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Paso Robles Economic Development Newsletter

February 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

Tartaglia Engineering to Head Up Preliminary Review for Spaceport

The City of Paso Robles has retained the professional services of Tartaglia Engineering to conduct the Preliminary Review of the proposed Spaceport licensing project currently under consideration in Paso Robles.  This phase will include airfield analysis and capabilities of existing runway and taxiway geometry, integrity, and structural strength, as well as air corridor review for compatibility.  

Tartaglia Engineering has been providing airport engineering and consulting services to the aviation industry including the City of Paso Robles for over 38 years. The firm possesses in-depth knowledge of FAA guidelines and standards, along with a deep familiarity with the Paso Robles Airport based on years of boots-on-the-ground experience.  The Preliminary Review is estimated to take approximately one month to complete.

Tartaglia Engineering

Stu Witt Officially Joins the Spaceport Preliminary Review Team

Stuart (Stu) Witt of S.O. Witt and Associates will join forces with Tartaglia Engineering to bring his considerable spaceport and aviation experience to bear on the proposed Paso Robles Spaceport designation project.  Mr. Witt is highly regarded in the areas of spaceport facilities feasibility analysis, requirements, and permitting.  From 2002 until January 2016, he directed the expansion efforts at Mojave Air & Space Port as General Manager and CEO and in 2004 Mojave was designated the nation’s first inland spaceport, giving birth to the commercial manned spaceflight industry. 

Mr. Witt is a graduate of California State University Northridge, Naval Aviation Schools Command, and Naval Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN), and served as an Engineering Test Pilot on the B-1B, F-16C and F-23.  Mr. Witt is also Chairman Emeritus of the Commercial Spaceflight Federation, where he was a founding executive member.

Stu Witt

Paso Commons Business Park Launches New Website

Paso Commons is a master-planned industrial campus proposed for Wisteria Lane, stretching across 22 acres with a focus on attracting headquarters for industrial companies, high-tech manufacturing/R&D, wine-related businesses, and e-commerce.  The project will feature 7 state-of-the-art industrial buildings with available space from 12,000 to 420,000 SF, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows, customizable offices, warehouses, and abundant natural light, all located seven minutes away from downtown Paso Robles.  Paso Commons is located in the heart of the Paso Tech Corridor and will be among the first areas to be connected through the installation of new high speed fiber optic cable as part of the Paso Fiber Connect project funded by a $2.8M grant from the Economic Development Administration (EDA).

Paso Commons

February 12-19, 2022, is National Entrepreneurship Week!

National Entrepreneurship Week is a non-partisan, congressionally-chartered initiative founded in 2006 that takes place the third week of February annually. The annual initiative offers a rich network of partners that engage, educate, and build equitable access to America's Entrepreneurship Ecosystem. From Maui to Miami to Maine, this network activates annually to provide resources, programming, and partnership to entrepreneurial educators, ecosystem builders, and most importantly - entrepreneurs.  Make a commitment to shop local and support businesses in our community!

National Entrepreneurship Week

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

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

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

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

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

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*

Develop Your Online Digital Strategy

Brought to you by the SBDC and UC Merced, join this informative webinar to learn:

  • Website key factors
  • Planning and scheduling
  • Tips to develop a timeline
  • How list building plays a factor 
  • Blending social to drive success
  • Importance of Consistency 
Date:  February 11, 2022
Digital Strategy

Grow Your Business Brand by Becoming a Self-Published Author

Writing a book is not just for novelists, it can be a great investment for your business. In fact, publishing a book can help position you as an authority in your service field and bring in leads and revenue for your business. By becoming a self-published author, you can bring attention to your brand, grow your business success, and be seen as an authority in your industry. 
Date:  February 15, 2022

Become an Author

Keys to a Successful Black Owned Business Startup

New businesses are on the rise across the United States, and particularly in the black community. If you’re an entrepreneur with a good idea, it might be the right time to finally start your business.  Join this educational webinar, presented by Owner & CEO of PKJ Consulting Phyllis Johnson, where she will break down how to plan your start up, grow your business, and succeed in your industry.  Date:  February 22, 2022

Keys to a Successful Black Owned Business Startup

E-Commerce Technology - Level Up or Level Off?

You opened a business because you are passionate about creating a product or service you know customers need – but maybe you’re not quite as passionate about the technology part of the equation. Technology can have as many questions as it does answers, and a big one is whether your existing technology can scale with you to enable your business to succeed and grow?
Date:  February 24, 2022

E-commerce

Did You Miss the National Small Business Week Summit? 

Catch up with these recorded sessions!  Business owners and entrepreneurs across the country heard from experts and professional leaders from all industries during National Small Business Week. This free virtual summit had 22 educational sessions, with an emphasis on small business resilience through unexpected circumstances. You can still watch the OnDemand recordings of these thought-provoking and meaningful sessions.


National Business Week Summit - Recordings


* 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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