Small Business Stats, Services and Programs

The small business community in Napa continues to thrive, showcasing remarkable resilience and growth over recent years. This article highlights some recent statistics and a variety of supportive programs that demonstrate the entrepreneurial spirit that defines Napa's economy.

The Solana-Napa Small Business Development Center (SBDC) has played a significant role in the sustained growth of small businesses in Napa. In 2023, the SBDC helped 14 new businesses emerge, creating 136 new jobs and retaining 371 existing positions. These businesses collectively created over $16.7 million in sales, supported by $3 million in facilitated loans.

The momentum has continued into 2024, with early data showing promising trends. In just the first half of the year, five new businesses have launched with SBDC's support, creating 54 jobs and retaining 248 jobs. These small businesses have already reported sales increases totaling $2.8 million, made possible by over $510,000 in loans facilitated to support their growth.

In 2023, SBDC counselors provided 903 hours of guidance to 195 clients. Their efforts have continued in 2024, with 542 hours of advising already provided to 136 clients in the first half of the year. These impressive numbers demonstrate the vital role small businesses play in Napa's economy and the effectiveness of local support programs like the SBDC.

The SBDC also helped childcare businesses leverage funds from the Childcare Infrastructure Forgivable Loan Program, an initiative designed to preserve and create childcare-providing businesses. This initiative helped seven childcare businesses secure over $2.5 million in funding in 2023 to expand their capacity, addressing a critical community need while supporting small business growth in this vital sector.

Environmental sustainability has also been a focus for Napa's small business community. The LeafBlower program, for instance, distributed $25,000 among 27 landscape businesses to help them acquire electric power tools.

The Workforce Alliance of the North Bay (WANB) also provides critical resources to facilitate the success of small businesses and their employees. Through WANB's CareerPoint branch, small businesses can provide their employees with valuable training programs where they can obtain new certifications, learn new skills and more.

In select instances, WANB programs also cover part of the cost of training or reimburses employee wages for lost work hours. The WANB also provides a number of other resources for small businesses and potential employees to increase productivity, minimize layoffs and ensure they are hiring well-trained, qualified talent. As Napa's small business landscape continues to evolve, it's clear that the combination of entrepreneurial spirit, community support and targeted programs is creating a robust ecosystem for business growth.