Vallejo Business Resource Guide

RESOURCE BUSINESS 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.

It brings the City of Vallejo immense pride to witness the It brings the City of Vallejo immense pride to witness the remarkable achievements of our local remarkable achievements of our local businesses. Vallejo has businesses. Vallejo has emerged as a beacon of progress and community strength, emerged as a beacon of progress and community strength, owing to the collective efforts of our dedicated entrepreneurs owing to the collective efforts of our dedicated entrepreneurs and business owners. From our historic waterfront to the and business owners. From our historic waterfront to the diverse neighborhoods that define our city, Vallejo stands as a diverse neighborhoods that define our city, Vallejo stands as a testament to resilience, innovation, and commitment to growth. testament to resilience, innovation, and commitment to growth. As we look to the future, Vallejo’s Economic Development

It brings the City of Vallejo immense pride to witness the It brings the City of Vallejo immense pride to witness the of Vallejo emerged as a beacon of and community strength, emerged as a progress community strength, to efforts of entrepreneurs owing to the collective efforts of our dedicated entrepreneurs owners. our diverse neighborhoods that define our city, Vallejo stands as a diverse neighborhoods that define our city, Vallejo stands as a growth. testament to resilience, innovation, to future, Vallejo’s

As we look to the future, Vallejo’s Economic Development Department is embarking on ambitious projects aimed at Department is embarking on ambitious projects aimed at fostering a conducive environment for businesses to not only fostering a conducive environment for businesses to not only survive but thrive. This year, we are thrilled to share a new survive but thrive. This year, we are thrilled to share a new initiative that underscores our commitment to business initiative that underscores our commitment to business retention and growth – the launch of the "Economic Vitality retention and growth – the launch of the "Economic Vitality Commission." This program will serve as the cornerstone of our Commission." This program will serve as the cornerstone of our comprehensive business retention strategy. comprehensive business retention strategy.

As we look to the future, Economic Department on Department embarking on projects fostering a conducive environment for businesses to not fostering a conducive environment for businesses to not only year, we are a new year, initiative that underscores our commitment to business initiative that underscores our commitment business growth Vitality – of Commission." This will serve as the our program serve as our strategy. comprehensive business retention strategy.

We are pleased to announce that as part of this initiative, we We are pleased to announce that as part of this initiative, we will be collaborating with the Solano Economic Development will be collaborating with the Solano Economic Development Corporation (EDC). This collaboration aims to leverage the Corporation (EDC). This collaboration aims to leverage the expertise and resources of both the City of Vallejo and the expertise and resources of both the City of Vallejo and the Solano EDC, ensuring a robust approach to supporting our local Solano EDC, ensuring a robust approach to supporting our local businesses. businesses.

We are pleased to announce that as part of this initiative, we We are pleased to announce that as part of this initiative, we collaborating Corporation (EDC). This collaboration aims to leverage the Corporation of of expertise and resources of both the City of Vallejo and the a approach our ensuring a approach supporting our businesses. businesses.

The City of Vallejo is not just committed to growth; we are The City of Vallejo is not just committed to growth; we are committed to growing together. Your success is our success, committed to growing together. Your success is our success, and we believe that by working collaboratively, we can build a and we believe that by working collaboratively, we can build a prosperous future. Thank you for your dedication, and we look prosperous future. Thank you for your dedication, and we look forward to witnessing the continued success of your business. forward to witnessing the continued success of your business.

The City of Vallejo is not just committed to growth; we are The City of Vallejo is not just committed to growth; we are growing together. to Your success, and we believe that by working collaboratively, we can build a we by working collaboratively, we can a future. for dedication, future. Thank for dedication, and we look witnessing success your witnessing your

Vallejo Vallejo

Chamber of Commerce Chamber of Commerce

Business

Business

Education

Education

For over 100 years the Vallejo Chamber of Commerce

For over 100 years the Vallejo Chamber of Commerce has been a community leader in economic has been a community leader in economic development, political oversight, and leadership. development, political oversight, and leadership.

Through the resources and expertise of hundreds of

Through the resources and expertise of hundreds of members, the support of a professional staff, and members, the support of a professional staff, and partnerships with many organizations, the Chamber is partnerships with many organizations, the Chamber is strategically positioned to continue building on the strategically positioned to continue building on the successes of yesterday in order to improve the fortunes successes of yesterday in order to improve the fortunes of tomorrow for all who live and work in Vallejo. of tomorrow for all who live and work in Vallejo.

Please visit our office at 425 A Virginia St., Vallejo, CA Please visit our office at 425 A Virginia St., Vallejo, CA 94590 or call (707) 644-5551. 94590 or call (707) 644-5551.

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.