HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990-10-30 - AGENDA REPORTS - SMALL BUSINESS RETENTION (2)I
AGENDA REPORT
CONSENT CALENDAR
DATE: October 30, 1990
SUBJECT: Small Business Development
Program Progress Report
DEPARTMENT: Community Development
BACKGROUND
City Manager Approval
Item to be presented by:
In response to City Council's concern for a small business development and
retention program that would specifically address the needs of small
retailers, staff is developing a small business center program.
The program is the result of several meetings and input from various small
businesses and community leaders including a nucleus group consisting of City
of Santa Clarita staff, Newhall Land and Farm Company, the College of the
Canyons, the Castaic, Canyon Country and Santa Clarita Valley Chambers of
Commerce.
Modeled from other successful small business centers that have been developed
within the State, the concept is premised on providing training, technical
assistance, counseling referrals and other data and informational resources as
a means to assist new and existing small businesses. Depending on client
needs, a small business center might typically provide assistance in securing
a Small Business Administration (S.B.A.) loan, development of a business plan,
or provide training in computers, merchandising, exporting, site selection,
etcetera.
Basic elements of this type of small business center development and retention
program under discussion include:
1. Public-private partnership;
2. retail business as the initial targeted priority;
3. nine -member Board of Directors;
4. initial two -person professional staffing level;
S. minimum, $100,000 annual operating budget with participation from all
parties;
6, initial three-year funding commitment with annual review;
7. the program design. compliments the College of the Canyons application
to the State Commerce Department for Small Business Development
Center funding.
8. .State or other outside grants to be considered as secondary or
enhancement funding to basic local program. and
Page 1 of 2
APPROVED Agenda Item: _J1_
• AGENDA REPORT
October 30, 1990
Page 2 of 2
9. local program funding sources; (cash or in-kind), from Chambers of
Commerce, College of the Canyons, Newhall Land and Farm Company and the
City of Santa Clarita.
1. Receive and file this progress report, and to direct staff to return to
City Council in December with a specific proposal of parties involved and
a memorandum of understanding with the principal parties of the proposed
Small Business Development Center.
MH:31