HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 8.1 Small Business Activities
STAFF REPORT
CITY COUNCIL
CITY CLERK
File #470-50
DATE: November 15, 2011.
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
FROM: Joni Pattillo, City Manager\!~ ~
SUBJECT: Update on Small Business Activities and Partnership Opportunities with the
Dublin Chamber of Commerce
Prepared by Hazel Wetherford, Econpmic Development Analyst
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
One of. the City Council's FY 2011/12 strategic initiatives for Economic Development is to
identify partnership opportunities with the Dublin Chamber of Commerce to assist small
businesses. To that end, the City has developed the following small business activities: small
. . .
business incentives; small business resources brochure; partnering with the Dublin Chamber of
Commerce to launch business seminars and a Shop Local Holiday Campaign; and updates to
the City's website. This report will provide an update on small business activity a'nd
partnerships with the Dublin Chamber of Commerce. This item was moved from the Regular
City Council meeting of November 1, 2011.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
This is an information item only, and all costs associated with each activity have been included
in the FY 2011/12 budget.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council accept the report.
\ /c;/ ./
~ . 4
/'/! .
/'-. //~?A/f~di /'\jll1//;{
/ '\., ," "'.c< ,
r..../ \.. Submitted By
Economic Development Director
{J.. :7
j k'-'-"'-r-'
Reviewed By
Assistant City Manager
Page 1 of 3
ITEM NO. 8.1
DESCRIPTION:
One of the City Council's FY 2011/12 strategic initiatives for Economic Development is to
identify partnership opportunities with the Dublin Chamber of Commerce to assist small
businesses. To that end, the City has developed the following small business activities: small
business incentives; small business resources brochure; partnering with the Dublin Chamber of
Commerce to launch business seminars and a Shop Local Holiday Campaign; and updates to
the City's website. The following will briefly discuss each of these activities.
Small Business Incentives
Aside from the City's low-cost business license registration fee of $50, the City also offers the
following incentives available for small businesses:
Fee Deferral Program
The Fee Deferral Program allows development to pay the Traffic Impact Fee to the City
just .prior to occupancy for non-residential development
Sewer Capacity Assistance Program
In partnership with the Dublin San Ramon Services District, the City offers financial
assistance to businesses that require new or additional sewer capacity. As part of the
Program, the City can provide up to 25% of new sewer capacity to the business.
Faqade Improvement Program (Proposed)
As one of the key economic development initiatives by the City Council, Staff is preparing a
Fac;:ade Improvement Program for the City Council's consideration. Staff expects to bring
the program forward for direction before the end of the calendar year.
Small Business Resources Brochure
City staff has completed a Small Business Resources Brochure (Attachment 1) that outlines City
programs, City incentives, financing opportunities, and support services. The brochure
addresses many questions that small businesses often have, and how to obtain. additional
information if needed The brochure will be available at City Hall and to applicants as they file
their business license application. This brochure will also be available on the City's website.
Partnerinq with the Dublin Chamber of Commerce
The City has partnered with the Dublin Chamber of Commerce to provide two programs to the
small business community - business seminars and a Shop Local Holiday Campaign..
Business Seminars
In partnership. with the Dublin Chamber of Commerce and the Alameda County Small
Business Development Center, a series of business classes will be held from October
2011 - September 2012. The schedule of classes is listed below:
o October 4,2011 - Social Media & E-Marketing Seminar
o January 17, 2012 - Successful Business Plans
o March 20, 2012 - Sole Proprietor Small Business Tax Workshop
o June 26, 2012 - Successful Advertising & Marketing Plans
o September 11, 2012 - Search Engine Optimization
Page 2 of 3 ..
The first class held on October 4th had an attendance of approximately 41 participants.
Classes are three hours long and all classes are held at the Dublin Library.
Shop Local Holiday Campaign
In partnership with the Dublin Chamber of Commerce, a Shop Local Holiday Campaign
has been created and implemented via social media. The campaign will run from
November 1st - December 31st and will allow local businesses to showcase their business
- .
profile, store promotions, product features, and store events on a Discover Dublin
Facebook page.
Updates to the City's Website
City staff made updates to the Economic Development Department's web page to include two
new pages - Business Seminars and Small Business Resources (Attachment 2). The Business
Seminar page highlights the 2011-2012 seminar schedule on the various interactive classes that
help support business owners as described above. The webpage provides information on how
to registerLor Cl_c1Cjss, class location, and a class flier. '
The Small Business Resources page highlights a variety of tools to help small businesses
prosper. The page outlines all the information that is available in the Small Business Resources
brochure, but in an online format that is easily accessible from any Internet connection.
Staff presented the above mentioned activities to the Economic Development Ad-Hoc
Committee which provided positive feedback on the recent activities. Staff will continue working
with the Dublin Chamber of Commerce on future partnership opportunities to assist small
businesses.
NOTICING REQUIREMENTS/PUBLIC OUTREACH:
Not applicable.
ATTACHMENTS: 1. Small Businesses Resources Brochure
2. Business Seminars and Small Business Resources Webpages
Page 3 of 3
s Term: Loans up to 5150,000.
~Pjine Seasonal Line of Credit
This program offers short-term, guaranteed loons
ro help small businesses get past cash crunches
aaributoble to seasons! changes.
s Uses: Loans maybe used for working capital,
faced assets, receivables, and inventory.
s Term: Businesses must have been in operation
continuously for one year immediately
preceding the application date.
wvrw.sba.gov
The follovring agencies are available to provide
assistance, training and netvrorking opportunities.
Alameda Counri Workforce Irnestment Board
Offers employment and training, education, and
economic development services, vrhich include:
• One-Stop Career Center
• Rapid Response Team
www.acvrib.org
Alameda Counri Small Business Development Center
Offers classes, consulting services, and business
planning resources to businesses. Consulting services
are available at no charge to eligible established
businesses and companies that are primarily
interested in grovrth and expansion. The Alameda
County SBDC supports small business growth,
productivity, and economic development.
vrvrvr.acsbdc.org
East Bav Economic Development Alliance
Provides assistance and incentives to businesses in
terms of site location, financing, regulatory
coordination, vrorkforce issues, and business climate
issues.
vrvrvr.eastbayeda.org
j-GATE: A California State Innovation Hub
DATE is a regional public-private partnership
designed to support small businesses and maximize
the economic potential of green transportation and
clean-energytechnologies. tGATE provides
collaboration opportunities, entrepreneurial
education and assistance, an Academic Alliance, and a
business incubator for the development of
high-grovrth green businesses.
vrvrvr. igatei hub.org
Innovation Tri-Vallev
The goal of Innovation Tri-Valley is to create an
interconnected hub of innovation to spur job grovrth
and sustain a healthy economy in California's Bay
Area's fastest grouting region-the Tri-Valley.
vrvrvr.innovationtrivalley.org
Training & Development Solutions-Chabot-Las
Positas Community College District in Dublin
Provides innovative, practical, and cost-effective
learning solutions from assessments to employee
training services for businesses and organizations.
vrvrvr.tdsolu[ions.org
Tri-Vallev One-Stop Career Center
Offers a vride range of employment services to the
business community, and most of them at no cost.
wvrvr.tri va I I eyonestop. org
For more information, please contact:
Linda Smith, Economic Development Director, or
Hazel Wetherford, Economic Development Analyst
~~~
100 Civic Plaza
Dublin, CA 94568
925.833.6650
SMALL
BuslNESs
RESOURCEs
~hUC DEt•~1.OP?~i~NI'
DEPART.'1•SIIVT
Attachment 1
Business License Fee
The City of Dublin has a minimal business license fee,
no payroll tax, and no utility user taxes.
• 550 registration fee each year
• The fee is prorated on a monthly basis for the first
year the business began operation in Dublin.
• Fee Deferral Program
The City offers a Fee Deferral Program for
non-residentiar development. This deferral allows
development to pay the Traffic Impact Fee to the
City just prior ro occupancy.
• Sales Tax Reimbursement Program
For businesses that generate more than SIO
minion in taxable soles, the City will here offset
investments in improvements to the sire or
building chat the business proposes to occupy.
• Sewer Capacity Assistance Program
The City offers;Snancior assistance to businesses
that require new or additional sewer capacity, up
to 25Qo of new sewer capacity to the business.
• Coming Soon! - Facade Improvement Program
The City wilt offer jsnonciar assistance to
businesses that are in need of repairing the
exterior of their building.
City staff is also available to provide the follovring
services:
• One-to-one assistance with zoning related ques-
tions
• Site Selection
Statewide Communiri Infrastnxture Pra~eram (SCIP)
SCIP is a financing program that enables developers to
pay most impact fees and finance public
improvements through an acquisition agreement.
wvrw.cacom munities.org
California Capital Access Proeram (Ca)C'AP)
Encourages banks and otherfinancial in.stit~mons to
make loans to small businesses thatfalljust outride of
most banks' conventional undervrriting standards.
vrvrvr.treas urer.ca.gov/cpcfa/ca I ca p/
California Economic Development lendine Initiative
A co•lending program that targets loans to emerging
businesses that are currently not able to qualify for
conventional bank financing.
wvrvr.cedli.com
California Small Business loan Guarantee Program
Enables a small business to obtain a term loan or line
of credit and increase the availability of loans through
private lending institutions.
wwvr. business.ca.g~y
Dublin San Ramon Services District Regional
Wastewater Fee Installment Proeram
Enables nevr commercial, industrial, or institutional
customers of DSRSD to spread payment of the
regional capacity reserve fee up to a period of 10
years for those meeting the program's requirements
wvrw.dsrsd.com
Industrial Development Bond (IDB) Financing
Proeram
IDBs provide manufacturing and processing
companies lour<ost, lour-interest financing for capital
expenditures.
wwvr.eastbayeda.org
Small Business Administration (SBA)
The SBA offers the follovring financial assistance:
• 7fa) Loan Guaranty Proeram
This program is designed to reduce the risk to
honks in making loons and thereby increasing the
availability of short-term capita! for small
businesses.
» Uses: Land, buildings, equipment, expansions,
renovations, and/or vrorking capital
+ Term: Loan guarantees up to 75% of a bank
loan under 5100,000
A row documentation loan guaranty program for
business roans of SI50,000 or less. This program is
designed ro reduce the paperwork invorved in the
SBA coon programs forsmollerloan requests.
» Uses: Working capital and equipment.
• Term: All loans are to be adequately secured,
but loans generally are not declined vrhere
inadequate collateral is the only unfavorable
factor.
PregualifKation Loa n Proeram
This program is designed to assist the borrower
with the preparation of the roan prequalifxaeon
and application process by providing an
intermediary such as the Smo!! Business
Development Center.
» Term: Loan guarantees up to 75% of a bank
loan under 5100,000.
CDCl504 Loan Proeram
This program provides small businesses with
long-term, fixed-rote;Snancing to acquire major
fixed assets for expansion or modernization, such
os the purchase of land, including existing
buildings, the purchase of improvements, the
construction of new focilrties, and the purchase of
long-term machinery and equipment.
» Uses: Proceeds from 504 loans must be used
for faced asset projects.
• A x r
This program makes it easier and fasterfor
lenders to provide small business loans by
allowing the lenders to use their own forms.
• , ~~ :. ~:•. `~~~` .:~ ~~ ,~ Search ~
J ~- _ ~~ ~ -~~-~
Available Space __-=' .-,-_____'_:' _ - ~' > Business Seminars
Business Assistance
Business Seminars
Business Incentives
The City of Dublin in partnership with the Dublin Chamber of Commerce and the Alameda County Small Business
Business Seminars Development Center will be providing a variety of interactive business seminars to support business owners. Seminars are led
Commune and Economic Profile by a panel of experienced experts who will provide several real-world examples. participate in a lively questions and answer
session and stay afterwards to speak with attendees one-on-one if time permits.
Federal Stimulus Dollars in
Dublin
Small Business Resources
The Business Corner -News
and Info
REPORT AN ISSUE
~ ' ~f;~tti C'ar W~: ~hl~?
NOTIFY ME
<`~2cil~ Lit. i /'~t; KitOWI
~~ NEWSLETTER
'~'~ vu~ixrt/c: To Tt:
TWITTER
~Ot~SLI' li>i
Home
2011-2012 Seminar Schedule
• October 4, 2011 -Social h~ledia & E-P~9arketinq Seminar
• January 17, 2012 -Successful Business Plans
• March 20. 2012 -Sole Proprietor Small Business Tax Workshop
• June 26, 2012 -Successful Advertising & Marketing Plans
. September 11.2012 -Search Engine Optimization
All classes will begin promptly at 9 a.m. and end at 12 p.m. Classes will be held at the Dublin Library with respect to the
initial class on October 4th, which will be held in the Dublin Council Chamber.
Cost: There is no charge for members of the Dublin Chamber of Commerce. and a $25 nominal fee will be applied to non-
chamber members payable to the Alameda County Small Business Development Center.
For more information, please contact the Dublin Chamber of Commerce at (925) 828-6200.
Contact Us Sitemap Accessibility Copyright Notices Internet ..`ebsite Policy Powered by CivicPlus
Attachment 2
Business Assistance
Business Incentives
Business Seminars
Community and Economic Profile
Federal Stimulus Dollars in
Dublin
Small Business Resources
The Business Corner -News
and Info
,;~ REPORT AN ISSUE
~~\ NOTIFY ME
NEWSLETTER
TWITTER
a!1 s;v i;.,~
Small Business Resources
Helping Small Businesses Prosper
The City of Dublin encourages the development of small businesses. The City's Economic Development Department has
compiled a list of resources that can offer assistance (both financial and training) to help you develop your business in our
community. This information is also avaiable in a printable version.
City Incentives
Fee Deferral Program
The City offers a Fee Deferral Program for non-residential development. This deferral allows development to pay the Traffic
Impact Fee to the City just prior to occupancy.
Descriptions and contact information for local business assistance organizations are listed below.
Sales Tax Reimbursement Program
For businesses that generate more than 510 million in taxable sales. the City has developed a program to help offset
investments in improvements to the site or building that the business proposes to occupy. The City will reimburse a business
up to 50% of their annual sales tax for a period of five years, up to the amount they invested in the property. For users that
generate more than S50 million in taxable sales. the City will reimburse a business up to 50% for a period of 10 years.
Example: Business A is expected to generate 520 million in taxable sales annually (attributable to the City of Dublin).
Business A needs to invest 5500.000 in building improvements. Business A enters into an agreement with the City to be
reimbursed for their improvements. Business A generates the anticipated 520 million in year one. This results in 5200.000 in
new sales tax revenue to the Clty of Dublin. Of this amount. Business A is eligible for 5100.000 in year one (50% of the new
sales tax revenue to the City).
Sewer Capacity Assistance Program
In partnership with the Dublin San Ramon Services District (provider of water and sewer service), the City now offers financial
assistance to businesses that require new or additional sewer capacity. As part of the Program, the City can provide up to
25% of new sewer capacity to the business.
Attachment 2
Available Space Home > Deoartments > Economic Developm~r~ > Small Business Resources