Category: Finance

Bilingual report — County of Ventura News update for Feb. 3

FEMA Individual Assistance for Storm Recovery Efforts

The January storms resulted in widespread damage across Ventura County, prompting Sheriff Jim Fryhoff to sign a Proclamation of Local Emergency. This proclamation was later ratified by the Ventura County Board of Supervisors and sent to the California Governor requesting his support for the Major Disaster Declaration. Subsequently, and with unanimous support of local congressional delegates, a Major Disaster Declaration was authorized by President Biden, to include Ventura County. This Major Disaster Declaration is key to activating various disaster assistance programs for residents, businesses and public agencies. As a result of those efforts, we are excited to announce that Ventura County has been awarded a Major Disaster Declaration and area residents may be eligible for FEMA Individual Assistance, as well as assistance from other state and federal agencies. 

How to apply:

Ventura College Foundation Provides $776,264 in Direct Student Support During 2021-2022 Academic Year

Ventura College Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides resources and financial assistance to Ventura College students and school programs, distributed $776,264 in direct student support during the 2021-2022 academic year and another $1.24 million to 68 Ventura College programs across 16 department and divisions.

Of the $776,264 in direct student support, $756,908 was in the form of scholarships. “The student scholarship distribution is our largest ever,” says Anne Paul King, Ventura College Foundation executive director. “A growing community donor based helped us reach the $1.24 million mark to support Ventura College programs.”

37th Annual California Strawberry Festival Seeks Sponsors & Exhibitors

The 37th Annual California Strawberry Festival, taking place May 20 and 21, is seeking corporate sponsors and commercial exhibitors. After a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the festival is back at a new location, the Ventura County Fairgrounds in Ventura.

The family-friendly festival attracts over 57,000 visitors and pays tribute to Ventura County’s number one crop: strawberries. Festivalgoers come from throughout Southern California including Los Angeles, Ventura, San Bernardino, Kern, Santa Barbara and Orange counties. They enjoy over 40 strawberry-themed food and beverage stands, up to 200 fine arts and craft vendors, strawberry-themed contests for all ages, a Ninja Nation obstacle course, live entertainment on three stages, fair-style carnival rides and a “build-your-own” strawberry shortcake tent. An estimated 1.5 million strawberries, picked fresh locally, will be eaten during the two-day festival.

DignityMoves and the County of Santa Barbara Announce the Launch of DignityNOW Santa Barbara County, a comprehensive plan to solve the County’s interim housing needs

In partnership with the County of Santa Barbara, DignityMoves announced today the launch of DignityNOW Santa Barbara County, a bold initiative to create sufficient Interim Supportive Housing for everyone experiencing unsheltered homelessness across the County of Santa Barbara.

Yesterday, the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors unanimously supported the updated Community Action Plan which calls for the development of several DignityMoves villages totaling approximately 437 beds, more than closing the existing shelter gap of 432 beds county-wide.

Workforce Development Board of Ventura County Invites Public Comments On Regional And Local Workforce Plans

In 2021, the WDBVC developed Regional and Local Plans and incorporated its strategic priorities and vision, in addition to what is required by the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). Every two years, the WDBVC must update these plans. Therefore, in October 2022, the Board met to update the strategic goals and identify milestones to achieve them before the end of 2023. The Regional and Local Plan updates were developed using various outreach and research methods to ensure that multiple perspectives were identified and heard across sectors and stakeholders and that the reports contained solutions for more robust economic and job growth.

Ventura County Community Development Corp. — Grants available for Thousand Oaks seniors, households affected by the Thomas Fire

Join VCCDC and the Ventura Regional Fire Safe Council to learn about grants that can help seniors living in the areas of Thousand Oaks, Newbury Park and Westlake Village and households impacted by the Thomas Fire with home improvements to prepare their home for wildfires including screening vents, clearing vegetation, tree trimming, gutter cleaning and more!

WORKSHOP DETAILS:
DATE/TIME: Thursday, January 26th @ 6pm
LOCATION: Online (receive link once you register)

Housing Trust Fund Ventura County announces two new Board Directors and appoints new Chair at its Annual Public Meeting

 During its Annual Public Meeting in January, Housing Trust Fund Ventura County announced two new Directors have joined its Board. Executive Director of the Housing Authority of the City of Santa Paula, Elenore Vaughn joins the Board bringing with her two decades of experience in real estate development and public affairs. Joining Ms. Vaughn on the Board is longstanding community member and partner at McCarthy Companies, Sarah McCarthy-Garcia, who brings years of local building and business development experience. The 2023 Board is led by 2023 Chair Tracy McAulay, Management Analyst for the County of Ventura Community Development Division and Vice Chair Ken Trigueiro, CEO & President of People’s Self-Help Housing.

Bilingual report — Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — Get Green Certified For Earth Day 2023

SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS CHALLENEGE

From the California Green Business Network

Most businesses in Ventura, Santa Barbara and Los Angeles counties are now eligible for $500 in incentives to help reduce their operational costs and become a certified Green Business. Start off the new year with a resolution to be green, and get certified by Earth Day 2023! The Sustainable Business Challenge is a great opportunity to start reaping benefits now as your business gets started on its sustainability journey.

First ‘Be Like Carter’ Scholarships Awarded

The first two “Be Like Carter” scholarships were awarded to Agoura High School students in December. The scholarships are awarded in memory of Carter Stone, an incoming freshman at Agoura High who passed away unexpectedly just before the start of the school year and after making the football team.

Winners are Giacomo Likavec a 10th grader who is co-captain of the Agoura High JV football team and a wrestler and Veorah Feddanich, a 9th grader who holds the number one position on the girls’ varsity tennis team.

Aera Energy and Ventura College Foundation establish endowment to award scholarships to students studying STEM and pursuing energy careers

Aera Energy, a longtime leader in the California energy industry, and the Ventura College Foundation (VCF) are excited to support young adults interested in pursuing future careers in energy, through a new endowment that provides STEM scholarships.

The Aera Energy STEM Scholarship Fund will award annual scholarships to students studying and seeking a degree in STEM disciplines and interested in pursuing a career in the energy sector. The endowment was launched through an initial $25,000 donation from Aera in December. A $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to a student every April.

“The future of reliable, safe and affordable energy for this and future generations of Californians relies, in part, on investment in our future workforce. These students are tomorrow’s engineers, teachers and geologists. That’s why Aera supports education in the communities where we operate,” said Amy Fonzo, external affairs advisor at Aera-Ventura. “We’re proud to help the VCF support young adults who are pursuing STEM education. These energy workers of the future will help power our state while innovating new technologies to meet the state’s climate goals.”

Bilingual report — MICOP — Safety Net for All Coalition Statement on the Governor’s Budget 2023 – 2024

The Safety Net for All Coalition is deeply disappointed to see that Governor Newsom’s proposed budget does not include unemployment benefits for excluded immigrant workers. An Excluded Workers Program is an essential step to creating a more equitable and resilient economy that works for all Californians.  

California’s immigrant workers are the foundation of our economy, contributing to its standing as the 4th largest economy in the world. Seventy-eight percent of California’s undocumented immigrants work in industries that are “essential and critical” to the economy, such as agriculture, construction, and domestic work. Yet, due to historic racist exclusions from our safety net, California’s undocumented workers are not able to access economic support when they face unexpected job loss. Despite the fact that California employers pay an estimated $485 million annually into the Unemployment Insurance system on behalf of these workers, these workers are prohibited from accessing these benefits.  

Bilingual report — Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) announces California Competes Tax Credit Program

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.

Application Period Timeline: For the remainder of the 2022-2023, applications for the California Competes Tax Credit will be accepted during the following periods:

January 3, 2023 – January 23, 2023
March 6, 2023 – March 20, 2023

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) free event and webinar schedule

The Economic Development Collaborative encourages you to sign up for our no-cost events and webinars. Space is limited. Register today!

IHUB² TIPS AND TRICKS: BOOT STRAPPING WITH PAUL SHRATER

January 18 @ 6:00 pm

Entrepreneur Paul Shrater co-founded Minimus.biz, the world leader in all things travel-sized and individual-sized. He navigated his company through all its growth stages, developing the marketing, sales, purchasing, operations, administration and accounting departments. Paul acquired extremely valuable tools, processes and strategies along the way and will share these best practices with attendees. A graduate of the acclaimed Wharton School, Paul received a Bachelor of Science in Economics with a concentration in Entrepreneurial Management. He has spoken at several conferences and guest lectured at universities on topics such as film finance, marketing, intellectual property and screenwriting. Location: 4001 Mission Oaks Blvd. Community Room Camarillo, CA 93012.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Santa Barbara County First District Supervisor Das Williams — Year’s End Review

Throughout this year, we have witnessed modern-day war as there are continued attacks on Ukrainians and their sovereignty. We have all experienced the transition out of COVID-19 and continue to see its devastating effects on our mental, physical, and emotional health. This year we have also seen communities continuing to come together to work towards common goals, like the completion of the Randal Road Debris Basin. After two long years of a global pandemic, we finally gathered to celebrate fiestas, birthdays, and other community events. I have continued pushing and advocating for more housing and alternative transportation methods. As we enter 2023, I will continue to advocate for local community needs, help improve our infrastructure and stand up against injustice. Thank you for all your support. Best wishes and a Happy New Year from my family to yours.

Bilingual report — Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — Get Green Certified For Earth Day 2023

From the California Green Business Network

Most businesses in Ventura, Santa Barbara and Los Angeles counties are now eligible for $500 in incentives to help reduce their operational costs and become a certified Green Business. Start off the new year with a resolution to be green, and get certified by Earth Day 2023! The Sustainable Business Challenge is a great opportunity to start reaping benefits now as your business gets started on its sustainability journey.

Wrap up 2022 with a gift to your local Museum!

Dear Friend of the Museum,

If you have already made a contribution to the Museum of Ventura County – THANK YOU for your support!

If you would still like to give a gift, thank you for helping the Museum serve our Ventura County community with:

In-person and virtual school tours
Free events for ALL of the community
In-person and virtual discussions and interviews
Historical articles, lectures and videos
Innovative exhibits
FREE ADMISSION at the Museum of Ventura County downtown and at the Agriculture Museum in Santa Paula

Bilingual report — Happy Holidays from Economic Development Collaborative (EDC)

All of us at the EDC are wishing you and your families a happy and safe holiday season! We are grateful to have worked with you over the last year and are excited to connect with you again in the new year.

The EDC will be closed on:
Friday, December 23
Monday, December 26
Monday, January 2

Need business assistance? CLICK HERE to register for a phone call appointment!

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — free January webinar schedule

SBA: INTRO GOVERNMENT CONTRACTING CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS

January 3 @ 10:00 am

This webinar will provide an overview of SBA programs and services, with an emphasis on SBA’s federal contracting resources! This will be an intro to small business certification programs. Government contracts are a tremendous financial opportunity for small businesses, and the U.S. government is the largest customer in the world. It buys all types of products and services — in both large and small quantities — and it’s required by law to consider buying from small businesses. The SBA has several contracting assistance programs, and federal contracting resources available to assist entrepreneurs. This is a great opportunity to get any questions you may have answered and find out about the multiple resources available to help you on your way to small business success. This event will take place online, please register for the log on information. SBA programs and services are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. For reasonable accommodation request please send an email to lado@sba.gov at least 7 days in advance.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) Free Webinar Schedule

SBA: SAM REGISTRATION – (SYSTEM AWARD MANAGEMENT)

December 22 @ 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 System Award Management Registration. 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. SBA programs and services are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. For reasonable accommodation request please send an email to lado@sba.gov at least 7 days in advance.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

December News from People’s Self-Help Housing

Thanks to your continued and generous support, we are encouraged to be ending 2022 strong! Though many challenges came along this year, there has been much to celebrate:

Construction Pipeline: Taking advantage of all possible solutions to the continuing housing crisis, we put 1,300 units into our pipeline. We built new units, substantially rehabilitated existing ones, and secured several new tracts for ‘self-help’ owner builders.
Creative Collaborations: The brick-and-mortar of construction is only part of the multi-faceted challenge of development. The quest for buildable land saw us creatively collaborating with state and local governments, private owners, and faith-based partners.

Friendship Center Adult Day Services Festival of Hearts 2023 call for sponsorship

We are excited to be holding our biggest fundraiser event of the year in person again! This year we will also be hosting a preview event online, as well as the in-person event.

Thank you for considering sponsoring our Festival of Hearts event, raising funds for low income seniors through our HEART program (Helping Elders at Risk Today)- for those who want to attend our program and are in need of financial assistance.

Choose Ventura County Animal Services as your year-end charity!

Many of our life-saving programs depend on donor dollars from the community. Please consider making Ventura County Animal Services your end-of-year charity. Visit www.vcas.us/donate to make an online donation to our non-profit Foundation. And make your donation before December 31, 2022 to claim the deduction on your 2022 Tax Return. Thank you for your support of our lifesaving mission!

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley still needs your help

There’s still time for you to help make a difference! By supporting the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley this December, you’ll be increasing our ability to impact even more lives in 2023. Your continued generosity this holiday season can bring LEAP programming to any youth who needs it in the New Year.

Please visit our website to give and don’t forget to share our goals and programs on social media!

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) free webinar schedule

VENTURA COUNTY SCORE: HOW TO INFLUENCE, PERSUADE AND SELL ANYONE

December 14 @ 10:30 am

Have you ever struggled to get someone to accept your ideas or buy your product or service? Well, help is finally on the way, with this breakthrough webinar! In less than an hour you will learn how to convince and sell almost anyone. Suddenly, you’ll have an incredible power to persuade all the people in your life, unlike anything you’ve ever been able to do before. From friends and family members to prospects and clients, you will suddenly be able to enjoy more stress-free, predictable and FUN ways to get people on your side and buying from you… whether it be face-to-face, from your website, from your ads and emails and more! In this webinar for small business owners, top behavioral management specialist James I. Bond will share secrets that will help you grow your business and simplify your life almost immediately.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

People’s Self-Help Housing — Your support is needed!

At one of our ten Learning Centers, 62% of students began the academic year two or more grade levels behind their peers. By the end of the year, only 5% of students were still two or more grade levels behind.

Also greatly improved was the number of students reading at or above grade level: increasing from 10 to 42%.

Historic $10.4 Million to Electrify Auto Terminal Will Make the Port of Hueneme the First West Coast Port to Offer All-Electric Plug-in Capable Wharfs

The Port of Hueneme received $10.4 million in funding from Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC) to help build shoreside power plug-in infrastructure on its North Terminal. The Port also recently received state and federal funding from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust to implement innovative technologies to increase electrification efforts, track air quality progress, and further reduce particulate matter. These environmental wins benefit the Port and its surrounding community.

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) Free Webinar Schedule

SBA: 8(A) BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CERTIFICATION WORKSHOP

December 6 @ 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 8(a) Business Development (BD) Program. The SBA’s 8(a) Business Development Program is a nine-year program created to help socially and economically disadvantaged entrepreneurs gain access to—and succeed in—the federal marketplace. Businesses that participate in the 8(a) BD Program receive training, technical assistance, business development services and exclusive access to reserved federal contracting opportunities. Attendees will also have the opportunity to ask questions related to this program. Find out if your eligible! SBA programs and services are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. For reasonable accommodation request please send an email to lado@sba.gov at least 7 days in advance.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

MICOP receives generous grant from The Fund For Santa Barbara

The Fund for Santa Barbara (The FUND) on Nov. 7 awarded Mixteco Indigena Community Organizing Project (MICOP) $10,000 to support our labor justice, youth development and language access programs in Santa Barbara County. The FUND will allocate a total of $103,000 to local nonprofit organizations in Santa Barbara County as part of their annual Fall General Grant Cycle. 

MICOP is extremely grateful for The FUND’s focus on social change and civic action to support its organizing efforts. “Funding organizing efforts to create meaningful change is not easy to get in Santa Maria, our work relies on foundations that know this and make an effort to support, that is why we appreciate The Fund for Santa Barbara.”  said Ana Huynh, MICOP Santa Maria Program Director. 

Bilingual report — Bruce Stenslie Celebrates 15th Year as EDC President and CEO

Meet EDC’s President and CEO, Bruce Stenslie

Bruce Stenslie started with the Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) as the President and CEO in 2007. He has over 30 years of experience in workforce and economic development serving as the Deputy Director for the California Workforce Association, Workforce Policy Director for the City of Los Angeles, Assistant Director of the Ventura County Human Services Agency and Executive Director of the Workforce Investment Board.

United Way of Ventura County — #GivingTuesday is here. How will you change your community today?

Giving Tuesday is a simple and easy way to make a difference in the lives of our neighbors and make our community a stronger and more resilient place to live and work. Become a part of the great work we’re doing and make a gift today. Kick off the season of giving today by making a gift to United Way of Ventura County. With your support, United Way can continue to provide basic needs, emergency support, and advance education, economic mobility, housing & health solutions that make our community stronger. Together, we can make real, lasting change.

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) Free Webinar Schedule

U.S. COMMERCIAL SERVICE: SHOWCASING THE INTERNATIONAL SUCCESS OF NATIVE AMERICAN-OWNED AND LED BUSINESSES

November 30 @ 11:00 am

The U.S. Commercial Service invites you to register below for the tenth & final session of the 2022 “From Local to Global: Celebrating Diversity” event series. In celebration of Native American Heritage Month, the U.S. Commercial Service will feature an interactive discussion of how Native American-owned and led Southern California-based companies have successfully grown their businesses internationally.

Friendship Center and Giving Tuesday— Make a POSITIVE difference in the Quality of Life for a Senior with dementia

Dear Friends,

Thank you for considering donating to Friendship Center and making a positive difference in seniors’ quality of life in a meaningful way.

Please stay tuned for Giving Tuesday tomorrow!

With gratitude,

Friendship Center — A Message From Heidi Holly — Fall Appeal 2022

Thank you for considering sharing your bounty with our members – your financial gift goes a long way in making a difference for elders in our community experiencing dementia and other cognitive and physical challenges. We thank you for contributing to their quality of life in this most meaningful way.

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — Free Webinar Schedule

SBA: WOSB CERTIFICATION – (WOMEN OWNED SMALL BUSINESS)

November 23 @ 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. SBA programs and services are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. For reasonable accommodation request please send an email to lado@sba.gov at least 7 days in advance.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Bilingual report — Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) announces new board of directors members

The EDC Board of Directors is a select group of leaders invited to the table for their vision, passion and ability for setting priorities and positively impacting our region’s economic vitality. Board members participate peer-to-peer with visionary leaders, providing guidance and input into our organizational strategy and capacity for delivering outcome-driven economic development services.

We are thrilled to introduce three new Board of Director Members!

Member: Central Coast Labor Council
Representative: Jeremy Goldberg, Executive Director

Bilingual report — Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) Honoring Native American Heritage Month

The Economic Development Collaborative would like to recognize Native American Heritage Month. The EDC is dedicated to providing equitable access to resources, advising and capital. Since 2010, the EDC has helped generate $2 million in revenue to Native American businesses.

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

If you need assistance with your business, please give us a call:
EDC Business Assistance Line (805) 409-9159

November News from People’s Self-Help Housing

With gratitude I am counting the many blessings 2022 has brought to our organization.

Along with the continued production of affordable housing, which your encouragement, inspiration, guidance and financial resources have made possible, this year we are celebrating ‘20 Years of Supportive Services’.

Since its humble beginnings around a picnic table, and growing to ten sited-based learning centers, our education program ‘Camino Scholars’ has bolstered the efforts of thousands of our youth. Resulting in academic graduations, previously unattainable career paths, and scores of personal success stories. Families have been strengthened, neighborhoods benefitted, and entire communities economically enriched. And because of two decades of having licensed social workers on staff, seniors, veterans, the formerly homeless, and those living with disabilities, have found security, dignity, and independence.

Our supportive services come in many guises; compassionate property management, dedicated maintenance teams, career counselors, fundraisers, financial specialists, information technicians, designers and construction crews, all working together to ensure that our residents have assistance when they need it, and have a place to call home.

Housing Trust Fund Ventura receives $518,000 in support of affordable housing; funds over $4M for Rancho Sierra Senior Apartments near Camarillo

Housing Trust Fund Ventura County is committed to funding the development of safe and equitable homes that make a positive impact in the trajectory of people’s lives. In support of that effort, the nonprofit recently received $18,000 from a combined two operating grants from Citizens Business Bank and the Bank of Sierra and a $500,000 investment from US Bank into its Everyone Deserves a Home Community Impact Note. Funding such as this is pooled with other supportive funding sources to ensure developments like the Rancho Sierra Senior Apartments (Rancho Sierra) are built to foster positive change for individuals and families who face housing insecurity. 

VCCU hires new vice president of consumer and mortgage lending

Ventura County Credit Union has welcomed John Cooke to the team as its new vice president of consumer and mortgage lending. In this role, Cooke, who has more than two decades of experience in credit union leadership, will collaborate with VCCU’s chief lending officer to oversee the credit union’s consumer and mortgage loan products and lending team.

“We couldn’t be more excited to have John on board,” said VCCU’s president and CEO, Linda Rossi. “His unique blend of experience, commitment to lifelong learning and strong leadership skills are already proving to be tremendous assets. He is a fantastic addition to our team, and we look forward to continuing to work with him to benefit our members.”

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — Free Webinar schedule

IN-PERSON EVENT: CUSTOMER DISCOVERY AND RESEARCH TOOLS FOR TECH BUSINESSES

November 17 @ 6:00 pm

The Economic Development Collaborative’s Inclusive Innovation Hub (iHub²) is a technology service and resource program that helps facilitates growth for entrepreneurs and companies in technology. The program provides one-on-one tech-focused advising, mentor matching, funding options, pitch deck development, general business marketing, growth strategies and other technology-focused services to a diverse client base. Reaching out to underserved and underrepresented companies, iHub² collaborates with diverse groups throughout the region to offer a wide variety of networking, mentoring, and industry-focused events, work-shops and networking events.

Bilingual report — Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — Office of Veteran’s Business Development

Year round the EDC offers support to our local veterans who wish to start a business or have an existing business. The EDC offers programs designed to assist businesses in key areas with one-on-one technical advising through the EDC Small Business Development Program (EDC SBDC). In partnership with the Small Business Administration, the EDC SBDC provides entrepreneurs with high level business consulting at NO-COST. For more information on the programs and services the EDC provides CLICK HERE.

For guidance with starting a business or getting guidance with an existing business please call

Oxnard College Awarded $3 Million to Support Latino and Low-Income Students

Oxnard College has received a $3 million federal Title V grant to boost enrollment and provide support for equitable student outcomes among Latino and low-income students as they pursue their college and transfer goals.

Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) throughout the country applied for the competitive grant, which will be distributed over a five-year period. The grant is directed by the U.S. Department of Education’s Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions Program (DHSI).

“Over the last decade, the U.S. Department of Education has placed its faith in Oxnard College by awarding our institution seven competitive grants totaling nearly $30 million to better serve our community’s Latino and underrepresented students,” shared Oxnard College’s Acting President Oscar Cobian. “This most recent grant will transform our students’ lives by helping them thrive academically and transfer to four-year institutions.”

CSUCI receives more than $200,000 for two programs promoting equity for underserved student populations

CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) is one of 17 CSU campuses tapped to receive California State University HSI Community Grants, part of a CSU-wide initiative of the Global HSI (Hispanic-Serving Institution) Equity Innovation Hub (EIH).  

CSUCI’s “Channel Your Potential” initiative received $136,989 and a new program called “Serving Black Students” was awarded $64,460.  

The CSUCI grants were a portion of the more than $2 million awarded to the 17 CSU campuses. The grants will support CSU programs that inspire the next generation of creators and innovators to pursue high-demand careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) and the creative and tech industries. 

Ventura County Credit Union earns Low Income Designation

Ventura County Credit Union is now officially a Low Income Credit Union (LICU). This Low Income Designation, granted by the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation, demonstrates VCCU’s commitment to supporting the underserved.

To receive Low Income Designation, a credit union must show that at least half of its membership is at or below the 80th percentile of area’s median income. Other factors that helped VCCU earn this designation include the financial support provided by both the credit union and its foundation, as well as VCCU’s financial education efforts, partnerships with organizations like MICOP and the Mexican Consulate, and designation as a Juntos Avanzamos credit union.

Bilingual report — Workforce Development Board of Ventura County — Start an Apprenticeship Career!

The Workforce Development Board of Ventura County (WDBVC) and America’s Job Center of California are celebrating National Apprenticeship Week on November 14th, 2022.

“This open house is a fantastic opportunity for anyone considering an apprenticeship career. They can meet representatives from Laborers Local 585 LiUNA, Tri-Counties Sheet Metal Workers JATC, Iron Workers, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), and ask questions,” said Rebecca Evans, Executive Director WDBVC. “Apprenticeships combine hands-on paid work experience with help and instruction to prepare workers for highly-skilled and well-paid careers”

Moorpark College Partners with National Centers for Inquiry and Improvement on Student Financial Stability Initiatives 

Click here to read in web browser.  Moorpark student financial stability profile featured on NCII website MOORPARK — To address barriers impacting students’ success, Moorpark College partnered with the National Center for Inquiry and Improvement (NCII) to conduct an exhaustive,…

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) free webinar schedule

SBA: ACCOUNTING AND BOOKKEEPING TIPS TO WRAP UP YEAR-END

November 8 @ 10:30 am

November and December are some of the busiest months for small business owners. With the holiday shopping season in full swing, it can be easy to get caught up in managing the day-to-day sales and operations. But taking the time to wrap up the year thoughtfully can significantly impact next year. Get a jump start on your year-end checklist and avoid stress by learning how to wrap up your business from Accounting Expert Juliana Ramirez of JR Bookkeeping. Through an interactive webinar, she will share a checklist of tasks you can follow and discuss accounting and bookkeeping tips that can be applied to your small business. Come prepared with your specific questions.

Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) Free Webinar Schedule

SBA: VETERAN ENTREPRENEUR TRAINING

October 31 @ 11:00 am

Like all successful missions, small business ownership and growth starts with training. This workshop will empower service members, veterans, National Guard and Reserve members and military spouses with entrepreneurial trainings and resources right in their local community. Specialized training programs for women veterans, service-disabled veterans and veterans interested in federal procurement will also be discussed.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER