About Us
The Economic Development Corporation of San Benito County promotes economic growth and development in San Benito County, California through business attraction, retention, expansion and creation, while maintaining and preserving our agricultural land and rural environment.
Technology
Aeronautics and avionics are rooted in this area with a strong infrastructure for bio-technology, bio-research and next generation technology.
Industry
San Benito County attracts a mix of small to medium-sized manufacturing and distribution centers, along with light industry.
Agriculture
Fertile valley soil supports some of the most productive farmland in the state with a moderate climate, sunny days allow for year-round farming.
This is San Benito County
Set in an idyllic small valley surrounded by spectacular agriculture, San Benito County’s two cities and numerous rural communities retain a casual small town “feel” while continuing to expand and flourish with growth. Nestled conveniently between fast-paced Silicon Valley and the arts oriented Monterey Bay.
Population
58,671
Median Household Income
$80,760
# of Employees
27,688
Resources
New Small Business Resources in the New Year (Posted Jan 19, 2021)
With the signing of the new Federal $900 Billion COVID Relief legislation into law, it includes major new funding for continuation of the Payroll Protection Program (PPP) and the SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL). The State has set aside $500 Million for its California Small business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program, and locally the Grow San Benito Small Business Revolving Loan Fund is available. Local businesses have these Four major loan or grant funding sources to access now.
If you don’t have a local bank you work with, there are numerous online lenders, some of whom specialize in PPP and small business loans. These include Kabbage and Lendio. Others are Ondeck, smartbiz, and Bluevine.
Access Plus Capital, Grow San Benito Loan Fund which administers the Grow San Benito loan program, is a community-based financial institution (CDFI), which means they can assist you with the newly refunded PPP and EIDL, as well as State programs, and the Grow San Benito loan.
For more information about the Federal Programs, see this article overview: Hartford Article
For the latest rules for PPP and EIDL see the January 6th Final Interim Rules posted by the SBA and the Treasury Department: Latest PPP and EIDL Rules: SBA and Treasury
Note that with the new PPP, food service providers such as restaurants, hotels, and vendors, are eligible to receive 40% more than other businesses for payroll costs. There is also new targeted funding for theaters, music venues, museums, and similar “shuttered venues”. The EIDL is a loan – but it includes a grant as well.
Shuttered Venues Operations Grant | CNN Article on PPP Loan Reopens
For the State’s Small Business Relief Grant Program information and application see: California Small Business Relief Grant
Round 2 Opens: February 2, 2021 | Round 2 Closes: February 8, 2021
Approval Notifications: February 11 – 18, 2021
For the San Benito Grow loan program go the Access Plus website to apply: Grow San Benito Loan Fund
Contact your accountant or bookkeeper about the specifics of these loans and grants. Check back with the SBA and Treasury for updated rule changes. If you have any questions, or need help figuring out whom to talk to about these grants and loans, contact us directly at 831-234-2044
SBA Loan Application and Business Assistance
For assistance with your SBA loan application or other business needs contact the Cal Coastal Small Business Development Center (SBDC) 0ffice in Salinas through their website at:
Website: https://calcoastalsbdc.com
Email: sbdc@calcoastal.org
Phone: (831) 424-1099 Ext.3
Toll free number: 855-815-3833 Ext 3
Cal Coastal SBDC is your Best Resource for one-on-one professional help with your SBA loan application. Cal Coastal serves San Benito and Monterey counties, and is available at No Cost to your business! Their staff and business advisors are available to assist you by phone, email or video conference.
You must be a registered client to receive the no-fee services. Register at https://calcoastalsbdc.com/,Click the “Get Started” button and complete the registration for San Benito County businesses. Once completed, Cal Coastal SBDC’s professional staff will contact you directly to schedule the next steps to help you apply for the low cost SBA loan for your business or other needed services. Cal Coastal SBDC’s professional staff are available to help you directly during these difficult times. Contact them Today!
— SBA Funding Relieve Options (PDF) – Last Updated 4/9/20
Also see our recent News Release under “In the News” on this site.
Below are links to local, state and federal organizations that provide information and other resources to local businesses. Please note that these links will be updated as additional resources are identified:
Small Business Administration Loan Program
Resource Spreadsheet from the CA State Treasurer courtesy of Assemblyman Robert Rivas
CA Small Business Finance Center Loans
California Association of Local Economic Development
California Employment Development Department
Business Resources from the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives
California’s Response to the Coronavirus (COVID 19)
California Association of Micro Business
San Benito County Shelter in Place Order
Community Foundation of San Benito County Disaster Relief Fund
EDC San Benito Newsletter
California Coastal Rural Development Corporation
CSUMB Small Business Development Corporation
San Benito County Business Council
El Pajaro Community Development Corporation
Monterey Bay Procurement Technical Assistance Center
California Business Roundtable
Planning and Development
Planning and Development
The Economic Development Corporation (EDC) and San Benito County work in conjunction to help promote economic development within the County. The EDC promotes economic growth and development in San Benito County, California through business attraction, retention, expansion and creation, while maintaining and preserving our agricultural land and rural environment. Please visit these websites for more information.
In the News
01/19/2021
With the signing of the new Federal $900 Billion COVID Relief legislation into law, it includes major new funding for continuation of the Payroll Protection Program (PPP) and the SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL). The State has set aside $500 Million for its California Small business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program, and locally the Grow San Benito Small Business Revolving Loan Fund is available. Local businesses have these Four major loan or grant funding sources to access now.
10/08/2020
The U.S. Small Business Administration, in consultation with the Treasury Department, today released a simpler loan forgiveness application for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans of $50,000 or less. This action streamlines the PPP forgiveness process to provide financial and administrative relief to America’s smallest businesses while also ensuring sound stewardship of taxpayer dollars.
04/10/2020
The Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster loan is called the Economic Injury Disaster Loan or EIDL. By simply applying for this disaster loan, you become eligible for up to a $10,000 advance on your loan.
NOTE: If you applied for this loan before March 30, you need to reapply to utilize the new streamed lined loan application (see link below).
04/07/2020
The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) is part of the Stimulus Bill and provides small businesses with funds to pay up to 8 weeks of payroll costs, including benefits. Funds can be used to pay interest on mortgages, rent and utilities.
Fully Forgiven Funds are provided in the form of loans that are fully forgiven when used for payroll costs and other eligible costs. Loan payments will be deferred for six months. No collateral or personal guarantees are required. Neither the government nor lenders will charge small businesses any fees.
03/30/2020
On Friday March 27, 2020, The President signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, or CARES Act into legislation. The $2 Trillion aid package includes the following for individuals and businesses. Note that this summary does not include all of the components of the legislation, and instead focuses on what types of aid are made available to most people and small businesses.
03/20/2020
In order to protect the public and in recognition of the current public health emergency, San Benito County has issued an Order to Shelter in Place (Order) that effects our residents and our local businesses. The Economic Development Corporation (EDC) urges all businesses and residents to review the Order in detail. You can find it at the County’s website. This Order is similar to the Orders that have been declared in the Bay Area counties and is consistent with a similar order from Governor Newsom.
03/04/2020
Aaron Johnston, Chairman of the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) Board, is pleased to announce that the organization has hired Marc Fontes as its new Executive Director
03.11.2019
Supervisors allocate $67,000 to four organizations and plan further discussions in budget hearings.
08.21.2019
Area organizations attend a workshop on business retention/growth, multi-agency collaboration and tourism marketing plan.
Partnerships
Investors
Individuals
A2B Consulting Group
Mary Hubbell
Bianchi, Kasavan & Pope, LLP
Kathy Z. Johnson
Aaron Johnston
Graniterock
Ken Lindsay
Sierra Pacific Associates Inc.
Cheryl Mullen
Rachel Reed
Graniterock
Brenda Weatherly
Andrew G. Shelton
Richard W. Shelton Insurance Marketing Inc.
Loree Van Bebber
Cal Coastal
SBDC
Bonnie and Nick Voropaeff
DLG Printing
Contact
San Benito County Economic Development Corporation
PO Box 1265
Hollister, CA, 95024
831-288-5950
info@edcsanbenito.org
Board of Directors
Chairman
Aaron Johnston
Vice President
Safety, Environmental and Quality
Graniterock
ajohnston@graniterock.com
Vice Chairman
Gillian Enz
Owner and Managing Member
Valkyrie Construction Management, LLC
gillian@valkyrie-cm.com
Intero Real Estate
Commercial Division, Morgan Hill
Secretary
Andrew Shelton
LUTCF, CLTC
Certified California Exchange Agent
Shelton Insurance
andrew@shelton-insurance.com
Treasurer
Mary Hubbell
Partner
Bianchi, Kasavan & Pope, LLP
maryh@bkpcpa.com
Ken Lindsay
President
Sierra Pacific Associates, Inc.
klin@pacbell.net
Loree Van Bebber
Marketing Manager/Business Development
Cal Coastal—A Small Business Lender
loree_vanbebber@calcoastal.org
Rachel Reed
Biological Resources Project Manager
Graniterock
rreed@graniterock.com
Paul Rovella
Managing Partner
Johnson, Rovella, Retterer, Rosenthal and Gilles, LLP
paul@jrgattorneys.com
Bob Quaid
Treasurer
San Juan Bautista Community Business Association
ramquaid@sbcglobal.net
Mary Gilbert
Executive Director
San Benito County Council of Governments
mary@sanbenitocog.org
Brenda Weatherly
Director of Donor and Community Services
Community Foundation for San Benito County
bweatherly@givesanbenito.org