Business & Tech
Drop-in New Business Assistance Twice a Month at City Hall
Wednesday, Sept. 19 is first chance to take advantage drop-in assistance from Program Manager Laurie Decker
Business owners or those interested in starting a new business will now be able to drop in at City Hall to meet with the Economic Development Program Manager Laurie Decker at regular office hours, announced City Manager Linda Kelly.
"The City wants to make it easy for new and expanding businesses to find the resources and information they need earlier in the process," stated Kelly.
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Decker's City Hall office hours will be held on the first and third Wednesdays of each month from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Upcoming dates are this Wednesday, September 19, October 3 and October 17.
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The end of redevelopment funding eliminated the City's traditional loan and business improvement grant programs. However, "the City Council remains supportive of providing a robust economic development program for the benefit of our local businesses," said Kelley.
"Having drop-in office hours for business assistance right here at City Hall allows businesses another way to tap into the full range of resources that they find useful."
Some of the reasons individuals may wish to drop in include:
* Assistance with understanding licensing and permitting processes
* Information to aid in business site selection
* Resources to assist in developing a business plan and launching a business
* Business workshops and one-on-one advisory services for existing businesses
* Connections to regional resources.
Meetings with the Economic Development Manager are also available by appointment at the Chamber of Commerce on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Contact Laurie Decker at (707) 327-7338 or at LaurieADecker@comcast.net<mailto:LaurieADecker@comcast.net>.
The Economic Development Partnership is a collaboration of the City of Sonoma and the Sonoma Valley Chamber of Commerce, providing assistance to both prospective and existing local businesses as well as various initiatives to support the local economy. More information can be found online at SonomaValley4Biz.com<http://SonomaValley4Biz.com>.
