Santa Rosa small business center moves

Two ventures tasked with helping small businesses in Sonoma County have teamed up to share office space and provide educational programs for entrepreneurs.

The Sonoma County Economic Development Board announced Tuesday that the Napa-Sonoma Small Business Development Center has moved into its Santa Rosa offices.

The two groups will host an Oct. 8 procurement workshop for small businesses that want to sell goods and services to major corporations and government agencies. As well, this fall the development center will host at the combined offices a 12-week NxLevel Entrepreneurial Training Program covering all phases of business planning.

The federally-supported development center, a program of Napa Valley College, provides advisers who can guide small businesses on such issues as writing business plans, marketing and accounting. The Economic Development Board has four members of its staff who work with startups and small businesses.

Mary Cervantes, director for the development center’s Santa Rosa office, said it makes sense to place the services of the two groups in one location.

“What it does is make for one stop for the entrepreneurs,” she said.

The development center will continue to operate offices in both Santa Rosa and at Napa Valley College, she said.

Ben Stone, executive director of the Economic Development Board, said focusing on small business pays dividends because they create seven out of every 10 new jobs in the county.

“It’s our best bet for economic development to help these small businesses get started,” he said.

You can reach Staff Writer Robert Digitale at 521-5285 or robert.digitale@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @rdigit