Policy A-1
Retain, Expand and Foster New Local Business and Industry.
Small businesses are the backbone of the Mariposa Economy. The Mariposa County EDC is committed to supporting existing small businesses within the County and assisting them to expand and create more and better paying jobs. The EDC will foster the formation of new companies and businesses in the County and expansion of our employment base. The EDC will also provide assistance to existing businesses in the County to assure their success and enable them to expand as economic circumstances permit.
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Quantifiable Objective:
By the Year 2000, the Mariposa County EDC’s objective is to:
1. Reduce small business failure during the first five years of operation to a level below national standards or 50%, whichever is lower.
2. Increase the number of small businesses employing 2 to 10 full-time workers by 5% per year.

Implementing Programs & Actions
A-1a Annually contact and survey each business owner and employer in Mariposa County and identify significant business needs.
The Mariposa County EDC, in cooperation with the Mariposa County Chamber of Commerce, will annually survey local businesses throughout the County. A uniform questionnaire will be developed which will help local businesses and employers identify problems and needs which limit expansion or may result in the business relocating to another area.

A-1b Based upon identified needs, provide on-going employee and business management training programs for local businesses and employers.
In cooperation with the Mariposa Unified School District, Merced Community College, and other educational and public job training organizations, the Mariposa County EDC will sponsor regular workshops, seminars and clinics for business in the County. At least one educational program will be supported every quarter in the County.

A-1c Expand the financial resources available to local businesses.
Work with private lending institutions and public agencies to develop needed financial tools and training for small businesses throughout Mariposa County. Programs might include sponsoring micro-enterprise venture capital groups and similar activities which promote small business start-ups and improve their success. Program efforts should complement and support local lenders and not compete with normal private sector financial services.

A-1d Provide technical support to small businesses in governmental regulatory compliance.
The Mariposa County EDC will assist small business owners and employers in meeting federal, state and local regulations. The Mariposa County EDC will inform businesses about regulatory programs, their aims and compliance standards. This program does not support circumvention or evasion of environmental, health and safety rules. The overall intent is to identify the best, most cost effective means of local business compliance.

A-1e Provide a forum for small business governmental regulatory reform.
Provide guidance to local businesses with respect to the types of rules and regulations affecting their operations. When government rules and regulations work to the unique disadvantage of a small business without effectively promoting an important public purpose, the Mariposa County EDC shall work to have the rule or regulation revoked or modified as required.

A-1f Support development of small business “incubator” programs in Mariposa County.
In cooperation with Mariposa County, apply for economic development grant and loan funds to establish a small business incubator within the County. Support private efforts to develop office facilities which provide shared resources (clerical, copy, telecommunications, etc.) for self employed individuals.

A-1g Provide technical assistance to local small business managers in cooperative marketing and business cost reduction.
Identify opportunities for local business owners and managers to develop cooperative marketing and advertising programs for local products and services. This program might involve development of regional product marketing campaign for local products and services based on the region’s public image of Yosemite. The Mariposa County EDC may assist in packaging programs for small business support services which would provide reduced fees for affiliated small businesses.