Paso Robles 4Q Sales Tax Highlights

Paso Robles’ receipts from October through December 2021 were 11.7% above the fourth quarter sales period in 2020.  This solid percentage gain signifies the continued rebound from the pandemic impacts of a year ago, especially during the normal ‘holiday shopping period’. With enhanced optional dining areas and continued pent- up demand to eat out, receipts from casual and quick-service restaurants returned to pre-pandemic levels. Read the report HERE.

Letter of Intent Signed with Cal Poly

President Armstrong of Cal Poly and Mayor Martin officially signed a Letter of Intent during the CubeSat Developers Workshop conference held at Cal Poly's Performing Arts Center (PAC).  Cal Poly has expressed interest in providing educational opportunities at the proposed Paso Robles Spaceport. The partnership presents Cal Poly “learn by doing” opportunities in Aeronautics and Space Technologies to support its educational mission.

Letter of Intent Signed with
Stellar Explorations

Dr. Tomas Svitek, President of Stellar Explorations, and Mayor Martin officially signed a Letter of Intent for future collaboration related to the spaceport project. Stellar Explorations designs and builds miniaturized aerospace solutions for military, civil and commercial customers, including the propulsion system for NASA's upcoming CAPSTONE project headed to the moon.  Read more about Stellar Explorations' projects here, here, and here.

May 25th is National Wine Day!

What better way to support our local economy this month than to celebrate National Wine Day! The Paso Robles AVA is a major contributor to the economic prosperity of the area with the equivalent of 11.5 percent of all salary and wage jobs in the county, injects almost $1B in added value to the economy, and contributes 28 percent of the total property tax revenue generated in San Luis Obispo County.  Additional days to celebrate this month include Judgment of Paris Day on May 24th and Chardonnay Day on May 26th!

North County Signs Broadband MOU

The cities of Paso Robles and Atascadero have formalized a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agreement to partner on a North San Luis Obispo County Broadband Strategic Plan. The regional agreement will better align policy development and improve funding opportunities to expand broadband internet access in both cities.  With internet access increasingly being referred to as the “fourth utility” behind water, gas and electricity, local communities are seeking ways to increase access to broadband internet for their residents and businesses. 

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!

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/

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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!

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.

How to Create a Business Plan

The first step to starting a business is just the same as starting anything else. It begins with creating a plan. But what is a business plan, what does it need to include and why is it so important to create one?  This will show you how to approach your business plan and how to build it.

You Created a Business Plan...Now What?

In this webinar, expert business coach Jennifer Dawn will guide you in creating a powerful, one-page action plan you can use to execute your business plan. Having a plan is highly useful because it helps you to be focused and clear about your business. However, all the planning in the world means nothing if you don't know how to execute

Getting Clients With Bigger Budgets

Time is money for business owners, especially start-ups and solopreneurs. That's why it is important to know how to attract high-paying clients who will give you the most significant turnaround on your investment. In this valuable webinar, bestselling author and USA TODAY’s small business columnist Steve Strauss will show you how and where to find bigger, better and higher-paying clients and customers.

How to Find Grant Opportunities for Your Small Business

The pandemic and economic relief efforts have led to more grant opportunities than ever for the nation's small businesses. With the main federal relief programs now over, small businesses are seeking out other funding opportunities that may be available to them. This workshop will help you understand the small business grant landscape, things to consider, where to find funding, and more.

Expert Insights for AAPI Small Business Owners

The Asian American and Pacific Islander community play an integral role in America’s small business economy. In celebration of AAPI Heritage Month we are joined by Carlton Chen, Leland Dear and John Xu. These experts will be sharing tips, strategies, and information that can make a real impact on AAPI business owners.