The City of Brentwood partners with several government and financial organizations to provide special lending programs to businesses in Brentwood. Learn more about these programs by reading the summaries below and then clicking the links provided. In addition, please feel free to contact Economic Development staff anytime at (925) 516-5405 to ask questions and discuss these different programs.
Please note: the City of Brentwood does not endorse any of the organizations featured below - all content is provided for convenience and informational purposes only.
Small Business Administration Loan Programs
The SBA offers a variety of loan programs to help small businesses. In general, these are low-interest, long-term loans that have lower collateral requirements than conventional loans. Some of SBA’s most popular programs are:
- 7(a) Loan Program (loan amounts from $50,000 to $5 million for a wide variety of uses including working capital, real estate, construction, equipment, etc.)
- Microloan Program (up to $50,000 for working capital, inventory, furniture, fixtures, equipment, or machinery)
- Patriot Express Loan Program (loans of up to $500,000 for businesses owned by veterans or members of the military community)
- 504 Loan Program (up to $5 million for real estate and equipment)
To apply for an SBA loan, you would typically apply using a bank that participates with SBA. There are many banks in Brentwood that offer SBA loans, including: Bank of Agriculture, Bank of the West, Citibank, First Bank, Tri Counties Bank, and Wells Fargo. To find SBA lenders or learn more, please contact the SBA's San Francisco District Office.
Cal CAP
The California Capital Access Program (CalCAP) encourages banks and other financial institutions to make loans to small businesses that have difficulty obtaining financing. CalCAP offers several key services:
- Loan portfolio insurance that may provide up to 100% coverage on certain loan defaults.
- Collateral Support – cash to cover the collateral shortfall of loans of $100,000 or more. CalCAP Collateral Support provides up to 40% of the loan value, with the possibility of an additional 10% for businesses located in a severely affected community.
- Loans to finance heavy-duty trucks and buses and SmartWay aerodynamic technologies. CalCAP together with the California Air Resources Board may provide up to 100% coverage on certain loan defaults.
For more information, please visit: CalCAP
Industrial Development Bonds
Industrial Development Bonds (IDBs) provide low-cost, long-term financing for new capital projects including: land and building acquisition; construction; renovation; and new machinery and equipment. IDB bond amounts usually range from $2 million up to $10 million for projects with total costs no larger than $20 million. Repayment periods extend up to 40 years and interest rates are generally about 2% below prime.
The IDB program is coordinated by the California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank (i-Bank) , which offers several key financing services for local businesses. Many organizations are authorized to issue IDBs. One organization is the East Bay Economic Development Alliance (EDA), which offers a tax-exempt Industrial Development Bond program that may be applied to equipment as well as assisting in the company’s expanding space needs.
Foreign-Trade Zones
A Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) is a special area authorized by the U.S. government to make it easier and cheaper for local companies to export their products overseas. When a company participates in a FTZ, they do not have to pay tariffs/duties for the foreign components of any finished products manufactured in the zone and shipped overseas. Duty is only assessed when products enter the United States from the FTZ, but at that time the company may elect to pay duty on each constituent foreign part or on the finished product, whichever is less. The East Bay EDA can assist in securing space and services at the Oakland Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ).
Marble Bridge
Marble Bridge is a private lending institution that provides short-term financing based on accounts receivable and purchase orders. For more information, visit: www.marblebridge.com.
Research and Development Tax Credit (California)
Designed to encourage companies to increase their basic research and development activities in California, the R&D tax credit allows companies to receive a credit of 15% for qualifying in-house research expenses and 24% for basic research payments to an outside company or university. Qualifying expenses include:
- Employee wages for researchers, supervisors, and support services;
- Supplies used in conducting the research; and
- Amounts paid to outside consultants for the right to use personal property for research.
For more information, please visit: California Franchise Tax Board business tax credits
PG&E Incentives for Small Businesses
PG&E offers several incentives, rebates, and other economic development programs to assist small businesses. These programs include the Energy Efficiency Rebate, Targeted Rate Reduction program, and other incentives. For more information, please visit: PG&E or contact Adriane Gardner at PG&E at (925) 459-8075 or a1gh@pge.com.
California Energy Commission PIER Program
The California Energy Commission's Public Interest Energy Research (PIER) Program supports energy research, development and demonstration (RD&D) projects that will help improve the quality of life in California by bringing environmentally safe, affordable and reliable energy services and products to the marketplace. The PIER Program annually awards up to $62 million to conduct the most promising public interest energy research by partnering with RD&D organizations including individuals, businesses, utilities, and public or private research institutions. PIER brings new energy services and products to the marketplace and creates state-wide environmental and economic benefits. PIER funding efforts are focused on the following RD&D program areas:
- Buildings End-Use Energy Efficiency
- Energy Innovations Small Grant Program
- Energy-Related Environmental Research
- Energy Systems Integration
- Environmentally-Preferred Advanced Generation
- Industrial/Agricultural/Water End-Use Energy Efficiency
- Renewable Energy Technologies
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and it is administered locally through Contra Costa County.
CDBG grants help to develop viable urban communities by providing decent housing, a suitable living environment and expanded economic opportunities, principally for low-income households. Contra Costa County receives funds annually to carry out CDBG eligible activities. The County directs these funds to housing, economic development, infrastructure improvements, public facilities, and public service projects designed to meet the needs of very low- and low-income persons.
CDBG Small Business/Microenterprise Loan Program
Contra Costa County’s Small Business/Microenterprise Loan Program helps owner-operated small businesses that need financial assistance. The program focuses on start-up businesses and expansion of existing businesses in the Urban County with 5 or fewer employees (including the owner).
Contra Costa County Economic Development Assistance Fund
Contra Costa County’s CDBG Economic Development Assistance Program provides very small loans to start-up, newly established, or growing small business concerns. Under this program, SBA makes funds available to nonprofit community based lenders (intermediaries) which, in turn, make loans to eligible borrowers in amounts up to a maximum of $35,000. For more information, please contact:
Community Development Department
2530 Arnold Drive, Suite 190
Martinez, CA 94553
Phone: (925) 335-7200
E-mail: bkain@cd.cccounty.us
State of California Sales & Use Tax Exemption
The State of California offers a Sales & Use Tax exemption for the purchase of equipment related to manufacturing. For more information, visit: State Board of Equalization. In addition, the State offers a special program called “CAEATFA” that allows Sales & Use Tax exclusions for companies involved in alternative energy and other green industries.
California Employment Training Panel (ETP)
The California Employment Training Panel (ETP) is a state program that assists employers by providing funds to off-set the costs of job skills training. ETP uses a pay-for-performance contract to reimburse employers providing customized job skills training to full-time employees. Under an ETP Agreement, training may be delivered by any combination of internal or external training provider in classroom, laboratory, e-learning, and on-the-job settings. Reimbursement amounts are based upon the amount of training delivered, however small businesses are currently earning between $22 and $26 per trainee, per training hour. Most projects are currently capped at $100,000. ETP-funded training is tracked using a web-based tracking program that streamlines administration and invoicing processes. ETP provides comprehensive technical assistance and monitoring to ensure success. For more information, please visit California Employment Training Panel or contact Robert Meyer at ETP, at (916) 327-4391 or rmeyer@etp.ca.gov.
Facility-Related Public Infrastructure Improvements
The mission of the California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank (I-Bank) is to finance public infrastructure that promotes economic growth, revitalizes communities and enhances the quality of life. The I-Bank’s Infrastructure State Revolving Fund (ISRF) Program may be able to finance up to $10 million in public roadway improvements to support qualified projects. The ISRF Program offers low interest loans to cities and other local municipal entities that can be extended for as long as 30 years at fixed rates near 3%.
Recycling Market Development Zones (RMDZS)
The California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB), the State agency responsible for managing California’s waste stream, has created three Recycling Market Development Zones in the East Bay: Oakland/Berkeley, Contra Costa County, and Southern Alameda County (Union City and Fremont). Within these zones, manufacturers that process materials for remanufacture or manufacture products from recycled materials are eligible for benefits including:
- Loans at below market, fixed rates
- Streamlined permitting and siting
- Technical assistance
- Marketing assistance
Loans can be obtained up to $2 million for as long as 15 years at 5% (current Wall Street Journal prime rate is 8.25%) to purchase owner occupied property, equipment, recycled materials, or other approved uses. In addition, the CIWMB and StopWaste.org provide technical assistance as well as grants and mini-grants for qualifying reuse projects.
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