help you update equipment cost effectively and improve operations at your business. Includes CA Foodservice Instant Rebates, Simplified Savings, and Utility Economic Development Rate Program. Contact economicdevelopment@pge com or energyadvisor@pge com for assistance

MCE is a not–for–profit, public agency that provides renewable power at stable rates, reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and invest in community energy programs. Programs include Strategic Energy Management, EV Charging Station Rebate, and Peak FLEXmarket. Promotes energy efficiency and emission reduction Collaborates with PG&E for reliable service For more information contact MCE’s Business Relationship Team at: 1-888-632-3674

The Solano Mobility Program provides mobility services and programs for Commuters and Employers in Solano County. The variety of services and programs offer ways to get to and from work. Offers varied programs like Bucks for Bikes, Commute Challenge, and Vanpool Incentives. Partners with Lyft for discounted rides and Amtrak passes Encourages alternative travel modes with Commute Challenge rewards. For more information contact the Solano Mobility Call Center: 1-800-535-6883

Collaboration of nine Bay Area counties promoting energy, water, and greenhouse gas reduction. This program can help upgrade your business systems for utility and energy savings via rebate assistance Upgrades can include: air conditioning, LED lighting, refrigeration equipment, and space and water heating equipment

Contact Nicole Mooc at (707) 864-1855 x18 or nicole@solanoedc org to check eligibility

GO-Biz serves as the State of California’s leader for job growth, economic development, and business assistance efforts. Drives job growth and economic development in California Provides no-cost consultation for incentive identification, site selection, and regulatory compliance Programs include California Competes, R&D Tax Credit, Partial Sales & Use Tax Exemption, and Full Sales & Use Tax Exclusion Contact us at (877) 345-4633 for more information.