Economic & Business Development Services

The City contracts with the Sonoma Valley Chamber of Commerce to provides services to help local businesses to succeed.  Membership is not required to access these services.

If you are new to the area, they'll provide demographic information, details on financial incentive programs, start-up resources, a contact for specialized workforce training, and other assistance. Their staff will help you understand the approval process, arrange meetings with key departments, introduce you to representatives of commercial properties for lease or sale, and provide you with information about a variety of local resources.

Chamber staff can also connect your business with resources available through regional organizations like the Small Business Development Center, SCORE, and the County Economic Development Board.  For assistance, call the Chamber's executive director at (707)996-1033.

Working together, the City and the Chamber have focused on streamlining regulatory processes, improving downtown vitality and supporting economic diversification and entrepreneurship.   Initiatives such as the Creative Alliance and the Innovation Alliance are expanding support for growing sectors of our local economy.

The Chamber also tracks key indicators on the local economy, conducts an annual survey of Sonoma Valley businesses, and holds an annual celebration and showcase for the newest businesses in our community, called LOCAL-Fest.

Activities and services provided under the contract are summarized in an annual report.