Resource center in Oxnard available for entrepreneurs, small businesses

The new Topa Business Resource Center is now in full operation at 400 E. Esplanade Drive, Oxnard, offering a one-stop shop of multiple nonprofit organizations and services to empower small businesses, entrepreneurs, and other professionals with the tools needed for success.

Made possible through collaboration between the Economic Development Corporation of Oxnard (EDCO), and Topa Management Company, the Center helps create opportunities that recognize business potential and start ups within the community to keep jobs at home and enhance the quality of life for local residents.

"By opening our doors to like-minded service organizations such as the Women's Economic Ventures, Service Corps of Retired Executives, and the Ventura County Workforce Investment Board, we've created an unprecedented environment

for responsible small business growth," said Steve Kinney, president of EDCO whose management expertise spearheads activities in the new 51,700square-foot headquarters.

The Topa Business Resource Center houses the following.

+Economic Development Corporation of Oxnard: a private, nonprofit corporation that provides support and development services to local and relocating businesses in Oxnard with "hands on" assistance and expertise that encourages responsible economic growth and stimulates new and improved job opportunities while enhancing the quality of life within the state and community.

+Women's Economic Ventures: a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping women become economically self-sufficient through entrepreneurship and career development by providing training, access to capital and business services.

+Service Corps of Retired Executives: a nonprofit association dedicated to entrepreneur education and the formation, growth and success of small business with volunteer counselors who provide individual counseling and business workshops for aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners-from generating and assessing ideas, to preparing a business plan, raising capital and managing the operations.

+Ventura County Workforce Investment Board: a state-run agency in response to the mandate of the federal Workforce Investment Act of 1998, the board assists the Governor in setting and guiding policy in the area of workforce development so that a well-prepared workforce can create and sustain a healthy business climate by adapting as new technologies develop.

For more information call (805) 385-7444.