“The annual dredging project not only facilitates safer maritime navigation in the Ventura Harbor but is essential to maintain the economic vitality of commercial fishing, recreational boating, tourism, and all of our waterfront business partners,” shares Brian Pendleton, Ventura Port District General Manager.
IN-PERSON EVENT: SCORE VENTURA COUNTY: FOUR KEY MARKETING STRATEGIES TO ATTRACT MORE CUSTOMERS
March 27 @ 8:30 am
In this workshop you’ll learn SCORE’s top 4 strategies that can impact your Google ranking, including the importance of having your business show up in local search results and how you can leverage online reviews to attract more customers. SCORE will also show you ways you can use different types of paid ad strategies to get in front of more of your targeted customers. Lastly, they will touch on using social media to build your brand and create a more personalized experience for your followers. You don’t want to miss this! Address: Ventura City Hall, Community Meeting Room 202, Second Floor, 501 Poli St Ventura, CA.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
SANTA BARBARA — With the tax deadline around the corner, United Way of Northern Santa Barbara County is helping any taxpayer in Santa Barbara, regardless of income, receive each and every tax credit they are eligible for and maximize people’s tax returns completely free of charge — would you be interested in learning more?
Those interested in free tax services can go to the My Free Taxes website, enter their zip code, select an appointment time, and indicate language preferences (Spanish language support is available) and whether they need ITIN assistance.
The grants available are designed to revitalize and encourage the arts community in Ventura County. They aim to foster creativity, cooperation, and a greater involvement in the arts throughout the county. Whether you are an independent artist or part of an organization, you may be eligible to apply for these grants. The grants can be used to cover general expenses and to support new or existing projects.
SBA: WOMEN OWNED SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM WORKSHOP
March 20 @ 10:00 am
Join the Small Business Administration (SBA) Los Angeles District Office for a virtual workshop to increase your potential for federal contract opportunities through the WOSB program certifications. This virtual workshop is targeted to small businesses located in the SBA Los Angeles District Office service area — Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara counties.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
The Economic Development Collaborative would like to recognize Women’s History Month. Since 2010 the EDC has counseled over 3,000 women owned businesses and has helped generate over $22 billion in revenue. The EDC is dedicated in supporting women with achieving their business goals.
The EDC is proud to support the community by providing professional technical assistance in English and Spanish through our Small Business Development Center. Our NO-COST advising areas include:
Start-up Guidance
Marketing & Branding
International Trade
E-commerce & Social Media
Manufacturing Assistance
Legal Compliance
Strategic Planning
QuickBooks & Accounting
And MORE
THOUSAND OAKS — The Southeast Ventura County YMCA seeks sponsors for its 25th Annual National Day of Prayer Breakfast. The breakfast is Thursday, May 2 at CLU’s Gilbert Sports Center in Thousand Oaks. The breakfast brings the spiritual communities of all faiths together to celebrate fellowship and prayer. The theme this year is “Pray For Peace.”
The prayer breakfast will be from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and will include speakers, spiritual and community leaders providing invocations and prayers, and live musical performances.
In December, the Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 to take the first step by adopting the Housing Element Update, which contains over 30 programs and policies designed to create more housing opportunities. Some of them include:
Work to develop a local preference program so that those who live and work here have first priority for new housing
Requiring affordable housing in new rental projects
Creating housing for farmworkers and other local employees
Increasing housing and emergency shelters for the homeless
“Through the commitments outlined in this MOU, our graduates will have a chance to access a high-quality, affordable college education close to home,” said Fillmore High School Principal Keith Derrick. “We are excited to work with CSUCI to enhance our students’ success and future options. This agreement is an important investment in the young people of our community.”
SAN LUIS OBISPO — Uplift Central Coast Coalition (Uplift) is thrilled to announce it has been awarded $14 million from the California Regional Investment Initiative of the California Jobs First program (formerly known as the Community Economic Resilience Fund or CERF). Launched in 2021 by Governor Newsom, this initiative supported the establishment of Uplift, a coalition convened by three economic development agencies: REACH, Economic Development Collaborative (EDC), and Monterey Bay Economic Partnership (MBEP). The $14 million in funding, known as the “Catalyst Program,” will bolster Uplift’s ongoing efforts to craft strategic roadmaps and recommend investments for the 6-county Central Coast region.
AGOURA HILLS — Three “Be Like Carter” scholarships were awarded to Agoura High School students earlier this month. The scholarships are given out twice a year in memory of Carter Stone, an incoming freshman at Agoura High who passed away in 2022 unexpectedly just before the start of the school year and after making the football team.
Scholarship winners are Carter Roberts, a 12th grader who is on the football and baseball teams and overcame two injuries that required surgeries to continue to compete, Addison Reyes, an 11th grader who excels in track and field and soccer and, in addition, teaches kids to surf and Colin Hook, a 12thgrader who plays varsity football for Agoura High and is a certified lifeguard.
The plight of each of our unhoused neighbors is complicated,” stated 2ndDistrict Supervisor Jeff Gorell. “It requires an all-hands-on-deck approach. That’s what we are doing in the County of Ventura through the bold actions from the Board of Supervisors and recently adopted initiatives through the Strategic Plan Priority to Address Homelessness and lift up the most vulnerable.”
The expanded two-year Promise, also known as HP2, was announced on March 8 as the college welcomed more than 2,000 local high school students to its campus for the annual Career Exploration Day event. Many of the students in attendance will benefit from the Promises expansion when it goes into effect in Fall 2024.
“We’ve covered first-year tuition for five years now, and that has significantly increased the number of local students who have access to a college education,” said Hancock Superintendent/President Kevin G. Walthers, Ph.D. “The two-year Promise will better support those students as they work to complete their degrees.”
SBA: DOING BUSINESS WITH THE US DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
March 13 @ 11:00 am
Join SBA as they discuss Federal Contracting Set-aside with the US Department of the Army – (US ARMY). Attend to learn about OSDBU’s role and how it can benefit your business, how to effectively position your business for federal contracting opportunities and explore key resources and tools available to support your business growth in the federal marketplace.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Homebuyer Workshop
Saturday, March 9, in-person @ Thousand Oaks
Saturday, March 16, in-person @ Bakersfield
Saturday, March 23, online
The grants available are designed to revitalize and encourage the arts community in Ventura County. They aim to foster creativity, cooperation, and a greater involvement in the arts throughout the county. Whether you are an independent artist or part of an organization, you may be eligible to apply for these grants. The grants can be used to cover general expenses and to support new or existing projects.
SBA: HOW TO DO BUSINESS WITH THE US DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES (HHS)
March 5 @ 12:00 pm
Hear directly from the Executive Director of OSDBU at HHS about their procurement process and priorities for 2024. Join BSA as they discuss Federal Contracting Set-aside with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
California is currently experiencing an unusually high?number?of invasive fruit fly?detections, resulting in quarantines being established across numerous California counties, including Ventura County. These invasive fruit fly species – including Mediterranean fruit fly, Oriental fruit fly, Queensland fruit fly and tau fruit fly – are considered not established in California. The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), in cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and various County Agricultural Commissioners, has initiated local regulatory measures to eradicate and prevent the further spread of these fruit fly species statewide.
CAMARILLO — The Camarillo Sunrise Rotary Club, a local service organization comprised of local business leaders and committed to a wide range of local and global causes, has been a long-time supporter of kidSTREAM, Ventura County’s only children’s museum. The Rotary Club is hosting the Fourth Annual kidSTREAM Charity Golf Tournament at Las Posas Country Club Golf Course on Monday, April 29.
There are a few spots for golfers remaining through sponsorship of the tournament, and they can be found by going to kidSTREAM’s website at kidSTREAM.org, under “Upcoming Events”. In addition to the golf tournament a 3-day silent online auction will open to the public on tournament day.
The California Competes Tax Credit (CCTC) is an income tax credit available to businesses that want to locate in California or stay and grow in California. Businesses of any industry, size or location compete for over $180 million available in tax credits by applying in one of the three application periods each year. Applicants will be analyzed based on twelve different factors of evaluation, including number of full-time jobs being created, amount of investment, and strategic importance to the state or region.
VENTURA — On Tuesday, Feb. 27, the Ventura County Board of Supervisors adopted significant measures to combat homelessness with a proactive approach aimed at reducing the number of individuals facing housing instability. The actions taken by the Board reflect a comprehensive strategy outlined in the Updated Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness, as presented by LeSar Development Consultants on December 19, 2023, and align with the Board’s adopted Strategic Plan Priority to Address Homelessness and Lift Up the Most Vulnerable.
Recognizing the urgency of the issue, the Board has adopted recommendations to address homelessness from multiple angles, including homelessness prevention and rapid re-housing, housing prioritization, regional coordination, outreach, service delivery, data-driven decision making, and representation.
SANTA BARBARA — Santa Barbara City College invites all college students to the Financial Aid Fest on Wednesday, February 28, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on SBCC’s Cliff Campus in the Eastern courtyard of the Student Services Building (East Campus).
Expert specialists will be available to assist students in completing FAFSA and Dream Act Applications. This event is open to ALL college students including AB-540 students and students from other colleges and universities like UCSB, Westmont, and Antioch are welcome to receive support.
DEMYSTIFYING THE FDA MOCRA 2022 COSMETICS RULES: WHAT BEAUTY BRANDS NEED TO KNOW
February 28 @ 10:00 am
Join Women in International Trade Orange County (WITOC) and the Economic Development Collaborative Go Global Trade Program (EDC GGTP) as we partner with Krieger Worldwide for an informative webinar explaining the key provisions of the forthcoming Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act of 2022 (MoCRA) and how it establishes new requirements for the importation of cosmetics. This legislation introduces new requirements for cosmetic safety substantiation, supply chain transparency and labeling. Experts from Krieger Worldwide will provide clarity on the act’s scope, compliance timelines and strategies for company readiness.
SANTA BARBARA — Certified Financial Planner Dianne Duva, a founding partner of the wealth management firm Arlington Financial Advisors in Santa Barbara, has been named the company’s new managing partner.
A graduate of The George Washington University in Washington, D.C., Duva has worked at Arlington Financial Advisors since the firm launched in 2010. She advises high-net-worth families, business owners and women in transition. She helps clients understand and manage their net worth and solve complex financial problems by offering advice in an array of areas including retirement planning, insurance planning, estate and tax planning, and investment management. She holds the Certified Financial Planner® designation.
DEMYSTIFYING THE FDA MOCRA 2022 COSMETICS RULES: WHAT BEAUTY BRANDS NEED TO KNOW
February 28 @ 10:00 am
Join Women in International Trade Orange County (WITOC) and the Economic Development Collaborative Go Global Trade Program (EDC GGTP) as we partner with Krieger Worldwide for an informative webinar explaining the key provisions of the forthcoming Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act of 2022 (MoCRA) and how it establishes new requirements for the importation of cosmetics. This legislation introduces new requirements for cosmetic safety substantiation, supply chain transparency and labeling. Experts from Krieger Worldwide will provide clarity on the act’s scope, compliance timelines and strategies for company readiness.
VENTURA — United Way of Ventura County’s Landlord Engagement Program has officially provided permanent housing for over 400 people with a 97.4% retention rate. This means 434 individuals, including 74 veterans, 54 seniors, and 153 children, now have a place to call home in our Ventura County community.
Homelessness and housing challenges are continuing to rise due to limited affordable housing supply, extremely low vacancy rates, and rising rents which all elevate the critical nature of this program. UWVC’s Landlord Engagement Program (LEP) advocates for and supports those prioritized for housing vouchers and housing subsidies provided by local jurisdictions and community partners.
“In today’s competitive housing market, many people are struggling to find affordable places to live,” said Mitchel Sloan, president, and CEO of UWVC. “Our Landlord Engagement Program is helping provide a safe place to call home for our community’s most vulnerable individuals, families, seniors and veterans.”
“The community played a pivotal role in creating this report as well as the 33 governance committee members who collaborated on and helped shape and inform the plan and work to date,” said Quinn Brady, Project Director of Uplift. “We are excited to share the outcomes of this collective effort.”
GOLETA — The Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) celebrates a groundbreaking achievement as it extends its Digital Upskilling Training Program to Santa Barbara County, forging a collaborative partnership with the City of Goleta. Originating in Ventura County, EDC’s Digital Upskilling Training Program is a pioneering short-term training program expanding digital skills training opportunities. In addition to the program’s training goals, the initiative strives to create a replicable model that can be expanded statewide.
DEMYSTIFYING THE FDA MOCRA 2022 COSMETICS RULES: WHAT BEAUTY BRANDS NEED TO KNOW
February 28 @ 10:00 am
Join Women in International Trade Orange County (WITOC) and the Economic Development Collaborative Go Global Trade Program (EDC GGTP) as we partner with Krieger Worldwide for an informative webinar explaining the key provisions of the forthcoming Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act of 2022 (MoCRA) and how it establishes new requirements for the importation of cosmetics. This legislation introduces new requirements for cosmetic safety substantiation, supply chain transparency and labeling. Experts from Krieger Worldwide will provide clarity on the act’s scope, compliance timelines and strategies for company readiness.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
AI FOR SMALL BUSINESS MARKETING: SUPERCHARGE YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA CONTENT CREATION WITH THE POWER OF AI
February 28 @ 12:00 pm
Part 2 of the AI webinar series. Explore the real-world applications of AI. Don’t miss out on unlocking the potential of AI for your business success. Offered in partnership with EDC, WEV and SCORE. Spanish interpretation will be available.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
SCORE VENTURA COUNTY: FRANCHISING 101 FOR VETERANS
January 31 @ 1:00 pm
Did you know that 1 out of 7 franchises is owned by a Veteran? Franchises appreciate the mindset and skills that military professionals possess and in appreciation, reward them with discounts and incentives if they are awarded a franchise. There are many misconceptions surrounding franchises and how a successful placement works. Also, with thousands of brands across nearly 100 categories, how would one really know which one is right for them? If a franchise is something you are thinking about for now, or someday this webinar is for you.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
-PURCHASE TICKETS- THANK YOU to our Nautically Noble Sponsors! Thomas & Nancy Crawford Sintija Kemezys Felder CenCal Health William & Jocelyne Meeker Katina Zaninovich Castle Wealth Planning Dr. David & Patty Medina Montecito Village Travel NS CERAMIC, Inc. Mark and…
Every few years Ventura County Animal Services holds a Dog Bed Donation Drive to replace kennel beds that have become damaged due to the wear and tear of thousands of animals. We need 205 beds to replace all beds at the Camarillo and Simi Valley Shelter. Will you donate a dog bed?
Visit www.vcas.us/DogBedDonation to donate a bed directly to the shelter. On this page you will find the exact type of bed our dogs need, and you’ll see how many beds have already been purchased. Beds are automatically shipped to the Camarillo Shelter. Feel free to leave an “In Memory of” or “In Honor of” message when checking out. Thank you so much for your support!
SANTA BARBARA — DignityMoves’s Santa Barbara Capital Campaign has been awarded a $100,000 grant from the James M. Cox Foundation. The Foundation is the charitable arm of Cox Enterprises, parent company of Cox Communications, and named after the company’s founder. The funds will support a housing community called “La Posada Village,” with the goal of reducing homelessness in Santa Barbara County.
“DignityMoves is honored to be the recipient of a James M. Cox Foundation grant. We are incredibly grateful for this type of community support. Without partners like Cox, we cannot help as many people as we do,” said Jack Lorenz, Regional Advancement Director for DignityMoves.
AI FOR SMALL BUSINESS 101: HOW TO LEVERAGE AI TO ACCELERATE YOUR BUSINESS GROWTH
January 24 @ 12:00 pm
Explore the real-world applications of AI. Don’t miss out on unlocking the potential of AI for your business success. Offered in partnership with EDC, WEV and SCORE. Spanish interpretation will be available.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
EN ESPAÑOL: IA PARA NEGOCIOS 101: CÓMO APROVECHAR LA IA PARA ACELERAR EL CRECIMIENTO DE TU NEGOCIO
24 de enero a las 12:00 pm
Explora las aplicaciones de la IA en el mundo real. No te pierdas la oportunidad de desbloquear el potencial de la IA para el éxito de tu negocio. Ofrecido en asociación con EDC, WEV y SCORE. Habrá interpretación al español.
HAGA CLIC AQUÍ PARA INSCRIBIRSE
VENTURA COUNTY — The Museum of Ventura County extends heartfelt gratitude to our vibrant community for its unwavering generosity, allowing us to offer free admission throughout 2023. As we look ahead to the new year, the Museum of Ventura County, Downtown Ventura location, will undergo a transition in its admission policy beginning February 1, 2024. The grant that has sustained free admission will conclude, necessitating a shift to a sustainable funding model.
Starting February 1, 2024, the Museum of Ventura County, Downtown Ventura, will implement the following admission fees:
OXNARD — Agromin, California’s largest organic waste recycler, received a $10 million grant from CalRecycle’s Organics Grant Program to help communities turn more of their food waste and yard waste into compost.
CalRecycle’s Organics Grant Program is a statewide effort to expand and build new organic recycling facilities, allowing more waste to be recycled instead of ending up in landfills where it emits greenhouse gases.
“The grant funds will help Agromin move forward on expanding our composting facility at Limoneira Ranch in Santa Paula,” says Bill Camarillo, Agromin CEO. “We’re currently processing over one million tons of organic waste a year. Once the expansion is complete, we’ll be able to boost that amount to almost 300,000.”
SANTA BARBARA — Last week, People’s Self-Help Housing (PSHH) broke ground on its newest affordable housing: Buellton Garden Apartments.
Located at 10 & 12 McMurray Road in Buellton, near essential services, this new development is comprised of 89 units. Including one-, two-, and three-bedroom units for low-income households, it features a welcoming community room, well-resourced learning center, and onsite supportive services for residents.
“We are thrilled to bring more affordable housing to the community members of the Santa Ynez Valley with our first ever project in Buellton,” said Ken Trigueiro, PSHH CEO & President. “We look forward to watching this site develop and come to life over the next couple years. It’s been a long time in the making, and we are grateful to officially have shovels in the ground.”
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) issued an Administrative Disaster Declaration on Jan. 10 for damages to businesses and homes resulting from the Storm and Flooding that occurred Dec. 21-23, 2023. It is important that homeowners, renters or business owners apply for assistance to initiate an SBA application as a result of physical damage by the Physical Damage deadline of March 11, 2024. The Economic Injury Deadline is October 10, 2024.
Counties Impacted by the Disaster Declaration
Primary County: Ventura County
Contiguous Counties: Kern, Los Angeles and Santa Barbara. These counties are also eligible for both physical damage and economic injury benefits.
VENTURA COUNTY — The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is offering low-interest disaster loans to non-farm businesses of all sizes, private nonprofits, homeowners and renters who suffered losses caused by the December 2023 Storm and Flooding that occurred December 21 through December 23, 2023.
A SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center has been opened at the South Oxnard Branch Library, 4300 Saviers Road, Oxnard, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays.
