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Paso Robles Economic Development Newsletter

January 2022

The City of Paso Robles Economic Development newsletter provides you with information and updates related to the City’s various programs and activities for: business retention and expansion, business attraction, workforce development and special topics of relevance to our local business community.  Please send us your thoughts and feedback, and we thank you again for your interest in the economic vitality of our City.

News & Announcements

REACH Letter of Support

The Regional Economic Action Coalition (REACH), with strong ties to Vandenberg Space Force Base, has written to express the organization's "enthusiastic support for the City of Paso Robles’ application to the FAA for the Paso Robles Airport to become a licensed Spaceport. The airport is well positioned for business development with its close proximity to major highways, uncongested air space, abundance of surrounding land, long runway, and the proposed Tech Corridor redevelopment project, The Landing. These features combine to make the Paso Robles Airport a prime asset in the Central Coast region with great potential for expansion."

REACH

Paso Robles 3Q Sales Tax Highlights

Paso Robles’ sales tax receipts from July through September were 10.8% above the third sales period in 2020. Excluding reporting aberrations, actual sales were up 13.6%.  Fuel prices soared during 2021 and with improved consumption compared to the stay-at-home restrictions from the prior year has resulted in another quarter with strong results in the fuel and service stations sector. Restaurant recovery continues with increased sales and higher menu prices, for quick-service meals or dining at casual eateries.  Read the report HERE.

3Q Sales Tax Highlights

Residential Permits Surpass 2019

In 2021, valuation, permit counts, and residential permits issued were all UP, most surpassing 2019 pre-pandemic numbers.  December's inspection count was the highest for all of 2021 and inspection counts are expected to rise in 2022 as the permitted projects will be underway.  For information on building permit applications, fees, and more details visit the City of Paso Robles website.

Permits

Public Mapping Applications

The City IT department has been hard at work developing and implementing the City’s new ArcGIS Enterprise system. This new platform will replace ArcReader and has allowed for the development of both public and staff GIS desktop and mobile applications. There are a number of applications already being utilized with additional functionality and layer content on the way.  Visit the City website and take the new mapping tools for a spin!

Public Mapping Applications

January is Restaurant Month!

Take a bite out of SLO CAL this January for the annual Restaurant Month. That’s right, your favorite monthly event is still happening! SLO CAL small businesses are ready to take your order so you can enjoy their culinary creations throughout January. During the month of January, participating restaurants offer special prix-fixe menus for $39-$59 per person, plus other special offers.

Restaurant Month

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.

Ennis Building

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.

City Library

The City of Paso is Hiring!

You can now apply online by clicking on the job title you are interested in and clicking on the "Apply" link.  After viewing the Job Description, click the 'Apply' tab.  After your account has been established, you can import your resume from LinkedIn, upload it from a saved document on your computer, or manually enter your personal information.  Visit the City Career Pages to learn more!

City of Paso Robles

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
Job Boards

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.

The "Pipeline" Report

Workforce Development

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.

Cuesta College Career Training

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
SLO Partners

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.

 Bootcamp

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/

Plumbers and Pipefitters Apprenticeship Program

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.

JobNow & VetNow

Financial Resources

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.

Southland EDC

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.

IBank

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. 

Emergency Broadband Benefit program to get online.

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

COVID Relief Options

Local Business Assistance

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.  

Apply for a Business License

City Website Business Tools  

The City has 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.

Business Data

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.

THE SANDBOX Paso Robles

This Month's FREE Business Trainings*

Business Bookkeeping Basics

Bookkeeping is a critical element of your business’s success.  This educational webinar will explain the bookkeeping process so you can begin keeping track of your finances and move your business forward.
Date:  January 18, 2022

Bookkeeping Basics

How to Begin Your Business

READY? SET. GO! Starting a business of your own is exciting but we bet you have lots of questions. If you are thinking of starting a business, or have just started one, this workshop is a perfect fit. Topics covered will include the fundamentals of getting started, business operation basics, business plans, and how to use and understand financial reports.  Date:  January 19, 2022

How to start your own business

10 Steps to Grow Your Solo Business

Starting a business is not easy, but successfully building a business that brings in profit is even more difficult. So how can you grow your solo business into a profitable brand that will enable you to live the life you want to live?
Date: January 20, 2022

Grow your solo business

Networking As A Critical Small Business Tool: Why, How, Where

Why network?
How do I network?
Where do I network?

Date: January 20, 2022

Networking

Marketing Your Unique Business

Everyone’s business is unique! And every business has a USP! Do you know yours?  Learn how to identify your Unique Selling Position(s), the key component of any successful business, and how to apply your USP, using ALL your marketing tools. Study the philosophy of ”Branding”. Learn the 5 critical P’s of every successful Marketing Strategy, how to market your product or service’s features as consumer benefits, and much, much more!  Date: January 26, 2022

Marketing Your Business


* Please Note: Links to third party trainings are provided for educational purposes only and are neither produced nor endorsed by the City of Paso Robles.

Stay Informed

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If you were forwarded this email from a friend, you can subscribe to Paso Robles Economic Development updates here.  For questions and feedback contact:

Paul Sloan
Economic Development Manager
City of Paso Robles
psloan@prcity.com
805.227.7237

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City of Paso Robles
1000 Spring Street, Paso Robles, CA 93446

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