Business Resources, City of Visalia • Industrial Development Bonds are administered through the State of California. For details, visit www.sequoiavalley.com.
• Redevelopment Agency incentives may be available, depending upon project size and scope. For details, contact the City of Visalia’s Housing and Economic Development Department, 559-713-4534.
Incentive Zones Visalia, and the entire county, is located in a Targeted Tax Area, which means hiring tax credits; Net Operating Loss carryover; business expense deductions; and permit fast-tracking. Visalia is also located in a Recycling Market Development Zone, which offers a tax credit for recycling, low-interest loans and technical assistance. For details, visit sequoiavalley.com or call Lori Dunagan (BIZ) or Karin Ford (RMDZ) at 800-718-2332.
Financing The Business Finance Center, located in Tulare, is a Certified Development Corporation, authorized to help businesses prepare loans through the Small Business Administration. Three lending programs are available to small businesses: 504 program, for 90 percent financing at a low-cost, fixed rate; the Intermediary Relending Program for businesses in rural areas, often used by agribusinesses; and the Revolving Loan Program, to help small businesses purchase machinery or equipment. www.cdctulare.com
Workforce Development Businesses located in Visalia have access to a variety of programs to help train employees, to reimburse for training expenses, and even to create programs designed specifically to train your new employees.
http://www.tcwib.org/
College of the Sequoias Business services range from leadership and conflict mediation training to improving basic skills (ESL, writing, math) and customized courses such as computer applications or industrial training. For information, contact Louann Waldner, Ph.D., Director, Business Industry and Community Services, 559-737-4838. louannw@cos.edu
Tulare County Employment Connection Employer services include: tax incentives; business planning; hiring credits; personnel assistance; employee training; access to job applicants; labor market resources. For information, visit employmentconnect.org or call 800-367-8742.
Small Business Development Center The Central California Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and the Service Corps Of Retired Executives (SCORE) provide one-on-one consulting to existing business owners and entrepreneurs seeking assistance through the start-up process. To make an appointment, contact Amber McRae at the Visalia office of the SBDC, (559) 625-3051, ext. 100. www.ccsbdc.org
Visalia Chamber of Commerce The Visalia Chamber of Commerce provides a variety of business services and networking opportunities. Contact the Chamber at (559) 734-5876 for more information. www.visaliachamber.org
Adult Education Tulare County Organization for Vocational Education (TCOVE) offers internships to entry-level jobs for high school students and technical preparation for direct workforce entry for graduates. TCOVE also offers job skills training for adults.559-730-7300. www.visalia.k12.ca.us