Economic Development hero image

Paso Robles Economic Development Newsletter

April 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

Cal Poly and Wagner Star Industries Want to Partner with Paso Spaceport

A special combined session of the City Council, Planning Commission, and Airport Commission was held on March 29th to present the latest information on the Paso Robles Spaceport (PRSP) project and to consider Letters of Intent (LOI) submitted by Wagner Star Industries (WSI), a space technology company based in Florida, and by Cal Poly.  WSI expressed interest in establishing space freight cargo operations at the proposed PRSP, and Cal Poly expressed interest in providing potential “learn by doing” educational opportunities at the PRSP in aeronautics and space technologies to support the university's educational mission. Council approved both LOIs unanimously.

Spaceport
Photo: Paso Robles Daily News

Spaceport Project Completes Preliminary Technical Review

Tartaglia Engineering has completed the Preliminary Technical Review of the proposed Spaceport project currently under consideration in Paso Robles and found "a space launch facility at the airport is doable".  The technical review included airfield analysis and capabilities of existing runway and taxiway geometry, integrity, and structural strength, as well as air corridor review for compatibility. The report states, "Adding a spaceport designation (to the airport) should not disrupt current operations, but instead, augment reasonable regional economic growth as a future player within the growing commercial space industry." Many technical steps are still to be completed and the Proposed Licensing Schedule estimates that a site license could potentially be issued by June, 2024.

Paso Robles Air and Spaceport
Photo credit: Jeff Johnson 

CubeSat Display at City Library

The Paso Robles City Library invites the public to learn about CubeSats — a class of research spacecraft called nanosatellites — invented at Cal Poly in the late 1990s that have become an international design standard. On loan to the City of Paso Robles courtesy of the CubeSat Lab in the Engineering Department at Cal Poly, the full-size CubeSat model on display in the library is an ExoCube2 design, first launched into space in 2015 and again in 2021 with a mission to monitor changes in the Earth’s upper atmosphere.

CubeSat Library Display

Cities Approve Broadband Memorandum of Understanding 

The City Councils of both Paso Robles and Atascadero approved a Memorandum of Understanding between the cities to collaborate on a Northern SLO County Broadband Strategic Plan.  The cities desire to work together to jointly prepare and release a Request for Proposals (“RFP”) seeking qualified individuals and firms to prepare a regional broadband strategic plan to accelerate the deployment of high-speed internet access to residents and businesses in northern SLO County.  A regional strategic plan will greatly assist the north county cities in competing for state and federal funding programs associated with broadband, fiber, and connectivity. 

Broadband
Credit: SLOCOG

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

Affordable Connectivity Program

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a U.S. government program that helps many low income households pay for broadband service and internet connected devices.

Affordable Connectivity Program

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*

Marketing Your Unique Business

What every new business owner must learn and every existing business owner better know!  Everyone’s business is unique, and 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.

Marketing your unique business

How to Get Your Business Funded

Are you in a constant state of readiness for your business?  Are you ready to start, grow, or invest into your business? Then, let's get it ready to shine before you present your entity to lenders or get it listed!  This workshop will help you make sure you have the funding you need to change that “ready to” to a “reality". 

Business funding

Create a Product Pitch That Sells

Do you have a product that’s ready to go to market? Is this your year to persuade buyers to put your product in their stores? This webinar will help you master the art of persuasion and learn how to pitch your product or business to potential investors.  In this presentation, you'll learn the 10 P’s to success, the typical pitfalls an entrepreneur makes and how to avoid them, and the structure of the perfect pitch. 

Pitch that sells

Social Media Strategies That Generate Results

Learn how to use social media platforms and create effective social media strategies to help market your business.  This webinar will show how entrepreneurs can use social media to grow their businesses, covering the most effective social media platforms for businesses, as well as the low-hanging fruit that can be used to get started quickly. 

Social Media Strategies


* 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

City seal


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

Share on Facebook
Share on Twitter
Share via Email

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

Powered by
CivicSend - A product of CivicPlus