Manufacturing in California, many believe, could be the answer to helping the Golden State’s economy recover and there are cold hard facts to prove it. In fact, ensuring manufacturing grows and thrives have become big priorities with folks in the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development. There’s a proposal as part of the Governor’s budget deal in the May revise that’s pending approval with the legislature, that will include a sales tax and use tax exemption for manufacturing equipment and biotech R&D. “We urge our legislators and our partners in Sacramento to see the benefits and critical importance of driving manufacturing in the state. We think supporting this proposal will do just that,” said Kish Rajan, Director of the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development. ...Read More

BY DIRECTOR KISH RAJAN: China is California's fastest growing and most lucrative inbound tourism market with over 718,000 visitors in 2012. That's nearly three quarters of a million Chinese visitors visiting our cities and national parks and shopping destinations - and spending money as they go. That's almost 50 percent of the total U.S. tourism market share of Chinese visitors. It's an impressive number. That is until you hear how MUCH those visitors actually spend. The average visitor from China spends over $2,900 on their trip -- significantly more than the average overseas tourist. Their spending power generates more than $2 billion in revenue for California accommodation, transportation, attractions, entertainment, restaurants and retail sectors across California. That's 718,000 visitors from China every year, spending an average of almost $3,000 each and contributing directly into California communities they're a part of. If you can visit somewhere in California to enjoy it, there's a job that goes with your trip. Like I said, it's an impressive number for California. ...Read More

Santa Barbara, CA – The Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) today hosted a working lunch for small business owners in the Santa Barbara area and provided information on federal healthcare compliance and state resources to help grow businesses. Over 90 local small business owners attended the event held at Santa Barbara City College. “This event is an opportunity to engage small business owners in a dialogue and give them more resources to operate their business,” said GO-Biz Small Business Advocate, Barbara A. Vohryzek. “GO-Biz is holding these workshops across the state and Santa Barbara is a critical stop because it comprises a diverse mix of small businesses supporting the local economy.” Vohryzek was joined by California Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) and U.S. Congresswoman Lois Capps (D-Santa Barbara). ...Read More

The Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) director Kish Rajan was joined today by representatives from Volvo Trucks, Safeway and Oberon Fuels for a press conference on the West Steps of the Capitol to unveil an industry-first alternative fuel technology for the North American heavy-duty truck market. “It's exciting to have a global leader like Volvo Trucks partnering with California companies to develop innovative technology in the Golden State," said Rajan. "The State of California continues to attract the most dynamic companies in the world and GO-Biz looks forward to helping Volvo and Oberon maximize the benefits of DME as a commercial transportation fuel." ...Read More

The Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development today issued an informational briefing today “NEW TOOLS FOR A NEW ECONOMY” on the Governor’s newly proposed business incentives. The incentives, part of Governor Brown’s revised May Budget, include a sales and use tax exemption for manufacturing equipment and biotech R&D, a long-term unemployed tax credit for areas of high unemployment and poverty, and a recruitment and retention incentive to attract new companies to California and expand existing companies. Also included is a side by side comparison of the proposed program compared to current enterprise zone incentives. GO-Biz Deputy Director for Business Investment Services Leslie McBride pointed to the wider application of the proposed incentives as an overall benefit. ...Read More