Press Releases

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.

"I want to thank the Napa-Sonoma Small Business Development Center, the City of Santa Rosa and the County of Sonoma for hosting the team from the U.S. Small Business Administration, we hope to create an efficient and effective one-stop operation for local businesses to get the assistance they need to recover from the wildfires," said Ben Stone, Executive Director at the Sonoma County Economic Development Board. 

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. Ben Stone, Sonoma County Economic Development Director says, 

“Broadband is a necessity and no longer a luxury for residents, businesses, and anchor institutions, including health care facilities, public safety agencies, and schools. The strategic plan will analyze and make recommendations for improving access to internet services."

Magellan Advisors and the ASB are planning an educational workshop along with community meetings, focus groups, and interviews in September 2017.

To learn more, including upcoming meetings and focus group times, please see the press release.

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

The Board of Supervisors has approved a plan that establishes 2017 as the Year of the Senior to celebrate the economic and social contributions of residents age 60 and older.

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.