About Doing Business in Ojai
Doing business in Ojai relies on your ability to work well with others. With nearly 15% of Ojai’s population serving the community as business owners, you could certainly call the local economic climate “active.” The town offers abundance and a huge network of local resources and cooperative, collaborative business opportunities if you are inclined to seek them out.
If you are planning to do business in Ojai, are interested in promoting your business or are looking for help with something in particular — you’ve found the right place! There are a plethora of opportunities to work with local agencies but we also foster an engaging local business community through a variety of business networks.
After the Thomas Fire, Ojai Business Owners organized an ad hoc Executive Council (AKA The Ojai Business Association) to collaborate on larger economic development goals, social issues & collaborative marketing opportunities. This council is composed of representatives from different market segments who strive to discover inter-sectional opportunities. Ojai also has a Chamber of Commerce which hosts a monthly mixer to offer networking opportunities.
Aside from the resources listed here, Ojai Hub is committed to promoting local businesses, unifying business communication, promoting local events and offering a distinct Search Engine advantage for those interested in growing their businesses online. To reap the benefits of membership, become a business member by clicking here.
Business Assistance and Resources
Ventura County Grows Business
Welcome to this brief tour of Ventura County and our ten key communities. Ventura County offers your business everything it needs and everything your employees want. Rarely does a business location provide the unique combination of infrastructure, skilled workforce, financial stability, market access, affordability and the quality of life that’s available in Ventura County.
Business Resources – General List
A general list of County, State and Federal resources for businesses.
Local Organizations
WEV – Women’s Economic Ventures
Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) programs combine classroom training, capital and individual technical assistance to support the small business entrepreneur through start-up, stabilization and growth phases. Most services are provided in Spanish and English.
EDC-VC – Economic Development Collaborative
The EDC-VC is the business resource for companies of all sizes doing business in Ventura County. EDC-VC promotes jobs and economic growth to maintain the county’s economic vitality through these key programs and services: Business consulting and workshops, loans, manufacturing outreach program, G.E.T. Trade, the how-to on international trade.
SBDC – Small Business Development Center
EDC-VC has added the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) to its menu of comprehensive business services. SBDC provides free advising and workshops to small business owners in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties.
SCORE
SCORE is a nonprofit association dedicated to helping small businesses get off the ground, grow and achieve their goals through education and mentorship. Supported by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), and a network of 12,000+ volunteers, they are able to deliver business consulting services at no charge or at very low cost.
RMDZ-Recycling Market Development Zone Program
The County of Ventura, along with its ten cities, is a state-designated Recycling Market Development Zone (RMDZ). The purpose of the RMDZ is to help create local markets for the processing, manufacturing, and marketing of products made from recycled materials. Businesses are eligible for a variety of state and local incentives and assistance if they use recycled or reused materials to make products, or if they can make their products out of less material than they did previously.
G.E.T Trade – Global Entrepreneur Training in Trade Program
EDC-VC program, GET International Training provides one-on-one specialized consulting and a private tour of the Port of Hueneme to help businesses develop core international business skills.
VCEDA – Ventura County Economic Development Association
To advocate for policies, legislation and programs that stimulate business and a vital economy as the foundation for a vibrant quality of life in Ventura County.
WDB – Workforce Development Board
Employers
Employers can take advantage of free employment services and recruiting, on-the-job training, skills enhancement, and customized training. Business consulting services include customized needs analysis, strategic planning and growth, management and marketing, and financial analysis.
Careers and Training
The Workforce Development Board offers valuable services and resources for employers and job seekers to get help when they need it. WDB programs and services are offered at no cost to employers and job seekers through America’s Job Center of California locations in Ventura County.
OneStop – Job & Career Centers
The Virtual OneStop is a comprehensive employment services website providing online resources to job seekers and employers at no cost.
State Business Resources
The Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) was created by Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. to serve as California’s single point of contact for economic development and job creation efforts. GO-Biz offers a range of services to business owners including: attraction, retention and expansion services, site selection, permit streamlining, clearing of regulatory hurdles, small business assistance, international trade development, assistance with state government, and much more.
SBA – US Small Business Administration
Small business is America’s most powerful engine of opportunity and economic growth. That’s where the SBA comes in. SBA offers a variety of programs and support services to help businesses navigate the issues they face.