The Uplift Central Coast Coalition is excited to announce that we have been awarded the $5 million grant through California’s Community Economic Resilience Fund (CERF). We are excited for the opportunity to drive a 2-year planning process to create an inclusive economic development plan for the six Central Coast counties of Santa Cruz, San Benito, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura, with a focus on equity, sustainability, job quality, economic competitiveness and resilience.
Tag: Economic Development Collaborative (EDC)
Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — Golden State Education and Training Grant Program
The Golden State Education and Training Grant Program (GSETGP) supports Californians who lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic with a one-time grant of $2,500 to reskill, up-skill and access educational or training programs to get back into the workforce.
Eligible Applicants:
Were displaced from employment due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To be a displaced worker, individuals would have to had lost their jobs completely, and not just experience a decrease in wages or business
Were not enrolled in a training program or institution of higher education at the time they were displaced from employment
Have been unable to obtain employment that provides an average monthly wage that is equal to or greater than the average monthly wage received from their employment prior to the COVID-19 pandemic
Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) free weekly webinar schedule
VENTURA COUNTY SCORE: LEGAL STEPS TO START A BUSINESS
October 19 @ 10:30 am
Starting a business can be an exhilarating time, where everything seems full of potential and purpose. But navigating the logistics of launching a business can be daunting, so that clients may turn to you with many questions about the process. In this session, Nellie Akalp of CorpNet.com will outline the steps necessary to legally start a business and get up and running on the right foot.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) free webinar schedule
SBA: INTRO TO GOVERNMENT CONTRACTING
October 11 @ 10:00 am
This webinar will provide an overview of SBA programs and services, with an emphasis on SBA’s federal contracting resources! 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.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Bilingual report — Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) Cybersecurity Awareness Month
The Economic Development Collaborative would like to recognize Cybersecurity Awareness Month. The internet has become an invaluable tool for small businesses, opening the door to a wide range of previously unheard-of possibilities. Unfortunately, as e-commerce continues to grow, so does the number of bad actors looking to exploit hard working entrepreneurs. This Cybersecurity Awareness Month, check out the Small Business Administration’s best practices and upcoming events where you can learn how to keep your small business cyber secure.
Cybersecurity Best Practices
Bilingual report — Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — EXTENDED: 2022 COVID-19 Supplement Paid Leave
UPDATE: On September 29, 2021 Governor Newsom signed Assembly Bill 152 into law, extending Supplemental Paid Sick Leave through December 31, 2022. This extension does not allocate additional hours of leave.
2022 COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave (SPSL) took effect on February 19, 2022. This SPSL is only applicable to employers, public or private, with 26 or more employees. Smaller employers will not be covered but may be covered by local supplemental paid sick leave ordinances.
Bilingual report — Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — Director of Lending Celebrates His 10th Year With the EDC
Marvin Boateng started with the Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) as the Director of Lending in 2012. He oversees all of the EDC’s small business loan programs. In 2013, Marvin was recognized by the Pacific Coast Business Times “40 under 40” for his passion for public service. Marvin is an African American Board Leadership Institute Alumna (AABLI), a certified Economic Development Financial Professional (EDFP), and a Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA). Marvin earned a double bachelor’s in African American Studies and Economics from California State University, Northridge, and a Master’s in Public Policy and Administration (MPPA) from California Lutheran University. Mr. Marvin Boateng is a founding Board Member of the Black Cooperative Investment Fund in Los Angeles, California, and Chair of the Sampa Community Educational Project in Ghana, West Africa.
Congratulations, Marvin, on 10 Years with the EDC! We are incredibly grateful for your commitment to the region.
Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) free webinar schedule
SBA: EIDL REGISTRATION, PAYMENTS AND MORE!
October 4 @ 11:00 am
With the COVID EIDL first payment date fast approaching, it is important that recipients of COVID EIDL know and understand the payment process. Join SBA Fresno District Office in this virtual workshop and learn the “How To” payment process for your business COVID EIDL Payments.
Bilingual report — Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — Alondra Gaytán Selected as 40 Under 40 Winner -EDC Business Alert
On Thursday, September 22, EDC’s Director of Strategic Relations, Alondra Gaytán, was recognized as a 40 Under 40 winner of the Pacific Coast Business Times’ (PCBT) annual 40 under 40 event. Each year the PCBT hosts an event to recognize 40 people who positively impact the Tri-county region.
Since childhood, Alondra has always been committed to serving underserved communities. Alondra shared, “I love that every day I contribute, collaborate and strategize ways to build economic growth in the region for now and our future.” As the Director of Strategic Relations, Alondra oversees vital relationships with the community and businesses.
CLICK HERE to read the full article on all 40 Under 40 Recipients.
Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) free webinar schedule
U.S. COMMERCIAL SERVICE: SHOWCASING THE INTERNATIONAL SUCCESS OF HISPANIC-OWNED AND LED BUSINESSES
Septmeber 28 @ 11:00 am
The U.S. Commercial Service invites you to register below for the eighth session of our “From Local to Global: Celebrating Diversity” event series. In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, the U.S. Commercial Service will feature an interactive discussion of how Hispanic-owned and led Southern California-based companies have successfully grown their businesses internationally.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Bilingual report — Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — Honoring Hispanic Heritage Month
The Economic Development Collaborative would like to recognize National Hispanic Heritage Month. Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15 by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.
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The EDC is proud to support our 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
Bilingual report — Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) Free Webinar Schedule
EN ESPAÑOL: SBA Y SCORE: REUNIÓN VIRTUAL EN ESPAÑOL CON MENTORES DE SCORE
Septiembre 20 a las 4:00 pm
Acompaña a la SBA para hablar con los mentores de SCORE. SCORE es una organización, de voluntarios que prestan su tiempo, gratuitamente. Ayudan a las personas a crecer o a crear pequeñas empresas.
HAGA CLIC AQUÍ PARA REGISTRARSE
Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — Free Webinar Schedule
VENTURA COUNTY SCORE: HOW TO RECORD PAYROLL IN QUICKBOOKS ONLINE
September 13 @ 10:30 am
This live, interactive webinar session is designed to help you understand the features, functions and benefits of QuickBooks Online for small business owners as well as assist you in implementing accounting best practices to manage your business finance. This webinar will concentrate on steps to properly record payroll transactions that are administered.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — Selling Online to Latin America
Learn How Selling to Latin America’s Online Consumers Could Be Your Next Big Growth Opportunity!
Grow Big Initiative (GBI) is back with their MASSIVE Latin America Market Entry through eCommerce Direct Sales workshop. Gain immediate access to the 330mm people online across the region without writing any customs clearance paperwork, setting up bank accounts or creating any in-region marketing, payments or fulfillment infrastructure.
September 22 at 10:00 am PST
Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — Fathomwerx Summit -EDC Business Alert
FATHOMWERX Summit, with participation from Advanced Naval Technology Exercise (ANTX) Coastal Trident Open House and Agility Summit, has the goal of exploring the intersections between industry and the Department of the Navy. This inclusive event will be filled with tested technologies, demonstrations, tours, networking, keynote speakers, panels and the Department of the Navy program representatives and stakeholders.
September 14-15, 2022
FATHOMWERX LAB, 319 Ponoma Street, Port of Hueneme,
Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — Free Webinar Schedule
VENTURA COUNTY SCORE: DOUBLE YOUR SALES WITH 5 EASY STEPS
September 7 @ 10:30 am
Are you working too hard to find enough profitable customers and clients for your business? Bring your pen and paper. This hands-on webinar will take you through five specific ways people are doubling and tripling their sales with low-cost and no-cost techniques you can start using almost instantly. Whether you market traditionally or through the Internet, this is one of the most important workshops you will attend this year.
Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) free webinar schedule
VENTURA COUNTY SCORE: CYBERSECURITY-PROTECTING YOUR SMALL BUSINESS
August 30 @ 10:30 am
Even small businesses are not immune from the cybersecurity epidemic. In fact, 60% of small businesses that are hit by a cyber-attack go out of business within six months. That said, there are many tools that are available to protect your small business, many are available in your current IT environment. During the first half of the webinar David will take you through some cybersecurity basics, conduct a demo of how a hack actually occurs, and then give you some tips that you can take back to your IT expert or IT vendor to make sure you are doing the right things in securing your business. David will then conduct a Q&A session to answer your most pressing questions.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Bilingual report — EDC’s Economic 411 Labor Market Report for July 2022
The California Labor Market Information Division (LMID) released its July 2022 report on Friday, Ventura County’s unemployment rate remaining unchanged from June to July at 3.2%, a bit off from our low of 2.7% in May, but still at an extraordinary low. The County benefitted from gains in several sectors—Construction, Manufacturing, Professional & Business Services, Private Education & Health Services, Leisure & Hospitality and Other Services—but on net the gains were overshadowed by large declines in Farm, down by 2,800 jobs, and Public Education, down for summer break by 3,500 jobs. For more on the labor force and specific gains and losses in jobs, see below; for the July data, click here.
Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — Free Webinar Schedule
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD OF VENTURA COUNTY WEBINAR AND CALIFORNIA EMPLOYERS ASSOCIATION: RECRUITING IN A POST-COVID WORLD
August 23 @ 10:00 am
Are you having a difficult time finding qualified people to hire back to work now that many COVID restrictions are easing up? This training shows how the pandemic has changed recruiting and gives you tips on how to market, interview and follow-up to get the best candidates to fill your job requirements.
Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) August Partner Webinar Schedule
Bilingual report — Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — Are You Prepared for the Next Big Disaster?
Economic Development Collaborative is partnering with the California Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency, the California Academy for Economic Development and Edison International to promote the statewide Outsmart Disaster campaign, which equips businesses with the tools and resources they need to be prepared for disaster. Here’s two ways you can take immediate action for your business:
Take the Resilient Business Challenge – a self-guided, five-step process to help your business become more resilient. CLICK HERE
Watch a recording of a Disaster Resiliency Clinic and receive a walkthrough of the basics of preparedness and the campaign’s Resilient Business Challenge. CLICK HERE
Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — Free Webinar Schedule
IN-PERSON EVENT: SANTA BARBARA COUNTY SCORE: BOOKKEEPING BASICS: TIPS AND TOOLS FOR STARTUPS AND SMALL BUSINESSES
August 18 @ 10:00 am
As a small business, it’s important to get your head around company finances in order to maximize profits and margins. This can only be accomplished when your bookkeeping is in order. During this interactive session, Accounting Expert, Juliana Ramirez, will walk you through small business bookkeeping and small company accounting tips and tools to help you ensure your bookkeeping is in order and move your business forward as you start, maintain, and grow. Address: Workzones Santa Barbara, 351 Paseo Nuevo, Fl 2, Santa Barbara, CA, 93101.
Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) free webinar schedule
BUSINESS RESOURCES FOR VETERANS FROM THE SBA
August 2 @ 12:00 pm
Did you know that the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has resources and programs for Veterans and the military community? If you are a transitioning or active-duty service member, National Guard or Reserve member, veteran of any era or military spouse, the SBA is here to help. Through training programs, contracting opportunities and access to capital, the SBA is here to help your business start, grow, expand or recover. You can access the SBA’s Veteran resources through the Southern California Veteran’s Business Outreach Center!
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Bilingual report — Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — Employee Retention Tax Credit
Bilingual report — Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — Loan Opportunity for Businesses
As the region’s largest economic development public-private partnership, the Economic Development Collaborative works with more than 30 professional advisors on contract and a full time loan fund director, available to local businesses at no cost all designed to pair you with the financial expertise and right amount of capital you need to move your business forward.
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Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — Labor Market Report for June 2022
The California Labor Market Information Division (LMID) released its June 2022 report on Friday, Ventura County losing a bit of ground from our unprecedented low unemployment rates the last two months, slipping up in June to 3.2%, from our low of 2.7% in May. While our overall job gains in June were low, which is somewhat discouraging, our rise in the unemployment rate is mostly seasonal, from a drop in Farm jobs and also tied to the summer slowdown in education.
Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — Free Webinar Schedule
BUSINESS RESOURCES FOR VETERANS FROM THE SBA
August 2 @ 12:00 pm
Did you know that the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has resources and programs for Veterans and the military community? If you are a transitioning or active-duty service member, National Guard or Reserve member, veteran of any era or military spouse, the SBA is here to help. Through training programs, contracting opportunities and access to capital, the SBA is here to help your business start, grow, expand or recover. You can access the SBA’s Veteran resources through the Southern California Veteran’s Business Outreach Center!
Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) Business Alert — California Competes Tax Credit and Grant 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:
July 25, 2022 – August 15, 2022
January 3, 2023 – January 23, 2023
March 6, 2023 – March 20, 2023
Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — Free Webinar Schedule
BUSINESS RESOURCES FOR VETERANS FROM THE SBA
August 2 @ 12:00 pm
Did you know that the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has resources and programs for Veterans and the military community? If you are a transitioning or active-duty service member, National Guard or Reserve member, veteran of any era or military spouse, the SBA is here to help. Through training programs, contracting opportunities and access to capital, the SBA is here to help your business start, grow, expand or recover. You can access the SBA’s Veteran resources through the Southern California Veteran’s Business Outreach Center!
Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — Free Webinar Schedule
VENTURA COUNTY SCORE: HOW TO RECORD PAYROLL IN QUICKBOOKS ONLINE FROM THIRD PARTY COMPANIES
July 12 @ 10:30 am
This live, interactive webinar session is designed to help you understand the features, functions and benefits of QuickBooks Online for small business owners as well as assist you in implementing accounting best practices to manage your business finance. This webinar will concentrate on steps to properly record payroll transactions that are administered by third party companies like ADP and Paychex. Juliana Ramirez from JR Bookkeeping will live answer your questions related to the subject matter including live demonstrations.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) Free Webinar Schedule
VENTURA COUNTY SCORE: HOW TO INFLUENCE, PERSUADE AND SELL ANYONE
July 6 @ 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.
Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — Free Webinar Schedule
SHOWCASING THE INTERNATIONAL SUCCESS OF LGBTQ+ OWNED AND LED BUSINESSES
June 29 @ 11:00 am
The U.S. Commercial Service invites you to register below for the fifth session of their “From Local to Global: Celebrating Diversity” event series. In celebration of Pride Month, the U.S. Commercial Service will feature an interactive discussion of how LGBTQ+ owned & led Southern California-based companies have successfully grown their businesses internationally.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — Honoring Pride Month
EDC’s Economic 411 Labor Market Report
The California Labor Market Information Division (LMID) released its May 2022 report last Friday, Ventura County breaking for the second month in a row our lowest recorded unemployment rate going all the way back to 1990, down from 3.0% in April to 2.7% in May. While both April and May were record-setting, the May number is truly remarkable, the first time in at least 32 years that Ventura County has dropped below three percent. For the May data, click here.
That noted, you may recall from our prior recent reports that we’ve become less interested in the unemployment rate as an indicator of our economic health, and more focused on the size of our total labor force and the total numbers of employed workers and industry jobs. On each of those fronts we at least moved very moderately in the right direction in May, but not enough to suggest that our local economy is anywhere near fully recovered.
Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — Free Webinar Schedule
SBA: CELEBRATE PRIDE WITH SBA AND JWBC
June 21 @ 9:30 am PST
Join the SBA North Florida District Office (NFDO) and JWBC as we recognize and celebrate Pride Month, by delivering key information that will benefit future and existing small business owners at no cost! The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) network for LGBTQ+ Businesses aims to bring focus on economic empowerment in the LGBTQ+ business community by providing access to SBA’s programs and services and recognizes the importance of greater inclusion at all levels and in all communities. Discussions will include a local business owner from the LGBTQ+ business community and resources available to launch and take your business to the next level through the SBA North Florida District Office, SCORE Jacksonville & JWBC. There will also be resources that support LGBTQ+ communities available to connect with. If you plan on attending this free virtual event, you must register, to save your virtual seat!
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) Free Webinar Schedule
VENTURA COUNTY SCORE: QUICKBOOKS ONLINE AND BEST ACCOUNTING PRACTICES: AN OPEN TOPIC INTERACTIVE SESSION
June 14 @ 10:30 am
This live, interactive webinar session is designed to help you understand the features, functions and benefits of QuickBooks Online for small business owners as well as assist you in implementing accounting best practices to manage your business finance. This webinar will concentrate on setting up QuickBooks Online for your business. Juliana Ramirez from JR Bookkeeping will live answer your questions related to the subject matter including live demonstrations.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — Free Webinar Schedule
VENTURA COUNTY SCORE: PANEL DISCUSSION: FUNDING YOUR FRANCHISE AND LEGAL ASPECTS TO CONSIDER
June 8 @ 10:30 am
Have you ever thought about owning your own business, but were worried about legal and liability issues? What are the funding options available in today’s lending climate? This casual panel discussion featuring a franchise consultant, a small business attorney and a funding expert will answer your burning questions. SCORE’s goal is to help you gain an understanding as to whether entrepreneurship makes sense for you, to understand the unique legal requirements for franchisors and franchisees in California and to gain insight into funding strategies for your business.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — Free Webinar Schedule
VENTURA COUNTY SCORE: ASK THE EXPERTS – 90-MINUTE POWER-PANEL ON “GROWING AND PROTECTING YOUR BUSINESS”
June 1 @ 10:30 am
In this workshop, you will learn how to improve your business’s chance of being found in relevant online searches. SCORE will cover the building blocks of bringing exposure to your Google My Business listing and how to leverage the Google local pack ranking algorithm to show up above your competitors online. You won’t want to miss this webinar!
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — Honoring Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
The Economic Development Collaborative would like to recognize National Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month. Observed annually in May, AANHPI Heritage Month is a time to reflect upon and celebrate the remarkable role of the AANHPI community in our nation’s history. To commemorate AANHPI Heritage Month, the Small Business Administration highlights resources, funding, and training available to all AANHPI-owned small businesses and entrepreneurs.
The EDC is proud to support our community by providing professional technical assistance through our Small Business Development Center. Our NO-COST advising areas include:
Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — Economic 411 Labor Market Report
The California Labor Market Information Division (LMID) released its April 2022 report on Friday, showing an extraordinary improvement in the unemployment rate, down all the way from an already unprecedented low of 3.5% in March to 3.0% in April. Though rather than being encouraged by that data, we’re more convinced than ever that the unemployment rate in the COVID recovery era is all but meaningless as an indicator of our regional economic condition.
For the April data, click here. For our commentary on it all, or on why we’ve mostly given up on the unemployment rate as a measure of recovery, please read on.
Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — Free Webinar Schedule
STARTING YOUR BUSINESS IN LOMPOC
May 26 @ 12:00 pm
Turn your 2022 business goals into a realty! Join the EDC SBDC, the Small Business Development Center serving Santa Barbara County, the City of Lompoc and the Lompoc Valley Chamber of Commerce in this FREE webinar to learn more about starting your business in Lompoc.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — New Retirement Savings Requirement for Small Businesses
Did you know that any employer with at least five California-based employees, at least one of whom is age eighteen, that doesn’t already offer a workplace retirement savings vehicle will be required by state law to do so by June 30, 2022?
Businesses can either begin offering retirement savings through the private market or through CalSavers!
The CalSavers program ensures nearly all Californians have access to a workplace retirement savings program by offering employees a completely voluntary, low cost, portable retirement savings vehicle with professionally managed investments and oversight from a public, transparent board of directors, chaired by the California State Treasurer.
Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — Free Webinar Schedule
VENTURA COUNTY SCORE: IMPROVE YOUR GOOGLE RANK: BEING FOUND AND CHOSEN ONLINE
May 17 @ 10:30 am
In this workshop, you will learn how to improve your business’s chance of being found in relevant online searches. SCORE will cover the building blocks of bringing exposure to your Google My Business listing and how to leverage the Google local pack ranking algorithm to show up above your competitors online. You won’t want to miss this webinar!
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — Free Webinar Schedule
VENTURA COUNTY SCORE: HOW TO RECORD IN QUICKBOOKS ONLINE FROM THIRD PARTY COMPANIES
May 10 @ 10:30 am
This live, interactive webinar session is designed to help you understand the features, functions and benefits of QuickBooks Online for small business owners as well as assist you in implementing accounting best practices to manage your business finance. This webinar will concentrate on steps to properly record payroll transactions that are administered by third party companies like ADP and Paychex. Juliana Ramirez from JR Bookkeeping will live answer your questions related to the subject matter including live demonstrations.
Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — EDC and Uplift Central Coast Developing Inclusive Coalition to Access CERF
The six-county Uplift Central Coast Coalition—led by the Economic Development Collaborative, REACH and Monterey Bay Economic Partnership (MBEP)—is excited to announce its continued partnership to develop an application and secure our region’s share of California’s new $600 million Community Economic Resilience Fund (CERF).
The six county region as defined by the state for the CERF program and funding includes Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito.
The purpose of CERF is to support new plans and strategies to diversify local economies and develop sustainable industries that create high-quality, broadly accessible jobs for all Californians.
Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) Free Webinar Schedule
VENTURA COUNTY SCORE: FRANCHISE OWNERSHIP 101
May 04 @ 10:30 am
Starting a business through a franchise is often the shortest path to profitability, and some of them require as little as $60K to start and can operate out of a home office. But where do you start? Join SCORE to learn franchising basics, including the array of categories, investment levels, and ownership options available, and how to go about defining your vision to make sure you’re selecting the RIGHT fit for YOU!
Bilingual report — Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — National Small Business Week
For more than 60 years, the president of the United States has recognized the National Small Business Week (NSBW) as May 1 – 7, 2022. NSBW recognizes the critical contributions of America’s entrepreneurs and small business owners.
Join us in celebrating National Small Business Week and participate in the following events throughout the week! These events are free (provided by the Fresno SBDC Network) and will cover different information that will help you START, GROW and EXPAND your small business.
Para leer este boletín en español, haga clic aquí
Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — Free Webinar Schedule
U.S. COMMERCIAL SERVICE: FROM LOCAL TO GLOBAL: CELEBRATING DIVERSITY: SHOWCASING THE INTERNATIONAL SUCCESS OF ARAB AND MIDDLE EASTERN-OWNED AND LED BUSINESSES
April 27 @ 11:00 am
In celebration of National Arab American Heritage Month, join the U.S. Commercial Service for the third session of their “From Local to Global: Celebrating Diversity” event series, as we feature a dynamic panel of Arab and Middle Eastern American founders and leaders from Southern California based companies, who will share how they have successfully grown their businesses internationally. Learn about the opportunities to seek out, as well as the challenges to avoid as you launch or expand your international business. Receive information and resources that will help you chart your path to global sales and expansion success.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — Economic 411 Labor Market Report for March 2022
The California Labor Market Information Division (LMID) released its March 2022 report on Friday, back on its regular schedule of the 3rd Friday of the month, this month again showing some strong gains for Ventura County, adding a net 3,000 jobs and the unemployment rate dropping from 4.1% in February to 3.5% in March. While the unemployment rate continues to move in the right direction, it’s not so much on the creation of new jobs, rather it’s on a depressed labor force, still down 11,900 workers since just before the pandemic.
Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) — Free Webinar Schedule
SANTA BARBARA SCORE: WHY YOUR WEBSITE SHOULD BE A TOP MARKETING PRIORITY
April 20 @ 10:00 am
It’s important that businesses make their website a priority and the foundation of their digital marketing in order to achieve optimal success. With only having a few seconds to engage website visitors, your visuals and content need to be spot on. Join SCORE to learn the latest website best practices and techniques for making your website a more effective sales tool.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER