Business Forward’s central hub of business resources provides information and links to help guide business start-up to growth and expansion. Click the links below for information to assist with your business needs. Need more help? Call our Business Liaison at (805) 409-9788 for more assistance.
Select a Program
COVID-19 Business Support
COVID-19 Business Support
The Economic Development Collaborative’s COVID-19 Resources page provides extensive guidance for businesses, nonprofits, employers and employees who have experienced economic injury. For more information
Start-Up Assistance
Ventura County Business Start-Up Guide
The Economic Development Collaborative's Business Start-up Guide offers step-by-step guidance for business start-ups and individuals curious about the requirements of business ownership.
Business Statistics and Industry Searches
ReferenceUSA and First Research are searchable databases that contain economic industry profiles and directory information of US businesses and households. Check online or with the reference librarian at your local Ventura County branch for access.
Trademark Search
Before you start your business be sure to conduct trademark searches through the US Patent and Trademark Office's searchable database (TESS) to review product or service name and word marks that may already be in use in the marketplace.
Sample Business Plan
Be sure to write a business plan before you begin! The US Small Business Administration (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 SCORE.
Ventura County Business License and Permit Guide
Business Zoning Information
Make sure you know where your business can be located based on zoning laws.
Tax Assistance
County of Ventura Tax Assistance
Visit the County of Ventura's website for more information on local business tax requirements from the Office of the County Assessor.
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 tor your business.
Permit Assistance
County of Ventura 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 Business Consulting
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 Ventura County's economy.
No-Cost Business Mentoring and Resources
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
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.
IBank
The California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank (IBank) offers financing programs to assist small businesses, public agencies and nonprofits.
Economic Development Collaborative (EDC)
The EDC offers a variety of targeted lending opportunities through four distinct loan programs: the Business Development Loan Fund, Childcare Investment Loan Fund, City of Ventura Business Assistance Loan Fund and the Disaster Loan Fund. The purpose of the EDC loan program is to stimulate job creation and economic activity by providing access to affordable capital.
Women's Economic Ventures (WEV)
The goal of the WEV Loan Program 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 (CEDA)
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.
Subsidized Employment
New Employment Credit (NEC)
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
Ventura County Workforce Development, Education and Training Resource Guide
Education and training resources available throughout 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 & Learning
Career Hub
The Career Hub brings together Ventura County employers and students to provide equitable access to a continuum of high quality work-based learning experiences. Local employers can connect with their future talent pool using a free posting board on The Career Hub website, pledging a variety of work-based learning opportunities (WBL) including guest speaking, workplace challenges, job shadowing, internships and jobs.
Free Human Resources Hotline- Workforce Development Board of 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 today! 888.763.3174 Hotline Hours: Monday – Friday, 8 am – 5 pm
Economic Development Collaborative (EDC)
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 Ventura County's 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-19, improve QuickBooks understanding and pivot their business. Free business-related webinars are regularly held in English and Spanish.
SCORE
SCORE is dedicated to helping small businesses get off the ground, grow and achieve their goals through education and mentorship.
Tools for Business
Tools for Business is a 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
California Green Business Network (CAGBN)
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.
California Business Incentives
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. Visit their website to find incentives offered by industry, business operation and type.
California Business Grants
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 Research and Development Tax Credit
Is your business conducting research? The California research and development tax credit can help you do it for less.
State & 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.
Work, Play and Stay Contact Us Today!
Business Forward-Ventura County’s Business Resource Hub, Improving Industry, Economy and Equity for our Region Contact Us Today!
Subscribe To Our Newsletter