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Expanding Small Business Assistance in California, GO-Biz Announces $17M in New Small Business Technical Assistance Grants to Providers Across the State

Sacramento, CA – Today, the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) announced grant awards to 69 recipients of the California Small Business Technical Assistance Expansion Program (SB TAEP). The state’s $17 million in grant funding has been allocated to technical assistance centers for expansion of their business consulting and training services to historically under-resourced businesses and communities, including minority, women, and veteran-owned businesses and low-wealth, rural, and disaster-impacted communities.

“California is the innovation state and leads the nation in startups, and we must ensure that gender, race, and zip code are not barriers to success.  With expanded technical support, our small businesses and entrepreneurs can continue to build communities along Main Streets, make next generation products, innovate solutions to global problems, and create new industries,” said Isabel Guzman, Director of GO-Biz’s Office of the Small Business Advocate, which administers SB TAEP. “We recognize that every small business needs a team and this grant program will give many owners and founders access to free expert consultants, low-cost or free training, and connection to resources and tools they need to launch, grow and successfully operate their companies. Our small businesses are vital to California’s future inclusive economy.”

Governor’s Chief Economic and Business Advisor Releases Statement on September Employment Numbers

Sacramento, CA – Following the California Employment Development Department’s (EDD) release of the state’s employment data from September, the Governor’s Chief Economic and Business Advisor and Director of the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development, Lenny Mendonca issued the following statement:

Investing in Social Equity: $28.5 Million Works to Counteract Impacts of the War on Drugs

Sacramento, CA – Today, the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) announced 69 grants totaling $28.5 million awarded to organizations across the state. The funds come from cannabis tax revenue generated by The Adult Use of Marijuana Act (Proposition 64, 2016), and are granted through the California Community Reinvestment Grants (CalCRG) program. These grants serve communities disproportionately affected by the War on Drugs (WoD).

“We have a moral responsibility to address the War on Drugs’ multi-generational impacts that have marginalized communities throughout our state,” said Governor Gavin Newsom. “Programs like CalCRG exemplify California’s commitment to this responsibility, and it ensures our cannabis marketplace remains rooted in social justice.”