Business Resources
Ventura County
BUSINESS RESOURCES VENTURA COUNTY
EDC is dedicated to providing resources for business startup, growth and expansion. Click the links below for information to assist with your
business needs.
Need more help? Call today to set up an appointment with one of our business advisors.
Start-Up Assistance
Ventura County Business Start-Up Guide
The Ventura County Business Start-Up Guide offers step by step guidance for business start-up and individuals curious about the requirements of business ownership.
Business Statistics & Industry Searches
Reference USA and First Research are searchable databases that contain economic industry profiles and directory information of US businesses and households. Check online or the reference librarian at your local branch for access to both.
Trademark Search
Conduct trademark searches through the US Patent and Trademark Office’s searchable database (TESS).
Sample Business Plan
Be sure to write a business plan before you begin! The SBA provides a guide to write a plan quickly and efficiently with business plan templates.
Financial Spreadsheets
Financial planning and cashflow management spreadsheets (Excel) from are available through the EDC Loan Program.
Ventura County Business License and Permit Guide
All businesses operating in Ventura County are required to have a business license for the jurisdictions they operate within. Follow the links for a comprehensive guide to obtaining a business license within Ventura County.
Tax Assessor’s Office
If you are starting a new business, you will need to check what applicable taxes your business is responsible for. Be sure to confirm with the County Tax Assessor’s Office to remain in compliance.
Business Zoning Information
Make sure you know where your business can be located based on zoning laws.
Tax assistance
California Tax Service Center
The California Tax Service Center works to provide one-stop tax help through taxpayer resources and educational programs.
California Department of Tax and Fee Administration
The California Department of Tax and Fee Administration is the governing body that manages sales and use tax in addition to issuing seller’s permits. Check their website for free sales and use tax seminars offered quarterly to answer tax questions related for your business.
permit assistance
County Permit Assistance
The county websites offer a comprehensive list of permits, licenses and regulations for businesses located in the unincorporated areas who are looking to expand or enhance their property. Follow the links to learn more.
State of California Permit Assistance
The California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development offers comprehensive permit and regulatory compliance assistance to all businesses in California, helping business owners identify the permits needed to start a new business or expand an existing one.
No-cost Business Consulting
NO-COST Human Resources Hotline for Businesses in Ventura County
The Workforce Development Board of Ventura County has partnered with the California Employers Association to provide Ventura County businesses with a FREE HR HOTLINE! Providing assistance with: Hiring & Firing Best Practices, Paid Sick Leave Laws, Wage & Hour Laws, Employee Handbook Policies, HR Compliance, Accommodations in the Workplace…and much more! Call 888.763.3174, Monday – Friday, 8 AM– 5 PM
Economic Development Collaborative
The Economic Development Collaborative’s Small Business Development Center (EDC SBDC) offers no-cost technical consulting services in every area of business need. With over 30 consultants on staff, the EDC delivers business consulting and access to capital to support the regional economy.
SCORE Ventura County
With a membership of over 60 Experts and the national backing of the SBA, the Ventura County Chapter of SCORE has the talent and resources that will help your business endeavors become a fulfilling reality.
Access to Capital
EDC Loan
The EDC offers a variety of targeted lending opportunities through five distinct loan programs: the Business Development Loan Fund, Childcare Investment Loan Fund, City of Camarillo Loan Fund, City of Ventura Business Assistance Loan Fund and Disaster Loan Fund. The purpose of the EDC loan program is to stimulate job creation and economic activity by providing access to affordable capital.
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
The SBA helps set guidelines for loans and reduces risk for lenders, allowing more lenders to provide small business loans. Loans guaranteed by the SBA range from small to large and can be used for most business purposes, including long-term fixed assets and operating capital.
Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV)
WEV’s Loan Program’s goal is to diversify and expand the local economy and create new jobs by providing start-up and expansion capital to small businesses that do not qualify for conventional bank financing.
California Enterprise Development Authority
The California Association for Local Economic Development (CALED) established the California Enterprise Development Authority (CEDA), a Joint Powers Authority (JPA), to address gaps in Economic Development financing. Specifically, CEDA’s goal is to issue industrial development bonds (IDBs) for small- to medium-sized California manufacturers.
IBank
The California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank offer financing programs to assist small businesses, public agencies and nonprofits.
Subsidized Employment
New Employment Credit (NEDC)
Will your business be hiring hourly workers paid at 1.5 to 3.5 times the state minimum wage? If you are also located within a Designated Geographic Area (DGA), you are likely eligible to apply for New Employment Credit (NEC) of up to $56,000 per employee over 5 years. Per-employee reservations are made online at any time.
Subsidized Employee Training
Workforce Development, Education and Training Resource Guide
The Workforce Development Board of Ventura County offers resources for employers and job seekers. Resources include: subsidized workforce training, recruitment services, business consulting and the following comprehensive guide for business owners, employers and workers of education and training opportunities available in Ventura County.
Employment Training Panel (ETP)
The ETP program helps to ensure that California businesses will have the skilled workers they need to remain competitive. ETP reimburses the cost of employer-driven training for incumbent workers and funds the type of training needed by unemployed workers to re-enter the workforce.
Eligible Training Provider List (ETPL)
California’s Eligible Training Provider List (ETPL) provides customer-focused employment training resources for adults and dislocated workers. The statewide list includes qualified training providers who offer a wide range of educational programs, including classroom, correspondence, online, and apprenticeship programs.
Ventura County Community College District Division of Economic Development
The Ventura County Community College District Division of Economic Development provides technical assistance and customized training support to employers seeking to increase the productivity of their workforce. These services are provided in partnership with the three colleges in the District serving employers throughout Ventura County.
Career One Stop Business Center
Career One Stop Business Center, sponsored by the Department of Labor and in partnership with America’s Job Center, provides employers with recruitment and hiring resources along with subsidized training and employee development opportunities.
Business Development and Learning
EDC SBDC
The Economic Development Collaborative’s Small Business Development Center (EDC SBDC) offers no-cost technical consulting services in every area of business need. With over 30 consultants on staff, the EDC delivers business consulting and access to capital to support the regional economy.
Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV)
Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) offers short-term and long-term business consulting to assist businesses with recovering from Covid, improve QuickBooks understanding and pivot their business. Free business-related webinars are regularly held in English and Spanish.
SCORE Ventura County
SCORE is a nonprofit association dedicated to helping small businesses get off the ground, grow and achieve their goals through education and mentorship. SCORE provides volunteer mentors who share their expertise across 62 industries, free business tools, templates and tips online, free, confidential business mentoring, and inexpensive or free business workshops.
California Manufacturing Technology Consulting (CMTC)
California Manufacturing Technology Consulting (CMTC) services help transform manufacturing organizations into innovative, high performing, market driven and cost-effective operations. In partnership with the EDC, the following manufacturing resources are available at no-cost: increase brand recognition by registering with Made in CA; join the Supplier Scouting database; and no-cost business assessment and evaluation.
Tools for Business
Tools for Business is searchable business development resource website offering guidance from business start-up and growth to permitting, financing, marketing and more
LinkedIn Learning
Formerly Lynda.com, LinkedIn Learning offers the most in-demand business, tech and creative skill and learning resources from industry experts. Free access is available through the Camarillo Public Library.
Creative Live
Creative Live hosts creative classes taught by industry leaders worldwide and is one of the best resources available for ongoing training in creative arts and business development for creatives.
Virtual Business and International Advisor
Virtual International Advisor offered through the SBDC, provides step by step guidance to businesses interested in building organizational export capabilities and ensuring export and import compliance.
SBA Learning Center
The SBA offers a variety of online courses to help you start and run your business
WorkforceGPS
WorkforceGPS is a free membership that offers access to a collection of resources, online communities and networking between members to help you start and grow your business.
LOCAL BUSINESS INCENTIVES
Ventura County Green Business (VCGB)
Ventura County Green Business (VCGB) is a part of the California Green Business Network (CAGBN), whose mission is to assist businesses to operate sustainably as well as profitably. VCGB works with local government agencies to provide assistance to small-to medium-sized businesses who chose to go through the process of becoming Green Certified.
Ventura County Recycling Market Development Zone
The Ventura County Recycling Market Development Zone (RMDZ), administered by the Ventura County Public Works Agency, Integrated Waste Management Division, has incentives to help you move forward with your business plans. Incentives include financing and assistance with hiring, permits, site selection, planning, partnerships, and obtaining materials for manufacturing.
California Business Incentives
California Business Investment Guide
Check out the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) California Business Investment Guide, a resource for businesses to help identify relevant state funding resources to locate, expand and thrive in California.
California Business Incentives
The State of California offers a variety of incentive and financing programs to encourage business development in California through the California Business Portal.
California Business Incentives
California consistently creates more business and economic opportunity that any other region in the world. If your business is considering expanding or relocating to California, the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development office provides no-cost, confidential services for incentive and grant navigation. Their team of business consultants will guide you through the available tax credits, grants, and financing assistance options that are available to your business.
California Competes Tax Credit
The California Competes Tax Credit is an income tax credit available to businesses that want to come to California or stay and grow in California.
California Business Incentives
Is your business conducting research? The California research and development tax credit can help you do it for less.
State and Federal Labor Departments
Employment Development Department (EDD)
The EDD works to connect millions of job seekers and employers in an effort to build the economy of California. They work to enhance California’s economic growth and prosperity by collaboratively delivering valuable and innovative services to meet the evolving needs of employers, workers, and job seekers.
California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR)
The California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) protects and improves the health, safety, and economic well-being of over 18 million wage earners and helps their employers comply with state labor laws.
U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)
The DOL fosters, promotes, and develops the welfare of the wage earners, job seekers, and retirees of the United States, by improving working conditions, advancing opportunities for profitable employment, and assuring work-related benefits and rights.
Go-Biz
The Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) was created by Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. to serve as the State of California’s leader for job growth and economic development efforts. GO-Biz offers a range of services to business owners including: attraction, retention and expansion services, site selection, permit assistance, regulatory guidance, small business assistance, international trade development, assistance with state government, and much more.
Colleges & Universities
California Lutheran University (CLU)
Founded in 1959, California Lutheran University is home to more than 2,963 undergraduate and 1,273 graduate students who come from more than 45 countries and represent a wide variety of faiths. Our dedicated, accomplished faculty works with small classes of students who are open-minded—about ideas, about people, and about faith—and are seeking to grow as individuals. Both in the classroom and outside of it, everyone at Cal Lutheran is committed to helping each student pursue their passions to discover their purpose and follow that purpose to transform their community—and the world.
California State University Channel Islands (CSUCI)
California State University Channel Islands (CSUCI) is a four-year public university established in 2002. Placing students at the center of their educational experience, the university mission rests on an internationalized, interdisciplinary, and multicultural curriculum based on community engagement, studying abroad opportunities, and a diverse campus community.
Martin V. Smith School (MVS) of Business & Economics
The Martin V. Smith School of Business & Economics at CSU Channel Islands offers Graduate-level programs in Business and Biotech. It also presents a series of inspiring talks throughout the school year. Its Entrepreneur and Small Business Institute (ESBI) has courses in consulting, which offer student advisers to help local businesses.
Thomas Aquinas College
Thomas Aquinas College offers a classical Catholic liberal education. The College’s program consists of an integrated and orderly study of the liberal arts and sciences, beginning with the fundamental arts of the trivium and quadrivium, proceeding through the natural and political sciences, and culminating in theology.
Ventura County Community College District (VCCCD)
Ventura County Community College District (VCCCD) is a public community college district serving residents throughout Ventura County. VCCCD’s three colleges – Moorpark College, Oxnard College, and Ventura College – offer programs for transfer to four-year colleges and universities; career technical training; basic skills instruction; as well as community service, economic development, and continuing education for cultural growth, life enrichment, and skills improvement.
Ventura Adult Continuing Education (VACE)
VACE offers skill development in accounting, video production, graphic design, and more. Their free workforce development program provides classes for Microsoft Office and other computer competencies.
Libraries
Russel Fisher Business Collection – Camarillo Public Library
Part of the Camarillo Library, the Russell Fischer Business Collection offers free workshops and classes on a wide range of entrepreneurship topics. Additionally, members of the Camarillo Library have access to research databases for market research, free business eBooks, eAudiobooks, eMagazines, access to skill development classes on Lynda.com, and investment research through Morningstar and Valueline.
Ventura County Public Libraries
Not only does Ventura County Library system have 14 locations and an eLibrary to meet all of your reading needs— it also provides community resources like Career Online High School, ESL classes, and the READ literacy program for adult learners. As it follows its mission to “inspire our community to explore, discover, and connect,” family events and rentable meeting rooms make time and space for community a reality. Drop by for a book and much more.
Co-Working Spaces
| Name | City | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Circle Hub | Ventura | 800.781.8620 |
| Coastal Coworking | Ventura | 805.626.0870 |
| Meet Work Connect | Oxnard | 805.628.2788 |
| officeLOCALE | Thousand Oaks | 805.777.8866 |
| River Park Execute Suites | Ventura | 805.351.3700 |
Business Incubators
| Name | City |
|---|---|
| FATHOMWERX | Port Hueneme |
| Matter Labs | Camarillo |
| RC Makes | Camarillo |
| Ventura Biocenter | Newbury Park |
Business Associations
| Name | City | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| 805 Startups | Westlake Village | 818.538.6373 |
| BNI Ventura County | Oxnard | 805.850.0157 |
| Conejo Simi Moorpark Association of REALTORS | Conejo Valley | 805.495.4681 |
| Kick Ass Café | Camarillo | - |
| National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals Ventura County | Ventura | 877.262.4737 |
| Ojai Valley Board of REALTORS | Ojai | 805.646.8453 |
| Professionals in Human Resources Association Ventura County | Camarillo | 424.329.0200 |
| Spark Conejo Valley | Conejo Valley | - |
| Ventura County Economic Development Association VCEDA | Camarillo | 805.676.1332 |
| Ventura County Leadership Academy | Ventura | 805.253.2683 |
| Ventura County Regional Energy Alliance | Ventura | 805.654.3874 |
Chambers of Commerce
| Name | City | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce | Thousand Oaks | 805.370.0035 |
| Hueneme Chamber of Commerce | Port Hueneme | 805.228.1366 |
| Moorpark Chamber of Commerce | Moorpark | 805.529.0322 |
| Ojai Valley Chamber of Commerce | Ojai | 805.646.8126 |
| Santa Paula Chamber of Commerce | Santa Paula | 805.525.5561 |
| Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce | Simi Valley | 805.526.3900 |
| Ventura Chamber of Commerce | Ventura | 805.643.7222 |
| West Ventura County Business Alliance | Camarillo/Oxnard | 805.738.9100 |
