Welcome to the Summer issue of Fresh Biz,  a quick jolt of Economic Development news brewed especially for you and your business by the City of Rancho Cordova. Read on for current news and projects, useful business resources and more. Thank you for being a part of our Rancho Cordova business community!
Local News for Your Business
Catch Up on What's Happening

Hacker Lab Feasibility Study Update

The City of Rancho Cordova partnered with Hacker Lab on a feasibility study to determine whether the City is a viable Hacker Lab location. The study has been completed and information from the study confirms that Rancho Cordova is viable for a brick and mortar Hacker Lab location.

The City of Rancho Cordova is excited to partner with Hacker Lab to bring a new Hacker Lab location to our vibrant community. Our next steps will include evaluating potential locations and identifying grant and financial options for a Hacker Lab location.

Hacker Lab is a Sacramento-based co-working space for entrepreneurs and makers that offers education and training classes, as well as community mentorships for startups, designers and students. It has two other locations in Sacramento.

A Hacker Lab location in Rancho Cordova would support the City's innovation, workforce development, education and learning, and civic engagement. It would help the City continue to grow and attract talent to Rancho Cordova's thriving businesses, as well as support the 3,400 businesses and 18 post-secondary schools that offer an array of educational opportunities in Rancho Cordova.

New Business Incentive Available

The City of Rancho Cordova is excited to announce a new business incentive, the Commercial Façade Improvement Grant Program.

The program is designed to support businesses with exterior improvements. Business can apply for grants to make improvements to signage, exterior cleaning and painting, awnings, lighting, landscaping, and more. This program aims to enhance the physical appearance and economic vitality of Rancho Cordova businesses.

Businesses with small projects can apply for a $5,000 mini grant, and businesses with larger projects can apply for a matching grant up to $70,000. The program is funded by the City's Community Enhancement Fund, which is supported by a 1/2 cent local sales tax measure. It joins the City's two other innovative business-oriented programs, the Revolving Loan Program and Business Incentive Program.

For more information and to apply now, please contact the City's Economic Development Department at (916) 851-8780 or econdev@cityofranchocordova.org.

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Start a Business
Do you want to start a business in the City of Rancho Cordova? Learn how in a few quick steps with our easy-to-use OpenCounter service. You can quickly generate a list of required permits and calculate estimated permitting and licensing fees. Click here to get started.
Resource Hig hlight
In each issue,  Fresh Biz will highlight partner organizations and resources available to local businesses. The City wants to connect your business with new ways to grow and thrive.

Do you want more exposure for your Rancho Cordova business? Leverage the City's social media channels!

The City of Rancho Cordova is home to a multitude of businesses, new and established, big and small, and we want to help promote you!  The City is collecting photos and videos from businesses that would like to be featured on our social media channels. The City has Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube channels, all of which we use to share stories about our community, including our businesses.
 
The City has 4,780 Facebook followers, 1,240 Twitter followers, and 570 Instagram followers - and counting! Leveraging the City's social media channels can help you attract new customers, boost your sales, and promote the fun and diverse image of Rancho Cordova.
 
Our followers LOVE hearing about businesses in our City. This Facebook post about recently opened Armenian coffee and dessert shop, HiCoffee, reached 9,800 people, and 360 people "liked" the post!  This Instagram post about Granite Arch Climbing Center  reached more than 200 people!
 
Email  mhuber@cityofranchocordova.org high resolution photos or video files of your Rancho Cordova business and the products or services you offer. Or, get in touch so we can offer tips on photo/video taking or come by and help with social media content. Please note that sending us files does not guarantee that we will ultimately feature your content; however, we will do our best to promote your business and work with you on social media opportunities.
Business Highlight 

Did your business recently hire new employees? Are you or any of your employees new to Rancho Cordova?

Explore Rancho Cordova, a program managed by the Rancho Cordova Chamber of Commerce, would like to welcome you to Rancho Cordova! 

The Explore Program offers new employees a free welcome bag full of helpful information about Rancho Cordova, resources to familiarize themselves with their new work community, as well as gifts from local businesses.
 
New employees will appreciate this added touch to your new hire and orientation process. There is no cost involved, and the service is open to any business established in Rancho Cordova.
 
The Explore Rancho Program is supported by the City of Rancho Cordova's Community Enhancement Fund. For more information, contact Bea Lopez, Program Manager for Explore Rancho Cordova, at (916) 273-5711 or  blopez@ranchocordova.org.
Calendar of Events
Write These Down...

Founder Institute Information Session 
Tuesday, August 15th, 6:30 p.m.
Rancho Cordova City Hall, 2729 Prospect Park Drive
The Founder Institute is the world's most challenging and effective step-by-step program to start a company. Many leaders of the world's fastest-growing startups have used the Founder Institute's program to transition from employee to entrepreneur, test their startup ideas, build a team, get their first customers, raise funding, and more. Join them for an informational event where you can meet local directors, ask questions, and learn how you can launch a startup in Rancho Cordova with their help. 

Rancho Cordova Chamber of Commerce Business Expo 
Thursday, August 17th, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Rancho Cordova City Hall, 2729 Prospect Park Drive
Mark your calendar, bring a friend, and come visit nearly 100 vendors including local restaurants and caterers, non-profits and service organizations, and so much more! Enter contests, find out how to set up an app, or collect a giveaway or two.

Frontier Founders Forum: Solving the Biggest Problems of Humanity
Tuesday, August 29th, 6:30 p.m.
Rancho Cordova City Hall, 2729 Prospect Park Drive
There is no shortage of big problems facing humanity, but passionate and ambitious entrepreneurs building "Frontier Technology" can truly change the world. There is incredible potential for private enterprises to make a real financial and societal impact across sectors like biotech and healthcare, food and water, energy, transportation, artificial intelligence, space exploration, and more. At the Frontier Founders Forum, you can meet and hear from entrepreneurs tackling the major problems of humanity, and learn how you can start harnessing your passion and ambition to do the same.

Rancho Cordova Chamber Golf Tournament
Friday, September 29th, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Mather Golf Course, 4103 Zinfandel Drive
A great day for golfing, networking, and fun! Enjoy wonderful activities planned throughout the course, food, awards, and raffle prizes.

Rancho Cordova Regular City Council Meetings
Monday, August 21st, 5:30 p.m.
Monday, September 18th, 5:30 p.m.
Monday, October 2nd, 5:30 p.m.
Monday, October 16th, 5:30 p.m.
Rancho Cordova City Hall, 2729 Prospect Park Drive 

Rotary Club of Rancho Cordova Luncheon Meeting
Every Tuesday, 12:15 - 1:30 p.m.
Rancho Cordova City Hall, 2729 Prospect Park Drive
Rotary is a leadership organization made up of local business, professional and civic leaders, and other community members. Through networking and projects, they work to help the community combat hunger, improve health and sanitation, provide education and job training, and promote peace under the motto Service Above Self. Come see what they're all about!

Off The Grid Food Truck Lunch
Every Thursday, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Rancho Cordova City Hall Parking Lot, 2729 Prospect Park Drive
Visit Off The Grid's website for the weekly truck schedule and announcements!

SCORE Sounding Board
Every second and fourth Wednesday of the month, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Rancho Cordova City Hall, 2729 Prospect Park Drive
In this small group session, you'll get a chance to discuss your challenges and opportunities with an experienced counselor and other small business owners and entrepreneurs. Work together to brainstorm actions you can take to move your business forward productively. Sacramento S CORE was established in 1978 and currently helps more than 5,000 clients each year via workshops, counseling, forums, and seminars. Learn More or Register Here

Project Highlight
Curious about the latest and greatest businesses and projects popping up in the City of Rancho Cordova? Here's the scoop:

BUSINESS
STATUS LOCATION
Raley's Now Open 4030 Sunrise Boulevard
Starbucks  Now Open 4010 Sunrise Boulevard
Papa Murphy's Pizza Now Open 10931 Olson Drive
BiryaniZ Now Open 3151 Zinfandel Drive #1
Pho Fresh Now Open 10673 Coloma Road
Skechers Now Open 2853 Zinfandel Drive
Arctic Fox Shaved Snow and Desserts Grand Opening on August 12 2340 Sunrise Boulevard
Strad Meadery Coming Soon 2539 Mercantile Drive
Thin Line Brewing Company Coming Soon 11345 White Rock Road
J.J. Pfister Distilling Coming Soon 9819 Business Park Drive
Huong Lan Coming Soon 10145 Folsom Boulevard
Poke Cube  Coming Soon Capital Village
Menchie's Yogurt Coming Soon 10933 Olson Drive
Bridgeway Square
(199 upscale apartments)
Under Construction Capital Village
Sunridge Plaza
  • Arco AM/PM
  • Bark Avenue
  • Chase Bank
  • Evergreen Fine Nutrition and Beauty - Grand opening on August 24
  • Go 4 Pizza
  • Great Clips
  • Jimboy's Tacos
  • NG Cleaners
  • Pacific Dental Services
  • Soho Sushi
  • Sunridge Nail Spa
Businesses Coming Soon Sunrise Boulevard & Douglas Road

Did You Know?
warehouse_assembly_workers.jpg

The City of Rancho Cordova is booming in our industrial areas! Our vacancy rate is at just 3 percent along the Sunrise Corridor, according to commercial real estate database CoStar. 

While this is great for our local economy, it can make it difficult for businesses looking to move and grow. If you are currently looking for space but having difficulty, please reach out to our Economic Development Department for assistance in locating potential sites.