State of California Resources

Descriptions and contact information for State of California business assistance organizations are listed below.

Bay Area Employment Training Panel

Created in 1983, the Employment Training Panel is a State of California agency that provides a cooperative business-labor program to retrain workers. ETP was designed to fund training that meets the needs of employers for skilled workers and the need of workers for good, long-term jobs. ETP funds three types of programs: Retraining, New-Hire, and Special Employment Training (SET).  EPT also has a Small Business Program and an Entrepreneurial Skills Training Program. ETP is a funding agency - not a training agency. Businesses determine their own training needs and how best to provide the training. For specific program information, please contact the ETP at 916-327-5640.

California Capital Access Program (CalCAP)

CalCAP encourages banks and other financial institutions to make loans to small businesses that fall just outside of most banks' conventional underwriting standards.

California Commerce & Economic Development Program

The California Commerce and Economic Development Program oversees all state economic development efforts, including film production; international trade and investment; science, technology, and innovation; and tourism. The program provides, among other things, business incentives, assistance, and resources.

California Competes Tax Credit Program

The California Competes Tax Credit is an income tax credit available to businesses who want to come to California or stay and grow in California. Tax credit agreements are negotiated by GO-Biz. For more information, visit the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) website.

California Small Business Loan Guarantee Program

Enables a small business to obtain a term loan or line of credit and increase the availability of loans through private lending institutions.  For more information, visit the Small Business Finance Center (SBFC) website.

California Loan Guarantee Program 

This program enables a small business to obtain a term loan or line of credit and increases the availability of loans to small business through private lending institutions. The funds can be used for equipment purchases, contract financing, business expansion, and working capital.  For more information, please contact the Nor-Cal Financial Development Corporation at 925-484-0684 or California Capital at 916-441-1729 for a list of participating lenders. 

Cal-Trans Business Enterprise Program 

The Cal-Trans Business Enterprise Program provides information regarding obtaining a certification as a disadvantaged, minority, or woman-owned business. For more information, please contact the Cal-Trans Business Enterprise Program at 916-227-9599.

California Department of General Services Office of Small Business Certification & Resources

 
This California Department of General Services program provides business information services to further participation in State contracting opportunities (Small Business Certification; Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise Certification; Minority, Women, Disabled Veteran Enterprise Participation Program; California State Contracts Register). For more information, please contact the Office of Small Business Certification and Resources at 916-322-5060.

California State Treasurer's Office Assistance Programs

 
The Equipment Only Purchase Program (EOPP) provides for the issuance of small bonds amounts to finance the purchase of equipment - usually $1 million to $2 million in size. The Small Business Program (SBP) provides a program whereby tax-exempt financing of certain capital expenditures is made available. For more information on either of these programs, please contact the State of California Treasurer's Office at 916-653-2995. 

California Manufacturing Technology Center 

The California Manufacturing Technology Center (CMTC) helps promote the competitiveness of the state's smaller manufacturers (those with less than 500 employees). CMTC provides manufacturing companies with business and technical consultants who provide service products in the areas of: quality systems, management and business, operations and engineering, and organization development. 

Governor's Advocate for Small Business

 
The Governor's Advocate for Small Business (ASB) is a State of California program that provides small businesses with assistance and access to opportunities provided by State agencies including information on State services, resources, and events. The goal is to encourage California small businesses to compete and participate in the State's economic vitality. For more information, please contact the ASB at 916-324-5770.

Employment Development Department - State of California

The Employment Development Department (EDD) was created to help businesses find skilled workers. EDD offers information on the labor market, tax and hiring incentives, and much more. EDD also offers training subsidies to offset the costs of training new employees and will help design customized training programs.

Employment Training Panel

The Employment Training Panel (ETP) provides funding to employers to assist in upgrading the skills of their workers through training that leads to good paying, long-term jobs. The ETP is a funding agency, not a training agency. Businesses determine their own training needs and how to provide training.

Statewide Community Infrastructure Program (SCIP)

SCIP is a financing program that enables developers to pay most impact fees and finance public improvements through an acquisition agreement.

Additional Funding Programs

Hazardous Waste Reduction Loan

This program provides loans (up to $150,000) to finance equipment and/or changes in production practices that will result in the reduction of solid waste generated or the hazardous properties of the solid waste generated. For more information, please contact the California Trade and Commerce Agency at 916-323-0777 or the Regional Development Corporation at 925-416-6491.

Repair Underground Storage Tank (RUST) Loan

This program provides loan assistance to replace, remove, repair, or upgrade underground storage tanks (up to 90% of the project's costs). For more information, please contact the California Trade and Commerce Agency at 916-323-9879 or the Regional Development Corporation at 925-416-6491. 

Small Business Pollution Control

For more information, please contact the California Pollution Control Financing Authority at 916-654-5610.

California Economic Development Lending Initiative Micro-Loan

For more information, please contact the California Economic Development Lending Initiative at 510-267-8990.