Press Releases

The Sonoma Mendocino Economic Development District (SMEDD) invites Sonoma and Mendocino County community members to help shape the regional economy. Community members can get involved by taking the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) Survey or by participating in a Community Think Tank, a virtual community forum.

Perspectiva Económica: Impacto en la Comunidad BIPOC examinará los impactos y desafíos económicos de las empresas propiedad de gente negra, indígena y de color (BIPOC, por su acrónimo en inglés) con la oradora principal Marlene Orozco, de Stanford Latino Entrepreneurship Initiative (SLEI) y un panel de propietarios de empresas BIPOC del Condado de Sonoma. 

Economic Perspective: BIPOC Impact will examine the economic impacts and challenges of Black, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) owned businesses featuring keynote speaker Marlene Orozco of the Stanford Latino Entrepreneurship Initiative (SLEI) and a panel of Sonoma County BIPOC business owners.  

La Junta de Desarrollo Económico del Condado de Sonoma (EDB, por sus siglas en inglés) se complace en anunciar la Iniciativa de Prueba de Velocidad de Acceso Sonoma Banda Ancha. Esta iniciativa permite a los miembros de la comunidad probar sus actuales velocidades de internet en el hogar mientras ayuda al Condado de Sonoma a buscar fondos para implementar una mejor infraestructura y servicios en áreas históricamente desatendidas y desfavorecidas.

The Sonoma County Economic Development Board (EDB) is pleased to announce the Access Sonoma Broadband Speed Test Initiative. This initiative allows community members to test their current home internet speeds while helping Sonoma County pursue funding to deploy better infrastructure and services in historically unserved and underserved areas. 

The Sonoma County Economic Development Board (EDB) is pleased to announce the recipients of 20^th Annual Spirit of Sonoma Awards. Spirit of Sonoma honors those who contribute to the economic development and enhancement of the communities in which they live and work through donations of their time and expertise in support of local business, and in helping others. 

La Junta de Desarrollo Económico del Condado de Sonoma (EDB, por sus siglas en inglés) organiza la Semana de Desarrollo Económico, del 3 al 7 de mayo de 2021 para celebrar las contribuciones positivas del desarrollo económico y su importante papel en nuestra comunidad local.

The Sonoma County Economic Development Board (EDB) is virtually hosting Economic Development Week from May 3-7, 2021 to celebrate the positive contributions of economic development and its important role in our local community. 

The Sonoma County Economic Development Board received an Excellence in Economic Development Silver Award for its “#GoSoCo – All You Need Is Local” Post Wildfires Shop Local Campaign from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC).

The Sonoma County Economic Development Board receives the Award of Excellence in Promotions for the post-fires “All You Need is Local – # GoSoCo” Shop Local campaign at the 38th Annual California Association of Local Economic Development Conference.

Sonoma County Restaurant Week, the tastiest time of the year, will be held March 2^nd -11^th and will feature a wide variety of restaurants and culinary options that feature local ingredients at great prices.

The U.S. Small Business Administration opened a Business Recovery Center at the Sonoma County Economic Development Board, in partnership with the City of Santa Rosa. The office is located at 141 Stony Circle, Suite 155, Santa Rosa at The Courtyard building. The hours will be from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Thanks to direct efforts of EDB staff,  the California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank’s (IBank) approved a new Disaster Relief Loan Guarantee Fund Program and an expanded micro loan program on October 24^th, 2017, to assist businesses affected by the wildfires in Sonoma County and other state declared disaster areas.

SANTA ROSA, CA—The Sonoma County Economic Development Board (EDB) has engaged Magellan Advisors to assist the county in developing a Broadband Strategic Plan. Magellan’s senior team of consultants will work with the county, EDB and Access Sonoma Broadband (ASB) to successfully develop a plan for Sonoma County’s broadband future. 

The Sonoma County Economic Development Board (EDB) announces the launch of Strategic Sonoma, an innovative economic development planning effort in partnership with Santa Rosa Junior College, and the Sonoma County Workforce Investment Board. 

“The goal of Strategic Sonoma is to create a five year plan that identifies economic development opportunities for residents and businesses in Sonoma County,” said Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Shirlee Zane. “We look forward to meeting with the community, hearing what they have to say, and developing a plan to further grow our local economy.” 

Sonoma County celebrates National Economic Development Week from May 8-13th. The goal of National Economic Development Week is to increase awareness for local programs that create jobs, advance career development opportunities and increase the quality of life in Sonoma County.

Sonoma County celebrates National Economic Development Week from May 8-13th. The goal of National Economic Development Week is to increase awareness for local programs that create jobs, advance career development opportunities and increase the quality of life in Sonoma County.

Sonoma County Restaurant Week, the tastiest time of the year, will be held March 6 -12, 2017 and will feature a wide variety of restaurants and culinary options that feature local ingredients at great prices.

The Sonoma-Mendocino Economic Development District (EDD), created through a joint powers agreement between Sonoma County and Mendocino County in January 2015, today launched a new website.

This week, Creative Sonoma, a division of Sonoma County’s Economic Development Board, opened up the recruitment process for individuals who are interested in serving on its first Advisory Board.

The Board of Supervisors announced today that 12 grants have been awarded for summer arts youth program across the County.  Summer Arts programs will take place between now and September 30 at art centers, schools and community centers.  The grant program was administrated by Creative Sonoma, a countywide arts initiative through the County's Economic Development Board.

The 2015 Sonoma County Beer, Cider & Spirits Conference will convene the dynamic Sonoma County craft beer, cider and spirits industry for a half-day event to be held on February 27, 2015 from 1:00pm to 5:30pm at the Hyatt Vineyard Creek Hotel in Santa Rosa, CA. 

Kristen Madsen, Senior Vice President of the GRAMMY Foundation and MusiCares Foundation, has been appointed the new Director of Arts at the Sonoma County Economic Development Board.