Four Sonoma County businesses were awarded tax incentives on Thursday totaling $369,000 by the California Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz).  Since January 2015, 10 Sonoma County business have been awarded credits is excess of $2.5 million.

The Sonoma County Economic Development Board (EDB) has worked closely with local business to help them take advantage of this program through workshops, one-on-one application assistance, and letters of support.  The EDB will be partnering with representatives from GO-Biz to create another workshop on July 20, 2015 to provide businesses owners with step-by-step guidance on how to create a strong application. You can register for the workshop here.

The California Competes Tax Credit was created by Governor Jerry Brown and is focused on helping businesses grow and stay in California.  The program allows a business to compete for an income tax credits based on in its new investments over a five-year period-on facilities, capital improvements and new employees.

The four Sonoma County companies awarded tax credits yesterday have committed to investing over $1.2 million dollars in Sonoma County and creating 27 new local jobs in over the next five years.

"It is great to see the state of California incentivizing local companies to invest and create new jobs in Sonoma County" said Board of Supervisors Chair Susan Gorin. "Sonoma County is not only a great place to live but also an excellent place to do business."

The 10 Sonoma County companies that have been awarded tax credits have committed to investing over $8.4 million dollars in Sonoma County and creating 554 new local jobs in over the next five years.   An additional $200 million in tax credits will be awarded in each fiscal year through the 2017-2018.  Companies must apply during distinct application windows, the next application window will be midsummer.

"The EDB is always looking for ways to help local companies be successful and create new local jobs, the California Competes Program is a great to new tool to help us do this."  says Tim Ricard, Business Expansion and Retention Officer.  

A new grant program has been established through Creative Sonoma for individuals and organizations who are producing summer arts youth programs this summer for Sonoma residents.  The grants are being fast-tracked and have a streamlined grant application.  The Deadline for Application is July 10, 2015.  Guidelines and application forms are currently available for download at two sites: the EDB website, and Dropbox as follows - Grant Guidelines, Application Form and Fiscal Sponsor Form.    

Please make sure to DOWNLOAD the forms in order to make them "fillable". These documents will also be available on the Sonoma County website by Monday, June 29th.

The Grant Program was funded by the County Supervisors last week in order to recognize and encourage summer arts opportunity for young people.  The total fund is $100,000 and grants awards may range from $2500 to $20,000.  Projects must take place no later than September 30, 2015 and produce a minimum of 20 hours of arts programming, for students from 7 to 18.  Applicants will need to demonstrate a track record of at least one year.  Individuals will need to work through a Fiscal Sponsor to be eligible to receive funds. 

For further information, please contact [email protected]. Please bear with any technical glitches that inadvertantly have been built into the process given the rapid turn-around.

Sincerely,

Kristen Madsen
Director of Creative Sonoma
[email protected]
(707) 565 8996