Business Resources

The City of Petaluma and its partners offer many resources to help businesses start, connect, and grow. We advise people to seek assistance as early in the process as possible so that issues can be identified and addressed early

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BUSINESS SUPPORT & NETWORKING

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
BOARD (EDB)
sonomaedb.org
The Sonoma County EDB provides customized
support to help local businesses find space
and navigate permit requirements; obtain
demographic and other market information;
hire and train a qualified workforce; access state
and federal incentives; and understand regional
economic trends.

PETALUMA DOWNTOWN ASSOCIATION
petalumadowntown.com
The Petaluma Downtown Association works in
partnership with its members, the City, and the
business community to protect Petaluma’s historic
character, sustain economic vitality, and promote
a dynamic and welcoming downtown.

PETALUMA AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
petalumachamber.com
The Petaluma Area Chamber of Commerce is an
association of business and professionals working together
with a commitment to support and improve a healthy business
community to enhance the quality of life in the greater Petaluma area.

CREATIVE SONOMA
creativesonoma.org
Creative Sonoma offers workshops, networking,
financial resources, marketing, and innovative
collaborations to support creative businesses
and nonprofits in Sonoma County.

SMALL BUSINESS
DEVELOPMENT CENTER
sonomasbdc.org
The Sonoma Small Business Development
Center (SBDC) provides one-on-one,
no-cost business advising and low-cost
business workshops.

SCORE
northcoastscore.org
The nonprofit SCORE offers free and
confidential mentoring and low-cost workshops
to help entrepreneurs succeed. Sonoma County
businesses are served by SCORE’s North Coast
Chapter 450.

CALIFORNIA GO-BIZ
business.ca.gov
The Governor’s Office of Business and
Economic Development (GO-Biz) offers
services related to business attraction,
retention, and expansion; permit streamlining
(calgold.ca.gov); site selection; trade
development; and small business assistance.

LOAN AND INCENTIVE PROGRAMS

SMALL BUSINESS
ADMINISTRATION (SBA)
sba.gov
The SBA offers several loan guarantee programs
that can help businesses secure loans issued
by SBA-approved lenders and nonprofits.

PROPERTY ASSESSED CLEAN
ENERGY (PACE) FINANCING:
sonomacountyenergy.org
PACE Financing allows property owners to
finance energy efficiency, water conservation
and renewable energy generation improvements
through a property assessment. Learn about
terms and eligibility from the Sonoma County
Energy and Sustainability Division,
tel: 707-565-6470.

SMALL BUSINESS
ADMINISTRATION (SBA)
sba.gov
The U.S. Small Business Administration offers
a wide variety of services for small businesses,
including loans, loan guarantees, contracts,
counseling sessions and information.

CALIFORNIA GO-BIZ
business.ca.gov
The Governor’s Office of Business and
Economic Development (GO-Biz) offers
services related to business attraction,
retention, and expansion; permit streamlining
(calgold.ca.gov); site selection; trade
development; and small business assistance.

EQUIPMENT PURCHASE
PARTIAL TAX WAIVER
cdtfa.ca.gov/industry/manufacturingexemptions.htm
This State program offers manufacturing and
research and development companies a partial
exemption of sales and use tax on equipment
purchases and leases.

CDC SMALL BUSINESS FINANCE
cdcloans.com
CDC Small Business Finances is a nonprofit
that offers a variety of low-interest financing
to fit the needs of small businesses.

CAL RECYCLE LOAN PROGRAM:
calrecycle.ca.gov/rmdz/
This program provides low-interest loans to
qualifying businesses and nonprofits that create
products from discarded materials or reuse and
repurpose waste material.

WORKING SOLUTIONS
workingsolutions.org
Working Solutions is a nonprofit offering
microloans of $5,000 to $50,000. It manages
a special loan program for Sonoma County based businesses.

NORTH BAY ANGELS
northbayangels.com
The North Bay Angels is the oldest and largest
angel investment group north of the Golden
Gate. It provides seed capital and advisory
assistance to select entrepreneurial companies
in the North Bay.

EQUIPMENT PURCHASE
PARTIAL TAX WAIVER
cdtfa.ca.gov/industry/manufacturingexemptions.htm
This State program offers manufacturing and
research and development companies a partial
exemption of sales and use tax on equipment
purchases and leases.

GUIDE TO CITY DEPARTMENTS & DIVISIONS

FIRE PREVENTION
707-778-4389
Oversees and inspects building and
development to assure compliance with fire
safety codes.

BUSINESS SERVICES
• Reviews and inspects development for fire
code compliance.
• Enforces public safety policies including weed
abatement and hazardous waste rules.
• Issues tent and hazardous waste permits.

PLANNING
707-778-4472
Oversees how land and buildings are developed
and used on private property.
BUSINESS SERVICES
• Advises business owners about how
properties and buildings can be used,
improved, and developed.
• Checks zoning for new or expanding
businesses
• Manages processes for Site Plan and
Architectural Review (SPAR) and Conditional
Use Permit
• Reviews business licenses, home occupation
permits, and sign permits

POLICE
707-778-4372
Provides crime prevention, community policing,
and code enforcement services.
BUSINESS SERVICES
• Issues event permits, taxi permits, cannabis
business permits, and peddler permits.
• Approves ABC licenses.
• Administers background checks for
massage therapy businesses.

PUBLIC WORKS & UTILITIES
707-778-4303
Oversees the City’s public improvement
requirements and manages water resources,
waste water treatment, streets, public transit,
flood management, and park maintenance.
BUSINESS SERVICES
• Calculates wastewater impact fees and issues
wastewater permits.
• Coordinates commercial/industrial water
conservation programs.
• Inspects grease removal devices and other
wastewater systems.
• Issues encroachment, tree removal,
and hazardous waste permits.

WORKFORCE & TALENT ATTRACTION RESOURCES

PETALUMA STAR CAREER &
LIFESTYLE GUIDE
petalumastar.com
A booklet designed to showcase Petaluma as a
place to grow a career and build a life. Employers
can use it as part of the recruitment packet given
to top candidates. Available online and in print.

SONOMA COUNTY
CONNECTIONS
sonomacountyconnections.org
This talent attraction website is sponsored by the
Sonoma County Economic Development Board.
It showcases what makes this county such an
inspiring place to grow, both personally and
professionally.

WORKFORCE INVESTMENT
BOARD (WIB)
sonomawib.org
The WIB leads the County’s integrated
workforce development efforts. The WIB
provides a wide variety of services to
employers, job seekers, and youth through its
Job Link program. It also conducts research,
issues reports, and supports regional workforce
development initiatives. Contact Job Link
Business Services at (707) 565-8079

SANTA ROSA JUNIOR COLLEGE
(SRJC)
cte.santarosa.edu
SRJC’s workforce offerings include its Career
& Technical Education (CTE) courses and
internship program; Campus Job Board; and
Contract Education Department.
CAREER & TECHNICAL EDUCATION FOUNDATION
ctesonomacounty.org
A nonprofit that works with schools and
employers to expand career technical education
opportunities in secondary and post-secondary
schools.

VETERANS PROGRAMS
SHAWN HANSEN
(707) 576-2014
Employers interested in hiring veterans should
contact the local veterans’ employment
representative or the Workforce Investment
Board.

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