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.

Foreign Trade Zone
Visalia has a Foreign Trade Zone, which is a designated area considered to be outside of U.S. customs territory for the purpose of customs duty payments. Merchandise may enter the zone without the payment of customs duties or excise taxes. Customs duties and excise taxes are due at the time of transfer from the zone for U.S. consumption. Companies can have the option of paying the duty at the rate of the finished product or the rate of the individual parts or components of the product, an option that can reduce or eliminate the duty.

If the final product is exported from the U.S., no U.S. customs duty or taxes are paid on those items. This allows American companies to remain competitive with their foreign-based competitors. Visalia’s zone includes 251 acres in the Midstate 99 Distribution Center on Plaza Drive, in the Visalia Industrial Park.

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