Small businesses are the backbone of the American economy and the creators of most jobs in America. Where small businesses prosper, communities prosper. That is why I have compiled this list of resources for current and prospective small business owners in the district. Owning a small business is a challenging endeavor but one that is extraordinarily rewarding. Fortunately, there are a number of resources available to help small business owners mitigate these challenges. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please feel free to contact my office at (707) 438-1822 or through my website at www.garamendi.house.gov.

Federal, State, and Local Resources

• United States Small Business Administration (SBA)
  
  This site contains a vast amount of information regarding most aspects of small business in the United States.
  
  The Small Business Administration offers several small business loans, and provides information on how to apply for them and other government loans and bonds. The SBA’s San Francisco and Sacramento district offices can connect you with local loan opportunities.
   
• Business Opportunities with the Federal Government
  
  Resources on business opportunities with the federal government.
   
• Consumer Protection Resources
  
  Resources on consumer protections available to consumers and small businesses.
   
• Grants and Federal Domestic Assistance
  
  Information on grants available to American business owners.
   
• America’s Small Business Development Center Network
  
  Small business owners can go to one of the networks Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs), a partner program of the SBA, for free consulting and at-cost training. The website also includes articles and a list of small business resources. Links to the SBDCs located in Fairfield, Oakland, and Pleasant Hill can be found below.
  
  Fairfield
  Solano Business Development Center
  360 Campus Lane, Ste. 102
  Fairfield, CA 94534
  P: (707) 864-3382
  F: (707) 864-8025
  
  Oakland
  Alameda County Small Business Development Center
  1330 Broadway, Ste. 705
  Oakland, CA 94621
  P: (510) 208-0410
  F: (510) 208-0413
  
  Pleasant Hill
  300 Ellinwood Way #300
  Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
  P: (925) 602-6840
  F: (925) 602-6842
   
• Health Insurance Finder
  
  HealthCare.gov's health insurance finder helps small businesses choose a health plan that's best for their business. A video tutorial is available on YouTube.
   
• SCORE
  
  A resource partner of the SBA, SCORE is a nonprofit association dedicated to educating entrepreneurs and helping small businesses start, grow, and succeed. It offers a network of over 13,000 volunteers who provide free counseling services, as well as articles, templates, and tips for small business owners.
   
• Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) Small Business and Self-Employment Tax Center
  
  The IRS’s Small Business and Self-Employment Tax Center has a wealth of information on paying taxes as a small business owner, including pages on starting a business, businesses with employees, and deducting expenses. The IRS also hosts workshops and seminars on a variety of topics relevant to small businesses; a link to a calendar of events, sorted by state, can also be found on their website.
   
• U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) Office of Small Business Utilization
  
  GSA serves as a connector between private industry and the federal government. GSA buys services, equipment, supplies, telecommunications, and IT from private businesses for use by federal agencies. The Office of Small Business Utilization (OSBU) helps small businesses to work with the federal government. They also offer a very thorough handbook on doing business with GSA.
   
• California Secretary of State
  
  The California Secretary of State’s office provides legal information about starting and running a business in California.
  
  Oakland
  Alameda County Small Business Development Center
  1330 Broadway, Ste. 705
  Oakland, CA 94621
  P: (510) 208-0410
  F: (510) 208-0413
  
  Pleasant Hill
  300 Ellinwood Way #300
  Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
  P: (925) 602-6840
  F: (925) 602-6842
   

• Go ED: Governor’s Office of Economic Development
  
  This website contains a plethora of information on starting and running a business in the state of California.
   
• California Tax Service Center
  
  The California Tax Service Center has a great deal of information on paying state and federal taxes at all stages of starting and running your business.
   
• Employment Development Department
  
  California’s Employment Development Department administers state payroll taxes. Its’ website has information on registering and paying these taxes.
  
  Toll-Free state payroll tax assistance: (888) 745-3886
   
• California Board of Equalization
  
  The Board of Equalization collects California state sales and use tax, as well as fuel, alcohol, and tobacco taxes and fees that provide revenue for state government and essential funding for counties, cities, and special districts. Their website has a helpful “How do I . . .” section, as well as a Small Business Center. The BOE also has district offices that you can visit or call.
  
  Oakland
  1515 Clay Street, Ste. 303
  Oakland, CA 94612
  P: (510) 622-4100
  F: (510) 622-4175
  
  Suisun City
  333 Sunset Avenue, Ste. 330
  Suisun City, CA 94585
  P: (707) 428-2041
  F: (707) 428-2193
   

• California Franchise Tax Board
  
  The California Franchise Tax Board is in charge of collecting income taxes and several business fees. Their website’s business center has information on filing requirements and necessary forms.
  
  Public Assistance Numbers: (800) 338-0505 (Automated Service) or (800) 852-5711
  
  Oakland Office
  1515 Clay Street, Ste. 305
  Oakland, CA 94621
  
  Sacramento Office
  3321 Power Inn Road, Ste. 250
  Sacramento, CA 95826
   

• California Department of Industrial Relations
  
  Employers in the state of California are required to have workers compensation insurance if they have even one employee. Generally, coverage for sole owners is optional. The California Department of Industrial Relations provides information on workers compensation insurance.
  
  Public Information Hotline: (415) 703-5070
  
  Oakland
  1515 Clay Street, 6th floor
  Oakland, CA 94621
  (510) 622-2866
  
  Sacramento Office
  160 Promenade Circle, Ste. 300
  Sacramento, CA 95832
  (916) 928-3101
   

• California Department of General Services: Procurement Division
  
  The California DGS website has information on doing business with the state of California, including information on becoming a vendor and bid opportunities.
   
• Alameda County Business Site
   
• Contra Costa County Business Site
   
• Solano County Business Site
   
• Local Chambers of Commerce
  
  Many businesses choose to apply for membership in their local chambers of commerce. A Chamber membership can offer a number of benefits, including networking, marketing, and educational opportunities, as well as referrals and bulk rates on insurance.
   
• Minority Business Development Agency
  
  The MBDA’s website provides resources for minority owned businesses. A regional MBDA center is located in San Francisco for access to further resources. Some minority owned businesses may have access to government grants, and this website provides further information about these opportunities.