At first, the mandate seems too broad – create jobs, develop economies, help businesses. 

But that’s exactly what the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) has been doing and will continue to do, according to Brian Coleman, Project Financing Manager for the agency. Brian was the featured speaker at the Oct. 24 P3 Strategy Series session at Sunstone Cities headquarters. 

“I really want to spotlight the I-Bank (California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank),” Brian said. “It is the place for affordable financing for public infrastructure, private development … most recently it has added green project financing. We’re working state-wide for jobs in the green, climate change fields.” 

During his presentation, Brian introduced the wide-ranging programs housed within GO-Biz. They range from film and television production tax credits to the California Jobs First program, where many economic development initiatives are housed. There also are assistance programs for grants, bonds and loan guarantees for both municipalities and private developers. 

The audience sat up when Brian started talking about the free location services, access to state grants, workforce development resources and more available to small businesses.  

There are 13 regional area offices, each with their own data pool to help business owners decide what and where they want to do business. GO-Biz has a property search tool that can identify business-ready locations based on the business’s criteria. There is an entire team dedicated to helping business owners through the maze of state and national permits and regulations. 

After his presentation, Brian had a fireside chat with Sunstone Cities CEO John Keisler. A self-described fan of GO-Biz and its many activities, Keisler stressed that this agency is all about real people helping people. 

Keisler noted that since the I-Bank was formed in 1994, it had been a financial participant in $50 billion work of projects. Brian noted that GO-Biz, formed in 2012, was a big player in creation of the Space Beach cluster development in Long Beach through tax credits and workforce development assistance. 

Brian said the GO-Biz services were his answer to people saying California was more expensive than other states when it came to doing business. 

“It is true that the cost is higher in some ways,” he said. “Housing for sure, and what that means. But we are still competitive. There is more venture capital in California than anywhere else. Our university system is second to none. There are many assets here. 

“It’s our job to show how it can work,” he added. “We have a vested interest in supporting and ensuring the success of these businesses.” 

Brian concluded by urging attendees to contact him and/or other GO-Biz team members. 

“We’ll get you to the right person,” he said. 

For more information about GO-Biz, go to business.ca.gov. For I-Bank details, it is https://www.ibank.ca.gov/. 

Next on the P3 Strategy Series calendar on Friday, November 7th at 1 p.m. an update on the city of Carson and its economic development plans. RSVP at registration. For more information, contact Ryan Phong at Ryan.Phong@SunstoneCities.com.