Nonprofit helps local businesses save and create county jobs

In 2008, when a record number of companies closed their doors or laid off employees, the Economic Development Collaborative-Ventura County helped save or create 140 jobs totaling $11.2 million through its Business Enhancement Program.

The program is a partnership with the Workforce Investment Board of Ventura County and is offered at no cost to business owners. Targeting the county's 23,000 small businesses with 200 or fewer employees, the eightyearold program known as Business 911 offers general and specialized business assistance.

"As we look back on 2008, we remember countless stories of people losing their jobs and closing their doors, but here in Ventura County we are grateful for our partnerships that allowed us to save so many jobs," said Bruce Stenslie, president and CEO of the collaborative.

"It's obvious that the impact of this economy will touch every community in America, but we are working hard to ensure that as many people as possible in this county keep their jobs or climb the ladder," he said.

Business 911 assists companies with business planning, vendor relationships, marketing, staffing and human resources, cash flow review and restructuring, and lease review.

The collaborative recently made one of its largest loans to Oxnard's Visual Concepts, a small business that creates software for the defense community. Owners Priscilla Becker and Cece Alemania were able, with a $250,000 loan, to more than double their staff to accommodate a new contract.

Also in 2008, the collaborative partnered with the city of Ventura on its Business Assistance Program to execute five small business loans totaling $225,000. The organization now has 42 open loans in the city totaling $1.1 million.

Since 2001, the group has made more than $2.1 million in loans through Ventura's program, creating more than 90 jobs.

These loans are in addition to ongoing loan programs that contain $1.2 million in open loans and $1.7 million available to lend to eligible businesses.

Economic Development Collaborative-Ventura County is a private, nonprofit organization that serves as a businesstogovernment liaison to help businesses in Ventura County by offering programs that enhance the economic vitality of the region.

For more information about programs and services, call Stenslie at (805) 384-1800, ext. 21, email bruce.stenslie@edcvc.com or visit www.edcvc.com.

Workforce Investment Board provides work force development in Ventura County by integrating employment, training, education and business services for job seekers, workers and employers.