IGC

The County should promote and expand existing small business development programs by identifying partnerships between industry and educational organizations, and identifying potential mentoring, job training, networking, and professional development opportunities between these organizations and supporting and promoting efforts of the Small Business Administration to provide technical assistance to small business owners and employees through classes and assistance in the areas of business management, marketing, and legal assistance. The County should consider allowing entrepreneurs to use government property or facilities to test new products and services that are beneficial to the public good for micro enterprises of five employees or fewer to encourage economic opportunities in low-income areas.

The County shall work proactively to retain and facilitate the expansion of firms in key industries, particularly those at risk of downsizing or relocation.

The County shall encourage expansion and attraction of businesses that can further support existing activities at Naval Base Ventura County and the Port of Hueneme including the strengthening of existing business relationships and establishing spin-off businesses that can transfer technologies used for military applications into other markets.

The County shall support local efforts to attract firms in key industries from outside the county or support the entrepreneurial development of new firms within the county, as well as training to develop entrepreneurship and innovation in the local workforce.