Sonoma County Workforce Investment Board

Economic Development

Jump to: Economic Development Board | Small Business Development Center | Sonoma County BEST

The Sonoma County Workforce Investment Board is proud to partner with visionary organizations who seek to grow Sonoma County.

The Economic Development Board is a county department that provides assistance services directed toward encouraging the startup, retention and expansion of Sonoma County businesses and jobs, particularly with small businesses; creation of new jobs and employment opportunities; and diversification of economic activity and strengthening the County's tax base. The Economic Development Board maintains several countywide programs:

  • Sonoma Green Business Program - In collaboration with the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) and the Business Environmental Alliance (BEA), the Sonoma Green Business Program assists, recognizes and promotes businesses that operate in an environmentally responsible way. Businesses must be in compliance with all environmental regulations and meet program standards to participate.

  • Film Office - Resources for film companies looking to shoot in Sonoma County. Information on permits, local industry services, shooting locations, weather conditions in the area and much more.

  • Sonoma County Connections - A merger of marketing, management, and networking initiatives provides links to an array of relocation information. Whether you want a list of private schools, museums, attractions, restaurants, wineries, or information on how to vote, pay your electric bill, and find a bank, this comprehensive web site offers all the resources and tools necessary to facilitate your transition into a new Sonoma County lifestyle.

  • Innovation Council - The Council’s purpose is to recommend a plan of action - including benchmarks, timelines, roles and responsibilities - for dealing with the economic challenges facing Sonoma County in the next 10 years. Because the challenges are great and resources are limited, this project will provide the county’s economic factors - business owners, government agencies, educational providers, business/professional organizations, and other interest groups - the opportunity to work together with the community in a coordinated effort to promote sustainable economic development.

  • Recycling Market Development Zones - The Recycling Market Development Zone (RMDZ) program is specifically designed for businesses and manufacturers that utilize products that would normally end up in a landfill.

  • Worksite Wellness Resources - Worksite Wellness promotes the business and community value of healthy workforce initiatives among Sonoma County employers.
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The Small Business Development Center, hosted by Santa Rosa Junior College, is a valuable resource for the small business communities in Marin and Sonoma counties. The center assists small businesses by providing no-cost, one-on-one professional business counseling, low-cost workshops and seminars, and a resource library, all targeted to the small business. Their mission is to provide quality management and technical assistance for existing and potential small businesses, resulting in success for the entrepreneur, sustainable economic growth, and prosperity for our local communities.

Sonoma County BEST, Building Economic Success Together, is a five-year strategic plan for job creation and prosperity to directly address out economic challenges. BEST is a collaboration between the private sector, various government agencies, and local educational institutions.

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