Welcome to the Spring 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!
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.

Need assistance getting your small business off the ground, growing and achieving its goals?  Sacramento SCORE can help!

SCORE is a nonprofit association with 11,000 volunteers, business experts in 300+ offices in communities across the country, and is a resource partner of the Small Business Administration. Combined with hundreds of local volunteers, workbooks, brochures and online tools, SCORE is your one stop source of small business mentoring and training. Through education and mentorship, SCORE fosters vibrant small business communities. Sacramento  SCORE can provide:
  • Volunteer MENTORS who share their expertise across 62 industries with small businesses
  • Free, confidential business MENTORING in person or via email
  • Free business TOOLS, templates and tips online
  • Inexpensive or free business WORKSHOPS
    (locally) and WEBINARS (online 24/7)
Learn more at Sacramento.SCORE.org  or call them at (916) 635-9085.
Business Highlight 

Do you or your workforce need training or certifications? Rancho Cordova Training Center can help!

Rancho Cordova Training Center (RCTC) is a job training and certification testing facility serving the Sacramento area. They focus on helping individuals and small businesses get the training they need that works with their busy schedule. They also have classrooms for rent to host trainings, seminars, workshops, or team building events, and they are open seven days a week.

Founded in 2013 by former college educators and administrators, RCTC strives to provide affordable courses to serve the community. The center's friendly staff and faculty are trained professionals in the subjects that they teach. They strive to give clients real-world applications for the growing demands of the workforce.

RCTC teaches a variety of classes including: computer basics, network security, QuickBooks, general accounting, payroll accounting, Microsoft Office Suite applications, ServSafe food safety, marketing, writing your business plan and more. They also offer IT services for small to medium companies that do not have a network administrator to handle their network security needs. With weekly monitoring of your network, RCTC can help keep your information safe and secure.

RCTC is here to serve the Rancho Cordova and surrounding areas and help you learn, grow and succeed. Check out their website or stop by 2941 Sunrise Boulevard, Suite 110 in the Plaza Del Oro Center to say hello.

Local News for your Business
Catch Up on What's Happening

Hacker Lab Expo at Rancho Cordova City Hall
 
On June 10th, Hacker Lab will show Rancho Cordova what hacking's all about. There will be exhibits and booths showcasing 3D printing, laser cutting, robotics, and even entrepreneurship. Hacker Lab will show you what an Innovation Center and Maker Space in Rancho Cordova can offer so get ready to start working on that project you've been thinking about for years. Don't forget to bring the kiddos as there will be demonstrations for them to start learning computer programming and robotics.  Hacker Lab's entrepreneur team will teach workshops demonstrating how you can take your project to market.  There will even be computer programming and robotics activities for kids.
 
Join Hacker Lab for this free, family-friendly event on Saturday, June 10th, 2017 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Rancho Cordova City Hall, 2729 Prospect Park Drive - all you have to bring is your imagination! Drop by or RSVP here.

Redtail Technology Moves Headquarters to Rancho Cordova

Redtail Technology, a leading provider of client relationship management (CRM) solutions for financial services firms, recently announced that they purchased their new headquarters in Rancho Cordova. The new office aims to accommodate the company's rapidly growing employee-base and customer service team. In addition, the new office will provide capacity for future growth, especially since the company anticipates doubling its software development and talent by the end of the year.

Redtail acquired the 30,000 square foot facility in Rancho Cordova  earlier this year and will begin relocating some of the company's employees at the end of 2017. The campus, constructed by MarketOne Builders and designed by RMW Architecture & Interiors, is designed to house more than 120 employees and includes a state-of-the-art employee lounge with a slide, tire swings, game room and gym. In addition, open floor plans and the expansion of meeting room space is intended both to increase productivity and promote collaboration.

Announcing Capital Region Small Business Week 2017: May 1st - 5th 

Every year since 1963, the President of the United States has issued a proclamation announcing National Small Business Week, which recognizes the critical contributions of America's entrepreneurs and small business owners.  More than half of all Americans either own or work for a small business, and they create about two out of every three new jobs in the United States each year. The week-long series of events are designed to connect the region's small businesses with local resources and celebrate the important role that small businesses play in the region.

The 2017 Capital Region Small Business Week from May 1st-5th, 2017 is a result of a collaborative effort of a variety of local, state, and federal agencies together with the private sector, both non-profit and for-profit.  Visit www.capitalregionsmallbusinessweek.org f or more information on this year's events.

Rancho Cordova Traffic Management Center Project Continues
 
The Rancho Cordova Traffic Management Center Project has started in the City of Rancho Cordova. The project will connect traffic signals on major roadway corridors throughout Rancho Cordova to ensure traffic flows more smoothly and allow the City to respond more efficiently to traffic incidents.
 
The City's contractor, Pacific Excavations Inc., is doing the work. The construction timeline and locations are available on the City's website and can be found by visiting cityofranchocordova.org/currentprojects. The project is anticipated to be completed by summer 2017.
Calendar of Events
Write These Down...

Rancho Cordova Regular City Council Meetings
Monday, May 15th, 5:30 p.m.
Monday, June 5th, 5:30 p.m.
Monday, June 19th, 5:30 p.m.
Monday, August 7th, 5:30 p.m.
Monday, August 21st, 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 completing 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 weekly truck 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 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

2017 Capital Region Small Business Week Events:
Small Business Week Multi-Chamber Mixer
Monday, May 1st, 5 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
BizX Conference
Tuesday, May 2nd 2:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Roadmap to Success Small Business Symposium
Tuesday May 2nd, 8:00 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Capital Connection
Wednesday, May 3rd, 8 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Matchmaking to Help You Grow Your Business
Thursday, May 4th, 12:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
The Connecting Point: resources and workshops for government procurement
Thursday, May 4th 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
May Marketplace
Thursday, May 4th, 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
2017 Small Business Awards
Friday, May 5th, 7:30am - 10:00 a.m. 
For more information or to register for any of the above events visit 

Hacker Lab Civic IoT Incubator
Powered by AT&T
Wednesday, May 3rd, 6 - 8 p.m.
Rancho Cordova City Hall, 2729 Prospect Park Drive
The Civic IoT Incubator program is designed to facilitate the ideation and prototyping of IoT devices by inspiring our innovation community to build solutions to problems that face civic leaders in their ongoing missions. Hacker Lab is working with AT&T to provide developers an easy-to-use platform in the form of the IoT starter kit, access to knowledge, mentorship, and the full prototyping capabilities of their Maker Space. Over six weeks, teams will take their idea from concept to functioning prototype based on a cell network connected IoT device. Learn More and Sign Up
    
Business with Intention Workshop
Thursday, May 11th, 9 - 11 a.m.
Rancho Cordova City Hall, 2729 Prospect Park Drive 
Attend a free morning workshop focused on planning and success for your business in fou r key areas: 
  • LEGAL: Learn how new laws may affect your business in 2017 and beyond.
  • BANKING & INVESTMENT: Understand what banks look for and how best to invest in business wealth.
  • OPERATIONS: Discover ways to improve operations and how California may pay you to train your employees.
  • TAXES: Learn about possible tax changes for 2017 and how to prepare now.

Project Highlight
Curious about the latest and greatest businesses and projects popping up in the City of Rancho Cordova? We'll give you the scoop:

BUSINESS
STATUS LOCATION
Zinfandel Village Facade Renovation  In progress Zinfandel Drive 
Red Dragon  Now Open Capital Village
Hi Coffee Now Open 10923 Olson Drive
Gyro and Shawarma Grill Now Open 2931 Sunrise Boulevard #100
Huong Lan Coming Soon 10145 Folsom Boulevard
Skechers Coming Soon Zinfandel Village 
Bridgeway Square
(199 upscale apartments)
Under Construction Capital Village
Sunridge Plaza Opening Summer 2017 Sunrise Boulevard & Douglas Road

Did You Know?
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The City of Rancho Cordova was recently recognized as o ne of  America's 2017 Best Cities for a Green Career by data metrics company GoodCall. Rancho Cordova ranked 35 out of 75 in the nation and recieved the top score in the Sacramento region.  Check out the full rankings here.

Does your company offer green careers? Tell us more about you by  sending us an email, and you could be featured in our next e-newsletter!