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Small Business Assistance
Small Business Support Program
A component of the Economic Opportunity Plan is the Small Business Support Program (PDF). A high priority of the plan is to assist existing businesses to grow and increase their prosperity, which will contribute to the City's government revenue base. If you are looking for general information regarding starting a business in California, GO-Biz is a great place to start.
Business Counseling
Need counseling about your business? The CalCoastal Small Business Development Center offers a wide variety of services for present and potential small business owners. SBDC counseling services are confidential. The SBDC is unable to provide counseling for tax or legal issues, but can provide referrals. You can also get counseling services from Service Core of Retired Executives (SCORE)
Potential Customers
Who lives in Seaside? Who will be your customer base? Check the U.S. Census Bureau Demographic Information for the City of Seaside.
Alcohol
Do you want to serve alcohol at your business? If so, here are the Steps to Obtaining an Alcoholic Beverage License (PDF) from the State of California. Once you have your license, you may wish to have your employees attend Responsible Beverage Service Training Sessions.This program is certified by the State to provide Responsible Beverage Service Training to reduce liability. The training sessions are offered in English and Spanish by Sun Street Centers, 1760 Fremont Boulevard Suite E-1 in Seaside on the second Thursday of each month from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m for $20. Classes can also be scheduled at your business location.
Funding
Looking for funding? The Monterey County Revolving Loan from California Coastal Rural Development Corporation (Cal Coastal) might be appropriate for you. Cal Coastal currently operates six (6) loan programs which include;
- Farm Loan Program
- Intermediary Relending Program
- Monterey County Revolving Loan Fund
- SBA 504 Program
- SBA Micro Loan Program
- State Guarantee Program
The typical loan range is from $5,000 to $5,000,000, and can be utilized for building purchase, machinery and equipment, inventory, or working capital.
Small Business Loan Program
Perhaps the Grow Seaside Small Business Loan Program is right for you. The Grow Seaside Fund is a unique economic development partnership between the City of Seaside and the National Development Council's Grow America Fund, Inc., an approved Small Business Administration lender. Loans on favorable terms can be secured from $25,000 to $2,000,000 for qualifying local firms. Additional information is available in the program brochure (PDF).
Qualifications
To qualify for a loan, the business must engage in a legitimate for-profit business activity and have the ability to create permanent jobs in the community. The fund can finance healthy, successful small businesses that need expansion capital to reach their full growth potential. Contact the Community and Economic Development staff at Seaside City Hall for more information.
Funding Options
- The United States Small Business Administration has a variety of loans and grants available.
- Have an idea for an energy-sustainable project? Search for grants, rebates and other funding at Cool California.
- Need Money for Your Business?
If you were unable to attend the City of Seaside / CalCoastal Small Business Development Center's workshop for Access to Capital Finance and Your Business Workshop on October 27, 2015- View our Access to Capital Finance and Your Business Presentation (PDF).
Picking a Business Location
Caltrans traffic counts for freeway ramps in the vicinity and maps of Seaside with traffic counts (PDF) are helpful when scouting out the right location for your business.Need Money for Your Business?