Spaceport Update

Wagner Star Industries, a space tech company based in Florida, has submitted a non-binding Letter of Intent (LOI) expressing interest in developing Space Freight Cargo Operations at the proposed Paso Robles Space Port.
On December 09, the Paso Robles  Airport Commission unanimously voted to recommend the LOI be approved by the City Council at an upcoming session.  Research into developing a Paso Robles Space Port and Tech Corridor to attract higher-paying jobs to the area continues.

Mayor Martin Hosts FHL Community Relations Working Group

Fort Hunter Liggett’s quarterly Community Relations Working Group meeting was hosted by Paso Robles Mayor Steve Martin at City Hall with participants including the Mayor of King City, military leadership from Fort Hunter Liggett, Camp Roberts, and Camp SLO, as well as emergency services representatives from a number of area organizations. The group collaborated on a way forward for the working group and it was agreed that they should develop a formal entity to codify the cross-county partnerships to leverage resources, and have a greater voice in the community.  

SANDBOX Partners with Cuesta BEC

We are excited to announce that The Sandbox is now partnering with Cuesta College Business and Entrepreneurship Center to provide Cuesta business students and staff a space to work on their business ventures, gather, meet with professors and mentors, or study.  Cuesta College Business and Entrepreneurship Center will now occupy one of the Shipping Container Office Spaces and all business students will have access to the co-working space for day use!

New Tools Added to Library’s Employment Resources

With funding from the California State Library, the Paso Robles City Library is pleased to make available several new tools from some of the top online learning companies to help library users with job training, skill building, test preparations and professional development.

Rural Innovation Initiative 2022

The Center on Rural Innovation (CORI) has released a new video highlighting their program to create digital entrepreneurship and tech jobs in small towns.  The City of Paso Robles in partnership with the Hispanic Business Association was selected from among 40 communities nationwide to receive fully-funded participation in the 2022 Innovation Initiative for rural communities of color. 

Ennis Facility to go on Sale

The Ennis Business Forms facility, located at 298 Sherwood Road, is planned to go on sale in the near future.  The large building complex of 90,000 square feet includes a historic WWII aircraft hangar and is located on a 9-acre parcel with easy access and ample parking. Ennis has expressed an interest in exploring sale of the building and property to a local business or developer in the Paso community before listing it nationwide.  Interested parties can contact psloan@prcity.com.

National Write a Business Plan Month

A good business plan guides you through each stage of starting and managing your business. You’ll use your business plan as a roadmap for how to structure, run and grow your new business. During National Write a Business Plan Month, check out SBA's resources to help you learn how to write a business plan quickly and efficiently.

North County Job Boards

Looking for work or looking to hire staff? 
Here are two North County Job Boards listing a wide range of available positions:

• Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance Classifieds
  
  
• Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce Job Board

The "Pipeline" Report

Check out the numerous projects in process in our community.  The City of Paso Robles Community Development Department publishes The "Pipeline" Report with the status of Planning Entitlements and Building permits throughout the City. Click here to learn more.

Career Training Programs

Online courses and career training programs prepare you for a new career, or help you advance within your current occupation. Learn new skills and prepare for industry-recognized certifications.

Choose Your Next Career

New skills bring new opportunities, and SLO Partners offers professional training programs in high demand areas including:

• Digital Marketing
• Web Development
• Precision Manufacturing
• Cyber Security

Cal Poly Extension Tech Bootcamps

Powered by award-winning Fullstack Academy, the Cal Poly Extended Education Tech Bootcamps provide condensed, immersive programs taught by industry experts in convenient 100% live, online formats.
Bootcamp graduates leave ready for lucrative high-tech careers.  There’s no experience required to apply, be accepted, or succeed.

Plumbers and Pipefitters Apprenticeship Program

The Plumbers and Pipefitters Apprenticeship Program with Local Union #403 is a five (5) year training program. Apprentices earn while they learn, working on the job with Journeymen.  The beginning apprentice wage starts at $21.10 per hour with a package rate (benefits included) of $25.81 per hour. As of September 1, 2018, the Journeyman wage is $46.88 per hour with a package rate (benefits included) of $74.30 per hour.  
For information on additional programs visit https://www.pipecareers.com/

Workforce Development Support

JobNow and VetNow programs offer learning, career, and veteran support tools, such as resume and writing labs and an extensive list of resources, in addition to in-person support, such as live job coaching, live veteran benefits eligibility, and live tutoring.  An Unemployment Benefits Navigator has recently been added to JobNow to assist patrons struggling to file for unemployment benefits. Find out more at the Paso Robles City Library.

Small Business Tax Credit Programs

The American Rescue Plan extends the availability of the Employee Retention Credit for small businesses through December 2021 and allows businesses to offset their current payroll tax liabilities by up to $7,000 per employee per quarter. This credit of up to $28,000 per employee for 2021 is available to small businesses who have seen their revenues decline due to COVID.

Southland EDC

The Southland Economic Development Corporation is a non-profit Certified Development Company chartered to assist the small business community of California since 1980. Their mission is to be a resource to local small businesses in an effort to foster job creation and retention through the U.S. Small Business Administration’s 504 loan program.

Loan Guarantee Program

The Small Business Loan Guarantee program helps businesses create and retain jobs, and encourages investment in low- to moderate-income communities. The program promotes statewide economic development by increasing opportunities for entrepreneurs, the self-employed, microbusiness and small business owners to have better access to capital and other technical resources.

Emergency Broadband Benefit

Low-income households who qualify can apply for the Emergency Broadband Benefit program to get online. The program provides $3.2 billion to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to provide a $50 monthly discount on in-home broadband service for eligible households, as well as a one-time $100 discount on a laptop, desktop, or tablet computer for those same qualifying households. 

SBA COVID-19 Relief Options

Created in 1953, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) continues to help small business owners and entrepreneurs pursue the American dream. The SBA is the only cabinet-level federal agency fully dedicated to small business and provides counseling, capital, and contracting expertise as the nation’s only go-to resource and voice for small businesses.  COVID-19 portal

How To Apply for a Business License

Find out how to apply for a business license, including fees, taxes, and other required permits and forms.  The Department of Administrative Services is responsible for providing service to the general public, business license applicants and each existing licensee. Our objective is to assist each business in obtaining the proper business license and/or permit and to ensure proper compliance to the business license code for all businesses transacting business within the city.  

City Website Business Tools  

The City has recently updated the Economic Development section on the City website.  Details on related programs along with specialized business development tools can be found in this section, including tools for Business Data, Smart Mapping, Demographic Data, Talent Pool, Opportunity Zone, Community Profile, and links for researching commercial property listings.

THE SANDBOX Paso Robles

THE SANDBOX Paso Robles is a co-working, shared office & event space offering a variety of dedicated and private desks and offices as well as meeting spaces that are perfect for remote workers, entrepreneurs, startups, small businesses, freelancers and more.

2022 Must Have Marketing Strategy

2022 will bring in some fundamental changes to the way we market our products and services, requiring us to adjust strategies, campaigns, and budget. Identifying opportunities now and preparing a thoughtful, streamlined, and inventive marketing plan that is relevant to today's consumer mindset and industry shifts will allow you to accelerate your financial goals and competitive edge.  Date: December 14, 2021

Google My Business for Home-Based Business Owners

This session is specifically tailored to the unique needs of entrepreneurs who do not have a storefront or brick and mortar but want to capitalize on the benefits of Google search to bring more awareness to your brand and get more sales. Date: December 16, 2021

Critical Questions & Information For Proper Business Planning

Starting a business is a tough decision and needs proper planning. We'll cover the essentials of creating a business plan through a simple step-by-step process. Believe it or not, there are several ways to methodically ask yourself the proper questions to determine if you are ready and what you need to do. Join this hands-on webinar session, led by SCORE Mentor John Tile. 
Date: December 28, 2021

2021 Year-End Tax Planning

In the final quarter of this challenging year, there is still time to take actions that can favorably impact your bottom line and your tax bill for 2021. Whether you work with a CPA or go it alone, learn which tax breaks apply to you and how to nail them down now before times runs out.